8Author's Note: this is a Christmas present for...Cee!
She woke up shivering and frowning. Shivering because she had fallen asleep in the drawing room, only a thin night gown and a blanket taken from her bed to keep her warm, the fire had long burned out. Frowning because she shouldn't be awake, the pills her doctor subscribed for her should have kept her asleep till morning. The clock chimed loudly, it was midnight.
Cee
It was a hushed whisper, calling from far behind, a small gust of wind blowing in her ear, raising the hairs on the back of her neck.
Cee
The voice was familiar, she heard it so many times and hearing it again made her heart beat faster, her blood rushing furiously to her cheeks and she wrapped her blanket to keep her warm.
Cee
It was coming from the parlour. She was sure of it, she tiptoed along the plus carpet, making her way there, the door creaking open and she scanned the room. The elegant Christmas tree stood tall and proud, surrounded by beautifully wrapped presents. No one but her was there.
She sighed and closed her eyes, wishful thinking it was, the medicine still in her system maybe...
"Hello Cee"
Her eyes flew open and standing there before her...she choked on the air she was breathing, it couldn't be...
"James" she whispered.
He was transparent but gorgeous. Hair curled perfectly, eyes twinkling brightly and a smile tugging at his lips...perfect...he reached out his transparent hand cupping her cheek...she felt nothing. Unfair!
"Oh Cee" he whispered. "This has been a hard year for you"
She bit her lip to stop the sob from bursting out and nodded silently.
"I can't stay for long, only a minute and we only got thirty seconds left" James said hurriedly. "I just wanted to give you a Christmas kiss"
She was embarrassed and touched...someone was willing to break through the spirit world just to give her a kiss. Someone loved her that much...before she could even think of anything else he bent down and covered her lips with his transparent ones...only this time she could feel. And god it was fantastic.
He pulled away and she moaned at the loss. "Merry Christmas Cee, I'll always be there even if you can't see me. I hope next year will be better than this one"
And then he vanished.
One minute into Christmas day and it was already the best day she had in a long time.