Unwrap these Presents

by Astrid Ohletz

  I ignored them, landed at the foot of the gurney, and carefully made my way along the child’s body until I knelt at her head. I stroked her matted hair as I asked the Boss to keep an eye on her. I felt His peace descend on the child and me, and was reminded that she was in His hands. That didn’t necessarily mean she would survive, but whatever happened, she would be lovingly cared for.

  Geoff rolled the gurney into Room 312 and lined it up beside the hospital bed that Polly had prepared for its new occupant. With infinite care, he and Connie transferred the child as I scuttled to keep out of the way. Geoff patted Connie’s arm and pushed the gurney ahead of him out the door.

  “Well, little one, you’re safe now. We’ll do our best to make you all better.” Connie unwound her stethoscope from around her neck and warmed it in her hand. She laid the chestpiece against the child’s chest and listened. Then she inserted a thermometer into one ear to check the toddler’s temperature. Satisfied, she picked up the chart that had come up from the ER along with the gurney and made some notations. Reading over the notes, she frowned, until she came to the end, and then she smiled. “You’re one lucky little girl. You’ve got Dr. Jess looking after you. Trust me, she’s the best. She’ll have you singing and dancing before you know it.”

  “Singing and dancing?” The low, amused voice came from behind Connie, and she almost dropped the chart as she whirled around and saw Jess standing in the doorway. I couldn’t help giggling at the chagrined look on Connie’s face.

  “Well, it’s a figure of speech, of course.” Connie tucked a lock of hair behind one ear and turned back to her patient. “I don’t really expect her to foxtrot her way out of here.”

  Jess chuckled as she moved to the opposite side of the bed. “So, then you’re saying I couldn’t really teach someone to foxtrot?”

  I sat on the pillow, arms wrapped around my knees as I watched. This was the first time in my two weeks of observation that they had been alone—or almost alone—together. Connie’s blush was so cute, and the look on Jess’ face indicated she thought it was pretty attractive too.

  “I’m sure you could teach anyone anything if you really wanted to.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Jess’ words were quiet and sincere.

  C’mon, Connie. Look at her. Her heart is right there in her eyes. Look at the way she’s looking at you.

  But my shy nurse wouldn’t meet the doctor’s gaze as she fussed with the blanket.

  Dagnab it! What the heck is it going to take here?

  Jess visibly withdrew and became strictly businesslike. I groaned. Another missed opportunity.

  “So, how is Miss Tamara Dawn Fraser doing?”

  Connie responded to Dr. Jess’ brusque tone by rattling off the child’s stats.

  Jess nodded. “I made some calls after she came in downstairs. Seems young Tammy here has seen more than her fair share of the city’s ERs in her short life, though this is the first time she’s been admitted to our facility.”

  Her features clouded over with the shadow of her legendary temper. Her jaw was rigid and her gaze stern. Jess was famous for not tolerating fools or anything or anyone who endangered her kids. I’d seen a former head of the hospital kicked off the floor when he’d had the temerity to suggest a less expensive course of treatment for one of her patients. Nurses and parents loved her for the way she championed the children, but administrators and incompetent interns lived in fear of crossing her.

  “If I have my way, this will also be the last time Tammy ends up in any hospital.”

  Her gaze glued on Dr. Jess, Connie nodded. I could see her utter faith that Jess would make things right.

  I rolled my eyes. “C’mon, you two, look at what’s right in front of you.” It was to no avail.

  Connie raised the rails on Tammy’s bed, flashed Jess a bashful smile, then took the chart and left the room.

  The look of loneliness and despondency that settled over Jess’ face as she leaned on the bed rails almost broke my heart.

  All right, I’d had it! There comes a time when you have to set subtlety aside and take the bull by the horns. Anemone claims I wouldn’t know subtlety if it bit me on the nose anyway, so it was time to go with my strengths.

  With a quick check to ensure the child was sleeping soundly, I left Jess gently stroking Tammy’s hair and flew down the hall to find Connie. She wasn’t at the station with the other nurses, and I located her in the staff locker room, sitting on a bench, hands dangling between her knees, looking every bit as morose and isolated as the doctor I’d just left.

  “God, why am I so stupid? All I have to do is ask her if she’d like to join me for coffee or something. Then we could talk and get to know each other a bit… Yeah, right. Like I could manage to string two words together when I’m around her. I’m such an idiot.”

  I listened to Connie castigate herself and suddenly was struck by a brilliant idea. But I’d have to work fast.

  Rushing back to Tammy’s room, I ran into Jess coming out the door. I mean, I literally ran into her, though she didn’t feel a thing.

  I, however, ended up on the linoleum, my head spinning from the impact. Groggy, I picked myself up and weaved my way after the doctor. I caught up with her at the station. Perched somewhat unsteadily on her shoulder, I whispered fervently in her ear and planted a suggestion.

  For a moment I didn’t think she was going to heed me—the more strong-minded a person, the harder it can be to get through to them. Finally, she shook her head, set down the chart she’d been reviewing, and headed down the hall to the staff locker room.

  I gleefully flew ahead to ensure that Connie hadn’t left. She was leaning against the front of her locker, her head resting on crossed arms.

  When Jess entered the room, Connie straightened and pretended to be opening her locker, but I knew Jess had noted the melancholy posture.

  I slipped behind the doctor and quietly closed and secured the door. That thing wasn’t opening again until I said so. With a grin, I flew to the top of the lockers and settled in to watch.

  “Connie? Are you all right?”

  Dr. Jess’ tone was warm, compassionate.

  Connie flushed but didn’t turn around. “Um, yes. There’s no problem. It’s just…well, seeing Tamara and all—you know. Thanks for asking, though.”

  She still didn’t turn around.

  Never taking her gaze off Connie, Jess took a seat on the bench. She took a deep breath, and I sensed that at the very least, my suggestion that Connie really needed a friend right now had taken root.

  “I know. The abuse cases are the worst. But I promise that she’s going to be all right. Would you like to talk about it? I’m a pretty good listener.”

  That finally got Connie to turn around, but her gaze darted nervously from Jess to the door, and I knew that she’d try to bolt. Fortunately, though she didn’t know it, I had circumvented that option. I smiled smugly.

  Connie edged around Jess and shook her head. “Um, no, thanks anyway, but I’d better get back to work.”

  Jess watched her go, shoulders slumped. When Connie couldn’t open the door, Jess rose to help her.

  Jess, too, was unable to open the door. “What the…?”

  I think I mentioned that I can’t do big miracles, but little stuff like sealing a door shut is a piece of cake.

  Connie hammered on the door, but the staff locker room was quite a distance from the nurses’ station and none of the duty staff heard her.

  Jess tried, with a similar lack of success. Finally both of them stepped back and looked at one another. Jess shrugged. “I think we’re stuck in here until someone realizes that we’re missing and comes looking.”

  Hmmm. That prospect didn’t seem to upset the good doctor too much. Interesting…

  Connie nodded and took a seat at one end of the long bench that bisected the rows of lockers. Jess settled at the other end and fiddled with her stethoscope. Each kept glancing at the other.

  I ble
w out an exasperated sigh. Apparently, I was going to have to do something more drastic.

  “Pretty weird about the door, isn’t it? I never even knew it could lock.”

  Connie flashed a look at the door and frowned. “It doesn’t have a lock.”

  “Mmmm?”

  “It doesn’t have a lock. Look at it.”

  Jess glanced over too. “Huh, you’re right. Maybe the wood swelled up and made it stick.”

  “Could be.” Connie was quiet for a long moment. “Why did you close the door when you came in?”

  Startled, Jess studied the door. “But I didn’t close it. I just wanted to see if you were okay.”

  Enough with the stupid door already. Get to the good stuff.

  Exasperated, I leaned forward on the top of the lockers. I glared at them and vowed never to tread on Naida’s turf again. It was a lot easier comforting distressed patients and their families than trying to work romantic miracles.

  They lapsed into silence again, and I heaved a sigh. At this rate, my brilliant plan was going to come to naught. I blamed them entirely, because the plan itself was good…excellent actually, if I did say so myself. The magic of Christmas Eve, enforced togetherness and solitude, unspoken love burning hot and deep within their hearts… Honestly, what more could they ask for? They should be making out like love-starved teenagers by now.

  Maybe I had to rethink my calculations.

  I leaned back on my hands and stared at the ceiling. Where had I gone wrong? Would it be a little obvious if I conjured up some soft music and candlelight? Maybe a nice Cabernet Sauvignon… Not that I know a good wine from a sour glass of milk, but I once overheard an orderly recommend that when his buddy was planning a seduction. I guess providing a chaise lounge for them to recline on together might be going a bit overboard.

  I sat up, prepared to work a little more magic, when Jess stood and went to her own locker. I couldn’t see what she extracted, but she put something in her pocket and crossed to Connie’s end of the bench. Straddling the bench and sitting about two feet away, she took out a candy cane and offered it to Connie.

  “We could be in here for quite a while. I wouldn’t want you to starve to death.”

  Connie accepted the candy and waggled it with a smile. “Your secret vice?”

  Jess chuckled. “Well, I keep them for the kids, but I’ll admit to having a sweet tooth myself.”

  “I know what you mean. Having a bakery in the basement hasn’t helped my hips any.” She peeled the cellophane off the peppermint stick.

  Jess’ gaze was glued to the way Connie’s tongue slowly followed the curve of the candy cane.

  Hah! This matchmaking gig wasn’t so hard after all.

  Jess swallowed hard and peeled her own candy. “I don’t know, your hips look pretty darn fine to me.”

  All motion stopped as they just stared at one another.

  I’m not sure who looked more startled: Jess, for having blurted out her observation; or Connie, for confirmation that the longtime object of her affections actually thought about such things. I hugged myself in delight.

  “Um, I mean…I didn’t mean…”

  I’d never seen Jess so flustered. Oddly, it seemed to give Connie confidence, and she grinned.

  “It’s okay, Doc. It’s not like I’m going to slap you with a sexual harassment suit.”

  Jess’ face was fiery red. “That’s a relief. I mean, I wouldn’t ever want you to think… Not that I don’t think you’re… Oh shit…”

  Connie and I laughed together.

  “It’s okay, Jess.”

  Connie sucked in a deep breath, and I knew this was the turning point…if she didn’t back off first. I rocked back and forth, whispering encouragement. “Tell her, Connie. C’mon, this is what you’ve dreamed of. You know she feels the same way, but it’s up to you to tell her. You can do it. I believe in you.”

  “I was wondering…”

  Connie stopped, and so did my heart, just for a second.

  Jess drew a bit closer. “You were wondering?”

  Connie tilted her chin. “I was wondering if you might like to get some breakfast with me after our shift is over; that is, if you don’t have any other plans.”

  Wow! I should’ve brought sunglasses with me. Jess’ smile just about blinded me.

  “I’d love to. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Christmas than to start it with you.”

  Okay, now it was a toss-up as to whose smile was brighter.

  “There’s probably not many places open on Christmas morning, but I make a mean Denver omelet and my apartment isn’t too far from here.”

  Yes! I am so good at this matchmaking stuff. I must have a natural and heretofore undiscovered gift for it. Naida better watch out, or she’s gonna lose her position to yours truly.

  Thrilled, I watched Jess reach for Connie’s hand. Oooh, looks like it was confession time ’round these parts.

  “Your apartment sounds perfect.” Jess delicately traced the palm of Connie’s hand, while Connie stared, mesmerized. “I’ve been hoping… I mean, I’ve wanted to ask you out for a long time. Connie…”

  Connie took a deep breath. “I think you’re pretty special too. And I’m very glad that the stupid door got stuck.”

  Jess caressed Connie’s face, as she closed her eyes and leaned into the touch. Two candy canes tumbled to the floor as the pair focused on something far sweeter.

  I held my breath, and when Jess leaned in and softly touched her lips to Connie’s, I hollered, “Yes!” and pumped my fist in the air.

  “Flea, what have you done?”

  I squawked and would’ve fallen off the top of the lockers, except that Anemone’s arm caught me around the waist. I’d been so wrapped up in the love blooming in front of my eyes that I hadn’t even noticed she had materialized behind me. Keeping her arm in place, she settled by my side, dangling her legs over the edge of the lockers, and looked at me.

  “You haven’t answered me. What exactly is going on here?”

  I glanced down at the women who were now blissfully locked in a passionate embrace. Gee, it looked to me like it was pretty apparent what was going on, but judging from Anemone’s stern expression, I suspected any smart-assery would not be well received.

  “These two happened to get locked in here, and well, one thing led to another—”

  “They ‘happened’ to get locked in here? That door has an enchantment on it that I could see from five floors up.”

  Nuts. I’d forgotten how sensitive Anemone is to the ethereal traces that magic always emits.

  “Really? Huh. Wonder how that happened.”

  “Fleeeeeeaaaaa.”

  Well, as I learned long ago, when you’re caught dead to rights, it’s best just to ’fess up and take the consequences. I unsealed the door, and it swung open, startling the women who had been giddily lost in each other’s arms.

  They drew apart a little, and Jess slid her hands slowly down Connie’s arms. Hands clasped, they sat for a long moment with wondering smiles, flushed faces, lips still parted, and eyes shining.

  Without looking away, Connie murmured, “The door’s open.”

  “Uh-huh.” Jess’ gaze was locked on Connie as if she might disappear.

  “We should probably get back to work.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  I couldn’t help it. I giggled. “Aren’t they adorable?” Fearing that I’d sounded too unrepentant, I glanced out of the corner of my eye at my supervisor, but her stern expression had softened.

  “I suppose they are.”

  I was grateful that she left anything else unsaid as we watched them finally rise to their feet. This was such a special moment. I had no idea if Jess and Connie would be a forever match, but the aura they were projecting right now was so powerful that it made me tingle from the top of my head right down to my toes.

  Just before they reached the door, they paused. Jess drew Connie into her arms and buried her face in Connie’s hair. �
�I can’t seem to let you go.”

  Connie returned the hug just as fiercely, then pulled back enough to look at Jess’ face. “Then don’t.”

  Ah, there was that smile again. The joy between them was palpable, and I wriggled with delight. Whatever my interference might cost me, it would be worth it. As I watched them slowly release each other and walk out the door, hands touching and barely able to look away from each other, a happy tear trickled down my face…and was caught by a gentle finger.

  Startled, I looked at Anemone.

  She was gazing at me with an unusual intensity, her hand still touching my face.

  I shivered, but it wasn’t from fear of her disapproval.

  “Nem?” My whisper was barely audible, but her wings seemed to quiver with the sound.

  “What you did for them…” Her silvery voice was strangely hoarse. I stared, unable to say a word. “…it was beautiful. They’ve been in love for so long, but just couldn’t seem to take that first step. It was sad, really: so much happiness just one improbable kiss away…until you opened their eyes and hearts.”

  Somewhere in the back of my addled brain, I got the impression that there was a subtext to her words, but in the inexplicable desertion of my usual eloquence, I just gulped and nodded. “I didn’t think the Boss would mind.”

  That squeak was me?

  Anemone smiled, surely the most beautiful smile ever seen in this world or the next. “The Boss is always happy when His creations find love. You know it was His greatest gift to us all.”

  Oh, Boss! She was going to kiss me! Ooooooohhhh…

  Then I fell, toppling off the top of the lockers at the first exquisite touch of her lips. Quicker than my eye could see, Anemone swooped down to catch me.

  She cradled me in her arms mere inches from the floor, and I stared at her in awe.

  She smiled. “I hope you’re not going to do that every time I kiss you, because I plan on doing it often.”

  And she was as good as her word.

  It’s a good thing Guardians are really, really long-lived, ’cause we sure had a lot of lost time to make up for.

  “Merry Christmas, my Flea.” Anemone’s delicate kisses covered my face.