A Touch of Christmas Magic

by Cailee Francis

  “You know as well as I do that if you transfer you won’t be getting that money back, Emily. You’ll just be wasting the opportunity you’ve been given.”

  “You can’t make me go back if I don’t want to,” Emily said, standing firm.

  “Maybe not, but what are you going to do with your things there? Leave them there until the dorm throws them out? I don’t have more money to spend on a college here because you don’t want to see it through.”

  “You don’t know they won’t give me a refund,” Emily said. “You’re not the one across the country by yourself, missing everyone, every day.”

  “Maybe not,” he said, backing down slightly. “You’ve got to do what’s right though, Emily. I don’t know who’s been putting these ideas in your head.”

  “I’m quite capable of thinking for myself, thank you,” she said.

  She stared at her father for a moment, her heart aching at the thought of this; even arguing with him. “You know, maybe I was mistaken. Maybe I don’t want to be back here with you,” she said, as she shook her head and walked upstairs. Emily locked the door behind her, set down her bag and sunk down on the bed.

  Tears came all too easily, but she refused to let her father hear them. Instead, she closed her eyes while her mind ran through possibilities. She didn’t want to lose Danica, and she’d promised her already that she was coming back to stay. She couldn’t go back to college and stay there now. There would be no future with Danica if she did, and everything that mattered to her would be gone, and far away again. She couldn’t let that happen.

  Emily waited until her father had gone to bed; she heard the bedroom door close, and then she gave Cathy’s door a tap. Just as she expected, her sister was still awake. Cathy didn’t especially like early nights or mornings for that matter, and she wouldn’t be working the next day.

  Cathy pulled off her headphones as Emily entered the room.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” Cathy asked.

  She was sitting in a leather chair in front of the computer. At first Emily thought she’d been listening to music, but then she realised there was a video paused on the screen.

  “I just really need to talk and I don’t know what to do, Cathy.”

  “Why don’t you start by telling me what’s going on,” she said, her expression concerned.

  “I got back together with Danica,” she said.

  “Oh my God, that’s wonderful!” Cathy exclaimed. “I always had a feeling you two would work it out. You both wanted to be together so much.”

  Emily nodded. “I want to transfer to a college here so I’m not so far away. It’s so lonely out there. Dad told me I have to go back there because of the money. If I do, it would mean breaking my promise to Danica—I told her I’d come back. I don’t want to lose her again, Cathy; this is my second chance.”

  “Oh Emily, I’m so sorry to hear that. You could talk to Danica about it? I’m sure she’d understand. If you have to go back and study there, she might wait for you until you return?”

  “That’s a long time, Cathy. I don’t want to have to be away that long.”

  “You could do it though,” Cathy said.

  Emily didn’t want to agree with her, because returning to stay there wasn’t what she wanted. She knew if she budged on this and let herself be pressured into it, then it would be so much harder to get away later.

  “What would you do?” Emily asked, looking to her sister for an answer.

  “I... I really don’t know,” Cathy admitted. “You could just leave it a while and see if Dad comes around? If you get Mum on your side, maybe he’ll listen.”

  “Maybe,” Emily replied doubtfully.

  She didn’t like how it was making her feel about her father. She’d missed him so much and she wanted him to understand her now. Why was that so difficult?

  “I’ll leave it a while then,” Emily said, not really sure she was doing the right thing. It seemed the best of imperfect options.

  She’d felt so happy and the truth was, she still did aside from this. She’d made love to Danica again, and her lover was happy and recovering well. Emily didn’t want to tell her that Lilly had disclosed her secret. She just wanted to put things right and be able to stay in Myrton.

  Emily talked to her sister about it some more, but it became apparent that there was little she could do about college until after Christmas. Until then her only options were to try and convince her parents or stand firm. As an adult, it was her right to make a decision for herself, just as it was her father’s right to disapprove of it.

  She tried to set the thought aside as her mind turned back to Danica and the intimacy they’d shared. They’d watched another movie together in each other’s arms after making love. It was a night she knew she’d always remember.

  It took Emily a long time to fall asleep, but when she did, she slept soundly and dreamed good dreams. All memory of them disappeared when she awakened to the morning sun shining through her window.

  “It’s the most perfect Christmas tree,” Danica said, as she hung another decoration on one of its branches. It was decorated with silver and blue tinsel, and they’d discussed at length whether to put an angel or a star on top.

  Emily nodded. “I agree, it’s impressive, and it will be even nicer when we’re done.”

  Danica’s father had promised to put up a tree in the garden so she’d have a nice view from her window as she recovered. Now the plaster casts were off and she was able to walk downstairs more easily, it wasn’t necessary anymore. They’d set it up in the living room instead.

  It reminded Emily of the Christmas tree she’d noticed when she returned home the night before, but things were still awkward with her father. She knew she could’ve gone to her mother for help convincing him, but somehow her heart wasn’t in it right now. There was one truly beautiful thing in her life right now, and that was Danica; their relationship was flourishing and it made her happy.

  “I know we have some icicles around here somewhere,” Lilly said. “I bought some when I was out shopping.”

  “They’ll look good. I think the star would look best at the top,” Emily said.

  “I was going to decide on the star anyway. The tinsel’s coming off the angel we have and she’s lost her halo. I might need you to put up the star for me. The top’s a bit too high for me to reach right now.”

  The star was a lovely thing, made of blue glass with a swirl of red and gold glitter through it. It was about a hand span across with a base that fit the tree.

  Emily had to stretch up to put it in place. She didn’t want to risk it falling and breaking, but she managed to secure it in place well, and when she took a step back and looked at the tree, it looked much more complete than it had moments before.

  Danica smiled. “You were right, the star was a good choice.”

  Lilly returned with the icicles—they were made of plastic, but they were translucent and glittered in the light, so they would only make the tree lovelier.

  As Danica’s parents hung them in place, Emily retreated to the sofa with Danica and they relaxed while admiring their handiwork.

  “It should look good when we switch on the lights,” Danica mused, and received a nod of agreement from Emily.

  “There’s something I need to talk to you about,” she said.

  The conversation seemed to turn a little awkward, even before Emily explained.

  “What’s wrong?” Danica asked, and then after a moment she drew her own conclusions. “This has to do with college?”

  “It does,” Emily admitted. “I had an argument with my father. He told me I have to go back there and I’m hoping he’ll come around, but I don’t know what to do.”

  Emily could tell at once that Danica’s heart sank. The look in her eyes broke Emily’s heart, even though she had every intention of remaining in Myrton.

  “If you want to stay, then collect your things and come back. It’s your life. You’re an adult now, Emily. I know you
want to please your dad, but I’m going to be selfish here for a minute. I want you here with me. It’s been difficult while you were away and it just isn’t the same without you here. We have something wonderful again and I don’t want to lose you, for anything. I don’t think I can go through the hurt again. I would live it over again because I got you back, but please, don’t ask me to hang on another year or two.”

  Emily sighed. She hadn’t wanted to upset Danica but it seemed it was what she’d quickly done.

  “I told you I’ll move back here and I mean it. I just need to figure out how I’m going to manage this. The last thing I want is to walk away again and lose you. You’ve got to understand that?”

  Danica nodded. “I do, and I’m really sorry for making this about me. It isn’t—I know it isn’t, and yet—”

  “It is,” Emily replied. “The only other option I could think of is you could come away with me.”

  Danica stared at her for a moment, and then her expression turned thoughtful.

  “Two years?” she asked.

  “More or less,” Emily replied. That was how long she had left in her course.

  “I’m not working anymore here, but I’m still recovering and will be for a while. I think it’s possible but I’d need to think about it.”

  Emily smiled. “Well I just thought of it, and I’m not sure yet that there aren’t other options, so there’s no hurry.”

  Danica

  The days passed quickly and Danica grew stronger as she became more accustomed to having her plaster off. She spent a quiet Christmas Eve with her parents, and while she enjoyed herself, she missed Emily more than she’d have liked to admit.

  The next day, Danica walked carefully up the driveway of Emily’s family home, using her crutches to help. She had a handbag over one shoulder, which contained Christmas presents and other important items. She rang the doorbell and waited. It was Christmas day and she couldn’t let it pass without seeing her girlfriend. Besides, she’d been invited over. Her parents had too, but they’d already made other plans.

  Her mother waited outside in the car, giving Lydia a wave when she answered the door. Once she was sure her daughter was fine, Lilly drove on.

  “It’s good to see you, Danica. Why don’t you come in?” Lydia asked.

  “Oh, thank you,” Danica replied.

  Danica was glad she wouldn’t have to keep standing for too long. She hoped she wasn’t intruding, because she knew Emily had been at odds with her father, but she’d told Danica on the phone it was alright. There was no sign of him around but he could’ve been elsewhere in the house. Cathy was in the living room when she reached it.

  “It’s great to see you back on your feet again,” Cathy said, as she gave Danica a careful hug.

  “Thanks, Cathy. It’s been a long road but I’m finally feeling a lot better. Where’s Emily?”

  “She’s in the kitchen checking on the roast and making a hot salad.”

  Emily poked her head through the door a moment later, smiling when she saw Danica had arrived.

  “It’s great to see you. I’m really happy you could make it,” Emily exclaimed.

  “Me too,” Danica replied.

  Emily smiled softly. “I wasn’t sure if I was asking too much.”

  “You weren’t. Thanks for giving me a reason to venture out.”

  They sat down on the sofa and Danica set her crutches against the wall beside it. There they could admire the Christmas tree, decorations and enjoy each other’s company.

  “I have a roast in the oven. I just checked it and it should be ready in about half an hour. You’re just in time for dinner,” Emily told her.

  “I had a big lunch at home, but I’d love to have some dinner here too.”

  “My brother’s going to be here soon,” Emily said. “My father’s gone to get him and his boyfriend.”

  “I can’t wait to meet him,” she said, giving Emily a loving hug. “I’ve wanted to do that all day.”

  “Me too,” Emily replied.

  She noticed Cathy was watching with interest, but when Emily glanced toward her, she found somewhere else to be.

  “How are things now?” Danica asked, unsure about how they might stand.

  Danica was worried for multiple reasons, and didn’t want Emily to have a bad time at home with her family, especially over Christmas.

  “Better, but I haven’t discussed it with my father much more. I decided to let things cool down a bit first.”

  As much as Danica wished Emily had sorted it out quickly, she knew there was wisdom in Emily’s approach. Maybe it would help to give her father some time to process things. He must’ve known Emily wasn’t flighty and she didn’t ask for all that much. If he loved her, which Danica assumed he did, it made sense that he should make an effort to understand where she was coming from.

  There was a tap on door and Danica was distracted from her musings. The door opened a moment later, and Emily’s father walked in, followed by two men she didn’t know. They were both tall and quite handsome in their way; one with dark brown hair and the other with sandy blonde, and a light goatee.

  Emily stood up and greeted her brother with a hug.

  Danica remembered Emily telling her that her brother had argued with their father too; it was good they’d sorted it out and he could be there for Christmas day.

  “Emily, this is my partner, Rob.”

  “Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” he said, shaking her hand.

  “Ooh I’ve got to introduce you,” Emily said, turning back toward Danica.

  “Danica, this is my brother, Jeremy.”

  “And Rob,” she said, before Emily could. “I’m happy to meet you both.” Danica gave them a warm smile as Emily sat back down beside her.

  “I’m so glad you could make it,” Emily said. “This is a pretty good Christmas so far.”

  Emily smiled Danica’s way, and her loving expression filled Danica with happiness and hope.

  “That reminds me. I have Christmas presents for you. In fact, for everyone,” Emily said, including Jeremy and Rob, before turning back to whisper in Danica’s ear. “But especially for you.”

  “Thank you,” she said, stealing a kiss from her girlfriend despite the complete absence of privacy. “I do too.” Danica had two presents, but she wanted to be alone when they exchanged gifts. She didn’t state her thought aloud.

  “I’ll go get yours,” Emily said, “and I’ll be right back to you.”

  “I’ll be here,” she said, relaxing on the lounge as Emily made her way upstairs.

  While Jeremy and Rob followed Lilly out into the dining room, Emily’s father sat down on the lounge beside Danica.

  She felt awkward, but she tried not to. She just knew that Peter was trying to send Emily away, and she didn’t want that. They’d always got on well before and he wasn’t a stranger to her.

  “Tell me something,” he asked. “What has Emily told you about college and wanting to stay here?”

  Peter could be gruff, but that side of his nature wasn’t showing now. He looked genuinely interested in learning what Danica knew.

  “She told me she felt alone there, away from her family, and disconnected from the world. She wanted to come back even before we got back together. I think she just missed having everyone around her there and she realised it wasn’t what she wanted. When I was talking to her on the phone the other night, she said she felt trapped.”

  “I see,” he said, releasing a sigh. “I didn’t realise it was so tough on her there. You have to understand, she didn’t say anything and then all of a sudden she wanted to leave.”

  “I’m thinking of moving there with her,” Danica said.

  Peter’s eyebrows rose. “Are you?”

  Danica nodded. She realised he was surprised things had become so serious. Perhaps she was too, but she knew what losing Emily felt like and this time she didn’t want to let go.

  “Maybe things are different than I thought then.”
>
  He didn’t get the chance to continue further, as Emily made her way back down the stairs. She had a small box and another, larger one. Both were wrapped in Christmas paper and one of them had a red bow. Danica’s smile lit up as Emily approached. It reminded her that she’d got Emily two presents too.

  “I’ll leave you ladies to it,” Peter said, giving them a bit of space.

  “Sure,” Emily said.

  She handed Danica the first of the gifts, which was in the smaller box.

  “Should I open it now?” Danica asked, studying it.

  “I think so. It’s Christmas after all!”

  “Alright then,” she said, grinning as she unwrapped the paper.

  Emily was so good at wrapping presents, and these gifts were no different. Danica thought it might be her artistic side showing through. Danica’s approach was more about putting tape on to hold it all together, but presents she’d wrapped usually came out decently too.

  Danica found a black jewellery box inside, and opened it to find a bracelet. She smiled when she saw what Emily had got her.

  “Oh Emily, I love it so much.”

  It was a silver bracelet with her name spelled out in letters. Each letter was on a tiny silver drop and between each was a crystal bead in a colour of the rainbow. It was such a beautiful thing, and Danica beamed up at her when she saw it. “Thank you!”

  “You’re very welcome,” Emily said, and admired it when Danica put it on.

  “Before I open the second one, why don’t you open a present from me?” Danica suggested.

  “I’d love to,” Emily said, bouncing as Danica lifted out the first present from her bag. It was a small gift bag that contained a jewellery box.

  “I see great minds think alike,” Emily said.

  “They do. I hope you like it,” Danica replied, excited to see what she thought of her gift.

  Emily lifted out the box and opened it, admiring the earrings Danica had bought her on the internet. “They’re wonderful and just my style.”

  “They reminded me of the ones you used to wear when we went out on the town,” Danica explained. “They were good times I wanted to have again.”