Last Christmas

Colin Hayes is a defence lawyer from New York. At thirty, he felt worn out from his job and needed a break. So, he decided to spend Christmas with his sister and her husband in Montana. He hadn't seen her in over five years when she moved from New York to a small town called Fork River outside of Montana.

He arrived after a four-hour flight; his brother-in-law was at the airport to pick him up.

"Colin, it's good to see you. It's been way too long, and Kelly was wondering when you would come for a visit."

"Yes, it has been. So, where is that sister of mine?"

"She would have been here, but the twins came down with a cold and didn't want to leave them with a sitter. Come on, let's get you home."

"I can't wait to see the boys. They were turning two when you guys moved here."

As they drove through town, he looked around.

"It's not even December, the first yet, and the Christmas decorations are already up," he said, turning to Sam.

Sam chuckled. "The town puts them up in mid-November, and they're not finished yet. Christmas here is always a big deal. It's the time of year when everyone forgets about their problems."

Sam stopped just on the edge of town and pulled into a driveway. The door to the house opened, and a woman ran towards them.

"Colin, you are finally here," she squealed and hugged him.

"Hey, sis, let me have a look at you. You look great for a mother of seven-year-old twins."

"I have to stay looking good for my man. Come on inside; the boys are excited to meet their uncle. The boys won't remember you but will love you regardless."

The twins sat on the couch and stared at him when he walked in with some suitcases.

"Boys, say hi to your Uncle Colin," Kelly told them.

"Hi, Uncle Colin," they said simultaneously.

"Hi guys, you were in diapers the last time I saw you both. Are you out of them now?" he asked, joking.

They made a face before answering. "Yeah, we're not babies anymore."

"Your dad says you both have a cold."

They nodded their heads."

"That's a shame. I brought you some gifts, but if you're too sick, I can wait until you feel better."

This put a smile on their faces; unable to contain their excitement, they jumped up and down.

"We're better now," they said with big smiles.

"I had a feeling that would perk you both up," Colin said, reaching into one of his suitcases and taking out a couple of gifts.

"You should wait until Christmas to open those gifts," Kelly told them.

The boys face dropped, and they looked so disappointed.

"These aren't for Christmas; they're for now," Colin said when he saw their smiles turn into frowns.

"Thank you, Uncle Colin," they said and tore into the presents.

"You just got here, and already you're spoiling them," Kelly said, shaking her head.

"Hey, I'm their uncle; it's my job to spoil them."

"Okay, boys, go play in your room," Kelly told them. She told Colin she would make them coffee, and then they could talk and catch up on their lives.

"You have a lovely home," he said when they sat at the table in the kitchen.

Sam smiled. "It was a fixer-upper. I did most of the work myself with the help of some of the men in town. We are glad you came to spend Christmas with us."

"Are you sure I am not imposing by staying for all of December?"

"You're my brother and welcome here as long as you want. So tell me. How are you? What's new, and are you seeing anyone?"

Colin held up his hands. "What's with all the questions? I just arrived here. Okay, No, I'm not seeing anyone. I've been too busy at work to date much."

"You look stressed. Is there more going on that you're not telling us?"

"You could always read me."

"I'm your big sister; I know when you're unhappy. You can talk to me about anything."

He took a swallow of his coffee, then looked at her.

"Lately, I've not been happy with my job. It's not the job; it's more about defending people I feel are guilty."

"Then don't defend them; only the ones you know are innocent."

"It doesn't work like that. I'm with a team of defence lawyers, and we do the cases given to us by our boss. I don't know; I guess I need a break. To think and clear my mind."

"Well, you can stay here as long as you want. I will prepare the boys for bed and then make you something to eat. Sam will show you to your room. Make yourself at home, and if you need anything, let us know."

Sam took him to the guest bedroom near the back of the house, where he left Colin to get settled in.

After putting his things away, he went to the window and looked out. It was just starting to snow; it felt so peaceful here. He was glad he had come; he had missed Kelly. Living in the city was stressful, and he felt something was missing in his life.

The few dates he had been on left him feeling empty. The women, though beautiful, were also so vain, looking for a rich man to shower them with expensive gifts.

"Colin, food is ready."

Hearing her voice, he headed to the kitchen, where she was dishing out the food.

"I hope you don't mind leftover meatloaf."

"Not at all; it smells good," he said and sat at the table. "Tastes good, too," he said after taking a bite.

"I know it's not the fancy food you've had in the restaurants back in New York. So tell me, what do you do when you're not working."

"Not a whole lot. Sometimes, I go to the bar after work with some of the other lawyers. But mostly, I stay home working on my cases."

"That's not much of a life. You need to get out more often and have some fun. You know what they say, all work and no play makes for a boring life."

"Yeah, yeah. What about you, sis? Besides being a lady of leisure, what keeps you busy?"

"Lady of leisure, I wish. I'll have you know it's hard work chasing after two seven-year-old boys. I also help out at the church and do some voluntary work."

He smiled at her, then turned to Sam.

"How's your construction business going?"

"It couldn't be better. There is always something to be built around these parts. It got so busy I had to hire another worker full-time."

After he ate, she made hot chocolate, and they took it into the living room.

"What would you like to do tomorrow?" Kelly asked.

"I don't know, maybe I'll walk into town and look around. Maybe pick up a few Christmas presents."

"You could always come with me to the church and help with the bake sale to raise money for the less fortunate who can't afford much for Christmas."

"You know I wouldn't be good at baking and would only get in the way. But, I'll be happy to donate money for the cause."

"I could tell them I can't make it; that way, I could show you around town."

"That's okay, you do your thing. The town's small, so I think I can find my way around. It's late, so I'll call it a night."

After hugging her, he said goodnight to them and went to his room. It was lovely and spotless. But then again, his sister was a bit of a clean freak, always had been.

It felt like he had just fallen asleep when he heard the twins' laughter ringing through the house. Groaning, he stretched and got out of bed. He was glad his room had its own bathroom, so he took a quick shower before going to the kitchen.

"Now look at what you did, boys; you woke your uncle up," she said, shaking her finger at them.

Colin sat down at the table across from the boys.

"They didn't wake me; I was getting up anyways," he lied, not wanting his nephews to get into trouble.

"Sam had to leave early, and when we're done breakfast, the boys and I have to leave. Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"

"I'm sure. I can watch the boys if you want me to."

"Are you forgetting they have to go to school?"

He looked at Richard and Thomas. "Are you boys still in school? I would think you'd both have full-time jobs by now."

The twins laughed.

"We're only seven," Richard told him.

"Yeah, we are too young to work. You're so funny, Uncle Colin," Thomas said between bites of his toast.

When the meal was finished, he helped her wash the dishes and prepare the twins for school. He laughed at how they avoided putting on their coat and boots.

When they finally got ready and left, he put on his coat and walked into town. It was a bit chilly out, but he didn't mind; it felt refreshing. He thought about stopping to buy gifts for the kids but had forgotten to ask Kelly what the boys were into. It was still early, and he had plenty of time to shop for Christmas.

He was walking along the shops, looking in the windows, and not paying attention to where he was going until he bumped into someone and knocked them over.

"I'm so sorry," he said, looking down at the woman. "Here, let me help you up," he said, reaching his hand to pull her up.

"It's okay," she said, taking his hand.

When he looked into her eyes, it felt like a lightning bolt came from the sky and pierced his heart. She was petite, with brown hair and the most beautiful brown eyes he had ever seen on a woman.

He was still holding her hand when he spoke. "I should have been looking where I was going. Are you sure you're not hurt?"

She smiled back at him. "I assure you, I'm fine. I think you can let go of my hand now."

Her smile gave him butterflies in his stomach. Her sweet, innocent face and beauty had his heart pounding. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Can I have my hand back now?"

Realizing that he still hadn't let go felt foolish, so he released it and apologized.

"I'm sorry."

Giving him a warm smile, she started walking away. "No need to be sorry. Have a nice day," she said and walked away.

He stood there, watching her until she disappeared around the corner. He was frozen to the spot; something about her intrigued him.

When he snapped out of his trance, he walked in the direction she had gone. He had to find her if only to get her name, but she was gone. He walked around for over an hour, hoping to see her, but he had no luck finding her.

Giving up, he returned to the house, feeling like an idiot for not asking for her name or giving her his. Disappointed, he figured she probably didn't live in town and wouldn't see her again.

He had to stop thinking about her. Besides, even if she lived here, he would be going home in a month, so what would be the point of getting to know her better?