A Year Later
Noelle Evergreen
I scooped our child up into my arms. I held him close.
“How is this?” Gavonn asked.
“It is perfect. I absolutely love it,” I said.
“I think this Christmas tree beats out last year's,” he said, giving me a wink.
“I think that you might be right. I have never had an alien tree as a Christmas tree,” I said looking at the large tree in our living room. It wasn't a pine tree, but it oddly had the same shape. The leaves were blue instead of green, and it was perfect because we had gone to find it ourselves in the forest.
“Here you are,” Gavonn said as he handed our son a piece of ribbon. We were in the midst of decorating the tree.
“No, he's going to put it in his mouth,” I said playfully.
“He's just curious, like his father,” he said.
“That is true,” I said. With the baby in one arm, I helped decorate the tree with the other.
Outside it was cold and snowing. We had made a life on the planet Yadox. It was far from Earth and very far from Mooreah. This was the planet that Gavonn said those fled to when they wanted to not be found. I could see why. There were no major cities on this planet. It was mostly a natural world, and I loved it. We even had seasons, and this winter season we created our own Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I didn't even know if it matched up correctly with Christmas on Earth because we had lost track of Earth time. But it didn't matter. I had learned a very important lesson. I had learned that Christmas was wherever I wanted it to be, as long as I was surrounded by those that I loved. I had Gavonn, my loving husband, and I had our son. I truly had a Christmas miracle. I would never take it for granted again to have this alien warrior at my side. He was everything to me. I was blessed. I had remembered what it felt like on the ferry boat, wondering if I would ever be able to have a child with Gavonn. I knew then that it was what I wanted. But I didn’t know if it would ever be possible.
“Baby’s first Christmas,” he said.
“That is true. But it is our second Christmas together,” I said.
“But it is our first on this planet,” he said.
“And it is our first as husband and wife,” I said giving him a kiss.
“I have everything I have ever wanted for Christmas,” he said.
“I agree. This is my Christmas miracle.”
Then there was a sound that came from outside. Gavonn looked at me and smiled.
“I think that’s them,” he said.
“Really! Oh, I am so excited!” I said as I ran to a mirror and checked my appearance.
Gavonn ran to the door and walked outside. I grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around my child and I and then went to the door.
“Noelle!” Betty screamed.
“Betty!”
She ran toward me through the snow until she was in the doorway.
“Oh, my good friend! I am so happy to see you!” she said.
I hugged her tightly. “You have no idea how glad I am to see you too. Oh, I have missed you,” I said.
“Come in. Come in. Where is the little one?” I asked.
“With his father,” she said smiling and she looked in the direction of her husband who was getting out of the ship as Gavonn was waiting patiently for him.
“You look wonderful, Betty. Come in. I am so happy that you guys came. I know that it is a journey, but since we can’t come visit you,” I said.
“No, no, of course I would make the journey. It was only a couple days in hyperspeed, and this ship is like a flying hotel,” she said.
“Ritona, it is so good to meet you,” I said as he stepped inside our home.
“And it is good to meet the very famous Noelle. I have heard so much about you from both my best friend and my wife,” he said. I gave him a warm hug.
“And who is this?”
“This is our son, Madox,” he said proudly.
“Oh, look, a playmate,” I said to my own son.
“Here, let me take him. You and Betty catch up,” Gavonn said as he took our son from my arms. He and Ritona grabbed a drink and began to boisterously talk to each other.
“Can you believe us? Just a year ago we were in New York,” Betty said to me quietly.
“No, I cannot believe it. Now, this really is the best Christmas ever. I have my family and my friends. I could not have asked for anything more.”
“Merry Christmas, Noelle,” she said giving me a hug.
“Merry Christmas, Betty,” I said, feeling so overjoyed with happiness that I had to hold back tears. I was happy, truly filled with the Christmas spirit.
The End