AW's World: December 2015

Under the Mistletoe

Trina James popped her head through the door. "Look what I got." She waved a white envelope. "She's actually going to do it. The crazy Biz." The she is our best friend, Julie Thomas. The thing she is about to do, is get married to a guy, she met in Los Vegas last winter. I sat my coffee cup down on the desk in a hurry. "Well. let's see it." I held out my hand.

Trina tossed the envelope onto my desk. "I've got to run. I have a meeting with Tim in five." She glanced up at the clock. "Err, better make that in three." She flashed me a smile. "I'll meet you at our usual spot at six. We can make travel arrangements then." With that she ducked back out the door. I was getting tired of the same routine. We've been meeting at Sandy's Pub every day after work for the past six years. I've had every kind of wine Sandy's has to offer twice, and none of it is very good.

I carefully slid the invitation out of the envelope. It was a simple invitation with an embossed picture of two doves linked together with a single ribbon. I smiled to myself. These have Julie's simplistic nature written all over them. I'm truly happy she found her happily ever after. I flipped the invitation over, and my heart skidded to a halt as four names not two leapt off the page. It was really one name causing my heart difficulties. Derrick Groves, the other groom to be wed next weekend. I hadn't heard his name in a very long time. It's been twelve years to be exact.

To say I haven't thought about him in twelve years would be a lie. I've thought about Derrick every time I close my eye's at night. Every time I hear the strum of a steel guitar, watch Bull Durham, or take a walk in the park, I think about him. Derrick is the one who got away, the one I've been chasing ever since college.

He is my Sarah from Serendipity, except I didn't find the book with his name, or the five dollar bill, and he wasn't under the mistletoe at Joanna's diner on the date we promised to meet up again. Why I ever believed he would actually be there, is something I had yet to work out in my own head.

I met Derrick in a coffee shop on Christmas Eve my first year at NYU. He was on his way to a Christmas party, and invited me to come along. We started out seeing each other casually, but it didn't take long before we were exclusive. By the time Junior year rolled around, we had our own small apartment off campus.

Derrick and I were happy, we didn't fight or argue like some of the couples we knew. I like to believe if circumstances would have been different, we would have gotten married. I laid the invitation down on the desk, and picked up my phone. I dialed Julie's number, then sat back and waited for her to pick up. It took four rings before I heard the sassy southern accent say "Hello."

"Hi Julie, It's Katie." I said into the receiver.

There was a brief pause. "Katie? Did you get the invitation?"

"Yes, that is why I'm calling." I looked down at the desk. "I wasn't aware you and Garrett were planning on having a double wedding." A part of me was hoping it was some kind of mistake or at the very least mistaken identity. There could be a hundred Derrick Groves in the world. What are the chances this Derrick, is my Derrick?

"Oh yeah, it was a last minute decision." Julie laughed. "Garrett's baby sister Carol got engaged at thanksgiving, and Garrett thought it would be great to have a double wedding. At first, I was not thrilled with the idea, but as it turns out Derrick is this really awesome guy, who is all into charity work. He spent the last seven years traveling all over the world on some kind of peace mission."

I closed my eyes. So much for it not being my Derrick. My throat suddenly felt very dry. "Wow, that is really interesting. Listen Julie, I don't think I'm going to be able to make it to the wedding. I have a ton of back logged work, that Tom's riding me about." I felt bad lying, but there is no way I am ready to watch the love of my life marry someone else.

"Don't be silly." Julie scolded. "I've already booked the tickets, and ordered your dress."

"My dress?" Why did she order me a dress?

Julie giggled. "Really Katie, Did you think I was going to let my favorite bride's maid, wear an office suit down the isle? Not a chance. I got you a beautiful dress, and matching shoes. Trina helped me with all the measurements, so I know it'll fit." She declared.

My stomach was churning. "I'm a bride's maid?"

"Of course, you're my best friend." She paused to answer a question about flowers. "Hey Julies. I have to go, but I will see you and Trina tomorrow. Love you." With that she hung up.

I blinked. What just happened? Since when did I become a part of the wedding, and not just a guest? And what did she mean by "See you and Trina tomorrow" the wedding is not until next Saturday. I hung up the phone, and shut down my computer. I need to get out of here.

The bad wine at Sandy's was starting to sound pretty good. I hurried down to the lobby, and hailed a cab to take me the six and a half blocks. The cab driver tried to strike up a friendly conversation but after a block of one word answers he gave up, and drove the rest of the way in silence. I paid the fare, and wished him a good night.

Sandy's pub was as I expected to find it...empty. I grabbed a table near the back, and ordered a glass of the house wine of the day from a tired looking waitress in a black pencil skirt, and white lacey blouse. The poor woman looked had I was feeling inside. She took my order, and disappeared in the direction of the bar.

What am I going to do now? I don't want to go to the wedding, let alone be in the wedding ceremony that is going to tie the guy I am still madly in love with to another woman. How inappropriate would it be for me to even be in this wedding? I am the old girl friend of the groom. Well one of the grooms anyway. Isn't there some kind of law forbidding this kind of thing?

The waitress returned with my glass of wine, and a basket of pretzels. "Is there anything else I can get you this evening?" She yawned. "Sorry, I have a new kid. He keeps me up all night." She explained.
I smiled. "Congrats." I replied politely. "I am good for now, thanks." She nodded ,and strolled away to help a couple who wandered in off the street and looked confused.

I was half way through my second glass, and no closer to a solution, when Trina slid into the seat across from mine. She flung her strawberry blond hair over her right shoulder as she leaned into the table. "What's got you looking so down?" She asked.

"Nothing, I'm great."

She narrowed her eyes. "I've known you for six years now. I think by now I know when you are great." She pointed across the table at me. "You are far from great, so what gives?" She popped a pretzel in her mouth. "Is this about Julie's wedding?"

I drained the glass. "Did you know it's a double wedding?"

Trina shrugged. "Julie might have mentioned it, when we were making the arrangements." She grinned. "Oh speaking of arrangements, don't be mad." She warned. "Julie, and I thought it would be great if you and I were Bride maids. We also decided to surprise you with a mini vacation before the wedding. How does a four day get-a-way at Crystal lake ski resort sound to you?"

A rather large lump was forming in my throat. I knew the answer but had to ask anyway."Who exactly is going on this mini vacation?" Please, please don't let her say it. Trina held up her hand to signal for the waitress. She turned back to me.

"Well let's see. Julie and Garrett, you and me." She picked up another pretzel from the basket. Oh, and the another couple getting married, what's their names?" She squinted her eyes, as she tried to recall the names on the invitation.

"Carol and Derrick." I whispered.

Trina laughed. "Yeah, that's them." She again signaled for the waitress. Trina could be a tad impatient, when she wants something. I usually try to make it up to the wait-staff by leaving a sizable tip on the table before we leave. The waitress appeared with her notepad and pen ready to take her order. Trina order a chardonnay, and a basket of fries. I asked for another glass of wine.

Midway through my third glass a thought occurred to me. I might not be able to get out of the wedding but I should be able to weasel my way out of the vacation. When I told Julie, I was back logged at work I was only partially lying. I do have a small amount of back logged files to finish, and my boss hadn't come down on me yet, but if might if I told him we were blowing off work for a week in the mountains skiing.

"It sounds delightful." I pressed my lips together. "I don't seriously Tom will let me take an entire week off from work." I shook my head. "Not with all those back logged files sitting on my desk. What a bummer too, it would have been a blast." I was feeling confident now.

Trina grinned. "Ask me what my meeting with Tom was about?"

My confidence was waning. "Trina what did you do?"

She beamed a teeth gleaming smile at me. "I single handedly got Tom to agree to both our vacations, by working with him to close four out of twelve of your cases. The remaining eight cases is being distributed through the office." She boosted.

"I going to be sick." I pressed my cheek against the cool surface of the table. Why couldn't she have just left things alone? I get she was trying to help, and any other time, I would be singing her praise but not this time. Not when she left me no conceivable way out.

"Katie?" Trina whispered. "How much have you had to drink?"

"No-where near enough." I muttered.

Twenty bottles of this rancid house wine, would not be enough for what is ailing me. There is no harm in trying though, what do I have to lose? I'm already going to hell, or skiing but it might as well be hell. I raised my hand above my head to signal for the waitress. Trina grabbed my hand and pushed it back down on the table. "What are you doing?" She asked.

"I am ordering more wine." I still had my cheek pressed against the table.

"No, more wine." She sighed. "How about you tell me what's really going on here?" I didn't have to look at her face to know, she is staring down at me with those huge sad eyes, and is lightly biting the inside of her bottom lip. Trina is very easy to read, and right now she is fretfully worried.

"I don't want to go on this vacation or to the wedding." I admitted. I sat up a little to quickly, causing the room to spin slightly. Okay so maybe I've had enough to drink tonight after all. Trina studied my face for a moment then she did something shocking.

She laughed at me. "I can't believe Katie Lawrence is jealous. You're jealous of Julie tying the knot with a guy she barely knows." She shook her out her hair in a sweeping motion. "Do you know how utterly crazy that sounds?" She added.

This is where I am expected to laugh and agree with her, and forget about this whole ordeal by ordering another round of drinks. I, however did not laugh, because I am jealous. Although my jealously has very little to do with Julie, and everything to do with Derrick. Some thing I could not explain to Trina.

Trina, Julie, and I met two years after Derrick left for the peace tour. I was pretty sad back then, but all I ever told them was a really great guy had broken my heart. They pushed for details but I've always held them him and our memories close to my hear. To share them with someone else would dull or tarnish them in some way.

"I'm going home." I pushed off the table, and rose to my feet. Trina's jaw dropped open, and then quickly shut. She scrambled to her feet, but I was already staggering towards the front door. By the time she caught up with me I was outside on the sidewalk.

Tears were blurring my vision as I stepped off the sidewalk into the crosswalk. What kind of sick twisted joke is karma playing on me? Why did it have to be Derrick? Why Couldn't karma have picked one of my less serious high school boyfriends. I could have dealt with that, but this was to much to handle.

"Katie!" Trina called out. "Wait, Stop!"

I ignored Trina's shouts, and continued right into the path of a oncoming scooter. I was barely aware it had clipped me until I landed hard on concrete. Trina was next to me in a matter of seconds, her eyes were wide in shock, and on her face was a frozen look of dread. For a brief moment everything around me was silent. I could not hear Trina screaming my name, though I could read her lips.

The man from the scooter was also next to me, snapping her fingers. A woman on the sidewalk was on her phone, although her lips were moving fast , I was able to make out just enough to determine she was on the phone with a 911 operator. The scooter guy clapped his hands, and brought me out of the silence. "Can you hear me?" He shouted.

I winced at the noise. "What happened?"

"Katie?" Trina laughed in relief. "Oh, thank god!" She turned around to the crowd building on the sidewalk. "She's okay." She shouted to the onlookers. "Can someone help me get her up to that apartment building over there." She pointed to our apartment building.

The guy next to me shook his head. "Nobody is to move this girl." He announced. He turned back to Trina. "She needs a hospital, not a couch." He sighed. "I'm a doctor, or I will be when I finish my residency next year." I squinted my eyes to get a better look.

He was tall, thin, blond, blue eyed, and way too young to be a doctor. He was also beautiful to look at, which made me think either I am still unconscious or this is another one of karma's cruel tricks. The cute rich doctor that saves the newly heartbroken maiden, and they fall happily in love.
What a crock of sheep.

"So this is where we supposedly fall madly in love with each other?" I muttered.

The doctor laughed. "I hope not. My husband John might have a problem with that plan." Now I know karma is messing with me. He leaned forward. "I won't tell if you don't." He winked. I started to laugh but abruptly stopped as the pain in my left leg made its self known.

"My leg," I said. " It hurts."

He nodded. "You landed on. I don't think its broken, but can't say for sure until it's been x-rayed. The paramedic's are here now to take you to the hospital. I'll be right behind you." He assured. The doctor moved back so the EMT's could secure a neck brace, and place me on a stretcher. I closed my eyes as they wheeled me to the ambulance, as I didn't want to see the mass of people watching me.

Trina rode in the ambulance next to me, and asked a dozen question about my condition on the way to the hospital. By the time we reached the hospital parking lot, she had worn on everyone nerves so much so they pointed her to the waiting room as we entered the emergency room doors. Just as he promised the young blond doctor was waiting in the room as they switched me over to the hospital bed. "Good luck," One of the EMT's said to the doctor. "Her friend is a talker."

"Have a good night Charles." The doctor turned back to me. " Okay, Katie let's get your check out, and maybe get you out of here tonight." He motioned for a nurse to come over to the bed. "This is nurse Regan, she is going to take you down to x-ray." He explained. "I'll be back shortly."

"Hi Katie," She smiled. "Sorry to hear about you're accident."

I blushed. "It was entirely my fault. I walked out in front of him."

She patted my hand. "Don't worry, you're in good hands with Dr. Kane." She unlocked the wheels on the bed. "Let's get you down to x-ray, so we can see about getting that collar off you." Nurse Regan smiled as she pushed the bed down the hall towards the radiology department. The entire ordeal was over in thirty minutes, and I was wheeled back to my room by a different nurse to wait for my results.

Trina was allowed to back to wait for the results with the stipulation she had to remain inside the room until the doctor came back. She apparently had been pestering the nurses about my condition so much they threatened to call security. Even now she was pacing the floor with her cellphone in her hand. When it ding, she flipped it opened, and sighed. "Good, they are on the way."

"Who's on their way?" I closed my eyes.

She sat in the chair next to my bed. "Julie is on her way down."

"Why, is Julie coming down here?" I murmured.

"I called her." Trina said. "She is our best friend. Why wouldn't I call her?"

What this translated to is Trina got freaked out, and called in reinforcements. I am mostly likely fine, and will probably be released once the doctor reads my x-rays. To have Julie come all the way down here is a giant waste of her time. "Call Julie back, and tell her to stay put."

Trina looked up from her phone. "I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"She is already here." Trina closed her phone.

I took a calming breath. "You called her from the scene." I concluded. It's the only way possible Julie would have had enough time to drive all the way down here. She shot me a bashful smile, and then nodded her head. "Oh, Trina." I sighed. "Tell me she drove down here alone."

A knock sounded on the door. Dr. Kane stuck his head in. "Knock, knock ladies." He winked, then walked into the room. "I have some good news, and some bad news." He announced. "The good news is you get to take the collar off, no injuries to your neck or spine." I unfastened the neck brace, and used the button to raise the head of the bed to an upright position.

"What's the bad news?" I asked.

DR. Kane sat down on the stool next to the bed. "Your left leg did not fair as well. It's broken in two places. Here and here to be more specific." He used a pencil to point out the two area's. "You also suffered a minor concussion, but nothing to be concerned over. I'll order a pair of crutches, and get your leg fixed up in a cast, and send you on your way."

"Thanks Doctor." I paused. "What about your scooter?"

He chuckled. "It's rock solid. A policeman is here to take your statement, and I'll give your information to my insurance company to settle any medical bills that are needed." He frowned. "Unless of course you decided to sue."

I shook my head. "I have no plans on suing anyone. It was my fault."

He walked over to the door. "I'll hold you too that."

Trina popped up from her seat. "Wait a second doctor." He paused in the doorway. "Katie was supposed to be a bride's maid at our friends wedding next Saturday. Will she be able to be apart of the wedding now, you know with her leg and all." She asked.

Doctor Kane meet my eyes. "I'm afraid not."

He winked at me, and then disappeared out into the hallway. Trina spun around with tears in her eyes and a quivering lip. "I'm so sorry Katie!" She cried. I tried to hide my smile. Maybe Karma decided to give me a little break after all.

A second knock sounded on the door, and Julie came bouncing into the room. My breath caught in my throat as a figure appeared in the door behind her. My eyes travel over his sleek athletic body, and thick black wavy hair, still styled the same way it was all those years ago. My eyes lingered on those startling bright ice blue eye's which caused me to fall so madly in love with him.

Derrick frozen in the doorway, the moment he realized who was staring back at him. I watched his face shed different emotions before settling on shock. He took one step and stopped. The idea of seeing me again was obviously not something he expected.

"Katie?" He whispered.

My heart fluttered in chest, as if it was awakening after all these years. I felt the familiar tugging of my soul as it yearn to have him close to me. I curled my fingers to keep from reaching out for him. He was after all not mine to claim. My Derrick belonged to someone else now.

"Hello, Derrick." I smiled. "It's been a long time."

He stepped into the room a little further. "Yes, it really has." His voice cracked.

"Do you two know each other?" Julie asked.

A look of concern filled his face as he looked from me to Julie. It was obvious he wanted to keep our past just that a part of the past. He had moved on, and it was time I should too. I took a deep breath, and smiled through the new pain, this one in my chest.

"We knew each other once." I forced a bigger smile. "In college."

Julie laughed. "I guess it's a small world after all."

Trina stood back studying three of us for a moment. Derrick made light conversation, and I tried in return to ask light hearted questions about his life since college. I could tell he was feeling awkward, and practically dashed out of the room when they came in to set my cast. Trina made sure to tell Julie about the doctor recommending my non-participation in the wedding.

Julie followed Derrick out to hunt up the doctor to see if he could be persuaded to change his mind. I prayed the kind Doctor Kane, remained unpersuaded. Now more than ever, I was sure the last place, I needed to be was at that wedding. While Nurse Regan, and another nurse whose name I was told, but immediately forgot- worked on my foot. Trina again paced the floor in front of the bed.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Trina stopped pacing.

I shrugged. "There wasn't anything to tell."

Trina moved quickly to the chair next to my bed. "Stop. I know."

"There isn't anything to know." I reiterated.

Trina lifted my hand. "I know. He is the one who got away."

The two nurse exchanged a look between them but said nothing. I could deny her claims, but Trina was not going to be easily deterred from her notion. I had held on to those scared memories for so long, because I was afraid they would be some how lessen in importance to me. Now I realized it was my way of hanging on to him. If I ever plan on letting go of Derrick, I am going to have to let go, and that means telling someone about our life together.

I nodded. "You're right. Derrick is the one who got away."

"What happened?" She asked.

"The classic love story." I answered. "We met at a coffee shop on Christmas Eve, He was on the way to a party and invited me to go. We shared our first kiss under the mistletoe, and our last one four years later in the living room of our apartment." It was a condense version, but I would have plenty of time to fill in the details later. "Derrick had gotten a once in a lifetime offer to travel the world on a peace tour, and he wanted me to go along. I, however was just starting my internship at Hill, Morgan, and Peterson's and was not willing to give that up. So we did what anyone would do in that situation."

Trina wiped a tear from her cheek. "You broke up."

"We broke up." I nodded my head. "We also came up with this crazy plan, to meet at our favorite diner two years later, under the mistletoe, if we still loved and wanted to be with each other. I went to the diner and stood under that mistletoe for six hours, before the kind waitress convinced me to at least take a seat and have something to eat. I ended up sitting in the diner all night. When the sun started to come up, is when I finally realized he was not coming." It seemed silly to hear it spoke out loud. We were just a bunch of naïve kids back then.

Nurse Regan placed a metal tray on the counter, and washed her hands. "If you ask me, the boy was foolish to let a sweet girl like you go." She dried her hands on a wad of paper towels. "Maybe you're better off without him." She pointed at my leg. "Give that a few minutes to set, and I'll be back with your crutches shortly."

"All this was over him." Trina concluded. "That's what was bothering you tonight, and why you rushed out of the pub into oncoming traffic." She shook her head. "It's why you didn't want to be a part of the wedding or vacation."

I nodded. "I was acting crazy."

Trina got to her feet. "No, you were trying to protect your heart." She said. "I was just too caught up in the excitement of all the wedding plans, and stuff that I didn't see it. I'm sorry." Trina squeezed my hand. "I'll be back. I'm going to stop Julie from brow beating that doctor."

"Thank you." I whispered.

She offered me a smile, then slipped out of the room. I watched the last Nurse finish up whatever paperwork he was working on, and then like the first, washed his hands. "My husband was right about you." He said. "You are a cutie."

"You're Doctor Kane's husband?"

"Yep. I'm Alex." He grinned.

I frowned. "Sorry, for the accident."

He wagged his finger at me. "Now, now don't be starting all that." Alex said. "Jay is fine, the wrenched scooter is fine, and you child are fine." He walked back over to the bed. "May I ask you something about this guy who got away?"

"Sure," I laughed. "Why not, I'm spilling the truth tonight anyway."

He sat down on the stool. "Did you ever try to find him?" He asked. "I mean after the night of the diner. Did you ever try to look for him after that? To see if maybe something else caused him to not be there that night? A missed flight. A illness, a bomb blowing up the road in some remote location of the world? All I'm saying is maybe there is a reason he wasn't there."

"No. When Derrick did not show up, I just assumed it was because he didn't love me anymore. It seemed like the only logical explanation for his absence at the time." I felt the first spark of hope ignition in my chest. It quickly died out with the realization, it was too late. "He is getting married next Saturday, so it's a pointless question now."

Alex stood up. "It's never too late to learn the truth." I could see why Doctor Kane loved him. Alex was one of those guys that always sees the best in every kind of scenario. "I'll see about those crutches." He waved goodbye and exited the room.

What was supposed to be a few minutes turned into two hours. I buzzed the nurse's station a couple of times, but was told my nurse was not available, and would have to wait a little while longer. I was mulling over the idea of finding away to hobble out of the room on my own when the door finally opened. Trina walked in with my crutches, and Alex followed behind her with a wheelchair.

Alex lifted me, and sat me down in the chair. "Sorry, it took so long. We had to make proper arrangements." He winked at Trina. "Are you ready to get out of here?"

"I was ready two hours ago." I grumbled.

Trina giggled. "She isn't one for patience."

"Oh, I don't know." Alex said. "I think she might be."

There seemed to be some kind of hidden meaning behind their words, but at this point, I was just looking forward to getting home, and climbing into my bed. I want to put this whole day behind me. Tomorrow I would call Trina, and tell her all the details of my relationship with Derrick she wants to know. I just want one more night with my memories before their not mine anymore.

I really didn't notice when he turned down the hallway, instead of going straight passed the nurse station to the waiting room. It was not until we stopped in front of the elevators that I realized something else was going on. "Where are you two taking me?"

Trina shrugged. "I guess you're going to have to wait, and find out."

I frowned. "Trina, I am tried. Can't I just go home."

The elevator doors popped open. "No, I don't believe you can." Alex whispered in my ear, as he wheeled me into the elevator. Trina pushed a button, and then stood back as the doors swung shut, and started moving us up passed all the floors to the roof. When the doors reopened. I was looking out at Julie, Derrick, Nurse Regan, and a very confused man in a black suit.

"What's going on?" I asked. Alex snickered as he pushed the chair out onto the bumpy surface of the roof. "Sorry the area over by the helipad is smoother, but we're not allowed to be over there unless we are taking or bring a patient in off the helicopter. Alex parked the wheelchair in front of Derrick, and stepped back.

"You're up man." He said.

Derrick looked around at the group of faces before he finally looked down at me. A soft smile spread across his lips. He bent down on one knee so that we were eye to eye. "Hi, Katie." He whispered. "I know you're probably confused by all this, but I can explain, if you give me the chance."

I nodded. "Okay, I'm listening."

Where was I going to go anyway? I was in a wheelchair, on top of the hospital roof. Trina also had my crutches in her hands, so even if I managed to get off the roof. I wasn't getting much further. Derrick's cleared his throat. Why does he look so nervous? Now I was beginning to feel super nervous. Trina and Julie stepped forward.

"Trina told me the story. I wasn't aware Derrick and you had a connection until today." Julie said. She look genuinely remorseful. "If I had known, I wouldn't have agreed to a double wedding." Trina nodded. "I wouldn't have either." She echoed Julie.

"Julie and Trina, both explained all the events that led us to this moment." Derrick stated. "First, I want to clear the air about something. I was on my way to the diner, but my flight was grounded due to a freaky snow storm. I spent Christmas even in an abandoned airport in the middle of Iowa waiting for the storm to pass. I got the first flight out on Christmas day, and rushed to the diner. I waited in that diner drinking bad coffee all day, and all through the night. I prayed you would come, even through it was a day later, I could not give up the hope you would come.

I've gone back to that diner every year Christmas Eve since, and would stay through the night. Last year while I sat hoping you would appear, a girl walked in who reminded me a lot of you. She was funny, sweet, and willing to talk all night to a stranger about a girl he obsessively waits for every Christmas eve. The girl's name was Carol, and over time I came to like her, and in some small way I grew to love her, but not the way I loved you." He paused.

Where is he going with all of this? Alex was right when he said, it was never to late to learn the truth. I am happier knowing Derrick did love me, as much as I loved him. What Alex didn't know, and neither did I until this moment was it was too late to change the result. The reality is too much time has passed. He met someone else, and fell in love with her, and why shouldn't he have. Derrick is a great guy, who has a lot to offer a woman.

"Thank you for telling me about the diner." I said. "It feels good to know, you were there. I understand you weren't expecting to see me today. I also understand you've met someone who you love and going to marry next Saturday. You don't need to explain, I get it."

Derrick gripped my hand. "I'm not getting married next Saturday. When I left you're room earlier, I left to call Carol. We talked at length about how we were feeling, and she told me to run, not walk to you and tell you how much I love you." He grinned. "Katie, I love you." He let go of my hand, and reached into his coat pocket.

My heart slammed off my chest.  He pulled out a bundle of mistletoe. "I'm a little late, but if you will still have me. I have an important question to ask you." I grabbed a hold of the edge of his jacket, and pulled him to me. I pressed my lips against his lightly "I'll always want you." I whispered.

Derrick deepened the kiss. I lost myself for a brief moment until the sound of awe's pulled my back to the present. I pulled back. "What's your question?" Derrick reached into his pocket. He pulled a small worn looking red box from his pocket. "This once had a silver ribbon, but It fell off years ago." He handed me the box. "What do you say, Katie, Will you marry me?"

"Yes!" I cried. "Hell yeah I will."

He opened the box and slipped the ring onto my finger. He kissed me again, and then nodded at the man in the black suit. "You heard the woman, she said yes." Derrick declared. I looked around at the group of unlikely strangers, and felt my heart burst with joy. There on the roof top of the hospital on a pair of crutches, with our friends watching, we got finally got married. When the preacher told Derrick to kiss the bride, my friends threw strips of gauzes at us. Derrick lifted me into his arms, and kissed me again, and again.

"Merry Christmas Katie." He whispered.

"Merry Christmas Derrick." I whispered back.

The End.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

                                                 ~ AW~

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