A Christmas Visit (closed for CFMB fan)

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte twisted her ring and she watched the snowy landscape pass by. Her husband had died six months ago. He had been struck by a drunk driver during his morning run. Even now, when she thought about it, it sometimes took her breath away. It was hard to believe that David was gone. They had been married almost two years and now it was all ashes and dust.

She drew in a deep breath and tucked her dark hair behind her ear. Her father in law was concerned that she wasn't joining the land of the living. She was 27 years old and other than her weekly trips to the library and the grocery store she wasn't leaving her home. In their small apartment, it was almost as if David was still alive. She had taken a leave of absence from her job but she had met David at work, and being there was torture.

She hoped she could assuage her father in law's fears. He was a good man and he had always been kind to her, even if he thought they married too soon or too young.

The cab finally stopped in front of his house. She had to smile when she saw that he had put up Christmas lights and a Christmas tree glowed in the window.

She thanked and tipped the cabbie. He took her bag to the front porch and then she rang the bell.

 

[CFMB_fan]

Her Father in Law

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Name: Adrian Page
Age: 57
Height: 6 ft
Eyes: Piercing Blue
Hair: Black, with grey highlights and slightly balding, so cropped short
Build: Tall, broad like a rugby player but also carries some middle age spread. Despite this still exercises reguarly
Profession: Accountant, semi retired
Marital Status: Widower

Adrian had been concerned about Charlotte for a while. She had taken the death of her husband, his only son badly. He too had been distraught, having have the lov eof his life Jane die as a result of cancer a few years ago.

But maybe losing his wife first had helped some how. He still looked at the images of hi son around the house and would shed a tear, but he had to move on. He was still relatively young, and had good friends and even a few female companions.

But Charlotte was finding it difficult. Her plans for Christmas it seemed was to stay at home and sulk. He wasn't sure whether he would be helping, but he had to give it ago.

He had redecorated his son's former room, making it into a general guest room. Any remnants of his son's memories, photographs and the like had been placed in the attic for the duration of Charlotte's visit, except one, of him in his Reserve uniform.


He had offered for her to stay with him, over the holiday. She had been reluctant at first, but he had turned her over, with the offer of free food, and wine. Still on a leave of absence, her finances must be struggling,even with the insurance payout.

He saw her walk up the pathway to the front door, leaving fresh footprints on the snow. He opened the door and pulled her in from the cold. closing the door behind her before he reached for her and gave her a fatherly hug.

"Hi Charlotte, so lovely to see you, and I am so glad you changed your mind and accepted my offer. Tea? Coffee? Anything stronger?"

Their eyes met as he smiled and took her coat off her. He himself was wearing a pair of casual chinos and a short sleeve fleeced top.

He lead them down to the kitchen inviting her to sit down as he started to make the coffee.

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte almost melted in his embrace. It felt lovely to be touched. She closed her eyes for a moment and took in a deep breath.

She smiled at him. "Thank you for having me." Charlotte had grown up in the foster system and had never spoken to Adrian about the family she had been born into. In many ways, he was the only family she had.

"Coffee sounds lovely. It is getting chilly out there." She offered. She removed her coat. She was wearing a simple green sweater dress, over dark tights and boots. The color suited her fair skin and dark hair.

She knew she was a little too thin. She hadn't been eating as she should and she had stopped running after David died. Even her wedding ring had gotten too big, but she couldn't stop wearing it.

She followed Adrian into the kitchen and curled up in one of the wooden chairs at the dining table.

"The house looks beautiful and festive. Thank you for insisting that I come." She looked up at him and offered him her real smile. It went all the way up into her big brown eyes making them shine.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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Adrian had spent the previous afternoon and the morning decorating the place. Tomorrow would be Christmas eve, and then the day itself.

He ground the fresh beans, and then started to use the Espresso machine, before pouring the milk with a tad of cream into the metal jug, and moments later he was steaming the milk.

He placed her coffee onto the table in front of her as he looked at her, her dress slightly loose, her breasts pert, but clearly not as full as they once were.

"Here you are Charlotte. We can take your bag upstairs shortly and get you settle in."

He looked at the clock, just after three in the afternoon.

"It will be dark soon; especially with this storm brewing."

He saw her smile as she finished speaking.

"My pleasure Charlotte, you know you are always welcome, especially when you wear that lovely smile of yours."

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte spooned in three generous spoons of sugar into her coffee. She stirred it for a moment. Then she sipped the thick, sweet creamy coffee. The warmth felt good on her throat and in her stomach.


"Do you have plans for dinner tonight? You have been so kind to have me to visit, perhaps I could cook for you. It haven't really been motivated to cook much for myself. But I used to be pretty good at it." Her voice was almost wistful.

She sipped more of her coffee and was relieved when Adrian got his coffee and sat across from her.

She tried her best to not be so fidgety and just enjoy his company and the coffee.

"David's friends from his work come by to check on me. And the ladies from my office brought by dinners for weeks. I am still writing thank you notes and returning dishes." Her voice wavered a bit, but she caught it, and managed to stop the tears that were threatening to come.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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He looked at her as she spoke and could see the emotion in her eyes, the croakiness of her voice.

He stood up and walked over to her and started to rub, massage her shoulders...

"You need a good hug Charlotte a good hug and a good cry...... Trust me, I have learnt that several times in these few years...." His voice was full of appreciative sympathy.

"You need to let him go.... "

 

[wideeyedone]

She almost started to crumple as he touched her gently. She had been so alone.

"If I start crying, I won't stop." She whispered. But he kept massaging her shoulders and saying kind reassuring things. She felt a sob bubble up within her and tears started dripping down her cheeks.

She swiped the tears away and tried to stifle them, but it was no use. Her sorrow washed over her and soon she was crying in earnest. She stood and buried her face against Adrian's chest. She was just a few inches over five feet and even in her heeled boots, he seemed to tower over her.

"I miss him so much... and he had asked me to run with him that morning, and I was so tired." She choked out between tears. "I had stayed up late reading and I didn't want to get up." She had harbored her guilt silently for so long, it felt good to say it aloud. "I should have been running with him. If i had been there... he wouldn't have been running so fast. I would have seen the car..."

With her revelation, she completely dissolved into wretched sobs. She clung to him like rock that could keep her from sinking in the storm.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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"It isn't your fault my princess.. it was his time. Nothing can, will change that... I I don't hold you responsible either, never have done, never will do"

His voice was soft as he just held her in atight fartherly bearhug, stroking her hair with one hand, the other in the small of her back.

"Just let it out girl, it wasnt your fault....."

He wasn't sure if he was helping and so he just stood there as she cried, the room filled with he sobs.

 

[wideeyedone]

Somehow, hearing from David's father that she wasn't to blame helped. She cried a bit longer, but the tears spend themselves. It took but a few moments longer and she was slowing her breathing and swiping her tears away with the backs of her hands.

"Thank you. I suppose I have needed to hear that for a long time and I needed that cry." She stood on her tiptoes and placed an innocent kiss on his cheek.

She went to the sink and washed her face. The cold water helped but she still looked as if she had been crying and crying for some time.

She peered out the window over the kitchen sink.

"The storm is really blowing in. We might want to make sure we have plenty of firewood and candles." She smiled back at Adrian over her shoulder.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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He just stood there and let her let loose of her emotions. He wasn't sure how long she cried, but he just held her comforted her. Finally she seemed to summon the emotional strength to pull herself from his embrace as she kissed him on his cheek causing him to blush slightly

"Thank you. I suppose I have needed to hear that for a long time and I needed that cry."


He nodded in agreement, "it is what I am here for Charlotte...." as he looked at her , her make up slightly streaming down her cheek...

"Another Coffee?" looking at the cold half full cups "Or do you want a quick shower to refresh after that?"

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte looked at him with a smile.

"I should settle into my room and take a shower. I a pretty big bag, I wasn't sure how long I might stay. I thought if you didn't mind I could stay through New Years."

Charlotte lead him back to the living room and he took her bag. They walked up the stairs to David's childhood room. She was relieved to see that it had been redecorated. The queen sized bed was covered with chocolate brown bedding. He placed her bag on the bed and she unpacked her bed. She hung up her clothes and placed her underthings into the drawer of the bedside table.

She placed the empty suitcase into her closet.

"I guess I need to go wash off my streaky mascara." She let herself into the adjoining bathroom and started the hot water.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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Adrian helped her carry the stuff upto her room, and chatted as she unpacked, allowing him to see a glimpse of her under clothes as she put them away.

"I guess I need to go wash off my streaky mascara." She let herself into the adjoining bathroom and started the hot shower.

He left her alone as he headed down stairs, closing the windows as he did so. The weather was closing in, though the forecast for Christmas eve was sunny - a good day for the camera possibly he thought.

Back in the kitchen he started to prepare supper, slicing the onions, and the fish and prawns ready for a seafood linguine pasta supper. Finished, he headed into the kitchen and put some seasonal music on the stereo, and awaited his guest to return.

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte lingered under the hot water. Her body felt more relaxed. It had felt good to cry and it had felt good to accept Adrian's comfort. She washed her long, dark hair and took her time working conditioner through it.

After her shower, she toweled off and brushed out her hair. She tied her hair back in a simple high ponytail. She slipped into her favorite pair of jeans and one of David's soft flannel shirts.

She bounded down the stairs.

"Dinner smells great. Can I help?" She asked as she poked her head into the kitchen. She looked very refreshed and more like her usual self.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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"Thanks" he replied to her comment about dinner; or rather in his mindset a simple supper. It was all prepared but would not take long to cook.

He looked at her in her skinny jeans and slightly over sized shirt, unfastened to reveal her decolletage.

"Can I offer you another ccffee or tea? or even a glass of wine? After all tis the season to be jolly."

AS they chatted he explained his vague outline, for the next few days, to go out shopping in the morning before having a relaxing day. He had a few friends coming round for Christmas eve and that Christmas day will be just the two of them with a small goose.

"So what would you like father Christmas to bring you this year?"

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte took the proferred glass of wine and sat on the kitchen counter as he cooked. When he asked about a Christmas gift, it took her a few moments to answer.

"I want to start running again, so maybe Father Christmas will bring me some new running shoes or a new iPod to listen to when I run." She offered with her smile. It was a big step, she hadn't gone running since David's death.

"What about you? Do you have any secret Christmas wishes?" She swirled the wine in her glass watching him cook. She was shocked to feel herself relaxing.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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"So running gear?" he confirmed as he looked up from the saucepan he was stirring.

"Do you have an Iphone?" he inquired; vaguely remembering she did but not sure if she still had and whether it was hers or on a contract.

He continued cooking, and sipping his wine as they chatted, and it wasn't long before his fesh seafood linguine was served onto the pasta bowls and placed on the dinner table.

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte got out her iPhone. "I have an iPhone. It's just... I have been really careful. I haven't added anything to it since....It has all of my photos and a few voicemails from David. I don't want to risk wrecking anything."

Her voice was small but she managed not to tear up.

"I know it's silly. But sometimes when I can't sleep, I listen to the voicemail. In one of them he was quite annoyed with me for being late. Another is about the grocery list. There's one about a movie he wanted to see. But in each one, I get to hear him say that he loves me."

Charlotte finished her glass of wine and poured a second one. She slid off the counter and puttered around the kitchen.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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He just nodded as he listened intently

"I know it's silly. But sometimes when I can't sleep, I listen to the voicemail. In one of them he was quite annoyed with me for being late. Another is about the grocery list. There's one about a movie he wanted to see. But in each one, I get to hear him say that he loves me."


As she walked around the kitchen and ended up looking out at the window into the snow storm he walked up behind her and slid his arms around her waist and kissed her hair.

"It isn't Silly Charlotte, far from it. I wish I knew how to download your voice mail so you can keep it... "

He inhaled deeply "And besides I love you Charlotte, you are family..."

He just held her.

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte nestled into Adrian's arms.

"Maybe when we go shopping we can stop by some electronics place and they can save the voicemail some how." She sniffled. And wiped her eyes again.

"I promise I am going to stop crying. Let's have this lovely supper you made." Her smile was real, but her cheeks were flushed with emotion. She lead him back to the table and she served them both the pasta.

She tucked her feet underneath her and took a few bites.

"Dinner is delicious, Adrian." She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked over at him.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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They sat and ate the seafood linguine pasta as they chatted.

"I will do a google search, see if it is possible to retrieve your voicemail, but I know I can down load the photos for you."

He took another another small bite before he continued.

"I can also give you some of my photos if that would help Charlotte? Maybe later tonight if you want to, we can browse some of them?"

Adrian, a keen photographer had taken various photos of David and Charlotte together over the years.

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte smiled at Adrian as she ate her dinner. She sipped her wine.

"I would love to see your photos. My favorite pictures of our wedding day were of the ones you took." She laid her hand on his again.

She didn't eat very much, but it was the first time in a long time that she had a real meal. It made her feel so comfortable and relaxed. She felt normal. It felt good to be out of her apartment and to be around someone who cared about her and loved David.

"Can I clean up the dishes?" She asked sweetly, collecting the dishes as they finished up.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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"Can I clean up the dishes?"

He watched her as she started to tidy up after the meal as she spoke. He didn't want her to, but he also realised that it was the normality that she needed. She needed a regular routine again, no mater how small...

"I don't think you will take no as an answer Charlotte so thank you......."


He headed to the living room, and turned the flatscreen on as well as the Apple-TV. A few moments later he had a slideshow of David, Charlotte from various visits including their wedding being played on the TV screen, accompanied to some mellow christmas music.

As Charlotte continued, Adrian popped upstairs for a few minutes, knowing he wouldn't be disturbed; and soon found the information that he needed; before returning down stairs.

"More wine gorgeous?"

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte took another glass of wine. She looked at the TV. It was a picture from their wedding. Charlotte was dressed in a simple white dress. She had wanted to look elegant and timeless. Adrian was in his reserves uniform.

She took a sip of her wine. It really seemed like it was only yesterday that David had proposed.

She curled up on the plush couch and patted the cushion next to her.

"What has been new with you?" She asked softly.

 

[CFMB_fan]

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They watched the assorted random slide show of Davis and Charlotte and a few of his own wife Jane before she had died tragically.

They laughed, giggled as well as became solemn as they remembered the events around the photographs.

Charlotte curled up on the sofa in the deep luxurious cushions as they watched, and sipped their wine, Adrian refilling them from time to time.

"What has been new with you?"

"Oh not much - still working with a few clients, keeping me busy enough and occupied..... But I can't complain really.... all well as far s I know....."

He met her eyes and smiled.

"You look as cute and adorable as ever Charlotte especially looking like that....." he smiled as he partially teased he, but he also believed what he had said.

"An early morning tomorrow and head t the shops for any final shopping though all the food is in... Just a couple of gifts to get for Christmas day... Want to come along or do you want to stay and sleep?"

.

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte thought about it for just a moment.

"I want to go along. I can sleep in any time. It will be nice to have company and to be out and about. Perhaps, we can grab a bite to eat while we are out."

Charlotte popped up and kissed Adrian on the cheek. "Goodnight, Adrian. I am going to head to bed and read for a little bit. Thank you so much for having me."

She quickly went upstairs and changed into her pajamas. She read for a little bit. Hearing Adrian putter around made her feel comforted in a way she couldn't explain. As was her habit, she listened to her voicemails from David and then snuggled in to go to sleep.