A Christmas to Remember
Updated
Original Story: A Christmas to Remember
Blackpool, England
December 2014
The soft glow twinkled in the sky as the tangy scent of the Irish Sea drifted across the festive town of Blackpool, the loud-illuminous lights bright, lighting up the promenade with the typical hustle and bustle of a town in motion even into the later hours.
Away from this chaotic unfolding of town merriment – at the Wright household, the flickering lights cast warm, dancing flickers across the room with invited ambiance that enveloped the space, each a delicate strand of light that reflected carefully from a decorated Christmas tree that stood proud within the corner like a vibrant statue of holiday spirit, glittering ornaments; a kaleidoscope of colour and design that each held its own unique stories and cherished memories that hung from branches of the glimmering tree – tiny sparkling keepsakes of joy and nostalgia.
It was Christmas eve – a night typically filled with laughter, love and a promise of magic that clung to the air.
But within the Wright household it was a careful balance of charged, mixed emotions; a blend of excitement and apprehension.
This year was meant to be particularly special; it marked the first Christmas for Raven something special.
Raven, a small, slender girl with an olive complexion, with long raven-dark hair that was often tied into her signature side-ways ponytail that fell across her left shoulder, an innocent expression and usually a quiet, reserved girl that more often-than-not was shy and non-confrontational, her silvery-grey eyes wide with a warmth and joy she hadn’t felt so strongly before.
It would be the first Christmas she would share not as a ‘Friend’ with the one person she had been closest too since Nursery, but as a fully committed partner.
Yasmin – she was Raven’s polar opposite it almost every single way, unlike Raven’s shyness, Yasmin was boisterous, loud and more-often-than not, the troublemaker, a result of her abusive family home, a homelife that had simply grown worse since her relationship with Raven became known, she cared little though – since her childhood, she had often found sanctuary with the Wright household; Raven’s mother; Jenna had grown a soft spot and often had extra-clothes for the too-frequent escapes Yasmin often needed during the late hours when Yasmin’s father was drunk and loud; Yasmin, a year-older than Raven was usually the protector, the outspoken and physically more confrontational.
Yasmin too had long dark hair, hers a shade lighter, and a little shorter, pulled back into a limp ponytail that reached the top of her shoulders with deep blue eyes.
That year, it wasn’t only Yasmin’s family that had shown hostility to the relationship; but Raven’s father too – Raven had the support of her mother Jenna and older sister; Eliza and even the welcoming of her little brother; Dylan.
But Philip, he was outright hostile, he didn’t hesitate to offer comments whenever there was any kind of display of affection, his traditionalist views clashing with modern love that blossomed between Raven and Yasmin, and that evening, cast the significant chill whenever he entered a room amongst an otherwise cosy atmosphere.
Jenna though maintained the peace – she knew how happy Yasmin made Raven, and she wouldn’t hesitate to become confrontational if Philip tried to make a cruel or homophobic comment, she wasn’t going to let Philip upset either of them.
As the kitchen filled with a delicate aroma from newly cooked holiday treats; chestnuts, mince-pies, the sweet aroma’s from newly made biscuits followed by the gentle humming from Jenna as she practically danced about between the counter and over, making quick movements to adjust the various things she was cooking, keeping track that she doesn’t burn things – a gentle volume of Christmas music in the background from the nearby radio she was humming along with – Raven and Yasmin sat close by at the table, purposely choosing to remain in her vicinity.
As Raven and Yasmin exchanged shy glances – tension had simply melted away entirely, it replaced it with a genuine warmth as they sat within the same seat, Raven propped against Yasmin’s lap, Yasmin’s arms encircling her waist, fingers interlaced as Yasmin’s head rested against Raven’s shoulder; their eyes fixed to one another with shy smiles curving lips; on the table in front of them was two mugs of cocoa with floating, fluffy marshmallows.
For them, that present moment the world simply felt right – as rare as it was, it just felt warm and true, very rarely would Blackpool ever be struck by the falling of snow, but that year it had certainly fallen, streets had been painted white by nature herself, as if celebrating along with their love and the spirit of the season.
Raven had been working the courage all night so far, she felt a surge of hope and determination bubbling, fuelled by support from her mum and older sister – tonight would not merely be about decorations and festivities, but forging new traditions, proving family could expand in unexpected ways that they would navigate together regardless of the complexities of their world; cherishing each moment of joy and uncertainty.
As they sat quietly, they observed the unfolding of an amusing scene as Dylan, the mischievous little brother came rushing in with the belief he was being completely sneaky, approaching the counter with all the stealthiness of a baby elephant in an attempt to pilfer the freshly made biscuits his mother had made, his fingers making contact as he reached up for what he believed would be the correct plate, but in his eagerness, it was actually the edge of a bowl, as he pulled it over the edge, it flipped over sending a cloud of white flour over the edge of the counter and billowing into the air.
In that moment, time seemed almost to slow down for Dylan as he realised what a mistake he had made, finding himself face-first with a sea of flour crashing over him; his little hands suddenly flailing about as he tried to maintain his balance, the sight was undeniably comical triggering uncontrollable laughter from the two girls that watched him with sparkling eyes.
Hearing the clatter of the bowl and mortified reaction; Jenna approached and leaned over to look at the opposite side of the counter; her eyes finding a small little white ghost – her son, covered head-to-toe in flour, letting out an exaggerated groan, her playful frustration was evident as she shook her head, unable to supress a smile at her son’s antic’s “Dylan” she breathed with exaggerated exasperation “Not again” she chuckled in amusement with a subtle seriousness still present within her voice
As the night wore on; Raven and Yasmin would migrate from the kitchen-dining room, and retreat to Raven’s bedroom, her door partially open still as they settled onto the bed; Raven now laying on her stomach as she bent her legs at the knee’s gently swinging them and knocking her feet against one another as their conversations flowed effortlessly, much like the gentle snowfall outside, each laugh and shared glance deepening their connection, weaving a tapestry of memories that would last a lifetime.
Raven’s eyes sparkled as she let her eyes drift away a moment then back to Yasmin “Close your eyes” she said softly, her northern vowels filling her words with a gentle, bell-like tone
A little confused, Yasmin complied, smiling as she closed her eyes; she felt the shift in the mattress as Raven moved, hearing the subtle muffled steps as she walks across the room before the slide of wood as a draw opened somewhere across the room before sliding shut again.
When Raven returned – Yasmin felt the mattress dip, springs gently creaking against the movement as Raven knelt down beside Yasmin “Open them” she said softly, now, it sound a little more hesitant, a little worried – as Yasmin’s eyes opened slowly, she found Raven holding a small, elegantly wrapped gift in her hands – it was a simple, yet charming little gift bag adorned by a colourful design and radiated subdued playful excitement “I know you said we shouldn’t exchange gift…, convenient how you came up with that after giving me something, but…, I couldn’t resist..” Raven smiled shyly the northern vowels warm and gentle, a sparkle within her eyes that suggested her heart was fully invested
Yasmin looked at her with a surprised, but delighted expression; her curiosity piqued as she looked at her, slowly repositioning herself before leaning forwards, closer to Raven; Raven’s eyes wide with anticipation – outside, Eliza leaned at the doorway peaking in, then looked at her mother, the two exchanging knowing looks.
As Yasmin took out a beautifully crafted gift from inside the bag, her fingers brushed against the delicate wrapping paper that had been carefully used; it was evident of just how much effort Raven had put in, especially to how meticulously wrapped the ribbon was as it shimmered in the light – with a playful, cheeky grin, she looked at Raven, her curiosity was well and truly piqued now “What’s with the bag if your going to torture me with all this wrapping” she teased; a rougher voice but no less gentle filled by the typical northern lilt, raising an eyebrow as she noted Raven’s rare, mischievous smile which only seemed to grow wider at the playful complaint
Amidst the teasing banter; Yasmin could hardly contain her excitement as she slowly began to unwrap the paper, each layer of wrapping paper coming off with a soft crinkle, when she pulled that final layer, a light chuckle escaped, within the confines of the wrapping, a small, elegant box; Yasmin’s mind raced with possibilities and quickly realised that the contents of what was inside was most likely jewellery given the shape.
With eager hands, Yasmin opened the lid revealing a glimmering chain that caught the light beautifully attached to a chain, a delicate little pendant that seemed to dance as she slowly raised it upwards, her heart swelled with delight as she admired the craftsmanship, it was obvious Raven had put a lot of thought into the gift, it made Yasmin feel all warm inside, a rush of gratitude washing over her, the anticipation, the playful teasing had only served to heighten the moment, make it more special “It’s beautiful Raven” she breathed, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes “You didn’t have too…”
“I wanted too” Raven said softly, leaning, she gently took the necklace from Yasmin and leaned further forwards as she made a deliberate movement to put it around Yasmin’s neck; like the Velvet Collar that had initially been a joke in Tossa de Mar by Yasmin for Raven; but now claimed as a symbol of love, this new necklace represented the same thing for Yasmin.
Yasmin was no use to be the more vulnerable of the two, her cheeks were now warm as she looked at Raven as Raven eased back to sit on her feet, the springs gently moving beneath the subtle bodily movements, Yasmin then gently moved too; leaning forwards towards Raven, their lips meeting in a soft kiss, sweet and tender as if to seal a promise – outside the snow seemed to fall heavier, blanketing the world in soft white.
“Let’s make a wish” Raven whispered gently against Yasmin’s lips “On Three?”
Gently nodding her head in agreement, they both counted ‘One…, Two…, Three’ both closing their eyes as they whispered wishes into the unknown before opening their eyes, Yasmin leaning her forehead against Raven’s and whispering softly “Merry Christmas Raven”
“Merry Christmas Yasmin” Raven replied, heart full, knowing no atter what the future held, this moment would remain part of their story forever, the first joyous Christmas eve that marked the beginning of a beautiful chapter.
Written By: Westley H.
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