Last Christmas! [George Michael]

Chapter 2

The next day we all went out into town. We went ice skating at the local rink. It was a lot of fun Still the whole time George kept his distance from me. Avoiding me on purpose. It hurt. Robert was always by my side. He was starting to annoy me a little bit. After we went ice skating, we all had lunch at a diner in town. Then went to a farm and hunted down the perfect tree.

So many old memories of Christmas past come rushing back to me. Good ones with George. All the great talks we had. How was it I was so confused back then? How did I not see how much he loved me?

And I loved him? Now I could not be with the man I loved. I lost my chance. And he hated me now. Tears come to me as I look away a moment. I wander away from the crowd. Maybe I should fake a cold and go on home. Bow out.

I just had to get a chance to talk to George. Without everyone else around us. How? That was the real question. How could I get him to talk to me? I wanted to get him to see what I was feeling.

I wanted a chance to show how I felt. I knew I never would. All my hope was gone. I could not stand to see the hate in his beautiful eyes for me. Hate. He hated me with a passion.

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"Mia?"

His deep voice brings me back out of my thoughts.

"George?" I say softly.

"Ah you do remember my name" he jokes. "We are heading back to the car now. We have a tree" he points out. "Come on before you catch a cold out here"

I nod. I follow him and the others back to our rental car. Everyone in the car begins to sing Christmas carols. I was not in the singing mood. Robert and Colleen were trying to get me to join in.

That pretty blond that came with George was flirting and singing loudly. Very off key might I add. We get to the cabin the guys bring the tree inside to decorate while most of the women were cooking in the kitchen. Making a lovely dinner.

A fire was roaring over in the fireplace.

I help Colleen with the tree. We were wrapping the garland around the tree. I nearly fall over on George who was on the floor placing ornaments on the tree. Our eyes lock on one another.

I am at a loss for words. I force myself to smile back at him. He just kind of glares at me. I go to my room. I shut the door behind me. I feel the tears fall.

I grab the brooch he bought me last year. I place it on me. Maybe if he saw I kept it. That I wore it for him he would see I had feelings here for him. I hurt him so badly. How could I have done that? I grab his letter I had in my purse. I always kept it. He had written me a note in a Christmas card when he gave me the expensive brooch.

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It read:

My Dear Mia,

I wish you could see how much you mean to me. Words will have to express that for me. I know you are with Robert. But I have to tell you how I feel about you. Every time we see one another again I feel I do not want our time to end. I want to get to know you more and more every time we are near.

When you smile at me, my heart feels a jolt something I never felt around anyone before. I love you Mia. I am in love with you. I am sorry to cause you any confusion. I do not trust in many. I do you. I trust you with my heart Mia. I want you to have it. I love you. I just have one wish for Christmas.

That wish is for you to return my love. Maybe one day you will. If you do love me wear the brooch. And I will know. Just wear that as a symbol to me. If you do not wear it to dinner, then I will know. I will know you do not return the love I hold for you. I will move on. I will understand. I hope you will wear the brooch. I will be watching my sweet Mia.

Love,

George

But that Christmas dinner I did not wear the brooch. Only because I did not know I wanted him. I know now. Maybe this would still mean something to him if I showed up wearing the brooch. Or would it hurt him more? I hold the beautiful sliver brooch in my hands. I place it on my shirt collar. There. I was wearing it. He would see I loved him. He would know. Then he could do what he wanted to with that.

"Hey there Mia! Dinner time!" calls out Colleen.

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I ended up sitting beside Robert and Colleen at dinner. And George was down the table from me. Far away from me. I kept looking to see if George was looking at me. Nothing.

He would not look my way. Everyone else was laughing and telling stories about Christmas pasts. And our old college days. Fun times. My heart sinks. So, it did no good to wear the brooch. Not even after he wrote me that letter. Telling me to wear it any time I knew I was in love. I knew now. I tried.

I reach up and feel the brooch in my fingers on the collar making sure it was visible to see. It was. I take a sip of my drink. I feel the hairs on my neck stand up. I feel someone watching me. I knew someone's eyes were on me.

I glance down at the end of the table where George was. Sure, enough he was glaring my way. He looks surprised to see the brooch to at the same time. Our eyes were in a stare down. I force myself to smile his way. I get nothing back.

I look away before the tears can fall.

Later on, I was helping the other ladies do the dishes. And then Robert stops me in the hall.

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"Guess what?" he asks me.

"What?" I ask.

"Guess who was asking about you?" he tells me.

"Who?" I wonder.

"George asked me how you were and if you were seeing anyone. He is dating that woman he brought with him. But it is nothing serious I guess" he tells me.

"It does not matter. I might leave. I need to go home" I tell Robert.

"No why? Everyone would miss you" he argues.

I shake my head. Tears come to me. "I can't do this. It hurts to much" I say to him.

"Go take a walk. And come back. You will be fine do not leave" begs Robert. "we all open gifts tomorrow morning" he reminds me.

I get my coat and go for a little walk. I glance up at the sky. It was lovely. You could see all the stars up in the sky. Wishes were never going to do me any good now. Wishes would never help. They were silly. Meaningless.

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"Why did you wear that?" I hear a voice speak up from behind me.

I turn around to face him.

"Why are you wearing that? You have no right" he snaps angrily. He marches over to me. "Take it off"

I shake my head. "No" I state sternly. "I have every right to wear it"

"But you know what that symbolizes. So, take it off. You can't wear it" he argues. "Give it back to me"

We glare at each other. "I want to wear it. I meant to wear it. And NO I am not taking it off" I say sternly but softly. He looks furious. And hurt.

Like he wanted to rip the brooch off of me.

He inches closer to me. My heart is racing. He says nothing. He lunges at me. He grabs me and pulls me in his arms at last. Then his lips fall to mine. Dazes my arms go around his waist. My lips hungrily return each kiss he gives to me. Confusion floods in me. Yearning floods in my soul. I wanted him so badly.

"George there is something I need to tell you" I breathlessly speak up as we kiss. "George I am in love with you" I whisper out. "You don't have to return anything to me. No feelings. I understand I hurt you. I wore this tonight because I loved you. I know in the letter you said wear it to prove that I did. So, I did. But late. I am deeply sorry. I am so sorry for hurting you. All I can ask in return is for you to forgive me. I miss you so badly it hurts. I am sorry George" I manage to say.

I can't stand to see the hurt on his face. I go to take off. I feel him grab my hand. He pulls me back in his arms. His lips fall back to mine. I melt in his embrace. He pulls me back a moment. "I never was over you. I still love you" he tells me. "I was so angry when I came here. Hurting inside that you did not want me back. Here you proved you do want me" he says to me.

I nod. Happy tears are in my eyes. "More than you could ever know. I want you. I need you; I love you so much" I promise him.

His hand reaches out and touches me on the cheek. "No more tears darling. Merry Christmas sweetheart. You have my heart. You always have"

His lips fall back to mine. Finally, my happiness arrived. He loved me back. This was the only thing I wanted for Christmas. George was the only gift I longed for. Now I have him back. I was not going to lose him again.

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