"Christmas Gifts"
By: Mandy
Chapter 5
"Carrie, everyone else is on their way." AJ told her.
Carrie was lying in a hospital bed looking out the window at the
snow falling. "Thanks Bone! For calling them and for bringing me
here."
"No problem for a friend." AJ frowned. "Sorry for the screaming
match you had to hear."
"What happened between you and Kate?" Carrie asked, propping
herself up on the bed. "I heard most of the fight, it was awful."
"I agree." AJ looked around the room. Kate was downstairs
waiting for the rest of them to come. "I guess I fell asleep in her
arms, and I muttered 'Erica, I love you'. She took a fit. I try to
explain that Erica was a long time ago, but she wouldn't listen."
"I heard that part. Talking about another girl in your sleep!
Ouch for her." Carrie said. "What about the rock?"
"The rock…" AJ began. "Oh, you mean the ring. I have no clue
what to do. Do I still propose to her?"
"That is your decision. Do you love Kate?" Carrie asked.
"More then I ever did Erica. What kind of question is that?" AJ
said firmly.
"And I know that she still loves you. One fight does not break a
couple up. If you love her, then marry her." Carrie told him.
"But what if she says no?" AJ asked.
"Kate say no to you?" Carrie asked surprised. "The day she says
no to you is the day sheep ski down the mountain we are staying on!"
"HA HA!" AJ said.
"I though it was funny." Carrie smirked.
******
Kate leaned against wall. This was her first chance to actually
reflect on the fight she had with AJ. A lot of it was nonsense to her
now. It was a silly fight. "I should have believed him, when he told
me Erica was ancient history." She sighed and wiped away a tear.
"Now I have messed things up for good."
"Hi, Kate." Angie called.
Kate turned away to clear her face of all the tears. "Hi!"
"Are you alright?" Howie asked.
"Fine!" Kate turned around and smiled. "Guys, Carrie is fine
but she wants out and now!"
"How long has she got to stay her?" Kevin asked.
"Until morning." Kate said. "She is waiting to see some happy
faces upstairs."
"Let's go up!" Jen cried and pulled Nick along.
Kate lingered behind.
"Kate, you don't fool me!" Stephanie said as she stepped back
from the group. "I know something happened between you and AJ. Can
you tell me?"
Kate nodded and motioned for them to sit down. "We had a
terrible fight. It was so stupid but it happened."
"About what?" Stephanie asked.
"About past loves. I accused him of loving another woman. I
had no proof just a name he called out into his sleep." Kate sighed.
"It was pretty bad. We shouted so loud I am surprised we didn't
cause an avalanche."
"Do you love him?" Stephanie asked.
"More then anything. But I think it is over between us." Kate
said firmly. "I always knew AJ was a flirt and he is bound to be
tempted."
"Don't say that." Stephanie whispered.
"Why not? It's true. One day he is going to see a girl out in
the audience that he knows he'll care for more then me." Kate felt
tears coming down her face.
"No, AJ won't." Stephanie thought of the ring AJ had. "AJ
loves you so much, Kate, and I know he will be upset if you two broke
it off. You are the woman for him. Well, you two are like…to quote
Forrest Gump, you two are like peas and carrots!"
Kate managed to smile. "I guess so, but how do I get him back.
You know I hate to apologize."
"Sometimes you have to do the things you hate for the ones you
love." Stephanie reminded Kate.
"You're right, as usual!" Kate sighed. "Let's got see Carrie."
"Let's!" Stephanie smiled.
******
"Hey, little Sis!" Howie cried and hugged Carrie.
"Howie!" Carrie brightened up. "I am so glad to see all of you
guys."
"Look, we bought you a balloon!" Nick handed her a balloon
string. Attached was Carrie's favourite cartoon character, Garfield.
"Thanks." She smiled.
"So, why didn't you tell us you had pneumonia?" Brian asked.
"Like I knew!" Carrie muttered.
"Well, we will spring you out bright and early tomorrow!"
Melissa said.
Carrie frowned and a look of fright passed over her face.
"I know you hate it here." Howie whispered. "But you'll feel
better tomorrow."
"I know." She whispered back. "But that doesn't mean that this
place still gives me the creeps."
"Are they treating you well?" Howie asked.
"Fine, but I am still scared." Carrie looked around. Most
people were talking amongst themselves. "I have to stay alone?"
"I'll stay too. I am sure the nurse will give me a cot." Kevin
offered.
"You would?" The smile returned to Carrie's face.
"Of course." Kevin smiled back.
"Then it is settled." Howie said.
"What's settled?" Stephanie asked.
"Kevin is spending the night here so Carrie will feel better."
Howie told them. "So we should soon leave. Morning will be here
before you know it. Then we can get her back to the lodge and get
ready for Christmas."
"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!" Carrie realized. "And I still
haven't…"
"All taken care of." Jessica winked at Melissa.
"I have feeling there is something I don't know!" Kendra
sighed.
"That would be correct." Melissa said. She leaned over so only
Kendra could hear her. "But we are going to need your help, Angie's
too."
"We have two cars." AJ said. "Who is with me?"
"Howie, Jessica, and me." Melissa suggested.
"I'll ride with Brian, Stephanie, Angie, and Kendra." Kate
didn't look at AJ. She couldn't.
AJ looked crushed. "Okay. Let's hit the road."
Everyone said goodbye to Carrie and left.
Kevin sat in the chair next to the bed. "Wow, you really scared
me there!"
"Sorry." Carrie said sheepishly.
"It isn't your fault you got sick!" Kevin exclaimed.
"I know." Carrie rang for the nurse. "Mr. Richardson will be
staying with me, so I need a cot."
"I'll be right back." The nurse smiled and left.
"Ready for a long night?" Carrie asked with a smile.
"You bet!" Kevin smiled back.
******
AJ looked at Kate across the room. They were all sitting in
front of the fire watching a movie.
"Oh man, I love Nicolas Cage movies!" Kendra cried.
"And why is that?" Melissa asked slyly. "Because he is good
looking?"
"No, because he is a good actor." Kendra glared at Melissa.
"Get you mind out of the gutter!"
"Sorry!" Melissa giggled. "Face Off is supposed to be a good
movie."
"It is." Kate broke her silence. "I saw it before so I am
going to sit in the dining room and look at the view."
"Okay, we can watch a different one if you want." Angie
suggested.
"No, I am fine." Kate smiled and left the room.
Stephanie was in Brian's arms. She looked at AJ and nodded.
AJ knew that Stephanie meant it was a good time to talk to
Kate. He slowly followed her. "Kate?"
"Yes, AJ?" Kate kept her back turned.
"I think we need to talk!" AJ said.
Kate turned around. "I agree."
End of Chapter 5
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