By: KaraGail
Disclaimer: The characters of Roswell belong to Jason Katims, Melinda Metz, WB, and UPN. They are not mine and no infringement is intended. I don’t own the song “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and am just borrowing the lyrics.
Category: Alex and Isabel
Rating: Teen
A/N: This is for the angelsofthestars Stargazer Day Challenge:
rating is up to you
~must be no shorter than 250 words
~any season is fine and you can include the other couples or characters
~has to be around Christmas time
~must include the following phrases and things:
1) It's like we're on a merry go round
2) hard to breathe
3) Gift exchange
4) The word stargazer or stargazing
5) you're my Christmas miracle
6) dude, your chestnuts are on fire
7) A bell has to ring
A Christmas song must be featured somewhere in the fic9) always belong to someone else
Happy Birthday Colin and Katherine! Happy Stargazer Day! Happy Thanksgiving
1/1
Maria Deluca was the only waitress on duty at the Crashdown, which wasn’t a bad thing since it was December 23rd. Many of their customers were off at the malls and stores getting their last minute shopping done so that there were only a handful of people to wait on.
“So then I said ‘Dude, your chestnuts are on fire ”
She chuckled at the customer’s story while inwardly counting down the minutes that her shift would be over. There was plenty that she needed to do to get ready for Christmas and she had very little time to get it done.
After a final word with the talkative customer, Maria moved to a recently emptied table and began to clear away the dishes. She began to hum one of her favorite Christmas tunes for a few moments before giving in and singing aloud.
I’ll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
and presents on the tree
Christmas eve will find me
where the love light gleams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
The bell over the door jingled letting her know that someone had arrived. Looking up she wasn’t surprised to see her best friend, Alex Whitman, walk into the café.
“Hi Alex” She gave him a bright smile as she continued to wipe the table, “I’ll be with you in a second.”
Alex gave her a slight nod as he made his way over to the counter to sit. Maria couldn’t help but frown as she realized that his ever present smile, that he always greeted her with, was missing from his face.
Quickly she finished her task and slid behind the counter to stand in front of him, “Do you want the usual?”
He turned his dark head toward her and for the first time since arriving he seemed to focus on her, “Orange soda on the rocks.”
Again Maria frowned at him. The only time he ever ordered his favorite drink “on the rocks” was when something was truly bothering him. So she quickly filled his glass and sat it down in front of him.
“Okay. Tell Maria what’s wrong.” She said as she leaned against the counter.
Alex ran a finger along the edge of his glass and gave an audible sigh. He didn’t know where to begin but he had come to the Crashdown hoping that one of his friends would lend an ear and help him sort out the confusion that was his love life.
Maria sat there and held back from asking any more questions. Alex would tell her in his own time and she just had to be patient. She inwardly groaned at that thought. Maria Deluca was never patient.
“A few weeks ago I volunteered to be Santa at the orphanage for Christmas Eve.” Alex said as he looked in his glass of orange soda as if looking for answers there.
Maria chuckled, “That’s great, Alex. I’m sure you will be a great Santa and the kids will adore you. There is no reason to be nervous.”
Thinking about those children caused a ghost of a smile to appear on his face. They were actually one of the reasons he had volunteered in the first place. The other reason was now the reason why he was so hesitant.
“It’s not that I’m nervous about the kids, Maria.” He looked back up at her with trepidation in his eyes, “It’s the fact that Isabel is coordinating the event and will be there.”
Maria raised her eyebrows over this information, “You are talking about our Isabel Evans, right? The Czechoslovakian?”
Alex nodded and gave a smile at the disbelief in his friends voice, “I know she shows that ice princess persona to most everyone but underneath Isabel is very kind and generous. In fact, she has been coordinating the Christmas program at the orphanage for the last couple of years.” He gave a small shrug of his shoulders, “But I don’t think it’s just because she is kind, which she is. I think she feels guilty over the fact that she and Max were adopted by two wonderful parents while other children stayed behind.”
Maria saw the wisdom in that and gave a nod in recognition, “Well if it’s not about the kids then what’s wrong, Alex?”
“I really don’t know Maria.” Alex ran a hand across the back of his neck, “I guess it’s the fact that a month ago Isabel was still talking to me and at least trying to be my friend even after she broke up with me and began to date Grant.” He gave his head another shake and looked back down at his drink, “I think she is avoiding me again, I have no idea what I have done to warrant it but we haven’t spoken in such a long time.”
“Oh sweetie.” Maria reached out and took his hand in hers wanting to comfort him.
Alex glanced back up at her, “Do you remember that summer, when we were 6 years old, and we went to the county fair? You and Liz had me get on that old fashioned merry go round that had the brass rings?”
Maria smiled at the memory he conjured, “I remember how we spent most of the afternoon trying to reach for the brass ring only to realize that our arms were not long enough.”
He nodded, “That’s how I’m feeling. It’s like we're on a merry go round and I keep reaching out for Isabel but she always escapes my grasp.” Alex released her hand with a sigh, “I’m just tired of going in circles and getting no where, Maria.”
The petite blonde shifted her gaze over his shoulder with a frown before moving back to her friend needing to console him, “Maybe it’s time for you to move on, Alex. Didn’t you have a date with the red head from your math class?”
“Molly?” he gave a gentle shake of his head and sighed, “She is a nice girl but I know that my heart will always belong to someone else.”
Maria whished there was something she could say to comfort him but she knew what it was like to be in love with an alien, “Well maybe next year will be better for all of us and you will be able to finally move on.”
Alex gave her another slight smile, “Thanks Maria. I think I just needed someone to listen to me ramble.”
She reached across the counter and squeezed his hand, “Any time sweetie.”
He rose from his seat, “Well I better go. We still on for our gift exchange tomorrow?”
Maria nodded and then tried to give him some more encouraging words, “Everything will work out, Alex. You’ll see.”
Alex gave her a wave and another smile before he headed out of the café. Her eyes followed him out the door before traveling back to land on the lone occupant of the booth in front of her. Alex had not been aware that the object of their conversation had been there the whole time listening.
Isabel’s brown eyes were focused on Maria waiting knowing that they small blonde would have something to say. If there was one thing that was predictable about the waitress it was that she would always stand up for her friends, especially if they had been hurt.
So she wasn’t surprised when all Maria said was, “It’s time to make up your mind, Isabel. I won’t let you continue to tear him apart.”
Maria then turned and vanished into the backroom leaving Isabel to contemplate all that had been said between the two friends.
Looking down at the papers in front of her she recalled the reason why she had come to the Crashdown in the first place. Isabel had hoped to find some place quiet where she could go over the last minute details for the Christmas program.
“That’s not true, Isabel” she sighed ‘You were actually trying to figure out a way so you didn’t have to be there tomorrow night while Alex played Santa.”
She wasn’t proud of that acknowledgement but she had been thinking of saving herself and not of hurting Alex more. But being the perfectionist that she was, Isabel knew that she would have to be there to make sure that everything went smoothly. She wasn’t called “The Christmas Nazi” for nothing.
Isabel had been so lost in her thoughts that only the sound of Maria greeting Alex as he entered made her look up. Her heart had raced at the sight of her ex-boyfriend as he made his way to the counter.
She had been relieved that he hadn’t noticed her huddled in the corner of the booth. For a moment she considered sneaking out when Alex and Maria began to discuss her. There was no surprise from her to know that Alex was fully aware that she was avoiding him. She couldn’t deny it.
The reason that she had been side stepping him wasn’t’ because that she no longer wanted to be with him, but because she did want to be with him. She was just afraid to let him in and see her true self. No matter how many times he tried to tell her he would care for her no matter what Isabel still had a hard time of believing it.
Isabel had continued to sit there with tears in her eyes as he described their relationship like a merry go round. She hadn’t realized that was what she was doing to him but knew that his analogy was right. They were going in circles and only she had the power to stop it.
Maria was right. It was time to decide what she wanted. Isabel could no longer avoid her feelings by pretending they didn’t exist. She needed to make her mind up and she had to do it before tomorrow night.
*********
Alex looked at the Santa suit, that he had yet to put on, and wondered if it would be hard to breathe with all the padding and whiskers. It definitely would conceal his tall lanky frame.
“Suck it up, Alex” he told his reflection in the mirror of the restroom he had been shown to change in when he had arrived, “This is for the kids.”
He could hear the sound of those children playing in the hallway as they waited excitedly for Santa to appear. Alex couldn’t help but smile as for the first time in weeks his mood lifter as he began to realize how small his problems were in relation to those parentless children out there.
A tap on the door tore him from his thoughts, “Come in.”
He was surprised to see Isabel enter and give him a hesitant smile. Even though he was trying to get over her, Alex couldn’t help but admire the red turtle neck sweater she wore. He had always loved her in red.
“Hi Alex. We are almost ready for Santa to make an appearance.” She stepped further into the room letting the door shut behind her, “I though I better go over with you the plan.”
He nodded since he was unable to say anything. Alex was calling himself every name in the book as he stood there looking at the girl he loved.
“When you come out all the kids should be seated around the Christmas tree.” Isabel then gave him some pointers on what to say and how to act as he appeared. “Your bag is right outside already filled with the presents. Just read the names on the tags aloud for the kids to come up for their presents.”
Alex gave another nod causing Isabel to frown slightly at his silence. Needing some sort of reassurance she leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek, “Thanks for doing this, Alex.”
His fingers itched to reach up and touch the spot where her lips had been but he controlled himself. Finally he was able to say, “Your welcome, Isabel.”
They stood there a moment just starring into the others eyes trying to read what the other was thinking at that moment.
‘What did she mean when she kissed me?’ Alex wondered to himself.
‘Is it too late?’ Isabel fretted hoping that he would give her the chance she so hopelessly wanted.
She took a step toward the door and gave him a smile that lit her face, “Well you better get dressed and I’ll see you in a few, Santa.”
Alex couldn’t help but return her smile as he watched her leave. ‘What was that all about?’
10 minutes later a fully costumed Alex stepped out into the door way of the room where all the kids had been corralled.
“HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas! ” he bellowed and his heart filled with joy at seeing the girls and boys eyes light up at the sight of him.
“Santa! ” The kids shouted and ran to him as he entered the room. They began to jump on the balls of their feet each vying for the attention of the jolly old elf.
Isabel couldn’t help but smile as she watched Alex interact with the kids. She was so proud of the sweet and caring way he treated them giving each one special attention as he handed out the presents.
Alex was almost out of gifts as he pulled on after another from his huge red sack. All of the kids seemed to have settled somewhere on the floor playing with the toys that they had been given.
Reaching for the final present, which was at the bottom, Alex was surprised that it was quit small compared to the others. He lifted the tag to read out loud when the words died in his throat. He re-read it again to himself just to make sure he was seeing it right.
To Santa From Your Favorite Stargazer
Alex lifted his head as his eyes immediately searched for Isabel, who was sitting on the floor with a little girl playing with her first doll. Dropping the empty sack he fumbled with the package trying to unwrap it with his white gloved fingers. The box inside was less of a challenge as he took the lid off.
Reaching inside the box, his eyes widened at the sight of a brass ring nestled in the tissue paper. It was a brass ring that he had seen before as a child. A ring that was found on old fashion merry go rounds.
Heart racing he glanced back up until his eyes collided with Isabel’s. She was no longer sitting on the flood but standing there amid the chaos of the children.
Alex was next to her in two strides holding the ring up so that she could see it. Questions filled his eyes but all he could get out was, “How?”
Isabel smiled at the sight of the ring in his fingers, “I guess you finally caught the brass ring. You better hold on to it and never let it go.”
He was still confused wondering what she was saying by giving him this token. Seeing his look she took his hand in hers and pulled him toward the front door after motioning to an administrator that she was leaving with him for a moment, ‘Come on, Santa. I think we need to go somewhere private.”
All Alex could do was nod and follow her out of the room. He watched as she grabbed her coat and continued until they were outside and away from the prying eyes of the children.
Isabel turned to Alex as they stood on the porch, “I was at the Crashdown yesterday, Alex. I heard everything you said to Maria.”
Alex could feel the blush cross his face and was glad for the beard that covered it, “I’m sorry you were not supposed to hear that.”
She raised her hand to silence him, “I’m not sorry, Alex. I’m glad I hear that. It made me finally realize that I wasn’t doing either on of us good by staying away.”
He was glad she had finally brought it up and asked, “Why Isabel? I promise I would never hurt you?”
Isabel gave an audible sigh and a slight shrug as she starred into his green eyes, “I was never worried that you would hurt me, Alex. It was that I would hurt you.”
She reached out and took his gloved hand in hers, “But hearing you yesterday made me realize that I was already hurting you as well as myself.”
“Then don’t push me away.” He whispered as he looked into her eyes.
Isabel nodded as the tears formed in her eyes, “No more, Alex” she reached up and pulled the beard gently from his face so she could see him fully, “I do love you, you know.”
Alex’s heart almost burst at her declaration and he tugged her toward him wanting to be as close as the padding of his suit would allow, “I love you too.”
Her face split into a wide smile as her arms came up to wrap around his neck. He returned her grin while he lowered his lips to hers and gave her a kiss that was deep, gentle and wet. Alex had her blood boiling as her body temperature rose even while the cold December night surrounded them.
It was Alex who pulled away first causing Isabel to groan at the loss of contact, “I’m sorry, Isabel. I didn’t get you a Christmas gift.”
Isabel couldn’t help but smile again at the worry in his voice, “You are my Christmas gift, Alex Whitman.”
His smile returned to his face and he leaned back toward her barely placing his lips on hers, “And you are my Christmas miracle, Isabel Evans.”
Their lips found each other again and both seemed to melt into the kiss as they held onto each other neither wanting the moment to end. With the sensations Alex was stirring in her, Isabel knew that she had never felt complete before; but now, with him at her side, she knew she would never be incomplete again.
The End.
Just dropping off my ssiggie for this story
