A Date for Christmas

by Erika Phillips

  https://linktr.ee/phillips_erika.2018

  Thanks again for reading A Date for Christmas! And don’t forget to check out my other books at: http://www.amazon.com/author/erikaphillips

  Or at my website:

  www.erikaphillipsbooks.com

  Want more by Erika Phillips? Check out a sample of

  Cougars' Club: Sarah below

  Cougars’ Club: Sarah

  By: Erika Phillips

  Chapter 1

  “Did you get my message about dinner tomorrow? It moved to Shep’s,” said Derek leaning out of the bathroom door with shaving cream slathered on his face.

  “Yeah, I ran into Kelly today at the grocery store,” Sarah replied while folding laundry. “Do we need to bring anything?”

  “Just ‘ourselves and a smile’ is what Shep said when I asked him...but I plan to go with a scowl just to piss him off.” He grinned while he buttoned up his uniform and tucked in his shirt over his bullet-proof vest.

  “Would Shep really notice--do you smile a lot at work?” she quipped.

  “Generally no, but sometimes the amount of stupid I deal with is pretty amusing.” Derek glanced at the clock on the bedside table. “Oh shit, I gotta go. Love ya. See you in the morning.” He walked around the bed and quickly kissed Sarah’s cheek and flew out the door.

  “See you,” she trailed off as he was already out the door.

  ********

  Sarah snuggled into bed with a glass of red wine and a book. She was attempting to relax after another long week battling high school kids. She had been teaching English in downtown Chicago for the last eighteen years, every year claiming it was her last. But she loved the kids and the daily fight for learning, or she wouldn’t keep banging her head against the proverbial wall. Besides, they were all she had besides Derek. After trying for many years to have their own children, they finally accepted the fact that it wasn’t in the cards for them. They had talked at length about in vitro, adoption, and other options, but decided with their jobs and opposite schedules (and advancing age) it might be for the best.

  Besides, not having children allowed them a certain freedom. She coveted staying up late, sipping wine, and getting a chance to read something other than the “classics”. Liv had recommended her latest pick, a book called Love the Hard Way. So far, the plot had a sheltered female, Rachel, who finds herself at an S&M party at her neighbor’s house. Rachel is just about to decide to leave when she finds herself intrigued by this sexual world she had never experienced before.

  Sarah was a little apprehensive to read it at first, but the book was starting to pick up a little and Sarah found herself anxious to see what Rachel would do next. Sarah realized she was identifying with Rachel a little more than she would like to be. Sex with Derek had always been fine, they had been each other’s first and only sexual encounter. And though there was comfort in that, it often lacked fireworks.

  Derek and Sarah had first met in grade school and had been high school sweethearts. He was all she had known for as long as she could remember. Sarah had realized that in marrying Derek she would have a life-long friend at her side and the only man she would ever truly know. He was her security at home and she always knew what to expect...until she didn’t.

  Sarah was sound asleep when her cell phone buzzed. She absentmindedly looked at the clock as she fumbled for her phone. Who would be calling at 3:17 a.m.? The caller I.D. read CPD (Chicago Police Department) --maybe Derek’s cell died and he was using the police department’s network? She felt a little uneasy as she answered. “Hello?”

  She could hear commotion as there was a brief pause at the other end. “Sarah, it’s Shep. Derek is in intensive care, GSW to the neck. I’m sending a patrol car to pick you up; they’ll be there in 4 minutes.”

  Sarah’s mind went blank. She did not realize that she hadn’t moved or breathed until the other end repeated, “Sarah? Sarah? I’m at the hospital with Derek, but he needs you here. Sarah?”

  She shook out of momentary shock, “Um, I heard you Shep. Tell him I will be right there. Thank you,” she murmured quietly as she pressed the button to end the call. She sat perfectly still for a moment, then Shep’s words hit her and she raced to throw some clothes on and outside to wait for the squad car.

  The ride to the hospital was filled with sirens blaring and though it was only about ten minutes away, it felt like an eternity. When they finally arrived Shep was outside the ER to meet her covered in blood. It barely registered that it was Derek’s blood she was looking at spattered on his uniform and streaked across his badge which read Officer M. Shephard.

  “Sarah!” He came over and put his arm around her as he ushered her into the hospital. He was talking quickly, “It isn’t looking so good. We went to a call for a robbery at a gas station. Derek was trying to talk the assailant down, maneuvering in front of the cashier. The kid with the gun spooked and Derek dove in front of the cashier, taking the shot in the neck. It went clean through, missing his spine. They got him here right away, but he’s lost a lot of blood. The doctors are trying to cauterize the wound.”

  Just then one of the surgeons came around the corner. “Mrs. York?”

  “Yes?” Sarah responded robotically. She looked over this doctor that appeared to be ten years younger than she was and wondered how much experience he could possibly have. Sarah only realized that he had continued talking as Shep squeezed his arm around her shoulder.

  “I’m so sorry. We weren’t able to do anything. Intrusive injuries of the head and neck present complex management problems in the best of cases. Though it was a low-velocity bullet, the trajectory was erratic, and through its rotation it managed to cause an extensive subcutaneous hematoma to the subclavian artery and vein.” This young surgeon looked at her with pleading eyes and Sarah wondered how many times he had delivered this similar speeches.

  “I’m sorry for your loss. Would you like a moment with your husband?” Sarah stood there in shock not knowing what to say. Shep took Sarah’s arm and led her to the room which held Derek. As they stood at the doorway, Sarah froze.

  “Would you like me to go in with you?” Shep asked. Sarah just stared at Shep for a moment trying to comprehend what Shep had asked her. Sarah still couldn’t believe what was happening. This had to be a dream. If I pinch myself right now, I’m going to wake up in my bedroom she thought to herself. This was no dream and deep down Sarah knew it. She always feared this day may come. It was what she had signed up for when she married Derek--the life of being a cop’s wife: long hours by herself, late night calls, weekends alone.

  Sarah looked at Shep, “No. I am okay, thank you though.” Sarah said, still in a daze. She squeezed Shep’s hand and walked into the room. Derek was lying on the hospital bed. He looked so peaceful, as if he was just sleeping. This can’t be happening. I just saw him. We just talked about dinner. He has fresh laundry in the closet...

  Sarah walked over to the side of the bed and sat down in the chair next to him. She took his hand and placed it in hers. “What am I going to do without you? You are all I have ever known, my whole world. We were supposed to be together forever--just like you promised me.” She closed her eyes and laid her head down on Derek’s arm and sobbed.

  Sarah wasn’t sure how much time had passed. Shep gently touched Sarah’s shoulder. “It’s time to go.” Sarah opened her eyes and looked up at Shep. She must have fallen asleep.

  “You have been here for an hour. Why don’t I give you a ride home,” he said gently.

  Sarah nodded at Shep and slowly started to stand up. Sarah gave one last look at Derek lying in the bed and bent over and kissed him goodbye.

  Chapter 2

  Two years later…

  Sarah walked into the kitchen to make herself a bag of popcorn for the movie she had just rented. Another fun Saturday night she told herself, sitting home alone. She had just rented the latest Avengers movie. Sarah was just putting the bag in the microwave when her cell rang. She pushed the Start button a
nd walked over to the living room to grab her phone off the end table by the couch. When she glanced at the screen, Jess’s name came up on the caller ID.

  “Hey Jess, what’s up?” Sarah could hear loud music playing in the background.

  “What’s up? What do you mean what’s up? Where are you?”

  “At home,” Sarah responded a little annoyed.

  “Why aren’t you at the Blue Bar? Remember Liv just got into Chicago for the week,” Jess reminded her.

  “We are both here, but you seem to be missing,” Liv responded.

  Sarah totally forgot that was this weekend, she was thinking it was a week away yet. But she had made plans with Jess and Liv two weeks ago when they realized that they would both be in town. They were going to go out for Jess’s birthday.

  Sarah felt horrible that she had forgotten. “I put it in my calendar for next week--sorry Jess!” She had been so consumed with work lately that she must have let it slip her mind. Sarah was extremely organized as far as work went, but if there were plans for herself, she often let them go. Sarah was thankful that Liv and Jess were such good friends that they always forgave her and had been for some twenty-odd years.

  “Sarah, I know this time of year is hard for you. But hon, it has been two years. You know Derek loved you more than anything and would not want to see you spending the rest of your days at home every night by yourself.”

  Sarah knew Jess was right. Derek would not want her to sit home crying and mourning him. He would want her to go out and have fun with her friends. They would always joke about the crazy cat lady down the street and how she never went anywhere or did anything after her husband passed away. Here she was turning into her, but at least she had not started taking in stray cats...yet!

  “I know you’re right, Jess, it is just so hard to want to go out. I feel like I am hurting him if I’m having a good time. I know that it’s irrational, but I still feel it.” Sarah could feel the tears starting to form at the corners of her eyes. She wiped away her tears and decided to put on her big girl pants. She blurted, “Okay, I can be there in thirty minutes,” knowing that she just needed to make herself go. Plus, she missed hanging out with Liv and Jess--they always had such a great time together and might get into some trouble too.

  Jess squealed into the phone. “Yay, I’m so happy! And so is Liv, if I can pull her off the guy she has cornered. This is going to be a great night, Sarah. Just you wait and see.”

  Sarah rolled her eyes and chuckled. “We shall see,” she said, ending the call.

  Suddenly, Sarah caught a whiff of something burning, “Oh shit, the popcorn!” she raced back into the kitchen and opened the microwave door. She pulled the bag out and noticed black scorch marks on the side of the bag. Sarah threw the bag into the kitchen sink to cool off. Oh well, I won’t have time to eat that now anyway she thought.

  Sarah walked back to her bedroom to get dressed and put on a little makeup. Nothing too flashy, but she still wanted to feel somewhat sexy. Sarah grabbed her favorite ‘going out’ jumper from her dresser drawer. Anything to show off her legs and her latest conquest in the shoe department! Being so short, she always tried to give the illusion of longer legs by wearing shorts or skirts with stilettos.

  Sarah took a look at herself in the mirror. Not bad, Sarah thought. Even at forty, she still had a nice set of legs and curves. Well, if you got them, flaunt them! Sarah pulled her hair out of her ponytail and let it flow loosely around her shoulders. She always loved her hair. Dark brown with a few flecks of blonde throughout. Sarah was lucky, no grays yet. Sarah looked at her face in the mirror to check her makeup. She liked to wear as little makeup as possible and didn’t need much anyway. Her skin was just as flawless as it was in her twenties. She had almond shaped brown eyes and long eyelashes. A long slender nose and voluptuous lips.

  She grabbed her favorite pair of black heels out of the closet and looked over at the picture of Derek on the nightstand. Sarah blew Derek a kiss and walked out of the bedroom turning the light off on her way out.

  Sarah walked into the Blue Bar, needing to swerve around the couple standing in the doorway. Sarah strained her neck looking for her friends, out of the corner of her eye she saw Jess waving her arms in the air at her. Sarah bopped through the crowd of people to get to the table next to the bar where Jess and Liv were seated.

  “Sarah!” Jess yelled enthusiastically as she got up to give Sarah a hug, “I have missed you.”

  She hugged Jess back, then hugged Liv. “I have missed you gals too. It has been way too long,” Sarah stated as she sat down at the table. The music in the bar was really loud and there was already a good crowd. Bars were not really Sarah’s thing, but Jess loved coming here.

  Liv was watching the crowd for a bit. Scanning for some possible men to flirt with Sarah thought, as Liv did not do long-term relationships. Liv was the exotic beauty type. She must have hit the genetic jackpot at birth. Flawless bronze skin, tall, athletic build, with legs that went on for miles. She had long, dark black hair and smoldering brown eyes, with the longest eyelashes. Her nose looked like it was molded from a Greek goddess statue. When Liv walked into a room everyone took notice.

  Liv turned back around in her chair towards Jess and Sarah. “Not much to look at tonight,” she responded dryly. “This trip may be a strikeout in the sex department.”

  Sarah chuckled as she knew full well Liv was not kidding. Whenever Sarah talked to Liv, she would hear about her latest conquests. She must have men all around the world pining after her. Sometimes Sarah would fantasize what it would be like to be her. Liv was an independent travel-blogger and seemed to have the most exciting life. She had lived in New York for the last twenty-one years, traveled all over and was always meeting new and exciting men.

  Sarah had never traveled much, except for the annual get-away with her friends. Derek was a homebody and preferred to stay close to Chicago. He had loved his job and struggled to take the time off. It was one thing she had both loved and hated about him.

  Jess was a whole other story. When they all finished college in Boston, Jess followed her college sweetheart to Hawaii, where he was stationed in the Navy. Jess was beautiful in the girl-next-door way. She had shoulder-length honey blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and full pouty lips. Jess was average height and loved her hourglass figure. She adored her full breasts and wore anything that would show them off. She would always say they were her best assets.

  Ironically, Jess was back in town for a few weeks as her mother had just undergone surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from her breasts. Sarah was happy to have her girlfriends in town again. It had been a long time since they have seen each other. Way too long in Sarah’s opinion. She needed them more than she cared to admit to herself.

  Liv was swaying to the music in her chair. “So, it has been two years since we took our last girls’ trip. Too long to be away from you ladies,” Liv eyed them both.

  Jess looked at Liv and stated, “I could really use a getaway right now. My stress level has hit its max.”

  Sarah wasn’t sure but knew she should go. Plus, if she said no, the girls would never let her live it down. They have been going on these girls trips for the last twenty years. Liv was right Sarah thought. She had become a hermit since Derek had passed away. Going to work, coming home to an empty apartment, and falling asleep after two glasses of wine.

  “Okay, I’m in!” Sarah exclaimed. “Where are we going?”

  Liv and Jess both smiled and screamed in unison, “Mexico, baby!”

  Sarah raised a margarita. “Hola to Mexico! Cheers!” and with one long swig emptied her glass.

 

 

 
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