Monday, December 22, 2008

The Gift

The Gift



With all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holidays, Samantha hadn't noticed the small package shoved in her kitchen hutch. It was under the Spode plates and behind the Santa saltshakers. In fact, if she hadn't been trying to find her red Santa dish towels, she may have never found it at all.


It didn't look like anything special. Wrapped in brown paper with red raffia, a hand stamped tag simply said: To Samantha. Love, Me.

It's probably Jeremy, she thought with a flash of warmth that spread from her chest all the way to her toes. Looking at the small box, she bit her lip and tried to ignore the whisper in her brain: Maybe it's a ring.

Samantha and Jeremy had been dating for more than three years now. And true, Jeremy was still struggling in carving a place out for himself at the new law practice he joined. And yes, it was true that he still had tons of student debt and the economy wasn't exactly hot right now.

But the box was small and hidden. What else could it be?

Running her fingers over it, Samantha resisted the urge to give it a shake. Her mind bubbled with images of Jeremy clinging glasses at Christmas dinner for a toast; perhaps sinking to one knee in front of the tree or pulling it out of her stocking with a flourish.

She heard the kitchen door swing open behind her and carefully slid it into her apron. Whirling around, she beamed as Jeremy shimmied toward her with a bottle of wine.

"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!" he warbled, swinging the bottle around. "Oh what fun it is to ride a one horse open sleigh!"

"Have a little extra egg nog, darling?" Samantha teased, taking the bottle of wine from him before he broke it.

"Just a little," he admitted, holding his arms out wide. "A tad, a tiny bit. It is Christmas after all."

"It is," Samantha murmured. "And I got you something really special, darling! I think you'll like it."

"Great," Jeremy replied, his eyes focused on the pyramid of cookies on the counter.

Samantha waited a moment, then sidled up to him. "Did you get me anything special?" she purred, toying with his collar.

"Sure I did!" Jeremy said, shoving a cookie into his mouth. "I got you something you'll never forget! Something you'll treasure for your whole life!"

Samantha beamed and tried not to grasp at the package in her apron pocket. "I'm sure I will!"

Planting a sticky kiss on her lips, Jeremy snagged three more cookies and twirled out of the kitchen singing a drunken rendition of "Silent Night." Trying not to giggle, Samantha smoothed her hair and pulled off her apron. She patted the tiny package in the pocket and scurried off to go find her camera batteries. Tonight would be an important night, after all.

If only she had known what was in the package, she would have known just how important it would be. And she would have known just how wrong she was.

To be continued...

Welcome to the final week of Christmas at the Pond! There's all sorts of goodies for you, including a recap of the Shreveport Christmas Invasion 2008, the Babies' letter to Santa and a Christmas story from the Blond Duck's past that will make all your burned turkeys and fallen trees seem minor. We've also got a new Twirl and the end of Kitchen Magic, which will be a book shortly! Stay tuned and have a Merry Christmas!

33 comments:

Marie Rayner said...

Ohhh, I wonder what it is??? You do know how to keep us in suspence!!! Looking foward to all your goodies coming up this week and hoping that you are having a lovely time with the family! Happy Christmas days!!

Prudy said...

This is why I miss the pond! It can't be a ring, can it? I don't believe it. I bet you have a surprise up your sleeve.

Anonymous said...

Oh, you tease! (Me, Christmas morning: could you guys wait to open gifts while I check to see if there's an update at Blonde Duck's blog? The guys: HUH? - LOL!!)

Marjie said...

I'm so glad you're still writing. It gives me relief from all the things I "must" do! This is another fine offering.

raining sheep said...

I just wanted to wish you a wonderful Christmas and Happy holidays. I am not blogging much over the next three weeks so I will see you on the other side of the New Year. Hugs.

Raquel said...

AAAAAHHHHH! I can't wait, the suspense is killing me! I love your stories, particularly of the fuzzy duck! Thank you much for all the kind comments on my blog, your writing inspires me! Much love, Raquel XO

Diana said...

Don't tell me... it's a toilet seat! ;)

Can't wait to hear the rest (and the story of your Christmas past)!

Gramma 2 Many said...

What a place to leave us!!!!

The Short (dis)Order Cook said...

That cliffhanger was just too cruel! Update please.

Unknown said...

ok, agreeing with every one else... WHAT HAPPENS?!?!?! :)

Lori said...

I must drop back to hear what it is. You got us all hanging!

Heather said...

oh! post the end soon! i want to know what the gifts are!!

ALLERGIC TO CHOCOLATE?! i about choked to death when i read that. it's horrible :( but butterscotch is a good substitution, i think :)

Grammy Staffy said...

Merry Christmas to my "Kreativ blogger" friend. My computer is still in a comma so I don't get much internet time. However you are in my thoughts.

Have a great Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Oh no.....you can't stop there. You just can't.

Anonymous said...

Oooh what a cliffhanger pause to the story!

Colleen said...

Ok...first time to stop by and now I am hooked! WHAT IS IT, DANG IT?!

Jessica said...

Hey...Thanks for being my first comment! I love your blog, it's so creative! You're a great writer :-) I also love your layout...being a blogger newby, I'm still trying to figure all that stuff out :-) Hopefully mine will have a facelift sometime soon!

Reeni said...

Maybe it's from a secret admirer...can't wait to find out!

Elizabeth said...

What is in the little package??? :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great line up you have planned :)

Mandy said...

DUDE! What happens??? :) I love this.

Grace said...

I laughed my ass off when I read your comment about the SIL! Glad she's not being a brat! Let me know if she starts yelling at your MIL! Haha

Pam said...

I am loving this story. I wonder what's in the box...hmmmm.

Bunny said...

I got your sussy today Miranda!! Thank you sooooo much!!! You are such a sweetheart! This one has me wondering....what's in the box??!!!

Cakelaw said...

Your writing always sucks me in - can't wait til the next instalment while I still have computer access...

Pseudo said...

I watched Love Actually last night. The present the wife found turned out to be for the girlfriend.

Jen Sue Wild said...

This is good I cant wait to read the rest!!

Pink Princess said...

I found your comment on my blog and here I am. Don't keep us in suspense for too long, I would LOVE to find out what Jeremy has planned, lol

Hugs from Marian

Lilly said...

What is going to happen I wonder? Great story. So glad its going to be a book.

Have a truly wonderful Christmas!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Oooooooh, this looks like it's going to be a good one!

I'm guessing it's not a ring she's getting.
~ingrid

Jan said...

Gosh, darn, you really know how to leave a gal dangling. Awaiting the next installment with bated breath. :-)

The W.O.W. factor! said...

What a tease! Now onto The Gift 2!

Anonymous said...

Good Afternoon

Definitely gonna recommend this post to a few friends