The Magic Ending!

Remember the Christmas story? Just a small follow up. Because I love writing and a little magic can go a long way.

The Magic Ending!

Night shift at the hospital this new years eve. I will be watching over Claire and her new born who had been in a small accident. Her love Tom sit quietly with her hand in his with a soft and gentle touch. I over heard him tell the baby girl the stories of how he met her mother. The cupcakes and pastries that were left at the table or in a kitchen. I used to smile when he spoke of himself buying a pastries just to meet her. All for a smile on a monotone day.  

His tears rolled across his cheek broken by lips curled up in a smile. But the one story that hit me most was how he lost his wife precisely one year after Claire had a loss. How two lives got so connected through a day filled with the ominous death of a love one. 

When changing her bandages I kept looking away, crying at the sadness of his story. tales of half brother and sister from another father, who loved eating cupcakes with coloured sprinkles. Now but loving memories when feeding the pastries to the doves.. Heartfelt he would tell her the history of her parents. 

And in the corner of my blurry tear filled eyes I could see Claire smile en let a tear fall on her pillow. A quick draw of handkerchief and she would fall asleep again. Her body must be tired, all battered up and trying to heal itself.  

Shift just getting started and I am waiting for the clock to hit 12 together with my colleagues. A tiny little bottle of champagne awaits us if only for a sip. but the heart is running wild, beating in my throat with an nervous twitch. holding back the tears and still  have smiles thinking about the story, the smile and bakery’s wife. Doing my rounds I have their room for last. 

An open door suggest she is sleeping but as I come closer I stop and lean against the doorway. There on the bed sitting up after a long time is Claire holding her baby and smiling. Tom stuttering as he is being told how to behave and what to do. Just like the small moments she would talk. Knowing exactly what words he needed to have him smile and feel in love again. The hand on my shoulder gently pats me, Yeah I was a bit early. 

Theresa smiles and leaves with a whisper, “You do have enough cupcakes right? 

-“Oh my god you looked in the box didn’t?” My outburst has everyone in the room look at me. With a strange starer wondering what I was talking about. But Tom isn’t quiet for long. 

“She came to, she’s awake. Holding her little girl. Happy new year Jessica.” His eyes shine brighter than a sky full of stars above a blushing pair of cheeks all rounded from a smile. My shift is one to start with such great news it promises the new year to be even better. “Happy new year Tom, Claire and little Noelle. Don’t go anywhere I got a surprise for you” 

“We’re not going anywhere soon.”

With a smile I turn way and let a tear run down. The year is ending with a baby girl born on the day they lost so much. and now here at the start of a new year they are together and smiling as a family. 

Hours pass and with the clock almost striking 12, me and Theresa head over to Claire’s room where Tom has fell asleep beside her. Sitting in his chair his head fallen over against her hips. In my hand a tray with seven cupcakes accompanied by a card from Sue. 4 glasses with but a drop of champagne to have a toast. 

“Wake up, straighten yourself up.” Claire throws his head in the air from underneath the blanket. “We got company.” 

-“what, who, Jesus… Claire” 

“No not Jesus silly, the nurses.”