A Love of Christmas

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Ryan's POV:

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"Abbie, wait" I holler after her but she's clearly ignoring me.
"Who's that?" Rachel asks from behind me. I hadn't heard her coming out of the room but now I get why Abbie ran off.
"I'll be right back" I grab my hoodie and throw it on me as I jog down the corridor to the stairs. I rush down the three flights of stairs until I catch up with Abbie. "Hey, hold up" I practically demand before she exits the building. There's no way I can go out in that cold with no shoes, socks or even t-shirt, never mind a jacket.
"I'm sorry I didn't realize you had a girlfriend" She states quickly, her eyes barely meeting mine.
"I don't" I clarify. "Rachel and I are just... friends" I flounder, not knowing quite how to define my relationship with Rachel.
"I see" she says understandably. Her eyes slowly look up at me. Her gaze is blank and for the first time ever I find it difficult to read her emotions.
"So Cindy-Lou you recon you can make me change my mind about Christmas?" I smirk mischievously and she does that cute half smile, where she doesn't want to smile but can't help it.
"I'm pretty sure Cindy-Lou had an easier job with the Grinch, than I do with you"
"Well then I guess we've gotta give it a try then" I grin. I can't believe I'm even doing this.
"You're really coming" She says letting out a squeal of delight, before she leaps at me in excitement and wraps her arms around my neck. I'm momentarily stunned; It's the first time we've ever hugged. "You'll love it" She chimes, releasing me from her hug. "We leave tomorrow afternoon. I'll text you the details later" Smiling like a Cheshire cat, she starts walking backwards out of the building.
And just like that, I've plans for Christmas!
And for the first time possibly ever, I'm kind of looking forward to it.

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"Hurry or we'll miss the train" Abbie shouts over her shoulder at me as she power walks towards the platform.
It's only eleven o'clock; We still have half an hour before the train is scheduled to leave and It only takes two minutes to get to the train and our seats are booked but Abbie still thinks we'll miss it.
"Christmas isn't for another two days, we'll make it, don't worry!" I call behind her. She hops onto our train and hauls her heavy bag behind her. I did offer to take it but I think she was afraid I'd miss the train and she'd be left without her clothes and the presents for her family.
Following her onto the train, we make our way through two crowded carriages before locating our seats. We store our luggage and take our seats next to each other. We're barely settled when the train begins moving off. I check my watch. We're leaving ten minutes early? No wonder she had me rushing.
"So I was thinking that maybe I should at least know who's going to be here before we arrive?" I suggest, figuring we have a two and a half hour to journey to Galway, which should be enough time for me to try remember her family's names.
"I suppose" She grins and twists slightly in her seat to face me. "So first and most importantly are my parents Cathy and Pat, then there's my granny Mary and my older sister Jessie. She'll be there with her boyfriend Paul.."
"That's not too bad. I think I can remember that"
"I'm only getting started" She chuckles with a hint of deviousness behind it. "I've three older brothers and all their families"
Oh shit. Brothers!
I take it back, two and a half hours isn't going to be enough time to remember all this.
"Firstly, my brother Ken. He's married to Lisa and their children are Samantha, Ciara and Henry. Then there's Keith and his wife Joanne. Their children are David and Erica; and finally Stephen and his new fiancé Fiona. They have no kids, yet"
"Yeah, I'm never going to remember all this" I sigh, already wrecking my brain to even remember her brothers' names.
"I wouldn't expect you too, especially when you see Ken and Keith; they're identical twins"
Ah damn it. Talk about throwing a spanner in the works.
"So you're the baby of the family?" She nods in response. "Well I feel sorry for any boyfriend you bring home to meet the family" I taunt.
"That's why I've never brought anyone home" She confesses straightforwardly, stunning me.
"You've never brought any fella home? they know I'm coming right and that we're just friends?"
"No and of course they know but just be prepared for the insinuations anyway. My family like to torment everyone"
Well I guess if I had a sister bringing home a guy for the first time and telling me that he's just a friend, I'd question it too.
Thankfully it's the truth though and we've nothing to worry about. As for the tormenting, I'm sure I'll be fine.

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