Wished: A Blaze of Glory Christmas Read online

  Wished

  A BLAZE OF GLORY CHRISTMAS

  CHERRY SHEPHARD

  This book is protected by the copyright laws of Australia.

  It is prohibited to copy, sell, license or reproduce this book in any way; including, but not limited to print, email, fax, photocopy or scan, without written permission from the author. Brief passages may be used for review or promotional purposes only.

  Wished (A Blaze of Glory Christmas)

  Copyright Cherry Shephard 2016

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, places or situations is entirely coincidental.

  For further information, please email [email protected]

  Other books in the Blaze of Glory series:

  Imperfect (Blaze of Glory #1)

  Flawed (Blaze of Glory #2)

  For my Devils,

  You love Keets almost as much as I do, and you keep me entertained when I should be writing. This story is for all of you. Merry Christmas!

  Love Cherry xx

  ONE

  “What the hell do we need so many decorations for?” I ask, glaring at Stone as he chuckles under his breath. “What?” I snap, in no mood for his shit today.

  “The girls want decorations, so we’re giving them decorations,” he laughs, elbowing his teenage son, Zeke, in the ribs good naturedly. “Come on guys, where’s your Christmas spirit?”

  “Well excuse me for not being so damn holly jolly,” I growl, tossing down a bauble I’ve been attempting to string for the past ten minutes.

  It’s hard to get into a festive mood when I know my girlfriend is crying herself to sleep right in the next room. It’s been three months since Natalie was forced to give up her newborn daughter, Sunshine, to her biological father after he filed for sole custody, claiming Natalie to be an unfit parent as a result of her past self-harming ways.

  In a cruel twist of fate, Sunshine’s father, Troy, is also Natalie’s sister’s ex-husband. Poor Natalie, having not seen her sister for years, had no idea that the man she had a one night stand with, was really her ex-brother-in-law. Shannon, Stone’s wife, was married to Troy for many years. How she put up with his abusive nature, yet still maintained her own gentle spirit, I’ll never know; but Shannon is one of the sweetest, most genuine women I have ever met.

  “Dad, where’s the tinsel?” Zeke asks, moving aside a huge unwound roll of bright green wrapping paper with miniature Santa Claus pictures on it.

  “I think it’s still in the box on the back porch,” Stone answers, not looking up from where he’s wrapping up yet another present for Shannon. This time, it’s a tiny gift box, housing an exquisite diamond necklace. It probably cost him more than his entire house.

  “Man, Shannon is going to kill you when she sees how much you’ve spent,” I laugh, shifting over from my position on the floor as Zeke squeezes through.

  “No she won’t,” Stone argues, shaking his head. “She keeps telling me that Christmas is all about giving, rather than receiving. I think she’ll be proud that I took that into consideration when I bought her all of this,” he sweeps his arm across the base of the tree, already overflowing with gifts.

  “All of this,” I echo with a grin, picking up a blender. “And what, exactly, is your wife going to do with another blender?”

  “That one is white,” Stone explains with an exaggerated patience, as though he’s talking to a child. “This one is pink.”

  “Oh,” I answer, as though that explains everything. I glance over at the closed bedroom door, worrying my bottom lip with my teeth.

  “Hey,” Stone says quietly, and I whip my head around to look at him. “She’ll be okay, we’re going to get Sunshine back.”

  I nod at him with a weak smile, but the truth is, I have no idea if I’ll ever see Natalie smile again. Not that I can blame her, of course. After losing my wife and child to the tragedy that was 9/11, I didn’t think that I would ever smile again myself. I was ready to end it all, to end my own life. I didn’t want to live in a world that didn’t have Liz in it, but Natalie changed all of that. For the first time in years, I found myself smiling; for the first time in years, I had a reason to keep on living.

  But now that reason is hurting, and in a way I blame myself. I should have taken Troy out when I had the chance, I should have put him six feet under.

  Hopefully, we can bring a bit of happiness back into this house, even if it is just for one day.

  “Okay, I found the tinsel,” Zeke says, squeezing back past with with a large cardboard box, taking a seat cross legged next to the tree. “Jesus, Dad, how much do you need?”

  “As much as Shannon wants,” Stone declares with a huge grin, wrapping up the blender and putting it under the tree. “Okay, Keets, I’m on a roll. Where’s Nat’s present, do you want me to wrap it up for you?”

  “Present?” I echo, looking back and forth between the two of them. Stone and Zeke glance at one another, then Zeke leans forward, lowering his voice.

  “You did buy Aunty Nat a present, didn’t you?” he asks, looking a little concerned.

  “Did I have to?” I ask, even more bewildered when they both groan.

  “Oh my fucking God,” Stone says, rubbing his face with both of his hands. “He didn’t buy her a present.”

  “You always have to buy her a present,” Zeke laughs. “Especially at Christmas.”

  “I just thought, with everything going on, that she wouldn’t really feel much like celebrating.” Even to my own ears the excuse sounds lame. “Dammit,” I jump to my feet and start moving tinsel and baubles around. “Where the hell are my fucking keys?”

  “Relax,” Stone laughs. “The shops are open until midnight, you have plenty of time.”

  “It’s already after ten,” I argue, finding my keys and tucking them into the pocket of my jeans. “Listen, can you let the girls know I had to go out?” I walk over to the door, but then think of something else and turn back again.

  “Don’t worry,” Stone says, but he sounds really exasperated. “We won’t tell Natalie that you forgot to buy her a Christmas present.”

  “Thanks,” I grin, before jogging out to my car and sliding behind the wheel.

  I get to the city in record time, but I have to stop for a moment as I park the car, staring disbelievingly out of the windshield. Lights adorn all of the trees and shop fronts, and the snow falls steadily as people pass by, their arms full of shopping bags. It’s been a long time since I’ve had any reason to celebrate Christmas, I’d almost forgotten how beautiful it was.

  Shaking my head, I get out of the car and lock it carefully behind me. Looking up and down the busy street, I finally decide to just start with the closest store to me. Turning the collar up on my jacket, I enter the store and stop dead.

  Oh. Hell.

  “Well, hello there handsome, can I help you find something?”

  I groan as the petite blonde with large tits practically bounces over to me. She’s wearing a ridiculously tiny green, red and white elf costume that looks like it’s at least three sizes too small.

  “Ahh, just browsing,” I tell her, forcing myself to keep my eyes above her neck.

  “Just browsing?” she asks, raising an eyebrow. “In a lingerie store?”

  I swallow hard and glance around at all of the frilly, lacy underwear, my cock instantly hardening as I think of Natalie in any of them.

  Or all of them.

  “I guess I’m looking for something a little more specific,” I tell her, eyeing a black push-up bra with pale pink insets.

  “Oh, you have brilliant taste,” she giggles, grabbing it off the hook. “You know, there’s a matching thong and suspender set th
at goes with it. If you like,” she continues, stroking one long finger down my arm. “I could give you a private preview.”

  “Thanks,” I answer, gently easing my arm away from her. “But something tells me that my girlfriend wouldn’t like that very much.”

  “Your girlfriend wouldn’t have to know,” she says, giving me a large wink which looks so ridiculous that I have to bite my bottom lip to hold in my laugh.

  “Listen, sweetheart, it’s Christmas Eve, and I’m looking for a gift for the woman I love, okay? Thanks, but no thanks.” Without waiting for an answer, I turn and hightail it out of the store as fast as my feet will carry me.

  Entering the second store, I find myself surrounded by trinkets that kind of look like old junk. Boxes are piled up everywhere, overflowing with crap, and my hand quickly shoots out to steady one as I carefully maneuver past it to get further into the store. A small, crystal figurine catches my eye and I pick it up, turning it over in my hands. It’s a tiny ballerina, standing on one leg with her other leg extended straight out behind her. It’s exquisitely crafted, but it’s not Natalie.

  “Can I help you?” an elderly man asks. He looks to be about eighty years old, with thin black glasses perched on the end of his rather wide nose. His hair is white and wiry, his skin wrinkled and marked with age spots. There’s a definite sadness in his eyes, one that I recognise. This man has lost, and lost recently.

  “Yes, hi,” I step the rest of the way over to him, holding out my hand. He takes it in his own, his grip still surprisingly strong. “I’m looking for a gift for someone really special.”

  “A lady?” the man asks, a knowing smile stretching his wrinkles out, making him appear younger than I first thought.

  “Yes, my girlfriend,” I tell him. “I didn’t realise I had to buy her a Christmas gift.”

  “Son, you always have to buy her a Christmas gift,” he chuckles, echoing the same words Zeke said to me back at Stone’s house.

  “Right,” I agree with a wry grin. “So can you help me?”

  “How about a nice teapot?” he asks, handing me a small, fine bone China teapot. It’s pale blue, with tiny white flowers hand painted all over it.

  “Well, it’s kind of pretty,” I tell him. “And she does like tea, but…”

  “Say no more,” he chuckles, taking it back from my outstretched hand. “Your girlfriend, tell me about her.”

  “Where do I start?” I follow him as he hobbles slowly through the store and into the back. I pause in the doorway, but he indicates to me that I should follow, so I do.

  Stepping through, I’m pleasantly surprised to find a clean, neat, warm sitting area. There’s a large bookcase on the wall, a small fire, a few comfortable looking couches and a small kitchenette.

  “Take a seat,” he says, and I choose a single armchair by the fire, stretching my legs out and taking my jacket off as warmth seeps into my cold flesh. “Tea?”

  “Yes, please,” I tell him, glancing down at my watch. It’s already eleven pm, but something inside of me is telling me to stay. This man is alone on Christmas Eve, and I saw the sadness in his eyes. He needs me, and so I’ll stay for as long as I’m needed.

  TWO

  “Natalie is, well, to be honest, I don’t really know how to describe her,” I admit, taking the cup of tea that the old man brings over to the couches. “I’m sorry, I don’t even know your name.”

  “It’s Teddy,” he smiles, settling himself into his own chair.

  “Damien,” I smile back, taking a small sip of tea. It’s exactly the way I like it; hot and sweet.

  “Well, Damien,” Teddy says, stirring his cup of tea with a small silver spoon. “Tell me about this, Natalie, you said her name was?”

  “Yes, well, she’s nice,” I start, settling back into the plush armchair. “She has blonde hair, blue eyes and she’s kind of short.” I trail off as it immediately sounds like I’m describing a piece of furniture. Teddy says nothing, but smiles at me knowingly from behind his tea cup. I take a deep breath, and try again.

  “Natalie is special,” I say softly, my gaze drawn to the dancing flames in the fireplace. “Really special, you know? I lost my wife, Liz, in the attacks on 9/11, she was pregnant with our baby.”

  “I’m sorry,” Teddy says, his voice quiet and distant as I continue watching the fire.

  “I was so ready to die, I had the date and the place all picked out. I was going to go back to Ground Zero, I had the note written and everything. But Natalie changed all of that. Suddenly, I had a reason to smile again, I had a reason to want to live. She’s everything to me.”

  “She sounds really special,” Teddy says.

  “She is,” I agree. “But she was pregnant when we met. It’s a long story, but she gave birth a few months ago to another man’s baby. He told the court a bunch of lies, and now the baby girl, Sunshine, is living with the father. Natalie hasn’t been the same since.”

  “It can be hard to lose those we love,” Teddy nods knowingly. “My dear Gladys, rest her soul, passed on to the next world just six months ago.”

  “I’m so sorry, Teddy,” I say, understanding all too well how he feels.

  “She was a strong woman,” he continues. “Too proud for her own good, and loyal to a fault. We loved fiercely for sixty beautiful years.”

  “She sounds like Natalie,” I give him a small, sympathetic smile.

  “She really does,” Teddy says, struggling to sit up straight, putting his cup of tea on a small, round table beside him. “Which is why I believe I have the perfect present for your Natalie.” Standing up, he slowly moves over to a drawer in the book case and withdraws an antique looking jewellery box. Carrying it back over to me, he takes a seat on his couch once more, balancing the jewellery box on his knees. Opening the box, he carefully withdraws a long silver chain with a pink pendant on the end of it. Passing it over to me, I can’t help but notice his hand trembling as he lets go of it.

  Inspecting the necklace, I realise that the pendant is a black, vintage camo, the white portrait of a woman visible in the centre, and around the camo is a metal swirled design.

  It’s simple.

  It’s elegant.

  It’s Natalie.

  “Teddy, this is perfect,” I announce, holding the necklace up to the light. “Natalie will love this, how much do I owe you?”

  “Nothing,” Teddy says quietly, and I look over at him sharply. “It belonged to my Gladys.”

  “Oh, Teddy, I can’t accept this,” I exclaim, trying to hand it back to him, but he holds up his hand, refusing to take it back.

  “Please, I insist,” he says. “Gladys would want me to pass it on. I think she would love to know that someone else could love it as much as she did. It will make my heart happy, knowing that it will be around your Natalie’s neck.”

  “Okay, but only if you’re sure,” I clutch the necklace to my chest, my heart singing for joy. This is what I was looking for tonight, the perfect gift.

  “I’m sure,” Teddy nods with a sad smile. “Let me gift wrap it for you.”

  By the time Teddy has wrapped the necklace for Natalie in a beautiful box and tied it with a bow, it’s well after midnight. Pulling my jacket back on, I thank my new friend for his generous gift, and step out into the night. The streets are empty now, only the lights from a nearby bar show any signs of life. I glance at my car, but the talk with Teddy tonight has left me needing to wind down a little bit, before I head back to Stone’s house for Christmas.

  I walk down the street, the snow gently falling and creating a Winter wonderland all around me. I wish Natalie were here to enjoy this special moment with me, but I vow to take her for a midnight walk next Christmas Eve.

  I haven’t been walking for more than a couple of minutes, before a woman’s shrill scream pierces the air, turning my blood cold. Following the sound to an alley, I see a frightened woman cowering against a wall, barely visible save for a single street lamp. Peering into the dark alley, I see the glint
of the knife, and dive toward it. Struggling with the attacker, I feel the slice of the blade across my forearm and grunt in pain, landing a heavy blow to his nose. As he pulls away, the street lamp reflects light onto his face, and I freeze in surprise, his bloody nose not disguising him in the least. He’s still got that smug smirk on his face, as though he knows something I don’t.

  Struggling to my feet, I gasp for breath as I watch him warily circle me, the knife still visible in his hand as he tosses it back and forth.

  “Keets,” he sneers, his voice low and throaty.

  “Troy.”

  THREE

  If Troy is surprised to see me, he certainly doesn’t show it. Wiping the blood from his nose with the back of his hand, he sneers at me as he wipes his bloody hand on his pants. The young woman he was attacking just a moment ago slips behind me and out of the alley, leaving us alone.

  “I thought you were dead,” he laughs in a throaty tone.

  “I was,” I tell him. “I came back to take you with me.”

  “We’ll see,” he grins, his teeth gleaming white in the dark.

  He lunges at me then, and I neatly side step him, narrowly avoiding being stabbed with the knife he still holds. Spinning on his heel, he raises the knife, but a quick punch to the ribs sends him to his knees, gasping for breath.

  Grabbing a fistful of his hair, I jerk his head up, my face mere inches from his. “You took Natalie’s baby,” I growl.

  “She’s my baby too,” he whines. “I swear I looked after her.”

  “Where is she?” I demand, not letting go of his hair, even when a slow bubble of laughter spills from his lips, growing until it’s a full belly laugh, tears pouring down his cheeks.

  “You think I’ll ever tell you where she is?” he laughs, and I let go of his hair, shoving him to the dirt in disgust. He coughs and struggles to his knees, that sick smile still stuck on his twisted face. “You’re all fucked. You, my baby mama…. my bitch ex-wife. Tell me, how is the old slut?”