The Next Time You Find Me

Tudor - Dec 24th

Jane was bundled and ready to accompany everyone out into the woods to look for a Yule log. It was Christmas Eve. She adored this tradition. After they selected the perfect one they would return and decorate it with ribbons and then set it a blaze. She stepped out into the freshly powdered snow where everyone was gathering. Immediately, her eyes landed on her best friend Mary. She was dressed radiantly, as she always did, in a beautiful rich green that set off her pale hair. Jane always assumed her admiration for Mary was envy, wishing she was as beautiful as her. Sometimes it seemed a bit deeper. Similar to the sonnets the bards would sing to them about a young man and woman meeting and falling in love. However, she just assumed it was just because she had not fallen in love yet.  

She had many suitors, well, not many. Maybe a couple. None which she liked all that much. They were fine, but none that made her heart dance. Not the way Mary made her smile and brighten her spirits. She wanted someone like that. Someone who made her happy just by seeing them or hearing their voice.  

The most attentive suitor was Thomas. He came from a well to-do family, and according to her parents would make the perfect husband. Standing a bit away from Jane was Thomas. He had been watching her, and assumed her lit up face was for him.

Jane reached Mary and the two immediately linked arms as everyone headed to the woods. The snow gently fell around them. It was picturesque. So much so that while they were all looking Thomas approached her and began walking next to her. Jane smiled. They strolled quietly for a few moments when he finally said quite quickly, “Jane, I wish to marry you.” This she knew. “And I’ve had my parents begin discussing a marriage contract with your parents.” This she didn’t know. She wasn’t sure if it was the cold or his words, but she went numb. He continued, “I’ve already made arrangements for us to live at my lands in Norwich. I know it’s far from where your used to, but I believe we will be quite comfortable there.”

At this moment Mary came up excited to let Jane know they found the perfect log. Thomas took this as his exit, taking Jane’s hand and giving it a quick kiss. “Until later my lady.” Even with her friends warm arm in the nook of hers, which usually warmed her, she remained very cold. This would be one of their last Christmas Eves together.  

Victorian - Dec 24th

Pearl, her family, and her beau sat in their sleigh heading to a family friends' house for Christmas Eve festivities, the Clancy’s. The snow hit once they arrived at the door.

“You brought the snow with you!” Mr. Clancy bellowed with a hearty laugh as they piled in, shaking the snow off themselves.

“You poor dears,” his wife said over and over, mainly what seemed to herself.

Pearl looked around the room they were in. The ceilings seemed to go up forever. Only showing their end by the sparkling chandeliers, while the walls were adorned with golden molding. She remembered her mother saying that Mr. Clancy had become rich in the war. Her eyes continued around the room, tracing from one end to the other, landing on various treasures that decorated it. Eventually she followed the grand wooden stairs up to a figure. Pearl held her breath the moment she saw her.

She was beautiful, dare she say magnificent. Pale like a doll with dark eyes, and dark hair to match. 

“Daphnie, there you are,” Mr Clancy said with great pride.  

Pearl’s mother mentioned that Daphnie was back from college. In truth, she didn’t remember her. Prior to that Daphnie had been at boarding schools. However Pearl’s mother loved talking about how the two of them used to bath together as babies and play together as toddlers.

She smiled and glided down like a swan going in for a landing, “It’s a pleasure to see everyone.” Her eyes met with Pearl’s. Pearl immediately felt her face become flushed. “Pearl, we have lots of catching up on,” she said taking her hands in hers. “I’m sure we are going to be good friends once more.”

“I think so too,” Pearl smiled back. The touch of Daphnie’s hands on hers made her heart pump harder. It was quite a confusing feeling, however one she didn’t wish to stop.  

“And this is Richard, Pearl’s boyfriend,” Pearl’s father said, gesturing to Richard. Pearl had completely forgotten he was there. He greeted everyone. He was always the perfect gentleman. It was one of the things Pearl liked about him. One of the many things. He was quite likable. To Pearl, that is what she thought love was supposed to feel like. Not like those silly love stories where two people were so infatuated with one another they couldn’t be without the other. Certainly not, it was about enjoying someones company and having a decent conversation.

“Let’s all head into the next room, you must see the tree!” Mr Clancy said, slapping Pearl’s father on the back. “It’s better than any tree I’ve gotten in the past.”

“He loves his trees,” Mrs. Clancy smiled, “He even had the french doors switched just do he could get bigger ones in. I had to stop him from increasing the ceilings so they could be taller!”

“Heavens,” Pearl’s mother said.

The rest followed. The tree was just as grand as Mr. Clancy described.  After that the evening was a surreal happy blur of Christmas snacks, toasts, and stories, all the while Daphnie and Pearl never left each others side. Daphnie was charismatic and easy to talk to. Words flowed easily for her with confidence behind them. Pearl often found herself in awe, starring as she spoke. Daphnie would catch her eyes, but not look away, allowing their eyes to lock.

“Pearl, may I steal a moment with you?” Richard eventually asked.

Pearl looked and smiled at him, “Of course.”  

He led her back out to the great hall where he stood nervously.  

“My Richard, what is the matter. I’ve never seen you like this?” Pearl said, with concern.

“Pearl, my dear Pearl,” he took a deep breath, “I’m going to just say it before I lose the nerve.” Pearl looked at him confused. “I wish to marry you. What do you say?” he blurted out. Pearl starred at him, not from shock, but something else. Was it disappointment? While she knew the two of them never truly were the definition of romance she thought when she got proposed to it would be different. Possibly she would feel that true love feeling that so often talked about. As if it would just click once the proposal happened, but it wasn’t there.

So she stood staring at him, nervous and looking hopeful at her. A few droplets of sweat began forming on his forehead. It was then that while she didn’t love him, she knew she cared for him. He was a dear friend, so she gave a smile and said, “Of course.”  

Happily he embraced her. She hugged him back and was immediately caught in the gaze of Daphnie who stood watching. Pearl couldn’t be sure, but she thought she saw sadness before Daphnie turned back into the other room.

Roaring 20's - Dec 24th

“Marry me, Bethany!” Fredrick said, while down on one knee. One hand over his heart, while the other held a cookie.

“Fredrick, my answer is the same as it always is, no,” Bethany said with a giggle.

“But we would be perfect together!” he protested.

“We’re always disagreeing and don’t really like each other that much,” she began her explanation. Over the years she had perfected it with the number of times he asked.

“Then we’re at the point that most married couples take years to get to,” he exclaimed.

“Oh leave her be, Fredrick,” Gloria said, handing each a champagne flute, leaning in and kissing Bethany on the cheek. “We go through with this every Christmas Eve. Next time you want to do it, just ask me and I’ll tell you no.” She held up her glass and the other two clinked theirs to hers.

This Christmas Eve was certainly a time to celebrate. It had been one year after the great war and the Spanish Flu had finally passed. Everyone danced, drank, ate, and was merry, attempting to forget the many lives that had been lost.  

Gloria gulped down her champagne and grasped Bethany’s hand, “Let’s dance!” She twirled under her friends arm.  

Bethany laughed and followed her to the dance floor.  

“But Bethany,” Fredrick called after.

“No,” Gloria turned pointing at him. “You’ve already done it for the night. Now we Charleston!” Holding on the Bethany’s hand tightly the danced the night into morning.

WWII - Dec 24th

It didn’t quite feel like Christmas that year. The second great war had already been in effect for a year. Wilhelmina’s country, the Netherlands, had just entered it a few months back in May. Now it was December. The time flew greatly. It was odd how fast and slow a war can make time go by. Living in fear could do that.  

Wilhelmina was walking home from the market with two bags in her arms as the snow gently fell around her and into her blonde, shoulder-length hair. Around her people were walking, bustling around the town and heading to and fro, but the serenity of the gentle snow made her mind drift.  

She thought of Christmas Eves in the past. How she adored being surrounded by family. Wilhelmina was the third daughter of 8, four girls and two boys. The house was always full of excitement. Her aunt and uncle who lived close by would bring over their four boys and daughter. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to live with just boys. While she quite enjoyed hanging out with her brother Jan, who was closest to her age, she loved being able to talk with her sister Marta. She didn’t know what she would do if she didn’t have her.  

Wilhelmina took a deep inhale. This year would be different. Three of her cousins had already gone off to war with her eldest brother. It would be quite different indeed. Wilhelmina was so caught up in her thoughts she didn’t hear her best friend come running up behind her calling her name.  

“Wilhelmina! I finally caught up to you.”

Wilhelmina turned surprised, almost dropping the bags, “Adriana!”

Adriana immediately took one of the bag, “Here let me help you.” They began strolling. “You were off day dreaming again, weren’t you? Always head up in the clouds,” she teased.  

“Sort of,” Wilhelmina answered, with a soft smile. She adored Adriana. They met the first day of school. She was the complete opposite of herself. Adriana was lively, spirited, beautiful and out spoken. While Wilhelmina was much more shy. Eventually when they became older, Jan, who had always pulled her hair making Adriana fight him, had eventually asked her out. After a bit of chasing he won her over.  

They arrived. The decadent sweet smell of Speculaas hung in the air.

“Mama, I’m home,” Wilhelmina called as they removed their coats and gloves. They brought the bag into the kitchen where her mother was busy cooking with her sisters. She went over and kissed her on the cheek, “Hello, Mama.”

“Hello, my Lieverd,” her mother answered, kissing her back. She then turned and smiled a greeting at Adriana, “Hello, Dear. Thank you for helping.”

“It was my pleasure,” she smiled back. They heard the front door slam and Jan came racing in with one of his best friends, Hendrik. The third friend, Jacob, was not present. The three were inseparable. Almost like the three musketeers. They did everything together, most of it was mischief. Wilhelmina and Hendrik had started dating earlier that year. Most of their time together was spent with Adriana and Jan, which made her very happy.

The two boys looks very somber as they entered the kitchen. Other years they would have been sneaking peeks at what had recently came out of the oven they could possibly get their hands on for a snack. Jan looked up at his mother and seriously said, “They took Jacob's family.” There was a hush in the kitchen as they all looked at him and Hendrik. Jan continued, “We enlisted for the army.” Wilhelmina went numb and gasps and tears began on each of their faces. Her mother immediately went over and hugged him.

In all the commotion Hendrik took Wilhelmina’s hand and led her out in the hallway. He looked deep into her eyes, “I wanted to ask you, Willy, will you marry me before we leave?” She could barely breath let alone think. He continued, “Jan is going to ask Adriana too. We were hoping to get married together. I really do feel better knowing she’ll be here with you.”

With tears streaming down her face; and regret, Wilhelmina nodded yes.  

Present Day - Dec 24th

Amanda walked briskly down the sidewalk. She was running late, as usual. She looked down at her phone and lit it up. The time was 10:17pm and she was supposed to be at Trish’s for hot chocolate and Christmas movies. A Christmas Eve tradition they both had enjoyed for years. They met in college and bonded over their love for the season. After that they discovered they had quite a lot in common. Soon they were inseparable.

As soon as she arrived at 10:20pm she entered. No need to knock.  

“You’re late,” came a voice from the kitchen. Trish emerged carrying a bowl of popcorn she set on the coffee table.

“I know, I’m sorry,” Amanda said, taking off her winter attire.

Trish laughed. “No need. I”m just teasing you,” she said, as she walked back into the kitchen to stop the kettle from whistling, “If I don’t know you by now I never will.”

Trish had already prepared everything, so within 8 minutes they were curled up under a cozy blanket with their spiked hot chocolates watching their first Christmas movie, The Muppets Christmas Carol. It consistently made Amanda giggle. This was one of her favorite movies growing up. Trish looked over every time and grinned. “You’re adorable,” she would say.

Outside the snow continued to fall as the movie credits began to roll at 11:58pm. Amanda wiggled out from under the blanket and stood up, heading over to the TV to switch movies, but Trish kept a hold of her hand.  

There are moments that feel like they last forever, and others that fly by. Time slowed down as she turned to see what Trish wanted and then paused completely when she saw she was down on one knee looking up at her.  

“I know this is so cliche and cheesy, but Amanda, I feel like I’ve known you for ever. Even longer than just this lifetime. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. You are my best friend,” slowly she released her hand and pulled out a blue box from her pocket, “and I fall more and more in love with you everyday. So my beautiful Amanda,” she slowly opened the box showing a beautiful princess cut diamond, “Will you marry me?”

Amanda looked down at the ring. It reflected the magnificent array of Christmas lights that covered the apartment. Her eyes traced up past Trish to the clock on the wall whose minute hand clicked over slowly to 11:59pm and then back down at Trish’s face. Within she felt a burst of happiness and love, the type of love that spanned the years and had followed her soul around. The love that formed the words, “Yes!”