"Meow!"
"What the...?" Gary awoke with a start, searching for the disaster the cat had decided to cause this
morning... and was met with blinding light, forcing him to close his eyes again. The sun was out early…
"Meow?"
"Ouch!" The cat landed on him, and he pushed back the bed covers to get it away, glancing at his clock.
"10:30?! Ohmygod..." He leapt out of bed, tripped over the cat and went flying, coming to rest at his front
door.
"Meow!!"
"You would say that." Grabbing hold of the door handle, he pulled himself upright, dusting the gathered
fur from his PJ's in disgust. Remembering his mission, he virtually tore open his door and picked up the
paper. Well, he would have had it been there; in its place was now a Christmas wreath, lined with silver
tinsel and berries.
His first thought was *Chuck!*, until he remembered that Chuck was in Russia for the Holidays, visiting
some long lost uncle - undoubtedly because he'd heard the guy had _lots_ of money - Chuck could smell
inheritance coming a mile away.
Then he thought about his neighbour - she was nice enough, but was she above paper snatching? One
way to find out...
'Gone - No milk needed till New Year.' The bright yellow note proclaimed loudly.
No luck there then. He turned back to his room, picked up the wreath and threw it inside. Where was the
paper?
"Mr. Hobson?"
"What?!" He snapped and spun around wildly, staring into the face of the hotel's porter.
"Mr. Hobson. I just came to wish you a Merry Christmas... and present you with this..." He passed Gary
a box of chocolates, "I would have given you them last night at the Christmas Eve party... but you weren't
there. It's hotel policy."
He was touched by the gesture... he'd forgotten what day it was. "Thanks... oh... I didn't get you
anything..."
"Nonsense Mr. Hobson! You're our largest tipper!" The porter grinned, and walked away quietly, leaving
Gary alone with the gift.
He got changed into a white Jumper and some Jeans, and once more checked for the paper, but his effort
was futile; it wasn't there. He sighed and grabbed his coat.
Marissa was sitting alone in the restaurant, drinking a coffee with Spike curled up by her side. She heard
Gary enter and smiled, putting her drink down.
"What are you so happy about?" He enquired softly, sitting down beside her.
"You got my Christmas present."
"Sorry?" He was genuinely confused.
"The paper didn't come." She smiled once more, and he gently kissed her cheek. She wrapped her arms
around him and he returned the gesture.
"Thank you."
Chuck ----> So, for one day out of a million, the mortal angel was just a mortal. For one day, he had no
one to think of but himself, and the people he loved most. For one day… he was free.
(
geocities.com/TelevisionCity)