#12 Days of Christmas Blog hop

Day 2 Love
The First Gift of Christmas

      Ruth remembered the day well. She never believed in love at first sight, thought it was made up for people who confused lust with love in the regret of the morning after. But a shopping trip to New York changed all that. She met Nick. Their hands touched as they both reached for the same scarf, both pulled away sharply until they looked into each other’s eyes. There wasn’t an uncomfortable feeling, no embarrassment. They smiled, decided to go for a coffee and forgot about the scarf.
      Ten years later, Ruth carefully wrapped a cashmere scarf for her husband Nick as he was getting ready for work.
“I wish you didn’t have to wear that” Ruth huffed, not hiding her annoyance as Nick pulled on his uniform. It added pounds to him; hiding his lean frame in the ill fitting suit.
“You say that every time.” He kissed her. She stroked his soft clean shaven face, nuzzled herself into his neck.
“I have something for you.” From under the pillow, Ruth pulled out a golden package and handed it over.
“Aren’t I supposed to give the first gift of Christmas?”
“And aren’t you supposed to be fat with a real white beard?”
“True.” He opened the package and his face broke into a grin. “Just what I wanted.” The scarf wrapped beautifully around his neck before it was completely covered up by the false beard. “How do I look?” Her handsome, trim Nick was no longer recognisable under all the red and white but the twinkle in his eyes was still there just as it was ten years ago when they first met. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
       Ruth didn’t mind sharing her husband for one night with the rest of the world, after all it was Christmas.

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Thanks to Inky fingers herself, Ruth and Jar of Fireflies for hosting. xxxx