Group Writing Project #5
I got this idea one night while listening to Christmas music. The song referenced is "This Gift" by sung by Gary Chapman on his Christmas CD of the same name. Neither the song nor the characters are mine. I’m using them without getting permission, but I’m not making any money, so can I please have my fun?
Hope you all enjoy.
This Gift
By Mark Baker
Jim wandered through Crimper’s nervously. He just had to find the right gift for his wife of two years. And after the fight last night, it had to be extra special.
He sighed, remembering what had happened. It had started out simple enough. Trixie had just heard that her Uncle Andrew, whom she hadn’t seen since the wedding, was coming for Christmas dinner after all.
"Please, can’t we eat with my family?" she’d wanted to know.
"But Trix, we went last year and we’ve already promised my family we’d have dinner with them this year."
"But Honey is going with Brian to Crabapple Farm. What about Christmas Eve?"
"That just wouldn’t be the same."
Jim was tired from the last minute teaching push before the break, and Trixie was upset. Before long, every little irritant over their two years of marriage was being used as ammunition in their first knockdown, drag-out fight as a married couple.
The next morning, having calmed down, Jim relented and apologized for what he had said. His family had been more than understanding, and Trixie had apologized, too. But something still wasn’t right in their relationship.
And now, Jim was searching for the perfect gift to show that he still loved and cared about her. He had reached the perfume department and was debating. Her favorite. His favorite. Their favorite – the one from their wedding night.
Just then, he happened to hear the song playing in the store.
"This gift I bring,
It’s yours for the taking,
Wrapped in love,
It took a lifetime making.
From my heart,
Straight to your longing.
This gift I bring,
Is simple and free,
And comes with a guarantee,
I give you me."A small smile played on his lips. He’d proposed on Christmas Eve to that song. "Trixie," he had said from one knee, "I love you. I am not worthy of you, but would you consent to be my wife."
There were tears of joy in her eyes as she’d answered. "Jim, I love you. Of course, I’ll marry you."
He’d slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her then. "I give myself to you for the rest of our lives," he’d whispered.
Jim shook his head and brought himself back to the present. That was their Christmas song. Maybe it was time to renew that this year. Suddenly, he had an inspiration. He grabbed a bottle of Trixie’s favorite cologne and a roll of Christmas paper. He spent the rest of the day getting the presents he’d planned to get her. But Christmas morning, she’d have an extra surprise.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Jim smashed the snooze on his alarm quickly, and then turned it off. Trixie stirred quietly, mumbled, and went back to sleep.
So far, so good, Jim thought. He crawled out of bed and went to their closet. Reaching far into the back, he grabbed the bag he’d been saving and tiptoed into the living room. Finally daring to turn on the light, he blinked sleepily. But I know she’ll love this.
He proceeded to open the bag and remove his Christmas boxers, the paper, tape, scissors, curling ribbon, and cologne. After changing, he dashed the cologne on, not too strong, but stronger than he usually applied it. Then came the hard part. Starting with his legs, he covered himself with the paper and tied and curled a nice bow on his head. Then he shuffled back to bed awkwardly.
Twenty minutes later, Trixie’s alarm went off at 8. She hit it, turned on the light, and rolled over. "Jim?" she asked quizzically.
He lay on his back on the covers. "Merry Christmas, Darling."
"What in the world is going on?"
"Remember when I proposed? I gave you myself. Well, recently, I’ve lost site of that. That fight the other day was part of it. Now, I’m renewing my love and the gift of myself to you. I may not always show it, but I love you and never want to leave your side. Will you please forgive me for loosing sight of that?"
"Oh Jim, of course." She leaned over and kissed him soundly. "And you weren’t the only one to blame. Will you forgive me, too?"
Jim barely got out a yes before he was kissed again.
"Now, can I help you out of that get up?"
Jim laughed. "I was hoping you would. It’s kinda awkward to move around in this stuff."
It was eleven before they got out of bed, wrapping paper surrounding it on all sides. "I’ll call Moms and warn her we might me a little late," Trixie called as Jim headed for the shower.
"Sounds good, dear." So he wouldn’t get to see what was in that big box from Trixie that he was dying to open until that night when they finally got back. It was worth it. The magic was back, and Jim knew that their commitment was stronger than ever.
The End