Hey loves! Hope you’ve enjoyed this short story so far! This is the final chapter of “I’m just here for the wings.” Be sure to check out my other holiday short stories here 👇🏾

https://shubriccalbell.com/2019/12/11/underneath-the-mistletoe-pt-1/

Chapter 4

Aleah couldn’t stand the thought of suddenly disappearing from Tim’s life after they’d gotten so close. They had enjoyed the last month together, but did Tim feel the same way about her that she felt about him? She wasn’t sure. She didn’t want to be a rebound, but their connection felt genuine. It had to be genuine right? 

After all, she was never looking for love. She’s an Angel!.. but love happened. Tim definitely wasn’t looking for love, seeing that his heart had recently been broken. This decision was tough, and either way, she had to speak with Tim. She called him and told him that she was offered a job position, and she would leave her apartment at 11:59 pm on Christmas Eve.

Tim thought that it would be a great opportunity for her, and encouraged her to take the job, although it was far away, and there was a possibility they’d never see each other again. Although he wanted her to pursue this career opportunity, deep down inside he wanted her to stay, but he didn’t want to tell her that. How could he ask her to choose him over this great opportunity, and he’s only known her for a month? He knew how much this job opportunity meant to Aleah and he supported and respected that above his feelings.

Tim called Autumn on Christmas Eve morning to tell her about Aleah’s job offer. “Mom, I really like this girl. She’s fun, quirky, beautiful, intelligent. I just never thought I’d fall head over heels for someone this fast, and now she’s leaving to accept a job in God knows where.” “Tim, have you told Aleah how you feel about her?” Autumn said. 

“No, because I don’t know if she feels the same way. I mean, how do I know that what I feel for her is real. Maybe I’m just lonely,” Tim said. “Only you can answer those questions son, but if what you feel for her is real, tell her. I’m sure that somehow the two of you can make it work.” 

“How mom? She really wants this job, and I can’t take that from her. I can’t ask her to stay here and be a delivery driver when she has an opportunity to travel the world, and follow her dreams.” “What exactly is this job?” Autumn asked. “I don’t know. 

I think she’s going to be a flight attendant or something. She mentioned something about flying. I can’t remember,” Tim said. “Well, Tim. You can do one of two things. 

You can stay here and let her go, or you can go with her,” Autumn said. “Mom, that’s insane. I’ve only known her a month. Why would I follow her to Timbuktu or wherever she’s going? What if it doesn’t work out? 

What about my career?” “Tim you’re a doctor. People will always need a doctor. You will always have a job,” Autumn said. “Yeah, but what about you? 

I can’t leave you here,” Tim said. “Tim, I’ll be fine. Besides, I met someone.” “What? Who? 

Old dude from the dating site?” he said. “Heck no. His name is Adam. He’s actually coming to dinner tomorrow night.” “Over grandma’s and grandpa’s?” 

“Yep,” Autumn said, in a matter of fact tone. “Too bad you’ll be working,” Autumn said. “Hey, if Aleah has to make a decision today, when does she leave?” “That’s the thing mom, she’s leaving her apartment at 11:59 tonight,” Tim said. “But I thought she was coming over for Christmas dinner tomorrow.

We were looking forward to having her. I guess it’s too bad… Well, what are you going to do?” “ I don’t know mom. I just don’t know…” 

Hours seemed to fly by. Aleah or Tim hadn’t heard from each other all day. Ten minutes before midnight on Christmas, Tim got a break, and rushed over to Aleah’s apartment and knocked on her door. He looked at his watch and the it had just turned midnight. He knocked again, but no answer.

“I’m too late. She’s already gone,” he said. He had been trying to call her for the last hour, but she hadn’t answered. He went back to work. Later on in the afternoon on Christmas Day, Tim’s boss told him that he could get off early, but there was a possibility that he’d need him later on tomorrow night. 

“Go home and enjoy Christmas with your family,” his boss said. “Brent, thank you so much. I really need this,” Tim said. “I know. Merry Christmas,” Brent said. 

“Merry Christmas,” Tim said, before leaving. Tim went home and showered before going to dinner at his grandparents. When he got there, they all exchanged gifts, and sat down for dinner. “Have you heard from Aleah?” grandma said. “No grandma, she was offered a job, and she went for it. 

She left last night,” Tim said. “Oh, Tim. I’m so sorry. She was such a sweetheart too. Well, babe, you want to say grace before we eat,” grandma said to grandpa. 

“Sure,” grandpa said. Just then, the door bell rang. Who could that be on Christmas Day? I’ll get it,” Tim said. When he opened the door, it was Aleah. 

“Delivery for Tim,” she said, with a smile. “Get in here,” he said, with excitement before grabbing her with one arm and holding her close. The two of them shared a kiss beneath the mistletoe that hung above the front door. Everyone was excited to see Aleah. She sat down at the table and grandpa prayed over the food and they all enjoyed Christmas dinner together.

Brodie sat on a cloud and watched from the sky while eating a sweet potato pie. “Well done Aleah,” he said, with a smile. “Well done,” he said, again, before flying away and disappearing into the sky.

The End.

True love comes when we least expect it. Don’t give up hope and don’t ever stop loving. Your person is out there. ❤️

“I just wish I could go back to simpler times, you know? Entertaining babies in their cribs was much simpler than playing love connection with adults,” Aleah told Brodie. “I have spent so much time learning about Autumn, and I still can’t figure her out. It’s like all she’s meant to do is be there for Tim and do what she love, which is making her handcrafted accessories. She absolutely loves it, and you should see the smiles on peoples faces and the joy it brings to them when they walk in her store, and her spirit is so beautiful, she can brighten up any room. 

She knows how to make people feel at home,” she said. ” “Sounds like you’ve grown very fond of Autumn,” Brodie said. “I have, she’s a sweetheart, and Tim… Tim he’s…” Aleah, said with a smile before sitting on her couch. ”He’s amazing,” she said. 

“You and Tim have been spending a lot of time together since he and his ex girlfriend broke up,” Brodie said. “I know he’s a great guy. I still can’t believe his ex stood him up on Thanksgiving, only to be with, Larry the lazy guy,” Aleah said. ”Well, with Tim’s schedule, he and his ex didn’t have much time to spend together, but she found someone who had a lot of time on his hands. She’s happier, because she’s with her person,” Brodie said. 

“Are you kidding me? The guy who stays at home and plays video games all day, is her person?  But Tim is a whole doctor!” Aleah said. “ True love isn’t about positions and titles, you know that! What matters is, what’s in a person’s heart, and how they connect with others,” Brodie said. 

“That’s true,” Aleah said. ”But enough about his ex. Something tells me that you want to be his new,” Brodie said. Aleah laughed, “That’s ridiculous. An angel can’t be with a human. 

We learned that in angel school remember? Remember what happened in the past? That was a disaster! But somehow when I’m with him I feel like I can fly. It’s as if, I have my wings,” she said. 

“You are in love with him,” Brodie said, with shock and excitement. “I am n- n-,” Aleah said, trying to get the word not, out. “Remember, we can’t lie,” Brodie said. “I am? I’m in love with Tim? 

Oh my goodness. What will the boss think? I’m never getting my wings. Brodie, help!” “Aleah, look!” 

“What?” she said, not realizing she had wings and was floating in the air. “You’re fl-,” Brodie said, before Aleah finished his sentence. “Flying. I’m flying! But how?” she said as she floated in the air. 

“You did it! See!” Brodie said, before making a movement with his hand and showing what was currently going on with Autumn. ”Hi, are you closing the coffee shop early today?” Autumn said, to the vendor next to her. “Yes, my son has a football game today, and I promised him that I’d be there,” the woman said. “Oh, well can I get two coffees before you go?” Autumn said. 

“Of course,” the woman said. After the lady locked up her café for the day and left, one of her regulars came in at his same time as usual, before his night shift at work. “Aww man, she’s closed?” the man said. ”Yeah, she went to her son’s football game, but, I got you,” Autumn said, handing the man a coffee. “Black right?” she asked. 

“No sugar, no cream,” he said. “I told you, I got you,” Autumn said, in a flirtatious tone. “Wow, thank you. How did you know what I like?” he said,  with a smile. “ I pay attention,” she said. 

“I see! Well, what do I owe you?” “Nothing,” Autumn said. “Now go! I know that you rush in here every evening on your way to work,” she said. 

“Wow you do pay attention. Well, at least let me take you out to dinner. I know you love the Mediterranean place down the street, and I’m off work tomorrow. I can pick you up tomorrow night around eight, if that’s cool?” the man said. “Seems like you’ve been paying attention as well,” Autumn said. 

“I’ve seen the delivery guy bringing you food a couple of times,” he said, before they both shared a laugh. “I’m Adam by the way,” he said, before they exchanged information. “Well, I have to go. See you tomorrow night,” he said. “Bye,” Autumn said, in a flirty tone. 

Then Brodie made a hand movement and the visual went away. Aleah came down and stood on the floor. Wow! She did it! I knew she liked that guy. 

I told her to go for it,” she said. “And she did. Adam is Autumn’s person,” Brodie said. “Wow! That’s so amazing,” Aleah said, but then she didn’t look so happy.  “Oh no! 

What’s wrong?” You have your wings! You can move up to guardian status now,” Brodie said. “I. I just feel like.” 

“Like you and Tim are meant to be, huh? I know. Well, it’s not as ridiculous or impossible as it may seem. You have a choice. You can keep your wings and move up to a guardian angel position, or with a snap of my finger, you can forget your present life as an angel, and become mortal. 

There is no guarantee that you and Tim will work out, but with love, you must be willing to take that chance, but it’s completely up to you,” Brodie said. “But won’t I like mess up a divine plan or something? Everybody has a person right? I love him too much to come between that. I don’t want to bring confusion into his life. 

He’s already going to be spending Christmas alone, well, not alone, but at work. That has to be pretty depressing, considering that he lost his ex because he’s always at work. I just don’t know,” Aleah said. “Well, you have until 11:59 pm on Christmas Eve, because Christmas Day, the guardian angel position has to be filled, and if you decide to keep your wings, you will lose your memory of Tim forever,” Brodie said. “Wait. 

What? Why?” Aleah said. “Because, the love you feel for him could be a distraction, and it could keep you from doing your next job,” Brodie said. This was a tough decision. Aleah had thirty hours to decide if she wanted to keep her wings or take a chance at love, which had no guarantees. 

After Tim’s girlfriend stood him up without explanation on Thanksgiving Day, the next day, she came to his job and broke up with him. He had the ring in his pocket and was going to propose, until he saw Larry, her new boyfriend standing beside her. She had been secretly seeing Larry on the side and had fallen in love with him. Tim was heartbroken, but he held his composure and wished her well. Later that night, he went to Autumn’s house and cried. 

He was crushed, and vowed never to fall in love again and to stay focused on his work. “Son, don’t allow this to turn your heart cold. Never regret loving someone. Continue to love, and do it with all of your heart. The right one will come along and appreciate the man you are, and love you for you,” Autumn said. 

“Okay, but I’m not looking for love anymore. If it happens great. If it doesn’t great. I’m only focusing on me and my career right now,” Tim said. “As you should,” Autumn said. 

“Now help your mom put up this tree and decorations. Are you still coming over for Christmas?” she said. “Unfortunately, I will be working Christmas mom. I had a choice of taking off Thanksgiving or Christmas, and I chose Thanksgiving because that was the day I was going to propose,” Tim said. “Well, it’s okay. 

I understand. Listen, don’t beat yourself up about any of this. We all live and we learn. When your father died, I vowed to never remarry, but it’s been twenty six years, and it’s something about your forties that have you reconsidering a lot of things you may have sworn you weren’t going to do back in your twenties. It’s time for momma to get her groove back. 

I’ll always love your father, but I believe he’d want me to be happy, so I’m going to start dating. I’ve been on this dating site, and I’m going on a date tomorrow,” Autumn said. “Dating site? What dating site? Oh, no mom. 

Most of the guys on dating sites are looking for one thing,” Tim said. “How would you know?” Autumn said. “Because, I used to be one of those guys in my late teens and early twenties before I met, you know who,” Tim said. “Yeah, well your momma can handle herself. Okay?” 

“Yeah, well I still need to check this guy out before you go on a date with him,” Tim said. Autumn laughed, and then she went over to the mantle on top of the fireplace and grabbed the first picture Timmy took with Santa. “Remember this day?” she said. “Yeah, it was torture, and the only reason I did it was because you promised me hot chocolate and cookies,” Tim said. “Oh, the cookies,” Autumn said, as she put the picture down and ran to the stove to quickly take the sugar cookies out of the oven. 

“Perfect,” she said. Tim picked up the picture and smiled at his six year old self. “I can’t wait to have a Tim jr. so that I can continue the tradition of torturing him with a big fat guy with a big white beard in a big red suit, just so I can get a holiday portrait. Autumn laughed. They continued to decorate the tree and eat cookies and drink hot chocolate, with lots of marshmallows. 

Two days after Thanksgiving, Aleah went to shop at Autumns store and noticed she was smiling at a man at the cafe next door. “He’s cute. You should go for it,” Aleah said. The man smiled at Autumn, checked his watch and grabbed his cup of coffee and rushed out of the mall. “He was checking you out too, you know,” Aleah said. 

“Yeah, but he’s always in a rush, but um, honey, he is fine,” Autumn smiled with delight, as she watched the man leave. “Anyway, I’m sorry baby. What can I help you with?” “Your mom gave me your card and told me to check out your boutique. This jewelry is amazing. 

You made all of this yourself?” Aleah said. “I sure did. I love making jewelry. Always have since I was a little girl.” A couple of regulars walked in. 

“Honey, I’m home,” one woman said. Hi Autumn. What do you have new for me?” another said.  “Excuse me sweetie, I’ll be right back,” Autumn told Aleah. “Sure go ahead. 

I’m just browsing.” After an our in the store, Aleah left with hundreds of dollars of accessories. Autumn was getting ready to close the shop when Tim walked in to surprise her with take out from her favorite Mediterranean restaurant. Autumn introduced Tim to Aleah, and immediately they hit it off. Aleah was supposed to help Autumn find love, but it seems that Autumn was the one playing match maker. 

Tim and Aleah went on several dates and talked on the phone every day for the past month. Tim was such a great guy and Aleah couldn’t believe that his ex would dump him for a guy that literally stayed home most days playing video games. Aleah enjoyed spending time with Tim and wanted to help him find love, but that wasn’t her job. Autumn was her person, and she had to help her find the one for her. A couple of days before Christmas, Aleah went to buy more accessories for Christmas gifts. 

“Oh, hi Aleah,” Autumn said. “Hi Autumn. You know it’s something about this place that makes me feel at home whenever I’m here,” Aleah said. “That’s love you feel,” Autumn said. “It sure is. 

You can tell that you love what you do, and you love people too,” Aleah said. “I do,” Autumn said. “Speaking of love. Have you and Mr. Dark Chocolate and black coffee went on a date yet?” “Mr. Dark chocolate?” Autumn asked. 

“Don’t pretend as if you don’t know who I’m talking about. You know that tall dark and handsome guy who comes here all the time to get a coffee from next door.” “Oh, him,” Autumn smiled. “He’ll be here soon. Speaking of dark chocolate…

I’m not the only one who likes my man tall, dark, and handsome. Tim told me that the two of you have been spending a lot of time together,” Autumn said. “We have. Tim is a great guy. You did well with him, but we’re just friends,” Aleah said. 

“What? You’re not down with the swirl?” Autumn said. “Huh? What? Of course I am. 

I mean, I don’t think of Tim in that way. Truly, we’re just friends,” Aleah said. “Okay,” Autumn said, throwing up her hands and then ringing up Aleah’s items. “If you say so, but the best relationships begin with friendship. Tim’s dad and I started as just friends.

Next thing you know, we were married. Shortly after I gave birth he was called to war, and lost his life in battle, God rest his soul.” “You miss him, don’t you?” Aleah said. “I do. Even after twenty six years, but lately, especially the last month, I’ve really been feeling as if it’s finally time for me to move on. 

It’s like, I suddenly had the urge to just, move on with my life. I wonder what’s up with that.” “I know right. Well, I have to go,” Aleah said, grabbing her bags of accessories. “Okay, see you at grandma’s for Christmas dinner, right?” Autumn said. 

“I’ll be there,” Aleah said, throwing up her hand to say bye as she rushed out of the door. “Strange child. She’s sweet though, but strange,” Autumn said, before humming to the tunes of “Let it snow that played on the radio.” The cafe owner next door was moping the floor an hour earlier than usual. Autumn knew that she usually does that around 6:55 because she closes at seven in the evening.