I'll Be Home For Christmas

 

I'm dreamin' tonight of a place I love
Even more then I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you

I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree
Christmas Eve will will find me
Where the love light beams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams



Brian was in an important meeting with a new client. He was far from home but it was Monday and he'd be back to celebrate his first real Christmas in the Pitts with his family.  He promised Gus and Justin that he'd be back in time.  

'I'll be home for Christmas'  

The meetings were going well and the client was also anxious to celebrate the holiday season with her own family.  

Unfortunately the client's partner came down with flu so the  next meeting was postponed a day.  Okay, that left Tuesday night. Brian could fly home then and still have plenty of time with his family.

Wednesday morning and he wasn't home.  The meeting ran late and he couldn't get a flight.  I promised, I promised Gus, I promised Justin I can't let them down.  So now what.  He called Justin as he arrived at the airport. It was starting to snow and the flights were delayed. Brian heard the disappointment in Justin's voice even though Justin did understand.  Brian refused to give up.  

'You can count on me'

He checked again, his flight was still delayed.  Brian started pacing up and down; what could he do?  

'Christmas Eve will find me'

Car rental!  He ran to the counter.  He was only a hundred miles away. If he hurried he'd make it.  He rented the toughest four-wheel drive thing he could find, threw his stuff in the back and headed home.

'And although I know it's a long road back'  'I promise you'

'I'll be home for Christmas'

The flurries had turned into a full fledge blizzard.  The trip should have only taken 2 hours but now he was driving for at least three.  He could barely see 'a white out'.  It was only 1PM but the cloud cover made it seem like dusk.  Brian kept driving.  

'Please have snow and mistletoe'

'You can count on me'

Brian saw a sign 40 more miles to the Pitts. He started to relax, he'd make it in time.

After some time Brian's cell phone rang.  As he fumbled with it he heard Debbie's voice yelling at him to get his sorry ass home. They were all at her house waiting.  When Brian tried to get in a word the phone slipped. As he reached for it Brian hit a patch of ice and skidded into a snow bank.  The last thing he heard was Debbie's voice screaming his name.

Brian awoke to something banging.  He turned his head which hurt and saw a flashlight shining in his eyes.  The trooper helped Brian out of the car and he was calling for an ambulance.  

"No, I have to get home, they're counting on me"

"Hey buddy, you have a nasty bump and cut on your head and it's bleeding a little, you need to be checked out"

"No, please I need to get home; how far away am I from Pittsburgh?

"Almost within the city limits"

"Is the car driveable?"

"I don't know. Here, let's ask the tow guy?"

"Yeah no damage, he'll pull you out then you can go."

"Thanks."

"No problem, but listen you really should go to the hospital"

"I will after I see my family"

"Okay you're all set, Merry Christmas"

"Merry Christmas"


'I'll be home for Christmas'

Brian went directly to Debbie's house.  He parked the car and went for the door.  As he burst in he saw the whole family there, and Gus leaped into his arms.  He gave his boy a hug and then handed him over to Lindsay.  As Justin gave him a kiss Brian started to sway and then collapsed onto the floor.

When he woke up he was in the ER. Justin was there holding his hand.

"Did I miss Christmas, Sunshine?"

"No, Brian it's still Christmas."

"Can we go home?"

"Yes we can, only you have a mild concussion; what happened?"

"I'll tell you later; please, I don't want to miss Christmas with everyone."

"Okay Bri, let's go home."

"Merry Christmas, Justin, I love you."

"Merry Christmas, Brian, I love you too."


'I'll be home for Christmas'
'If only in my dreams'
 


 

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