Written: Christmas of 2021

It was Christmas Day, but you had sadly spent the entire day at the hospital, where you worked.

You knew back at home, your fiancé, Patrick, would be preparing Christmas dinner for you, just like every year, so when you arrived, you could still celebrate with him.

You felt bad that you were never there to help him cook, but Patrick was always more than willing to do it just so things were special for the both of you every year. You were lucky to have such an amazing man in your life, and you just couldn't wait to get back to him tonight to celebrate Christmas.

Finally, your break came, which was at 8pm, fifteen minutes before you could go home and enjoy the rest of the night with Patrick. You made your way to the locker room and began grabbing your things, when you head your name being called.

"Y/N!" You looked up, seeing your supervisor walking over. "Hey, Y/N...can I talk to you for a sec."

"Uh...sure." You Said, closing your locker and turning to face her. "What's up?"

She sighed. "Can you stay for a few more hours?" She Asked.

"What?" You Asked.

"Jessica had a bad day, so she just left.." she said. "I know it's Christmas but we have so many patients, and there's hardly any nurses.."

You swallowed. You really didn't want to stay. It was Christmas for goodness' sake, and Patrick was at home with a Christmas movie and a dinner prepared for the two of you. You wanted to spend Christmas with him, not with a bunch of sick patients.

Your supervisor looked at you with pleading eyes. "Please, I know this is short notice, but I need you.." 

You looked down. "I suppose I can stay a few more hours.." you mumbled.

She smiled gratefully. "Thank you.."

"How long?" You Asked.

She bit her lip. "Uh...until two?"

Your eyes widened. "Two? I-I've been here all day!" You Said. "That's not a few hours."

"I know, I know.." She sighed. "I'm sorry, really.."

She turned and walked away, and you sighed. You had been at the hospital since 11am, and you were just looking forward to going home.

Now you had seven more hours added to the waiting.

And what about Patrick? Would he just have to eat without you? You knew very well that all of his friends had plans, so he cousin have them over.

You just wanted to spend your Christmas with him, and now both of you would have to spend it alone.

You pulled your phone out of your pocket, deciding to call and tell him.

You dialed his number, bringing the phone to your ear as you sighed again.

So much for Christmas.

There was an answer after a few rings, and Patrick sounded full of cheer, but then again, when didn't he?

"Hey Y/N! Dinner's almost ready, I'm just finishing up the potatoes." He said. "Are you coming home now?"

"Hey, Patrick...about that.." you mumbled.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

You sighed. "My supervisor needs me to stay a few more hours.." You Said. "Well, seven more hours."

"But that's...until two." He said. The disappointment was so adamant in his voice, but you could tell he was trying to hide it.

"I know.." you mumbled. "I'm sorry, Patrick...maybe there's someone you can have over?"

"No...it's fine.." he said, trying to bring back the cheerful tone in his voice. "I miss you, though."

"I miss you, too, babe." You Said, a slight smile showing up on your face. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." He said. "I love you."

"Love you, too." You Replied.

You pressed the 'End call' icon, then slid your phone back into your pocket. You sighed, not at all feeling ready to spend seven more hours in this place.

You ended up making your rounds to different patients, changing IVs, checking vitals, and various other things that come with being a nurse. The entire time, all you had on your mind was poor Patrick, who had spent the entire day making Christmas dinner, only to end up without you there, and completely alone.

The rest of the night went by slowly after that. Not many patients came in, and you hardly had any to check on anymore. One other nurse had been working as well, but she ended up going home, likely to spend the short amount of Christmas that was left with her family.

The night was honestly hard to get through without breaking down. You had spent the entire day here and just wanted to be with your fiancé. Was that so much to ask?

Finally, after a long night, 2am came, and you eagerly made your way to your locker, grabbing your things and leaving the hospital building.

You slipped your coat on as you walked to your car across the icy parking lot, while looking up at the dark sky. There was no sign of the moon or stars tonight, which meant it was likely cloudy, but the air had a feeling to it that told that it might snow soon. There was alright quite a bit of snow on the ground, so it wouldn't come as a surprise if you got more.

You got in your car and started it up, pulling out of the parking lot. You knew that Patrick would probably be asleep when you got home, and as sad as it was that you couldn't spend Christmas with him, at least you could cuddle with him and just admire how cute he was while he slept.

Upon finally making it home, you got out of your car with a sigh, before walking up to the front door. You went to go unlock it, but it was already unlocked, which surprised you, since Patrick always locked the door before going to bed, since you lived in Chicago and all.

You furrowed your eyebrows a bit, before opening the door, and stepping inside.

"Merry Christmas, Y/N." You heard, and looked up.

Patrick was standing beside the table, which was beautifully decorated and full of food.

He gave you a soft smile, and your eyes began to well up with tears.

"You waited for me.."

He nodded a little. "It wouldn't have felt like Christmas without you."

You slipped your coat off, walking over and pretty much slamming yourself into your fiancé, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you, Patrick.."

He kissed you on the cheek, hugging you back. "I love you, Y/N."

"I love you, too, babe.." you pulled away, wiping the tears from your eyes.

You typically wouldn't have cried, but with the day you had, and thinking that you wouldn't get to spend Christmas with the love of your life, you were so overjoyed that he waited for you. He waited to eat, just so the two of you could be together.

"Hey, let's eat before the food gets cold." He took you hand, letting out a small chuckle.

You nodded, and he led you over to one of the chairs. You sat down, and he pushed your chair in before going over to another and sitting as well.

As the two of you began to pass around the food to fill each of your plates, you stayed deep in thought.

Maybe you should quit your job. You wanted to spend every Christmas with Patrick, not just at night, but the entire day. You were tired of the unreasonable hours, and you were physically tired.

"Hey, are you okay?" Patrick Asked, breaking you out of your thoughts.

"Huh? Oh...yeah.." you mumbled. "I was just...thinking."

He tilted his head a little, as to tell you to go on.

"Maybe...I should quit my job?" You hesitated a little before asking. "I just...think it would be amazing to spend Christmas with you every year."

He smiled. "If you think you should, I'm all for it." He said. "Then we can spend the entire season together! We could bake cookies, and go sledding.."

You laughed a little. "Okay! Let's do it."

He clapped a little. "I can't wait for next year!"