Jaz stood with her arms crossed for warmth as she watched the snowfall.  There was already about ten inches on the ground and the snow was supposed to accumulate through Christmas afternoon.  She had resigned herself to spending the night at the inn, not daring to brave the roads in this weather to then return for her early morning shift.  While most preferred to request this time of year off from work, she was looking forward to spending the holiday at the Inn.  The inclement weather had led to an early closing of the dining room and the bar, but at this point all guests that had kept reservations had checked in and most had retired for the evening.  Jaz slipped into the back office, changing into sweats and pulling her hair into a ponytail.  After leaving a sign that read, “Ring bell for service,” she took her laptop and the cordless phone from the front desk and headed down the hall back to the den. 

**

Once Justin had made it to his room, he plopped his luggage on a nearby chair and lay down on the bed, with his head resting on his hands.  His recent breakup had been a long time coming, but he had found himself completely unprepared for being alone for the holidays.  Their original plan had been for a romantic retreat for a traditional New England Christmas.  Normally, he would have given it all up and headed home for a Southern Christmas with his family.  If there was one thing driving Justin, it was his determination and he was determined to enjoy his Christmas without her the same way he had pictured it, rather than return home and accept defeat.  He glanced at his watch, noting that it was nearing 11:30 p.m. and reached for his phone, knowing his mother would be expecting a Merry Christmas phone call from him the moment it struck midnight on the East Coast.  He clicked her number to dial, tapping his finger impatiently as his phone seemed to have lost its signal.  He started to roam around the suite, seeing if he was able to retrieve any bars in various spots:  by the window, in the bathroom, by the door.  No such luck.  He sighed as he slipped his room key into his pocket and made his way back down the hallway, seeing if he could find a signal in time. 

**

Jaz sat in the den, enjoying the warmth of the fire and the glow of the Christmas tree lights.  The snowfall outside had remained constant, with a strong wind blowing.  She had been flipping channels on the television, trying to decide on which Christmas movie to settle with.  She found It’s A Wonderful Life and left it on as her eyes wandered back to the large Christmas tree, studying the various ornaments.  At the first sign of noise, her eyes drifted back to the hallway, seeing Justin trot by.  He passed by the door, but then made his way back, poking his head into the room. 

“Hey Jaz,” he smiled.

She smiled back, “Hi Justin.”

“Do you know, I’m having trouble getting a signal on my phone.  Where would be my best shot at getting a couple bars?”

“I would say, try the library – it’s all the way down the hall to your right.  If not, you could certainly use the concierge phone to make a call.”

He thanked her with a nod and headed towards the library at the end of the hall.

She still found it curious that he was spending Christmas at the inn, but rather than let her mind wander about him she diverted her attention back to the movie.  It was now 11:57 p.m. and she kept her eyes on the clock, a silent countdown in her mind.  Her thoughts were interrupted as he walked back into the den. 

“Jaz, do you think I could use that phone?  My cell is getting no signal.”

She nodded, handing him the cordless phone from the coffee table.  “Sure, no problem.”  The grandfather clock started to chime, indicating that it was midnight. 

“Oh and Jaz,” he said, his eyes searching her face for a moment. 

She looked back up from the movie, “Yes?”

“Merry Christmas,” he said with a wink, as he headed back down the hall.

“Merry Christmas, Justin.”

**

“I’m still not sure why you’re doing this, honey.”

He sighed as he heard his mother’s Southern drawl on the other end of the phone.  “Mom, this is just something I needed to do for me.  Don’t worry, I’ll be home in a few weeks and we’ll spend a good long while together.”

“I know, I know.  We hadn’t planned on you being here this year, anyway, but it still feels a little empty without your company.  So, what are you up to there?  Are you all alone?”

He paused.  “Well, the snowstorm is in full swing so things are pretty quiet here, but it’s beautiful outside.”

“Alright, Justin.  Please just promise me you won’t be all alone all Christmas weekend.  Christmas is about spending time with family and friends – it won’t be Christmas if you’re by yourself all weekend.”

“I won’t be Mom, don’t worry.  Give everyone my best.  Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Son.”

As he clicked the phone off, he found his mother’s words echoing in his mind.  She was right.  Spending Christmas alone was not his best laid plan, but he just wanted to do something different this holiday.  He headed back down the hall, to return the phone to Jaz.

His eyes wandered to the television.  “It’s A Wonderful Life, huh?  A Christmas classic.”

“It’s just about to end,” she said, noting the hint of disappointment in his facial expression.  “But, I was planning on watching Love Actually next.  Would you like to join me?  I know it’s a chick flick but…”

He smiled, “That would be nice.  Besides, Christmas is as good a time as any for chick flicks.”

“Do you want anything to drink?  Or eat?  I was thinking of getting something before putting the movie on,” she offered, standing up.

“Isn’t the bar closed?” he asked.

“Ah yes, but as it turns out…I happen to know someone who works here,” she said playfully.  “Follow me.”

The two headed over to the bar.  She opened the slat door and slid behind the bar, while he slipped onto one of the leather stools.

“So, what’ll it be, Sir?” she asked, motioning to the large selection of assorted liquors behind her on the bar shelf.

“Gee, I don’t know.  I guess I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

“Hot chocolate it is then,” Jaz said, turning her back to him to reach for two mugs. 

He raised his eyebrow, “Hot chocolate?  I was thinking more along the lines of something with a bit of a kick to it, if you will.”

“This is no ordinary hot chocolate,” she said, giving him a mischievous look as she reached for the bottle of Bailey’s. 

“Ohh,” he smiled with a touch of excitement, “Then yes, I shall have the Jaz special.”

She smiled as she mixed the two mugs and then placed them on a tray.  “Be right back,” she said, slipping through the back door to the kitchen. 

He reached for his mug, cautiously bringing the hot liquid to his lips.  He took a sip and then sighed heavily.  It was delicious and tasted like Christmas.  Not so alone on Christmas, after all. 

 Jaz returned with a plate of Christmas cookies.  “Santa left a few for us stragglers,” she joked as she placed the plate on the tray.  “Like it?” she asked, motioning to the mug in his hands.

“It’s delicious,” he smiled, “Thank you.”  He took the tray from her hands and the two headed back to the den.

**

“Should I add a few logs to the fire?” he asked, looking at the fizzling fire.

“That would be great.”

He pulled the screen back, placing two more logs on to the fire and then replacing the screen.  The fire hissed a little, as it roared and met the cold air coming down the chimney.  As it began to crackle once more, he returned to his place next to Jaz on the sofa.

“Oh, this is my favorite part,” she said, as Keira Knightley’s character appeared on the screen.  She began to speak aloud, in sync with the lines of the film.  “But for now, let me say –“

Justin joined in, much to her surprise.  “Without hope or agenda, just because it’s Christmas.”

She looked at him, a smile forming on her face once again.  “And at Christmas you tell the truth.” 

He leaned in to her, making eye contact.  “To me you are perfect.”

She elbowed him gently, “Chick flick, shmick flick.  You’ve seen this one once or twice.”

“Alright, it’s a good movie.  There, I said it,” he said, with a light laugh.

She smiled, pretending to turn attention back to the movie.  But her mind was racing with thoughts of Justin and the way his grin was giving her butterflies in her stomach.  She continued to fight off the sleepiness that was overtaking her, not wanting this moment to pass her by.

**

Jaz closed her eyes for a moment, succumbing to the sleep she had been trying to avoid.  She leaned her head gently to the side as she started to fall asleep.  Justin let the movie finish, eyeing her as she slept peacefully on the sofa beside the lights of the Christmas tree.  He considered heading back to his room, but instead stood up and placed a nearby throw blanket over her before making himself comfortable on the other end of the sofa.  He settled in with a blanket of his own and took a bite of another cookie before flicking channels on the television.  He decided to watch A Christmas Story next, a childhood favorite of his. 

**

Jaz awoke, as the sun shone brightly, reflecting off of all the snow on the ground.  She covered her mouth with a yawn as she stretched her arms in the air.  She was startled to find that her companion had fallen asleep beside her on the sofa in the den, expecting him to have headed back to his suite to retire for the evening.  He stirred gently before his eyes gently opened. 

“Good morning,” she said. 

He smiled, “Merry Christmas, Jaz.”

“I suppose I ought to get ready for my shift,” she said with a sigh as she stood up, folding the blanket.

“When does your shift end?” he asked, sitting up.

“I should be off around 2 p.m.”

He nodded.  She headed to the door, but his voice stopped her.

“Hey Jaz?  Thank you for spending Christmas with me.”

She smiled, “Thank you for spending it with me.”