Christmas Eve Reunion

"WMIS, you're on the air. What's your dedication?" There was a moment of silence before a deep, vaguely familiar voice spoke. "I'd like to request The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra."

Melody Carson's fingers danced across the control panel of WMIS radio station, muscle memory guiding her actions after decades behind the mic. At 58, her silver hair framed her face, highlighting her sharp cheekbones and the mischievous twinkle in her blue-gray eyes. She adjusted her midnight blue blouse, adorned with subtle silver snowflakes, as she leaned into the microphone.

The tiny studio, barely larger than a walk-in closet, was nestled on the second floor of Mistletoe Cove's historic Town Hall. Christmas lights twinkled in the arched window, reflecting off the mixing board and casting a warm glow over the cozy space that had been Melody's second home for thirty years.

"And that was White Christmas by Bing Crosby," Melody said, her voice rich and soothing. "It's 10 PM on Christmas Eve here in Mistletoe Cove, and you're listening to your favorite oldies on 101.5 WMIS."

She paused, a wistful smile playing on her lips. "As some of you know, this is my final show before retirement. It's been an honor to be the voice of Mistletoe Cove's nights for the past thirty years."

Melody's eyes misted over as she continued, "To celebrate, we're taking your dedications and song requests all night long. So give us a call at 555-WMIS, and let's make this a Christmas Eve to remember."

As if on cue, the request line lit up. Melody answered, her voice warm and inviting.

"WMIS, you're on the air. What's your dedication?"

There was a moment of silence before a deep, vaguely familiar voice spoke. "I'd like to request The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra."

Melody's breath caught in her throat. It couldn't be... could it?

"And who would you like to dedicate this to?"

Another pause. "To the one that got away. She'll know who she is."

As Melody cued up the song, her mind raced back to a summer night many years ago. She and Thomas Winters, slow dancing under the stars at the Mistletoe Cove Founder's Day celebration. This very song had been playing when Thomas had first told her he loved her.

The memory brought a bittersweet ache to Melody's heart. Thomas had been her high school sweetheart, but life had pulled them in different directions. Her to broadcasting school, him to the Navy. Despite promises to stay in touch, the distance had proven too much. Thomas's letters had grown infrequent, then stopped altogether.

In the years that followed, Melody had thrown herself into her career, finding solace in the company of her listeners and the rhythm of small-town life. She'd had relationships, but none had measured up to what she'd shared with Thomas. A part of her had always wondered "what if?"

As the night wore on, more mysterious dedications came in. Each one seemed to reference a shared memory, stirring up emotions Melody had long thought buried.

"Next up, we have Sea of Love by Phil Phillips," Melody announced, her voice shaky. "Dedicated to the mermaid who stole my heart at Lighthouse Beach."

Melody's cheeks flushed at the memory. She and Thomas had spent countless evenings at the Lighthouse Beach. He'd always teased her about being part mermaid, given her love of the sea.

When midnight approached, Melody's heart raced with anticipation and a touch of fear.

Was Thomas in Mistletoe Cove?

And if so, why now, after all these years?

The request line blinked once more. With trembling fingers, Melody answered.

"WMIS, you're on the air. What's your Christmas Eve dedication?"

"Hello, Melody." The voice was warm and rich, tinged with a hint of nervousness. "It's Thomas."

Melody's breath hitched. "Thomas?"

A soft chuckle came through the line. "It's me, Mel. I'm sorry it took me so long to find my way back home."

Tears welled in Melody's eyes as she struggled to maintain her professional composure. "You're... you're on the air, Thomas. Did you have a song request?"

"I do," he replied, his voice full of emotion. "Could you play I'll Be Home for Christmas? And Mel? I'm here to stay... if you'll have me."

As Bing Crosby's heartfelt lyrics filled the studio, Melody felt a lifetime of emotions wash over her. Joy at hearing Thomas's voice again. Pain from the years of separation. Longing for what might have been. And a tentative hope for what could still be.

The next hour flew by in a blur of holiday classics and heartfelt dedications from Mistletoe Cove's night owls. As the first light of Christmas morning began to peek over the horizon, Melody prepared to sign off for the last time.

"Well, Mistletoe Cove, it's been a magical night," she said, her voice warm with emotion. "As the sun rises on Christmas Day, it's time for me to say goodbye. Not only to this show, but to this chapter of my life."

She paused, gathering her thoughts. "But before I go, I want to thank you all for the memories, the music, and the love you've shared with me over the years. Mistletoe Cove, you're my home and you're my family."

Through the glass, a commotion caught Melody's attention as she saw a man with dark hair peppered with gray being ushered in by the night security guard - Thomas Winters.

Her fingers hovered over the controls, ready to play her final song. Heart pounding Melody spoke into the mic one last time. "It seems, dear listeners, that we have one final Christmas surprise. Stay tuned, and Merry Christmas to all."

She quickly cued up White Christmas before rushing out to meet Thomas. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, decades of unspoken words hanging in the air between them.

"Melody," Thomas said, taking a step closer. "You're even more beautiful than I remembered."

A warm blush colored Melody's cheeks. "Thomas, what are you doing here? After all this time?"

He reached out, gently taking her hands in his. "I've made mistakes, Mel. But letting us drift apart was the biggest. I'm here to make it right."

Melody's expression was a mix of emotions. "It's been so long, Thomas. We're not the same people we were."

Thomas nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Maybe not. But some things never change."

Before Melody could respond, Thomas leaned in, placing a soft, tentative kiss on her lips. She gasped, surprised by the spark she still felt after all these years.

Pulling back, Thomas smiled. "How about breakfast? As a start?"

Melody took a deep breath, her heart racing. "I'd like that. As friends?"

"For now," Thomas replied, a warm smile spreading across his face.

Melody returned to the studio, her lips still tingling.

"Well, folks," she said into the microphone, her voice breathless, "it seems this Christmas Eve has one more magical surprise in store. Sometimes, life offers second chances in the most unexpected ways. This is Melody Carson, signing off for the last time, ready for a new adventure. Thank you for the wonderful years."

As Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World filled the airwaves, Melody gathered her things, ready to step into an unexpected new chapter.

One filled with the promise of rekindled love and the wisdom of years lived.

Copyright

A Christmas Eve Reunion | A Romance Short Story

Copyright © 2024 by Nina Potter

All rights reserved.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this book can be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without the author's express written permission. The only exception is a reviewer who may quote short excerpts in a review. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in, or encourage, the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

First Edition September 2024