December was the month of eternal happiness - not one moment was wasted on anything other than smiling, lights, tinsel and presents. And that hadn’t dulled for you. Not when you learnt about Santa. Not when you bought better presents than your friends’. Not when you were single many christmases’.

But when you and Hugh got together every Christmas was the Christmas dream Pinterest couldn’t even compete with. Like, unreal. Mistletoe kisses, wrapping presents for your friends’ together and still acting surprise during secret-santa. Wearing his Christmas jumper when you were allowed Christmas jumper day at school.

But when you both graduated, him a year early, you’d spent that Christmas together before he left for medical school. That year passed and long distance was working, you met up at least once maybe twice a month. Phone calls were a constant, and gift / flower sending was his love language more than ever.

But as Christmas rolled around this year, everything seemed to sparkle just as bright; the lanterns hanging from the cabins at the market, the tinsel on the tree you decorated alone, the lights you spent hours wiring around the small terras of your balcony in Dublin - but when you turn and there’s no Hugh behind you it all just.. dims a little.

Christmas didn’t sparkle without Hugh.

And of course you hoovered yours and Hugh’s room daily. Just in case. You make sure you have that funny ginger tea he loves on restock. Just in case. You wrapped his presents with ribbons and wrapping paper and haven’t sent them over to London yet, just in case. You haven’t confirmed to your Mam if you’re going to hers for Christmas lunch or not. Just in case.

So after a lovely dinner out with Claire and Shannon, alongside their boyfriends, Gibs and Johnny; you’d never felt more alone at Christmas. Of course you knew he was busy and would miss you from London, but the heart wants what the heart wants.

You head home, and smile as one of the two kittens you got early this year nuzzle your legs as you toe out of your uggs. You hang up your coat, humming along to that song - Christmas. “And the snows falling down,” you hum. You continue your one-woman concert until you open your phone and hesitate before opening yours and Hugh’s text feed, then typing out quickly and sending before you can think.

me: baby please come home.

After staring at the message that wasn’t being read anytime soon, he was probably out with his mates before studying again. His last two exam's were less than a month away. You walk over to the food box and pull out a sachet for the kittens. And you’re surprised when you see fresh food already there.

The frown stays in place as you travel to where you can hear them, purring. You walk around the corner and see them cuddled up with…. Hugh.

A cream zip up, denim jeans, hair curled and ruffled; and seating two grey fluffy kittens.

“You’re home.” It leaves your lips in a whisper.

“Merry Christmas baby.” He smiles and stands.