(You)'ll Be Home for Christmas

"So you won't… make it home?"
You could tell Kronii was struggling to hide the disappointment in her voice
Christmas was less than a week away and you had both finally cleared your schedules to spend Christmas together
At least until more than a month's worth of work had suddenly been dumped on you
"Sorry, it just came out of nowhere."
"It's okay, i-it's not your fault."
You could hear her voice crack
More than anything, you wanted to take the first flight home and hold this woman in your arms
She spoke again, choking back tears
"I don't want to take up your time, it's late over there isn't it?"
You looked at the time- close to midnight, and you still had an early day at work
"Yeah. I'll call you again on the 24th?"
"Sounds like a date! I guess I'll have to put the fireplace to use again."
She sounded happier again at least
"Don't burn the house down Kronii."
"I'm not that dumb- not that I'm dumb at all or anything- Whatever! Go to bed!"
"Okay, okay. Good night, Kronii."
"G'night."
You were about to hang up when you heard her say something, in almost a whisper
"I wish you'd come home already… I miss you…"
You were about to reply, but she hung up instantly
Perhaps those were words not meant for your ears, but they echoed resoundingly in your thoughts

That night you dreamt of a Christmas Eve from many years ago
The fireplace burned brightly as the two of you marathoned every version of the Grinch
Two mugs of hot chocolate sat on the table in front of you
Her head was leaned against your shoulder as she cringed with you, laughed with you..
You missed those times, but you missed Kronii most of all
That morning, with less than a week before Christmas Eve, you woke with newfound resolve
You were going to be home for Christmas.

You rolled your suitcase up the driveway of your old home - not much had changed
The roof was decorated with Christmas lights, and you could see the silhouette of a tree through the living room window
You stood in front of the door and prepared yourself
Was she waiting for your call?
You rang the doorbell and heard someone scrambling inside
The moment the door opened, you heard a soft gasp
In a turtleneck sweater and blue jeans was Kronii, who was struggling to speak
"I-I thought you weren't-"
"I finished as fast as I could and took the first flight home."
Nervous silence filled the cold night air
You hadn't seen each other face to face in years after all
Both of you glanced everywhere but each other, then finally-
Your eyes met, and you both smiled
You took a look around you again, then above you, and looked lovingly into her shimmering blue eyes as you spoke
"There's not much snow today."
"Mhmm."
"And there's no mistletoe."
"Nope. I do have a present for both of us that miiiiight fix that."
She wrapped her arms around you and pulled you in for a deep, loving kiss
Finally, you were home…

Merry Christmas to you Kronies and Kromies.