Goodbye Kiss

26. I'll Be Home for Christmas

I'll Be Home for Christmas
Season 8 x 10
December 2001:

December 13th:
i grabbed a chart form the admit desk, scribbling into it.
"does anyone know when weaver is going on christmas vacation?" abby asked, leaning against the desk beside me.
"come on abby, she's scrooge, she's never going to leave" chuny smiled
"that's a good one" i laughed
luka came around the desk, picking up a chart.
"you're finally here" abby remarked
he was late..
"has anyone seen nicole?"
i shook my head "i wouldn't really want to come back to this place after what happened"
"apparently she stole at her other job, so all the bridges must be burned in chicago"
"is that why she wanted to go to canada?"
luka shook his head "you were right, abby"
"i know that's what you want to hear"
i didn't think it was that impossible to see that nicole was, well, something else.

i walked toward the lounge door, waving at carter.
"hey, how's gamma?" i smiled
"i'm going to visit her right now" he nodded
"she's doing better"
"my parents are coming in for the holidays though, so you know how that is"
"yeah" i sighed
i ran a hand through my hair
"i just wanted to catch you before you left"
"yeah, you still got what, four hours"
"something like that" i groaned
"i'll talk to you when you're off, okay?"
"sure thing" i nodded

December 19th:
i walked down the hall as abby stopped in front of a room, carrying a baby.
"gianna" she said, still looking in the room.
"what's up?"
"nicole is here" she whispered
i peeked into the room "i guess she is"
"you don't know what she's in for?"
"no" i shrugged
she looked at me
"do you mind taking this baby to his mom?"
"sure" i nodded
i picked up the baby out of her arms, while she went into the room.
i cradled him back and fourth
"hey" i smiled
this was a fresh baby, too.
i walked toward the reception desk, reading off the baby's medical band "hey, maureen, do you have a-"
"is that the baby delivered in the department store?"
"i believe it is" i nodded
"mama is in room three"
"perfect" i nodded, heading that way.
i opened the door
"oh my god" the mom smiled
"how is he?"
"he's beautiful" i smiled, handing him to her
"he was delivered by a shoes sales man" she laughed
"god, really?"
"i hope you're kid gets free shoes for life, than"
"congratulations" i grinned

i walked back downstairs to the er, going around the admit desk.
susan and carter were together, looking at a chart.
"you look happy" susan smiled
"yeah, saw babies up in ob" i grinned
"that'll do it" carter shrugged
"you don't look so happy" i told carter
"who is in this place?" susan groaned
"maybe all three of us need to go look at some babies"

Christmas Eve:
"alright abby" i smiled
"i bathed that homeless guy"
"and stocked the drug lockup"
"and signed off on the pay cards" i smiled
"you're leaving?" she groaned
"shift is over" i sing songed
i'd been on for the past 17 hours. i was so ready to go home. plus, it was christmas eve and i had a lot to do.
she nodded her head as i walked toward the lounge.
"where are you leaving to?" carter peeped
"haven't seen you in days" he smiled
"i have to make the pasta for dinner tonight" i sighed
"what about your brothers and sisters?"
"their making the rest"
"so, i'm not gonna see you all night?"
"pick me up at midnight" i smiled
"77 kempton"
"i'll call you" he sighed
"sounds good john" i said, walking off
"have a good rest of your shift" i giggled
nobody had a good shift on christmas.

when i got back to my apartment, my phone was flooded with phone calls.
one from my sister.
"hey"
"you're making the ravioli?"
"yes"
"nona is making the sauce?"
"yes, bianca"
"ma and pa are making the fish"
"you're bringing dessert?"
"yeah, i was just checking"
"see you, then, g"
"yeah, see you soon, b"
i hung up the phone and continued to knead my pasta dough.
i had 5 siblings. in order it was my 29 year old brother giovanni, me, 26 year old tino, 25 year old bianca and 23 year old matteo.
we had a very large family.
my family was my everything to me. i was so close with my siblings, too. i loved it that way.
——
my pasta was made and i was now drying my hair with a towel.
i ran a brush through my hair but decided to leave it wavy.
i stretched over a red off the shoulder sweater paired with some black pants. when i put on all my jewelry, it was about time to go home. that's when i heard a knock on my door.
"teo" i smiled
"i'm almost done"
"where's your girlfriend kimberly?"
"she's in the car"
i slipped on my heeled shoes and put a spritz of perfume on.
as i put my coat on tino asked me a question.
"where's your little boyfriend?"
"he's working"
"ma told me that wasn't going well"
"it's going fine" i smiled
i rolled my eyes "what about kimberly?"
"pa doesn't like her"
"yeah, well i do" he smiled
i grabbed my pasta and locked the door behind us.

"gio" i smiled
"hey, gianna" he hugged
"cynthia, nice too see you again"
"how're you holding up?"
she was three months pregnant.
"pretty good to be honest" she nodded
"i see my brother still hasn't made your engagement official"
he rolled his eyes "g, we're waiting until the baby comes"
"i'm kidding"
"don't talk to bianca about love, she got dumped the other day"
"richard dumped her?"
he nodded
"well, thank god"
gio was defensive "you didn't like him?"
"no" i cackled
——
after eating dinner and talking with my brothers, sister, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins, i was so tired. i cradled my baby cousin in my arms.
"gianna, someone's at the door for you" tino shouted
"what?" i walked over
"ok, shoo" i smiled
"john, what're you doing here?"
"i know it's not midnight yet but nothing was going on at my place"
"you alright?"
he let out a sigh.
"gamma is in the hospital"
"i know, i mean anything new?"
"my parents are splitting up"
i went wide eyed
"i'm sorry"
"it's okay"
"give me a minute"
i turned around
"bianca, can you take this baby for me?"
she nodded, i passed her off.
"where are you going?"
"i'll be back" i nodded, throwing a coat over me.
i stepped outside, closing the front door behind me.
"i have a bottle of champagne in my car"
"you stole it from your party?"
"it's my house" he said, defensively
"well, merry christmas" i smiled, walking toward him.