Chapter 6

Parker looked at his watch. Fifteen minutes and his shift was over. The ER was quiet for Christmas Eve. Thankfully. These last few weeks had been long on work and short on sleep.

The holidays were responsible for the first part. Distracted, busy, sometimes inebriated, people produced a lot of accidents and therefore trips to the ER. But Isla was the reason for the last part.

She invaded his thoughts every moment he wasn’t working. Her smile lit up everything, her laugh was a cross between bells and a song. The smoothness of her skin, the scent of lemons in her hair, her soft, curved body made sleeplessness a part of his life. Damn, he wanted her. The daydream of sliding into her wet heat made him hard in an instant.

He had dialed her number dozens of times in the last few weeks but never let it connect. The fairy incident stopped him every time. Parker fluctuated between he knew what he saw, and he had no idea what he saw. Between fairies are real, and I need to stop drinking.

“Are you out of here, Doctor Coles?” The shift supervisor asked.

“As soon as Dr. Shelton gets here.”

“Consider me here,” Dr. Shelton said from behind him. “Are you working tomorrow?”

“I always take the Christmas morning shift so that people with kids can have that time.”

“That’s nice, doc,” the nurse said.

Parker shrugged. “Not a big deal.” He wished everyone a good holiday and went home.

He poured a drink.

“Hello.”

Parker spun around to see a tiny flicker of red hair and opalescent wings. He cursed before taking a long drink.

“I’m a member of the fairy council.”

He grabbed the bottle and sat on the couch. “Okay.”

“The council has determined that because Isla introduced you to Sparkle prematurely, which is a grave violation of fairy law, she will no longer be a companion to Isla.”

“So much for small talk. That seems a bit harsh.” He thought a moment. “Wait? Prematurely, what does that mean?”

“I’m not finished. Sparkle has also been stripped of her powers and is unable to communicate with Isla.”

“Since you didn’t answer my initial question, I assume additional questions will go unanswered as well.”

The fairy flew in front of him. “Sparkle has an opportunity to regain her powers if she obeys all the council’s edicts. Also, there is a way to facilitate Sparkle reuniting with Isla.”

He stood mute, waiting for the rest.

“Marry Isla.”

“No.” Parker almost dropped his glass as he shot to his feet. “What the hell?”

The fairy flew near his face and narrowed her gaze. “Then, the council has a request.”

He finished his drink. “What could possibly be more outrageous than telling a person he has to marry someone or that someone will be punished? You do realize how crappy that demand is, right? The position that puts me in?”

“When a human loses a fairy connection, it can be a hard transition. Can you keep an eye on Isla? Help with the transition?”

“Why don’t you do it yourself?”

“The council would prefer to stay away.”

Parker shook his head. “Fairies. What bullshit. You have rules that people don’t know about, so we have no idea when we break them. You meddle in people’s lives then leave. You’re like tiny bullies.”

“Are you saying you won’t keep an eye on Isla?”

He glared at the fairy. “I’ll do it. For Isla, not your precious fairy council.”

 

# # #

Isla marched up the sidewalk toward her apartment, the snow stinging her cheeks. Mr. Stevens, the store manager, gave her a bonus for not missing any time during the holiday season. Twenty bucks. Yea. Almost enough for a burger and fries.

Her mother phoned earlier in the day to tell Isla that she was staying in Florida for the next four months and sublet her townhouse until then. Isla was relieved that she wouldn’t have to answer her mother’s questions, but that created a huge problem. Homelessness.

Isla had no job lined up and, after running the numbers, she didn’t have what she needed to cover the rent.

When Isla told the landlord a few weeks ago, he put her place on the market and rented it in ten minutes. February one. Christmas would be spent packing boxes this year. Without her mom’s place as a backup, Isla would be watching fireworks through her windshield turned living room window this New Year’s Eve.

“Don’t be such a drama queen,” Isla whispered to herself, “you won’t be homeless on New Year’s. That will happen by Valentine’s Day.”

Isla released a long breath. Her first Christmas without her best friend would be the worst part of everything. She missed Sparkle so much it hurt. It wasn’t just friendship and love. Sparkle gave Isla advice and shared her opinions. That sassy, glittery fairy was Isla’s conscience.

Isla unlocked the apartment door. She dropped her keys on the table and looked up. “Hello. Hello? Fairy council, I want to talk to you. I need to talk to you. Please?” She flopped into a chair. “Come on. Please talk to me. What can I do?”

Nothing.

She looked around. There wasn’t much left to pack. She sold most of her things, given other items to charity, and had a few clothes that would end up in her back seat.

“Christmas in a skimpy apartment. Pathetic.” She rubbed her hands over her face. “Come on, Isla, it could be a whole lot worse. You still have a month to find a job and a place and nothing but time to find both. There are plenty of people in worse shape.”

Isla fixed herself a cup of tea and opened a package of peanut butter cheese crackers. “Gourmet dining at its finest.” She opened her tablet to read the headlines.

There was a knock on the door. “Coming.” She opened it.

“You really should find out who it is before you answer the door.”

“Parker.”

“Hey.”

“What do you want?”

“Merry Christmas to you, too.”

They stood looking at each other for a moment before Isla released a long breath as she stepped aside. He walked in, turned to her, turned to her dinner on the table, turned back to her. “Dinner? Do you make a habit of eating crackers instead of cooking a meal?”

“I’m eating light.”

“There’s light, and there’s starvation.”

She put her hand to her hip. “You just show up after weeks of no communication, with a holiday hello, and to criticize my food choices?”

“No.” He scanned the room. “Where’s your couch?”

“In someone else’s living room. A den, perhaps.”

His eyes widened. “Isla, what’s going on?”

Isla narrowed her gaze. “I sold my couch.”

“Why?”

“I’m sure it will come to you eventually.” She crossed her arms. “What did you want, Parker?”

He paused. “I saw your friend.”

It took her a moment. “Sparkle?”

“No. A member of the fairy council.”

“And?”

“She’s fine. Sparkle. She misses you.”

“I miss her. She couldn’t come and tell me that herself, I guess.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

He sat at the dining room table and gestured for her to sit too. He rubbed his forehead, then leaned back and closed his eyes. “She doesn’t have any more powers. Whatever the hell that means.”

She jumped up. “Oh no.”

“What?”

“A fairy without fairy powers is just a tiny person. With no wings. Doing the filing at fairy headquarters.”

He scowled. “Oookay. The council fairy said that if Sparkle follows all the rules, she could get her powers back.” He shrugged. “Like probation.”

“That’s something, I guess.” Isla sat again.

“But that’s not everything. The fairy council said that Sparkle could return to you under one condition.”

She leaned forward. “That’s great! Let’s do it.” When Parker remained silent, Isla scowled. “Wait, what’s the condition?”

“Something I have to do.”

“You? So, do it. Whatever it is, just do it.”

“I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to say this.”

“I want my fairy friend back in my life.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Just what is it you have to do? Rob a bank or something?”

Parker stared at her.

She jumped up. “You have to rob a bank?”

“No, that would be ridiculous.”

“Then what is it?”

“I have to marry you.”

Isla’s eyes widened. “That’s not ridiculous to you?” Isla dropped back into the chair. “A council fairy came to you and said that the only way Sparkle can be my fairy again is if you ask me to marry you?”

“Yup.”

“Why?”

“She didn’t elaborate. From our conversation, it seems fairies are big on giving orders and short on explanations.”

Isla’s shoulders drooped. “I think I would prefer that you had to rob a bank.”

He took her hand in his hands. “I’ve thought about this from every angle, and I can’t do it.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t let you.”

“You agree?”

“Of course, I agree.” She stood then paced a few steps. “In fact, I think it stinks that the fairies would even put that out there. It’s pretty manipulative.”

He stood. “That’s what I said to the fairies.”

“Owww, way to diss the whole fairy realm in one broad stroke.”

“But you just said—” He released a long breath. “I don’t know what the hell is going on. And frankly, I don’t want to know. Fairies. Conversations with fairies. Powers. Glitter. The only thing I know is that I am not the marrying kind.”

“So you’ve said.” Isla lowered back down onto the chair. “That’s it then.”

Parker knelt in front of her. “I know this must be a lot to take in. I’m sorry I’m not more help. Tomorrow is Christmas. I have to work until three in the afternoon, then I’m going to the cottage. Why don’t you come with me? Relax, think about something else.”

She scoffed. “There’s a great idea. Let’s go back to the scene of that crime.”

“It wasn’t a crime.”

“It was a crime to treat your family that way. We lied to them. We weren’t fair or kind. It seemed harmless, but obviously, it wasn’t. I realize that now.” She stood, and he followed.

“That’s harsh.”

“And costly. Parker, thank you for coming here to tell me everything the council said. I appreciate it. I do. But,” she said, walking to the window. “All things considered, I wish I had never met you.”

“Isla. Come on.” He came up behind her, though he stopped short of touching her. “You don’t mean that.”

“I’d like to be alone right now.”

He touched her shoulder. She didn’t react.

“Okay,” he said, “If you change your mind about tomorrow, call me.” He walked to the door. “And for the record, I am very, very glad I picked you up off the pavement last month, even if you don’t feel the same right now.” He opened the door. “I know you’ve lost your friend. I’m going to help you get through it.”

She turned to face him. “Why? What’s the point? People, fairies, parents whoever—just flit in and out of your life, detonate emotional bombs, then leave big holes when they go.”

“Parents.” He closed the door. “Is that what this is about? Your family not being around?”

“Family. You mean my mother. Who has decided to extend her stay in Boca for four months?”

“You don’t have a lot of family, I get it. So make a new family with friends, neighbors, work colleagues.”

She glared at him.

“Isla, you can’t stop getting close to people because you’re afraid they’ll push you away.”

“Do you hear yourself right now?”

He stepped back. “Okay. This is escalating quickly.” He put his hands together. “Come for Christmas. We’ll keep it casual.”

“Just go.”

“Fine. If you’re determined to be alone this Christmas, I won’t stop you. Just so you know, I’m not staying away forever. And you’re just going to have to deal with that.” He stepped to her and connected his mouth to hers before she could react.

“Have you been drinking?”

“Yes, but I’m not drunk if that’s what you’re implying.”

She looked around. “I could offer you the couch, but.”

“I’m fine.”

“We could sleep in my bed like Thanksgiving.”

“That would be a terrible idea.” He stepped back. “Merry Christmas, Isla,” he said, then left.

The sound of the door shutting echoed around the mostly empty room. It was a lonely, hollow noise confirming her mood.

At two in the morning, after many tears, Isla was ready to make some plans. The first thing she needed to do was apologize. She sent Parker a text: I shouldn’t have said that I wish we never met.

He texted back a few moments later: no, you shouldn’t have. But I understand.

I didn’t mean it.

I know.

She tapped again. I hope I didn’t wake you.

You didn’t.

Merry Christmas, Parker.

Merry Christmas, Isla.

A few minutes past before Isla’s cellphone signaled a new text message.

Parker wrote: Did we just make up after our first fight via text?

She punched the keys. Yup.

Damn, no makeup sex then? I could drive over. You did offer to sleep with me earlier.

Good night, Parker.

Good night, Isla.

She stared at her phone, waiting for another text that never came. He promised to stay in her life, and truthfully, she wanted him to stay. His declaration scooped a tiny bit of hope into the fairy-sized hole in her heart. This was the first time since the fairies took Sparkle away that Isla didn’t feel utterly alone.

She wasn’t up for spending Christmas at his parent’s cottage. Still, Isla drifted off thinking of a certain handsome doctor enjoying his nephew’s excitement as they tore open presents beneath one of two Christmas trees in the cottage by the river.