--Arrival--
The snow fell gently outside, blanketing the city in a serene white. Inside Audrey Lim's cozy apartment, the warmth of the holiday spirit was palpable. The team had gathered to celebrate Christmas together, a tradition that had grown dear to them over the years.
Audrey, clad in a festive red sweater, welcomed her colleagues with a smile as they arrived. "Merry Christmas, everyone! Make yourselves at home."
Claire Browne arrived first, carrying a tin of her homemade cookies, each one carefully decorated with icing and sprinkles. "Merry Christmas, Audrey!" she exclaimed, her eyes bright with holiday cheer.
"Merry Christmas, Claire," Audrey replied, ushering her friend inside. "Those cookies smell amazing."
Next came Morgan Reznick, her arms full with a fruitcake wrapped in festive paper. "I know fruitcake has a bad reputation," she quipped, "but I promise this one's actually good."
"Oh, we'll just see about that.", Alex replied prompting laughter.
He followed, a bottle of wine tucked under his arm. "I figured this might come in handy," he said with a grin, handing the bottle to Audrey.
"Perfect choice," Audrey said, adding it to the growing collection of holiday treats.
Shaun and Neil came in last. Shaun examined the ornaments on the tree with interest. "The decorations are very symmetrical," he noted, earning a chuckle from Neil Melendez, who was standing nearby.
"Leave it to Shaun to notice the details," Neil said, patting Shaun on the back. "But he's right, Audrey. The place looks great."
As the evening unfolded, the group gathered in Audrey's living room, the air filled with the comforting aroma of holiday treats and the sound of cheerful music. Audrey had prepared a delicious spread, and the doctors found themselves relaxing into the warmth of the evening.
--Annual Movie --
Shaun and settled onto the couch, his mind was already spinning with thoughts about upcoming projects at the hospital, but tonight, he allowed himself to be swept up in the holiday spirit. "What movie are we watching this year?" he asked.
Audrey emerged from the kitchen, her hands dusted with flour. "We’ve unanimously agreed on ‘Home Alone’! A classic!"
As the opening credits rolled, the room fell silent, each member of the team slipping into nostalgia, laughter erupting at the iconic scenes of young Kevin McCallister battling intruders. The familiar antics and slapstick humor brought forth collective memories of childhood and laughter, a welcome reprieve from their demanding jobs.
"This scene never gets old," Neil laughed as Kevin set traps for the burglars, her voice ringing with delight. Everyone joined in, chuckling and sharing their own favorite moments. The warmth of camaraderie enveloped them, making the room feel like home.
“Okay, but can we agree that Kevin’s ingenuity is unparalleled?” Alex chimed in, munching on popcorn. “Who else would think to use a paint can as a weapon?”
“True genius!” Claire agreed, her eyes sparkling. “We should all take notes for when we need to defend our homes.” Morgan chuckles at this as she placing an a around Claire's shoulders.
As the movie came to a close, the atmosphere shifted slightly. The glow of the television flickered softly, casting shadows as the credits rolled.
--Present Exchange--
"I've got something special for you, Morgan," The gift exchange began with Claire and Morgan, Claire's eyes twinkling with excitement. Morgan followed closely, holding her gift. "Funny, I've got something for you too." she replied, a playful grin on her face.
Claire opened her gift to find a delicate silver bracelet, each charm representing a cherished memory they shared. "Morgan, this is beautiful," Claire said, touched by the thoughtfulness.
Morgan unwrapped her gift to reveal a personalized journal, its pages filled with sketches and notes from their adventures. "Claire, you always know how to make things special," Morgan said, her voice filled with appreciation.
Shaun handed Claire his gift, a small, intricately carved wooden puzzle. "I made this for you," he explained, his sincerity shining through.
Claire smiled, admiring the craftsmanship. "Thank you, Shaun. It's perfect."
Neil presented Audrey with his gift, a stunning piece of art that captured a serene landscape. "I thought it might bring some tranquility to your office," he said.
Audrey admired the painting, her heart warmed by his gesture. "Thank you, Neil. It's wonderful."
Finally, Alex revealed his gift for everyone—a state-of-the-art espresso machine. "Figured we could all use a little extra caffeine on those long shifts," he joked, earning a chorus of laughter and cheers.
--Singing and Dancing--
With gifts exchanged, Audrey announced, "Alright, everyone, it's time for the toast!" Alex Park took charge, pouring glasses of wine for everyone except Shaun and Claire, who opted for more of the eggnog. Once everyone had a glass in hand, Audrey raised hers, her voice warm and heartfelt. "To friendship, laughter, and the memories we cherish. Merry Christmas, everyone!"
The clinking of glasses was followed by a chorus of cheers, and soon, Christmas music filled the room.
The room transformed into a lively dance floor. Claire Browne, at everyone's insistence, took center stage. Her voice, smooth and melodic, filled the room as she sang a few holiday classics. Her performance was met with applause and cheers, especially from Morgan, who had been eagerly waiting for this moment.
Neil, with his infectious energy, decided it was time to share the dance floor with everyone. He seamlessly moved from partner to partner, twirling Audrey with a flourish and even coaxing Shaun into a few awkward but endearing steps. The room was alive with joy, and Claire watched, a content smile on her face.
--Winding Down--
As, the night wore on, Shaun was engaged in conversation with Alex about their holiday traditions movies while Neil and Audrey were deep in conversation about the best Christmas song. The scent of pine mingled with the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread, creating an inviting atmosphere.
Claire and Morgan found themselves in the kitchen, away from the lively chatter. The kitchen counter was adorned with festive treats and half-empty glasses of wine, remnants of a joyful evening.
Claire leaned against the counter, a satisfied smile on her face. "Tonight's been fun," she said, glancing at Morgan, who was arranging a plate of cookies.
Morgan nodded, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "It was, especially with you here."
Claire chuckled, recalling their early days. "And to think, when we first met, you said we were never gonna be friends."
Morgan smirked, her eyes meeting Claire's with a teasing glint. "We're not friends," she corrected playfully. "We're best friends."
"Just best friends?" Claire teased, raising an eyebrow.
Morgan laughed, a rosy blush coloring her cheeks. She didn't answer directly, but her laughter was filled with affection.
Suddenly, Morgan's gaze shifted to the empty wine glasses, and she remembered the three glasses she had enjoyed. "We can stay here overnight, right?" she asked, a hint of sheepishness in her voice.
Claire smiled, nodding. "I think so But, I could drive you."
"Thanks."
--End of the Night--
“Okay, let’s take a group picture!” Morgan suggested, leaping up with a sense of urgency. She grabbed her phone, and they all huddled together, mugs of hot chocolate in hand, smiles brightening the room. With a click, they captured the moment, freezing the joy and laughter in time.
As the evening drew to a close, farewells were exchanged amidst the lingering warmth of the gathering. "Neil, you've had the most to drink. You should stay here for the night." Audrey spoke up, noticing Neil's tipsy state.
"I guess I can't decline." Neil grabbed a glass of water and settled in on the couch.
"And that's the only reason he's staying," Morgan playfully whispered to Audrey, who simply smiled and replied, "Good night, Morgan." Claire took on the responsibility of driving Morgan and Alex Park home, while Shaun Murphy drove himself.
One by one, they began to say their goodbyes, hugging tightly and exchanging warm wishes for the holiday season. “Drive safely, guys,” Audrey said as she hugged Shaun last, holding on just a moment longer.