Free Waiting for Midnight by Samantha Chase

promising!”
    “I’m making prime rib.”
    “Wow!  You really did splurge!  I didn’t think you could get a prime rib for one.”
    “You can’t, but I got the smallest one I could find and I figured I could plan on eating well the rest of the week.”
    “Unless I come over and join you,” Kiera teased.  “Seriously, how could she do a vegan menu for Christmas?  I think it’s a great lifestyle for them, but they could at least put a little something out for the rest of us!”
    Maddie laughed.  A full-bodied laugh.  It was the first time in weeks she’d found humor in anything.  "I'm sure you’ll survive,” she said.  “Eat a late lunch and make sure you contribute something decadent to dessert that can easily take your mind off of dinner.”
    “Believe me, there is a huge pan of brownies baking right now that I’m taking with me.”
    “Good girl.”
    They were silent for a minute when Kiera finally spoke.  “Maddie?”
    “Yeah?”
    “I really hate that you’re there by yourself.”
    Maddie sighed.  “I know, sweetie.  But…it’s not the end of the world.  I’m still being festive.  I’m just choosing to be festive alone and in my jammies.  I have all of my holiday movies and specials picked out and believe me, it’s not the worst Christmas I’ve ever spent.”
    “Maddie…”
    She knew Kiera was about to lecture her again about joining her family, but Maddie was in no mood for the pity.  “It’s okay, Kiera.  I promise.  I want you to go and have a great time and kiss everyone for me and wish them a Merry Christmas, okay?  Promise me.”
    Kiera sighed.  “Fine.  I’ll talk to you tomorrow at some point.”
    “Sounds like a plan.  Merry Christmas, Kiera.”
    “Merry Christmas, Maddie.”
    ****
    Her belly was full, the kitchen was clean and as Burl Ives wished everyone a holly, jolly Christmas, Maddie’s eyes began to droop.  Her arm felt like lead as she lifted it and used the remote to turn off the TV.  Standing and stretching, she slowly shuffled across the apartment – locking the door and shutting off the lights until she was in her bedroom.
    Pulling back her comforter, she crawled into bed and sighed when her head hit the pillow.  It wasn’t such a bad night, she thought to herself.  Her dinner was good and all of her holiday specials still made her happy.  All in all, it was a good night.  Within minutes she was asleep.
    Sometime later, a loud thumping sound woke her up.  Sitting straight up in bed, her heart pounded.  It sounded like it came from inside her apartment!  With a muffled curse, she slid from the bed and walked silently over to her closet where she kept a bat – it was her own version of a security system.
    Carefully, she tiptoed to the door and peered out into the living room and noticed the lights on her tree were on.  She stepped out into the hallway and frowned because she knew she had unplugged the lights before the last special. 
    Bat in hand, she walked slowly out into the living room and froze.
    There were presents under the tree.  Piles of them!  Cautiously, she walked over to where she had hung her stocking – and it was full! 
    “What in the world?” she whispered and turned on one of her lamps to get a better look around.  No one was there.  Her door was locked.  Shaking her head she said, “I have to be dreaming.  There’s no other way to explain this.”  Turning the light off, Maddie walked back to her bedroom and crawled into her bed.
    There was no way she could fall asleep now.  Her mind raced.  Who was here and how did they get in and out so quietly?  Worse, what would she do if they came back? 
    Maybe Kiera had done it, she thought.  “That has to be it,” she said with a sigh of relief.  She’d given her friend a spare key when she first moved in and no doubt Kiera was feeling bad for her and wanted to give her a little Christmas magic.  “Okay, glad I figured that out.”
    Doing her best to get