Christmas had always been Holly’s favorite holiday. Not just the day itself, but the weeks leading up to it. From the bell-ringing Santa at the department store to decorating the tree while listening to Bing Crosby’s “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” it all made for a festive holiday season.

But this year was different.

Her husband, Nick, had been working overseas on a top-secret mission, and she missed him desperately—his laugh, his touch, the way he made her body feel alive…

“I love you, Holly,” he’d said the night before he left. “My heart belongs to you, always.”

It was hard to be without him since communication had been limited to brief weekly conversations. He warned her that he might go silent for a while, but when it happened, it was disheartening.

Holly tried to remind herself that this wouldn’t be forever and that he would be back in her arms when the mission was over. But, since she hadn’t heard from him in nearly six weeks, she had no idea when that would be.

Her insecurities set in, and she began to doubt whether he would be coming home at all. Eventually, she wondered if he’d lost interest and used this mission as a handy excuse to walk away from her. Her mood spiraled, and every day it became harder to get out of bed.

~~~~~

On December 1st, a mysterious, beautifully wrapped package arrived at Holly’s doorstep. For the first time in ages, she felt giddy as she shimmied it across the threshold and into the house. Once inside, she carefully unwrapped the box, delighted to find a painted wooden chest with twenty-four drawers, adorned with gold bows, snowflakes, and red holly berries. There was a note attached that read, "Miss you, my love. But I’ll be home for Christmas. Each day, open a drawer to find a gift that lets you know I am thinking of you. But no cheating; only one drawer per day. Save the last one for Christmas Eve."

Curious, Holly opened the first drawer. Nestled inside was a pair of silky red panties and a card. "Wear these, my sexy wife, and imagine me removing them with my teeth."

Her cheeks flushed as she felt her arousal grow. Slipping off her own practical beige underwear, she donned the first gift of Advent, not only enjoying the way they hugged her body perfectly but also the way they ignited a sense of passion she hadn’t felt in weeks.

Holly was tempted to peek inside the rest of the drawers, but she decided not to spoil the fun. She’d felt so disconnected from Nick, and here he had done something remarkably special to lift her spirits. So, she’d be patient… and she’d play the game as he’d intended. It would give her something to look forward to while she awaited his return.

With Nick gone, she’d allowed herself to wallow in a bah-humbug mood. But now that he’d be home for Christmas, she realized she needed to shake off the funk and decorate!

Her heart felt lighter as the house came to life with the spirit of Christmas. All the while, the little red panties were an acute reminder of her sexual needs that she had carefully tucked away during Nick’s absence.

Climbing into bed that night, she grabbed her vibrating wand from the nightstand drawer and closed her eyes, imagining Nick was there with her.

That’s right, baby, tease yourself. Leave the panties in place. Feel the hum of the wand against your pearl through the silk. Don’t fight it. Give in to how good it feels.

Her back arched, and her entire body tingled as her juices drenched the festive fabric between her legs. She reveled in the afterglow of much-needed release.

December 2nd brought a sense of anticipation and, upon opening the second drawer, a pocket-sized vibrator. The accompanying card said, “Sometimes good things come in small packages. This should fit in your purse and in your pussy. Think of me when you use it to make yourself cum.”

Grinning, she slipped the toy into her cross-body bag and made good use of it later that day while driving through the car wash.

Days three through nine provided travel-sized versions of her favorite lotions and potions, all designed to make her pamper herself.

However, day ten’s gift left her perplexed until she read the card. “These beads are too large to make a bracelet, too small to make a necklace, but just right to try something new and exciting in the end (pun intended).”

Holly felt the rush of arousal as she deftly fingered the pretty, silicone beads. Not willing to wait until after work to try them, she used the cherry lube from day four and gingerly poked each of the beads into her tight little star and headed to the office.

By lunchtime, Holly was so turned on, she ducked into the restroom and used the pocket vibe to edge herself for as long as she could stand before her orgasm left her shuddering from head to toe.

Each of the remaining drawers provided titillating gifts that enhanced the self-love sessions that Nick commanded her to engage in. Cards that read “Make yourself feel good,” “I miss being inside you,” or simply “Cum for me” made each day brighter for Holly.

After weeks of uncertainty, she no longer doubted that Nick loved and cherished her. She couldn’t wait for him to come home.

On Christmas Eve, there was no wrapped gift. Only a key with a tag attached that said, “My heart is yours, always.”

Holly frowned. Was the key meant to unlock something? Was it a symbol? Each of the previous gifts had given such specific instructions, and this was oddly…

…vague.

Using a hook, she hung the key on the Christmas tree and forgot all about it.

That evening, after watching “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Holly fell asleep on the couch and dreamed of Nick.

After kissing her until her toes curled, he undressed her as if unwrapping his own personal gift, as his fingers danced lightly along the insides of her thighs. Her hips rocked involuntarily as those fingers found their way inside her, and his eager mouth feasted upon her pert nipples.

Teasing, tasting, touching… all so glorious after months of longing.

“I need you, Nick…” Holly begged.

When his stiff shaft entered her, it felt magical, as if their mating created a whole new world for them, one in which no one else existed.

His thrusts were slow and deliberate as he gazed lustfully into her eyes. “Mine,” he said, claiming her. “Always.”

“Yours,” she replied as her hips moved desperately, encouraging him to pick up the pace.

“What’s the rush?” he teased. “Is your need for release that intense?”

“Yes!” Holly cried. “God, yes! Please, Nick! Fuck me. I need…”

“Hush,” he hissed. “I know what you need.”

Grabbing her hips, he gave in to her desire and fucked her like the world was ending until her orgasm triggered his, and they climaxed together.

She woke up on Christmas Day feeling excited, wishing she knew when Nick would arrive.

But the day came and went, and she was still completely alone. She drank all the eggnog she’d made and cried herself to sleep.

Days became weeks with no sign of Nick, and Holly sank into a deep depression. “Fuck you, Nick!” she shouted at the empty place beside her in bed. She’d spent the month of December following his naughty directions, only for him to abandon her.

It wrecked her.

While finally taking down the tree, she saw the key from Christmas Eve. Following her instincts, she headed to the bank and discovered the key opened a safety deposit box with a note inside.

Darling Holly,

If you are reading this, my mission failed. Please know that I’m sorry I’m not coming home to you. I love you with all my heart.

Always.

Nick

“No!” she screamed, crumpling to the ground. Her heart was shattered.

~~~~~

“Wake up, Holly! You’re okay; you’re just having a nightmare.”

Holly opened her eyes, immediately befuddled.

“Nick?” She shook her head. “It can’t be. Your note said…”

“My note said I’d be home for Christmas. Technically, it’s after midnight, so I’m a few hours late. But I’m here, just as I promised.”

She touched his face. “Oh, God, you’re really here? I thought I’d lost you forever.”

Nick put his arms around her. “I missed you, baby. It feels so good to hold you.”

He couldn’t tell her that she hadn’t been dreaming, that he’d somehow managed to strike a bargain with the angel of death who felt enough pity to rewind the clock and alter the events that had led to his tragic death. Someday, that angel would come to collect them both as part of the deal. But not today. Today, the angel showed mercy, and he was home for Christmas, just as he’d promised.