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Randolph hadn’t intended to eaves drop, but whenever Kit speaks, hell whenever she just walks into a room all of his attention is on her. Even if they don’t acknowledge one another, he’s drawn to her. So, when she joins Irving for a consult in the ER bay next to where he’s doing the same with Devon and AJ, his mind slides away from the matter in front of him to her idly chatting with the woman who’s fractured arm she’s examining.
No she won’t be traveling for the holidays.
WHer daughters are spending Christmas with their respective in laws.
She’ll video chat with her granddaughter on Christmas.
Randolph shakes himself and contributes to his own conversation, but the wistfulness, even sadness in Kit’s voice never leaves him.
“No, I’m on my own this year,” she had thrown in with a small smile.
That’s the phrase that kept drifting in and out of Randolph’s mind all day. Ever since the pandemic he’d felt something like her guardian angel; her protector. Whatever problem Kit had; Randolph always wanted to solve it.
By the end of the day, he’s come up with a plan. A risky one, but a plan none-the-less. He loitered around the lobby waiting for Kit to make her way through the lobby toward the parking lot. When he saw her, he threw Jessica and Irving a distracted Merry Christmas and rushed after her.
“Kit! Hey Kit, wait up?”
She stopped just outside the door, turning to him with a delighted smile. “Randolph! I thought you were gone for the day. I was quite cross that you hadn’t dropped in to say goodbye first.”
He returned her easy smile, taking her arm and leading her toward her car. “I would never. In fact, I’ve been waiting for you.”
“For me?”
“Mmmhmm. I have an idea.”
“Those are always fun. Do tell?”
“Your girls are out of town for Christmas, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Well, as it happens Jake and his family are visiting Gregg’s parents back in Chicago.”
“Is that so?”
“Mmmhmm. So, I was thinking- hoping you and I could spend Christmas together.”
Kit looks at him askance. “You don’t even like Christmas.”
“I think I could warm up to it if I spent it with my best friend.”
“What exactly do you have in mind, Dr. Bell?”
“I’ll run home, pack a bag, come back to yours and we can spend the evening watching those sappy Christmas movies you like," he chuckled, dodging her halfhearted punch before continuing. "And to top it off, I'll make you pumpkin spice pancakes Christmas morning.”
“Why mine and not yours? Yours is closer.”
“Yes, but you’ve got all the holiday trimmings. It’s looks like a Christmas card.”
Kit rolled her eyes at his teasing. “Bring me one of your sweaters and we have a deal.”
Not even bothering to hide his elation, Randolph dropped a quick kiss on her cheek and began back toward his car. “See you in about an hour.”
True to his word, an hour later, Randolph lets himself into Kit's home using the key she gave him during the pandemic then insisted he keep.
“Kit?”
“Come on, up.”
Toeing his shoes off and hanging his jacket in the closet, Randolph heads up stairs dropping his bag in the guest room. He pulls a neatly folded sweatshirt out before heading into Kit’s. He leaned against the doorframe watching her putter around her room.
“Hey, ready for our Best Friend’s Christmas Weekend?”
She grins and walks toward him, kissing his cheek. “Did you bring what I asked for?”
Rolling his eyes, Randolph produced the sweatshirt from behind his back. He had discovered Kit loved wearing his oversized sweats whenever they hung out at his condo. Her asking him to bring one tonight had delighted him in a way he couldn’t explain just yet. When she pulled it over her hand and did a pirouette for him, he could only smile.
“Looks way better on you than it ever could on me.”
Kit grinned. “Come on, Romeo. We’ve got hot toddies and Christmas movies waiting.”
Randolph shook his head as if to clear it and followed her downstairs. His heart had thumped as Kit twirled in his sweatshirt. There was something so effortless about the way she moved, so natural in the comfort of his clothing. It made him realize, in that fleeting moment, just how deeply he had fallen for her without ever really acknowledging it.
They had a history of shared moments, from simple hospital conversations to the pandemic-induced late-night chats. But tonight, with the Christmas lights twinkling in the background and the warmth of their friendship wrapping around them, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was something more.
“Hot toddies, huh?” he teased, his voice a little gruffer than he’d intended. “Are you trying to get me tipsy?”
Kit laughed, a soft, melodic sound that sent a pleasant shiver down his spine. “If you can’t handle a little rum in your tea, then maybe we should rethink this Christmas pajama party,” she joked, winking at him as she picked up the tray of steaming mugs she’d prepared earlier.
Randolph smirked and held out his hand, suddenly feeling more than a little eager to spend these next few hours wrapped up in the easy rhythm of her company. “Lead the way, then.”
They settled into the cozy living room, the fire crackling softly in the hearth, the scent of cinnamon and pine filling the room. The first movie started—one of those cheesy Hallmark-style Christmas flicks, all red scarves and snowflakes. Kit curled up on the couch, her head resting on a throw pillow.
Randolph sat beside her keeping the distance they always kept, but this time the space between them felt different. As much as he fought it, as much as he convinced himself it was just a friendly gesture, every glance toward her made it harder to ignore how much he wanted to be closer.
“Did I tell you that I’ve never done this?” he murmured, breaking the comfortable silence.
“Done what?” Kit asked, glancing up at him with curiosity.
“Spent Christmas with someone… not family. Not in years, anyway.” He stared into his mug, unsure how much more to say, afraid that saying it aloud would make it real.
"Neither have I," Kit’s eyes softened, her lips pressing into a gentle smile. “I'm glad you came up with this fabulous idea, Randolph. No one I'd rather spend it with than you."
He turned to look at her, surprised by the sincerity in her voice. There was something in the way she spoke, something vulnerable, as if she, too, was testing the waters of what this friendship could evolve into. Without thinking, he reached out and took her hand. Her fingers curled into his, the warmth of her skin seeping into him. Kit looked at him, her eyes wide, almost unsure, but not pulling away.
Randolph couldn’t help but smile, feeling an unfamiliar but comforting sense of peace settle over him. This—this moment, this connection with Kit—felt like everything he knew he wanted and needed.
“How many more of these are there?” he asked, nodding toward the momentarily forgotten television, trying to lighten the mood.
Kit grinned; her fingers still tangled in his. “Hours upon hours!”
With an exaggerated groan, Randolph pulled a laughing Kit to his side and turned his attention back to the movie as she settled in as she laid her head on his shoulder.
By the time the credits rolled, Kit was fast asleep. The weight of her and the warmth of her breath on his neck sent Randolph into a place in his mind he so often fought to stay out of - the alternate reality where he and Kit were a real couple, sharing a home, and a love that fulfilled him every way. In his mind they had spent dozens of Christmas Eves like this.
Randolph would kiss her awake and lead her to their bedroom. He’d turn back the covers and climb in next to her, Kit instinctively curling into his side. He’d kiss her deeply before whispering goodnight against her lips. She’d smile sleepily and fall asleep whispering words of love.
Kit shifted, bringing Randolph back to reality. Carefully pulling back, he studied her face beautifully relaxed in sleep, loathe to wake her.
“Kit,” he whispered stroking her hair back from her face. “Hey sleepy head.”
Kit stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She smiled at him and Randolph felt his world shift. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I’ve fallen asleep on you.”
“Anytime. Come on, let’s get you to bed.”
She allowed him to pull her to her feet and lead her to her bed. Randolph tucked her in, placing a kiss on her forehead before turning to leave.
“Stay.”
Her soft sleepy request stopped him in his tracks, titling his head back and praying for self-control. “Kit…”
“Just sleep, Randolph.”
Randolph knew he was too close to the edge, but there was no way he’d deny her this. Climbing in next to her, he moved as close as possible without touching her. Then Kit moved back until she hit the solid wall of his chest. Instinctively he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her even closer. They both let out a sigh and settled into sleep.
“Goodnight, Randolph.”
“See you on Christmas, Kit.”
Randolph lay awake for a long while after Kit drifted back to sleep, her breathing even a soothing rhythm against his chest. His arm remained draped around her waist, and he marveled at how perfectly she fit there, as though this was where she was meant to be all along.
It wasn’t the first time Randolph and Kit had shared a bed. When she had recovered from COVID and the night they'd lost Nic, they had held each other seeking comfort in the one person they knew understood exactly how the other was feeling. They'd even fallen asleep on each other's couches before or caught a nap in her office but tonight felt different. He could still feel the warmth of her whispered stay, the quiet vulnerability in her voice that had undone him in a way nothing else ever could.
As much as he tried to convince himself he was content with their friendship, nights like this made him realize how much he wanted more. He wanted everything with Kit—the laughter, the arguments, the quiet evenings just like this. But he also knew how fragile the balance was between them, and the last thing he wanted was to lose her entirely if he made the wrong move.
Kit shifted slightly, pressing closer to him in her sleep. Randolph tightened his arm around her, resting his chin lightly against her hair. Her scent—lavender and something distinctly Kit—wrapped around him, pulling him further into the illusion of what could be. He closed his eyes, letting the soft warmth of her presence lull him into the most peaceful sleep he’d had in years.
Randolph woke up in Heaven. A warm bed and an even warmer Kit Voss pressed into his side. They’d shifted in the middle of the night and when Randolph had rolled onto his back, Kit had gone with him, sliding her leg over his and burrowing into his neck, his arm closing around her waist as he turned into her hair.
They were still like this when his eyes opened. If she were truly his, this would be the part where he’d kiss her awake slowly before sliding over her and waking her gently with his hands and mouth. Biting back a groan, Randolph disengaged himself before he did something stupid. When Kit stirred, he soothed her with another kiss to her forehead and slipped out of bed. He’d promised her breakfast and that she would have.
That’s where Kit found him after waking up alone, in her kitchen still in is pajamas making breakfast. She watched how easily he moved around her space. If she were honest, Randolph moved easily around her entire life.
Falling asleep with him had left so natural as it always had, but last night had been different. All the other times they'd shared a bed or fallen asleep together it had just happened without invitation. Yet she hadn’t wanted him to leave her last night and took a leap by asking him to stay. Kit knew she was edging them closer to a line they hadn’t even discussed, but she was sure Randolph was feeling the shift in their relationship, as well.
Smiling softly, she approached him, sliding her arms around his waist laying her head against his back. “Merry Christmas, Randolph.”
He chuckled slightly before turning to face her. “Merry Christmas, Kit.”
They met each other halfway in a soft but intentional kiss. Randolph pulled her closer and deepened it. Pulling back, he tenderly stroked her hair back from her face.
“Best Christmas ever,” he murmured kissing her again.
“Not yet,” Kit replied with a tensing smile. “Where are my pancakes, Bell?”
Randolph couldn’t stop the grin that spread across his face as Kit pulled back with a teasing glint in her eyes. The kiss had left him breathless, and her playful demand was grounding in the best way. She had a way of making him feel both light and utterly at home.
“Patience, Voss,” he said, leaning down to brush another quick kiss on her lips. “I’m a man of my word. Your pancakes are almost ready.”
Kit arched an eyebrow, her arms still loosely around his waist. “Pumpkin spice, as promised?”
“As promised,” he confirmed with mock solemnity, gently nudging her toward the kitchen island. “Now, sit down before you start inspecting my work and find something to criticize.”
She chuckled, settling onto a stool and propping her chin on her hand as she watched him. “You’re lucky I’m too charmed by this whole domestic scene to nitpick.”
Randolph shook his head, flipping a pancake with an exaggerated flourish. “You call this domestic, but let’s not forget I’m still a guest in your Hallmark wonderland of a house.”
Kit smirked, resting her elbow on the counter. “A guest who’s commandeered my kitchen and kissed me senseless before I’ve even had coffee.”
He turned to her with a sly grin. “No regrets, though?”
“Not a one,” Kit said softly, the teasing edge in her voice giving way to something more vulnerable.
Randolph’s expression softened, his heart pounding at her quiet confession. He carried the plate of pancakes over to the island, setting it down in front of her with a flourish before taking the seat beside her.
“Good,” he murmured, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Because I’d like to make this a tradition. Pancakes, Christmas mornings… you and me.”
Kit blinked, her smile widening as her cheeks flushed. “Are you asking to spend every Christmas with me, Randolph Bell?”
He leaned in, brushing his lips against her cheek. “And every other day, if you’ll have me.”
Her laughter was warm and bright as she turned her head to kiss him fully, sealing the promise with a tenderness that made Randolph feel like the luckiest man alive.
When they finally pulled apart, Kit picked up her fork and gestured to the pancakes. “Well, if you want that kind of commitment from me, Bell, these better be as good as you claim.”
He laughed, leaning back in his chair and watching her take her first bite. When her eyes lit up, he couldn’t help but feel that this was the start of something even better than his dreams.