Chapter Text
Working at a nonprofit was hard enough. Working at a nonprofit for kids during Christmas was close to impossible. Especially when the organization couldn’t provide to give them a proper celebration.
(Y/N) was doing all she could to give them a good Christmas day, filled with presents, good food, fun, and games. But there simply wasn’t enough to give them that. Sure there had been some monetary donations, some toys, and food too, but nowhere near enough to provide for every one of them.
She canvassed, she petitioned, and she even put some of her own money. But it wasn’t near enough. It was never near enough when unforeseeable things always seemed to happen, one right after the other. Still, she didn’t give up. There was no way she could.
That day she was out leaving flyers in hospitals, local cafes, and any place that would take a piece of paper. If more people knew of the foundation, maybe then she could have a miracle — the kids could have their miracle.
“Hi there! My name is (Y/N) (Y/L/N) and I work with the Heaven’s Care Foundation,” she told the nurse at the front desk of the Cayuga Medical Center. “I was wondering if I could leave some flyers here. We are trying to give the kids an unforgettable Christmas and need all types of donations. So we’re hoping to appeal to the hearts of everyone in Ithaca to hopefully be able to give them that.”
“Well then, go ahead, honey,” the nurse smiled. “There are bulletin boards on every floor and you can leave some on each nurse’s desk.”
She took some flyers from the box she was holding and put them on the counter. “Thank you so much,” she said. “I’ll leave these here then.”
“Alright, honey, I’ll let the other floors know you’re going up,” the woman smiled once again. “Good luck and Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas.”
(Y/N) took the box back into her hands and headed for the elevators. The hospital was rather empty, only the night shift staff left roaming the hallways and a few patient companions. She had spent the whole day driving around the area, stopping at any place that looked even the least bit crowded.
As she rounded the corner into the elevator area, she collided with someone, sending the box of papers flying through the air and onto the floor. It was a mess of papers and folders. And (Y/N) couldn’t help the embarrassment that washed over her.
“I’m so sorry,” she said as she scrambled to gather the flyers closest to her. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“I am the one who should be apologizing,” a melodious voice responded. Somehow the owner of that voice was able to pick up every piece of paper that had flown away in the area. “Heaven’s Care Foundation?”
She finally looked up, meeting face-to-face with entrancing golden eyes. They were a quite peculiar amber color and they belonged to a man that was ten times as beautiful as his eyes.
“Uh, yes,” she finally snapped out of her trance. “It’s a nonprofit organization that cares for orphaned and at-risk children, providing them with food, shelter, and education. We’re currently asking for donations to give the kids a special Christmas. Although we still have our charity gala to go, we want to raise enough to also be able to provide the kids with better accommodations, learning supplies, and all that.”
“It sounds like quite an outstanding organization,” he smiled before writing something on a piece of paper and handing it to her. “I would love to hear more about it sometime.”
“Of course! That’d be great,” (Y/N) responded excitedly. They both started to walk away before she turned abruptly. “Uh, I’m (Y/N), by the way.”
“Carlisle Cullen,” he responded warmly. “Nice to meet you, (Y/N). I look forward to that call.”
“Likewise.”
After delivering the rest of the papers she had with her, she went home. As she lay in bed, thinking of other ways she could raise money for the foundation, pictures of Carlisle snuck into her head. He was an intriguing sight to behold. With his perfect blond hair, his honey-colored eyes, and his smooth and pale skin. But it wasn’t just his beauty that had piqued her interest.
There was something in the way he spoke, in the way he looked at her, how attentive he had been when she spoke to him. She looked at the paper he had given her with his name and phone number and studied the fine penmanship. It was as beautiful as he was, she thought.
“Who are you, Carlisle Cullen?”
As the morning light started to creep through the horizon two days later, (Y/N) was already on her way in to work. With a tray filled with coffee and a smile on her face, she entered the rehabilitated high school they had turned into the headquarters and living facilities of the organization.
She had been one of the founding members, giving almost all of her college savings to renovate the place. (Y/N) had always wanted to provide a place for children that had no other place to go where they felt safe, accepted, and cared for. And for the past ten years, she had been doing just that – with barely any money.
“Good morning, Maggie,” she smiled at the foundation’s receptionist, placing a coffee cup on her desk. “How have we done this past week?”
“Well, it’s been better than the last one,” she tried to sound hopeful. “But at the pace we’re going we’re gonna have enough for the bathroom repairs and the ceiling leaks. As for the Christmas party, it’s not looking too good.”
“Guess we’re gonna have to have some faith,” (Y/N) sighed, but tried to keep the smile on her face. “We still have the gala at the end of the week, so hopefully many rich people are feeling guilty for something this Christmas season.”
“That would require them to actually feel guilt,” Maggie chuckled. “But you’re right. We have to keep a good attitude about it. Anything can change in even just a couple of hours.”
(Y/N) went on with her day. She checked on the kids, and made necessary purchases to replenish food inventory, cleaning supplies, or any requests the kids or staff had made. Her day was so booked she barely had any time to eat her lunch. She had been stuck in her office with limited interactions, glued to her phone and her computer.
It was getting late at the point she finally decided to call it a day. The sun had gone down by then, the bustle of the still roaring and alive outside. She was finishing closing up her office when suddenly Maggie came in running, cheering excitedly.
“Mags, calm down,” (Y/N) laughed. “What’s got you all excited? Are you and Lila finally engaged?”
“Better than that.”
“What could be better than getting engaged to your girlfriend of six years?”
“We just received the most sizeable donation in our history,” she said. “It’s for ten million dollars, (Y/N).”
“You’re joking, right? It has to be a joke.”
“I can promise you it is not. I even called the bank. And even though they wouldn’t give me the person’s identity, they confirmed it was a real check,” she recalled joyfully. “(Y/N), this piece of paper means we can give the kids the Christmas many of them have never had and we can start on the repairs ahead of schedule.”
“And this is without what we will raise during the charity gala!” (Y/N) could not believe her eyes as she saw the amount of zeros after the ten written on the blue paper. “It’s our very own Christmas miracle.”
“It truly is, (Y/N). Whoever this person is, may their blessings be multiplied.”
“I’ll go to the bank early tomorrow morning and deposit this as soon as they open. I’ll call you when I’m done and I want you to start ordering what we’ll need for the party. Also, call up the maintenance company so we can start getting quotes for the repairs. This needs to be unforgettable for these kids. They deserve it.”
“They really do,” Maggie smiled.
That night when she got home, she studied the check. There was something familiar about the writing. It was an exact replica of the writing she had been studying the past two nights. (Y/N) knew exactly who the anonymous donor had been and she was already thinking of how she could thank him.
***
It was the end of the week and the gala was well underway at The Oncenter Complex. (Y/N) was surprised at the turnout. Sure, she was expecting a good enough number of guests but not to the amount that had RSVP’d during the week. It seemed like their organization had grown overnight.
But she had her suspicions on just who was responsible for the sudden increase in attention.
She gallivanted around the room, shaking hands with powerful and rich people, making herself and her name known amongst them. These were the people that could elevate the foundation to national standing, helping millions of children in need.
As her red dress swayed across the floor, her eyes fell upon the figure of the man she had been waiting the whole night for. Dressed in an outstanding white suit, Carlisle Cullen stood in the back of the room, nursing a glass of whiskey in his hand. Even if other guests were dressed in similar apparel, the man simply stood out amongst them.
She headed toward him, heat rushing to her face – and to her lower regions. He looked more handsome than the night she had met him. His hair was brushed back, his white suit perfectly form-fitting, and his golden eyes the perfect accessory to his ensemble.
“I’m glad you came, Carlisle,” (Y/N) announced herself with a bright smile on her face. “I’ve actually been looking forward to seeing you face-to-face once more. I’m…”
“(Y/N). I know,” he responded with a smile just as bright. “We met the other night and you brought this amazing foundation to my attention.”
“Yes, that’s correct,” she chuckled. “And correct me if I’m wrong, but I have you to thank for this surge of support as well as that anonymous ten-million-dollar donation.”
“How did you know?”
“You’ve just confirmed it. Truly, the lettering on the check was exactly like the one from the note you gave me. And someone that has that kind of money has influence and connections. I’m seeing them in play right now.”
“You are quite an insightful woman, (Y/N),” he grinned. “I simply made some calls to friends I believed would also admire the work you’re doing with Heaven’s Care. It’s completely on them how they wanted to help.”
“Well, I still have to thank you for your donation. You’re going to make hundreds of kids very happy this Christmas.” She smiled warmly at him, not being able to help herself from staring at those amber eyes. “Many of those children have never had a proper Christmas, let alone a safe and happy place to live in. You’re making that happen for them. I don’t know how I could ever thank you for this. You have changed many lives.”
"I’m only doing my part to give back to the community. At some point in time, someone changed my life too. Everyone deserves that chance, (Y/N). Especially children.”
“Your wife must be very proud of you.” She tested the waters. There was a ring on his finger, but it wasn’t exactly a traditional wedding ring. He wore a silver ring on his left hand, an interesting crest on it.
“I’m not married,” he chuckled. Carlisle followed (Y/N)’s eyeline and noticed her staring at her ring. “This is an heirloom ring. It has my family crest on it. Although, your partner should be proud of all the work you’ve been doing here. It truly is impressive.”
“I, uh, I’m single,” she grinned.
Before she could continue, Maggie came up from behind her. “(Y/N), it’s time for your speech,” she said. “Sorry to steal her away.”
“No worries,” Carlisle smiled. “Go ahead.”
“Give me a sec, Mags.” She left her friend and her colleague for a second and turned back to Carlisle. “Don’t leave, please. Find me after everything’s done. Okay?”
“Of course. I’ll be here.”
(Y/N) joined Maggie once more, her face growing red with warmth. Both women giggled at the situation and turned every few seconds to look back at the striking man that had gained (Y/N)’s full attention.
“Who is that Greek statue of a man, (Y/N)? A new suitor?”
“He’s the man who donated the money to the foundation and got all these people here.”
“What?” Maggie exclaimed. “Who is he?”
“That’s what I intend to find out, Mags. He just might turn into my Christmas present.”
And she had no idea just how right she was about it.