It was Christmas Eve, and the Sewards were preparing for a Christmas Eve dinner at the Harker's house. Lucy was excited to see Mina again. Since they had both married, their visits had become fewer. Mina especially was very involved with her husband, Jonathan, and disliked being away from him at all. At times, Lucy would call on Mina to go on a walk, and she would hesitate leaving Jonathan. Lucy knew that it was because Jonathan had been ill several months ago, and that he had needed her constant vigil. Mina had never gotten out of the habit of staying by his side during that time.
Lucy sighed as she laid out Jack's suit and her dress. Jack was still at work, and would only have a short time to get ready before leaving for the dinner. In ways, she did envy Mina. Jonathan worked as well, but he was always home by dinner and was able to spend an ample part of the evening with her. Jack's job as a doctor often had him working at strange hours, sometimes even at night. Lucy had occasionally wanted to visit his work with him, but the asylum scared her. He sometimes told her stories about his lunatic patients, and they made her shiver. To think that Jack was stuck in that dark building with those dark people through all of those hours only prompted her to make their house an even brighter haven for him.
Jack arrived home at precisely 5:15, giving him 20 minutes to prepare before getting in the carriage. Lucy greeted him with a rushed kiss as he walked to the washroom to shave and comb his hair. Lucy herself was always dressed in her mahogany gown and had only to powder her face and fix her loose hairs. As they readied, Lucy inquired about his day.
"It was the same as usual," Jack replied. "Morrison was crying today, and he keeps muttering about his dead sister. And Smith was worse than usual. He tried to jump out of his window."
Lucy frowned. "Did anything nice happen today?"
He thought for a moment, then said, "Yes, Winchester is eating again, and even smiled once or twice." Lucy knew about Winchester. He had been such a depressed soul who seldom spoke. She knew that Jack was pleased when he interacted with the workers.
Wanting to change the subject, Lucy began to talk of the holiday. "Is Christmas Eve so lovely, Jack? Mina's sure to have a tree up, and she told me about the fine meal that she's preparing. She'll have ivy and mistletoe, too."
"Mistletoe is delightful," he replied, drying his face. "My mother always had some up. The red berries always brightened the room."
"Dearest," she said gently, "I believe that mistletoe berries are white. Holly berries are blue."
"Are you sure?" he turned to her. "I'm quite positive that they're red."
"Well, I'm positive that they're white," Lucy said somewhat defensively. Before he could respond, she said, "But I suppose we'll see at Mina's."