"Anna, this is a horrible idea." L sighed as he was being pulled down the hall by the over excited seventeen year old, he called his best friend. Anna smiled brightly at him, taking both his hands in hers as they reached the door.
She didn't notice the blush that had made its way onto L's cheeks. "L, it's a wonderful idea. Besides it's Christmas. Imagine the boys' faces."
"It's Christmas Eve," L pointed out, "Anyways, it doesn't matter what day it is because Wammy will not agree to this."
Anna smiled mischievously at her friend, "Lawliet, I am a master of persuasion." She placed her hand lightly on the door handle and looked over her shoulder at L, "Take notes." With that Anna threw open the door and strode into Wammy's office confidently. The old man looked up curiously from his newspaper at the odd pair in front of him. "Happy Christmas, Wammy," Anna said sweetly holding her hands behind her.
"Merry Christmas, Anna, L. What brings you to my office?" He asked the young adults in front of him, folding his paper and placing it on his desk. Having uninvited visitors to his office was a rarity.
Anna bit her lip and looked back to L hopefully before looking back to Wammy, "Well, I have an idea, but I need your help."
"What is it?" Wammy asked.
Anna grinned ear-to-ear at Wammy's question, "Well…" She went on telling Wammy her plan in his ear as if to keep it a secret from L. When she finished, she stared at the old man anxiously waiting his answer. Wammy seemed to be lost in thought before nodding in compliance. Anna smiled at L, who was completely shocked by the old man's willingness to go along with Anna's idea. "Come on, you! We have a tree to decorate!" Anna dragged L out of the room by his wrist and down the hall where Near, Mello, and Matt we're waiting anxiously.
Five year old Near was sitting on the floor in light blue footie pajamas with little snowmen on them that Anna had gotten him last year playing with a primarily white puzzle. Mello and Matt were in matching pajamas. The tops were red with a Christmas tree in the center and green pants. Anna had insisted they would look adorable matching. At Anna and L's arrival they all jumped up and started rooting through boxes with decorations in them. "Hey, hey, let L and I do that lights first." L and Anna sloppily strung the lights around the tree and then let the little ones get to work putting up ornament after ornament. Anna and L put up a few, but mostly let the boys have their fun. When all was done, L put Mello on his shoulders to put up the star and Matt plugged them in. They all watched in awe at the completed tree. L threw his arm around Anna lazily and she leaned into him, her hands on Near's small shoulders. "It's so pretty."
"Ho, ho, ho!" Anna smiled brightly and turned to see Wammy standing in the doorway in a Santa costume, a bag thrown over his shoulder. The boys' eyes widened and they all rushed toward the old man calling out Santa. They almost knocked over poor Wammy. Anna smiled and leaned more into L.
"You did well." He said pulling her closer with his other arm.
She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat, "Thank you." The clock stuck midnight and Anna's smile broke out wider. She placed a kiss on L's cheek. His face turned a bright red, "Merry Christmas, L."
"Merry Christmas, Anna."