On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Kate returned to the beach after a morning of fruit picking to an usual congregation of people. Normally at this time of day the survivors would have been busy with their individual activities – whether it be hinting, gathering or recreational, but it appeared nearly the entire group was standing together on the beach.
"What's going on, freckles? She turns around to see Sawyer approaching her form the ocean, a towel around his shoulders.
"I could ask you the same thing." She turns her gaze back to the beach, and fear suddenly flows through her. "You don't think somethings happened, do you?"
Claire's laughter interrupts them before Sawyer can reply. He smirks. "Doesn't sound like bad news to me."
They walk towards camp in a comfortable silence. As they get closer they can hear more laughter, more happy voices – confirming that it wasn't bad news.
"Kate! Sawyer!" Hurley broke away from the crowd and ran towards them. "I've got a surprise for you. He grabbed them both by the hand and pulled them toward the centre of the mayhem. There stood a small palm tree, its roots dug from the ground and placed into a hole in the sand. Hanging from each of the leaves is a decorative shell or a pretty stone.
"It's a Christmas tree! I made it myself." Hurley excitedly tells them.
Sawyer snorts in laughter, and even Kate has to bite her lip to stop from laughing.
"Hugo, that has got to be the ugliest Christmas tree I've ever seen." Sawyer remarks, his usual abrupt self.
Ignoring Sawyer, Hurley continues. "I worked out that it must be about Christmas time, and thought we could all do with something to celebrate. And there's not exactly any pine trees or Christmas lights hanging around, so…" He paused, looking suddenly unsure of himself.
"Well, I think it's great, Hurley." Kate assured him, smiling. The circle of people surrounding the tree murmured in agreement.
The all agreed to exchange gifts later that night, and all went their separate ways again to scrape together some presents. Kate dragged Sawyer aside, recognizing the mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Don't do anything to mess this up. Hurley's right, everyone one could do with a little bit of Christmas cheer right now."
"Alright alright freckles, I'll behave myself, I promise." He smirked at her. As he walked away she could still hear him laughing to himself.
Later that night they sat around the fire, immersed in their celebrations. Charlie and Claire were singing Christmas carols, Jack was handing out a few remaining presents, and Sun was teaching Jin a few Christmas related words in English.
"Merry Christmas, freckles. Sawyer, who had been absent up until that point, came and sat down next to Kate.
"Decided to be social, I see."
"Thought I'd even join in on the festivities. Here ya go." Sawyer hands her a large parcel, roughly wrapped in leaves and a bow made out of scrap pieces of cloth. She hands him a paperback book she had found. He chuckles when he sees it's a harlequin romance.
Inside the parcel are five coconuts.
"Coconuts? Seriously Sawyer, was that the best you could come up with?" She says, rolling her eyes.
"Well there wasn't exactly a lot to choose from. Besides, don't they always say that it's the thought that counts?" He replies, winking at her.
She shoves him playfully, but doesn't bother to argue. "Thanks Sawyer. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas." He repeats, getting up from his place beside her.
As she looks back down at her unusual gift she can hear Sawyer yell, "Hey doc, where's my present?"
Suddenly, it starts to feel like Christmas.
…five coconuts.