Lori Trager

Lori (POV)

DECEMBER 2014

It was a slushy mix of rain and snow outside. More so snow than rain so it looked kind of pretty, however it didn't make driving all that fun. Declan and I had pulled into the driveway of my parent's house. Since his dad was spending Christmas in Hawaii with his shockingly young fiancé, Declan was allowed to spend Christmas with us. As I snatched my bag from the back seat of Declan's truck I noticed the Blooms pull up in front of their home with a Douglas fir strapped down to the roof of their car. I took note that Pete was driving, Mrs. Bloom was in the front seat and Amanda was in the back.

"Amanda!" I called as she got out of the car.

"Lori!" She called matching my excitement, meeting me halfway between our houses.

"When did you get in from New York?" I asked, greeting her with a big hug.

"Last night," She answered, "I was actually going to call and see if you wanted to get coffee tonight?"

"That sounds great," I smiled, "I see Pete is with you,"

I nodded over to Pete who was attempting to unload the tree by himself; Mrs. Bloom had completely abandoned him to go in to the warm house.

"Declan," I caught him just before he was about to head inside, "Will you?"

I motioned over to Pete who was struggling with the tree. Declan sighed and made his way over to politely offer a helping hand. I noticed Amanda chuckled slightly at the sight.

"My mom actually ambushed me a little about Pete spending Christmas with us," Amanda admitted in a whisper.

"Ah," I noted, "Your mom still has no boundaries,"

"Not even the slightest," She laughed.

They managed to get the tree inside and Declan came back out with Pete trailing behind him.

"Hey Amanda," Declan greeted before he slipped his arm around my waist.

"You guys-"

"We're back together," I beamed.

"Congratulations," She smiled as Pete joined us after clearing all the rope off of the car.

"Hey Pete," I greeted, "How are you liking Seattle?"

"Its cold and wet," He muttered, I could tell his ego was slightly bruised by Declan helping with the tree.

"So coffee tonight at seven?" Amanda double-checked.

"Sure, the usual place?" I smirked, already knowing the answer.

"Of course," she said.

We parted and found our way into our own homes. Declan and I shrugged out of our wet jackets and hung them up on the hooks in the hallway.

"So that's Amanda's boyfriend?" Declan commented.

"Yeah that's Pete," I said.

"Kyle was better," He smiled sheepishly.

"Pete's not so bad," I tried.

"He couldn't even lift the tree off the car," He retorted, "He probably grew up with Mommy and Daddy's help doing everything for him,"

"Oh look who's talking didn't you have a maid growing up," I pointed out.

"Yes, but I've seen war," He grinned triumphantly.

"I thought I heard you kids out here," Mom called as she made her way through the hall from her office to us, "Stephen! Lori and Declan are here!"

I could hear his heavy footsteps make their way to the top of the stairs before he descended down them.

"Where is Josh?" I asked.

"Andy was able to post pone her flight till this evening so he is spending the day with her," Mom explained as we migrated into the kitchen.

"He'll be here later this evening," Dad added, "So it looks like its just you and me and a lot full of trees,"

It was our little Trager family tradition that Dad, Josh and I went and picked out a tree while Mom stayed home to wrap gifts and bake some cookies.

"Well Declan can take Josh's place?" I offered.

"Why don't you and your Dad go," Declan suggested, "You guys could use some quality time alone,"

"Are you sure?" I checked.

"Yeah, I'm sure," He smiled.

"Well lets get going then," Dad interjected.

"We'll see you guys in a couple hours," I said over my shoulder as I left to get my coat and shoes.

He and I drove to the same Christmas tree lot that we go to every year. It was a small family owned business. We pulled into an empty parking space and climbed out of the car.

"What are we looking for this year?" Dad asked as he linked his arm to mine.

"I'll know it when I see it," I replied as we strolled down the aisle of big bushy trees.

We quietly looked at each of the trees as we leisurely walked. They were either too tall or too short or too bushy or too skinny. It was difficult to find just the right one.

"You and Declan huh?" He tried his best to start the conversation.

"Me and Declan, what?" I replied.

"You really like him?" He asked.

"I really do," I admitted, "Do you still not approve of him?"

"I may not have really approved of him when you two were in high school. Now that you guys are older and more mature, I can see that his intentions are to do what ever is best for you," He rambled as he tried to explain his feeling toward Declan.

"Plus he isn't your T.A," I joked.

"Yes that too," he chuckled, "Now what about this tree?"

It was beautiful; the branches were symmetrical on both sides, it flowed evenly from top to bottom, it was perfect.

"This is it," I beamed up at the tree.

Dad flagged down one of the workers to help him wrap the tree and strap it down to the roof of the car. Once it was all secure and paid for we headed back to the house. It was nearing five o'clock and the sun was beginning to disappear behind the mountains. We pulled up into the driveway and Declan came out to help Dad with the tree.

"A little to the left," I commented as the boys adjusted to tree in the family room, "Okaaaaay…. Stop!"

"That's good?" Declan double-checked.

"Yep," I grinned.

Dad stepped out of the room to help mom bring boxes of ornaments down from the attic. Declan dusted off the pine needles from his pants and stepped toward me.

"Merry Christmas Trager," He smirked as he wrapped his arms around me.

"Merry Christmas McDonough," I touched my lips to his.

Mom and dad rejoined us and we put a few ornaments up on the tree. While Christmas music played in the background. Declan and I left shortly after to go meet Amanda and Pete at the Rack. I joined Amanda at the table by the window that she was holding for us while the boy got our coffees.

"How have things been with Pete and your mom?" I asked, watching the boys make awkward conversation while they waited in line.

"She still adores him," Amanda rolled her eyes, "She hasn't stopped hinting about engagement rings and wedding dresses,"

"She's anything but subtle," I chuckled, "How have you been having him here?"

"Pete is so good for me," She started

"But?" I added.

"Kyle," She finished.

Before she had a chance to say anything further the boys came and joined us at the table. Declan took the chair next to mine and casually rested his arm on the back of my chair.

"Have you ever been to Seattle Pete? Before now," Declan asked as he sipped his coffee.

"No, I've been a little further north though," Pete replied, "My family and I go skiing every year at North Cascade Heli,"

"Mmmm," Declan mumbled.

Declan and Pete continued to try to make conversation while Amanda and I chatted away. It was nice to catch up with Amanda. It had almost been six or so months since we had an in person conversation. We usually only caught up on the phone.

As we sat and talked I couldn't help but feel that something was missing. More so that someone was missing. I knew it was Kyle. It should have been Kyle sitting beside Amanda with his arm resting along her shoulders, not Pete.

AN: Hello everyone! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas! I thought that you all would enjoy a holiday themed chapter. Anyway let me know what you all think!