REPOSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A.N. THANK YOU my dear reviewers!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Chloe blinked. She expected many things when she opened the small black box found under the Christmas tree, but reality outgrew her wildest expectations.

"You like it?" Alex asked, smiling at the sight her beaming face.

Chloe raised her head to look at him, and the sight of her brightened eyes took his breath away. At the moment her green eyes, sparkling with joy, resembled valuable jewels.

"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever received," she whispered sincerely.

She dropped her eyes to the gem lying in the box and gently encircled the outline of the necklace with her finger as if she was afraid that in a minute it would disappear.

It was exquisite. A delicate, intricate small chain had snowflakes of different size arranged carefully all along its length. Each of the petals was unique, intricately carved in metal, imitating silver and shining thanks to strategically planted pieces of colored glass. Chloe looked at the delicate game of colors with the admiration. She had no clue where Alex had managed to buy such a wonder, not even where he'd had money to do it. Such a necklace cost at least twenty dollars! She shook her head, deciding that she didn't need to know. After all, it was Christmas, and her husband had given her the most beautiful present under the sun. Gripping the necklace firmly in her left hand, she threw herself on Alex's lap, embracing him with all her might and kissing his face all over.

Alex burst out laughing, holding her close. Chloe started laughing, too. And together, they began rolling on the floor with giggles.

--

Many hours later, when both them exhausted lay in bed, Alex again examined his wife. Her marvelous green eyes were hidden, and she was sleeping softly, nestled into his body. Her soft breath was tickling his skin. Alex slowly, not wanting to disturb her, moved his finger over her face, as if learning it, through delicate eyebrows, small nose, full mouth, till stubborn chin. All her face was delightful, but what he really loved in it was her shining eyes, which glittered with a thousand emotions.

Alex froze, realizing where his musing led him.

Not love, it wasn't, couldn't, be. He took a deep breath and again looked at his wife sleeping in his arms. He liked her as a friend, he trusted her, he was pleased when she was happy. Any of her smiles, her funny remarks, or sharp comments were able to lighten up his day, but he didn't love her. No. Love in his mind has always been connected with an image of the tall, self-confident, black-haired woman with big brown eyes. Love meant also a betrayal, sadness, and pain. And he'd a long time ago promised himself to never again use this word. To people like him, love brought only disappointment and broken heart.

So what he felt toward Chloe couldn't be love, right? This emotion was too sincere, too warm, too real. It was nothing like the love he'd known and experienced in the past.

Alex brought Chloe close and, burying his face in her hair, fell asleep, calmed that he had organized his thoughts and refuted the heresies. Chloe deserved more than love.

--

The huge Christmas tree stood in the center of the foyer. Every room was decorated, and in entire huge house one could see only Christmas colors. But the lonely man standing at the window and looking out at the snow falling down didn't feel the Christmas atmosphere at all. What sense in having huge Christmas tree if there was nobody with whom he could share it with? If his were the only footsteps the echoed down otherwise empty corridors? If at the festive table, only one plate was set?

The older man sighed; he'd wanted his son to come back home so much.

"Mr. Luthor?" the voice of the man standing on the doorstep shattered the silence.

"Yes, Robert?" Lionel asked, turning from the window and automatically squaring his slumped shoulders.

"I think we have something. It appears that your son finally used his account." Robert smiled widely. He'd known Lionel for many years and was sure that such information would be the best present for the man.

Lionel leaned with his hands against the table. In the end...after so many years... "I'll call Helen. I'm sure he'd like to see her." Lionel made a move toward the phone. If he wanted to attract his son home, he knew that he would have to use all available arguments, and his son loved Helen.

"I don't think if it's a good idea," Robert stopped him.

Lionel raised his eyes, surprised.

"He bought a necklace," Robert clarified.

Lionel put the phone back. He didn't expect it. "Have you established the address? " he asked.

"Not yet, but it's only a matter of time," Robert assured.

Lionel nodded. Perhaps this year, his Christmas wish would come true. Maybe in a year, this huge house would be resounding with laughter and joy, and he wouldn't be alone. "Thank you" he whispered into the space.

I know it was fluff, but hey, I'm in a Christmas spirit, so bear with me :):):):)

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Beta-ed by: b4 dawn 101 ….xD