Chapter Twenty Four

In Risus est caritas - In Laughter there is love

December 15th 1988

12:34 pm

Elizabeth looked up and felt the warmth of the winter sun cast over her face; she smiled as the sensation radiated through her frozen body, she felt Henry's hand glide upon her back and she tilted her head to look at him

'Ready to pick a tree beautiful?' He grinned, it was moments like this he could marvel in forever. She nodded and looked around, the entire farm covered with Christmas trees; the morning dew still lingered upon them making them glimmer under the sunlight, the smell of fresh pine, woodland and Christmas invaded the air, it was the perfect time of year.

Elizabeth slipped her hand into henrys and walked towards a row of Christmas trees, they glanced over a fair few before Elizabeth began to get a little impatient she turned to Henry chewing her inside lip and screwing her face up

'these are no good, they're skinny, it has to be bushy, you need a big bush' she stated as a matter of face. Henry's inner child crept upon him and he raised an eyebrow at her. Elizabeth rolled her eyes and playfully swatted him

'Get your mind out of the gutter McCord!'

'It wasn't in the gutter, it was in between your legs, as I recall big bushes are not your thing' he teased lowering his voice to keep the moment as private as possible

'Do you kiss your mother with that mouth!?' She playfully moaned at him and he smirked, he wrapped and arm around her waist and whispered in her ear…

'HENRY!' She shouted as she heard what he had to say, she shouted a little too loudly and it attracted the attention of others. Henry chuckled and began to pull her towards the bigger Christmas trees, his arm still wrapped around her waist as they walked.

'This one, This one Henry' she let go of him and walked towards a small tree approx 4ft in height but very wide and bushy. Henry laughed at how excited she had gotten. He nodded

'If that's the one you would like, that's the one we can get' he grinned, he would do anything for you. Their moment was interrupted by a couple arguing behind them. Henry protectively placed a hand on her back and pulled her closer as the couple began to increase the volume of their voices.

They watched the scene unfold before them and watched as the woman stormed off leaving him stood behind. Henry looked away and down at Elizabeth as her eyes widened and an awkward smile appeared on her face. Henry nodded subtly as a farm worker appoched the gentleman and had to offer him a lift home, given his wife had driven off without him. Henry tried not to laugh as he looked back at Elizabeth

'Who knew picking a Christmas tree could result in divorce' she giggled

'It's a good job I have you hear guiding me on bushiness' he teased her

'Careful McCord, remember I am the one driving' she winked and began to run her hands over the branches of their Christmas tree. She allowed the spikes of the pines to prick at her fingertips gently, like it was grounding her, bringing her into reality and what a magical reality it was; she turned to Henry and smiles as she realised he was watching her, her cheeks flushed a slight rose colour, the way he looked at her set her body on fire.

'I would like to spend Christmas with you and your family Henry' she admitted. Henry walked to her and held her, his nose rubbing against hers in an eskimo kiss style

'I already told them you'd be joining us' he winked. Elizabeth laughed at the irony, how did he always know what she wanted to do before it was even a thought to her.

'We best get you and this bushy tree on the road' he stated and they walked to find an assistant to help them. Elizabeth watched as Henry helped the farm worker load the tree into the car, Christmas really was a perfect time of year, a time for family and love, her heart filled with a warm inner cosy feeling during the cold winter days; the kind that only Christmas can do for you.

On the drive home Henry stopped at the supermarket to grab a few things for dinner that evening. Elizabeth was clearly exhausted from the antics of the morning and picking a tree as she had fallen asleep on the journey home. Henry managed to get in and out of the supermarket and back to his before he woke slowly shook her shoulders to arouse her, as she stirred she blinked a few times before focusing on Henry; it was her favourite view.

'Come on sleepy, we are back at the house' Elizabeth sat up and stretched as she woke up

'I didn't even realise I fell asleep' she stated

'Its all that early morning loving, you need to work on your stamina' he teased and she just shook her head at him

'For that comment were decorating the tree this evening' she warned him

'But I don't have decorations'

'Did you really think that bag I thew in the boot this morning was really just an overnight bag for yours? McCord you know me better than that' she laughed stepping out and giving him a helping hand to bring the stuff inside.

'I've never had a Christmas tree in here' he explained as he stood back looking at the tree perfectly placed in the corner of the living room.

'Well that is a depressing thought' she mumbled as she fiddled with the tinsel in the box pulling out strings of it.

'Really?' He laughed

'Yes Henry, get on board with it' she moaned, Christmas was important to her, especially this year, she hadn't enjoyed Christmas since her parents passed and she was really looking forward to quality time with Henry but also a family filled Christmas once again. Something you take for granted until its gone, much like the warmth of the sunshine in the winter.

'Ok, ok, I'll start dinner' he headed into the kitchen and looked over at her smiling as she began to pull all the decorations out of the box. He imagined how in the future, a few years from now Elizabeth could be sat doing that with a little one surrounding her, maybe even two, or three. He rummaged through the bags and pulled out a little something. He walked back into the living room

'Elizabeth' he called

'Hmm?' She didn't look as she was untangling lights

'Merry Christmas Babe' he knelt next to her and handed her a star for the top of the tree.

'Henry?' Her words soft as she was taken back

'You said you get a new decoration each year, so this is the start of our decoration, and what better place to start than at the top'

'Oh Henry' her eyes glistened as she held the star in her hands, she run her fingers over the gold glittered material and gushed over how perfect this moment, the decoration, the man next to her was.

'Merry Christmas Henry' she replied and leant into to kiss him softly, the kind of kiss that warms your soul, makes you glow from the inside out, just like the sunshine, that happy content feeling which floods your body for hours upon hours, all because the sun is shining at the perfect moment.