Standard Disclaimer: I own nothing and make no profit. "Peter Gunn" was created by Blake Edwards and produced by Spartan Productions.

A/N: This is a series of short Christmas-themed ficlets involving Peter Gunn and Edie Hart. All the action takes place during December 1960. There will be 31 entries, one for each day of the month.

Christmas Traditions: 1960

• Wednesday, December 7

Edie Hart looked up at the sound of a key in the lock, grinning as the door swung inward and a weary-looking Peter Gunn stepped into the apartment. The PI looked a little worse for wear but appeared to be in one piece, which she supposed was good considering he'd only gone out for a haircut and to run a few errands.

"Well, hello there stranger." Her teasing blue eyes followed his movements.

"I've only been gone a few hours!" he defended, lips tilting in a good-humored smile.

He slipped out of his coat – the new wool, dark gray herringbone overcoat that replaced the one he'd lost on a job across the river a few days earlier – and carefully hung it in the closet and then disappeared back into the hallway. He returned toting a large heavy-duty cardboard box and managed to get the door shut behind himself, offering Edie a playful "thanks for all your help" frown. After dumping his burden on the armchair beneath the stairs, the PI took off his suit jacket and laid it across the back of the sofa and loosened his necktie.

"Got all your presents wrapped?"

Edie rose to her knees where she sat beside the coffee table, stretched her shoulders and gave a shake of her head.

"You know I haven't! You were supposed to pick up extra paper and bows."

Pete chuckled, his gaze admiring the pretty blonde. When he'd gone out she'd still been in her nightgown, half asleep and drinking coffee from a big brown mug. She now wore a chunky cream-colored sweater and tan slacks that simultaneously highlighted and hid her trim figure. Turning back to the big box, he opened the flaps and withdrew two short rolls of wrapping paper, a bag of multicolored bows, a spool of red ribbon and a small package of gift tags.

"Thanks, honey." Edie curved a cool hand around his neck and brought his face close for a kiss as the PI delivered the items to her work station. "I still have Jeff and Jenny's to do and then I can pack the boxes." Several yet to be wrapped items were scattered about the table, destined for Edie's brother and his family. "Actually, if you want to you can pack Mama and Papa's while I finish what I'm doing. That way they'll get done faster." Her lips curled in the smile he loved. "If you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all, but I could use some coffee first." He slipped off his tie and reached for his jacket. "And I think I'll change clothes."

"What else is in the box?"

"Hmm? Nothing." His look was all innocence.

"Nothing? That's an awfully big box of nothing, mister."

Pete made certain the flaps atop the big box were snugly interlocked, his attitude one of affected nonchalance, and quickly jogged upstairs. Edie shook her head in amusement, her shrewd gaze following him through the bedroom door. Upon his return she was in the process of pouring coffee from a fresh pot so they sat side by side on the sofa for a few minutes enjoying the steaming mugs.

Afterwards Edie completed the wrapping of gifts while Pete worked on packing Mama and Papa Hart's presents into a Jameson box that Edie had confiscated at the club for just that purpose. After retrieving the prior day's News Standard for use as packing paper the PI wondered, albeit briefly, what Mary Grace Hart would think at receiving Christmas gifts in a whiskey box. She would without doubt be aghast. He smiled to himself, his thoughts quickly turning in another direction as he watched his girl finish her task. She looked lovely and so young with no makeup on, her blonde hair tangled from running her fingers through it during moments of frustration when a piece of wrapping paper wasn't large enough or a ribbon wasn't quite the right color. He reached for her hand.

"Come on." He stood, hastily pulling her to her feet. "Let's take a break."

"What? Pete, we're not finished and these have to go to the post office today – "

"They'll get there." Keeping hold of her hand he quickly led her upstairs ahead of him.

"And don't forget you still have to do – "

"You – " the handsome, dark-haired PI smiled against her lips, hands reaching for the hem of her sweater as he backed her against the bed. "That's what I have to do."

"Pete! It's almost noon!"

"Are you complaining?" His hands were warm against her back as he reached to undo her bra, a usually simple task that appeared to be trying to elude him as the hooks didn't seem to want to work right.

"Never," she breathed.

"Do you have this thing on inside out?" Pete groused good-naturedly, finally getting the offending garment undone as they fell together onto the bed. He tossed it to the side and then couldn't help but laugh out loud as he stretched out his hand to retrieve something glittery from one 36C cup.

Edie slanted him a curious gaze.

"How on earth did you get tinsel there?"

"Wouldn't you like to know...?"

An hour later she was back in this morning's nightgown – after all, why put her clothes back on when she had to get ready to go to work in a few hours – and Pete was in a pair of pajama bottoms for much the same reason, when they found their way downstairs for lunch and to finish up the packages. Passing by the nook beneath the stairs Edie came to an abrupt halt and indicated the big box still residing on the chair.

"Nothing?" Her brow crinkled and her eyes danced.

"Something," the PI smiled. "You'll just have to wait and see."

"Something for me?" Edie smiled widely.

"Maybe."

The woman's exasperated expression brought a chuckle from the man.

"Tomorrow," he promised. "You can open it tomorrow."