-IQ POV-

"Hand me those lights, will ya?" Eliza called down from the ladder. Sighing, I took a strand of Christmas lights and handed them up to her, in which she plugged them into the next strand and proceeded to line Hereford's roof with the lights. Times like this I'm glad Hereford base is only 1 story high, with extra floors having their own roof sections.

"Eliza, I don't feel comfortable with you up that high" I speak to her as she finishes with the strand I handed to her. She secures her hammer to her belt, slides down the ladder, and positions it a few yards to the left, getting ready to hand more lights.

"I'm fine, Monika, honestly. Besides, it's only one floor." she chuckled, climbing up the ladder again. I sigh as Seamus comes comes out of the base, carrying a tray with three mugs on top. I smile and steal a quick kiss as he looks up at Eliza.

"She still at it I see?" he chuckles, handing me a mug of hot cocoa. I nod, taking a sip of the warm drink.

"She doesn't like taking my opinions into account." I speak flatly, taking another sip.

"Liz! Come on down and have som hot chocolate! Teak a break!" Seamus called up.

"Almost done with this strand!" Eliza called back down. We shared a chuckle as Eliza nails in the last section, and slides down the ladder. She turns towards the base, and takes a few steps back, inspecting her work. "Not bad" she concluded, looking through her fingers, which were formed up in a frame form.

"Not, claim your reward" I chuckle, handing her a mug of hot chocolate. She smiles, taking a sip, savoring the chocolaty goodness.

"So what is the plan for the holidays? Seeing how were pretty late into December" Seamus asked, sipping his drink. Eliza chuckled.

"Party every day next week" she said. I gasped as Seamus nearly spat out his drink.

"Every day!?" I asked, stunned.

"Yep" Eliza confirmed, sipping her hot chocolate. "Since there are many holidays being celebrated at this time of year, I figured we should just celebrate ach night. Through New Year's" she finished, walking back up to Hereford's entrance.

"Not a bad idea" I nod, giving my confirmation. Eliza chuckled.

"All my ideas are good, Monika" she smirked. We shared a laugh, until Eliza's phone began ringing. Pulling it out, she answered. I chatted with Seamus, stealing another kiss (he's a seriously good kisser) while Ash was on the phone. A minute later, she pocketed her phone, and sighed.

"I gotta run, Six's orders" she spoke. I cocked my head.

"Mission?" I asked. Ash shook her head.

"Training" she said. Sighing, she produced a piece of paper from her jean pocked, and handed it to me. "I was gonna head out to the hardware store downtown, but since I can't, would you two mind picking up some decorations? It'll really help" Ash asked. I smiled.

"Of course. What are friends for?" I grab the list from her, but as I do, it unfolds, producing a list that went down almost to my waist. "How much stuff do you need?!" Ash chuckled.

"Most of that is just describing what the items are. I'm looking for specific things." she informed. I chuckled as Seamus gave me a quick peck on the cheek.

"I'm gonna get my car and bring it around front to pick you up." he informed. I smiled, stealing one more quick kiss, and he went into the base to access the parking deck.

"You two are so cute" Ash awed sweetly. I smiled, looking back to her.

"Okay, we'll do this, but you owe both of us one" I smirked, pocketing the list. Ash knit her eyebrows, before nodding.

"Fair's fair" she shrugged, beginning to walk backwards to the base's entrance. "Remember: I need everything on that list!" she called, heading into base.

"Will do!" I called back as Seamus pulled around in his Silverado. Unlocking the shotgun door, I opened it and climbed in, closing the door and buckling up.

"Where to?" he asked, pulling away from base.

"Home Depot. Should be one about ten minutes southbound" I informed, looking up the directions on my phone. Finding the route, I plugged my phone into Seamus's truck, and the GPS began narrating the directions. As we began our trip, Seamus eyed me reading over the list.

"I hope she doesn't expect us to get everything on that dang list" I smirked. I chuckled, folding up Ash's list and pocketing it.

"It's a lot shorter than it seems, but yes, she wants it all" I chuckle. Ten minutes later, we enter the Home Depot, the signature hardware store smell hitting me like a truck.

"God I love that smell" Seamus spoke, deeply inhaling. I laughed, taking in some of the aroma myself.

"Okay, Seamus, lets get what Ash needs" I said, bringing him back to reality as we wander over to the holiday decorations, most of which were christmas. I pulled out Ash's list, and skimmed it over. Most items were fairly straightforward: lights, snow-covered trees, snow machine-. I stop and blink a few times, rereading the list. 'The hell does she need a freaking snow machine for?' I ask myself. Shrugging it off, I show Seamus the list, and we divide and conquer, getting the needed things in less than half an hour.

"Okay, but what the hell does she need a snow machine for?" Seamus asked as we went up to the checkout counter. I laugh a bit and shrug.

"Exactly what I want to know" I spoke. We paid for the goods, splitting the price evenly down the middle between to two of us. After loading Seamus's Silverado with the stuff, we climb in, and I plug in the return trip to base into my phone's GPS.

"Aight, let's get back to base. I'm hungry" Seamus said as he pulled out of the parking lot.

"We can eat after we unload Ash's decor" I told him.

"...fine" he agreed, pulling onto the freeway. I chuckled, planing a quick kiss on his cheek, thinking how lucky I am to have him.

Happy holidays! Next chapter will be a holiday party and will release tomorrow or Friday! Hope everyone has an amazing holiday season! Peace!