Hi everyone. As I always say, I own none of these lovely characters, but I do love to borrow them and play!

Frankie did a cursory knock before he walked into the guest house.

"Hey, Ma! I'm here." He pokes around the kitchen and finds what he is looking for, Christmas cookies!

Angela walks out to find Frankie with a mouthful of cookies.

"Frankie! You don't need to stuff your mouth full like that!"

"Mmf, I wmm humbrf."

Angela shakes her head. "I don't care if you were hungry, I didn't raise you that way." She slaps Frankie's hand as it reaches for another cookie.

"But, Ma, they are so good." Frankie gives his mother his best smile and she melts.

"Don't worry, I'll pack some for you to take home."

"So, what's up? Why do you need my help? Where's Jane and Maura?"

"They were still at work when I left. Maura is trying to get all her paperwork ready for a case that you all are working on?"

"I know. It's a nasty case. I'm sure that they will make sure all their t's are crossed and i's dotted."

"I've noticed that you've all been pretty tense this past week."

"Yea, luckily we caught the guy. Now we just gotta put the bastard away for good."

Frankie literally shakes himself to get his mind off the case and back to the present. "Ok, what are we doing?"

"We are going to look for a Christmas tree."

"What? I know Jane and Maura have theirs and you have this little one."

"I know, Frankie. I'm involved in an Elf group that will help people that tragedy has struck. We are getting a tree for a family that have been displaced by a house fire. It's going to be months before they can move back in."

Frankie shakes his head sadly. "That's horrible, Ma. Where are they staying, a homeless shelter?"

"No, they are lucky. The town has a beneficiary that owns real estate and one of the small houses is open now. They will be moving in tomorrow."

Frankie raises an eyebrow. "Is it Maura?"

Angela chuckles. "For once, no. Maura does enough charities. Other people are at the house cleaning, stocking some basics for food, laundry supplies."

Frankie and Angela put their coats on as they continue their conversation and drive to a tree lot.

"So, the house wasn't totaled?"

"No, a lot of smoke and water damage I guess. I don't know how much can be rescued."

They walk around the tree lot. With only six days before Christmas, they didn't have too many to choose from.

Frankie found a tall one. "What about this one?"

Angela made a face. "Look at that big bald spot."

They kept walking. Too skinny, needles falling off, lop-sided. Finally, they found one that was rather short, but nice and fat.

"Ma, don't you think this one is too short?"

"Nah, I like a nice full tree. we can put it on a milk crate to give it some height."

Angela paid the man at the register and Frankie tied the tree to his roof. Frankie and Angela quickly stop back at the guest house for some bags Angela forgot to bring and to pick up a milk crate. They follow the directions that Angela has and are soon at the house. Several other cars are parked in the street.

Angela gathers the bags. "Frankie dear, can you grab the tree stand and milk crate?"

They walk into the house with their arms loaded. There's one couple in the kitchen putting groceries away, another putting fresh sheets on the beds. Angela puts her bags in the living room.

"Frankie, can you grab the tree?"

"Sure, Ma."

The man in the kitchen comes out. "Here, let me help you."

The ladies hold open the door as the men manuever the fat tree through the door and into the stand. They all stand back to look at it and determine that it is not straight and the men adjust it again.

The group stand around the tree. "It's a nice tree, Angela."

"Thanks, Vinny."

"Should we decorate it?"

"I don't know. Part of me thinks that would be kinda magical to walk into a house with a tree lit up, but I think it would be better to let them do it. Bring a little sense of normalcy back into their lives."

Everyone nods at this logic.

"Well then, I think our work is done. Good job everyone. Anyone want to go out for donuts and hot chocolate?"

Frankie smiles. "I think I know where to go for the best donuts."

Angela laughs.

Hi everyone! Sorry for no updates, tough week at work! Wow, I think this may be the first chapter that has humans, but not our favorite ladies! That's ok. They will be back. Big things happening in the next couple of weeks. Is everyone staying sane?

Hugs to all.

My love to Belgium.