Title: Deck the halls

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

Eleven minutes until midnight on Christmas Eve and Officer Lucy Bradford was an emotional mess. She and Tim had worked twelve hour shifts all week. A crime spree of auto thieves had the city handing out over time like it was water. They'd been so busy there'd been no time for holiday stuff. So that was how Tim found her a half hour later when he came home. Lucy was surrounded by plastic bins of Christmas decorations and sitting on the floor next to a half put together artificial tree. Seeing her tear streaked face Tim quickly moved to her crossing the living room in three long strides.

"Babe? What is it? What's wrong?"Tim asked worriedly.

Lucy sniffed and tried to stop the tears, but failed. She tossed the red and green ornament balls she'd been holding back into the bin.

"It's Ellie's first Christmas, Tim."Lucy sobbed. "We have nothing ready."

Tim gently pulled Lucy to her feet and into an embrace.

"Santa travels all night, babe."Tim pointed out softly.

Lucy pulled away slightly so she could see Tim's face. He looked so certain; so confident.

"We've got plenty of time to deck the halls."Tim said with a smile.

Lucy kissed him.


At six am that morning Lucy dressed Ellie in a reindeer onesie with matching footie slippers. Ellie smiled and Lucy's heart melted as it always did. She hugged her daughter close as they left the nursery. Stepping into the living room Lucy couldn't believe she and Tim had pulled it together; but they had.

The tree stood proudly in the corner by the fireplace. Six feet of ornaments, garland and multi-colored lights. Three Christmas stockings hung from the small fireplace mantle. The mantle had snowman statues, Christmas candles and more garland. Tim was standing between the tree and the fireplace and turned when he heard Lucy's footsteps.

"Well, aren't you the cutest reindeer."Tim cooed as Lucy handed Ellie to him.

Ellie giggled.

"Merry Christmas, Ellie."Lucy said with a smile as she and Tim walked to the tree.

Ellie's brown eyes were wide as she took in the lights and ornaments. Lucy smiled. She quickly found her phone and began taking pictures and video. From Ellie's stocking Tim pulled a medium sized brown teddy bear with a santa hat. Lucy had no idea where and when he'd bought it but it was adorable. Ellie squealed in delight as Tim brought it down to her reach.

"Merry Christmas, little one."Tim said softly.

Lucy blinked back happy tears this time as she recorded the scene before her. Despite the hellish week they had pulled it together and made it one of her favorite Christmases yet. Lucy stopped and saved the video and walked over to her family.

"I think she likes it."Lucy commented with a grin.

Ellie clutched the bear smiling ear to ear.

"Think so too."Tim agreed with a smile. "Merry Christmas, Lucy."

"Merry Christmas, Tim."Lucy said as Tim kissed her.

Happy Holidays!

End