Sydney opened the door to find Eric leaning against the doorframe. "Merry Christmas Eve, Agent Bristow."
She pecked his cheek and smiled, "you too. Come on in. I still have some wrapping to do."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
Pointing up, he directed Sydney's gaze to the top of the doorway where he had hung a thing of mistletoe. "Hokey, maybe. But I think I'm entitled. Can't leave the door if ya don't."
"Oh, definitely. Come here." Pulling him in by the shirt collar, she kissed him for the longest moment. "Happy?"
"Completely."
Kicking the door closed behind him, Eric took off his jacket and threw it over the back of Sydney's couch, being careful to not let his gift to her fall out of the pocket.
"By the way, whose name did you pull in the gift exchange?"
Now, Eric knowing Sydney, he knew that that was a loaded question. If he refused to answer, she would know he had pulled her name and she wasn't too good at staying calm when she knew a secret was coming her way. So, he figured he would have to lie. The problem was, if he said the wrong name she would know he was lying and he'd be back at square one. "I got Carrie."
"Carrie? Her name was in the pot? She's still in England working. How are you supposed to get her gift to her?"
"I guess I'll just give it to Marshal. It's no big deal. I just got her a book she's been talking about."
"Speaking of books, look at what I got for Nadia," Sydney gushed as she handed Eric the near-mint "Peter Pan."
"Wow, that's almost as good as the 'Alice' I got you."
"Nothing is as good as that. Just let me drop this in a bag and we'll go."
"What's that?" He asked pointing to an elaborately wrapped present on the table.
"That's Dixon's present to Monte. Antoinette will love it."
Suddenly, something else caught Eric's eye. Turning, only questions came to mind.
"Isn't that--?"
"Yes, it is."
"How on earth--?"
"I've learned that asking questions isn't always a good thing. Dad put it all together."
"Well then, let's go because I can't wait to see the expressions on people's faces."