A Prayer for Every Year

December 9th
That morning Jack showed Sue the next picture in the calendar. It was a small picture of a holly garland.
"What do you think?" he asked.
"I would say its for decorating," she answered suddenly downcast. When he asked her about it she shrugged.
"Lucy and I have already decorated."
"I haven't." Her head snapped up and her gaze shone with childish happiness. It spawned a reflective smile on his face.
"Tonight, after work?" She nodded and smiled wider. Her Blackberry shook against her hip. She jumped and pulled it out returning to the reality of the FBI

She showed up after work that night with a bag of her own additions to the decorating. He grinned and let her in, showing her to his living room where an evergreen tree stood with lights already strung. Jack left her to browse and take stock while he made coffee for them both.
"My mom usually helps clean and decorate, but she's not coming until next week. Imagine her surprise when this is already decorated!" he exclaimed. She smiled, though it was somewhat forced.
"I don't mean to take your time away," she said, hoping her sense of disappointment was hidden.
"Honestly, Sue, I'd rather be here, decorating wit you. I love my mother dearly, really I do, but if I hear her ask one more time about my love life..." Sue laughed.
"My parents can be the same way," she agreed.
"Where did you want to start?" he asked, quickly changing subject. She went more than willingly.
"I'll get out and organize the stuff for the tree if you'll build a fire. Things are always much cozier that way." As usual, she was right. It gave a much warmer feel to the room and a more cheerful atmosphere as they hung the balls and other miscellaneous ornaments. At some point during their time it had started to snow, the wind buffeting the flakes around in cyclones. They remained blissfully unaware, content to decorate as long as they were together. When they were finished, they flopped back ont the couch to relax.
"It's missing something," Jack remarked, gazing at the tree. Sue jumped up and withdrew from her bag the last thing, a box, wrapped in candy canes and Christmas trees. A red ribbon was tied around the box and the edges were curled to perfection. Sue set it under the tree.
"That's better," Jack agreed to her unasked question as she stood back and met his eyes. Then she turned back to admire her handiwork. He found himself behind her as she admired the tree. Partly of his own violation and partly because it seemed wrong to leave her by herself, her arms wrapped around her waist, he covered her arms with his and pulled her back against him slightly.
And the fire crackled, the snow fell outside, creating a picturesque quality like that of a Christmas card. Any passerby would have thought more of the coworkers just standing and gazing at the decorations.
And they would have been right.