Chapter Five

Harm started the hot chocolate as he took some of the packages out of the bags. He couldn't resist buying it when he saw it. It just seemed so perfect, he hid it in her kitchen cabinet in hope that she wouldn't find it right away. Sounds of the water boiling brought Harm back to reality. He walked back into the kitchen and took the boiling water off the stove. He then added milk to the water and put it back on heat. When he was satisfied with the temperature of the concoction he added in chocolate chips and sugar. He then poured the chocolate into the mugs.

"So that's how you do it!" Mac exclaimed watching him.

"How long have you watched my secret recipe?"

"Long enough Flyboy. I found the tree stand and some ornaments."

"Good, after I start a fire, we will put up the tree."

She smiled at the idea of decorating a tree with Harm while listening to the roaring fire. Mac stood back and instructed Harm on where to hold the tree so it was straight. "There, you got it right there, keep it still!" she shouted when he finally got it perfect.

She crawled underneath him and screwed in the tree to the stand. Harm gestured for her to stand back as he cut the lies lose and the tree came tumbling out in all its glory. Harm smiled at her when her eyes lit up.

"Harm, it's the most perfect tree I have ever seen." Mac exclaimed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and giggled when he swung her around. "When I was growing up we always had a fake tree."

"I always had a real tree, but Christmas was never the same after Dad went down." Harm said with a sad smile on his face, "But the Christmas before Dad left, we didn't have the best of trees, but Dad had put me up on his shoulders and let me place to star on the tree."

"This will be our Christmas, a Christmas for us to remember and smile on." She grabbed his hand to lead him over to the boxes of Christmas decorations that she found. "Now you get to help me untangle these lights."

Harm picked up the box of lights and ornaments and she grabbed the now cool enough to drink mugs of hot chocolate. He watched her drink and he laughed when he saw the chocolate mustache form on her upper lip. He knew just then he had to kiss her. His tongue lined her lips before seeking entrance. When they broke she smiled and kissed his nose.

"What was that for?" she asked him.

"Well, I just had to kiss the most beautiful woman I know with chocolate on her lips." He smiled and pulled her between his legs and they worked at untangling the white lights.

Harm was having so much fun doing this with her and seeing an entirely different side, he was finally seeing Sarah, the soft, caring woman that she hadn't let anyone see in the longest of times, and he could tell that she was a million miles away in her own little world.

She fell back into his chest and he held her. "What's wrong Mac?"

"I was remembering my last Christmas with my Mom and Dad. I was fourteen and the year before my mom had let me pack up the lights. I remember trying so hard to get them untangled before Dad got home. I didn't want him to get mad, and I wanted that Christmas to be so special, I even made some new ornaments.

"I got finished decorating the tree. Momma came in and was so surprised. She hugged me and told me what a great job I did. Dad came in and yelled about the mess that the ornament boxes had made. I was so upset I ran to my room, and Mom yelled at Dad, and Dad got mad, threw Mom to the ground and then threw the tree to the ground."

There were tears in her eyes that were threatening to fall. "Christmas in my house was never good. Thank you for not being mad that the lights were tangled."

"Mac, honey, God no. There is no way I would be mad about something like that. Sweetheart, it wasn't your fault. Lights have a habit of getting tangled." He held her tight. "I would never do anything to hurt you intentionally. I'd rather cut off my right arm then hurt you."

"I know Harm. You are always so gentle and patient with me."

"Since we are sharing Christmas memories, I remember looking out the window at Miramar, and seeing the blue government sedan pull up. Mom answered the door while drying a plate. When they told her, she dropped the plate to the ground. That's when I knew something was wrong."

"Sounds like both of us have our sob stories."

"Yeah, but this year will be our year. One filled with happy memories."

She handed him his glass of hot coco, "I'll raise my mug to that. Hey, how about after we finish decorating the tree we order some lunch, and play cards."

"I thought maybe we could go sledding."

"I don't own a sled."

"The tree was secured to one I bought at the store. It was the weirdest thing. I found a wooden sled in the store, but they said they didn't sell those and they gave it to me at the price they sell the cheap plastic sleds, so we have one here."

"Sounds like a plan."

Harm and Mac started decorating the Christmas tree by stringing on the set of white lights first. Harm then reached into her box of ornaments and pulled out the box of clear glass balls with blue glitter snowflakes.

"You know Mac, I never figured that you would buy these types of ornaments."

"Chloe actually talked me into buying those. The blue reminded me of your eyes." She admitted.

"I feel completely flattered." He smiled and their hands brushed together on the tree and the shocks all around them flew.

She reached into the box and pulled out the next batch of ornaments, more blue and clear ornaments. Harm reached into the bag and pulled out some snowflakes. "I picked these up at the store to commemorate our snowy weekend together." She couldn't help it, a tear escaped from her eye and he immediately caught it with his thumb.

"Look what you did, you made me leaky!"

"Mac, did I say something wrong?"

"No, its just that this is what I always thought decorating a tree with you would be like."

"Well, that is what you are doing, decorating a tree with me, now dry those beautiful brown eyes, we still have more to do."

He handed her a couple of the snowflakes to hang on the tree. After they hung the ornaments, they stood back to look at their work.

"You know what we are missing Harm, garland."

"Well, you wish is my command." He reached into his bag from the store and pulled out a shimmer blue ribbon garland. "I actually didn't know you did the tree in blue and clear ornaments, but I saw this and thought it would look beautiful in your apartment." He handed it to her, and she kissed his cheek.

"It goes perfect with the tree."

They unwound the garland around the tree and Mac stepped back and watched Harm put the finishing touches on the tree. "Harm, the tree is perfect now."

"No, I think it is still missing something. The angel for the top of the tree."

"Well, I don't own one of those."

Harm put up his finger and silenced her for a brief moment as he walked into the kitchen. He reached into the cabinet and pulled out the angel.

"Mac, I was walking around the store, I saw this, and I immediately thought of you." She reached in and pulled the angel out of the box. The angel had dark hair and dark eyes. She wore a light blue dress with a silver ribbon around the waistline.

"Harm, she is beautiful."

"I saw her, and I thought she looked a little like you, but you were more beautiful, you are my real life angel." She gently put the angel down on the couch and took him by the hand and led him into the bedroom.