Penelope couldn't believe that it was December twenty third already, and she was shutting down her systems for the last time that year. Since their team had worked over Thanksgiving, they had been given the entire holiday week off, much to her delight. After packing up her purse, she went to the door and turned the lights off, knowing that there would be so much to come back to but not minding, since she would catch up on some much needed rest, along with spending time with Aaron and Jack.
Opening the door to her office, she was startled to find that Strauss was standing there, her hand raised as if to knock. "Oh, ma'am, I didn't know that you were still here! It's almost seven."
"I had some things to finish before I head off on holiday. I just wanted to thank you again for saving Christmas for me. I am certain that Tabitha is going to love her gift." There was a soft blush staining the older woman's cheeks, and Penelope nodded a little as she stepped out onto the walkway before pulling her door closed and locking it. "And I bought you something as a tangible reminder of my gratitude."
Strauss thrust out a hand that clutched a rather large gift bag, and Penelope took hold of it, surprised with how heavy it was. But before she could say anything, the woman had spun around on her heel and was hurrying down the stairs and out into the hallway. Knowing that she couldn't run after the woman and create a scene, since that would embarrass her deeply, Penelope let out a deep sigh as she hugged the gift bag close to her chest before heading out to the elevators. Glancing down towards Strauss's office, she saw that there was still a light on there, and she was torn as to whether or not to check in on her. In the end, the elevator doors opening made her decision for her, and she got in, pressing the button for the ground floor.
Once she was safely in her car, Penelope had to fight the urge to open her gift, knowing that there would be time for that when she arrived home. Backing out of her spot, she drove home slowly, wrinkling her nose at the drizzle of rain that was striking her windshield. Because of the dreary weather, her drive took a little longer than normal, and it wasn't until she was safely in her apartment that she checked her phone, seeing that she had missed a call from Aaron. Smiling, she touched his name to call him back, bringing the phone to her ear. "Hey, sorry I missed your call. The weather was so yucky that I didn't want to take my eyes off the road to answer my phone. What did you want?"
"I have a question that I didn't want to ask while at work. Seeing as how this is Jack's first Christmas without Haley, I want to make things as happy for him as possible. Jessica's already agreed to this, but seeing as how you're the other constant in his life right now, I would really appreciate it if you could spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with us. Since we're going to be back in the house, there are two guest rooms available. That is, if you don't have plans with Morgan."
"He mentioned that he's going with Emily somewhere, actually. I think it's Atlantic City, something about a holiday sin to win tournament?"
"Why does that not surprise me?" he asked with a note of exasperation in his voice. "Those two will be the ruin of me, I swear."
She giggled a little as she plopped down onto the sofa, setting her feet on the coffee table as she made herself comfortable. "But, in answer to your question, I would be glad to spend that time with you and Jack. In fact, I think I have one or two more presents floating around in my trunk for him."
"More than what you've already placed under the tree?"
"Oh, you've seen that."
"Yes. You're going to spoil him like you do Henry, aren't you?"
She clucked her tongue a little before answering. "Well, that is entirely my prerogative. Oh, and I forgot to tell you! Strauss gave me a present to thank me for tracking down that book her daughter wanted. I wonder what she's going to say when she finds out that I had it personalized for Tabitha?"
"How did you manage to do that?"
She grinned as she looked at the bag Strauss had given her, her fingers itching to open it. "By using Rossi's publishing contacts to track down the author and ask if there was a way to get a copy of the book sent over from England. Though she may have been left with the opinion that I am besties with Strauss, since she seemed to think only someone close to Strauss would do something like that for her."
"You really are a miracle worker, Penelope."
"I try." She drew in a deep breath. "Um, do you think that we could go out and see a movie while we're off? Just the two of us?"
She knew that she was taking a risk, but since they hadn't really discussed where things were going between them, she wanted to take that risk. "I would like that. Dinner and a movie. I'll choose where we eat, you can choose the movie?"
"All right. Boxing Day sound all right?"
"Yeah. That way Jessica can take Jack to see Haley's side of the family. They, they really don't want anything to do with me right now, not that I blame them. So, we'll see you at the house tomorrow around four?"
"I'll be there with bells on."
He chuckled lowly, and she felt her heart lift a little at the sound. "Goodbye, Penelope."
"Good night, Aaron. Sleep well."
She ended the call and then looked at her gift once more. Now that the moment had come where she could open it, she found herself hesitating, though she couldn't say why. Finally, she shook her head and slid forward on the couch as she reached out for the bag. She marveled once more at the heft to the gift, and Penelope worried her bottom lip between her teeth as she reached into the bag and pulled out a beautifully wrapped box. A small frown spread across her face as she placed the box in her lap and looked into the bag, seeing another box in there as well. "Well aren't you just full of surprises Erin Strauss," she murmured as she pulled out the other box, setting it on the couch next to her. Then she looked to see if there was a card included, not surprised when she didn't see anything. After all, Penelope didn't particularly view the woman as being too sentimental, after all.
Letting out a soft breath, Penelope scooted back in the sofa once more before turning the wrapped gift over in her hands, looking for the taped seam so that she wouldn't have to tear the paper. As soon as she found it, Penelope slipped her nail beneath it, neatly slicing through it before unfolding the paper and setting it aside. As she looked at the box, she realized just how different her life was from Erin, since she knew that the boutique that the gift had came from was much more high end than she could ever afford. Slowly, she lifted the top off the box, a shocked gasp slipping from her lips as she gazed down at the gorgeous paperweight that was nestled in a bed of purple velvet. Slowly, she lifted it up and gazed at it through the light, watching it catch on facets of glitter inside the glass. She had never seen a paperweight that had a dragonfly inside it, and the delicacy of the artwork took her breath away.
Smiling a little, she set the paperweight on her coffee table before picking up the other box. This one wasn't quite as heavy as the paperweight, and it rattled just a little, increasing her curiosity of what was inside. Penelope forced herself to take just as much care with that paper as the previous gift, and then she was opening the unmarked box, a happy squeal slipping from lips as she saw the stack of headbands resting inside. Every one was different, and Penelope knew that Strauss had definitely been paying attention to her taste in accessories, since every single one when with her style and her clothes. It was a completely sweet gift, and Penelope knew that she had been wrong about the woman. There was a sentimental streak inside her, one that didn't lend itself to words, but to gifts, and Penelope knew that she couldn't tell her that when she thanked her for the gift. Instead, she picked out her favorite headband, switched it out for her current one, and then took a quick selfie. Satisfied with how she looked in the picture, she opened her email client and sent off a quick thank you to Erin, telling her that a handwritten one would be in the mail later that week, but she wanted to let her know how grateful she was for the gifts, attaching the picture she took of herself. And Penelope hoped that this was just a portent of a wonderful holiday ahead.
