A/N: This prompt is interesting, so I hope y'all enjoy it! This chapter is dedicated to my beautiful girlfriend, Emily, because I love her and I felt like it. Enjoy! -SWS

Day: December 5th

From: Wordwielder

Prompt: Watson forces Holmes to come along on his and Mrs. Hudson's annual tradition of picking out a Christmas tree

It was a couple of weeks before that holiday that - much like every other one - is always so dreadfully romanticized. Christmas. It was much more infernally difficult when my flatmate Watson seemed so eager to get into the festive spirit. He bustled about upstairs and down, helping Mrs. Hudson hang all sorts of ludicrous decorations. Wreaths and garlands and bows were hung and draped on almost every available surface - the doors, the walls, the staircase - and it was only through my own firm disapproval that Watson had settled for only a simple pine wreath with a red bow on the door of my bedchamber.

I was pouring over a sheaf of paper with some of my own barely legible scribbles on it, making an attempt to puzzle out what I should get Watson and Mrs. Hudson for Christmas, as I had been previously told that not buying anyone gifts in spite of my negative attitude towards the holiday would be impolite, when Watson walked into the sitting room, a bounce in his step and jauntily whistling God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen. I groaned and shifted the papers on my desk to obscure the page from view, as I was sure that Watson in all of his mischievous holiday spirit would not hesitate to take a look at it if allowed a moment alone in the room.

"Holmes, Mrs. Hudson and I were about to go pick out a Christmas tree, just as we do every year, and we would be delighted if you would join us."

I turned around in my chair. "Watson, no."

Watson sighed exasperatedly. "Yes, Holmes. Your mood has done nothing but worsen over the past two weeks and you have not had any cases, nor have I seen you leave the flat for any reason. A spot of fresh air would do wonders for your mood, and as your doctor, old fellow, surely you take more stock in my advice than you would others."

"A spot of fresh air? In London? Absolutely preposterous, Watson! I'd be far better off staying in here. Where do you propose to acquire a Christmas tree in the middle of the city, anyway?"

"We go to a farm, Holmes. A little farm in Willesden just northwest of the city. Do come."

After a moment when I hadn't moved from my seat, Watson sighed and left, descending the stairs. I heaved a sigh of relief and moved to retrieve my gift list, thinking that he had given up and was leaving, but not a moment later he was back, and tossed my coat, gloves, and cane from the hall into my lap wordlessly.

Grumbling slightly under my breath about how unsuitable I found the weather and how needless my presence was, I got up begrudgingly and donned my coat and gloves, taking my cane and following Watson down the stairs where we met Mrs. Hudson in the hall.

"Oh, Mr. Holmes, I'm so glad you've decided to join us!" Indeed, Mrs. Hudson appeared quite glad. Sickeningly so.

As Watson opened the door for us to leave, I huffed in response, watching the warm air from my lungs collide with the frigid front outside and make little clouds in front of my face. I wished bitterly for the holiday season to be over so that I would soon be receiving my usual amount of cases again. The holiday season was so incredibly dull.

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed that! Stay tuned for more! Please review! -SWS