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Chapter 4

Decorating The Tree

Finishing their hot chocolate, Alex led the way down the hall. Opening a small narrow door, it revealed a wooden stairway to the attic. Flipping on the light, she went up the stairs, with Bobby right behind her. Once at the top, he glanced around the room. The small space held groups of neatly stacked boxes. Bobby ducked, avoiding the rafters as he followed her. Alex moved to one of the corners of the attic. There was a small stack of boxes, with a tree stand on top. "This is where I keep my Christmas things."

She picked up the stand, and headed back to the stairway. Bobby rubbed the back of his head, looking at the boxes. "Don't you want these?"

Arching a brow, she looked at him. "Oh, I can get them later." She turned and headed down the stairs.

He watched her descend the steps, and looked back at the small stack of boxes again. Reaching down, he picked up three and made his way to the stairs. Walking into the living room with them, Alex smiled. He set them in the hall near the front door, and returned to the attic. Bringing down the last of the boxes, he found Alex standing in the middle of the living room. "How about putting it in front of the window?"

Bobby tilted his head. "That will give the tree enough room to spread it's branches out, and be visible from the street."

Alex smiled. "Then that's where we'll put it."

He helped her move her couch away from the window. Alex brought over the tree stand, while Bobby gathered up the tree. "Wait a minute."

Puzzled, Bobby stood while holding the tree. "What's wrong?"

Alex kneeled down and checked the base of the tree. "We're going to need to cut a little bit off."

He frowned. "It's a pretty short tree to begin with..."

She looked up at him, slightly confused. "Huh? Oh, no, not to shorten it. To even out the base a little bit. We won't have to take much off. Lay the tree on the floor."

Bobby did as he was directed, watching Alex as she brought out a small tree saw from the hall closet. He arched his brow. "Do much cutting, Eames?"

She laughed. "Only Christmas Trees."

He rubbed the back of his neck as he watched as she tried to saw her way through the trunk of the tree. Kneeling down beside her, he gently took the saw away from her and with a few deft movements he had the job done. He stood, bringing the saw up with him. Alex looked at the tree and then at him. "You made that look easy."

Bobby's neck slightly redden. He reached down. Alex took a hold of his hand and he brought her up to her feet. She swept her hair out of face, smiling at him. He handed her the saw and reached down for the tree. Picking it up, he carried it to the stand. Alex followed. She knelt down again, to help guide the tree in. "Okay, hold it while I screw it into place."

Moments later, she stood up and stepped back to admire the tree. "It does look nice."

Bobby nodded. She turned to him and smiled sweetly. "Well Bobby, if you want to leave, I can pretty much handle it from here."

He bit his bottom lip, glancing at the boxes in the hall. "What about those?"

Alex looked to where he was pointing. "Oh, those are just the decorations." She stepped around him and picked up one of the boxes setting it on the couch. She turned towards him, playing a hunch. "Really, the rest of it's easy."

He looked at the floor for a minute. "Would you mind if I stayed to help?"

She raised a brow in surprise. "No." Glancing at the clock, she slightly frowned. "Why don't I order a pizza. While we're waiting, we can get started."

Alex made the call, while Bobby brought the boxes into the living room. His eyes twinkled, as he opened each box, gently lifting some of the treasures out of the boxes that would be soon hanging on the tree. Alex watched from the kitchen, softly smiling, as she saw the boy come out of the man. It's working, it's really working.

Walking into the living room she carried a pitcher of water. Emptying it into the tree stand, she dug through the boxes until she found a piece of cloth. Shaking it out, she draped it around the base. "Okay, we need the lights."

Putting a Christmas CD on, she waited for Bobby to unravel the long strand of lights. He gave her a look of reproach for the entangled mess. Once the lights were up, they began hanging the ornaments. Bobby stepped back from time to time to admire the tree, tilting his head one way then another. Adjusting the ornaments or moving them completely to another branch. About midway through, Alex moved a box and sat on the couch watching him work. She smiled when she heard him humming with the CD.

When the last box was emptied, Alex went to the closet, she grabbed a bag and brought it out. Opening it, she pulled out white tinsel. She handed him one package, as she began opening hers. He watched as she began draping the tinsel over the branches. Bobby carefully took a few at a time, making sure the back of the tree was equally covered. When they were finished, they stood back and looked at the tree. Bobby's eyes were wide. "Beautiful" His voice was barely above a whisper.

Alex clasped her hands in front of her. "It is, isn't it?" She paused a moment. "It's still early, but I want you to turn the lights on."

Without responding, he reached down, and flipped the switch on the cord. Standing back he looked at it in awe. Alex looked up at him. "One more thing."

Going back to the closet, she reached in and pulled out a small, colorfully wrapped package. Handing it to him she smiled. "Go ahead, open it."

Bobby turned it over and over in his hands. "But I didn't get you anything."

Alex laughed. "That's not the point. Open it!"

He carefully opened it, revealing a delicate ornament. His eyes dance, and then slightly fell. "It's nice Alex, but I don't have a tree."

She slightly pursed her lips. "You don't have to have a tree to hang it up, Bobby."

He shook his head. "It wouldn't seem right."

Alex sighed, and began wondering if she had just undone her days work.