The usual disclaimers.

Chapter 6

The Gift

Bobby spent Sunday morning doing some shopping. Alex is right. The dinner should be more than Thai. He quickly filled his basket with a selection of items. Stopping by the store's florist, he purchased a colorful bouquet of flowers. Returning to his apartment, he put his purchases up, adding water to a vase he arranged the flowers and set them on the table.

He glanced towards the Christmas tree. He quickly checked the water level, and adding more. His fingers played along the edges of the wrapped gift. He furrowed his brow, and glanced at the clock. He'd have enough time to do one more errand.

Alex rolled over in her bed. Smiling to herself, she wondered what surprises awaited her at Bobby's apartment. Maybe, just maybe, I reached him yesterday? She bit her lip, afraid to let her hopes get too high. She knew with the loss of his mother, this would be a difficult holiday for him.

Swinging her legs to the floor, she padded down the hall. Flipping on her coffee maker, she went over to her tree and checked the water level. Satisfied, she stood up, touching various ornaments hanging on the tree, remembering when they were given to her. Her eyes filled when she came to one gingerbread house, remembering that was the last one from Joe. She touched it again, and then quickly wiped the tears from her eyes.

Walking back to her bedroom, she dressed in her khaki green pants and light green knit top. Pulling on her socks, she made up her mind to buy one more gift. Opening the closet door, she grinned mischievously as she took the jacket from his perch. Swiping off the shoulders and sleeves, she pulled it on. "Come on old friend, let's do some shopping."

Bobby waited by the shop until the lights came on. The owner, recognizing him, grinned as he opened the doors. "What brings you out so early, Bobby?"

He laughed as he entered the shop, pausing to stomp the snow off his boots. "The same thing that causes you to open your shop on a Sunday."

Mel smiled, shaking the big man's hand. "Well, if it weren't for extended work hours, we probably wouldn't survive this Christmas season. Anything in particular?"

Bobby nodded, realizing the slow season had affected many of the shop owners. He walked up to a case, and began peering down into it. "I'm looking for a special necklace, for my partner."

He slightly raised a brow. "For Alex? Well, let's see what we have here." With that, Mel moved behind the case opening drawers, and bringing out several different styles and cuts of necklaces.

Alex pulled in front of the old book store, as she got out, she noted it would be a half hour before it would open. Walking across the street, she found warmth in the coffee shop. Placing an order, she sat near the window and contemplated on what her purchase will be.

Mel offered to wrap the boxed necklace, but Bobby shook his head. "I already have plans on how to present it to her."

Entering his apartment, he took off his coat and dropped it on his recliner. Removing the necklace from the box, he carefully draped the necklace over the branches, intertwining it in with the tinsel. Letting the clasp just barely hang down over the wrapped gift. He smiled. At a glance, the necklace was well hidden, but was visible within a foot of the tree.

Alex spoke with the shop owner. In a few minutes, she found Tales of Sherlock Holmes by Conan Doyle, although not a first edition, it was well kept, and showed very little wear. Alex decided that would be her 'big' Christmas gift to Bobby. The shop owner wrapped the purchase, as if it had cost much more than the sixty-eight dollars. She smiled as she picked up the package and left the store.

Returning to her home, she set the wrapped book on her kitchen table. Taking off her jacket, she quickly shook it out, and returned it to its wooden hanger. Brushing the front of it, she smiled closing the door. Alex kicked off her shoes, looking at the clock. It was already three-thirty. She quickly padded down the hall, stopping by the bathroom, she turned on the hot water tap in the shower. Moments later, she was stepping into the shower, humming to herself.

Bobby was just pulling the chicken out of the oven when he heard his buzzer. Glancing at the clock, he smiled. Opening the door, he welcomed Alex inside. She had her hair pinned up, and a large purse. She took off her red coat, revealing a low cut black dress. Bobby's eyes showed approval as he accepted her coat and draped it over a nearby chair. She placed her purse on the chair. Clearing his throat he quietly said, "Dinner is about ready. Would you like some wine?"

Alex's mouth hung slightly opened, as she had turned and saw a small Christmas tree near his living room window. It was giving off a peaceful blue glow. She looked up at him, tears, were forming in the corners of her eyes. She quickly blinked back the tears. "You, you have a tree?"

He nodded, watching her walk up to the tree. She looked at the ornaments, smiling when she spied the one she had given him. She bit his lip, slowly shaking her head. "When did you...?"

Bobby handed her a glass of wine. He went to the CD player, turning it on, Christmas tunes began softly playing. "After I left your place. It, it just didn't seem right to have an ornament, and no tree."

Alex nodded, as she followed him back to the kitchen. "I thought you were going to order Thai." Her voice was teasing, bringing a smile to his face.

"Hmm, thought about it, then I thought you deserved a home cooked meal."

He set a plate down in front of her. Watching him serve himself, she grinned. He was wearing one of her favorite outfits, a charcoal gray sweater and black pants. She waited until he was seated before she picked up her utensils. Taking her first bite, she found the chicken tender and with an array of light spices. He had also prepared brown rice, and fried green beans. All cooked to perfection, and complimented each other. With her final bite, she sighed, and sat back in her chair. "Bobby, that was absolutely wonderful."

He smiled shyly. "I do love to cook."

Sitting back in his own chair, he was not only pleased with how dinner had turned out, but that she enjoyed it. He topped off her wine, and then added more to his own glass. She slowly rose from her chair. "Let's go to the living room."

Stopping by the chair, she opened her purse, and brought out the wrapped packaged. Bobby eyed it suspiciously, waving a finger at her. "You already gave me a gift."

Alex giggled. "I know, but I wanted to give you one more gift."

She stepped into the living room, placing it underneath the tree. Taking a seat on the couch, she waited for Bobby to join her. He sat next to her, eying the package. "Uhm, I bought you something."

She cocked her head at him. "Are you getting into the Christmas spirit, Bobby?"

He smiled. "More like getting out of the 'bah humbug' frame of mind."

She laughed. "Well, Scrooge, what did you get me?"

He nodded towards the tree. "Go find out."

Alex pursed her lips, wondering what he was up to. As she reached for the wrapped gift, the back of her hand brushed against the tinsel. The movement of the tinsel, and the weight of the chain, caused it to slowly slither down off the branches and onto her hand. Alex gasped when she realized it wasn't tinsel resting on her hand. She brought up the chain, holding it in both hands. Alex turned towards him, with her eyes wide open. Bobby was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

He quickly rose off the couch and took the chain from her hand, gently placing it around her neck. Her hand followed the chain from one side of her neck, to the other. Turning towards him, she smiled. "It's beautiful."

He leaned down, whispering in her ear. "The person wearing it, is far more beautiful."

Hearing the CD beginning to play I'll be home for Christmas, he softly wrapped his arms around her waist, gliding her around the living room. Stopping beneath the mistletoe, he bent down giving her a warm kiss on her lips. "I'd be glad to be your holiday project anytime."

The End.

A/N: Hoped you enjoyed! Please don't forget to review!