A/N: Oh god it's eleven o'clock and I just put this up. It might be tomorrow for some people. I'm so sorry! I had a lot to do today, and I got sick, and when I had the chance to write at like nine, I just wanted to lay in bed like a slug. Anyway, I popped this one out as fast as I could. Thanks again for all your support! I love reading your reviews! Each and every one means so much to me. Enjoy!

Chapter 16: Wrapped in Red

Cassandra pulled her jacket closed tighter around her neck as she approached the antique shop in front of her. She and the other Librarians would be going out together tomorrow, but today she'd set out on her own; there was someone she needed to buy for who would need something more special than what she would find at the mall.

She exhaled slowly and watched the moisture of her breath condensing in the air. She knew she'd find the perfect gift for him here. The only problem was she was afraid of what it would mean when she gave it to him. Well, not exactly. She knew what it meant. Her real fear was that he would realize what it meant.

Composing herself one last time, she marched forward through the doors of the little shop. Her senses exploded immediately. The Christmas Carols in the air were soft, only audible because she was alone. The air smelt like old books, and tarnished metals.

Colors flashed through her mind, connected to every unique smell and sound that surrounded her. Memories flashed through her mind too: memories of Jacob. Everyone smelt like something, but Jake's had changed. First he'd smelt like hay, fresh cut grass, summer air. As she'd gotten to know him better though, he'd become the smells that filled her nose now: knowledge; history; antiques.

Table by table, she studied all the available gifts. Whatever she got for Jake, it needed to be perfect. She couldn't just pick the first thing she saw. She'd traveled to the tables full of books first, thinking maybe she could get him some first edition book of poetry.

It'd dawned on her eventually that something like that would be worthless: they already had access to all of them in the Library. Jacob had probably already had his hands on every one of them in that shop, and more. Still, that did not stop her from glancing over the names beneath the titles. One in particular caught her eye.

Selected Poems by Lord Byron.

Lord Byron: that was Jake's favorite poet. If she could get him something related to that, he would love it. That's all she wanted: to see him happy.

She travelled to one of the glass cases where the rarer items were lined up in delicate rows. She ran her finger just away from the glass, so that she was almost touching it, but not completely. In an instant, her eyes fell on a small, gold pocket watch. Instantly she knew it was something Jake would love.

"Excuse me!" she called to the dealer.

"Yes miss. May I help you?" he said.

"Could you tell me about that pocket watch there?"

"Ah yes" the old man lifted the piece carefully from the case. "This is one of our rarest pieces. It dates back to the eighteenth century. Belonged to Lord Byron"

"Lord Byron" Cassie repeated.

This was it; she knew it. This would be the perfect gift for Jake. Of course, the doubt flashed into her mind again. Maybe she should forego this. It was too much like a "girlfriend gift", too personal. Would he know how she felt if she gave him this? Maybe she should just wait until tomorrow, and get him something at the mall.

No she reminded herself. This will make him happy.

As she tried to make her decision, her ears tuned into the song currently playing. She recognized it as Kelly Clarkson. The lyrics almost related too much to her situation

This Christmas, I'm gonna risk it all

This Christmas, I'm not afraid to fall

What was she afraid of? She wanted to be with Jake didn't she? So why was she trying to stop him from finding out? After all, things had changed between them hadn't they? They were closer then they'd ever been before. Maybe the risk would be worth it. It was Christmas. Christmas was a time to live in love.

"Miss?" the attendant asked. She broke from her daze, realizing that she'd been standing there for a long time.

"I'm sorry" she said. "I'll take it"

Cassandra smiled. Jake was going to be so happy, maybe in more ways than one.

A/N: Yeah. Kelly Clarkson two days in a row. Oh well. By the time I realized it, everything was already scheduled. I can't believe we're so close to the end! I'll see you tomorrow with "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas", and unfortunately it will probably be late again. Christmas season is busy season for everyone, and for performers that's times 100. Until next time! Thanks again!