December 18th, 1871

Ariadne had decided not to let her silly crush on Arthur effect the way she was around him. She very much wanted to be his friend regardless of her feelings. The problem with trying so hard not to feel anything towards him was that the more she thought about it, the more she thought about him. And thinking about him was counterproductive.

And then there was Christmas. It was a tricky thing trying to figure out what to get him for Christmas. She didn't want to appear too forward but still wanted to do something special. Ariadne loved buying presents for people. It was more exciting than getting them.

While sitting with Mal and the kids at the Cobb's house, she found herself impossibly distracted trying to think of what she should give him. Jimmy was playing with little wooden blocks that Dom had carved and Phillipa was working on her letters and words at the kitchen table. Should I make a scarf like I did for Dom and Eames? It's a practical gift but I just don't know… Or maybe some tobacco… Does he smoke though? I don't think so. A book might be good… But what? We haven't really talked about what he likes to read. Ah why is this so difficult!? Ariadne's mind was jumping from item to item trying to settle on the perfect thing. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that anything she got him would just be foolish. Of course any gift will be too personal. He will see through this rouse easily. Of course I have feelings for him…

"Ariadne?" Mal's voice jolted her from her thoughts. Mal was looking at her as if she was waiting for a response.

"Oh Mal, I'm sorry, my mind is elsewhere today. What did you ask?" Ariadne asked, focusing on her friend.

Mal laughed, "Yes I could tell dear. I just asked how you like it out here, do you miss New York?"

For what seemed like the first time that day, Ariadne didn't think about Arthur at all. In an instant her mind was filled with a longing for New York and the simple life she had led. She could still hear, plain as day, the sounds of children laughing and running through the orphanage. The hustle and bustle of New York streets in the fall and the fancy horse drawn buggies that she loved to watch drive down the street. Home sickness filled her until it felt like she might cry.

"I do miss it. Ever so much. It's hard to think that it's been over 2 months since I left." Ariadne sighed and had to clear her throat as it seemed to go instantly dry. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. "I received a letter from the children at the orphanage last week. They all wrote in a letter to me, it was darling. It's so easy to get distracted with all the new and exciting changes… But… Part of me wishes I could just be back in my familiar old life with my friends and family. Well I guess not really family… But you know…"

"My sweet darling, come here" Mal said with an understanding smile and outstretched arms. Ariadne got up and went in for a comforting hug. "I am always here for you; I know just how you feel." She said with a reassuring voice. Ariadne snuggled into her shoulder and returned the hug. "Christmas is always a hard time to be separated from your loved ones. Dom and I are here for you, just remember."

Jimmy had looked up from his toys and saw the two women in their embrace and he got to his feet. "ADI!" He shrieked as he held out his arms.

"Oh little man, do you want a hug too?" Ariadne said, a smile coming to her face as she let go of Mal and stretched out her arms for the toddler. He waddled over to her and with a toothy grin jumped into her arms. "Adi." He said again, holding out his block to show her.

"Yes baby. It's your block! Do you like playing with them?" She tickled his chin and he shrieked in laughter.

"I'm so glad I get to see him grow up. I've missed your family." She said looking back to Mal, grateful to change the subject. Jimmy was still babbling and waving his block back and forth in her arms.

"Honey, you come to visit any time. We love having you here. Please join us for Christmas dinner…" Their conversation continued well into the evening. Ariadne caught Mal up with the new friends she'd made in town and Mal told her all about the kids and the recent adventures they'd been on. Phillipa had just one more year until she would be in school, but she was so smart already. Time seemed to fly by and by the time Dom got home, it was already dark out and Ariadne ended up staying for dinner. They insisted that she come over for Christmas dinner.

As she walked back into the boarding house that night, Ariadne realized that baking cookies would be the perfect thing to do for Arthur. Finally! Its perfect! Why did I not think of this before? I know that Regina has a ginger snap recipe and one for shortbread. Maybe we can make them together after cleaning tomorrow, Ariadne thought and started to skip home, anxious to ask. When she got back, Roy was, as always, up late in the kitchen. She managed to casually what Arthur's favorite cookies were.

"Shortbread cookies actually. They are so plain, I don't get it… Arthur is weird though." Roy said with a wink. She laughed and told him that she was making them for the whole Wilde family. She decided it would be easier and less suspicious to make them for others as well. That night was the first one that she went to bed easily and didn't worry about what to get everyone.

The next night the Cobb and Wilde families had plans to go get trees for Christmas. Dom and Miles had fastened runners onto the carriages so that the horses could pull them easily through the snow and at 4:30, everyone has ready to go. Ariadne had been invited the night before and couldn't be more excited. Regina told her that if they cut down a third tree she would get Roy to set it up in the parlor. Ariadne had made sure to put on her flannel long underwear and extra socks to keep warm in the snow. Claire Wilde had decided she would stay at home and watch the kids so Mal took the children over before she came to the boarding house to get Ariadne. Together they walked back to Mal's house.

Ariadne's heart skipped a beat as she saw Arthur standing with Dom and Miles, waiting for them. Abigail saw the women approaching and walked over to join them. She grasped Ariadne's hand and said, "I'm so happy you're joining us Ariadne! Isn't this exciting? Father has taken us to chop down a Christmas tree every year since we were kids. It's a tradition, he always lets me pick it. It would make Arthur so mad when we were little. Oh! Also, I made coffee and have a little cake for everyone when we are done too."

Ariadne smiled at her friend and replied, "I've never chopped down a tree before! Do we have far to go?"

"No, it's only a few miles outside of town." Together they hurried over to the awaiting carriages and off the group went.

Arthur watched as Ariadne walked through the woods, staring from left to right, neck strained upwards. Her mouth was parted slightly and she had a look of wonderment in her eyes. Everyone had set out to find the perfect tree. It couldn't have been planned better; Abigail and their father wanted to keep to the tradition and set off together, then obliviously Dom and his wife went together which left Arthur alone with Ariadne. Not that they were really alone because everyone was in the same area, but it was still the closest they'd been in a few weeks.

"So have you ever seen trees like this?" Arthur asked coming up to stand next to her.

Ariadne moved her head down and turned to look at him. "No never! Not still growing that is. And everything is so picturesque! The trees and the snow… Even the sunset adds to the picture. It's so beautiful!"

Arthur had to agree… But he wasn't looking at the trees and snow or the serene environment. His thoughts were interrupted when Ariadne suddenly jumped and turned to him. "Oh! Look!" She grabbed his hand and started running. Arthur held firmly onto her hand and followed. She stopped in front of a small tree. It was about a foot smaller than most of the others surrounding it and the pine needles were a brighter green.

"I know it's small, but it's perfect!" She exclaimed looking from the tree to Arthur and back again.

"It's just like you." He said with a laugh. Ariadne glanced over at him with surprise in her eyes.

"Arthur, I'm hardly perfect!" She scoffed.

"Oh right… Well I meant that it's small like you." He said with a grin. She blushed and smiled back at him. Suddenly everything between them felt too intimate. Arthur felt that holding her hand was inappropriate, and unclasped his fingers. She must have felt the same because she released him and quickly tucked her hands into her pockets.

"Come on, I'll get the ax. It never feels like Christmas until we get the tree put up anyway." Arthur said, wanting to change the subject.

"Oh yes, right. Well I think I might just let you do this part." Ariadne said grinning again.

For the next few hours they cut down several trees, drank the coffee and ate coffee cake that Abigail had packed. Everyone was enjoying the outdoors and were reluctant to go home. As the sun went down and the dark chill started to set in, Arthur, Dom and Miles anchored the trees with rope to drag behind the carriages and everyone piled back in.

That afternoon was the most fun Arthur had had in a while. It helped that he got to spend several hours with his beautiful new friend.

It had taken Arthur almost a month to come up with the perfect gift for Ariadne.

Roy had previously mentioned Ariadne swooning over the fine china tea set that his mother owned when she had first arrived in Juniper Springs. They would now joke about how you could always tell when it was 4:00 because she could be found sipping tea in the parlor out of one of the tiny tea cups.

Arthur didn't think it would be appropriate to buy her a whole tea set… But he had gone to the general store and ordered one tea cup and a matching saucer about two weeks back. It had pretty little light blue and orange flowers painted on it and it was so small that he could barely fit his fingers into the handle. Hopefully she would like it. He could always get her another one for her birthday or get the matching tea pot next Christmas. Arthur wasn't sure where he came up with this idea. If it didn't work he would be completely at a loss for what she could want.

It was only easy to buy gifts for his mother and sister. Every other woman remained a mystery to him. Abigail always wanted books and his mother collected ribbons and hair pins. This tea cup felt more dainty and personal than either of those gifts.

Hopefully she will like it, he thought as he picked it up from the general store. It had come, special delivery, from Cheyenne the day after they picked up the trees.

Thanks for reading! Review if you so desire :)