Chapter 17
Deck the Halls
After church the next day, Lily sat on the steps of the church and she talked with Matthew. They talked for an hour until finally Lily's cell phone rang.
"Hello?" she said, a smile crossed her face upon seeing it was Jack calling.
"I'm about to leave the Hub and come over to the house." Jack replied.
Lily frowned, "What time is it?" she asked.
"Quarter to one," he answered.
"Well crap…okay give me a few minutes, but I'll meet you at the house." She replied.
"Okay bye."
Jack hung up and Lily did the same.
"Sorry…I've got to run. My friend is coming over to help me decorate the house." She said.
Matthew's face fell, "Will you two need any help?" he asked.
She shook her head, "No I doubt it…we're just putting up some garland and making a space for the Christmas tree."
"Oh right," Matthew sighed, "Well I'll see you tomorrow."
Lily smiled, "Bye," and she began to walk off.
Matthew watched her until he couldn't see her any longer.
When Lily got home a few minutes later, she was pleased to see Mary and her husband had left for London. She put her coat upstairs and headed back for the kitchen. Lily began to make some sandwiches. By the time she was done cutting the crusts off, Jack arrived…carrying a large box with him.
"What's this?" Lily asked.
"Christmas decorations I found stored away in the Hub," he replied.
Lily peaked in the box, "Thanks." She smiled.
Jack set the box down and grabbed a sandwich. He ate it in two bites.
"Do you like it?" Lily asked.
He nodded, "It's quite good for a sandwich."
Lily smiled, proud of herself and she sat down to eat her own sandwich.
"Did your mother make food this good?" Jack asked as he started on his second sandwich, taking his time eating this one.
Lily thought, "She used to tell me that when she first met daddy she couldn't cook to save her life…but when he proposed marriage she learned very quickly," Lily laughed, "Grandad said she couldn't marry him otherwise because if she couldn't cook then her husband wouldn't be well taken care of," she paused, "Her father and his father were best friends. They always looked out for each other's children.
Jack nodded in understanding, "How come your mother never learned to cook as a girl?"
"Well momma came from wealth…they had maid's and housekeepers…So did daddy's family for that matter. We actually were quite wealthy…but daddy wanted to earn his own money…build himself up without Granddad's help," Lily smiled, "It was better that way…because Grandad respected daddy a lot more for it…"
"Sounds like your father was a very smart man," Jack commented.
She nodded, "He was the smartest man I've ever known…it's a shame he's gone or our path's never crossed in the forties," her smile had dropped a bit, "You and daddy would have gotten along famously."
Jack noted the sadness, "Come on now!" he warned, "None of that!" He stood up, "Let's get to decorating."
Lily stood up as well; she smiled and put her plate in the sink.
Jack carried the box to the living room, "I have some more stuff in the truck…I'll just be a moment."
He ran out of the house.
Lily began to pull decorations out. She found a box of never used candles and the holders for the candles…they would look lovely in the windows downstairs.
Jack returned, "And I found this at a store today," he held up a Christmas CD, "Judy Garland…Frank Sinatra…mostly American's but you know still good stuff."
Lily smiled as she put the CD into the player, "Thanks Jack."
He smiled as he set a box down, "No problem.
They spent the rest of the day hooking up lights, hanging garland, and ending the evening with stringing popcorn and cranberries.
Jack left with the promise of bringing her paper the next morning so she could make angels and snowflakes for the windows.
He kissed her goodnight and then left for the Hub.
Slowly Lily walked back to the living room and she looked at their handiwork.
Lights were strung, a corner was empty waiting for a tree, stockings were hung, and it was beautiful. But…she felt a void. Lily turned the CD player up, curled up on the sofa and cried herself to sleep…
XX
A/N-
See I just had to go and make everyone depressed!! :D
Do ya'll hang cranberries and popcorn on the trees over there? Where my dad lives…it's an old military base that was the most active in the forties. They have a house out there though where you can have a tour and see what a house would look like…and I've helped decorate for Christmas time…and we hung cranberries and popcorn on the tree. So if English/Welsh/whatever don't do it then oh well :P
We don't do it now…but I know back in the 40's that was a big thing…so anyways…..
Review and I'll get to work on the next chapter ASAP!
Much love, Beccs! ^_^
