"All done," Nick said with a sigh, taking the last bin of decorations out of the living room.
Now that the holiday decorations were being put away for next time, the house was returning to its normal state. The large tree that used to shine brightly in the room had been taken down.
"Goodbye, Christmas tree," the bunny said after everything was done and put away.
"We had it up for quite awhile, Carrots," Nick replied. "I think we put it up earlier than we ever did."
That was true. Judy insisted that it be put up as soon as possible, and that they didn't take it down immediately and leave it until the New Year rolled around. Nick had kindly fulfilled her wishes, but now came the time that it be stored away for the next holiday season.
"Yeah, we did," the doe said. "Anyway, there's only a little more than three-hundred days 'til Halloween."
The remark from his bunny got a good snicker out of the fox. "Halloween?" he repeated. "It's that your new favorite holiday?"
"No," Judy answered. "I mean, I like that holiday too, but that's not what I meant."
Her fox asked, "Then why can't you wait until Halloween comes?"
"Because, Slick," she replied, "you know you always celebrate by getting the Christmas tree out shortly after."
Nick chuckled at her uncontainable enthusiasm for the holidays. The holidays start earlier each year, he thought.
"You're laughing now," Judy said, "but time flies."
"It truly does." Shortly after he said that, he pretended to act like something he had forgotten was now coming back to him. "You know what, Carrots? I just realized something."
"What's that?"
"There was another Christmas present that I forgot to give you."
"Nick," his bunny replied, "you didn't have to give me anything else. You already got me such a beautiful gift."
"Yeah, but this one is a special one," the vulpine responded. "Not something you can just go to any store and ask for."
Judy was now curious. "Should I close my eyes?" she inquired.
"No need to," Nick answered, shaking his head. "Didn't even have to wrap this gift."
"Well, what is it?" the doe said.
Nick wrapped his arms and around his beloved bunny and embraced her with a warm hug. Judy smiled widely and looked up at her fox.
"Happy holidays," the tod said. "Love you."
Judy let out a laugh under her breath. "This the greatest gift of all," she said.
"It's one that keeps on giving the whole year, Fluff."
Author's Note: Happy New Year! Wanted to kick off this year with something short and sweet. This one came to mind while taking down some of my own Christmas decorations. Just like Judy, my family tends to put the tree up pretty early each year.