Before you know it, Christmas arrives. Well, first Christmas Eve. Abbie is over-excited. It is the first time since she was little that she has someone to share it all with and a home to have a real tree in to decorate. She does go a bit overboard, but Tim is all in, as this is the first time for him to have a happy, warm feeling of love and harmony for this holiday.
Lights outside are hung. Bulbs and decorations Tim finds tucked away for years are brought out, and more are bought together with Abbie. Then, after work one night, they pick out a large Christmas tree together the week of Christmas. The smell of it tied to the top of the Escape as they drive home is so wonderfully adding to the seasonal feeling. The two sing along to the carols from the radio as they drive.
Tim props the tree in the back yard in a pail of water until Christmas Eve to keep it fresh. Abbie pouts some, wanting to start to decorate it already but, spanking her bottom a little, Tim tells her to be patient, as it will be more fun the day before Christmas to keep busy.
All of the gang are busy wrapping and hiding gifts along with their own decorating. Everyone is in high spirits by Christmas Eve. With plans made for the next three days. Christmas Eve, Les, Phoebe, Grace, and Sam are coming over for dinner and the final decorating of Tim and Abbie’s tree. They will all spend the afternoon and dinner together on Christmas Day exchanging presents and such.
In the evening, the rest of the gang will join them after finishing with their family things. Then, all will hang out at the Peacock for the afternoon on Boxing Day.
Christmas Eve with the six is perfect. Just a small meal of soup, fresh-baked bread, and cheese. They will be eating so much the next couple of days, well, the next whole week.
The tree with the final trimming is beautiful as they all sit and gaze at it, sipping on cordials. Then, finally, after rousing of their nodding off, the four guests get up to say good night and Merry Christmas.
Les and Phoebe run across the drive to their house, also lit with Christmas lights, and Grace and Sam get into his truck. Abbie and Tim return to the sitting room where the tree is glowing, and Abbie puts a disc in to watch.
“Tim, we have to watch this movie. It is more or less a tradition of mine on Christmas Eve. When I would get home from the late service of the church, it seemed always to be on to watch,” Abbie tells him as she snuggles into the couch as White Christmas begins to play.
Meanwhile, Sam pulls out of the drive, turning in the opposite direction than their place over the workshop. At the corner entrance to King’s Lane, Sam turns in and right at the first street. He pulls into the drive at the third house and hands Grace a ribbon-tied box. “Merry Christmas, Grace,” Sam tells her.
Grace looks at him puzzled and opens the box. Inside on a key chain is a house key. Sam has come around and opens her door and helps her out. They walk to the front door, and he has her unlock it. When she does, Sam lifts Grace and carries her over the threshold.
“Welcome to your new home, Grace. I hope I have fixed it the way you would want. Of course, we can change anything you would like,” Sam tells her as he sets her down. Grace is amazed and speechless. The house is wonderful. She runs through the downstairs rooms looking at everything.
The kitchen is not as big as Tim and Abbie’s, but they would never need that. There are two studies next to each other. One for Tim and his designs and construction, and one for her to study linguistics. The sitting room is comfy with a big tv to enjoy. The parlor is stately but inviting. Everything is perfect—even the Christmas tree with their presents under it. Sam must have moved them here this afternoon.