“Ah…do I get to put the plate on your truck?”

“I’ll let you ask Sam about that one.”

“Forget it, I’ll bring the tarp.” C.C. paused for a moment, then asked, “Are you at the same place as usual?”

“Yep, see you soon.” Brooke took in a deep breath as she disconnected with her sister. She looked over to the blonde who was waiting patiently and chuckled thinking about C.C.’s proposed Christmas gift.

Brooke opened up the back of the sport utility vehicle and stared at the assortment of boxes waiting to be unloaded. She couldn’t believe that all of Sam’s worldly possessions were here in her truck. The tall woman glanced back over her shoulder at the young blonde as she dusted off her hands on her way back to the vehicle.

“Any place in particular that you want these boxes, Darlin’?”

Sam looked at the packed vehicle and sighed. “Maybe we should just let them go for tomorrow.” She turned to look up at the darkening sky of the early evening.

“Are you sure?” Brooke asked tentatively.

“Yeah, I’m bushed,” the young woman smiled as she turned back to the porch where their Christmas tree was resting. “I never thought we’d be able to get the tree down from the truck roof with just the two of us.”

“I can bring them in for you if you want,” Brooke offered, referring to the blonde’s possessions.

“You’re used to that, aren’t you?” The blonde looked up into an eagerly smiling face. “Humph,” Sam snorted as she shook her head. “Why do I even ask?” She reached out and felt one of Brooke’s muscular arms, even through the leather coat that she was wearing. Green eyes looked up at Brooke and nodded. “Yeah, we might as well bring them in for the next two weeks.”

The tall woman leaned in and nuzzled her lover’s neck, right behind the ear. She purred, “It could be longer if you’d like.”

Not wanting to get into that discussion right now, Sam pushed past Brooke and grabbed a box, then turned and headed for the house.

“Baby?” Brooke didn’t quite know what she’d said wrong, but she obviously had and she watched as Sam turned back toward her.

“Hon, I really don’t want to think about that right now. I mean…there’s lots of time to do it later. Right now, I’m thinking that Christmas will be here before we know it and I don’t want to miss a single moment of it with you. What do you say we just enjoy this Christmas and see what happens?”

God, she got assigned out of state. I knew it. Why else would she be acting like this? The dark-haired woman could feel the pit of her stomach as it fell into that vast hole of uncertainty. Brooke offered up a weak smile as she grabbed two boxes and took several long strides. “I love you,” she said as she came up next to Sam.

Relieved that her tall friend had not pursued the subject any further, Sam smiled at the love that she saw in the shimmering blue eyes and replied in the only way that she could. “Love you, too.”

Sam moved easily down the spiral staircase, staying just out of reach of the taller woman who was following her. Brooke had started off the morning on a tickling frenzy that nothing Sam did could stop it from happening. Determined to find something better for those hands to be doing than tickling her, Sam came off the stairs and headed right into the living room. There, off to one corner, was the pile of boxes they had assembled in that area last evening.

The young woman turned back to her lover as she entered the room and gently grasped her wandering hands, trying to keep them under control. “I guess we can’t leave them here, can we?” Sam motioned over to the small mound of boxes.

Brooke looked in the general direction and shook her head. “Guess not. Where would you like them?”

Seeing the opportunity to tease the older woman, Sam took it. “And I thought you cleared that big space in the living room just for me.”

The tall woman stopped dead, her face taking on its most serious look. “I will clear any amount of space for you, just tell me what you need.”

Sam looked around first then turned to gaze into Brooke’s eyes. “Would it be too much to take them upstairs? I was thinking maybe in the little guest room or will you need that for one of you nephews tomorrow night?”

“No, the boys will bunk together in one room, and Julie in another. It won’t be any problem. Actually, we can put them wherever you want.” Brooke smiled innocently as she offered up another thought. “You can uh… keep a box in each room if you want.”

The blonde held onto Brooke’s hand and gave her a little shove. “Well, I figured that would be the closest without being too far from the stairs.” She watched Brooke’s eyes twinkle. “You know, for when we have to bring them down again.”

Suddenly the playful sparkle of the blue eyes faded, and Brooke could feel her hopes begin to drop once more. “Oh…” she looked down to her feet and started to pout.

Catching the changing mood, Sam looked over to the pouting woman. “Brooke, let’s not go there. Remember…” green eyes searched until she made contact with Brooke’s eyes and locked into a gaze with them. “We’re concentrating on Christmas this weekend. Let’s not ruin it, okay?”

The older woman bit back on her lip and took in a deep breath before answering. “Okay.”

Before the word or the quick dip to the dark-haired woman’s head took place, Sam let go of her lover’s hands and picked up the first box. She held it out to Brooke, then, after it was taken, pointed toward the stairs and winked. “Now, that’s the Christmas Spirit,” Sam whispered as she reached up on tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss on the woman’s cheek.

Long, sinewy fingers deftly twisted the end of the wire over on itself and made the last few turns, securing the tall pine tree to the eyebolt that was anchored in the wall. Gingerly, Brooke pulled her hand away from the upper portion of the tree and leaned back slightly on the ladder, watching for any sign of movement on the tree’s part. Seeing none, she smiled broadly as she stuffed the excess wire and assorted tools back into her jeans’ pockets.

Looking down into the blonde’s face, Brooke winked, then made her announcement. “Okay, you can let go of it now. It’s not going anywhere.” She started her descent, keeping her eyes on Sam as she released the tree.

Seeing that there was no movement of the tree, Sam looked over to her tall friend as her feet came to meet the floor. “You do this like a pro, Brooke. Would you care to let me in on your secret?” The younger woman stepped back from the tree and marveled at its straightness.

Brooke reached for the small toolbox and began to empty her pockets of tools. “Many years of helping Dad, Brian, and Rick. That’s my secret.”

Sam looked to the tree and then to her lover. “So, you think you’re ready to solo, huh?”

The tall woman surveyed the tree with a skeptical eye. “Well, it’s up, isn’t it?” She grinned as she turned to the ladder, folded it together, then laid it down on its side.

Sweat stained T-shirt and ripped jeans didn’t mar the beauty of the tall woman as Sam admired the muscles that the short-sleeved shirt revealed. Taking in a deep breath to steady her growing urges, the blonde wanted to experience all the facets of this wonderful creature before her and playfully, Sam dared her to do just that.

“Yeah, you’ve shone me your rugged side,” Sam winked. “Now, how about letting me see a little bit of that…” she cleared her throat, “…domestic goddess that you keep hidden from everyone. Help me get some cookies done for the kids tomorrow. I mean…after all…we have to give them something for decorating the tree.” Her voice had turned more seductive as her thoughts did the same.

The dark-haired woman stopped short, giving Sam the subtlest of smiles as she arched a single eyebrow at the blonde. “Okay Baby,” Brooke wiped her hands on her jeans, then rubbed them together. “Let’s go make some cookies.”

Setting the last box down next to the tree, Brooke turned to look over at Sam while she watched the lights twinkling on the tree. God, how I want every Christmas to be like this one. Everything is so much more alive this year, so real. If I would have known baking cookies was so much fun… Brooke stopped to think before she continued on. It’s not the cookies or the year…it’s Sam. That’s what is making this year so different for me. I mean, I always liked Christmas, but now…I simply love it.

Lost in her thoughts, Brooke didn’t hear the doorbell the first time that it rang. It was only after she was nudged by the young woman who was standing next to her, that she was able to hear it amidst the howls of the husky as he came barreling in from the kitchen. She kissed Sam’s cheek and whispered into her ear. “They’re here…” she sing-songed out, then headed for the door with the blonde a step behind.

Brooke pulled open the entryway door and smiled at her older sister. “Hey, hello. We’ve been waiting for you to get here.”

Rolling her eyes, Randi handed over the small child in her arms. “So, you’re really up to having all three of them for the night?” Her eyes shifted between both women standing opposite her.

“Yes, we’re up to it.” Brooke accepted her niece in her arms, and then glanced toward Sam.

“Okay then, they’re all yours for the night.” Randi watched as Sam slipped her arm around her sister’s waist and smiled up at Julie. “We’ll see you tomorrow around nine then.”

“See you then.” Brooke smiled at her two young nephews and motioned with her head, “Come on in guys, we’re all set to go.” Amazed by their antics, she watched as both boys vied to get into the house first, the smaller one of the two finally winning out as he wiggled past his brother and raced into the living room.

Before turning to leave, Brian leaned in toward his sister-in-law and spoke softly for both women to hear. “You know, once you get used to them, they’re not half bad.” He pulled back and gave a wink, then followed his wife back toward the van in the driveway.

Sam paused for a moment to let the words sink in, then she raised her arm, waving to the retreating figures. “Love you too, Brian.” She turned to look at her tall lover and when their eyes met, laughter erupted. “Come on, Julie, let’s go see if we can find you a star.” Sam’s eyes twinkled as she touched the tip of the child’s nose with her finger and winked.

Marveling at the display of artistic talent that was being captured in the boughs of the tree as Brooke orchestrated the decorating, Sam stood back after handing out the last two ornaments to the boys. Each one waited with hope-filled eyes on their aunt as she made her way around the tree. Sam watched while Brooke eyed the ornaments in each boy’s hands, then slowly nodded her head, signifying that she’d found the perfect place for at least one of them.

“Law,” she called out, then pointed to a spot on the left side of the tree. “There by the Nutcracker. Do you see it?”

The youngster nodded eagerly and moved to where his aunt had pointed. Placing the ornament on the tree, he turned and stuck out his tongue in the direction of his brother. “I’m the first one done. See, Aunt Brooke likes me best.”

Sam hid her shocked expression behind the hand that she brought to her mouth and looked over at Brooke, then slowly brought her hand down to her chest as she started to laugh.

Brooke took in a deep breath and nodded as she felt Kevin’s small hand patting her on the leg. She looked down into hope-filled eyes.

“Aunt Brooke,” he held up the shiny, glittered ball in his hand. “Where does this one go?” He watched as his aunt looked the tree over and motioned for him to come toward the front of the tree.

“Here, this is where we need to put your ball.” She knelt down, watching the small boy reach up to the branch and hang the ball right next to a grouping of lights. “There you go.” She smiled and kissed him, hugging him dearly. “Thank you, Kevin.”

The boy giggled and rubbed his cheek where he had been kissed on his shoulder then turned and faced his brother, smiling triumphantly. “She loves me too, David.”

“I love you all just the same as I love little Dumplin’ here.” Brooke picked up Julie and walked over to Sam. “Let’s see if we have something for Julie to place on the tree.” She winked at Sam, knowingly.

The blonde reached down into the box and came up with a gold star for the top of the tree.

The child’s eye grew bigger as she clapped her hands while Sam pulled the golden star from out of the box and handed it to her.

“You know where that star goes, right Julie?” Brooke asked her as she picked the child up into her arms and Sam handed the star to the toddler.