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He’s known it was coming. He’s prepared for it. But he couldn’t prepare for the vision of you, eyes bright in your red and green, the lights of your own decorations sparkling behind you as you admonished, “Jack, you have to have a tree!”
“Sunshine, I haven’t had a tree in years,” he admits to you, “I’m not usually home for the holidays and since it’s just me, I never bother.” He hates the sad look that crosses your face.
“Oh. I guess that makes sense,” you say quietly. “Sorry for being so loud. I just…I love Christmas.”
He chuckled. “I noticed.” And it wasn’t just Christmas you loved; you’d had a vibrantly decorated space for every holiday since you’d moved in last Spring.
He hadn’t meant to pay so much attention to his newest neighbor, but you were impossible not to notice. The kind hearted woman helping old Mr. Griffith carry his groceries in during a downpour, the gentle friend when the Spencers had their twins and weren’t sleeping, the bubbly baker who’d appeared at his own door one afternoon with containers of food claiming she’d “made too much” when he knew she’d just realized he was lonely. But with you? He shouldn’t love being around you like he does. You deserve someone as cheery and lovely as you.
“I guess I’ll see you later,” he hears you say as you turn to your door but he grabs your hand.
“Sunshine, would you come with me to get a tree?” He fights the laugh that bubbles up as your eyes brighten.
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to, Jack.”
“I’ll be home this year, I should decorate some, right?” You grin at him and he’s lost.
“I’m happy to help!”
*********
What were you thinking? It was bad enough that you had a barely concealed crush on your neighbor, but pressuring him to get a Christmas tree? And then he’d come out of his bedroom, having changed out of his work clothes, and oh.
Jack always looked good. His tailored button downs and pants, his infamous hat all suited him so well that you’d assumed nothing could top that, but when he emerged in a worn pair of Wranglers that hugged every bit of his legs and a soft, green plaid flannel shirt? You couldn’t stop staring at him as he drove you both out to a Christmas tree farm at the edge of the city. His dark brown eyes flicked in your direction every so often as you both sang along to the Christmas carols on the radio, his smile half-cocked and one hand on the wheel.
“I have a confession,” you admit, earning a cheeky glance from your driver.
“What’s that, Sunshine?” Jack drawls.
“I’ve never chopped down a tree before.”
This earns a fierce look. “Never had a real tree? That’s a damn shame. We always got one from my uncle’s farm when I was a boy. Momma would make Daddy and I a thermos of hot cocoa and she’d start on her cookie baking while we got the tree.” You smile at your neighbor as he drifts into what must be a good memory. “Every year we’d get it home and out of the truck and she’d swear up and down that it was too big and wouldn’t fit in the living room and every year, we’d set it up and get the lights on and it was perfect. She’d kiss my Daddy’s cheek and call him her Christmas wish come true.” He was quiet, the music floating between them.
“That sounds so lovely, Jack,” you agree, slipping your fingers between his. “I know they were wonderful people.”
“And how do you know that, Sunshine?” His hand tightens around yours.
“Because they made you.”
He’s quiet for a moment, pulling his truck into an empty spot at the edge of the parking lot. “Thanks for that darlin.” Jack says quietly.
“Anytime cowboy,” you agree. “Now let’s go find you a tree!”
As you head into the grove of trees, his hand finds yours again, and the surrounding cold fades away.
********
It’s several hours later when you’re back in Jack’s apartment, a lush spruce tree tucked against his windows, white lights threaded through the dark green boughs and the fragrance filling the room.
“I have to admit, darlin’, this was a good idea. I was feelin’ down about being home alone this Christmas but this has cheered me right up.”
You smile, placing hooks on the silver and gold ornaments you’d convinced him to buy for the tree. “I’m glad I could help. I got pretty lucky with neighbors when I moved in here.”
“I’d argue that we got pretty lucky with you, Sunshine, since the guy in that apartment before you glared at anyone who got too close to his door and microwaved fish for every meal. You are a vast improvement.”
You can’t help but laugh. “That does sound pretty rotten. I’m sorry again if you felt pressured about the tree. I just get excited about things and forget how to rein myself in.”
“Never apologize for being who you are, Sunshine. I wasn’t pressured. I honestly just wanted to make you smile.”
You blush. “I got you something that I think will make you smile too,” you pull out the small box and pass it to him. Sliding the lid off, Jack’s grin makes your heart race.
“Sunshine, where did you find these?”
“They were in the back corner in the ornament shop,” you admit, as Jack admires the three ornaments you’d chosen specifically for him: a whiskey bottle, a cowboy hat, and an outline of Texas.
“They’re perfect. You wanna put them on the tree?” You nod eagerly, taking the cowboy hat from his hand.
“I might have bought something for you too, Sunshine,” he confesses, and you turn, eyeing him suspiciously. “Thought you might need a bit of nature too.” Your eyes widen as you notice what he’s holding up.
“Mistletoe?” your voice cracks as Jack moves closer.
“Thought it might go well with the tree for my Christmas angel.”
“Oh Jack,” his empty hand brushes yours.
“Can I kiss you, darlin?”
You nod, unable to form words, and then his lips are on yours and you forget everything else. The mistletoe drops to the floor as Jack’s arms wrap around you, pulling you into his flannel covered chest and holding you firmly against him. Only when you have to breathe do you separate from Jack, his mustache tickling your cheek as he holds you close.
“Thank Christ,” he mutters into your hair and you giggle. “That would have been awkward if you hadn’t wanted me to.”
“God Jack, I’ve wanted you since the night the power went out and you let me sleep on your couch because I was afraid of being alone in my apartment.”
“Well damn, I wasted some time then.”
You grin, snuggling into the crook of his shoulder. “Let’s not do that anymore then. Merry Christmas Jack.”
“Merry Christmas Sunshine,” Jack whispers, pressing another kiss to your forehead and thanking whatever higher power sent you his way.