Chapter Text
"Isn't it a little silly to buy a tree when we won't even be around to enjoy it?" Ali asks, arms folded as Ashlyn assesses every tree she passes. She has to make sure each one is up to her standards of appearance, scent, and prickliness.
"It is going to be our first Christmas in our own home, so you better believe we're getting a tree," Ashlyn says. "And we're getting it today."
‘Your home,’ Ali wants to say, but she doesn’t. It’s not theirs. Not yet, anyway. "Whatever you say, honey," Ali says, using her favorite term of endearment for when her voice is dripping sarcasm.
In reality, Ali loves seeing Ashlyn filled with childlike excitement. She's been humming Christmas carols since Halloween, and she's had a Christmas list going just as long. In a move that made Ali proud, Ashlyn made a Google spreadsheet for everything she wants, which she shared with Ali. The difficult part for Ali is not buying her every last thing she asked for, because as far as Ali is concerned, she deserves it all. It also doesn't help that Ali is nervous about being in a long-distance relationship for yet another NWSL season and wants to do everything possible to make Ashlyn happy while they are together.
When Ashlyn finally settles on a perfectly symmetrical tree with perfectly separated branches, they help the owner of the Christmas tree farm load it into Chris' truck, which Ashlyn borrowed for the day. She grins the whole way home, her hand firmly on Ali's knee.
Ashlyn repositions the tree at least ten times by Ali's count before finally settling on a decent place for it in the living room.
"Oh crap," Ali says. "I totally forgot to tell you to stop at Publix when we were out. We need toothpaste and eggs."
"Okay, we'll go tonight," Ashlyn says. "Let's decorate first!"
"No," Ali says. "I'll go now. You can start without me, text me if you think of anything else we need, okay?"
Ashlyn pouts. "I'm not starting without you," she grumbles.
Ali gives her a quick kiss. "Put the lights on, then we can put ornaments on together. Deal?"
"Okay," Ashlyn says, but it still doesn't feel right as she strings the lights without Ali.
Ali takes forever at the store, so Ashlyn turns the TV to ABC Family, which is playing (of course) some horribly cheesy Christmas movie. She doesn't know when she falls asleep, but a familiar smell wakes her up a little later.
She trudges to the kitchen, where she finds Ali playing "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and wiping down the counter, wearing a Santa hat and a white apron with red cursive lettering spelling out "Nice."
"Hey sleepyhead," Ali says. "Was all that heavy lifting too much for you?" Ashlyn scrunches her nose and kisses Ali on the cheek. "I'm making cookies!"
"I can see that," Ashlyn says, nodding to the leftover dough with shapes cut out of it. "Is this what took you so long at the store?"
Ali blushes. "I’m sorry I’ve been kind of a Scrooge,” she says. “It just hasn’t felt like Christmas. I miss my family, and it’s going to be a busy month for us, and I’ve been feeling guilty because you seem so excited.”
“Al, it’s okay,” Ashlyn says. “I’m sorry I thought getting a tree would fix all that.”
“It kind of has,” Ali says. “Watching you put it up got me thinking about when I was a kid and we used to play Christmas music and bake cookies while decorating to get into the Christmas spirit," Ali says. "So I thought that might help. I know Christmas is like, your thing, and I don't want to step on your toes, but I just thought it might be fun."
Ashlyn smiles, pulling Ali into an embrace. "That sounds perfect," she says, kissing her on the forehead. "I've gotta tell you, I was getting a little worried you weren't going to ever be in the holiday spirit."
"Would someone not in the holiday spirit buy candy canes to hang on the tree?" Ali asks, holding up a box. "These are the best because it means you can still feel festive by eating them after taking down the decorations, which is the most depressing part of the holidays by far."
"I knew I loved you for a reason," Ashlyn says, pulling her in by her apron to kiss her on the lips. “I like this, by the way. Even though I know the truth.” She traces the letters with her fingers, and Ali smiles with her tongue between her teeth, reaching behind her.
“Oh, but that’s why it’s reversible,” Ali says, reaching behind her to untie the apron. “I had a feeling the other side would come out sometime tonight.” She flips it around to reveal the side that’s red with white lettering, spelling out “Naughty.”
“As much as I love your traditions,” Ashlyn says, her hands gripping Ali’s waist as she lifts her onto the clean (for now) counter. “I think I’m going to love making new traditions with you even more.”