Angelic Eyes

Chapter 9 - Christmas Tree Farm

*Merry Christmas! I know this update is like two weeks after Christmas but I have been travelling and being with my family so I didn't get much time to write within the Christmas break, but I'm but with a new chapter and it's Christmas edition so our two cuties are full of Christmas joy and lots of food! Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. 🫶

It had been a week since the hoodie incident. Maisie and Dexter had cleaned the attic and re-organized it to Maisie’s taste. She had now officially moved in. Maisie’s life had never been better for the past week. Being back with Dexter made Maisie suddenly realise how much she’d missed her best friend. Dexter felt the same, but something had bothered him since he and Maisie watched the sunset together.

Maisie was this smart, fiery, independent, beautiful woman, who he had known for seven years. They were best friends turned to lovers, but Maisie showed her disloyalty. The sad thing was their relationship hadn’t properly taken off and Dexter never got to show how much he loved her. After they broke up, Dexter made a pact with himself to never like or love Maisie again, after she shattered his heart, but this pact may be broken.

Maisie is different now, she’s trustworthy again, loyal. She was going through a hard time and Dexter was her saviour. Dexter can’t help but every time she enters a room he lays his eyes on her, every time she speaks, he allows every word to linger in his ears. Every time she laughs, he can’t help but smile and every time she touches him, he can’t help but get butterflies in his stomach. Dexter’s feelings had caught on to her.

“Hey Dex, considering its Christmas soon, I think we should put up a Christmas tree. The only thing is I don’t want to get a cheap plastic one from our local discount store, I want to go to the Christmas tree farm and harvest one,” said Maisie on an early Sunday morning. Dexter smiled sweetly; his chocolate eyes lit up.

“That would be brilliant! We’ll go later tonight though,” explained Dexter, but Maisie frowned.

“I want to go now! Why can’t we do it now!” said Maisie grumpily like a toddler.

“Because I still work as a casual at the bar and must study for university. Money and degrees don’t just magically spawn into people’s lives,” told Dexter. Maisie sighed heavily.

“Ok, I guess. You promise you’ll come back as soon as possible?” Maisie whined, bashing her long eyelashes.

“I promise,” said Dexter, holding out his pinky finger, which Maisie intertwined hers.

“Ok I got to go. Don’t miss me too much,” said Dexter cheekily, while winking. Maisie smiled and opened the front door for Dexter, waving him goodbye. He pulled out of the driveway in his white jeep. Maisie went back inside, making herself a large cup of hot chocolate. Maisie loved Christmas time. It was her favourite day of the year.

After what felt like several hours of waiting, a familiar white jeep rolled into the driveway. He was finally home. Maisie flung the front door open and ran to Dexter's car, getting in before Dexter could get out. Dexter chuckled and rolled his eyes.

“Let me get change and then we can go,” he said. Maisie smiled happily and sat waiting in the car for Dexter to come back. To say she was excited was an understatement. Dexter returned, locking the house before making his way to the car getting into the car. They reversed out of the driveway, making their way to the Christmas tree farm. Light snow started to fall, as they drove through the fresh coat from this morning.

They turned onto Maisie’s father’s street. The road was all ploughed, and the giant mansions stood tall, the new streetlights glowed brightly, as the sun started to fade away. Sleek porches and BMWs lined driveways, and chandeliers shone light through the large glass windows. They were well and truly in the depths of the rich neighbourhood. They turned onto the main highway, and started travelling out of town, listening to The Beatles, one of Dexter’s favourite bands.

They turned onto a dirt road, leading them to the Tree Farm. The road was lined with tall pine trees. The white jeep reached a large car park, filled with cars and people buzzing in and out. Dexter got out and opened the door for Maisie in a gentlemanly way. Maisie played along and grabbed his hand gracefully, as if they were in an old 50s romance movie.

Maisie giggled as Dexter pulled her gently down the path leading to the farm, still holding her hand. They walked to an opening, filled with people carting trees and food stools selling warm cinnamon donuts and creamy hot chocolates. There was a large field with rows of small pine trees, with workers cutting down the perfect tree for the right family. Maisie and Dexter walked into the field looking over trees trying to find one that would fight comfortably in Dexter’s house. They strolled through the lines of pine until Maisie stopped. A tree stood next to her, looking upon her. Its leaves were a Sacramento green, yet the tree seemed old. It was tall and skinny. It looked like it had a story to tell, or maybe one too many kids tugging on its fine branches and leaves.

“I want this one,” said Maisie. Dexter looked at it. Out of all the tree’s she wanted this one. Thought Dexter.

“Ok then,” muttered Dexter. He ushered a worker over who cut down the tree. The worker was old himself, but he had a large welcome smile behind his scruffy grey beard. He wore a Santa hat with the farm's uniform.

“This farm here is my own farm. Been running it for sixteen years now since I quit my job at my ex-wife’s coffee shop. Now this very tree here is my first and oldest tree. It’s been on this farm if I have,” he explained proudly, but with a hint of sadness. Maisie listened intently, soaking in every word.

“Wow! To be taking this tree home is an honour,” Maise announced sweetly. The old man smiled. Maisie held her hand out.

“I’m Maisie Parkers,” she said. The man shook it and introduced himself.

“I’m Willoughby Ascott but I’m known as Wilby. By chance are you related to Daniel Parkers?” Wilby asked, his voice was bitter as he said her father’s name. Maisie sighed heavily.

“Yes, he is my father,” Maisie sighed. Wilby got up abruptly and stormed away.

“You can do the rest.”