A Collection of Alaskan Bush Christmas stories.

The Christmas Tree - Gabe

The cabin sat empty save for you and your tortured heart. Sir Gabriel was traveling to the far reaches of Brown Town in search of the perfect holiday tree. Your heart was heavy and your stomach was full. You were a stress eater. When all of the adult males in the realm left for their tree hunt, you had begged your husband to stay.

"I don't care about a tree and I don't care about decorations. All I want for Christmas is you in my arms." You slid your hands along his soft, full sideburns. You held your straight faces for all of two seconds before you both burst out laughing.

"Oh, Gabey, my sweet. That was so corny. Sorry." You hiked up your long heavy dress and straddled him as he sat in his chair.

"My darling." He let you hold him for a time and then his strong hands gently pressed you away from him. "I must go." Gabe kissed you a long lingering kiss and the pit of your stomach contracted. He always aroused you. It was a miracle that your father, the King of the realm of the lower 48 allowed your marriage. He felt that no man would ever be good enough for his daughter. But you loved Sir Gabriel and were determined to become his wife. Also,  your wailing and moaning at your father for days on end finally made him relent. He would see. Sir Gabriel was perfect for you and your children would be smart and beautiful and cunning.

This would be your first Christmas on the island empire of Brown Town and your first Christmas as Sir Gabriel's wife. There wasn't a lot you could do to decorate your small cabin castle, but you wanted to make this first Christmas as special as possible. How could you have known that your request would cause your true love to leave you for so long?

You stood at the door to your castle cabin, your eyes taking in the ruins of Sir Joshua's castle not far away. Your brother in law was desired by many females in the county. When a jealous ex-girlfriend had found out that she had been replaced by a beautiful young woman named Pebbles, the angry ex had stormed the small castle and burnt it to the ground.

Feeling empty and alone without your dear husband Sir Gabriel, you finally made a decision. Strapping on your short pistol and long sword, you swung your heavy woolen cape over your shoulders. You had been a lass well worth your salt before marrying your husband. Your skills were still sharp thanks to his insistence on the constant drilling and target practice. Your plan was to find him and his brothers and assist them on their quest for the perfect Christmas tree.

Slipping quietly through the sleeping kingdom, you easily found the tracks the brothers had left in the packed snow. They weren't concerned with many predators this time of year so they hadn't bothered to cover their tracks. Pulling your heavy cape closer around you and frowning down at your thick rubber
XtraTuf boots , you came upon their campsite within minutes.

"She's odd." You heard Sir Joshua whisper to his brother.

Sir Gabriel nodded his head. "That she is, my brother. That she is."

Were they talking about you? How could your darling husband agree with something like that? You frowned mightily and your temper began to stir.

"She smells so sweet." Sir Matthew waved his hand in front of his face. "The scent is like too many flowers. Makes me a little ill."
They were! They were talking about you!

"Her hair is so thick." Sir Solomon smiled his beautiful smile but his tone was jesting. "When you run your fingers through it, do they get stuck?" He held his hands up in a gesture that looked like bear claws scratching at the air.

"I, myself desire a woman who is less...shall we say...strong willed?" Sir Noah spoke with his head down as he began sharpening a small knife.

The tears sprang to your eyes as you realized what you brothers in law truly thought of you. Your hand went to your knife and pistol and you thought to yourself;
"Death before dishonor." You narrowed your eyes at your so-called family but your husband's voice cut cleanly through your anger.

"It is as you say, my brothers." Sir Gabriel's smile was visible from where you crouched in the nearby brush. "She is odd. She is so different from any other woman I have ever met and she could never be considered common. Plus, her love for me is uncommon, too. It is deep and loyal and fierce."

Sir Joshua nodded his head in agreement. "Yes. That is true."

Sir Gabriel's blue eyes shone as he spoke. "And yes, brother Matthew, her scent is sweeter than we are used to, but when she is lying beneath me, it seems as if I am lying on a bed of wild flowers and the scent drives my passion higher than I can ever dream."

"I would imagine that to be true." Sir Matthew agreed.

"And her hair?" Sir Gabriel continued. "Her hair is full and curly like mine and if I were to allow my locks to grow long like my lady's locks, we would both become happily lost in the thickness."

The brothers sighed as they considered your beauty and the true love their brother had found with you. Their eyes stared far into the future as they dreamed of their own true loves.

"I am honored by your defense of me, my Lord." You spoke out.

Stepping from the cover of the brush you revealed yourself to the brothers. At the sight of you, Sir Gabriel's face broke into a grin and he jumped from his seat. Racing to meet you, his arms swung out and he threw his arms around your waist and squeezed you to him. His firm, broad chest crushed against your bodice and your laugh bubbled out of you.

"You are my Queen!" Sir Gabriel whispered with his mouth against your lips.

"You are my King!" You replied.

"Come and view your Christmas tree. I hope it meets with your approval." Your husband drew his arm out to show you the beautiful six-foot cedar tree he and his brothers had chopped down for your holiday.

"Gabey, it's beautiful. Just perfect." You buried your face in his thick neck and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"A perfect tree for the perfect lady." He intoned in a deep voice, causing a quiver to race through you like a singing arrow.

"Merry Christmas, my darling." Sir Gabriel positioned himself so that his back was to his brothers, hiding your small frame completely from view.

"Merry Christmas, my dearest." You smiled as his lips found yours.