THE CRIMINAL FILES ~ Mona Lisa's Murder

N I N E

/It's the most beautiful time of the year. Lights fill the streets, spreading so much cheer. I should be playing in the winter snow, but I'mma be under the mistletoe. I don't wanna' miss out on the holiday, but I can't stop staring at your face. I should be playing in the winter snow, but I'mma be under the mistletoe/ ~ Justin Bieber {Mistletoe}

Kristen's Perspective

"So we're coming over to your place at...eight. Right?" D asked, walking beside me as she put on her coat.

"Yeah." I replied.

She gave me sympathetic look. "Do you need me to help cook anything?"

I cocked my head. "No, but thanks anyway. I made most of the stuff yesterday and this morning. Plus, Jackson's coming home with and he's gonna' help me prepare dessert."

"Okay," she sighed. "See you there," she turned around, wrapped her scarf around her neck and headed towards the elevator.

I zipped up my coat and waited in front of the doors into the bullpen for Jackson. That's when I heard Landon come up behind me. "Hey."

"Hey," I replied.

"I'm still able to come right?"

I nodded, smiling. "Yes."

"Good." He added. The two of us stood beside each other, watching the other. "Kris," he was looking at me, his eyes looking down.

"Yeah?" I asked quietly.

He didn't respond...with words, at least. Instead, he leaned down and placed his lips and mine and kissed me. My eyes widened, shock overcoming me, but instinct kicked in - and I put my hands on his cheeks and kissed him back.

He let go, stood up straight and smiled down at me. "See ya' there," he winked and left.

"Wow." I spun around to see Jackson leaning against the door frame. "I totally didn't see that coming," he joked.

I swatted at his chest and ushered him along to the elevators. Looking back, I noticed that where I was standing was right under one of the mistletoe's that Lily had placed.

***

Landon talked with Joan while both sipped on their glasses of wine I had poured for them out of the fresh bottle.

Delilah and Jessica were having a serious game of monopoly that Jackson decided to cheer-lead for {sadly he was not drunk}, Charity kept shouting at Lily to chug ten cans of beer and May and I were over in the corner, nibbling on ginger bread cookies.

The doorbell rang. I sighed, excused myself, and walked over to the door. I opened it, looking down the hall to find nothing. I was about to close the door when I heard a squeak. I looked down to find a red box, tied off with large green bow, and with large holes in the box.

Confused, I picked it up, surprised by it's weight. I carried it inside only to hear a screech. Lily was wobbling over to me, freaking out. "That might be a fucking bomb!"

I shook my head, laughing. I lifted the top of, my breath caught in it's throat. Looking inside was a small German Shepard puppy with a large, red bow tied on his neck. "Aw!" Everyone shouted out in unison.

I lifted him up, as he responded with a lick to my cheek. I looked at the name tag on his collar which read; "Balto". I placed him beneath my arm, to my side, and read the note at the bottom of the box.

Kris,

I know that I couldn't go to the party, even though Joan invited me. I'm sorry. For all of it.

I know ever since I met you, you've wanted a dog. A German Shepard that you would name Balto, to be exact.

So...my Christmas present to you is a German Shepard puppy that is named Balto. I payed for his collar, name tag, shots, and in the bank is the money for him to be neutered when the time comes.

Merry Christmas, Kris.

Love, Owen

I bit on my lip, smiling. I put the note down and looked at Balto, who was now sleeping in the crook of my arm.

I smiled...again.