The Librarians And the Advent List

Dec 24

Author's Note: Generally Advent calendars end on Dec 24, but I wrote 25 parts. I'm posting both of them today.  Enjoy! Merry Christmas! 

Stone was starting to panic. It was Christmas Eve and Baird's party was starting in 90 minutes. He'd bought gifts for everyone, including a separate birthday present for Baird. But he was seriously second guessing the gift he'd bought for Cassandra. He'd asked her what she wanted and she'd suggested a necklace she'd seen in a shop. He'd dutifully bought it for her, but he was second guessing himself. Even though she had wanted it, it seemed more like a safe generic gift. They'd admitted that they'd been trying to figure out how to tell each other how they felt for weeks now. And he was pretty sure Cassandra had panicked when he asked about a gift and blurted out something she'd planned on buying for herself. He didn't want to return the gift, she probably did want it. But he needed to add something meaningful. The problem was what?

Time was running out. He had to get home and change. He had to at the very least, wrap Baird's birthday gift. And by the time the party ended, he was going to be out of luck in terms of finding any store open.

He was wandering through one of the type of funky gift shops that Cassandra loved when a clearance rack caught his eye. Not necessarily the clearance itself but one of the items on it. It was an old fashioned wooden advent calendar. Behind the doors would be little carved figures. His eyes lit up. He had time to do a little alteration of the gift before Christmas. He grabbed it and on his way to the front, he found a few pieces of jewelry and a little stocking stuffer items that would work as well for his idea.

--

Cassandra was decorating for Baird's birthday party. She'd bought all of her gifts early but really hoped that Stone would get the message of the second gift. She'd bought him one of the leather cuff bracelets he favored earlier in the month. But a couple of days ago she'd bought him something that had meaning to their relationship. At least it did to her. She shook her head at herself, Stone was the romantic, not her, so hopefully he could see the romance in what on the surface seemed like a practical and maybe impersonal gift. If not, at least he'd like the bracelet.

--

As opposed to last year's spur of the moment party, Baird's party this year was well thought out. They'd gotten catering from Baird's favorite deli, a delicious cake from a bakery and something a little bit more thought out to drink than a six pack that Stone had in his fridge. After dinner, presents, a hilarious speech from Flynn, the group was planning to go to see a movie. They were meeting back at the Library for Christmas Day.

"Baird, I'm really sorry, but I'm gonna have to sit this one out." Baird lifted an eyebrow and looked over at Cassandra, who blushed but looked confused.

"I was planning on going to the movie!" Cassandra exclaimed. The others knew about the change in her and Stone's relationship, but she really didn't want them thinking she and Stone were sneaking off to do something untoward. Especially since they hadn't actually taken that step yet. Things were still new.

"And you should, darlin', go have fun. I kinda," he blushed. "I got behind on my Christmas shopping. So I have a ton of stuff to do. I'll see all y'all here in the mornin'. I promise."

"Oh," Baird nodded. "That happens. Especially with Cassandra's little adventure. Alright, see you in the morning then."

"Thanks and happy birthday again," he looked like he was gonna hug her, but they changed it up for their elbow tap instead.

He and Cassandra exchanged a brief kiss before heading out.

"I'll text you when I get home," Cassandra said.

"Same, have fun," Stone gave her another peck and Ezekiel groaned. "Alright, I'm out of here. Night guys."

"You know what my present to you this year is?" Ezekiel asked Cassandra.

"What?"

"That I'm choosing not make fun of you and Stone and your dopey grins. You're welcome."

Cassandra just rolled her eyes and got into the back seat of Baird's car. And thought to herself that she already missed Jacob.