The Arrangement | Completed | Wattys2020

70

With the weeks that have passed, it seems like things just get better and better. I don't know if it's because of the holiday season, or both. Things just seem...right.

"Ready to put the tree up?" Matty asks, walking into his living room in nothing but plaid pajama bottoms and his thick framed glasses. God, he looks like he stepped right out of a magazine.

"It's still a little early, don't you think?" I ask.

"Absolutely not. You're lucky I waited this long. I was willing to put this tree up the day after Halloween." He laughs. I see the large tree parts behind him, indicating where he has been the last few minutes.

"You use a fake tree?" I ask.

"Of course I do. Have you ever had a real Christmas tree? Those are bitches up keep up with. The needles get everywhere, and it's not fun for anyone involved." He laughs.

He has a point. I remember when I was younger, my mom only allowed us to have a real Christmas tree. She always said that we can't be posers, and that a real tree would be so much better. I think she only did that because she knew I wouldn't try and get into the presents under the tree unless I wanted to fight my way through the needles. Hell, maybe we should get a real Christmas tree. Phoebe tries her hardest to see what presents she gets every year. Well, ever since she had an actual recollection and understanding of presents and Christmas.

"You're right." I laugh.

"We  can always get a real one and put it outside in the green house. That would be kind of cool." He shrugs.

"Why would we get two trees?" I laugh.

"Candace, love. I have more than just this tree. We have a few, actually. There is one for every main room in the house. We go hard for Christmas in this house, so get used to it." He laughs, dragging pieces of the tree inside and beginning to assemble them. I watched as he put together the massive decoration and made sure every branch looked ready for the ornaments.

"It looks fine." I say, as he adjusts certain branches in the back.

"Yeah, it does." He says, although still examining it closely. "Now that you've watched me do all of the dirty work, are you ready for the fun part?" He asks with a bright smile. I laugh and nod my head, heading towards the large box of ornaments. "Phoebe! Come in here! We're decorating the Christmas tree!" Matty yells to where Phoebe is at in the house.

Almost as if on cue, we hear little feet padding their way down the hallway and into the living room. He laughs as she quickly runs over to where I'm at and starts looking through the box of ornaments.

"Once it get's a little later in the season, we should go and check out all of the Christmas lights." He tells me.

"Do you put lights up?" I ask, curious as to what Matty's house looks light around Christmas.

"I am the king of Christmas decorations. Inside and outside of my house. You have no idea. I have to be the best house on the block." He tells me.

"You only have like two other houses on your street." I laugh, noting that the only neighbors he does have aren't even close enough to be considered neighbors.

"True, but my house is definitely the best one here." He states.

"I'm sure it is." I say sarcastically, rolling my eyes playfully.

"I think I have a few more ornaments in the-" He is cut off by his phone ringing in his pocket. He pulls it out and answers. "What's up, boss?" He asks.

I watch as he listens to the person on the other line, furrowing his brow.

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, that's fine. We are all putting the tree up right now, can this wait for like...thirty minutes or so? Okay, okay. Yeah, no. No, it's fine. Yeah, I'll be right there." He says. I look over from my spot by the tree, staring at him with a face of confusion.  He rolls his eyes and mouth's "It's my dad." I nod in understanding and go back to hanging the ornaments. Really, Phoebe is moving so quickly that the tree is already done. Although most of her ornaments hand hanging on the lower branches, I try and scatter mine so it doesn't look so bottom heavy.

When Matty hangs up the phone, I see him start to put his shoes on and grab his car keys. "Okay, that was my dad. I guess he's at the office with Shawn Acree, who is a potential investor in the new Seattle building. Which, is a big deal. So, I'm going to go and pick up his house key and then swing by his house to get Shawn's file and fax it to the office. It shouldn't take me too long. Are you going to stay here or do you want to tag along?" He asks, pulling a hoodie over his head.

Although I want to go with Matty, I know that this will give me a chance to catch up on some errands that I need to run. Phoebe needs new shoes for her dance class, along with a new outfit for her upcoming dance recital. I keep putting it off, and she makes it a point to remind me of it every single day.

"Actually, I think I'm going to get going. I have a few errands to run for us. Plus, Phoebe wants to go over to Mackenzie's house. So, I think I'm going to take her over there and then go to get her stuff for dance." I say, standing up and gathering our things together.

"You sure? We can do all of that if you want." He tells me.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'll see you later, though? We'll probably finish at the same time honestly." I tell him.

"Of course. I love you. Be careful. The tree looks amazing, babe." He smiles.

"There are a lot of ornaments on the bottom. I hope that's okay." He laughs when he sees the bundle of red and green balls that are hanging around the areas that Phoebe could reach.

"Yeah, I love it. I really do." He smiles. He gives me a quick kiss goodbye, and then heads towards the door. "Can you lock the door behind you? Or do you want me to wait for you?" He asks, already halfway out of the door.

"I can lock it behind me!" I yell out the door.

"Okay, lovey you!" He says one last time before quickly shutting the door.

"I love you more, Matty." I say to a closed door, knowing he can't hear the words.

-

Author's Note!!!

Short Chapter!!! But, I will be updating a few times today. I love you all.