The Tale's Willow

Winter Seduction 4

A/N: *WARNING: MENTIONS OF CHILD ABUSE*

This is gonna be another long chapter. The longest I've ever posted, actually. Please bear with me ;) I just wanna dedicate this chapter to StitchMays for helping with a few of the ideas and such!

"I can just see Kelsey going all momma-bear over Adam"—Stitch :D

There were some rude people that was for sure. He slowly walked around taking other patrons in. For the most part, everyone did seem happier and kinder. He noticed people helping others when it seemed like they normally wouldn't bat an eyelash. He made his way to where all the Christmas decorations were at and felt over-whelmed. There were so many things to choose from!

He was deciding between some lights when an elderly woman came walking down the aisle. She commented that the lights he had in his hands were of "poor quality and wouldn't last long before burning out" and then made a suggestion on which lights were better. He thanked her with a warm smile before letting her get back to her own shopping. In the end, he took her advice. His cart was getting rather full and he hadn't even gotten to the outdoor decorations yet!

There was a new feeling inside Adam. Not that he'd never felt the feeling itself before. He was excited for his first date with Chance. This, however, was the first time he began to feel excited about Christmas. He was still hating the holidays, he was sure it would take him more than a week to complete change his mind about things, but couldn't stop himself from feeling excited to see his brother's face when he came home and saw that their house was decorated for Christmas.

Having all that he thought he needed, minus the tree of course, he slowly made his way through the store to the check out lines. They were long, as was expected during the holiday season. A young woman with two small children and not a lot in her hands stood behind him. Normally his attitude was "first come, first serve" but suddenly he turned around and told her that since she had so much less than he did, she should go in front of him. She flashed him a big, warm grin as she thanked him and ushered her children in front as he moved himself and his cart back.

Adam Rupp didn't know what was wrong with him. He looked at the all the houses and stores to see how they'd decorated their outside as he drove along to the Christmas tree farm. They didn't need a tree quite as round as what Chance got. A 6' tree was perfect, a 5' tree might do as well, but it didn't need to be nearly as wide as what his boyfriend got for his home. The blond was listening to his favorite country station as he drove along. He hadn't even realized he'd been humming "Baby It's Cold Outside" while he drove.

He wasn't as picky as Chance about the tree so it didn't take him nearly as long to find one. The farm workers strapped his newly acquired Christmas tree to the bed of his truck for him. It was snowing, and very cold, so Adam was careful on his way home. He left the tree in his truck since he was sure he wouldn't be able to get it inside the house by himself. He did unload the rest of his purchases, even though it took him a few trips to do so, and plopped down on the couch to try and warm up some.

Chance: hey honey, I just got your text; been really busy today...of course I'd be more than happy to help you! Let me go home and get a quick shower first then I'll be over. Say...6:30?

Adam smiled at his boyfriend. He didn't understand how Chance made him feel the things he was feeling especially in such a short amount of time. The blond leaned back and tried to think of what would be good to make for dinner. Chris wouldn't be home until tomorrow. Browsing through recipes online, he decided pot roast with red wine sauce sounded both delicious and romantic. Pearl onions, garlic, tomatoes, and carrots accompanied the roast. He followed the directions for the prep then got everything in the slow-cooker.