Why Lorie? Part II

Chapter 7: Oh Christmas Tree!

It was the week before Christmas. Peter had finally convinced Josette to get out of bed, get dressed and go shopping. After she returned laden with bags full of gifts, he still didn't let her off the hook.

"It's time to go get a tree. We don't have much time before your parents arrive," Peter told her. "Luckily, I know just the place to buy it from. It's not too far away from home."

Josette couldn't refuse his sparkling emerald eyes and friendly smile. She complied and followed him to a tree vendor who set up his temporary shop in an empty area of the park, just a couple of blocks from Bartholy Manor. After much discussion and decision-making, they finally settled on an eight-foot Silver fir.

"You've made the best choice, Fraulein," the vendor complimented her. "Happy Christmas!"

Josette knew he probably said the same thing to each of his customers. She smiled as she paid him in cash, and then turned to Peter:

"How in the world are we going to get this beast back home?"

The tree, although secured with heavy rope, looked gigantic. To Josette's wonderment, Peter picked it up like it weighed nothing.

"Let's go," he grinned seeing her shocked expression. With that, Peter carried the tree back home all by himself, a wonderstruck Josette on his heels.

As soon as they entered the house, Lorie came rushing down the stairs. At the sight of the tree, she started jumping up and down and clapping her hands:

"It's beautiful! Let's decorate it!"

"Isn't it bad luck to decorate it before Christmas Eve?" Josette asked.

"That's silly!" Lorie replied, and Peter nodded in agreement. "Plus, once Grandmaman and Grandpapa get here we won't have any time to do it."

Josette sighed. She was tired from walking all day around Vienna, looking for presents for everyone. But she had to admit her daughter was right — they would be extremely busy once her parents arrived. She glanced at Peter pleadingly:

"Could you help her get started? I need a little rest."

"Absolutely," Peter agreed, to Josette's relief. He turned to Lorie and said: "Come with me to the attic. There are several boxes full of Christmas decorations up there. You can help me pick out the best ones."

"Yay!" Lorie clapped her hands and followed her brother up the stairs.

The attic was dark and dusty, but luckily it was wired for electricity. Peter turned on the light — a single bare bulb, but it was better than nothing.

"Yuck," Lorie exclaimed. "When's the last time anyone was up here?"

Peter chuckled. "It's been a while. Father didn't decorate the Christmas tree every year. Most times, he was so busy that the holidays went by without any special celebrations."

"What? That's terrible!" Lorie's eyes widened when she heard Peter's words.

"Don't worry," Peter reassured her. "Now that you're here, I have a feeling that will change."

Lorie smiled, satisfied with Peter's answer.

Together, they started going through all the boxes labeled 'Christmas Decorations.' Viktor was a bit of a neat freak and kept everything organized. On this particular occasion, it proved to be quite helpful.

Lorie occasionally 'oohed' and 'aahed' when she found something that caught her eye.

"Look at these golden doves! They are so pretty!" Lorie pulled out a series of gilded glass birds with real feathers in their tails, that could be clipped directly onto the branches.