All I Know

Chapter Five

Part One:

December 22

I finished packing the car, Alice was in the passenger seat waiting for me. I closed the trunk on her blue Toyota Corolla, and ran inside the car, to escape the cold from outside. The navigation system was set, our destination was three hours and forty two minutes away.

The snow stuck from the previous nights falling. Seven inches, enough to make roads hazardous. I hadn't told Alice where we were headed, just that it was a surprise and I'd drive safely. I started down the road as we headed toward our first Christmas together.

—
"Pick a tree already, babe!" I shouted, as Dan danced with each tree prolonging our 'quick' pick. Each year we'd go to the tree farm and pick a tree, it always was quick when it was my turn. Dan took a thousand years to pick a tree, and I had to stand and watch as he danced and observed each one.

I couldn't help but laugh, even though it was snowing and freaking freezing outside, he still found a way to make me laugh. I soon forgot about my cold toes, and the snow started to soon stick.

"Babe, how about this one?" He pointed to a beautiful green tree. It was full, and the most beautiful tree in the entire farm. I nodded and he smiled.
"I'll chop it down then!" He said. I laughed quietly to myself, for some reason I couldn't quite picture Dan cutting a tree down, and although he struggles every year, he comes out successful.

We got our tree and Dan carried it to the front, occasionally grunting because his good coat was being poked by the pine needs. I waited in the car as Dan and the rest of the men at the tree farm strapped it to our car, then shortly after we drove home.

—

Our drive was silent, Alice had fallen asleep and I had to drive without the radio on. The snow was hitting harder as we got into the mountains, and I glanced at the navigation system:

Only thirty more minutes.

There was something peaceful about how Alice slept. She was calm and brought warmth.

The snow came down harder, causing me to have a difficult time seeing the road. I pulled over, stopping the car. Alice immediately popped her head up.

"Are we there, Liam?" She asked, her eyes still shut.

"No love, I had to stop. The road is bad."

Her eyes opened.

"Oh no! What're we going to do Liam?"

I looked at her, and shut the car off.

"I'm super glad I packed a bunch of blankets in the back."

Alice looked at me, "we're going to sleep in the car?"

I nod, " we don't have a choice hon', it'll be okay. I have plenty of blankets."
She smiled, and unbuckled.

I unbuckled and got out of the car to get the blankets from the trunk. I took all of the blankets and went back into the car, handing Alice some.

"I promise, if the roads get better I'll get up and start to drive." I said, before tucking her in with the three layers of blankets.

"That's okay, Liam..I'm happy being here with you!" She took my hand and her eyes shut, before I knew it she was sound asleep.

I couldn't fall asleep in the car, I was never able to even as a child. I laid awake, watching as the snow slowly stopped falling. A bright set of yellow lights flashed through my mirror, and I sat up alert. A plow truck sped by, removing all the snow from the road. I looked over at Alice, who was curled up sound asleep, I reached over and pulled her seatbelt over her then, I turned the vehicle on.

We arrived shortly after, and I woke Alice up.

"We're here, babe. Open your eyes and look!"

She sat up, yawning, then opened her eyes, a gasp exited her mouth.
"Liam, this is beautiful. The snow really gives it charm." She smiled at me.

"I'm glad you like it!" I said, taking her hand, "shall we get inside, I can get a fire going!"

She nodded, unbuckling the seatbelt and taking the blankets off of her body. She opened the door and stepped out, her smile not leaving her face for a second.
I grabbed her hand, "it's cold, let's get you inside. I'll come back for the bags." She nodded.
—

I walked down the steps slowly, trying so very hard not to fall. When I was successful, I carried the box to the living room, where we had placed our newly cut tree. I set the box down and opened it.
"Sash, come do the tree with me!"

Sasha giggled from the other room, before entering.

"Daniel, why do you have to say it like that?"

I smirked.
"Because you think it's funny."

She rolled her eyes, and reached into the box, removing an ornament and placing it onto the tree.

"Merry Christmas Dan." She said, smiling at me.

"Merry Christmas babe," I replied, kissing her forehead.

I pulled out the small box that I had stored in my pocket, which I honestly forgot about until now.

"Hey, I got you an early present, open it." I said, handing the box to Sasha.

"I hate gifts." She said, sighing.

"Not my gifts."

She pulled the box open, and smiled.

"Definitely not your gifts."

"Do you like it?"

"Like it? I love it! Dan it's so beautiful. It's absolutely perfect." I took the small necklace out of the box, and I delicately wrapped it around her neck.

"Perfect just like you." I whispered under my breath before we finished decorating the tree.

Later that night we curled up together, watching a Christmas movie in our matching candy striped pajamas. Sasha fell asleep on me, and I followed not too long after.