Under the Mistletoe

Oh Christmas Tree

Sunday came quicker than imagined and Nini found herself at the Bowen's front door with a tupperware full of cookies in hand.

"Hey," Ricky smiled as he pulled the door open to allow Nini in the house.

"Hi," she said as she handed him the cookies to slip off her boots and jacket. Once she had hung her coat up she turned back to Ricky, pecking his lips quickly. She followed him through the house and to the kitchen, where his dad was sitting at the table.

"Nini brought cookies," he said as he set them down on the counter.

"Oh honey, you didn't have to," Mike said as he sent her a smile.

"C'mon, everyone needs some, plus they're Lola's recipe," she happily exclaimed.

"Well thank you," Mr. Bowen said as Ricky swooped around, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek.

"Let's get decorating!" Ricky said as he ran towards the tree. Nini skipped behind him, watching as he placed the box of ornaments on the couch. Within a few hours the tree had lights strung around it, ornaments hanging off the pine needles, and garland loosely hanging over it.

"You know, there's one thing left," Ricky whispered to his girlfriend as she took a sip of the hot chocolate he had made her.

"What?" she asked, Ricky laughing as she had a little foam on her top lip. She licked it off quickly, feeling his stares.

"The star," he said to her. She looked up at him, then to Mike who had fallen asleep on the couch somehow.

"Wanna put it on?" Ricky asked, raising his eyebrow slightly.

"Me? This is your tree," she said as she shook her head.

"So? I want you to," he shrugged. Nini pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, glancing between the boy and the tree.

"Fine," she mumbled as a wide grin broke out across his face. He quickly walked over to the box sitting near the fireplace, pulling out a sparkly star. She took it from his hands, eyes scanning over the object closely.

"It's beautiful," she muttered.

"Not as beautiful as you, are you ready?" he asked. Nini nodded, gasping when she felt Ricky lift her up by the waist. Concentrating, she placed the star neatly on top, making sure it wouldn't fall off.

"Ok, done," she said, signalling for him to bring her back to the ground. Ricky carefully did so, admiring the work she had done.

"Is it ok?" she asked nervously.

"It's perfect Neens," Ricky replied, his arm snaking around her waist. Nini rested her head on his shoulder, relaxing into his touch.