he log burner was on and the heat emanated around the small cottage living room. The wind whistled outside and the snow was just falling. Winter was here. The naked Christmas tree sat in the corner, all its branches had dropped. Boxes and boxes of baubles sat around with their lids off waiting to be picked out and placed on the tree. This was a yearly tradition as the family always went to the mountains during the Christmas period. The dog often lay by the fire soaking in the heat. Cassandra sorted through the box finding the silver beads and wrapping them around the tree first, before adding the warm yellow lights.

"No tinsel this year?" Justin asked.

"No, not this year I thought it looked a bit tacky," she says.

"Fair enough, less of a fire risk too," he chuckles and gently strokes her hair behind her ear and kisses his head. "You're always so happy around this time."

"It's my favourite time of the year, and also it's snowing outside!" She says smiling brightly.

"I know, you were like an excited child this morning!" he said.

"I can't help it," she says picking out a gold bauble.

"Gold theme this year?" he asks.

"Gold and silver," she says smiling looking at the baubles, the two colours melding together.

"Interesting choice," he smiled, turning up the radio, the Christmas songs blaring around the small cabin. The pair decorated the tree together; this was something they did every year.

"Are you baking your cookies again?" he asked.

"Is that your way of asking me to bake you some coookies?" she asks.

"Maybe," he says resting his head on her shoulder.

"Okay darling, if you really want cookies I'll bake you cookies!" She says.

"Yay! You see this is why I love you," he said.

"At least I know all I'm good for is baking cookies," she pouts.

"Oh you know that's not true!" he said.

"You decorate our tree beautifully," he said gently hugging her around the waist.

"Uh-huh," she says and places another bauble on the tree. He places another log on the log burner reviving the heat in the home. "The snow's getting thicker!" she said.

"That means we won't be going anywhere," he said.

"We have nowhere to go anywhere," she replied placing another bauble on the tree. He sits back on the couch watching her decorate. "You're going to leave it all to me?" she teases.

"You never let me help! You tell me I always ruin it," he said pouting.

"Yes, you have a point there," she said agreeing with him, "you just relax in the warmth and enjoy your mulled wine. I still don't know how you like drinking that stuff." He huffs placing his glass down and drags her down into his lap gently kissing her neck. "Very easy, I open my mouth and drink it." She giggles knowing he is tipsy already, she gently kisses his cheek..

"Merry Christmas love," she said.