The young woman, Mary as the older one said, led us through the hallway, up one of the wings of the double staircase in the center hall and on to the second floor.

The room she opened for us was quite long and empty. It might be a cozy living room, but in this form... it's probably used for parties and gatherings. I could easily imagine several high tables scattered around the room and people in evening gowns and suits with cocktails or a glass of champagne in hand talking and having fun. But beyond this secular scene, I could imagine this chamber as a nice room for family to gather after early dinner. Parents sitting by the fireplace and chatting over a glass of wine. Children playing around. Or maybe some playing a piano and others dancing happily. Yeah, that could feel like home, if only...

Anyway.

At the bottom there was a fireplace with a crackling fire, and in front of it was a fluffy carpet on which there were two large, probably quite comfortable armchairs, with a small table next to each. The room was quite bright, thanks to the French windows on the left, and just opposite them was placed the tallest Christmas tree I'd ever seen. Richly decorated with colorful and most likely handmade glass toys, glittering garlands and small bundles of cotton imitating snow.

I hadn't seen a Christmas tree decorated that way in years. My heart sank, but it also warmed up nicely.

Mom loved these thin silver garlands. She used to make Holly and me tear small pieces of cotton and sprinkle it on the Christmas tree, and she laughed with us and always said, "With hardworking fairies like you two, every year we could have a white Christmas, isn't it right my little bundles of joy!" And we squealed "yes", jumping around the Christmas tree. After we finished decorating it, Dad brought us hot chocolate and the four of us, huddled on the couch, sipped from the warm sweet happiness and admired the beautiful tree and the slowly flashing red, blue, yellow and green lights on it. Then we went to bed and Holly and I always had a hard time falling asleep because we were too thrilled that the next morning was Christmas.

I sighed at the memory and rubbed my chest lightly. Oliver pulled my hand to draw my attention and I raised head to look at him. But tears had clouded my eyes and I had to blink them away. He leaned over, kissed the side of my head, and whispered, "Are you okay?"

I put my hand on his chest and replied softly in a trembling voice, "Yes, just... a wonderful memory came to mind."

He kissed me again and pulled me closer. I snuggled into his chest and took a deep breath.

"Yes. This is your workplace," Mary said, reminding me where we were and that we were not alone.

"Our what?!" Oliver asked, and we both looked at each other.

"Your workplace," she repeated irritably.

I pulled away from Oliver's embrace and turned to the woman.

"There's some misunderstanding here. We came because..." I took a deep breath and continued, "You have bought a holiday box of cookies from the bakery Sweet Moments and we're here because probably a mistake has been made and you got a box set for someone else."

And if I had to explain it ten more times, it still wouldn't be easier. This was such a strange situation!

"Cookies, what coo... Ah, do you mean the ones Harry brought?!" She asked, blushing slightly. A shy smile bloomed on her lips.

"Yes exactly!" I exclaimed.

"Oh, they're in the dining room, if I'm not mistaken, Mrs. Jones hasn't packed them yet, but..." Her smile faded and worry distorted her features, "Oh, no! Don't tell me that you are not... Ugh! But how will I manage to do it? I still have so much work to do, I can't... Oh no! It's a disaster! Mrs. Jones will fire me. This time she'll really fire me!"

The tears in her eyes made me react immediately.

"How can we help you?" I asked before even think about it.

She stared in disbelief and with a few blinks made the tears in her eyes disappear, "Would you do that? Will you really help me?!"

I looked at Oliver, he nodded with a cheerful smile and stepped forward, standing right by my side. I turned to Mary again and said, "Tell me what you need and we'll do our best."

Tears filled her eyes again, threatening to overflow, "Oh, thank you so much! Thank you! You're saving my life! Or at least my work," she exclaimed and smiled uncertainly.

"But please show us the box of cookies right after that. It's very important to us! Please!" I pleaded.

"Sure, sure!" She nodded excitedly. "Okay. There they are," Mary said, stepping aside.

And right before our eyes a view revealed that startled me. A lot! What did I get us into? Again!

A little further away from the Christmas tree, more than 20 boxes of various sizes were piled up, and a dozen rolls of wrapping paper leaned against them.

I swallowed hard and wondered how I hadn't seen them before.

I moved my gaze to Oliver just to see my worry displayed on his face, then turned slowly to Mary whose joy now was overflowing.

"You'll do me a great favour!" She said.

"No kidding!" I mumbled, and swallowed hard once more.

"Mrs. Jones has arranged a photo shoot and these boxes need to be packed and arranged under the Christmas tree by..." Mary took out her phone and looked at it quickly, "In an hour and a half they must be ready! Then the photographer will come and everything should go back on schedule," she said, frowning slightly, staring at the sheets attached to her folder. She sighed heavily and run fingers through her hair before adding, "We've hired arrangers, but they're either late or won't show at all. But you came, thank God! So... Please do your best, pack them and arrange them beautifully! Everything has to be perfect! Please!"

I moved my gaze to Oliver, and he was still staring worriedly at the pile of boxes. I nudged him slightly with my elbow and he looked at me.

"We are gonna make it!" I whispered and tried to smile encouragingly though I wasn't quite sure if we would succeed either.

"As soon as we're done, where can we find you?" I asked Mary.

"I'm wher Mrs. Jones needs me to be or in the dining room downstairs, but I don't advise you to go look for me, because Mrs. Jones doesn't like strangers walking around her house, and you'll most likely to get lost," she explained.

"Okay. Give me your number, and when we're done I'll call you to come with the box of cookies," I said, taking the phone out of my coat, unlocking it, and handing it to her.

She picked it up, quickly typed her number, and returned it to me. I memorized her as 'Mary with the presents' and half-smiled before dialing her. And then Jingle Bell Rock filled the room with its joyous sound and a wide smile stretched my lips.

"Here, now you have my number," I said cheerfully.

She smiled and went out the door. Before closing it, Mary said, frowning anxiously, "Please be quick and make them beautiful!"

"Don't worry," I replied at the already closing door.

Oliver had gone to the boxes and was nervously scratching his neck.

"These are a lot of boxes!" He remarked constrainedly.

I headed for the armchairs in front of the fireplace and on the way I grabbed his free hand and pulled him with me.

I took off my coat and left it in one of the armchairs. Oliver followed my example.

I turned to face the Christmas tree and the piled boxes, rolled up my sleeves, and said cheerfully, "Well, fellow Christmas elf, let's start wrapping the presents so we can finish quickly and have Santa reward us with a candy cane!"

Oliver laughed and added, "Or even better - a ring!"