The one who plants tree,
knowing that he will never sit
in their shade, has at least
started to understand the
meaning of life.
-
Rabindranath Tagore

_______________

"Allison, get the hell down," Daniel orders, walking towards me.

"Just a second, it's almost done," I reply as I hang the garlands. I yelp when Daniel places his hands on my waist and pulls me down. Thankfully, I'm done hanging the garlands.

He pulls me towards the living room as I scan the whole house. From where we're standing in, the whole room is covered in Christmas from the floor to the ceiling. Paintings hanging on the walls have been covered and wrapped with different styles of Christmas paper. Garlands and multicolored twinkle lights line every inch of the crown molding up at the ceiling and frame all of the doorways, the edges of cabinets, and all the window frames. There's a Santa holding a candle, Santa holding a list, Mrs. Claus swaying with a tray of cookies, Victorian carolers holding caroling books, and snowmen repeatedly tipping their hats.

Though I wanted a big Santa, Daniel insisted on small Santa's that are standing beside my huge, beautifully decorated Christmas tree. There are many other small Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes standing in corners, sitting on tables of kitchen. Christmas music is playing softly from the laptop on the kitchen counter, the inside edges of the all the windows have been sprayed with that fake snow stuff, and Christmas window clings take up the rest of the glass surfaces.

I wouldn't call my home a Christmas world but it's not really bad. Looks classy but sweet. The sweet is from me and the classy is from Daniel. He did help me in decorating all these but he did have a strong hold on my preferences. Of course, the room is red, grey and white in color but nothing more bright than that. He was also damn stubborn about the nutcracker. He argued with me for twenty minutes to buy only a small nutcracker, nothing huge. And you know what the bloody reason is?

'The big one looks like a creepy guy and I don't want him to watch us while I fuck you hard.' Not my words. I really wanted to laugh at him and call him funny but I was barely able to not jump all over him. He melts me as if I'm a fucking ice-cream.

I turn towards my fireplace, beside which the Christmas tree stood in pride and stocking hanged over the fireplace. We also have theme for every room, there is snowman room, an elf room, a Santa room, a Rudolph room, a grinch themed room. Even the kitchen has a theme—candy theme— where there's a small white tree in the corner of the huge kitchen, filled with glittery candy and sucker ornaments. There are sparkly white and pastel green suckers hang from the ceiling. There are mason jars near the kitchen window with snow man insider them. We decorated all room except ours. Daniel wanted it to be left alone and I let him have it.

"Now what?" Daniel gives me a glare so I smile at him as I place a peck on his cheek.

"You're the best husband in this world. Now, go and hang the wreath I made on the front door."

He rolls his eyes before making a move to obey my order. Most of the decorations are home-made because I have a huge experience in making them. Every year, I tried to make new homemade decorations and I always succeeded. I may suck at cooking but I'm pretty good at all other things.

Every Christmas was always a busy one for me with tons of work to do but I never failed to decorate my penthouse. I was always alone so at times I did feel everything as a waste of time but I never stopped. I spend my days in front of the Christmas tree, working and eating my cookies. The Christmas week was a bit boring but the Christmas day was amazing since Judge always stayed with me that day. He finishes all his work and comes to visit me on Christmas day with a beautiful wrapped gift which he always says was wrapped by the sales girl but I know he did it himself. He grumbles all day about how bright my house is and I suck at music selection and that's when I realizes all the decoration wasn't a waste. We both felt at home.

This year is different! Daniel is with me. He helped me decorate the tree and Santa and reindeer, make a gingerbread house and salt dough ornaments, make garlands with poinsettias and to hang them up, changing the sheets, decorating the whole room with small trees, making mason jar snow globes, hang stockings, make putz houses, decorating the stairs, do lighting works, decorating candles, make red velvet bows and with fake snow decorations.

We have done pretty much everything. Now we need to start making cookies, buy gifts and wrap them, make candy, build a snow man outside the house, make some donations, make eggnog recipes, buy santa hats, and matching pyjamas.

"Allison, are you ready?" I sigh loudly when I hear Hope's voice. What is she doing here on a Sunday morning?

I move outside to find Daniel done with the wreath and talking to Hope. "What is it, woman?"

She raises her brows, hands on her hips. "Are you kidding me right now? You're the one who told me to come and pick you."

I blink at her. "For what?"

"Hunt for Archer."

Oh! Realization dawn in me. I did tell her that, because I wanted to find Archer before Christmas.

I turn towards Daniel who smiles at me. "Go. Lunch will be ready by the time you are here." I wrap my arms around his waist as I rest my head on his shoulder. I love you. I didn't say that loud though.

I see the mistletoe handing on the door so I steal a kiss from him. I did hang mistletoe everywhere in the house.

"Do your shopping with Hope."

Hope's eyes widens. "What?"

I give her my best grin as I tell her the list of things to buy.

This is fun!

I settle on the chair in the coffee shop, going through the options of pastries listed on the menu.

"Ma'am, your order please." I lift my head only to find none other than Archer, who's wearing a waiter uniform. His bruises have faded but he still looks weak. His black hair is styled in a neat manner, which gives me a great view of his green eyes. He does have some meat in his body but still weak for an eighteen year old teenage boy.

"No. Sit down, we need to talk."

Hope's eyes widens at my request. "Ally," she mutters, biting her lips.

Archer raises his brows at me. "I have work to do."

"I'll talk to your owner. Now sit down if you don't want to get fired from here." My voice comes out harsh but it did help to get him sit down on the chair in front of me.

"Do you know me?" I ask, taking a sip from my coffee which Hope had ordered for me earlier.

"You're a lawyer. I saw your photo in paper." Of course, the paparazzi never fails to plaster my face all over the internet and paper.

"Do they bully you?"

He flinches from my question but doesn't answer. He looks down at his hands which are placed on the table.

"Where do you stay?"

He doesn't reply so I turn towards Hope.

"The owner said that he stays here at night since he doesn't have a place to go," Hope fills in. "He isn't paying him either. Just food and a place to stay."

"Do you want to work with me?"

He lifts his head to meet my eyes and I see anger flash all over his face. "I'm not ready to fuck you."

Woah!

Hope chokes on her coffee. I rub her back as she composes her herself.

I chuckle. "I have a wonderful husband who loves to fuck me all day and night. I don't have to hire people outside for that. Even if I have to, I'm sure I'll get sex for free."

He clears his throat, looking embarrassed now. Poor boy, someone must have asked something like that from him. Can't blame him for being defensive. "What work should I do?"

"Right now, your work is to help me with my Christmas shopping. Tomorrow, it might be helping in baking or decorate my Christmas tree. It depends but I can assure you don't have to do anything illegal."

"Do you pay me?" I see the desparation in his eyes as he asks that question.

"You'll get a room to stay, food to eat and a decent amount of pay based on the work you do."

He face lights up but he still doesn't agree. "Why are you doing this for me? I know you're being generous."

"Generous? You're wrong, boy. When I say work, I do mean it. Nothing is going to be easy."

Hope nods her head as if telling him how much cruel I can be.

"Trust me, she's mean. I have been working for her since years," Hope tells Archer who gives her a small smile.

"I have school."

I nod my head. "I know. My sister is the one who bullied you."

He freezes before standing up and knocking down his chair. "Is this some kind of prank? Are you here rub it all over me again? Get out. Fuck you. Fuck all of you."

I roll my eyes. What's with teenagers nowadays. Why can't they stay at least few minutes without snapping at people?

I rise to my feet. "You have ten minutes to pack your things and get in my car. I'm not going to wait for more than that. Trust me when I say this, I don't have time to bully people or pamper anyone. I have a house to decorate for Christmas and my handsome husband is waiting for me to have lunch together so you better get ready soon. This is your last chance, I'm not going to come here again to beg for your help. Think carefully, Archer."

One hour later, we walk inside my home only to find Ryan and Daniel settled on the couch. Their gaze immediately moves towards Archer who's standing beside me looking like a lost puppy.

I turn towards him. "I'll give you the Santa room. It's the corner room." I point at the way towards his bedroom. "Keep your bag there and join us soon."

He nods his head before walking away. I move towards Daniel and sit beside him while Hope settle on the ottoman.

"Why did you bring him here?" Ryan asks, raising his brows.

I shrug. "Daniel gave me permission."

Ryan looks at Daniel who nod his head. Archer comes back and I gesture him to sit on one of the empty couch. He obeys me as he looks at Daniel with a frown.

They both sent glares at each other. "Does he hurt you?" Archer asked, shocking the hell out of everyone.

Daniel's glare turns into a small frown. "I like him," he whispers in my ear. I smile wide.

"No Archer, he doesn't hurt me." Archer relaxes as I rest my head on Daniel's chest. "This is Daniel, my husband and the man next to him is Ryan, Daniel's cousin who is annoying and dumb. So don't listen to him."

"Hey," Ryan snaps, glaring at me while I return the gesture.

"Now, we have to make cookies," I announce as I move towards the kitchen, humming a tone.

I laugh when I hear Daniel's loud sigh.

"I'm just saying, ever since that John showed up, you've been helping me awful lot. And yet, nothing seems to be getting done."

I hear Hope mutter something that sounds like a few curses, followed by Daniel laughing. It's finally Thursday morning and John is here—since he decided to spend his Monday here—and Hope has glanced at him at least ten times in the last five minutes.

"Oh stop. You know I love seeing your annoying face here as much as possible. Because that always helps me get some work done but that's not the case right now. You look like you're doing a great work but nothing is done yet. Is that because of your crush on John? I see why you haven't gone home yet since he got here. I know you're amazing and that you're not a virgin but sweetheart, you have no game."

"Jesus, Ally!" Hope complains. "I quit," she announces as she rises from the stool, places her iPad on the counter and moves towards the living room. I don't know what actually happened but the next second, she loses her balance and falls right onto John in such a way that her mouth is just inches away from John's dick.

"If you want to blow him off then find a room please. We really don't want a show," I tell, smiling wide. Ryan chuckles as he takes in the scene. Hope rises to her feet, looking totally red from embarrassment.

"I hate you," she shouts before walking out of the house.

I shake my head when John and Ryan both chuckles.

"Is she not coming back?" Archer asks from the kitchen where he's helping Daniel with salmon bagel sandwiches. Both of them planned the menu and it's so huge but I didn't complain. If they both are ready to make all those things then who am I to argue.

At first, I thought Archer and Daniel wouldn't get along but I was wrong. They both get along well and I can see the tension gone from Archer's face.

"Don't worry, Hope will be here the second we decide to have sex," Daniel says, cutting some vegetables.

I chuckle as I work on my cookies. "I still don't get it," John says, walking into the kitchen with Ryan. They both settle on the stools. "You can't cook but you can bake. Isn't baking difficult than cooking?"

I shrug not knowing the answer myself. I can bake well. I'm an expert in that but cooking isn't easy. I can do a thing or two but nothing heavy.

"Do you want me to read it for you while you bake?" Archer asks, looking at the iPad. He's done with whatever he's helping Daniel with and now it's Ryan's and John's turn to help so they wear their Christmas aprons as they move to help Daniel. All three grown men are wearing red aprons with 'Christmas Cooking Team' printed on them in bold letters. While mine is a white one which has 'Christmas Calories Don't Count' printed on it in black blood letters.

"Go ahead," I tell him. Archer settles on the stool, grabs Hope's iPad as he starts reading them.

"Brian, seventeen years old. Attempt of murder. Pushed his classmate from the school terrace due to jealousy. His ex-girlfriend is the witness who testified against him. The victim has also testified against Brian." Archer looks at me once he's done with the reading. I nod my head, letting him know it was a fine reading.

"No! No, no and no," Hope shouts, walking inside the kitchen, sitting beside Archer and grabbing the iPad out of his hands. "You can't steal my job," she snaps at Archer.

Archer's face immediately pales. "I'm sorry. I didn't..mean to steal your job or anything. I.. I was just helping." He looks scared that he has offended Hope.

Hope's eyes widens. "Oh my God," she whispers, tears wells up her eyes. "It's okay. I really didn't mean to shout. I'm just having a bad day. I'm so sorry. Don't feel bad. I'm really, really sorry. If you want, you can shout back at me. I'll sit here listening to everything. I really di-"

"Hopeline."

She shuts her mouth as she turns towards me. "He got it. Now, text James and ask him to sent me the witness statement and photos of scene." She nods as she types furiously in her iPad while blinking away the tears. Hope does have a bit of a habit of freaking out when she shouts at someone, she's scared that she might have hurt Archer emotionally. Can't blame her. Archer does look scared and a part of me feels hurt. If Ashley is his reason for getting scared then I don't know how all this going to work. I still haven't decided anything about Archer, I really need some time.

I give Archer a small smile. "Come and help me with these cookies. We have to make a cake after this." He immediately jumps in to help me.

Thirty minutes later, we're done with all our work but the guests aren't here yet. So I told my team to follow me to the woods. They did ask so many questions even after knowing that I won't answer them. We didn't exactly have a woods but the area pretty much looked like that and all of this belonged to us. Daniel brought the entire area.

"Start decorating," I ordered as I stared at the lonely Christmas trees near our home. Of course, I didn't mean to decorate the whole area but just a lonely tree. It was another thing I did every year. Decorating a lonely tree. I felt much better doing it and now this lonely tree did belong to me.

It might be the loneliness in me that decided to consider it as a tradition but I like it now.

Everyone stared at me for few minutes but Daniel started to help me. Others joined us soon when they realized that I wasn't joking. Once, the decorating was done, Daniel wrapped his arms around me and kissed me hard. We heard groans from the audience but we ignored them as we ravished each other.

We pulled away when we heard the sound of cars pulling over. The guests are here, it was my friends including Cassy who apologized to me and I did forgive her because Daniel told me to. He insisted that there's no use in holding a grudge. If she really is regretful then ignoring that is not right.

To be frank, it wasn't easy. I hated that she betrayed me but I hate more that she hid everything from me. We always talked no matter how hard things were so I do have the right to hold it against her. But my hubby didn't agree with me because he thinks the hatred is just going to hurt me and he doesn't want that.

Are you sure it was Daniel who said that?

Yes! Isn't that lovely?

He can be sweet at times and I'm loving it. He has so many sides and everyday I'm falling for him more and more. So, I decided to listen to him. Did you hear it? I'm considering someone's opinion above mine which is an absolute miracle. I never did that but I'm doing it now.

For Daniel! For me! And for us! I feel like this is a dream and I don't want it to end.

My parents, Ashley, Daniel's parents, Leila and her parents will be there too. Ryan's parents are on their vacation so they can't make it. Also, Greta and Angel were invited too. They're in my friends circle now. Actually not mine, it's ours— Daniel and me. He talks to my friends more than me and I'm not even jealous. Ain't I great? Sharing friends and all that.

Stop it, Ally. You're always damn proud of yourself.

Shut up!

Ashley went with my parents on Saturday to their house because Mom wanted her to stay there for a week before she comes to stay with me. I didn't argue with that because I wasn't ready for a fight.

Dad and me are getting along. Not so much but I can't find within myself anything to hate him. He had a reason unlike my mom. He did give his name for a child whom he thought wasn't his. He never talked much to me but I always saw him stealing glances at me when I was young. He wished that I was his child. Irony, huh?

And yeah, I did invite Judge and though he said no, I'm sure he'll be here. I gave cookies list to all the three set of parents, Phoenix, Cassy, Gracie and Angel. We'll swap it at Christmas Eve which is tomorrow because that's a tradition Carla follows and I loved it. I never did it if you exclude me and Judge stealing each other's cookie.

Anyway, I decided to celebrate Christmas at my home this year because I wanted Daniel to get involved with everyone. He seems like a cold person but deep inside, he's a man who's scared of being alone. We all walk inside the house only to find everyone settled in the living and dining room. All the ladies except Ashley are in the kitchen, looking at the cookies and dishes. They all start bringing it to the dining table while all the men exchange greetings.

The huge dining table can accommodate only fourteen members and we're around twenty four members. So we decided to go with two trips. The elders get the upper hand so they go for the first trip while the others settle on the living room, talking and eating candies.

All the three set of old couples and Judge settle on the dining table while Adam, Phoenix, Cassy, Leila, Ryan, Ashley joined them. One seat is empty so I hold Archer's hand and pull him towards the dining table. Archer freezes when his gaze falls on Ashley who is settled on the dining table but I ignore it as I push him down on the chair and everyone finally notices the unknown boy. Few already know him from the photos.

"What the fuck is he doing here?" Ashley shouts, knocking a glass off the table. "Get up, you bastard." She pushes him hard that the chair shakes but I hold on to it tight.

Everyone gets quiet, shocked by Ashley's outburst. I see Archer's face turn white and he tries to get up but I don't let him. I push him down to sit down as my fingers draw circles on his right shoulder.

Dad starts to open his mouth to teach her some manners but I beat him to it. "Apologize."

"Why in th-" Ashley starts, glaring at me.

"Because this is my house and he is my guest. The clothes you wear and the food you eat is all from my money. So you can obey me or get the hell out of here and live in some shelter home if they're ready to bear your egoistic ass." My voice was loud and clear and more importantly, I was angry and trust me when I say, nobody likes the angry side of me because I can be a bitch when I want.

Archer was relaxing under my touch but I could still feel his embarrassment, he doesn't like attention but I can't let it go like this. This isn't pity. I'm doing it because I want to and this isn't my first time helping a teenager.

I turn towards Ashley. "You have ten sec-"

"Sorry," she mutters immediately in a low voice. I don't like it but this will do for now.

"Now, start picking up the glass pieces and clean the floor where you spilled water," I order, pointing at the floor.

"Allison, she ca-" Mom starts but I don't let her finish.

"Don't, mom," I snap, glaring at her. "She's going to do what I say and you need to stop getting involved in that." I turn towards Ashley. "Ashley, now!" Ashley flinches before she starts her work.

Adam, Pheonix, Cassy start serving themselves because they know me so well. Others stare at them for sometime before following their actions. I smile at Archer and pats his head. "Have your lunch. Take anything you want."

He gives me a small smile and starts eating. I look down at Ashley who's done cleaning, tears running down her cheeks. "Wash your hands and eat lunch." She nods and obeys my orders.

"Where's your home, boy?" Caniel asks to which Archer freezes, his shoulder tense again.

"This is his home," I said, shocking the hell out of everyone who didn't know about the news.

"Why in the world will you let this street boy stay here?" Caniel shouts, glaring at me. I swear, my father in-law and I don't get along. Shouldn't it be the mother in-law who causes tantrums?

There can be changes in your case.

"Because last time I checked this was my home and I decide who stays here," Daniel announces, walking towards me. He places his hand on top of Archer's chair as he faces his parents. "His name is Archer, not street boy. One more offensive word and Allison will kick you out of here." Which is true! So far, I'm not very fond of his father and I barely adjust with him.

"I can go," Archer whispers, his voice low but clear.

Daniel places his hand on top of Archer's head. "You're not going anywhere. Trust me, you have more right than my parents to stay here." Again true.

Archer is a nice boy and Daniel likes him so why not help him.

Daniel and I are now sitting on the floor of the living room in our pajamas, with all our shopping bags from today spread out around us, as well as rolls and rolls of Christmas wrapping paper, tape, gift tags, and ribbon. The fire is crackling in the fireplace. The big-screen television hanging above it has another one of those Christmas movies Hope won't shut up about playing on a low volume, and the Christmas tree is brightly lit right next to the fireplace. The rest of the house is out in the theater room, watching A Christmas Carol from 1951, and all my cute friends made sure to thank me before they went out there with everyone else, with a huge smile on their face, wrapped up in their fuzzy Christmas outfits and a Santa hat on everyone's head.

"Don't mind me, just popping in really quick before I head out to the movie," Angel says, walking into the room carrying a small cookie tin with a winter scene on it in her hand.

She leans down, handing me the tin, and I take it from her with a questioning look on my face. I know the rules. No one gets cookies until tomorrow afternoon—cookies swap.

"Are those what I think they are?" Daniel asks Angel as I start to pry the lid off.

"They are! At least, I think they are."

Both of them have excited, expectant looks on their faces watching me open the tin, and I laugh lightly until the lid finally pops off and I look down inside.

"I wasn't sure about the cookie when Daniel explained them to me but my mother understood it soon and she helped me make them. I'm not sure it tastes the same but it's not bad," Angel explains, tears clouding my vision as I slowly reach into the tin and pull out one of the white cookies with pink, green, and purple color dyed over them.

I remember Daniel randomly ask me what my favorite Christmas cookie was the other night. I told him it's some chocolate cherry cookies and I don't know the exact name since I had it when I was a kid. My nanny gave it to me and I knew nothing much about it but I had no idea Daniel would actually hunt down the recipe and ask Angel to make them for me. I take a bite.

"This is it." I laugh through my tears as I finish chewing, shaking my head up at Angel. "I can't believe you found this recipe and went through all this trouble for me. Thank you so much."

"It was no trouble," she brushes me off with a wave of her hand as I pop the rest of the cookie in my mouth, wondering how much it would turn Daniel off if I stuck my head in this tin and ate them Cookie Monster style. "Now, I have to go and watch the movie." With that she walks away.

I feel Daniel's hand on top of my head, and he gently runs it down the back until his hand is cradling the back of my neck.

I drop my hands and look up at him.

"Cookies shouldn't make you cry. Do you want me to kick Angel's ass?"

I bark out a laugh, Daniel reaching up with his free hand to swipe away a tear from my cheek with the tips of his fingers.

"I just really like them," I whisper.

"I know."

He leans forward, pressing a soft kiss on my lips before pulling back. Not wanting to turn this amazing day into a depressing sob fest. We hold each other as we gaze at the fireplace, smiling.

"Daniel, I want to built a snowman." I tell him.

"Tomorrow, Allison. Tomorrow, we 'll build a snowman together."

"I want to wrap your shawl around it." He raises his brows but nods his head, accepting my decision.

Minutes passed between us and I ask the question that is dreading me since days.

"Do you love me, Daniel?"

He freezes, so do I.

I didn't expect that to come out of my mouth. I look at him and I'm surprised to find a blank look on his face. "You don't?" He doesn't answer as if he's deciding something. I blink at him. "Why did you tell Thomas and Judge that you love me?"

No answer.

Tears form in my eyes. I rise to my feet and goes to join the family to watch the movie without another word.

I know he loves me but still...

It hurts.