A few months later...
"What do you think?" I ask Patterson as he comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me. I've finally finished putting the last touches on the tree. I'm excited to spend this Christmas somewhere that I actually want to be. I'm both excited and a ball of nerves because I want everything to be just right.
"It's perfect." He kisses the top of my head. "Like you," he adds, making me smile even bigger than I already am. A happy buzz floats around me as I look at the dancing lights on the tree, really taking it in.
"It's not..." I search for a word. "Extra?" I bite my lip and look over my shoulder at him. His eyes are back on the tree. I see him fight a smile. He's trying to spare my feelings, or maybe spare himself so I don't make us start all over again.
"It is, is
