"Okay," I said, grunting as I attempted to wedge our pine tree into the living room, "I think we are gonna need a bigger doorway next year."

Raydir smirked. "Or a smaller tree."

"We can't get a smaller tree!" I protested. "What about all of the ornaments we have to put on?"

He laughed. "I'm sure we don't have to put all of the ornaments back on the tree."

I rolled my eyes as he kissed my cheek. Raydir helped me to carefully lift the tree into a vertical position.

"I know you love the big tree, but even I'm not tall enough to get the star on."

"That's what shoulders are for." I gestured to him. "Thank goodness yours are broad."

He laughed. "Why am I worried about this? Shouldn't we just use a ladder instead."

I shook my head. "Now where's the fun in that? C'mon, one last push should do it."

We secured the tree in the stand then I went to pull out the first box of decorations which held the star to go atop the Christmas tree.

"Bend down," I instructed.

Raydir knelt low enough for me to climb onto his shoulders. I teetered a bit, grasping my arms around his neck for balance. He wrapped his hands around my legs to steady me.

"Can't...breathe..." he rasped.

"Oops, sorry." I loosened my grip.

He teetered on his feet, swaying us back and forth.

"Eep!" I squeaked. "Don't you dare drop me, doofus!"

Raydir laughed. "I won't. Here's the star." He carefully raised one arm above his head until our fingers touched and I could take the star from him.

I reached up carefully to attach the star to the top of the tree. "There." I smacked my hands together in satisfaction. "Now, let me down."

Raydir did as he was told and soon I was back on solid ground again.

"What's next?" I asked, sliding my hands up his chest.

"Lights." He kissed me. "I'll be right back."

I waited patiently on the couch while Ray went to retrieve the box of lights from our closet. There was silence followed by a thud, a crash, and Raydir cursing.

"Ray?"I called out. "What's going on in there? Do you need some help?"

His response was nothing more than a muffled grunt. Frowning, I rushed to the other room where Raydir was now sprawled out on the ground, tangled in several strands of lights. The ladder we kept in the closet for storage had also fallen over.

I bit back a laugh. "Babe, what happened?"

He blinked up at me, dumbfounded. "The box of lights...it attacked me. But on the bright side, I found the ladder."

I reached out a hand to help him to his feet and he brushed himself off.

"Here." I scooped up a few strands. "Let me help." Raydir followed me back into the living room.

"I think you must be my good luck charm," Raydir said once the tree was covered in dozens of twinkly lights. He kissed my cheek.

I smiled and kissed him back. "Now that I believe."

We finished decorating the tree for the rest of the day. Finally, we were ready for our Christmas together. Just the two of us.