Tino was at the zoo ten minutes earlier. Determined to make a good first impression. He still couldn't get over what Missy had done for him. He spent a better part of the afternoon with her. Learning about her, her brother and Goldie and her business and its ups and downs.

He steered the conversations away from him and his spiders, and living with his sister. The more he learned about how Missy strived to make her dream of a bakery come true, the struggle she went through the more lazy he felt in comparison.

It was just his nature really. He tended to just wait and see what came to him as opposed to going out and getting what he wanted. Maybe that's one of the reasons why he liked spiders so much. They were willing to work hard but ultimately lived life minimally accepting what came to them, perhaps hoping for better the next time, but patient and content with their lot in life.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Webber," Mary Shepherd said, extending a hand to him. He took it and gave her a firm handshake.

"I was early," Tino insisted.

"You ready to go?" she asked, and Tino agreed. He followed her to the zoo van. He took note the back was all set up for transport of any purchases they may make.

"Have you ever been to the expo?" Mary asked.

Tino chuckled, "That would be a definite, yes. Never miss it."

As the drive progressed she learned all about his degree and his thesis on using spider venom to create an alternative pesticide, most venom are not toxic to humans or animals just other bugs but most pesticides are.

Mary was totally impressed, by that, his education, and his connections, for there wasn't a vendor at the expo who didn't know his name and seemed truly pleased to see him.

"I can see I brought the right person for the job with me," Mary admitted, as he showed her a selection of water beetles.

They made their way to the spider vendors who seemed over enthusiastic to see him. She learned many had known him since he was kid and came with his father.

"Tino, my man, got that Mexican Pink for you."

Tino's heart broke. "Oh, Jimmy I couldn't raise the funds. I'm so sorry."

"Me, too. Well, do you at least want to see her? She's a real beauty."

Tino knew to hold her and have to let her go would cut the wound a little deeper but agreed anyway. The temptation was too great.

"She really is a beautiful spider," Mary said, noticing how content the spider was being handled by Tino. She thought his love for spiders must translate to them.

"Why the frown?" Mary asked.

"Well one... I don't have the funds to purchase this spider and I have been looking for an adult for a few years. The younger versions are readily available had but I wanted this spider for part of my research."

"Two there's a problem with my research, as I've met someone, and they don't care for spiders much, yet I really want it to work out between us."

"It's been my observation, Tino that most species can't change their nature, fish can't fly with birds."

"Not unless it's dinner," Tino joked but then felt more miserable. Was he fooling himself? Was Missy and him doomed from the start?

Then an idea crept into his mind, spinning possibilities. "Ms. Shepard, may I ask if I have the job?"

This sudden line of questioning surprised Mary. "As far as I'm concerned yes, but there are a few others I will need to get consent from but I don't see any barriers where that is concerned."

Tino smiled. "Then I would like to donate my spiders to the zoo."

"That's not a half bad idea. You'd have access to them to complete your thesis and the zoo could also benefit from such a collection. Thank you."

He handed the Mexican Pink back to Jimmy.

"No, thank you!" he said shaking her hand. "You may have just given this fish some wings."

It was Christmas Eve, and Missy had planned a special dinner with all the trimmings for her and Tino. She was so excited as Mary called to let her know how the interview went. So, she knew they had much to celebrate. Mary clued her in on something else to... but that would have to wait until she had seen him.

The smell of roasted turkey, sweet potato pie, and so many other wonderful things reached his nose the moment he stepped past her door.

She took his coat and scarf from him and laid it across her bed. She came out to see him standing exactly where she left him.

"Is everything okay?" she asked seeing the serious expression on his face.

"I thought I could do this. That I could wait but I feel too impatient and nervous to enjoy that meal you created over there, until I say something."

"Okay?" Missy said hesitantly.

"Missy, I know I'm not the right person for you but I want to be. I look at you and I just feel like this is where I belong. I know that may sound crazy as we haven't known one another long but I want us to have a real chance. So, I gave up my collection of spiders, they will be housed at the zoo, and so long as you are with me I will not purchase another. You are brave, ambitious and beautiful and I want nothing more than to give us, this a chance."

"I can't..." Missy was at a loss for words and Tino looked crushed.

"I understand. You deserve better than me anyway. A gutter guy, a guy who lives with his sister, a guy who only has a better job because you found it for him." He began to walk to her bedroom to retrieve his coat, until he heard her laugh. Then he turned back around in surprise.

"Tino, wait... I was about to say, I can't believe you did that for me, but I don't want you to change who you are. Especially when the person you are is someone I am beginning to feel deeply for. It's not fair to you or to me."

"So, what are you saying?" Tino asked, unclear as to what she had decided.

Missy walked over to her tree to retrieve a box and came back to hand it to him. "I'm saying, Merry Christmas."

"But I didn't get..."

"Just open it!" Missy demanded.

Tino could not believe his eyes when he opened the lid. "May I?"

Missy nodded, beaming at him with enthusiasm.

He took out the Mexican Pink spider, who of course was already set up in her safe habitat, which he noted, was locked with a heart shaped lock.

She handed him the key, "I have only one request that she stays in there until you take her home."

He looked at her like he did the other day... with wonder and amazement.

"Missy how did you... I can't believe..." he couldn't find the right words.

"Mary called me and told me what you did. I just couldn't let you do it. If we are to have a real chance, I can't ask you to change. I don't want you to change, and although they give me the shivers, these creatures are a big part of your life, and if I am to be a part of it, I have to accept that."

"She told me about how you were willing to donate them to the zoo. I convinced her that they stay with you. That if you house them there, fine but should you leave for any reason, they must come back to you and Mary agreed."

"But what if things get serious. Missy, how do you plan to live with spiders?"

"I do plan on things getting serious, very serious and should that day come, we'll figure it out together. Maybe a climate controlled shed where they can all live happily ever after? I don't know. I just know what I want... and that is you Tino Webber, exactly as you are."

"So, I guess for now it's you, me and Pinkie?"

"Pinkie?" Missy asked, with a chuckle.

"Yes, we've bonded. So, I named her."

"I have to say a pink spider is not nearly a terrifying... perhaps it's the color."

"So, you think one day you may want to hold her?"

"Ah, NO... but I know someone else I'd like to hold."

Tino smiled that toe-curling grin. "Is that so?"

Missy just stood there expectantly while Tino placed Pinkie back in her box.

He then grabbed hold of Missy. He looked into her eyes, and she knew he wanted a kiss, but then suddenly looked to the ceiling. Missy panicked, not another spider but instead she'd seen the Mistletoe... and laughed.

"The perfect the spot. To kiss the perfect woman," Tino said, and as their lips touched, her kiss warmed him like the sun.