wheelsy_sheriff: (bushes)
wheelsy_sheriff ([personal profile] wheelsy_sheriff) wrote2008-12-15 02:16 am

(no subject)

[after this and this]

He's gone the entire morning and it's mid-afternoon when the truck backs into the driveway.

The screen door bangs open and there's a knocking on the other side of the door that sounds like he might be kicking it, he is, and a muffled, "Kate!"

Waiting outside on the porch is Bill and a pine tree that's attempting to smother him against the front door.
justdidntseeit: (peering)

[personal profile] justdidntseeit 2008-12-15 09:48 am (UTC)(link)
The swelling's minimal and the bruising isn't as bad as she feared it would be. With carefully applied concealer and foundation and a light application of powder, it's hardly noticeable. (She hopes.)

She's spent the better part of the day cleaning and re-organizing the kitchen pantry and cupboards, more for distraction than necessity, and she nearly drops the wineglasses in her hands when Bill's boots thump against the front door.

Hearing his voice, she puts down the glasses and hurries to the foyer.

She blinks at the evergreen branches that greet her as she swings open the door and half-laughs when her eyes meet Bill's.

"Wow."
justdidntseeit: (go on)

[personal profile] justdidntseeit 2008-12-15 10:04 am (UTC)(link)
She's still staring at the tree, impressed.

"It's gorgeous."

Its scent is already filling the room, and she takes a deep breath.

" -- so, um."

She glances from the tree to Bill.

"What do we do with it now?"
justdidntseeit: (profile)

[personal profile] justdidntseeit 2008-12-15 07:25 pm (UTC)(link)
She surveys the living room and nods toward the window.

"I think -- "

A pause.

"Oh, I meant the tree. Doesn't it have to go in a bucket or something?"
justdidntseeit: (considering)

[personal profile] justdidntseeit 2008-12-16 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
"I do," she assures him. "But I've never, um, handled this part."

She'd never paid much attention to the set-up when she was younger, and for as long as she can remember, the help always took care of it each year.

She gives him a smile tinged with embarrassment.

"Just the decorating."
justdidntseeit: (o christmas tree)

[personal profile] justdidntseeit 2008-12-16 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
She studies the tree with a critical eye as Bill steps outside.

It looks sturdy enough --

Until it begins to list to one side.

So she ignores what was probably excellent advice and hurries to steady it, bracing the tree against the wall with both arms.

It's heavier than it looks, but at least the wall's taking most of the weight.
justdidntseeit: (pretty pretty ponytail)

[personal profile] justdidntseeit 2008-12-16 06:35 am (UTC)(link)
She tries to spare a glance over her shoulder when she hears the box land.

"It's fine, it's not falling."

(Though she and her triceps are grateful for the help.)

Once the tree is leaning safely against the wall once more, she steps back and brushes her hands on her jeans, then spots the birdseed dotting Bill's hair and shoulders.

"Everything okay out back?"
justdidntseeit: (pensive)

[personal profile] justdidntseeit 2008-12-16 06:58 am (UTC)(link)
She notices his eyes dart to her jaw and turns her head away just a fraction, hoping the slight shift doesn't appear intentional.

Seeing the seeds hit the floor, she moves closer.

Birdseed?

But before she can ask, she's distracted by the tree stand.
justdidntseeit: (o christmas tree)

[personal profile] justdidntseeit 2008-12-16 07:48 am (UTC)(link)
"Sure -- this can't be that hard, right?"

And, between the two of them, it's not; the tree is set in place and fairly straight within a few minutes.
justdidntseeit: (kinda wibbly)

[personal profile] justdidntseeit 2008-12-16 09:00 am (UTC)(link)
"It'll look great there."

She follows him to help move the chair and scoot over the couch.

"Can I, um, ask how this morning went? You don't have to tell me specifics or anything, I know it's personal, but ... was it okay?"
justdidntseeit: (love)

[personal profile] justdidntseeit 2008-12-16 09:23 am (UTC)(link)
"That's good."

The sudden sting at the corner of her mouth keeps her relieved half-smile in check.

"I'm glad it was better."

She's more than willing to let the subject drop as she turns to the box of decorations.
justdidntseeit: (tidings of comfort and joy)

[personal profile] justdidntseeit 2008-12-16 09:44 am (UTC)(link)
Her face brightens and she reaches for one of the bags, pulling out the box of ornaments and placing them on the couch.

"These should go on first," she says, lifting the box of lights from the bag.

She's opening them when she spies two empty slots in the box of candy canes and chuckles.

"I hope you don't mind sharing those candy canes with me and the branches."
justdidntseeit: (o christmas tree)

[personal profile] justdidntseeit 2008-12-17 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
She unwinds the lights from the packaging and plugs them in (all the better to check their placement on the branches); after a couple of circles, she hands over the neatly looped strands.

"You're taller, sheriff."
justdidntseeit: (wouldn't you like to know?)

[personal profile] justdidntseeit 2008-12-17 06:29 am (UTC)(link)
She winds the garland around the base of the tree and works it halfway up before handing it to Bill.

"I think you only like me for my eyeballing skills."

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