Always You

73. Christmas Shopping

Anne and I are sitting on the lounge in our pyjamas watching tv. Harry is doing a radio interview with the rest of the boys because of their album release and Gemma is still sleeping. I look around the room at all the Christmas decorations.

On top of the coffee table in front of me is a gold Christmas tree and a gold reindeer. Both are made from thin metal and sit at about thirty centimetres tall. Behind the ornaments is a gold bowl which is a shade lighter than the golden ornaments but still gold in colour. 

The bowl is filled with candy canes. I imagine with Harry and I around there won't be many candy canes in there for long since we both tend to snack on things when they are placed directly in front of us. 

The saying 'once you have one you can't stop there' is very true. I say that each time I open a packet of chips or a block of chocolate.

There is gold tinsel hanging around the borders of the windows and the photo frames. 

"You have decorated this place very well Anne."

"Yes, but I know what you are thinking. Where is the tree."

I laugh to myself because that thought did cross my mind. Usually the Christmas tree is the first decoration people put up, yet I cannot seem to see a Christmas tree around the place. "You're right. I was thinking that."

She smiles. "I was waiting until you and Harry came as Harry has always been apart of our tree picking. Perhaps we should do that after we go shopping?"

The thought crosses my mind of Harry walking around a tree forrest searching for the perfect tree. He would be very picky and look around for the one that isn't too tall, too busy and has plenty of pine or spruce needles on it. 

He would be cracking jokes and being the first one to laugh at them, occasionally nudging Gemma when she gets annoyed with him. They have always had a special bond the three of them and it is so lovely to see Robin being the fourth addition to the family.

Robin cares for Harry and Gemma as if they were his own children and I can tell how much Anne admires him by the way she looks at him when he speaks. Her eyes widen and they have a glint of shine in them. She looks at her children that way too. 

"I think that sounds great. This will be my first real tree. Usually we just use the same plastic one every year."

Anne looks at me with a shocked expression. "What? You have never had a real Christmas tree?"

I shake my head. "Never."

"Well, let's make sure this tree is the most perfect one there. We have a reputation to uphold."

"Did I hear correctly that you have only had a plastic Christmas tree?" Robin takes a seat beside me on the lounge.

I hold my hands up in surrender. "Guilty."

Robin let's out a huff. "My goodness Anne, we really do need to get the perfect tree this year."

"It is really thoughtful that you waited for Harry and I to arrive to pick out the tree. Thank you for that." I look between the two of them.

Robin places his hand on my shoulder. "You know Hailey, I have always been sceptical of the women Harry shows interest in. Majority of the time we don't get to meet them because he rarely brings girls to meet us. I know he has probably told you this himself but he really does love you. He loves you so much."

"He does" Anne nods in agreement.

"I've only ever see the boy look at one girl the way he looks at you and she is a bit older and shares his dna."