"I want to host a Christmas party," Lisa said as Jeff walked into the room three days after their wedding.

"My promotion might not be approved before the holidays," he answered, setting down his briefcase and beginning to unbutton his jacket.

This was Lisa's favorite part of the day. As a school teacher, she got home before Jeff, and thus was privy to his after-work routine. It began with the removal of his jacket, the rolling up of his shirt sleeves, and the loosening of his tie. She sighed. God, when he loosened the tie.

"Lisa?" he called, snapping her out of her lust-filled daydream. She watched as he began to roll up his sleeves, baring those thick forearms, dusted with light hair over golden skin, the muscles shifting and flexing with the effort.

"Yes, but I don't think it matters," she continued. "If your promotion hasn't come through yet, the party will only help demonstrate you're what they're looking for. If the promotion has come through it will be a celebration for all you've accomplished."

His cheeks reddened just a touch and she grinned. He was so shy, this big soldier. Her big soldier. Her heart fluttered just a touch at the thought, even though she knew it was true in name only.

"Ok, I didn't want you to have to take on a big project if it's not necessary."

"It's a fun project. I told you I love Christmas, and part of it is the parties. I haven't been able to have a party the last few years because of the separation and all my financial troubles, but I used to love hosting Christmas parties. I'm excited to do one again."

He nodded. "Okay, tell me what to do and we'll take care of it."

She clapped her hands enthusiastically. Jeff's house was barren, but a beautiful place all the same. She'd already hung some pictures and put a few vases of flowers around the place, she couldn't wait to decorate for the holidays.

"The first thing we need to do is put together a guest list."

"Something my secretary can handle for us," he answered, opening a bottle of wine on the small bar cart in the living room and pouring two glasses.

"Wonderful, I'll have her help me with the invitations. But the next thing we need to do is go shopping."

"What are we shopping for?" He handed her a glass of merlot and she took a big sip, the rich liquid sending heat all the way to her toes.

"Holiday things," she answered, grinning. "All the holiday things."

* * *

Several hours later, Jeff packed the last bag into the back of his SUV and sighed. She hadn't been kidding when she said she loved Christmas. He'd never seen so many red, green, gold, and silver knick-knacks and doodads in his life. They'd purchased an entire household's worth of Christmas decor in one evening. There were wall hangings, ornaments, mistletoe, wreaths, garland, tinsel, poinsettias, ribbons, blankets, throw pillows...the list went on and on.

He closed the tailgate and turned to face his wife. The grin on her face was almost worth the six trips he'd had to make between the store and the truck.

"I'm afraid to ask, but is that it?" he asked.

"Until it's time for the tree, yes."

Oh. A tree. Yeah, he guessed most people got one of those. He'd never actually had one—at least not since he was in elementary school.

"So, you get that at one of those tree lots they set up?"

An expression of disappointment crossed her face, but was quickly replaced by a tight smile. "Sure. They have them set up already, we can go pick out a good one on the weekend."

He walked with her to the passenger side, opening her door and waiting as she got in and buckled her seatbelt. But before he shut the door he leaned an arm on the roof of the truck and leaned in a touch.

"Is there some other way to get a tree? I've never had one, so I'm not up on all the acquisition methods."

She looked conflicted, but shook her head lightly. "A tree lot's the best, easiest way for fresh trees. It's fine."

She glanced away from him, and he couldn't take it, couldn't stop himself for another second. He reached out and caught her chin gently, nudging her to face him again.

"What other ways are there to get a tree?" he asked softly.

The tip of her tongue touched her top lip as her eyes widened. His dick twitched in his khakis. Damn disobedient body.

"It's silly," she demurred.

"Lisa." He gave her a look that had withered many an enlisted soldier. She didn't even seem to notice.

"You've gone to too much trouble and expense already. It won't make a bit of difference to the party where the tree comes from."

"Where do you want to get the tree?" he asked, his finger still lightly touching her jaw.

She made a harrumphing sound and he couldn't help but grin.

"Christmas tree farms."

"What?" he asked, finally dropping his hand from her face.

"When I was growing up, we'd always go to a Christmas tree farm, and my dad would cut down a tree for us." She paused, her gaze snapping to his. "After he died, we stopped, and then when I got married...well, Doug always said, 'next year’. I had this fantasy that when I was married and starting a family of my own, my husband and I would do it like we had when I was growing up."

She gave a little chuckle. "It's completely childish, and I don't expect you to give up an entire Saturday to drive out to the middle of nowhere and chop down a tree."

And in the span of one moment, Jeff knew there was nothing he'd rather do than spend an entire Saturday driving to the middle of nowhere and chopping down a Christmas tree. In fact, it was imperative he do it. He'd do it every Saturday for the next year if that's what would satisfy her fantasy. He couldn't think of any more worthy pursuit than fulfilling this woman's fantasies.

"I'd love to," he said softly.

She blinked at him.

"You don't have to—"

"I want to."

"Really?" Her voice was full of wonder.

"Of course. If that's what makes it special for you then it’s what we need to do."

"Oh!" Her hand flew to her mouth and her nose scrunched up a touch. "That's just...I mean..."

Again, he couldn't stop himself from reaching out to touch her, tucking a strand of her hair behind one ear. "Lisa. I'd love to take you to the Christmas tree farm. I even have a good axe in the garage. You just tell me when we need to go and I'll put it on my calendar."

She nodded rapidly, taking a deep breath before she answered, her beautiful gray eyes shining with emotion.

"Thank you. Thank you so much."

"Sweetheart, if that's all it takes to make you happy I can't imagine why anyone would ever deny you."

She smiled at him and it was like the whole parking lot had been lit up by a solar flare. Everything inside him warmed, turning golden and liquid.

"Thank you," she whispered.

He smiled and shut the door to the truck before walking around the back to the driver's side. He paused before climbing in, his eyes surveying the world around him, noticing it was suddenly filled with new things—colors, sounds, emotions. Jeff was beginning to realize he'd been living in black and white a very long time. Life in color was frightening, but oh so beautiful.