Mesmerized

and pulled out lights, garland, and a village. Lily told Jake what to do with the stuff and they got the house decorated in not time. 
    “Ready to go get a tree?” Gregory asked.
    “A real one?” Jake asked surprised. 
    “Of course! Sandra, let’s go get the tree,” he hollered to his wife. 
    “Coming!” 
     
    Jake stood at the tree farm looking baffled. Lily slipped her hand into his and squeezed it. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing. It’s just been so long since I’ve been part of a family like this.”
    “Do you like this kind of thing?”
    He looked into her eyes. “Yeah I do, especially when it’s with you.”
    "You might change your mind tomorrow when my dad drags you up on the roof to decorate."
    Jake laughed. "That sounds like fun. At least it's not cold in Texas."
    "My dad is over the top about decorating. You might have noticed."
    "I think it's cool." 
    They spent at least an hour looking for the perfect tree. Finally Sandra exclaimed, "This one!"
    Lily hurried over to see what she had found. Her mom was right. It was perfect. It was at least seven feet tall and so fat and fluffy. Her mother always insisted they needed a big tree. "I love it." Lily walked over to her mom and rested her head on her shoulder. She really was lucky to have such an amazing family. 
    Her father and Jake tied the tree down on top of the SUV. Lily loved how at ease Jake was with her family. When they got home, her mother put milk on the stove for hot chocolate, even though it was quite warm outside. She insisted cocoa was necessary when decorating a tree. 
    ***
    Lily awoke bright and early. She remembered immediately that it was Christmas morning and jumped out of bed. She practically ran down the stairs yelling, “Wake up!” in the process. She skidded to a stop in front of the lit Christmas tree. She reached up and touched an ornament she had made when she was little. She grinned at the crooked snowflake made out of Popsicle sticks. It was cute that her mom had kept it all these years. 
    Within minutes Lily’s parents and Jake were in front of the tree dressed in their PJs. Lily was excited at the sight of all the presents. She couldn’t wait to tear in and open them. She glanced around for Jake and found him sitting on the couch.
    She ran over to him and plopped down next to him. “Merry Christmas.”
    “Merry Christmas.” His blue eyes sparkled. He leaned closer to her and gently kissed her.
    “You ready for presents?” Gregory asked and started handing them out.
    “I’m always ready for presents.” Lily laughed.
    Gregory enjoyed being the one to hand out the presents. He loved watching his family open them and their eyes light up. 
    Lily got clothes, a new purse, gift cards, and some make-up. Lily’s parents had even bought Jake some gifts. 
    After most of the gifts were opened, Jake handed one more to Lily. “This one is from me.”
    Lily smiled, knowing she’d love anything Jake got her. “I got you something too.” She handed him a box. “You go first.”
    “Okay.” He ripped open the reindeer paper and found a beautiful black and silver watch inside. “I love it.” 
    “It’s to remind you we’ll be together for all time. Look at the back.”
    Jake took it out of the box and turned it around. Written on the back was: Until the end of time. He smiled and put it on his wrist. “It's perfect. Thank you. Now open yours.”
    Lily smiled and tore into hers. She gasped when her eyes rested on the beautiful amethyst ring. “It’s gorgeous.”
    “It’s a promise ring…and I figured more stones couldn’t hurt.”
    Lily giggled. “True.” She took the ring out of the box and realized there was an inscription: Today, Tomorrow, Always.
    She held the ring out to Jake. “You put it on.”
    He took her hand and placed the ring on it. “I promise to be yours forever.”
    Lily stared into his eyes and knew he meant it. She threw her arms around Jake’s neck and kissed him. “I love you.”
     

Epilogue
     
     
     
    Lily was nervous. It was her first day back at school since the incident with Ben. Goodness that seemed like a lifetime ago. So much had taken place since then. Could she really go back to school and act as if nothing had happened? 
    Jake and Lily decided to arrive in separate cars at different times. It was already going to seem strange enough that they were coming back to school on the same day. 
    "Do you want me to come in with you, dear?" her mother asked,