They walked into the living room and in absence of a fire, the room was bathed by the peaceful illumination of the Christmas lights. Strands flashed on and off in syncopation, casting shadows of different shapes and hues. Bette looked down at a small box under the tree that the lights surrounded like a halo. “What’s that?” She said bending down and picking up the beautifully wrapped package.

Tina stood back just watching. Tina had given Angie the precious gift last night at the door. Angie was to clean the frame, wrap it and the card up extra special and place it under the tree after everyone had left after Christmas dinner. Tina didn’t know when Angie had placed it, but she wasn’t surprised when it had been discovered. Angie knew this was a special gift exchange and making herself scarce wasn’t a surprise either. “I don’t know, maybe Santa came back,” Tina played coy as she smiled.

Bette laughed, “This is what you and Angie had been shopping for yesterday.” Bette paused, “This ritual was always one of my favorites.” Bette gave a loving smile to Tina as she leaned in and gave her a kiss. “Let’s see what we got here,” she said heading towards the couch.

Tina followed and sat next to Bette as she began to slowly unwrap the box. Bette opened the lid and pulled back the tissue. Inside laid the silver frame. As Bette pulled the frame out of the box, the colorful lights danced around the edges. Bette looked at Tina, “Wow, this is beautiful,” she said as she pulled it closer to look at the detailing. “This is old.”

Tina nodded, “There’s more.” She said lowering her eyes towards the box.

Bette handed the frame to Tina, pausing as their fingers touched. She smiled again at Tina and then turned to the box once more. She slowly pulled aside more tissue revealing the Christmas Post Card. Bette pulled it out of the box and a slow smile came upon her face. She looked at Tina and then looked closer at the card. Bette slowly pulled it out of a casing that Angie had placed it in. Tina smiled at the knowledge that Angie new how to manage a piece of art, knowledge that she had gained from Bette.