“I need my glasses,” Bette said as she stood up. “Come on, lets go to the office so I can take a better look.” She paused and turned to Tina who had also stood up. “I love it,” she said with giddy excitement as she gave Tina a sweet kiss.

Bette walked quickly through the office door and turned on the overhead light. She grabbed her glasses and turned on her desk light. She looked at the postcard under the light that brought out the details of the card. “Wow,” this is beautiful,” Bette said turning her head and giving Tina a smile. “Ya know greeting cards were hand made and hand delivered gifts and very expensive until advances in printing. The artists, especially those at the turn of the century are very collectible. Many of them were well known artists such as Kate Greenaway and Walter Crane. An original illustration from one of them can go for quite a lot of money today.” Bette paused, “But, I am not familiar with the work of Kathryn Elliot.”

Tina smiled as she listened to Bette give a history of Greeting Card Artistry. “So I guess you like the old card,” she said amusingly.

Bette smiled, “Yes I do.” Bette turned off the light and took Tina’s hand. “I love the sentiment too. It’s perfect, it says everything that I could ask of Christmas this year.” Bette then led Tina back into the living room.

Tina watched as Bette picked up the silver frame, placed it on the mantle and leaned the card against it after placing the card back in the casing. Bette then started a fire in the fireplace as Tina sat on the couch. Tina snuggled up close to Bette for warmth as she sat down. Bette held her tight as they both listened to the fire crackle. This was how they were meant to be. Of course they knew there would be challenges ahead, that would be part of life. But for this precious moment, nothing else mattered, not now, not tonight. Tina lifted her head and kissed Bette on the cheek. She then settled into Bette’s arms. She looked up at the mantle and read to herself the sentiment and smiled.

May the Christmas Spirit Bring to your Fireside, Joy and Peace and the Riches of Family.

“Perfect,” Tina said softly.