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"No, this one should go higher up," she said, eyeing his placement

"You’re crazy There’s already a bunch up here I’ it lower"

She shook her head "Too clustered And you’re putting tooto see the ones in the back anyway"

She paused to look at him "See, everyone thinks that, but it’s not true The back of the tree should never be sparse Ornaments should be evenly distributed"

He took a step back "I’e of finishing this up"

She gave hi ?"

"Yup," he said as he walked toward the kitchen "Want soood"

There weren’t that many ornaments left to be put on anyway, so she inspected the tree and decided where she wanted theo and finished up, then walked back a few steps to inspect the tree froaps she’d missed Satisfied, she put the lids on all the boxes

"Where do you want these?" she asked as Trick calasses of tea

He set the cups down on the table "Let me takes those I’ll put them in the spare bedroom closet"

"I’ll help"

They put all the boxes away, then ca room Stella picked up her tea and took a couple sips Who knew tree decorating could make her so thirsty?

She sat on the sofa and adot that"

"That’s right Let et it"

He set his cup down and went into the other roo to like this"

"It’s a hockey player, isn’t it?"

He stilled, his hands on the lid "There are hockey player tree toppers? How did I not know this?"

She laughed "I don’t know if there are or not I just figured that would be appropriate for your tree"

"It’s not really my tree, Stella It’s your tree"

Her heart squeezed "What?"

"You wanted this tree It’s for you So’s the topper Close your eyes"