Christmas Confection Perfection: Day #12 – December 2, 2025
Day #12 – Top of a Mountain
After closing, Mary and Ashton met up to take her tree to her apartment. There was something exceptionally Christmasy about walking home, at night, beneath the glow of twinkle lights, in falling snow. The streetlamps cast golden halos that blurred in the flakes, and for a moment, Mary could almost believe they were inside someone’s snow globe instead of trudging through city slush.
Ashton walked beside her, his gloved hands gripping the wagon handle, their shoulders nearly brushing.
“I’m sorry you have to stay out so late to help me. I told Elsie I could manage the wagon on my own.” Mary tried to break the ice.
“It’s not every day I get to drive a delivery truck. Pickup trucks sure; Bonafide delivery trucks, not so much.” Ashton said with mock seriousness.
Mary couldn’t decide if she should laugh or groan at the continued reference. “I’m not sure that’s the running joke you seem to think it is.”
Ashton chuckled, “until the bruises heal…I claim the right to joke about it.”
Mary finally laughed, “fair enough.”
Another moment of silence passed between them. The only sound was the crunching noise their boots made in the wet snow.
“So… have you heard back from the job yet?” she asked.
“I did,” he said, his grin widening. “I got it. I start next week.”
“They want you, cocoa suit and all?”
“Cocoa suit and all,” he said with a soft laugh.
“Congrats.” She smiled, though a faint pang tugged at her. “Will you still help out at the lot?”
“Of course,” he said quickly. “Jack and Elsie would never forgive me if I didn’t.”
“They’re lucky to have you.”
He looked at her then, eyes catching the faint reflection of the streetlights. “They’re lucky to have you.”
Mary looked away, cheeks warming. “I adore them, have since we met,” she said softly, motioning to the building ahead. “This is me.”
They made their way into her building and paused in front of the elevator. A handwritten sign was taped to the door: Out of Order.
“Any chance your apartment’s on the first floor?” Ashton asked, hopeful.
“That would be mighty convenient, wouldn’t it?” Mary laughed. “But no—sixth floor up.”
“Have you ever chopped down a tree and hauled it out of the forest?”
“This city girl?”
“Then just think of this next part like you scouted your own tree.”
Mary looked at him skeptically. “Do you usually chop the tree at the bottom of the mountain and haul it up to the top?”
“Not if you’re very bright.” Ashton’s eyes twinkled.
“To the top!”
“To the top!” he echoed, already working to free the tree from the wagon.
They wrestled the tree up the narrow stairwell together, laughing, grunting, and trying to angle it around the turns. At one point, it got completely stuck between the railing and the wall, showering both of them in pine needles.
“All right, turn!” Mary called from her place at the front of the tree, the lighter, “easier” end, according to Ashton.
“I am turning!” he shouted back, peeking through the branches. “Where’s the landing?”
“Back at the picnic area. This is a mountain after all.”
“Ah,” Ashton nodded. “I am sorry ma’am, but you have reached the mileage limit of your tree delivery service.”
“Hey!” Mary laughed.
“Hopefully you enjoy your Christmas in the stairwell.”
“I’m not getting my money’s worth out of this deal!”
“Not getting your money’s worth out of the free tree deal?”
Mary shrugged. “You know what I mean.”
“That’s what you get for parking at the top of the mountain.”
She laughed again, really laughed, and realized, with a flutter, that she couldn’t remember the last time Kurt had made her laugh like this.
“All right,” Ashton said, bracing himself, “one big push to save Christmas!”
He shoved, and the tree groaned, then suddenly came free with a rush. A large branch snapped off and tumbled down the stairs with a dramatic thud.
They stared at the bald side of the tree.
“I think this is the side that should face the wall,” Ashton said, deadpan.
Mary snorted.
They both laughed again. For a second, the world seemed to pause…snow glittered through the narrow stairwell window, pine needles scattered at their feet, and hearts beating a little too fast.
***
A few minutes later Ashton and Mary emerged from the stairwell and stepped into the sixth-floor hallway.
As soon as they arrived, a familiar voice called from Mary’s doorway. “Mary! There you are!”
Kurt.
Mary’s smile faltered a little. Ashton straightened instinctively, still holding the base of the tree.
Kurt walked over, grin wide, phone in hand. “Wow, you weren’t kidding about getting a tree.” He stepped alongside Mary and gave her a kiss, his eyes on Ashton the whole time. “And you brought help!”
Mary scrambled to step aside. “Kurt, this is, uh, Ashton. He’s Jack and Elsie’s nephew. He helped me pick it out and get it here.”
Kurt extended his hand, all easy charm. “Kurt. Mary’s boyfriend.”
Ashton shifted his grip to shake. “Nice to meet you.”
“Appreciate the assist, man,” Kurt said. “Looks like quite the workout.”
“It’s no problem.” Ashton smiled, polite but distant now.
“I didn’t realize you were coming over tonight,” Mary said, smoothing a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I couldn’t wait,” Kurt said, excitement bubbling. “I’ve got big news.” He turned to Mary, grinning. “You’re gonna want to sit down for this.”
Ashton stepped back to leave and Mary saw the faint hesitation in his smile. “I can grab the wagon and bring it up,” he offered.
Kurt waved him off. “No, no, seriously, you’ve done enough. I’ll get it.”
Mary showed Ashton an apologetic smile. “We can grab it once we get the tree inside. Thanks so much, Ashton. Will I see you tomorrow?”
Ashton gave Mary a small, unreadable smile before heading back down the stairs. “I’ll be there.”
Mary turned to Kurt.
“Let’s get this inside.” Kurt said, reaching for the lighter end of the tree.
Mary frowned as she moved to the back and grabbed the trunk end and they hauled it inside her apartment.
As soon as they had the tree inside, they placed it into the awaiting tree stand.
Mary closed the apartment door and started working on getting the tree into the kitchen, with some difficulty, as Kurt started in with his big news.
“I got a call this afternoon…you, my love, are officially on the lineup for the morning show next week!”
Mary blinked. “Wait, what? The morning show?”
Kurt beamed. “It’s huge exposure! I told them about your viral video, your baking channel, the works. They want you to come on, bake something festive, talk about the ‘authentic Christmas spirit.’”
Mary’s stomach twisted. “Kurt, I…”
“No need to thank me, I just want people to see how amazing you are.” Kurt leaned in and gave her a kiss.
“Thank you.” Mary nodded. “I wish you would have asked me about it first though. I don’t know anything about being on TV.”
He waved her off. “I can coach you and we can talk details”
Mary stood frozen as Kurt launched into a monologue about producers, set times, and brand potential.
“I’m just nervous.” Mary admitted once Kurt was done with his pitch. “Do you want to grab some dinner? I haven’t eaten yet.”
“I was waiting in the hall for a while and now I am beat.” Kurt shrugged, disappointed that Mary was not more excited about the opportunity.
Mary felt a wave of guilt. “I’m pretty beat too. I’m sure with some sleep I will be more excited in the morning.”
“Did you know the elevator isn’t working?” Kurt asked.
Mary chuckled, “yeah…”
“Have a good night.” Kurt gave her a peck on the cheek and headed toward the door.
When Kurt left (forgetting entirely about getting the wagon as promised) Mary leaned against the wall, staring at the tree propped awkwardly between the living room and the kitchen, halfway to where it belonged.
“Guess I’ll go get the wagon,” she murmured.
Check Back Tomorrow for the Next Installment!
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