But she turns to look back at Abbie, who is giving her a look so hopeful, she just can’t say no to the genuine Christmas joy and excitement there.

“Of course you can decorate my tree.”

***

That’s how she finds herself decorating her apartment, pulling out all of the stops, two weeks before Christmas.

It’s not so bad, she thinks, even as she is glaring at the lights Abbie had excitedly proclaimed they needed. She’d purchased them to make up for the fact that she refused to get an actual, real tree. A plastic tree or bust. She’s going to have to do this again next year for Abbie – she hopes – so she’s going to invest in one she can use more than once.

Abbie is practically dancing around the tree Caroline had just painstakingly wrestled with for the better part of an hour, and the topic of Santa Claus is abound.

Caroline pauses as she’s sitting on the floor with the lights, cautiously broaching the topic. She knows that a few of her nieces and nephews still believe and it’s something she tries very hard to keep in mind every holiday season. “So… you have high hopes for Santa this year?”

Abbie shoots her such an exasperated look – so serious, especially for someone wearing a headband with reindeer antlers. Caroline has to bite back her grin. “Santa isn’t real, Caroline. Mom and dad buy my presents,” she informs her, before a sly smile steals across her face. “I bet I’m gonna get what I want this year.”

Caroline arches a questioning eyebrow at that. Abbie likely will get everything she asked for and more; Hannah sternly informed Caroline that she was not allowed to go “crazy” with how many gifts she was getting Abbie. That she already had to deal with Michael attempting to buy any possible affection, let alone what his parents were purchasing, too.

She’s mostly curious because for a girl whose family does have more money than God, Abbie is generally very well-adjusted and not very spoiled. Once again, points to Hannah.

Before she can question, though, the door to her apartment opens and closes, and she looks up from where she sits just in time to see Hannah walk into the living room.

“I’m so glad it’s the weekend and I am finally done with my finals –” Hannah breaks off, eyes going so wide as she takes in the Christmas explosion in Caroline’s condo.

“Mom! Caroline’s letting me decorate her tree and she says we can put up the garlands in the doorways! You want to help? You want to put on the star? I picked it out!”

“In a few minutes, hon, let me settle in.”