December always seemed like the busiest time of year. At work, with family, it seemed to speed by and then next thing she knew it was Christmas! She'd been working over time at the shop, helping to finish off all of the gowns for the holidays that the Lyttons had designed. She felt terrible, missing out on being home, but the deadlines were extremely chaotic. Rather fortunately, since everyone wanted their gowns for Christmas and New Years, once they were all out, a few days before Christmas itself, she'd been able to relax a little and be home on time and more often.

Christmas even had been spent with family of course, celebrating and exchanging presents, but honestly since her marriage, Adella much preferred to spend Christmas morning home with her husband, just the two of them. When they had children, she would insist they continue the tradition. Later in the day they would go see more family, but the morning was just for them.

She woke in bed alone and she realized it was later than she intended, she hoped Philip hadn't been waiting long! She hurried to find her dressing gown and slippers and quickly tamed her blonde mess of hair into a braid before making her way downstairs. "Philip?" She called cautiously once she reached their living room where the tree was stationed. Her presents for him sat untouched beneath it, but her husband was nowhere to be seen!