The crisp chill of early December was nothing to Lariette and Ruediger as they stayed warm in the apartment. The city was bustling with people enjoying the weekend outside.

The young lady had freshened up and filled her tummy with delicious and fluffy strawberry pancakes. She also had a small bowl of soup, the one her beloved had made originally for dinner last night.

Fortunately, her lingering hangover didn't take long to dissipate. Her head was no longer aching.

"Mm..."

After breakfast, Lariette lay on the couch. She stretched her arms and legs, taking in the comfortable moment spent in the apartment.

Even though she was happy because the final exam week had ended, the mental and physical exhaustion still remained. She also had to prepare herself for grading and the overall evaluation.

Still, one burden had been lifted off her shoulders.

Ruediger came from the kitchen. He chuckled at the sight of Lariette stretching and then curling up on the couch like a lazy cat.

Sitting beside Lariette, Ruediger leaned forward, sneaking his arms around her waist. He playfully patted her bum.

"Planning to sleep through the day, huh? Didn't you say you want to decorate our place this weekend?"

His husky voice rumbled against her ears, laced with mirth and amusement.

Lariette let out a muffled groan. Turning her upper body around, she stared into Ruediger's gleaming eyes while encircling her arms around his neck.

The tips of their noses almost brushed together.

Craning her neck, she pecked his lips, "Don't you think I deserve one day of laziness?"

Laughing softly, he kissed her back, and then his lips lingered on her neck. He whispered, "That's definite. You should rest today. We can still put on the baubles tomorrow or next week. There's no rush, sweetheart."

He knew how much she had exhausted herself this week. Even though her work didn't require doing heavy labor, her exhaustion was still high.

He made sure to prepare more nutritious food and even provide her massage, but she still needed a break.

"Stay with me," Lariette buried her head into his chest. She lowered her hands from his neck to his waist, "Unless you have work to do."

"Sleep," Ruediger kissed her forehead, "I'll be here."

Then, the couple lay on the couch together, seeking each other's comfort and warmth.

Lariette requested Ruediger to sing her a lullaby, which he easily fulfilled. His low, melodious voice resonated in the living room, gently lulling her to sleep.

Ruediger let Lariette take a nap. He shifted slightly to give her more space on the couch, and one arm steadily supported her back.

Because of how comforting the moment was, he also drifted to sleep. Soon, his steady breathing echoed alongside hers.

Slightly before twelve, the pair woke up. They laughed at each other for napping so early in the morning before they decided to go through with their original plan.

"The tree first, okay?" Lariette pointed at the towering Christmas tree.

"Anything my lady says," Ruediger shrugged with a smile.

Leaving the couch, they stood side by side while assessing the artificial Christmas tree that had been delivered earlier this week.

It stood tall, nearly reaching the ceiling. Its faux pine branches were thick and ready for any decorations.

Then, Lariette and Ruediger brought out boxes of ornaments, strings of lights, bundles of tinsel and others from the big box. They were scattered around the tree like festive treasure troves.

When the pair went shopping last week, they indeed bought a lot. Half of the ornaments were to decorate the apartment, not only for the tree.

"Lettie, you bought enough to decorate the whole building," Ruediger teased, his eyes glimmering with delight. He picked up a particularly flashy glittery bauble shaped like a reindeer.

Rolling her eyes, Lariette scoffed, "You're so dramatic. Well, I regret not buying the entire store since you're paying. And all that could decorate the whole building."

Ruediger raised his brows, shooting her a challenging look, "Don't tempt me."

Lariette pinched his cheek. Reaching for one of the small boxes, she pulled out a tiny ceramic elf holding a candy cane. She shook it in front of him.

"Look at this! How could I say no to his face? He looks sad."

"Because you've almost left him out when you bought his entire extended elf family. I bet he'd spend Christmas alone if you didn't pick him too."

Lariette huffed, "I'm not an elf kidnapper."

"You are," Ruediger chuckled, "The prettiest one."

She rolled her eyes, but joy was evident in her eyes.

The pair bickered lightly as they began assembling the tree.

Ruediger handled the more tedious parts, for example, untangling the strings of lights and securing the topmost sections. As for Lariette, she flitted around placing the first few ornaments.

"Eddy, you're doing it wrong," Lariette said as she watched Ruediger try to loop the lights unevenly around the branches.

Well, it seemed like her capable househusband did have something he wasn't familiar with. Or was he just messing with her?

Looking at her, Ruediger arched a brow and said teasingly, "Oh, are you the light-stringing committee member now? You're inspecting my work?"

"Yes," Lariette shrugged, admitting without shame, "You know what? I've watched at least five home decor videos on this."

Haha... That was just a lie. She was just having fun teasing him. Still, she would try hanging the lights.

Stepping aside before bowing, Ruediger handed her the tangled mess, "Then please, enlighten me, Teacher Elsher. Show me your wisdom."

Lariette grinned, "You'll thank me later when it doesn't look like a toddler did this."

Ruediger watched with amusement as Lariette fussed over the lights. She weaved them carefully, stepping back, adjusting, going up and down the ladder, then adjusting again.

Laughing softly, he had to admit it did look better.

"Fine," Ruediger said, grinning as he leaned in to kiss her cheek, "My sweetheart wins. It looks good."

Smiling in triumph, Lariette returned the same gesture to his cheek, "Of course I win. Now hang those glitter reindeer and other baubles up there."

"Yes, ma'am."

Lariette grinned. She hoped the days would move fast so winter break would arrive sooner.

Well, dreaming was free.