It had been three weeks since Joe received his diagnosis and it was also the first date night that he had planned for Ellie. His dad had set everything up, his mom had made sure to keep Ellie busy so she wasn’t so curious about what was going on and Ellie, well she was perfect. Ellie knew Joe was up to something, but she let him have his secrets, she knew he wouldn’t be able to keep them for long.

Ellie walked in from work, exhausted. It had been a very long day, the people were rushed and cranky, I guess the holidays really don’t make everyone merry and bright. Only three weeks until Christmas and her five-year wedding anniversary. This was probably the last Christmas she would ever celebrate. When Joe had mentioned getting married on Christmas, Ellie had thought he was crazy, there was no way they would be able to find someone to marry them on the one holiday when everything was closed. Ellie should have known better than to doubt Joe.

Peter had been a judge and managed to cash in a couple of favors with some friends. Ellie and Joe got married on Christmas, standing in the courthouse, both smiling from ear to ear, only having eyes for each other. Ellie had never been so happy as the day she became Mrs. Ellie Walker. And now, she was facing the loss of the only man that she never wanted to live without. Joe was getting weaker, his memory was starting to fade in and out, his behavior at times was horrible. She knew she couldn’t blame him; he had no control over what was happening.

Ellie sat on the couch, noticing that it was too quiet, where was everyone? Ellie walked through the house, calling for Joe, Peter and Alexandria. No one answered. When she walked into her bedroom, she found a gold box, tied with a red ribbon and a note laying on her bed. “Ellie, meet me where we had our first date. I will be waiting. Always, Joe” Ellie smiled, she opened the box to find the red dress, the one she had been wanting for months. She wanted to take their annual Christmas picture in that dress but then Joe had gotten sick, the dress had been forgotten.

Ellie showered quickly; she didn’t want to keep Joe waiting. She applied lip gloss and brushed out her hair. The dress fit perfectly. Ellie added some heels, her gold hoops Joe had gotten her for graduation and drove to the little diner in the center of town. The only car in the lot was the rental that Joe’s parents had. Ellie opened the door to find the diner empty, except for Joe sitting in the same booth they had sat in on their very first date. Joe looked up when Ellie walked in, she looked like an angel, his angel.

Ellie sat across from Joe, smiling. How had he gotten the owners to agree to letting them have the place just to themselves? Joe took Ellie’s hand, rubbing small circles on the back of it with his thumb. “Ellie, I know our time is limited. I wanted to take you on a few more dates, I want you to remember that you are my angel, my world. I never thought we wouldn’t have forever together. So, until I draw my last breath, we will have one date a week. That dress looks amazing on you. Are you ready to take our Christmas picture now?”

Joe stood, took Ellie by the hand and walked over to where a huge tree sat, decorated in the ornaments made by the children that attended the local elementary school. Peter appeared with a camera, Ellie and Joe smiled when he took the picture. “One more please, there is mistle toe hanging above us.” Ellie said, grinning. Joe wrapped Ellie in his arms, kissed her softly while Peter took the picture. When Joe pulled away, he had tears in his eyes. Ellie wiped them away and helped him back to their booth.

Joe didn’t have much energy anymore; it was getting harder for him to walk. He had to have help getting out of bed, off the couch, bathing and sometimes eating. His vision was blurry at times and sometimes, gone altogether. The headaches were getting worse but there was nothing that could be done, except for strong medication. Joe had refused them, he wanted to spend as much time with Ellie as possible.

As they ate, they talked about Ellie’s job, what was happening around town and what they wanted for Christmas. Ellie couldn’t hold in the sob when Joe answered that he just wanted to live long enough to celebrate one more wedding anniversary with her. Joe sobbed when Ellie answered that she just wanted him, forever.

Peter and Alexandria watched the couple from the kitchen, both letting the tears leak down their face. This wasn’t fair, Ellie and Joe were supposed to grow old together, not be facing Joe having cancer and losing his life to it. Life hadn’t been easy for Joe and Ellie, but they always managed to smile, even when their hearts were breaking, they faced everything together.

Joe started to doze off after dinner so Ellie had Peter help her get him in the car. She drove down the main street of town to the square. There it stood, the town tree. Every year that same tree was erected, the same lights and ornaments added, the same garland and bows. Ellie woke Joe so he could see the tree, he enjoyed seeing it every year even though it never changed. As they drove home, Joe took Ellie by the hand. “Thank you for taking me to see the tree.”

Ellie climbed into bed that night, making sure not to disturb Joe, he needed his rest. “What are you doing over there? You know I can’t fall asleep without you laying on my chest.” Joe said as he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her and letting out a sigh when he felt her relax on his chest. This was what he looked forward to everyday, having his girl wrapped in his arms, falling asleep with her.