The company thanks-giving lunch Donny was truly comfortable with the work family. Showing up earlier he became closer with the Latin crew aiding in morning set-up. He ended up pulled into their tables to share in the meal.

The actual thanks-giving Donny was dragged whining over to Loril's sister's place, Vicky, joining her larger reserved family.

Tired of turkey Loril's dragged whining to Donny's parents home for a smaller eclectic family gathering. The one thing Loril appreciates with the in-laws they insist on watching TV while eating, which distracts her from their small-town thinking and crazy backwards ideas.

One of the other things appreciated within Donny's family they appreciate the arts. Loril's able to carry on an enjoyable conversation with his mother and two aunts, one a sister to Donny's father. When asked if she's written any poetry lately Donny chuckles earning an elbow to the ribs. Loril informs them of the two nights she's gotten out so far with Cheryl and Pattie.

Donny almost ruined her Christmas gift idea to his own family bringing up the farming Loril's been up too. They'd taken down the apples and pears finally and she spent the entire previous weekend turning them into, preserves, sauces and jams. Worried Donny was bringing that up she elbowed him again. He actually told them how they got a bin of free fertilizer and produced the flash-drive plugging it in for them to view, several times. Loril has yet even mentioned it to her family and still isn't sure.

***

The following week with snipping leaves from sticky twigs Donny's gloves built up nicely with gummy resin. He thought about pocketing a glove to try again but they've plenty at home. Recalling Stacy catching him on camera Donny glances to the nearest one curious if she's watching but recalled hearing she called in sick this morning. Instead he recalls her suggestion to watch the others more closely. In between Ricky and Jose with Louisa across the conveyor Donny studies their gloves when he can. Their gloves noticeably less caked than his slowly surveys the ladies next. When Donny focuses on Marlena he glimpses what's going on, right in front of him for over a month. At a certain point the finger mass of sticky resin almost peels off the glove. Reaching that point his co-workers swiftly stick the glob onto the back of their ID cards. Making it look as if adjusting the ID on the lanyard then go back to work.

Donny tried that afternoon quietly amusing those watching.

During last break Anne and Emily tried to show him their technique. He admitted to them smuggling the glove out. They laughed stating he's not the first one to try shoving something down the pants. In the moment Donny felt as if there was an unspoken trust between the co-workers. Temptations will always be, especially in a place like this, by-products headed for trash run a fine green line. None are sure if management knows or not but no one will say much and management likes it that way.

***

During the grow-op staff Christmas Loril slipped into a slinky dress with shawl feeling she may need to compete with the Latin ladies. Donny was thrilled with her appearance, throwing the compliments out stating it may be much but was delighted to see her so.

Seeing all the women dressed more casually she wished to have dressed differently, especially chilly inside.

She was able to put faces to names and get the tour of the greenhouse. In there alone with Donny and all the plants, Loril has a very euphoric sensation drawing in the smells of the space. Understanding an animalistic appeal to get busy dares him, Donny points out the cameras stating he doesn't want them get another million view video of her.

While getting to know Donny's co-workers she admires Marlena as woman.

Evelyn having indulged into wine and weed made Loril nervous, not for Donny. Twice Evelyn winked directly at Loril and caught alone in the washroom she subtly inquired if Loril was willing. Loril said thank-you no. Before exiting Evelyn suggested she'd be willing to include Donny if they took her to their home. Evelyn's heavenly scent coupled with the offer Loril momentarily questioned right and wrong in sexuality. With Donny working with this woman Loril stayed strong in the moment for her and Donny. Told how tempted and honored by the offer Evelyn wasn't too upset and understood stating she'll respect Loril and Donny's relationship.

Re-joining the staff X-mas party Donny informs Loril Louisa and Marlena have invited them over for dinner the following Saturday. Loril accepted the news with a smile and thanks, asking if she should bring anything. Donny requested the lemon squares he didn't get any of. Marlena didn't think they needed to bring anything but themselves, Louisa likes lemon squares stating the squares would be welcome also.

During the week Loril had a pleasant dinner out with Debbie and Kathleen sharing feelings, bringing up memories. With Kathleen leaving state for the holidays and Debbie pregnant they promise to make an effort next year to get together.

Donny didn't see much of any old friends, working and coming straight home rarely ventured into town unless Loril asked. Rod was turning into his father becoming one, and only saw Jerry a couple times since the waste heist. Rod declared being intoxicant free until their baby was born to be fair to Debbie. Rod and Jerry did one more session in the mechanical room before Jerry split.

Jerry sought out other friends and acquaintances to hang out with. Keeping the resin-hash secret drifted over to Jerry's to smoke it with someone. Strangely in similar mindset Jerry was just smoking the resin and had only left the apartment for food and supplies.

Tom never gave Jeff much consideration. Annoyed with the filthy waste truck returned a day later with bin on the back Tom figured best Jeff's probably too ashamed to come around. Jeff had let him know all they ended up with was a bin of garbage to rid. The only disappointment Tom had was legally paying for a drum of alcohol, now sitting in the garage. Clay suggested attempting the waste theft another day.

***

Donny and Loril attended the Latin crew's Christmas, held in, and between two of the apartments they rented. As the women were dressed casually at the staff party Loril went casual here. The women however are dressed to the nines even with the high spiked heels on. The women's apartment is overly decorated for the holidays, steam from dishes cooking in the kitchen wafts into the living space emitting welcoming scents.

The guys were set up across the hall watching sports, their apartment sparsely decorated Louisa drags Donny in for a drink leaving Loril with the other lovely ladies.

Greeted warmly too Loril eases into the ladies apartment. Loril's main concern Evelyn possibly flirting with her. With Evelyn's English getting better she conversed politely with Loril woman to woman.

By the end of the night Loril realized Evelyn's keeping her sexuality quiet from the others. Loril also found the group to be wonderful people she would enjoy socializing with in the future.

***

The day before Christmas Donny and Loril enjoyed peaceful moments alone in the farmhouse, before taking on the chaos of the next two days.

Donny did his best to surprise Loril with a soft new sweater and gold earrings.

She had two different and oppositely sized presents to present, one was for them, both paid for via grandma's bank account.

She tells Donny the big gift is from her grandparents Edna and Al to them, even though Loril put it all together. In debating what to do for Christmas while crafting with Cheryl and Pattie they encouraged her idea.

Loril reaches behind the couch sliding out a largely wrapped gift of an obviously framed picture. He almost feared opening to view pictures of them, larger than life, taken in the moment. Loril showed the other ladies the pics taken of the snow capped fruit and trees. They all picked favorites dwindling down to one they all agreed was lovely. Loril didn't expect Donny would actually like it she did it more to replace a mass produced oil painted landscape her grandmother bought from a motel sale.

When Donny tore away the paper and saw the barren leafed trees barely holing onto snow capped fruit with the old buildings behind he well-up and a tear rolled down his cheek. In awe of his reaction Loril had to know his feelings. He wasn't sure merely saying it's a beautiful picture taken by my beautiful wife.

Bringing a tear to Loril's eye she hugged and kissed him. As he reciprocated she stopped and placed a small brown velvet box in hand and backed up a step to see how this one plays out saying, "I love you so much and want everyone to know it and that you're mine."

With a content smile knows she's waiting to see his reaction, so he turns away trying to obscure her vision while opening it. As she pulls at his arm and shoulder trying to see he opens the box and stops in awe.

"Oh my god dear this is really nice," he fully opens the box viewing a comfort fit gold wedding band the edges two intertwined beaded lines with an elegantly engraved inscription in the middle reading; Loril's belonging. Donny places it snugly onto the wedding finger and tears himself up, "you really do love me don't you?"

"Yes of course," she's tickled inside he was brought to tears twice by her gestures. Hugging him firmly they softly kiss, "I do, love you so much."

"I love you too, thank you for the ring, I'll never take it off."

"Better not," She smiles feeling they've earned extra affection for the day.

***

Christmas day Loril and Donny took their sweet loving time leaving home to join her immediate family in her parents' home. The day was pleasantly dull they way they like it. Dinner no surprises an almost Hallmark moment, in appearance. Both were ready to ditch before dinner enjoying their personal adult time more. Oddly Loril couldn't get herself out the door until after ten.

Boxing day Loril drove them to his parents; a smaller but more fun crowd with his two brothers and their wives and their pre-teen kids. One thing Loril always enjoyed about Donny's family is being able to enjoy the simple things.

Appreciating thoughtful practical gifts Loril gave both sides of the family the same thing, crafted glass ornaments to each group along with her apple and pear sauces and jams. Donny's brother's had them open to try right away. Their mom brought out a cracker cheese tray and toasted up three kinds of bread just to try it all on. The nieces and nephews hung the decorations right on the tree there. Loril's family examined the items, said thank-you and set them aside. Loril would be upset to know they gave away the pear and apple goods.

Another moment of the day that drew Loril closer to Donny's mother she spotted the ring given right away. Complimenting it and well amused laughed at the engraving promising to get one made for her man. He wasn't so amused. His brothers laughed but their wives luved it. Donny proudly showed the ring off to her family receiving token compliments. Their favorite there was the engraving font was stunning. One of Donny's nieces joked with Loril stating, "finally put a ring on it eh."

Ready to split from his parents shortly after dinner Loril kept chatting with the women folk until eleven.

***

New Years Eve Donny was surprised Loril had plans for them. He figured a night in and ending the night with there own banging, of the headboard against wall. Invited to a party hosted by the local arts groups, Loril feeling better about life wanted to get out more. Also feeling better about life Donny would've been fine staying in.

Contently he joins her for a mature night of responsible drinking and intoxication, for most there.

Donny chatted with Malcom still dating Cheryl occasionally getting pulled onto the dance floor.

During the evening Donny and Tom met up by the bar catching up. They point out their ladies both indicating them as the reason for being there. Merely not seeing Jerry or Rod around Tom inquires to their whereabouts. Donny informs him Rod's to be a dad and the wife has him on lock-down and hasn't seen Jerry in some time. Tom noted not seeing Jeff in awhile either. About to ask Donny about another shot at waste weed removal Tom's wife calls him away.

Delighted with the evening Loril couldn't wait for midnight and throughout the evening would find ways to sidle up kiss his lips, cheek or forehead and carry on. By midnight Donny was ready to get the new years' kiss over and home to kiss covered parts.

Stumbling into the house after two in the morning, they realized what a mature loving couple they were the next morning, having fallen asleep spooning each other still dressed. However not for much longer after waking.