Soon, other office staff started coming in. The new employees were oohing and aahing at all the pretty colors, while his employees, who'd transferred from Chicago, warned her he wouldn't be too happy about it. Her enthusiasm was infectious, though. Soon, people were joining her in hanging up all kinds of decorations.
Some staff even went out on their lunch breaks and purchased more decorations and by the end of the day the entire floor had been transformed. She managed to get all her work done, so Trenton couldn't complain, but for the next month she'd be able to walk into her office and feel the Christmas spirit. She smiled and wished the staff Merry Christmas as they left for the day.
It was a Monday evening and Molly was once again staying the night with her new best friend, since there wasn't school for her the next day due to a teacher work day. It gave Jennifer time to finish the rest of her work. She hung the last piece of mistletoe, then was startled by a throat clearing. She turned around guiltily, thinking she was going to have to face Trenton a bit sooner than she'd expected. Her face lit up when she spotted George and Joseph, instead.
"We heard about the decorations going up and had to come see them," George said. She gave him a huge smile.
"Do you like them?" she asked eagerly.
"It used to look this way when my wife was still alive. She'd make sure the holidays surrounded us and she kept the magic alive. I'm glad you've brought it back," George said with a tearful sparkle in his eyes. She'd always been an affectionate person and couldn't help herself from giving him a hug. He seemed to need one at that moment.
George accepted her hug and kissed her forehead. With the holidays coming up and only she and Molly left in her family, it felt like being home, wrapped in George's arms. She didn't understand how Trenton distanced himself from such a wonderful man.
"You really are a breath of fresh air for our family, Jennifer, and I'm grateful you've brought this all back to us," he told her before letting go.
"I think we'll have to send you to the other floors to make sure the entire building shines," Joseph added. Jennifer's eyes lit up at the thought. She didn't know if he was serious or not, but she'd love to decorate the building.
"Just name the time and place and I'll be there," she told him eagerly.
"I think we could get the boss to let her off the rest of the week. Don't you?" Joseph asked.
"I would count on it," George said. She hoped she'd actually get to do it - it would be much better than sitting behind a desk all day. She appreciated her job, but it didn't make her as excited as decorating did.
"I could work on the weekend if I can get a sitter for Molly," she offered them, not wanting to anger Trenton by taking time off work.
"Weekend time is family time. We'd never expect you to work, then. There won't be a problem with you decorating the building, we'll take care of Trenton," George said, as if reading her mind.
"Well, if you don't think it's a problem," she said, still sounding unsure.
"We're certainly sure," Joseph added. The boys told her to meet them in the department store so they could get the decorations she'd need, and then they headed out. She finished the work she thought would need to be completed and decided she'd just make sure to swing by the offices at least a few hours during the day so nothing went undone.
With all her work done, Jennifer headed home. She entered her empty apartment and missed Molly. It was amazing to her how she'd grown so attached to her beautiful niece in such a short amount of time. She looked forward to the end of her day when she'd get to spend the entire evening with her.
She loved the hugs and kisses Molly gave her. Most of all she loved that her niece finally seemed healed as well as any child losing a parent can be. They were making a real home for themselves.
She went to sleep, excited to decorate the office building and looking forward to Molly coming home. She had Christmas Carols running through her mind.
***
Trenton stepped out of the elevator and a gasp escaped his lips. He looked around at the red and green decorations and stood silently as he also realized Carols were playing over the speakers. The offices looked as if Santa had set up his workshop right there.
He slowly walked around the offices, noticing there wasn't a single area not touched, whether it was with lights, mistletoe, garland, or bells. Decorations were everywhere. He walked into his office and turned on his computer.
He found the memo he'd sent out and re-read it. He thought to himself his employees obviously couldn't read because the memo specifically stated he didn't want Christmas Decorations all over.
Trenton was getting ready to rush out his door, call a meeting, and fire whoever had dared come up with the idea to ignore his memo. He stood up, walking toward the door, when it was pushed open and his father and uncle walked in.