The rules were clear as day; pick a name from a tree, read over what they need and want, shop for them then return the gifts before the 9th of December. On the seven foot tall tree there were names written on angel shape paper, children of every age, asking and hoping for gifts to make life a little easier. Andrew had seen the tree at their work and grabbed one angel, a little girl named Sarah. Andrew vowed to make sure she got everything on her list.

Andrew enjoyed picking names from the tree, he loved to shop for children more than teens. With children comes adventures in the toy store, being reminded of the joy he felt Christmas morning, opening up the gifts and finding toys he wanted. Shopping with Ian made it feel like they were two dads looking for the perfect gift for their little one. He could always pretend that they were finally married and had a child, even when the world disagree with their life. Sure they could marry now but adoption was hard for a gay couple.

Ian just looked over the list, this little girl wanted a bike and stuff animals and was in need of clothes, a coat, shoes and socks. How he was going to afford to buy all of these things? He kept thinking and trying to price everything in his head, he didn’t notice Andrew sneaking up behind with a large panda mask on his head. He tapped Ian’s shoulder and laughed when his lover let out a high pitch scream.

“Shit, Drewy! Why are you like this?” Ian asked.

“Because you love me.” Andrew said, voice muffled by the mask.

“Right now I want to kill you!”

Andrew laughed as he took off the mask. He just want to make his lover laugh. He looked upset while he looked at the list. He took his lover’s hand and took him to the bikes and trikes.

“We’re really getting this little girl a bike?” Ian asked.

“Yes, she asked for one!” Andrew said.

“Why?”

“Because, Ian, Christmas is a time for children to be children. They should be crying because they didn’t get a gift. They’ll think they did something to make Santa put them on the naughty list. We can’t have that!”

“I guess not… Still, when my folks did this, we got them clothes and Christian books and games. Nothing they ever ask for.”

“Mine did, the kid wanted a barbie dream house, they got them that and a few dolls to go with it. We only ever shop for a little girl since I’m an only child and they didn’t want to mix up my gifts with some other little boy.”

Ian just nodded and went looking for a bike, looking back on what kind of stuff the little girl liked. There wasn’t any information on favorite color, so any color of bike would be good for her. The two picked out one that was nice then dragged it to the stuff animal isel and grabbed three toys, a cat, a dog and a bear, Andrew couldn’t pick just one.

“Okay, now we need to get her clothes and a jacket.” Ian said as they went to pay for everything.

As the two stood in line, a woman kept looking at them. She was trying to figure out something about them, she only ever spoke when Andrew kissed Ian on the lips.

“You two should be ashamed of yourselves!” She said to them.

“Excuse me?” Ian looked at her.

“You two are going to hell!” She announced to them.

“Because we’re together?” Ian asked her.

“Yes! You two are going to hell for going against gods will!” She said to them.

“Lady, I’m a gay cop, he’s a gay morg tech, I’m a telepath, he’s a necromancer and a witch. If anything, we’re going to hell for a number of things, I’m sure being gay isn’t gonna be the main reason.” Andrew said. “Now you can shut your mouth, or I can call up one of my buddies to give you a ticket for harassing us.”

“If I wanted to hear homophobic rants I would call my mom and dad.” Ian mumbled as they walked up to pay for everything.

The cashier smiled and asked them if they were shopping for children of their own or angel tree. When Ian answered angel tree the woman praised them for taking time out of their busy day to shop for children in need. Andrew smiled and talked about how this was part of a family tradition and enjoyed doing this year after year. The two wished the woman a happy holiday, only getting shouted for saying that and not merry Christmas by the homophobic lady.

Ian just went to kiss Andrew and walked away, as if saying ‘fuck you’ to the woman. They left the toy shop and went to their truck and put the toys and bike away before driving off to the children clothing store. Both having fun shopping for the little girl.

“Makes me wish we could have a child. I would love to shop for one of my own.” Ian admitted as they put the third pair of jeans in the cart.

“Maybe we should look at adoption sites. It wouldn’t hurt to try.” Andrew suggested. “Mom and dad would spoil them rotten as we raise them to be good kids.”

“That would be nice, but who would let two unwed gay men adopt a child?” Ian said as they went to pay for everything.

Andrew put his hand in his pocket, making sure the ring box was in there. “Well baby, maybe they’ll let us adopt once we marry. We finally did move into that nice house.”

“Yeah and we do have Grim who’s basically like a giant child.” Ian half joked.

Andrew laughed as they moved to the front of the line. They paid and left to got their work. They wanted to drop off everything before going out for lunch. Ian voiced about how he wished he could see the child’s face when they opened up their gifts on Christmas day. Andrew laughed, saying his dad wanted to see those videos as well. Andrew pulled out the large bag to put the toys and clothes in and tied it around the handlebars of the bike along with the little girls name.

“It’s fun to shop for a child, wish we could have one to shop for.” Ian said.

“Maybe in a year or two.” Andrew said.

Ian nodded.

“In the meantime, Ian, you’re under arrest for being adorable, only way to get out of it is to say-”

“Andrew, stop with the flirting, we’re at our work.” Ian reminded him.

Andrew laughed and kissed Ian once more. Maybe someday they’ll be shopping for a child of their own. It would be their fantasy that they’ll work to make reality.