December 1926

"Y'keep lookin' at me like I shaped the very earth we walk on, treacle.. what's gotten into you eh?" he grumbled affectionately, softly tapping you on the nose.

Truth be told, you always looked at Alfie that way, but especially during Christmas time when he'd start to involve himself more in home maintenance and tasks. Sure he was a present partner, always in your corner when you needed help, doing things just for the sake of making your life easier, but moreso at Christmas time.

Despite Alfie being Jewish, you both combined your respective festive traditions, you'd learned how to make latkes and you and Alfie would both stand by the mantle each night of Hanukkah and light the succeeding candle on the menorah after attending synagogue.

Your appreciation for Alfie didn't end at his religious practices, far from it, at night he'd bring in armfuls of logs from your store in the garden, he'd cut them himself for you but his back, oh don't get him started, carrying them was trial enough and you told him not to but he insisted.

Alfie even carried a Christmas tree home from the timber yard for you, all that way! In the cold no less, you nearly clipped him round the ear when he told you how he got it home, *he didn't mention that he had Ollie and Ishmael help him convince the conifer through your front door.

He'd make a wreath for aforementioned front door, decorating it nicely and surprising you with it, watching your face light up when you spot it for the first time, delighting in the elated kisses he received as thanks.

"So, treacle? What's got you all up in your head hm? Leaving me on the ground all on my lonesome?" he hummed, his large hands cupping your cheeks so you were forced to look into his eyes. His twinkling eyes, his jolly smile, his bushy (albeit ginger) beard, his stocky build...