by Melissa (Honey Bee)

This story was originally written for the Mistletoe Contest at Lindsey's Page.

    What harm can a little mistletoe do? Jo thought cheerily as she carried the bags filled with the branches.

Plumfield looked appropriately festive for the Christmas season, with boughs of fir and holly wreathing the door, and candles glowing inside the windows.
     Jo reached up and placed a sprig of mistletoe on the doorframe. She continued on into the house, furtively putting branches of the fancy-filled mistletoe around: on the fireplace mantle and on top of doors. She laughed at herself, knowing she was getting a little carried away with the distribution, but she had always loved the old tradition, and fond memories arose of her marmee and papa kissing each other. This year, there was another memory impressed on her memory, as well . . .
     “Jo, what are you doin’?”
     Jo spun, and found herself face to face with Nick. She fumbled to put a branch of mistletoe back in the bag so as to hide it from him. “I. . . I’m . . .”
     “I can see,” He said dryly and looked around the room. “The mistletoe’s everywhere!”

     Jo blushed and looked down, trying to stifle a smile. “There’s one above us,” she said hesitantly.

     Nick tipped his head back to look. “Sure enough!” he grinned. He leaned towards Jo.

     Jo closed her eyes in anticipation.

     “Mommy! Dan and Bess are kissing by the front door!” Rob cried as he burst into the room.

     Jo, flustered, stepped away from Nick. “They are?”

     “Uh huh. They aren’t supposed to do that, are they?” Rob asked in puzzlement.

     Jo couldn’t help smiling at the way Rob said it. “Probably not. But it’s fine if you come and give me a kiss!”

     Rob giggled and sprang into Jo’s outspread arms. Rob kissed Jo’s cheek soundly, leaving a smear of chocolate.

     Jo laughed. It was the sweetest kiss she had had in a long time!