Chapter 3

That night Buzz snuck downstairs to place a piece of paper on the part of the table where Andy would sit for breakfast in the morning. He made sure that everyone was asleep so that he wouldn't be caught. The following morning, Andy picked up the small paper and read it aloud. "Jesse Tree: Preparing for Christmas. That's spelled almost just like my cowgirl doll's name. Mom, what's this? Is this your's?"

"Hmm. No, I've never seen it before. I wonder where it came from."

"Do you know what a 'Jesse Tree' is mom?"

"No, I'm afraid I don't. It must be some kind of Christmas custom. We can go to the library and check it out after breakfast." Andy agreed to this and they went off as planned. One of the librarians helped them find information on the tree. It turned out to be a way to celebrate Advent (a Church season just before Christmas which is focused on getting ready for the birth of Jesus.) Andy was intrigued by this Jesse Tree even though he hadn't been very interested in "religious stuff." Mrs. Davis saw this as an opportunity for Andy to learn more about the Bible and to have Christmas be more Christ-centered. She bought a small plastic tree and got the supplies necessary for making the ornaments which fit with the Scripture reading for that day. Andy would work on making an ornament for the first twenty-four days of December with the help of his mom. (For a description of the Jesse Tree check out this link. .?id=545)

Once the family got home, Andy rushed upstairs and told his toys about what he was going to do and told Jessie that he was dedicating it to her. Each day in December, he would take her with him when he would listen to the Bible verses for the day and made the ornament with his mom. Jessie sure enjoyed the bonding time with her owner.

"You'll shoot your eye out kid!"

It was Christmas Day and the toys were watching A Christmas Story.

"Good thing that Woody doesn't have a gun in his holster then," Hamm whispered to Mr. Potatohead.

"I HEARD THAT," exclaimed their favorite cowboy.

After the film, Buzz awkwardly walked over to Jessie with something held behind his back. He cleared his throat to get her attention. "J-J-Jessie, uh… in honor of of your first C-Christmas here with us I'd like to…I'd like to…"

"You'd like to…?"

"I'd like to present you this gift." She looked at him surprised.

"You got me somethin'?"

"Yes. I thought that what with you not getting to celebrate for so long that this year should be special. Whoa!" The cowgirl had pounced on him and given him the biggest hug she could muster.

"You still are the sweetest space toy I've ever met. That was so thoughtful of you." She squeezed him tight and despite the pain, Buzz enjoyed the physical affection. He handed her the gift, which was an ornament drawing of her.

"I thought it would look good on your special tree."

"Yea, who'da thought that there really was a Jesse Tree, like my name? This is just what it needs to really claim it as mine." She dashed over to where it was and placed it up towards the top. While she enthusiastically admired it, Buzz made his way over to where she was and awkwardly placed his hand on her left shoulder.

"How did Andy even know about this tree anyway?" Jessie had only meant that as a rhetorical question, so imagine her delight when that space toy told her that he was the one who tipped their owner about it. She tackle hugged him to the ground. Buzz realized that when it came to Jessie, she was full of surprises, but if you really thought about them, they weren't so surprising. He should have expected a reaction like that from her.

"How did you even know about Jesse Trees anyway? I doubt that you learned about that at the Academy," poking him in the side just before mentioning the Academy.

"Well I did some research on Christmas traditions and I thought it was an appropriately relevant activity…In other words, I thought that you'd like it."

"I suuure do space boy!"

Woody came up and began to pull on Jessie's arm. "Jessie, Buzz, I need for the two of you to come over to the front of the bed."

"What for Sheriff?" asked his best friend.

"Sheriff's orders," he answered with a sly grin as he walked away.

The pair did as they were told. What was happening anyway?

"Woody, are you here? What are you up to?" Buzz asked. The two looked around them and heard a familiar neigh.

They both looked up and Jessie smiled. "Bullseye, what are you doing?" Buzz' eyes got big as he noticed what was hanging from the horse's mouth…mistletoe. Jessie's gave him a shy but expectant look and he gulped, knowing that he was the one who had to make the move. He had to mentally encourage himself though.

Come on Lightyear, man up and do it. You've wanted to for months and she's waiting. If you can defend the galaxy, surely you can kiss a girl.

He slowly took a step forward and leaned in.

They didn't have to wait until the Fourth of July for fireworks because they could already feel them once their lips touched. Bullseye jumped down, dropping the plastic plant, and licked both of their faces. They laughed and petted the noble steed.

"You know…" Jessie purred, "You didn't need mistletoe to kiss me, but if that's what it took to inspire you I'm good with that." Buzz gave her a dopey love-sick expression.

"Really?"

"Really," she said as she bat her eyelashes at him. Jessie gave him a kiss and giggled at how his mouth dropped open in shock.

Suddenly Woody and Bo appeared.

"Ha, I knew that that would work! Way to go pal!"

"Gee, I wonder where you got that idea from," remarked Bo. The cowboy pretended to be stumped, before he smiled at her.

His best friend commented, "Sheriff's orders huh?"

"Well, you did say that you wanted this Christmas to be really special for her. I thought that you should be included in that. I knew that she liked you and Bo confirmed it."

"Thanks partner."

"Don't mention it. Oh and is that your song I hear?"

Buzz questioned, "What song?"

"I'll explain it later Buzzy. Now let's dance." She dragged him closer to where the radio was playing the familiar tune.

Make my wish come true
all I want for Christmas is you.

The End.