During breakfast Ivy Braddock pulled a pen and paper out of her pocket and began scribbling. Paying little attention to her toast it soon became cold and a bit soggy.

"Ivy. Whatcha doin there? " Jim asked with a smile.

"Making a list of errands" Ivy replied looking up at Jim and giving him a wink.

"Do you want to tag along?"

"Sure if you want some company, might do me some good to get out a bit."

"Well then I have to get my purse and I’ll be ready. Do you need anything from upstairs?"

"Aspirin."

"Don’t you think you have been taking that long enough? Maybe you should have them looked at Jim."

"I’ll be fine Ivy. Nothing I haven’t had before."

Ivy looked at him a moment trying to decide how much weight to give his statement. She couldn’t help but be concerned about his continued pain.

"Ok, I'll meet you at the car....oh and I'm driving."

Ivy chose the scenic route to Rose Hill Greenery, she enjoyed the freedom that having a vehicle afforded. After circling the Glen once she pulled into the greenhouse parking lot.

"We could have driven to Coffs by now why did you take the long way around?" Jim asked as he opened the door.

"Do you want to stay with the car or go inside? I'm picking up decorations."

"In that case I'm staying in the car I don't want to get stuck carrying everything. Do you have the aspirin Ivy?"

Frowning Ivy handed Jim the bottle of aspirin and a bottle of water from her purse. "I think you should have your ribs looked at Jimmy"

Easing himself back into the passenger seat Jim smiled. "Just need a little more rest. Take your time I'll be right here."

Ivy wanted to get in and out of the greenhouse as soon as possible. Jim was taking way too much aspirin in her opinion and she wanted to keep an eye on him. The tree selection was not to her liking. She had never had a real tree, somehow the idea of cutting down and evergreen to sit in the corner of a room for a week seemed pointless. But there was no way she buying a artificial tree only to have to ship it back to New Jersey. Plus there was the size limitations. About ready to give up she noticed the herb section and there in the middle was a rosemary tree in a copper container. Not too big and it smelled lovely, it would be just perfect for the dresser back at the boarding house. She smiled as she figured that she would probably even be able to find it a home after Christmas with either Andy or Toni. After making her purchase she found her way back to the car to find Jim asleep in the front passenger seat. She quietly put the tree in the back seat before settling back behind the wheel.

Next stop was Barrett's, for some ribbon and to pick up a special order. Periodically glancing towards Jim, as he slept, during the trip Ivy was beginning to get more concerned. She had never known him to sleep like this. Of course she had never spent the night with him prior to their wedding but she had never known him to sleep whole days. This was way more than jet lag she thought to herself as she pulled up in front of the store. She kissed Jim on the cheek before going inside.

Ivy looked for ribbon to decorate the tree. She was surprised at the selection available at such a small store. Settling on a small spool of ribbon in a shade called "Old Gold" she looked for a sales person. A young woman was stocking shelves and seemed to be the only employee there. "Excuse me, I got a call that my special order was in."

The woman smiled at Ivy. "What is the name?"

"Braddock."

"Ok just a moment I'll check in back."

Ivy moved to the sales counter while she waited for the clerk to come back.

"Ok, found it. Is this what you ordered?" Ivy looked at the contents of the small box the woman was holding. "It is perfect. Any chance that I could get it wrapped? It is for my husband and he is waiting in the car."

"Sure thing, just give me a few minutes."

With her package safely wrapped and in a bag with the ribbon Ivy headed back to the car. Jim was still asleep. Deciding that he had his way long enough Ivy headed towards Coffs, for one last errand.

As she pulled up to the emergency room he woke up. "Hey where are we anyway?"

"Coffs Harbour Base Hospital"

"Ivy I told you I was fine."

Turning off the car Ivy looked at him. "Jimmy get looked at for me. I'm scared something serious is going to happen if you don't."

"Ok well not exactly how I envisioned our first Christmas Eve together. But if this is what it takes to make you feel better OK. Lets go get some x-rays."