Helena, on the other hand, loved Christmas. Everything about it: terrible Santa Claus impressions, Christmas movie marathons, blowout holiday sales, cold weather, warm food, carols, snow angels, mistletoe, and any and everything in between she adored. She tried not to make a big deal about it, aware that most people would find her enthusiasm for the holiday annoying or another sign of fanatical faith. Instead kept her Christmas spirit mostly to herself, letting it loose in her apartment by decorating it to her heart's content and smothering her husband with little advent gifts.
It was a surprise when Peter insisted that she go out for the afternoon, maybe even the evening. When she raised her brow and gave him a look he finally buckled, admitting that he wanted to wrap her presents and not have to worry about her curious glances. Wouldn't she like to go get a cup of coffee, maybe do a little shopping and a quick dinner? She couldn't argue with that.
As she headed out, she peeked her head through doorway, giving her door a quick check. After those first two days of presents, the doors had been otherwise unadorned but it never hurt to check. The wreath had been quietly taken apart and put away. She doubted she'd ever use that much garlic but she couldn't just throw it, nor could she keep it hanging. The water she hid as well, but she looped the cross on one of her old necklaces and had taken to wearing it around, like she did today.
Once she reached the elevator she pressed the button and spun around, her heels bouncing slightly with every passing second. Her high spirits wouldn't stop there and soon she was singing and humming softly under her breath. "I really can't stay... I've got to go away... Hmm, hmm, hmm, ah but it's cold out..." She heard the sound of the elevator doors opening and she turned, her song cut short completely when she saw the car wasn't unoccupied.
Her good mood hadn't fled completely but it was easy to see she was surprised to see Vlad there, or surprised he would be the one to find her as such. Things had been very cool between them, and Helena had made it a point to be polite to him, and nothing but. So for him to catch her being so relaxed was, well, somewhat embarrassing. Her lips pressed together in an sheepish little line. One hand nervously tucked her hair behind her ear while the other shot out to press against the elevator door, just in case they would close too soon.
"Going down?" Her voice was steady and calm, and why wouldn't it be? She wasn't doing anything while waiting for the elevator. Singing Christmas songs to herself? Nonsense.