Chapter Text
Christmas
It had begun to get difficult to justify keeping the decorations up.
At this point it was the end of January. They’d had visitors who had asked why in the world they still had the tree up. Or the advent calenders standing around.
Stede had lied and said that they just had been particulary much in the Christmas spirit this season. He had said that cutting down a tree only to have it standing for three weeks would be a waste.
It was not like they could tell them that they still waited for Izzy to regress. He had been little extraordinarily often throughout December, but after he had woken up big on the morning Christmas Eve he hadn’t regressed since.
He and Ed had agreed to keep all the stuff up so Izzy could have a proper Christmas. With unwrapping toys under the tree, wearing festive jammies and drinking hot chocolate in a living room decked out in red and green.
They knew it was worth it when Izzy got up on the morning of the 25th of January and practically raced down the stairs towards the Christmas tree.
„Baba! Dada! Santa wasn’t here!“ He practically screamed dejected and the both of them immediately sprang into action.
„Oh no! Santa is late!“ Stede gasped in mock shock. „I must have forgotten to put out the cookies for him! Ed, how about you and Izzy go up and get dressed in your special Christmas jim-jams and by the time you’re ready I’m sure Santa will have been here.“
„Sure thing, mate.“ Ed said with a grin and ushered Izzy upstairs again. He had been looking forward to this second Christmas since forever!
Stede rushed to place the wrapped presents that they had successfully kept hidden from adult Izzy in the basement under the tree and even managed to sprinkle a bit of cookie crumbles from their tin on a plate by the time the two of them came back.
Then, there was no holding back. Izzy ripped open the lovingly wrapped gifts with the enthusiasm only a toddler could have.
He squealed in delight while unwrapping toy cars and Playmobil sets and babbled excitedly while he turned around the Fisher-Price toy controller and Laugh & Learn Puppy in his hands. Ed could only stop him from immediately opening up the Play-Doh and fingerpaints by reminding him that there still were some unopened boxes behind the tree.
There was a slight dip in the mood when Izzy discovered that Santa had once again not brought him the anticipated pet snake, but that could be quickly remedied by Ed helping him to open the present that contained his brand new remote controlled racecar.
Ed spent the morning trying out Izzy’s new toys with him while Stede dyed pancake batter green and red for a Christmas breakfast and set out the duck breasts they had been saving up to thaw for their festive dinner tonight.
Later, when it was almost getting dark outside again the three of them sat on the couch, watching Home Alone for probably the fifth time this winter. Izzy was holding his new plush snake, christened „Snakey 5“.
And it was all so warm and soft and perfect that Stede couldn’t help but to lean over to press a kiss to the side of his head and whisper:
„Merry Christmas, my darling.“
„Yeah,“ Ed agreed and wrapped both of his arms around Izzy, drawing him to his chest.
„Merry Christmas.“