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Jaster stepped up on his porch. He put the snow shovel to the side and kicked off his boots at the door.
It was cold outside and snow had fallen overnight. He stepped closer to the fireplace where a roaring fire was crackling. “Jo?” He called loudly. “The driveway is done.”
His beautiful wife of twenty years came from down the stairs toting a heavy box.
Jaster caught the edge and helped her set it down. “I’ve got it.”
“I was getting out the Christmas decorations. I wanted the house to be ready when Jango and Obi-wan with their kids came by.” Jocasta opened the flap of the box.
Jaster smiled at the ornaments revealed. “Look, remember Boba’s first Christmas?” Jaster picked up the small picture ornament of a small infant Boba sleeping in a reindeer onesie.
“And Cody and Rex. Gosh, those boys are getting so big now.” Jo picked up the next two ornaments of an infant Cody and a similar aged Rex.
“I still don’t know where Rex got those blonde curls from.” Jaster took the ornaments from Jo. He looked down at the small pictures of his grandsons.
“From Obi-wan’s side. She may be a redhead but she has blonde in there too.” Jo picked up the next set of ornaments. “It’s hard to believe it’s been eight years since our first grandson was born.”
Jaster took the next three ornaments of tiny hands pressed into clay molds. “I know. Three grandkids. All boys. I was hoping for a granddaughter but…”
“Oh no.” Jo cried out.
“What is it?” Jaster set down the ornaments on the table.
“Mice must have gotten into the tree. It’s torn apart.” Jo showed him the box full of scraps of fake green needles.
Jaster looked it over. “Yeah. It’s pretty much gone.”
“What are we going to do? The kids will be here in an hour. We won’t have the tree up.” Jo fluttered her hands nervously.
Jaster caught her fingers. “It will be alright. Jango and Obi-wan will understand. So will the boys.”
Jo still didn’t look convinced.
Jaster remembered a sign he saw while out in town. “What about a live tree? Windu Farms has a tree lot. We can take the boys out there and they can help us pick a tree. It will be an adventure.”
Jo smiled at him. She pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Sounds like fun. Let’s get out the rest of the decorations. Hopefully, the mice only ate the tree. We should probably check out the attic too. We can see if we have an infestation. I don’t want my books to be eaten.”
“I’ll get Jango on it,” Jaster promised. “I can’t get up there as easily as I once could have.”
“And you are still as handsome as the day I married you,” Jo assured.
“And you are still beautiful. Now let’s go get those boxes.” Jaster led the way upstairs.
*****
Jaster was hanging a garland around the banister when his grandkids showed up.
“Ba’buir! Grandma! Guess what?!” Boba shouted as he ran into the house. The four-year-old had a big smile on his face.
“I want to tell them!” Rex was on his heels. The six-year-old’s blond curls were wild under a knit hat.
“No! Nobody is telling them anything!” Cody was the last one to arrive. His face was flushed and turned down into a scowl.
“Cody has a girlfriend,” Boba announced with glee.
“I do not!” Cody glared. “She’s just my friend.”
“Wow.” Jaster stepped down from the last step. “Eight years old and you have a girlfriend?”
“Ba’buir. She’s not my girlfriend.” Cody turned his fierce glare onto him. “Little brothers are the worst.”
Jaster laughed. “I’m only teasing. So are your brothers. You know they would never purposely hurt you.”
Cody huffed. “I know. They still are the worst.”
“Where are your parents?” Jaster ruffled Boba’s hair. The little boy leaned into Jaster and soaked up the affection.
“Getting the presents and bags from the car, Ba’buir.” Rex pushed his way past Boba to give him a hug. “I got the first hug!”
Cody glared at him before running off to find his grandma. “Grandma’s hugs are better!”
Rex took off after his brother. He was yelling the whole way.
“Cody! Rex! No running in the house!” Jango entered the home carrying three small suitcases and a cardboard box with three stuffed animals stacked on top.. “Hey, Buir.”
“Hello, Jango. Did you have a fun trip?” Jaster took the three suitcases and set them on the floor by the stairs.
Jango shot him a dry look. “If I was ever that bad, I sincerely apologize and ask you to have mercy on me.”
Jaster let loose the laugh that was building. “I will see what I can do.”
“Ba’buir? Where is your tree?” Boba came back into the room. “I looked everywhere but I can’t find it.”
“Well, Boba. Mice got into our tree and ate it all up. So… your grandma and I were thinking about taking you, Rex, and Cody to go pick out a tree from Windu Farms.” Jaster shot a look over at Jango. “I was thinking about taking everyone but how about it’s just us. No boring parents allowed.”
“Really?!” Boba bounced in place and shot Jaster a bright smile. “I’ll go tell Cody and Rex.”
Jaster watched the endless energy that was Boba Fett run from the room.
“Kid has way too much energy,” Jango muttered.
Obi-wan entered the house, kicking snow off her boots. “Hello, Jaster.”
Jaster took in his daughter-in-law. Her long red hair was tied up in a knot that Jo used to wear a lot. She wore a brown jacket and her boots matched. Her face was red from the cold outside.
“Hello, Ob’ika.” Jaster leaned in and kissed her cheek. He took the heavy suitcase from her hands and set it beside the others. “Jo made some hot chocolate. You look like you could use a cup. Go warm up and I will help Jango with the rest of the bags.”
Obi-wan smiled at him. “Thank you, Jaster.”
Jango playfully scoffed. “That’s the hello she gets? What about me? Your son?”
“I’ve always wanted a daughter.” Jaster headed outside and left Jango sputtering behind him.
****
Lunchtime came and went and the boys were getting antsy. It looked like it was going to snow and Jaster was a little reluctant to take the boys out to get a tree.
“It’s only a little snow. Not a whiteout. We can take the boys and give our children a break because, between you and me, Obi-wan looks ready to tear her hair out.” Jo nudged his side. “It’s only a short trip down the road.”
“Boys.” Jaster gave in. He called out to his grandkids. “Get your boots and hats and jackets on. We are going to get the tree.”
There was a mad scramble as Jaster’s three grandkids ran for their gear.
Jaster pulled on his own boots, coat, and gloves. He helped Boba tie his boot laces. Jo helped Rex tuck his scarf in. Obi-wan kissed the boys goodbye and they were off.
Jaster turned on the radio as he drove his car down the road. “Oh, the weather outside is frightful. But the fire is so delightful, and since we have no place to go, Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”
“Ba’buir,” Boba whined. “I want the mean song.”
Jaster turned down the radio. “Mean song?”
“You know the one that goes… You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a steel.” Rex sang out from his spot behind Jaster in the car.
“It’s a heel, dummy. Like the one on your foot.” Cody scoffed.
“But why is he calling the grinch a heel? That’s stupid.” Rex pulled his stuffed lizard closer. “Me and Anakin think it’s steel.”
“Well, Anakin is a dummy too.” Cody glared out the window.
“You take that back!” Rex yelled. He ran his fingers over his stuffie’s head. “Anakin is not a dummy!”
Jaster shared a look with Jo. “How about we listen to a different song? What about this one?” Jaster turned up the radio and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer started playing.
Jaster knew there was something bothering Cody. His oldest grandchild wasn’t usually like this. Jaster gave Jo a pointed look as they pulled into the parking lot for Kit Fisto’s tree farm.
“Come on kids. Why don’t you two go with Grandma and get something warm to drink. Cody and I can go to the office and get our pass to get a tree.” Jaster herded Cody away from his brothers.
Jaster walked in silence for a while towards the office. Cody was by his side. “Want to tell me what’s wrong? Because the old Cody would never be mean to his little brothers like that.”
Cody scowled and kicked the snow along the path.
Jaster waited him out. His patience was rewarded with Cody coming to a stop. “Promise you won’t tell Dad or Mom. They will only make things worse.”
“I promise,” Jaster swore. He placed his hand over his heart.
“I like this girl. She’s nice and gave me her pudding cup in exchange for the carrot cake mom put in my lunch box. She likes space too and she helped me with my homework one time in the library. Rex and Boba keep making fun of us and the last time we saw each other, she got really upset and went away. It was all their fault because they were teasing us and…” Cody broke off with a sigh. “I really like her and want to be her friend but I can’t do that because of them.”
Jaster nodded thoughtfully. “Do you want me to talk to them? I won’t share anything you told me, but I can talk with them about teasing.”
“Would you? Please?” Cody hugged him tightly. “Thank you, Ba’buir.”
“You’re welcome, Cody.” Jaster stepped up to the office. He spoke to the person behind the counter. “We are here to pick out a tree.”
Jaster tucked the pass into his pocket. “Let’s go find your brothers.”
****
Jo was worried. Cody was not her grandson by blood. None of her grandkids were, but she loved them like they were her own.
It was out of character for Cody to be that mean to his brothers. Ever since he was old enough to understand what a big brother was, Cody had been nothing but caring and supportive.
Jo married into Jaster’s family when Jango was still a teenager. Jo was working at the library and became enamored with the man who came in for history books mostly. She brought him coffee once and they hit it off.
Jango was adopted by Jaster. They didn’t have shared blood but they were a family.
Jo still fondly remembered when Jango had that new dad panic. She remembered late-night calls about feeding and caring for a newborn.
Cody was a precious baby when he was born. Seven pounds ten ounces, eighteen inches long, and a full head of dark hair. That was her Cody.
Rex was a bit smaller and Boba was the smallest.
Jo remembered and knew each one of her grandchildren. This wasn’t like Cody.
“Grandma?” Boba’s little hands tugged on her sleeve. “I’m cold.”
Jo looked down at Boba. “Let’s go get warmed up then. You Ba’buir and brother will join us in a little bit.”
Jo opened the door for the cafe on the farm. She headed for the counter with Rex and Boba trailing behind her. “What would you two like? They have hot chocolate and apple cider?”
“Hot chocolate!” Rex ran towards the display counter of sweet treats. “Come here Boba.”
“Grandma? Can we have a treat?” Boba’s eyes were shining at the variety of baked goods.
Jo checked the time on a clock on the wall. It was only two in the afternoon. Jo gave in to their pleading. She was their grandma, not their parent, and wasn’t it a grandparent’s job to spoil their grandkids?
“You can have one to share,” Jo ordered their hot chocolates while the boys decided on what treat to get.
A mini argument broke out that Rex seemed to win.
“We want that one.” Rex pointed to a yellow piece of cake frosted with white.
“Lemon cake?” Jo checked to make sure. Last she knew, Boba and Rex hated lemons.
“Yes.” Rex glared at Boba when the four-year-old muttered under his breath.
Boba heaved a sigh. “Yes, Grandma.”
Jo ordered the cake. She handed two cups of hot chocolate to Rex and Boba. She settled the boys at a table. She put down two more cups of cocoa and headed back for the last cup and the plate.
Once they were all seated. Boba and Rex pulled their cups to them. They didn’t touch the cake.
Jo was confused but let the boys be.
“Grandma?” Rex pulled his stuffed lizard across the table. “Do you think Anakin is a dummy?”
Jo watched as her grandson wouldn’t meet her eyes. He stared down at his stuffie with a wobble to his jaw she recognized.
“No. I don’t.” Jo smiled at him. “Want to know a secret?”
Boba scooted closer. “What’s the secret, Grandma?”
“Your Ba’buir has a box of stuffies. He keeps them in our room.” Jo laughed at Boba’s shocked look.
“Ba’buir is a grownup.” Boba looked guarded like she was lying to him.
“I’m not lying. Ask him about the battle of Korda 6 some time.” Jo winked at her grandkids when all they did was stare at her.
Rex lifted his head. “Anakin is not a dummy.” Tears glistened in his amber eyes.
“No. He’s not.” Jo held out her arms for a hug.
Rex climbed down from his chair and came around the table.
Jo wrapped him up in a tight embrace. “Come here. It’s okay. I’m sure Cody didn’t mean it.”
Rex pulled back with a deep sniff. “Thanks, Grandma.”
“You’re welcome.” Jo got Rex settled back in his chair. “Don’t either of you want your cake?”
“It’s not for us.” Boba looked up from coloring a picture from a stack on the table. He squinted at her before scribbling with a green crayon.
“It’s not?” Jo frowned. What were her grandkids up to? “Who is it for then?”
Rex reached for the stack of color sheets and picked up a blue crayon. “Cody. So he won’t be mad as us no more.”
Jo had to choke back a sigh. Sweet, sweet Rex. She hoped he never lost that kind nature of his.
Jo took a sip of her own hot chocolate, sure it was cool by now. The sweet taste of chocolate and whipped cream made her smile. The taste reminded her of when she and Jaster were dating. Long walks through the downtown near this time of year with hot chocolates in hand as they talked about anything and everything.
“Why are you smiling like that Grandma? Mama smiles like that when she sees Dad. It’s her yucky smile.” Rex watched her over the top of his paper.
“Yucky smile?” Jo questioned a little confused.
“Yeah. She always kisses Dad after she does that. It’s gross.” Rex scrunched up his nose and stuck his tongue out in disgust.
“I like it when Mama kisses me goodnight.” Boba set down the green crayon and reached for the red one.
“That’s not a goodnight kiss. I don’t know exactly what kind it is but it’s not the same.” Rex grabbed the yellow crayon and began making large circles on his paper.
“Oh.” Boba went back to coloring. “Grandma? Where’s Ba’buir and Cody?”
“They should be coming back any moment now.” Jo turned to look out the door. She could see the familiar figure of Jaster with Cody by his side. “Here they are.”
Rex set down his crayon and climbed off the chair. “Cody! We got you something!”
Jo watched as Rex ran right up to his big brother and began pulling him to their table. She smiled at the sight. Children would always amaze her.
****
Jaster sat down in the seat next to Jo. He shivered theatrically and reached for his cup of cocoa. “It’s cold outside.”
“Duh, Ba’buir. It’s winter.” Rex stared at him like he was crazy.
Jaster laughed and reached out to ruffle Rex’s blonde curls. “Is that so?”
Jaster noticed Cody staring at a piece of yellow cake in front of him. He didn’t pick up his fork and take a bite. He didn’t even touch it. He just stared at it.
“What’s wrong Cody? Aren’t you going to eat the cake your brothers picked out for you?” Jo reached across the table and pushed the cake towards Cody.
Cody backed away. “Can we give it back?”
“What? Why?” Jo pressed in concern.
Jaster took a sip of his cocoa. He studied Cody over the rim of his cup. Jaster got what Cody was trying to do. His eldest grandson shot a look over at his younger brothers before looking back at Jo. Jaster knew that Cody didn’t want the cake if his brothers couldn’t have some too.
Jaster didn’t wait for Cody to explain himself. He set down his hot cocoa with a thump. “I am starving. Boba, Rex, why don’t we go get ourselves something to eat. We can even pick something out for your Grandma if she wants.”
Jo smiled at him. “That would be nice. Thanks.”
Jaster headed for the counter with Rex and Boba on his heels.
“I want chocolate cake!” Boba ran for the display case.
“I want a strawberry.” Rex followed his younger brother.
Jaster ended up buying one piece of chocolate cake, one strawberry strudel, one apple turnover, and one more piece of lemon cake.
After they had their mid-afternoon snack they headed out to find a tree.
Jaster walked around the tree farm, following his grandsons as they went from tree to tree, arguing over what one is the best.
Jaster had to correct them a few times on the height of his home. Soon, it was down to two. One tall skinny one that would have the star touching the ceiling and one shorter fuller one that had long branches.
Cody was for the taller one. Rex and Boba wanted the fatter one.
Jaster let them argue for a few minutes before cutting in.
“Alright. Let’s put it to a vote. All in favor of Cody’s tree?” Jaster waved at the taller tree.
Cody and Jo raised their hands.
“And who’s for Rex and Boba’s?” Jaster pointed to the fuller tree.
Rex and Boba raised their hands.
“Well, that backfired.” Jaster blinked. His grandsons and wife stared back before Cody pulled Jo down and whispered in her ear.
Jaster caught a few words about cake and finally understood.
“That’s a great idea, Cody.” Jo smiled down at the eight-year-old. She reached out and ran her hand over his short dark hair. “We are taking that one.” Jo pointed at Boba and Rex’s tree.
Jaster attached their tag to it and workers came by to take it to their car. Jaster felt a buzzing in his pocket while they were loading up the boys. He pulled out his phone and read the message on it.
Jaster gave a rueful shake of his head. “Jo. What do you think of taking the boys out to see the downtown? We can go for a little walk.”
Jaster showed her the message from Obi-wan asking for more time without the boys. Jango and her were apparently making a surprise for them.
“That sounds like an adventure.” Jo buckled Boba in his car seat. “What do you say, boys? One more adventure before we head home?”
Jaster smiled at the cheers coming from his back seat. He started the car when Jo was safely inside and headed towards town.
****
Jo walked beside Cody down the street. Jaster had pulled back with Rex and Boba. Jo let them have their talk. Jaster will fill her in later.
“Grandma? How did you and Ba’buir meet?” Cody’s dark eyes stared up at her with wonder.
Jo smiled in fond memory. “I used to work at the Library in town. This was back when your dad was in high school. Your Ba’buir was teaching at the school and we met over a rack of books. He came in a lot and I bought him coffee. We have been together ever since.”
Cody was silent. Jo looked down. Her grandson was frowning and staring out at the passing cars.
“I really like this girl, Grandma.” Cody looked down and tugged on his sleeve. “What do I do?”
“Be her friend. All great relationships start with friendships.” Jo ruffled his dark hair. “You are only eight, Cody. You have your whole life to figure things out.”
“Cody!”
“Cody!”
Jo laughed as Cody was hugged on both sides by Rex and Boba. Cody’s arms came up around his little brothers.
“We’re sorry!” Rex buried his face in Cody’s shoulder.
“Yeah. We won’t tease you no more. Swear!” Boba held out his arm expectantly.
Cody clasped Boba’s forearm in a special handshake that only made sense to the three of them. Cody did it to first Boba and then Rex. “Okay. No more teasing. She’s just gonna be my friend. For now.”
“Okay.” Rex nodded his head. Anakin, his stuffed lizard, was clutched under his arm. Rex shot a look down and then back up at Cody. “Can we play later? Ba’buir said he has a stuffie walrus he named Montross. Montross is a bad guy though, and Ba’buir wants him stopped. Anakin can take him with Alpha but we really need Wooley to help. Montross is a really really bad guy and…”
Jo stepped back and let her grandsons ramble. She walked next to Jaster as their street came into view.
“Montross at it again?” Jo teased. She reached out and grabbed Jaster’s hand. She linked their fingers together and shot her husband a fond look.
“Oh, every year. He keeps coming back to try to win the title of Mand’alor. I need help to fight him off.” Jaster kept his face solemn.
Jo hip-checked him softly. “Softie.”
Jaster twisted away from her. “See if I save you from him.”
Rex shrieked as their house came into view. “Mama! Buir!”
Jo stepped up next to Jaster as their surprise was shown. Jango and Obi-wan spent the whole afternoon putting up their outside lights. They used to be one of the best on the block but since they were getting up there in years, they hadn’t been able to put on the best show.
Jaster and Jo watched as their children greeted their grandkids. Happy shouts and cheerful laughter rang through the air.
Jo discreetly wiped a tear from her eye.
“Who’s the softie now?” Jaster wiped at her cheek with his thumb. “We raised them good.”
Jo didn’t let go of Jaster’s hand as their family laughed around them. “We both are.”
That night, as the Christmas tree was being decorated, among the various ornaments and tinsel, was a special ornament of three little boys and four grownups. It shined brightly in the twinkling lights.
*****
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!