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“Do you prefer a fake or real Christmas tree?” Lucy asks Tim one day. He’s lounging on the sofa and he looks up to see her peering down at him.
“Uh.” He starts. He has never really thought of it. He never had a real Christmas tree growing up and Isabel had bought a fake one they put up every year. He would have loved to have a real one but then he was single and alone and he just didn’t see the point of getting a tree just for himself.
“I guess real but—” He finally says but Lucy cuts him off.
“Oh thank god.” She says. “I never had a real Christmas tree growing up and now..” Tim stands up and gathers her in his arms.
“We can get a real Christmas tree baby.” He says. “I would love to get a real Christmas tree.” She grins up at him and then pulls him towards the door.
“Then let’s do it!” She says.
They do end up getting a Christmas tree that day, it’s tall and smells good and barely fits inside the doorway of the house but they manage. Tim sets it up and Lucy puts ornaments on it. He watches as she dances around the tree, humming whatever song is playing in the background.
She looks over her shoulder at him and shoots him a grin and then dances back to him.
“Our first Christmas together.” She says. He smiles down at her and rubs her back a little.
“Yeah and it’s going to be a good one.” He says confidently and he’s actually looking forward to this Christmas. One where he knows he’s going to enjoy it because it’s going to be with Lucy and Tamara all cozy in her apartment. He’s not going to be alone or being yelled at by his dad.
And he can hardly wait.
***
Ava’s first Christmas is when she’s nine months old. Tim knows she’s going to be more interested in the wrapping than the many gifts that they got her. It doesn’t matter though because he’s determined to make this a special Christmas for her even if she doesn’t remember it.
“All right Ava.” Says Lucy. “We are going to go pick out your first Christmas tree. So it has to be a good one.”
Ava just gives her a big smile and claps her hands. Tim shakes his head in amusement as they make their way through the rows of Christmas trees. Ava is in Lucy’s arms looking around curiously, she giggles and kicks Lucy and makes a grabby motion towards a very tall tree. Tim goes over to it and looks over at Ava who is clapping her hands excitedly.
“Trust our daughter to pick the biggest tree here.” Tim grumbles. Lucy gives him a little shove and they move on to the next tree. Ava claps at every tree, and they finally land on a medium size one. It’s perfect.
When they get home, Lucy puts Ava in her playpen and starts to decorate the tree. She has new ornaments ones that Ava’s daycare made with her picture in it. Tim helps too and puts the lights on and the angel on top. And they they stand back and admire it. Ava smiles when Lucy puts her in front of the tree for pictures and then instantly grabs an ornament and pulls it off the tree.
(After the seventh one she pulls off, they move them all up a little higher).
***
Daisy is six months old for her first Christmas and Ava is two. When they go to get a Christmas tree this year, Ava pulls Tim along while Lucy has Daisy bundled up on her chest. Lucy follows behind them shaking her head in amusement when her two year old once again picks the biggest tree in the lot. And this time they have to get it because her eyes fill with tears when Tim tries to walk away.
Tim grumbles as he pulls the giant tree into their house and sets it up. Lucy puts Daisy in her swing and then starts to decorate the tree. She feels a hug on her leg and looks down to see Ava peering up at her.
“Do you want to help Aves?” She asks. Her two year old nods and Lucy hands her an ornament to put on. Ava places it right at the bottom so it drags a little on the floor.
“Good job baby.” Says Lucy encouragingly. She continues to decorate it and hand some to Ava who sticks them all in one area. Lucy smiles at Tim who just watches, knowing they probably will be moved up so Ava doesn’t throw them around.
It’s not perfect but as Lucy stands back and looks at the tree, its totally them. A little crazy but beautiful. And Lucy couldn’t ask for anything more.
***
Lucy doesn’t go to pick out the Christmas tree for the twins first Christmas. They are only two weeks old, and she’s still recovering but she encourages Tim to take Ava and Daisy. Tim looks hesitant but Lucy shoos him off.
“Go have fun!” She tells him. He gives her a quick kiss and then herds the girls out the door.
They come back about two hours later with the most pathetic looking tree. It’s tall and skinny but there isn’t anything on it. It’s basically just branches.
“Look mommy!” Squeals Ava looking proudly at the tree. “Isn’t it beautiful?” Lucy raises her eyebrows at Tim who shrugs.
“Ava picked it out because she felt bad for it. She said nobody would want it.” He says. He sets the tree up and Ava immediately makes a dive for the ornament box. She starts to put them on, and singing as she does.
Lucy looks at her four year old in amazement. Ava usually loved seeing the big trees with all the lights and she never would have guessed she would pick out such a sorry looking tree. Lucy stands back as she watches Ava and Daisy decorate the tree.
“I love it.” Says Lucy to Tim who is holding a sleeping Levi in his arms. “It’s not perfect but..”
“It’s us.” Tim finishes for her.
“Exactly.”
“Its going to be a great Christmas.” Lucy says leaning into Tim. She kisses the top of Levi’s head just as June starts wailing from the bassinet. Lucy laughs as she goes to get June and then she stands back.
She was so thankful she has this, four beautiful kids. A loving husband and wonky looking Christmas tree. This is all she could have imagined and more.
And she couldn’t wait to spend all her Christmases with her little family.