Inspiration for this Fic from the song.

'Baby's First Christmas'

Chapter One

December 17, 2007

Bobby arrives home early this clear and crisp winter evening, perfect night to pick out the family Christmas tree. Family Christmas tree, wow, he smiles as he opens the door. The warm air and the scent of jasmine fill his nostrils. With a light hearted tone he says, "Honey I'm home."

Alex emerges from the kitchen, holding Robby in one arm. Her smile is warm and sweet, "You're early." Robby turns and holds up his arms, "Da-dy," a word that just melts the heart of his 6 foot 4 inch father.

He takes the boy in his arms, leans down and kisses her. "Oh your cheeks are cold," she says.

"It's a little windy but it's really not that cold." He kisses the top of Robby's head, "Hey little guy, ready to get the Christmas tree?" The boy nods his head, "San-ta."

Alex asks, "What lot is the best?"

Robby starts to wiggle and Bobby puts him in his playpen. "Honestly," he says timidly. "I have no idea, I've haven't been out for a Christmas tree in years. Even last year we used your four foot artificial one, remember?"

"Oh yeah that's right, well I guess we are both in for an adventure."

"Let me change my clothes, and then we'll get some dinner and find a tree."

"Sounds like a plan." Alex tends to Robby while Bobby changes his clothes.

When he returns downstairs Alex and Robby are donned in their coats, "I take it, we're going now."

"Yes, I'll drive," she says as she removes her keys from her bag, Bobby laughs as he picks up his son, "Ah some things never change."

Alex leads the way, "Bobby the diaper bag."

"Yeah, yeah." He picks up the bag. "When can we start to potty train him?"

Alex turns to face him, "We."

He flashes a smile, "Alright, you."

"You actually want to discuss this now?"

"Just making conversation," he says.

Bobby straps Robby in the car seat. Then opens the passenger side door and gets in. "Ok," Alex says as she puts the key in the ignition. "What did you read?"

"Nothing," he says coyly. She remains silent but he can feel her stare, "Just that you can start anytime after they start to crawl."

She starts up the car, "I've heard that, but the normal age to start is about 18 months." Alex backs the car out of the driveway.

He nods, "Yeah I read that too." She puts the car in gear and they are on their way. "He is talking early, though."

She smiles with admiration of her son, "I know, my Mom told me that I started to talk early."

He mumbles, "And you haven't stopped."

"I heard that," without taking her eyes off the road she lightly smacks his arm.

"Ah you know I love you."

"I love you too," she whispers. "Smart ass"

He starts to laugh, "So, where are we going to eat, I don't know about you but I'm starved."

"Let's just go to Jake's Diner. There are usually a lot of kids there at this hour."

The temperature dropped a few degrees while they were dinning and a blast of cold air hits them as soon as Bobby opens the door. "Damn," Bobby says as he slips on his gloves.

"Bobby please take Robby so I can put my gloves on."

"Sure."

Once again they are in the car. Alex puts the key in the ignition, "So, which way."

"The left looks like a good way." She nods, after a few blocks they come across a sign, 'Christmas trees for sale.' Bobby points, "Looks good to me."

Alex finds a parking spot and the little family is standing amidst the smell of pine. "Alex," Bobby says as he switches Robby from one arm to the other. "Yeah," Alex appears from behind a tree.

"These trees look awfully small."

"To you, of course they do." He usually laughs or smiles at her remarks about his height but when she looks at him he has a sad expression on his face. She touches his arm, "Hey what's the matter?" He turns away from her, she reaches up and touches his cheek, "Bobby no more of that, pushing me away."

"It's embarrassing," he takes a few steps toward another set of trees. "I haven't gone…the last time I can remember being in the midst of Christmas trees…. Man I don't even want to calculate how many years," he turns to face her. "Maybe that's why they look so small, huh?"

Her first thought is to say I'm sorry but she knows that will not change anything. She links her arm in his, "Well no more of those days," she says as she hugs him.

After checking out three lots they finally agree on a tree. Bobby helps the young man tie the tree to the roof of the car. Handing him a few dollars for his time, "Merry Christmas," Bobby says.

"Merry Christmas to you, Sir."

Alex pulls the car into the driveway; she unbuckles Robby from his car seat leaving Bobby to attend to the tree, he cuts the rope that they used to tie the tree to the car. Effortlessly he removes the tree of pine from the roof. He sets it up against the car, staring. Alex glances out the window and spies him. She calls from the door, "Bobby, what are you doing?"

He mumbles to himself, he reluctantly looks up, "I don't have a tree stand. There may be one in the attic. But I doubt it." He rubs the back of his neck, "Even if there is one it's probably too old to hold a tree."

She takes a step onto the porch, "I'll pick one up tomorrow, now set the tree against the back door and get inside," she crosses her arms. "It's freezing out here."

Later That Evening

Bobby brings Robby up stairs, changes his diaper and slips on his pajamas, sets him in the crib as Alex walks into the room, "Goodnight little guy," he says.

Alex says her goodnights to her son and then they walk out of the room, Bobby's arm around her shoulder. "I just thought of something," he says.

"What is that?"

"I don' have any decorations for the tree, unless you want just a big green tree in the house."

"Not to worry," she pats him on the back. "I'll take care of it."

A Few Hours Later

Alex returns downstairs and hears the TV but no Bobby, suddenly she hears a bang coming from upstairs. "Alex!"

A twinge of fear goes through her as she jogs to the stairs, "Bobby, are you alright?"

"Yes I'm fine," he says as he descends the stairs holding a large box in his arms. "I can't believe that it was real, but it is."

"Huh," she says as she places her hands on her hips.

"I thought I remembered a train set in the attic and I was right," he opens up the box, Alex peeks in.

"A 'Lionel' train set, oh my God." She sits down next to him on the floor.

He holds up the black engine. "This thing is heavy."

Alex asks, "Do you think we can get it to work?"

"We can try; it needs to be cleaned and oiled and a new battery." Immediately he goes on line and finds three places that specialize in vintage 'Lionel' trains. I love this city. He prints out the addresses.

TBC