AN: This chapter is mostly a flashback. I hope you enjoy it! Thank you all for the reviews!
Setting up the tree in the corner of the living room, Henry followed Liz's directions as to where to place it and how it should be positioned. Once it was in the perfect spot they all decided that now was the best time to decorate it. Sometimes they got the tree, but then had to wait a few days to decorate it, due to someone missing from the group. They all enjoyed decorating the tree together as a family, something Liz and Henry hoped would continue for awhile despite the fact that the kids had growing social lives.
Bringing the decorations up from the basement Henry found the lights and began to work on wrap the tree. This was always his job, as Liz had the job of placing the beaded garland once the lights were secured to the perfect position. Some years they had made popcorn garland that would benefit the birds outside once the tree had been taken down. In years past, when the kids were smaller, they would also make peanut butter covered pine cones rolled in bird seed, the birds thoroughly enjoyed this treat during the snow covered months.
While Liz and Henry were busy with the lights the kids decided to do their part with the tradition of decorating the tree. Before they were able to get the ornaments out, they made the hot chocolate that always was a part of the festivities.
"Thank you guys for getting the Hot Chocolates ready!" Elizabeth exclaimed, taking on from Stevie.
"You're welcome mom" Stevie said as her mother took the mug of hot chocolate from the tray she was holding. She set the tray down on the coffee table so everyone could get their own mug as they wished.
"Okay guys! Time to put the ornaments on the tree" Elizabeth said to the kids. This was their tradition, mom and dad put the lights and garland on, then the kids decorate with ornaments. Each kid had a box with their own ornaments. These boxes were started when the kids were born. Every year they had been given an ornament for Christmas, so that when they were old enough to move out to their own places they would have something to decorate their own trees with. This was a tradition Henry and Elizabeth prided themselves on. When they had gotten married they had literally nothing to decorate their tree with. Starting with getting an ornament each year engraved with their names, they continued once the kids arrived. Elizabeth had a few from when she was little as did Henry, but not nearly enough to fill a tree.
It was always fun watching the kids reminisce about each ornament while hanging them on the tree. Henry sat down on the couch beside his wife and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He knew from the look in her eyes she was having a rough time today, even though she tried to pretend to be fine, for the sake of the kids. Giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, she looked over at him with a slight nod and smile, letting him know she was thankful for him.
Sitting there enjoying the cheerful banter of her own children drew her back to when she was a little girl and her and Will would help their parents decorate the tree.
"Lizzie dear would you please help me with these decorations?" her mother asked. "Sure momma" she had replied. She was always eager to help her mother with whatever she wanted help with. Her brother on the other hand acted "too cool" to help with things like decorating the house for Christmas, let alone the Christmas Tree.
"Will please help us." Her mother urged. "Okay mom, I guess" He replied, not wanting to let his mom and sister know he did really enjoy helping with the decorations. He just needed to pretend the task was below a young teenage boys duties. Not to mention letting his dad get a glimpse of how he really did enjoy helping his mom and sister.
"Hey Daddy! how does this look?" Lizzie asked her dad as he walked into the room bringing more decorations into the family room where they were all busy working on various things.
"It looks wonderful Lizzie, you sure do have a knack for decorating the tree!" her dad exclaimed, while watching his daughters face light up with joy.
They had spent the afternoon decorating the tree and the outside of the house. There was nothing better in their lives right now. They were such a close knit family whose horse farm was often the meeting place for other family members and friends. They enjoyed entertaining guests, having friends over to ride the horses across the fields and trails that encircled their home. Often times Liz and her mother would saddle up the horses and take them out at night when it was snowing and the moon was shining brightly over the fields. She relished this time with her mother and found herself wanting a relationship just like theirs when she had her own children. She also enjoyed tagging along with her dad on business trips, learning the tricks of negotiation in the business world.
Christmas Day Will and Elizabeth would run into their parents room to wake them, wanting to know what was left for them under the tree downstairs in the family room. They opened presents, Liz and Will bantering back and forth about who got the better presents, who's were more expensive, etc. Her parents just sitting back and watching their little family in all its glory on Christmas morning.
Elizabeth cherished her family and held them in the high regard that they were truly a perfect American family. That is until tragedy struck, leaving Will and her parentless. It happened so fast, a drunk driver had ran a red light in town, plowing into the side of her parents car as they were traveling home from an evening out with friends.
"Hey babe, where did you go?" Henry asked, calling her back into the present.
'Oh sorry, I guess I was just remembering the last Christmas Will and I had with our parents." She said to him, trying to hide the tears in her eyes and the shake in her voice.
"It's okay, the kids were just getting a little worried, they kept asking you questions, but you didn't respond." Henry told her, not wanting to make her feel like she had completely neglected watching her own children decorate the Christmas tree. "What has you thinking about it? Does it have to do with Wills visit here the other month?" Henry asked, knowing that is exactly what had triggered her thoughts.
"Yeah, I guess. I just don't understand with everything we have been through, how he can just abandon Annie and Sophie like he has. We were such a close family before mom and dad died, maybe its just his way of not getting to close to anyone again. Maybe that's why I have such a fear of something happening to him. Henry, I'm sorry for bringing the mood down." she said to her husband, as he pulled her into a warm, reassuring embrace.
"It's okay babe. How about we go out and get some fresh air?" Henry suggested.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea! All five of us, or just the two of us?" she asked, desperately wanting it to just be the two of them. They hadn't had much time alone lately, and she didn't want to worry the kids if she really let the tears fall. There was something soothing and refreshing about the cold December air hitting against your face making all your troubles disappear.
"I thought it could just be the two of us, I already said something to the detail, so they are ready when we are." He replied back to her, knowing she'd need some time alone with him to let her thoughts and memories clear out of her mind.
"Thank You Henry, I love how you always know exactly what I need. Please don't ever change, Ever!" She said, leaning up to kiss him.