Last night had been fun. It was strange though, Adam thought to himself as he packed up lunches for everyone. He was determined to follow through with taking the boys to find a tree. The younger boys had enjoyed the pizza, popcorn and movies. Even though the movies had sad parts in them, what with Rudolph being picked on and Frosty melting, they had all made it through without too many tears. Adam could tell that even Daniel had been entertained. The kid was a sucker for Pizza and family time, in spite of himself. Now with Crane's help, they were taking a very enthusiastic Evan and Ford, along with little Guthrie out to find the family Christmas tree, just like their dad used to do when Adam and Brian were little. They would only need to hike about a mile or so up to the tree line. The boys had plenty of energy to do that and it was a beautiful day for it. Unseasonably warm and sunny. Brian would be cramming for finals and Daniel vowed to take care of the chores...most of them anyway. Adam was getting a little excited himself. His little brothers' enthusiasm was rubbing off on him.
"Ok, here we go!" Adam said looking back at his younger siblings. He had their little burrow packed down with the duffel full of food and canteens and an all important ax, with Guthrie happily riding Adam piggyback and Evan right on his heels, followed by Ford and then Crane, who carefully toted a rifle. The McFaddens didn't venture far from the ranch without a firearm.
The hike was nice and Adam couldn't help but think how peaceful it would be without three little inquisitive brothers asking a million and one questions and trying desperately to talk over each other. A nice quiet hike with a pretty girl would suit Adam better, he couldn't help thinking. But, this was his life now. Maybe someday there would be time for girls, but he didn't have time for any of that right now. He had to make Christmas perfect for his not-so-small family. It's what his father would expect him to do.
7BF7B*************************
Brian studied until his brain was turning to mush. He needed a diversion and he needed it soon. He closed his history book and laid his head down on the dining room table. He thought about his dad. He supposed it was the holidays that kept his parents constantly on his mind right now. There were so many McFadden traditions to keep up and it was on his and Adam's shoulders to keep them this year...and for years to come, he thought glumly. One memory in particular was knawing at him right now. When he was ten or maybe eleven, his father had taken him hunting early on Christmas Eve morning and Brian had bagged the turkey that his mother served for dinner on Christmas Day. He remembered how proud it made him feel. Now, he dreaded the task...because that's what it felt like now...a task. He had gone out alone and killed the turkey for Thanksgiving and it had been hard. Only two months had passed since they had buried their parents and everyone was simply going through the motions for Thanksgiving. Daniel had come apart at the seams and it had scared his three older brothers...including Brian, half to death. Brian couldn't stand the thought of another holiday approaching so soon and them all having to go through the motions...get through the day. How can I make this special for Daniel? He pondered it over and over in his head. The answer finally came to him. He jumped up from the table excitedly, unlocked the gun cabinet and got out his first shotgun...the one his dad had given him for his ninth Christmas...and rushed outside to find Daniel.
"Hey Dan'l! Danny? Where you at kid?" Brian yelled.
"I'm in here Brian." Daniel answered, sticking his head out the barn door.
"Get out here Dan'l." Brian declared.
"What's wrong Bri?" Daniel asked worriedly, eyeing the shotgun.
"Nothin'. We're gonna do some target shootin'." Brian replied with a grin.
"Why? Ain't you supposed to be studying?" Daniel asked curiously.
"I'm taking a break. You my man, need to practice." Brian replied, reaching down and wiping Daniel's bangs out of his eyes.
"For what?" Daniel asked.
"You're gonna bag the Christmas turkey this year!" Brian announced with a big smile.
"Me? Why me?" Daniel asked, but Brian could see a bit of excitement in those expressive eyes.
"Cause it's your turn." Brian replied. He proceeded to tell Daniel the story of his first Turkey kill with their dad and how great it felt to do something that important for such a special day. Brian could see that Daniel liked the idea and even seemed excited.
"Man Danny. You're a great shot. This is gonna be easy!" Brian exclaimed after Daniel's fifth shot managed to knock four cans off the fence post. He only missed on the very first shot. His last four shots were perfect.
"You really think I can do it Brian?" Daniel asked, looking up excitedly at his big brother.
"Oh I know you can...and you will. 'Cause if you miss, it's gonna be pot roast for Christmas...and you'll be the one cooking it!" Brian said with a laugh and a wink.
"Ok, if you think I can, I guess I'm in." Daniel laughed.
"It's a date. Bright and early Christmas Eve morning, we're goin' huntin' Dan'l." Brian said. Finally, he's coming around for us...maybe. Brian thought to himself as he lined up more cans along the fence post, then supervised as Daniel reloaded the gun. This is a hundred times better than studying world history. Brian thought with a chuckle.
7BF7B******************
By the time Adam herded his little brothers, their burrow and the eight foot tall Christmas tree Evan and Ford had picked out back to the Circle Bar Seven, he was spent. He hadn't realized how tiring the day would be. He had figured the hard work he put in daily on their working cattle ranch would have conditioned him better for this little adventure...that was not so much the case. Adam was glad to come into a warm house and smell Brian's chili cooking on the stove.
Adam sent the little guys up for a bath and they had rather unceremoniously gathered for a quick meal, except Guthrie who practically fell asleep in the bathtub. Evan and Ford were nodding off at the table, so Adam had sent them straight to their room to get ready for bed. Crane turned in shortly after so now only himself, Brian and Daniel were gathered in the living room.
Brian and Adam had made a wooden stand and nailed it into the trunk of the tree and when they stood it up they were both relieved to see that it wasn't crooked. It looked perfect.
"Hey Adam, you want me to go into the attic and pull out Mom's ornaments?" Brian asked.
Adam glanced at Daniel and noticed his little brother squirming uncomfortably on the couch at the mere mention of their mother. "We'll do it a little later."Let's just relax for a few minutes." Adam replied. "So what's this I hear about you Daniel? Brian said you're going after the bird this year."
"Yeah, I guess I am. I sure hope I don't miss." Daniel said with a nervous laugh.
"You won't partner. I have confidence in ya. The way you were shooting today, you're gonna make a fine hunter Dan'l." Brian offered, winking at Adam.
"I hope so. I don't wanna let anybody down." Daniel replied.
"Don't worry. We have plenty of beef in the freezer if we need a back up kiddo." Adam replied, sitting down beside his little brother and giving him an affectionate hug.
"I love Turkey. I'll be mad at myself if I blow it...but like Brian said, I can do it and I will do it." the little guy stated with conviction.
"That's the spirit! So Danny, is there anything you'd especially like for Christmas this year? I know you're not into it, but...for the sake of the little guys, I think you should have at least one present from Santa." Adam asked hopeful that Daniel's cold heart had melted a little.
"I dunno. I ain't even thought about it really. I don't care, just wrap me up somethin' if you like." Daniel replied with a shrug.
"So I guess you are confirming my suspicion that you've figured out the whole Santa deal? I mean, you seemed to believe last year." Adam asked with a quick glance at Brian.
"Nah, I just played along to make Momma happy last year." Daniel answered quietly.
"Oh, ok Danny. You're growing up fast kid. It kinda makes me a little sad. Well, just think about it for the rest of the weekend and if you come up with anything, tell me or Brian." Adam said.
"Ok Adam. I will and I don't mean to make you more sad Adam, but since I don't call you Junior anymore, you think you could stop calling me Danny? I mean, it makes me sound like a little kid. Everybody else in this family goes by their given name, you and me were the only ones that got stuck with silly nicknames and I'm not a little kid anymore, ok?" Daniel asked, looking up at his big brother with pleading eyes.
"Well, I'll work on it...I mean, I've been calling you Danny your whole life, so...it's not gonna be that easy. You still slip up and call me Junior now and again, but I'll do my best, Daniel." Adam answered honestly. The kid was right about one thing, it did make him even more sad. "But promise me you won't try to grow up too fast. I want all of you to enjoy your childhood. I sure enjoyed mine. It's something I'll cherish forever."
"Yes sir." Daniel replied.
"Yikes! I hate the sound of sir. You start pinning that title on me and I'll call you Danny for the rest of my life!" Adam laughed.
"Sorry, I'm used to...uh...never mind. It's just a habit. I'll work on it." Daniel said reaching out to hug his big brother.
"I appreciate that." Adam replied, trying hard to swallow the lump forming in his throat. He knew Daniel was used to answering their parents with ma'am and sir. It was as natural as breathing for all of them. But Adam didn't feel it was appropriate to start answering to sir at the tender age of eighteen. "Why don't you get your bath and turn in for the night? And try not to wake up Crane. He's beat."
"Ok. Goodnight." Daniel replied getting up from the couch and walking over to Brian to offer him a hug before going upstairs. "Night Brian. Love you." Adam had to smile. That was another thing that was as natural as breathing. Telling each other 'love you'.
"I love you too partner." Brian said reaching down and giving Daniel a quick hug followed by a patt on his rear end. "But you are still a kid!" Brian teased.
"What, are you calling me a billy goat?" Daniel laughed and darted for the stairs before Brian could give him a harder swat on his backside.