Chapter 7
The moment we had gotten Randall, we spent most of our time in and out of the hospital. He had several surgeries on his stomach and apparently he had some broken bones that I discovered. After finally getting the okay to take him home after his last stomach surgery, I sat him in his green and yellow plaid blanket.
"Do you think he's going to be okay?" I asked Emilia.
"If he managed to survive all that abuse, I'm sure he'll be fine. He's a strong little boy."
I nodded in agreement. I guess that was true. I looked over at Randall to see him messing with the TV remote. For some reason he's always messing with it. He managed to get the back off it last week. I went over and gently pulled it out of his hands before he chewed on it. I placed it on the coffee table. I went over and grabbed the blocks for him and placed it in front of him.
"Here sweetie, play with this instead."
He looked at the blocks I had placed in front of him then back to where I had sat the remote. I straightened his red sweater as he stuck a small fist in his mouth and sucked on it. I smiled as he looked at me. He was finally starting to look a little healthier. Thank goodness. I smiled at him. I stroke his fronds.
"There we go. Aren't you just adorable?"
He tilted his head at me. I smiled then turn my attention to Emilia.
"Christmas is coming up. What are we going to do? We haven't had a chance to tell the family, let alone them know that we adopted a child."
"They haven't made it easy. Since everyone is usually so busy. But at least they're coming over here for Christmas, we can introduce him to them, then."
I nodded. Christmas was two weeks away. Our house currently decorated for it. The silver and gold garland hung on the shelves. Since we didn't have a fireplace our Christmas stockings hung on one of the selves. Our tree was hung in the corner of the room next to the supply closet. Tinsel, ornaments, and an antique Christmas angel hung on the tree, with the angel perched on top. All sorts of presents laid beneath, at least 60 or so due to the family coming over. I went over and repositioned our Christmas decorated pillows. A wreath hung on the inside and the outside of the front door. A few white and red candles sat on the self along with several figurines of reindeer and Santa Claws.
"Do you think we should take Randy out to see the Christmas parade tonight?" Emilia asked.
I looked at her.
"Tonight? He just got out of the hospital! And it's so cold!"
"I think something like this would be good for him. We could dress him in another sweater or two, put on his snowsuit, his jacket, winter socks and boots, along with his stocking hat and gloves. He'll be fine. Come on, he deserves this. And we can take him to see Santa Claws. It's not tradition without him seeing Santa."
I sighed. I looked over at Randall. He had gotten the remote again and was trying to take it apart. What was with that little boy? He'd rather play with the appliances than with the toys we got him. I went over and took the remote out of his hands once again, putting the batteries back in. He whined as he held his hands out, trying to grab it. I sat it on the coffee table and picked him up. I held him in my arms as I looked at Emilia.
"Are you sure we should do it?"
"Of course! The parade starts in an hour, let's take him. He'll love it."
I sighed. She had a point. Maybe seeing the joys of Christmas and what it had to offer would be good for him. And at least he should know what the world had to offer at this joyous holiday. I nodded in agreement.
"Alright. I'll get him dressed, you warm the car up."
She nodded. After getting Randall dressed and driving him to the parade, we finally arrived at the parade. It hadn't started yet. We decided to be near where the beginning of the parade was so we wouldn't have to be there for long. Randall would freeze if we stayed too long. I didn't want him to get sick after he just got done with surgery.
"Is this exciting Randy?" Emilia asked our little boy, who she was currently holding. "This is your first Christmas parade! You'll get to see Santa Claws! And elves and reindeer!"
I had let Emilia hold him, due to her having fur, and at least it would keep him warm. I chuckled as she continued. She sure did love holidays. Christmas was her favorite. And I couldn't blame her. Christmas was a magical time. After some time the parade started.
"Look Randy, there's Frostbite the Snowmon!" Emilia exclaimed excitedly.
I watched with interest as Emilia continued on the different floats and explaining them to our tiny tot. He watched the parade with wide eyes, taking in all the floats, light and monsters. I had my doubts at first, but this was doing some good. Randall was enjoying himself, and getting out of the house is probably good for him.
After the parade was over we took him to the park to go see Santa Claws. The park was dressed up to look like Santa's workshop. It was a cute picture. As we pulled up, we saw a small line. I frowned worriedly. Oh boy… this was going to take some time.
"Maybe we should come back some other time…" I told her.
"Nonsense. It's only ten kids. We'll be up there in no time! Besides when we do come back, Christmas would already be here! Now stop your worrying. Do you got the camera?"
I held it up. She grinned.
"Excellent! Let's go!"
Several minutes of waiting (more like hours to me), we finally made our way to the cabin that was Santa's workshop. As we went in, we saw a monster dressed in a red and white fur suit, and a fake white beard strapped around his mouth and chin, his nose horn above it.
"Who do we have here?" he asked as he lifted his hands up to take Randall.
"This is our son Randall, this is first time meeting Santa." Emilia told him.
He looked at little shock at seeing us, learning that we were a couple, but we were used to it. He slowly nodded and looked at Randall.
"So, what would he like for Christmas?"
"I think a Simon Says would be nice." I told him, remember how electronics seem to fascinate Randall.
"As young as he is?"
"He's a smart boy." Emilia told him.
He shrugged.
"Alright."
"Can we get a picture?" I asked, holding the camera up.
"Of course."
"Randy, smile for mommy." I said positioning the camera to take a picture.
The moment he looked at Santa, he started crying. Mostly due to the first moment he handed him to him, he was currently playing with the beard and not paying attention to the monster that was currently holding him. I snapped the picture, grabbing it has it slide out of the slot and fanned it.
"Thank you so much." Emilia told him as she grabbed Randall.
We walked out and back into the car.
"Well that could've gone better." I muttered.
"Oh it's natural for toddlers like Randall to be afraid of Santa. He'll get over it when he's older."
"I guess so. Now let's get him home and put to bed, it's pass his bedtime."
"Alright."
I looked back at Randall. At least there was a plus side to all of this. He gets to witness what the Christmas season had to offer.
