Silent Night
"What happened to silent night?" Lucien turns on the bedside lamp at the sound of the wailing infant.
Jean swings her legs out of the bed and makes her way to the cot. "You're the one who wanted to do this. How much trouble can it be you say?" Jean mimicking Lucien's words. She lifts the hungry baby and holds him close. "Shhh. I've got you." She whispers into the sparse curls, soothing the child.
"You want help?"
"Yes! If I have to be awake so do you."
They make their way through the parlor towards the kitchen in the glow from the Christmas tree. "Why don't you sit on the sofa? I'll get his bottle." Lucien makes quick work of warming the bottle to perfection. He joins his wife on the sofa, pulling her close. "Just as the little prince likes it."
The baby latches on hungrily, the sucking and warm milk lulling him back to sleep. "He is beautiful isn't he Lucien."
"Mmm. You don't mind these middle of the night feedings?"
"No. It will be over before we know it."
"I'm sorry Jeannie. When I offered to help I didn't realize that included the night shift, every night." In the quiet of the house, the Blake's hear the tiny pitter-patter of another set of small feet. "Darling, I think someone else is awake too?"
The three year old approaches the sofa, dragging a well loved hand knit blanket. Lucien scoops her up, brushing a stray curl from her eyes. "Did Santa come yet?"
"He comes tomorrow night, Poppet."
"Isn't it tomorrow yet?"
Lucien chuckles at the child's logic. "Amelia Jean, you are as clever as your grandmother." He kisses her forehead then allows her to snuggle between him and Jean.
"Don't wake your brother. He just fell back to sleep. As you should be too." Jean tries to sound firm but in truth she is as happy as can be to have her grandchildren in her arms with Lucien at her side, sharing this special time of the year.
Lucien notices his wife's eyes filled with tears of joy, his own mirroring hers. "Shall we take both into the bedroom with us?" His hand brushes away a tear that hits her cheek. Jean nods, her voice betraying her. He lifts Amelia up easily with one arm, using his free hand to help his love rise with the slumbering baby.
"You know we will probably regret this tomorrow night when she will want to join us again."
"Hmm, but as you said. It will be over before we know it. And I don't want to miss anything." Standing by the twinkling Christmas tree, each with a grandchild nestled in their arms, they kiss. A kiss of comfort, contentment, unconditional love, a kiss of home.