Too Excited to Sleep
Christmas Eve morning was cloudy, cold, and damp as the Severide-Kidds left Firehouse 51. The plan for the day was to stick close to home. Matt, Tony, Gallo, and Ritter had all volunteered to go by the Herrmanns' and help transport gifts. It was overkill, probably, but at least with four of them it would be quick work. Kelly was to text Matt when Jack was asleep that night.
Before that, though, there was the day. As soon as they arrived home, Stella declared it a pajama day. Everyone got comfortable, and then there were sweet rolls and hot cocoa for breakfast. Jack wanted to watch The Polar Express again, so that was first on the agenda. Snow began to fall in the middle of the morning, and by lunchtime, the whole city lay under a white blanket. They listened to Christmas music while doing a puzzle together, and throughout the day, Jack, Kelly, and Stella took turns reading A Christmas Carol to each other. Kelly and Stella did indeed want this to be magical for Jack, but they also wanted a quiet, low-key day, because that would make getting him off to bed easier. Tomorrow would be a new experience, so this was part of the balance they were always trying to strike—to give Jack those experiences he had missed out on without overwhelming him completely.
After dinner, Kelly built a fire. They went to the beanbag chairs and Stella began reading the last few pages of the book. Sure enough, Jack's eyes were drifting shut before 8:00. Kelly realized that he would indeed be carrying Jack to bed at least once more, because he couldn't sleep in the living room on Christmas Eve, for obvious reasons, and there was no way they were willing to wake him up once he was out. Jack managed to stay awake for the end of the book, but within seconds of the final, "God bless us, every one!" he was gone. Kelly let him stay there for a few minutes and settle into deep sleep, then carted him off to bed.
The text went out to the volunteer Santa Squad, as Gallo had dubbed them, at a little after 9:00. Well before eleven, everything was delivered and put under the tree. With quiet thanks, Kelly and Stella saw their friends out, then settled onto the sofa to watch the snow continue to fall and to gaze at the pile of presents. Kelly whispered, "I think I might be the one who's too excited to sleep."
"I know," Stella responded, equally quietly. "I think I might just sit here and stare at the tree until Jack wakes up."
Eventually, though, they did began to feel drowsy, and so they headed off to bed, knowing that Jack would likely be up early in the morning.
It snowed for most of the night, clearing and turning colder in the early hours of Christmas. The sun rose on a dazzling white world. Kelly and Stella woke at almost the same time, and were startled that it was after 7:00. They had expected Jack to be up at the crack of dawn. Of course, once again, he didn't quite know what to expect, but still...it was odd.
When the two emerged into the living room, they were met with the sight of Jack, snuggled into a bean bag, just staring mutely at the pile of presents. "Jack?" said Kelly. Jack turned toward him, tear tracks on his face. "What's wrong, bud?"
Jack shook his head. "I didn't get you guys anything, really. Just this stupid thing I made at school."
"Oh, honey," said Stella, squeezing into the bean bag next to him. "You're not really supposed to just yet. I mean, it's not like you have a job. Christmas doesn't really work like that. It's for kids, and you have no idea how much joy it gives us to do this for you. Your gift to us is you, baby. All we want is for you to be happy and strong. We don't need a single other thing. I promise."
Jack turned into her, buried his head in her shoulder, and sobbed. Kelly settled into another bean bag and gently caressed his son's back. They had known this kind of reaction might happen, and they had decided that if it was overwhelming, they would just let Jack feel what he felt and wait it out. He quieted after a few minutes, and Kelly said softly. "The best thing you can give us is to enjoy your Christmas, buddy. You can dig into those presents whenever you're ready. And for the record, your mom and I got things for each other, so no one is going without. Okay?" Jack nodded, and hesitantly moved toward the tree.
Jack liked everything he got, including the clothes, and expressed his appreciation frequently. When he opened the ice skates, he showed real excitement. "Will you teach me, Dad?"
"You bet, bud."
"Good. That will be the best part. Being with you guys is always the best part." And then, for the first time that morning, a genuine smile.
"Oh, right back at you, buddy," said Stella.
In due time, almost all the gifts were opened, including the things Kelly and Stella had gotten for each other. "Be right back," said Jack. He trotted off to his room and came back with a package. "It's for both of you," he said. It was a flat, rectangular box. Stella removed the wrapping and opened the box. Inside was a picture frame that held a copy of the shot that had appeared in the newspaper back in the fall. The frame was beautiful, sanded and finished perfectly. Wood-burned into the frame across the top was the single word "Family." Jack said quietly, "The project was to frame a picture of the most important thing in our lives. My most important thing is you. Us. So..." he gestured to the picture.
Neither of his parents could speak for a moment. Stella found her voice first. "Oh, honey," she breathed. "It's absolutely beautiful. It's perfect. I know we'll both treasure it forever. There is nothing you could have given us that we would love more, I promise."
"I tried to do it like you've been teaching me, Dad. Take my time and get it right."
"You definitely did that, bud. It's beautiful work. I'm really proud of you." Kelly reached out and pulled Jack down into his lap, wrapping him tightly in a hug. "I love you so much, Jack. So, so much."
"Love you, too," Jack whispered. "Merry Christmas." and for a few minutes they all just sat there, enjoying the moment.
They might have stayed that way indefinitely, but Jack's stomach growled. They all laughed. "The beast demands to be fed," said Kelly, shoving Jack off of his lap. "And no wonder. It's nearly nine. I'll get some bacon and eggs started."
After breakfast, Stella made Jack try on clothes and put on a fashion show, which he hated but didn't complain about. Then Kelly helped him try on the skates, which were a perfect fit. They played one of Jack's new games, and then built a Lego spaceship. At some point, Stella put a ham in the oven.
After watching It's a Wonderful Life, they finished up dinner preparations and sat down to eat. Christmas dinner was not as elaborate as Thanksgiving had been, but it was no less delicious. Jack ate until he couldn't hold any more, then passed out on the sofa. Kelly only let him sleep for about half an hour. The next day was a shift day, and he didn't want the child up half the night.
Kelly started a fire, and Jack settled into a bean bag with one of his new books. Kelly and Stella sat together on the sofa, talking quietly, occasionally glancing over at their son. Throughout the evening, Jack alternated between reading and making use of some of his other gifts. Kelly noticed him flagging at a little after eight, and said, "Hey, Jack, how early did you get up, anyway?"
Jack shrugged. "I'm not sure. Five or so, maybe? It was still really dark."
"And you just sat there for like, two hours?"
Another shrug. "Mostly. At first, I couldn't believe how much there was. So I just sort of sat and stared. And then I went over and sort of poked around and realized how much there was for me. So I started thinking about things, and my mind just kind of went everywhere, and then, you know, meltdown."
Kelly smiled at him. "Okay, kid. Here's a Christmas lesson. What you're supposed to do is get up really early—you got that part right—and then go running into your parents' room yelling, 'Merry Christmas! Get up! Get up! We gotta open presents!' and stuff like that. You keep harassing them until they give in and get up. Then you attack the pile of presents and throw paper everywhere and get all excited. That's how it's supposed to be done."
"Oh. I see. Well, I guess I messed that up, huh? Next year I'll know, though. I'll be sure and set my alarm for 3:00AM."
"Oh, don't you dare," said his mother.
"Hey, I just want to get this right next time. I don't make the rules."
Before too much longer, Jack was tucked into bed. Kelly and Stella followed suit soon after. Everyone went to bed satisfied with the day and grateful for the time they had had together.
Bright and early the next morning, the family was up and moving. Kelly and Stella knew something that Jack did not, which was that his Christmas was not quite over yet. Jack seemed chipper and relaxed. He asked if he could take his skates to show his friends at 51, and his parents acquiesced. He dressed in new clothes, head to toe, including a hoodie that said "Hey, Boo" on the front (To Kill a Mockingbird was still his favorite book), brand new jeans, and his second pair of new boots that winter, since his feet were growing as fast as the rest of him.
When they arrived at the firehouse, Jack was greeted cheerfully, and he returned cheerful greetings of his own. Before he could veer off in another direction, Kelly grabbed his parka and said, "Hey, bud, come with me for a minute."
Jack looked puzzled, but he said, "Okay," and went along. Kelly guided him toward his quarters, where a pile of packages sat on the desk. "Whoa, Dad, you got more presents."
Kelly laughed. "Those aren't for me, son. I'm pretty sure they're for you."
Jack's eyes widened. "What else could there possibly be?"
"I dunno," said Stella from the doorway. "Red Ryder BB gun, maybe?"
"Funny, Mom."
Jack once again set about opening presents. Sure enough, Gallo, Mouch, and Ritter had bought him the fanciest bat a Little Leaguer could have. Capp and Tony had collaborated on a toolbox and some pretty decent tools. Just the basics, but a good starter set. The Herrmanns had boxed up a bunch of homemade goodies, including some of Annabelle's brownies, complete with gummy worms. Cruz had given him a Squad 3 hat with "Uncle Jack" embroidered on the front—since that was what he planned on having his son call his young friend, and Matt rounded it out with a new, hardcover copy of To Kill a Mockingbird and a leather-bound Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Once again, Jack was overwhelmed. He took off from his dad's quarters and ran through 51 thanking everyone. Chief Boden was in the common room when Jack came dashing in breathlessly. Once he had expressed his appreciation, Chief Boden walked over and put a hand on his shoulder. "I have a little something in my office for you, too, Jack. Come with me, please." Jack trailed after him.
He came back into the common room a few minutes later, starry-eyed and breathless. "Look! Look what the chief gave me!" On his head sat a perfect replica of his dad's helmet, but made for a smaller head, so that it didn't fall over his eyes and ears. In his hand he held a blue CFD polo, kid-size, with mock bugles on the collar. "I'm a lieutenant, Dad!"
Kelly laughed out loud. "Chief, you didn't have to do that. But thanks."
Boden smiled. "Jack is a big part of this house. And he's been a good friend to my son, which is the kind of thing I don't easily forget. Donna and I wanted to make sure he knows how much we appreciate him."
Jack collapsed onto the sofa next to Mouch. "Man," he huffed out, "Christmas is great!"
This remark was met with general laughter, but just then the bells went off, and what would be another busy shift was underway.