Chapter 1: Christmas Surprises
Christmas has always been a fun time for the Shepherd children, except for the year that Derek had passed away. This year matches that particular year. Meredith is going to be away from her children leaving Link and I because she had to work on Christmas. This year has been a tough year for Zola, Bailey, and Ellis. They couldn't even visit when she was sick in the hospital with Covid. My heart felt for them considering I was the only one with them besides Link. This is Scout's first Christmas and honestly he's spending it with his cousins who love him and his parents.
"Auntie Amelia are we going to get a Christmas Tree this year?" Asked Zola. "Soon Zola." Link responded. "But Santa comes tonight." Bailey said. "It's not December 24th yet." Amelia said. "Yes it is Auntie Amelia we don't have a tree this year and Santa won't come and visit us." Zola, Bailey and Ellis said almost in tears. "Okay lets get a tree." Amelia said putting Scout in his carseat while Link started up the car.
I never thought that I would completely forget about Christmas. With this whole pandemic it is hard to even remember what day it is. I thought it was bad when Scout was born, and Meredith having COVID. I couldn't let these kids down they have already been through so much this year. Going to a Christmas Tree lot a day before Christmas was a new experience because we usually get the tree after Thanksgiving. Link helped Ellis, and Bailey out of their car seats as I put Scout in his stroller. Zola was waiting for all of us to finish so we can pick out our tree. We found the perfect tree, and brought it home. When we got home Meredith was there extending her arms out to the kids.
"Meredith I thought you were working then quarantining in your hotel room?" Amelia asked. "I needed to be here for the kids I missed Bailey's birthday, and many other things because of work an the Coronavirus. I just want them to be happy." Meredith said. "I figured that was what had happened." Amelia said. "You got the tree huh?" Meredith asked. "Yeah did you know today was December 24th?" I asked. "Really December 24th already? How did I miss that?" Meredith said. "I did the same thing when Ellis, and Bailey asked about how Santa would know to come to the house." Amelia said.
Meredith had tears in her eyes realizing that it was Christmas eve. After the children had gone to bed we wrapped all the presents that had not been wrapped. Link and I went to bed before midnight. But unfortunately we didn't get to fall asleep right away because Scout woke up because he needed a change and to be fed. After Scout was taken care off we all fell asleep until 7:30 when Ellis came in the room all excited. I was scared for Scout because he has never slept that long without waking up to be changed or fed. I looked at him in his crib with all smiles cooing.
"Merry Christmas baby boy." I said to Scout as I picked him up. "Good Morning Scout and Amelia." Link said. "Momma." Scout said. "Did Scout just say Momma for the first time he says Dadda all the time and never momma?" Amelia asked. "MOMMA." Scout said again. "No Scout has been saying Zo, El, Bay, Dadda, and Momma for awhile." Link said. "I guess I have been busy that I forgot that he has been saying things other than his baby babbling." Amelia said. "Good Morning Auntie and Uncle are you ready for presents Santa came last night." Bailey and Ellis said excitedly.
We walked down with our 9 month baby boy. It is hard to imagine that Scout is already 9 months old. To be honest we went through so much with the pandemic that we hardly even got a break from anything. The kids have been in and out of school which when they are out of school I usually stay home with them as it also gives me time to spend with Scout. When Link and I got downstairs The kids were so excited that they didn't want to let Scout open the first present. Scout was going to open the first present because it is his first christmas which matches his onesie and christmas ornament that we have on our tree we got yesterday.
"Look Auntie Amelia Scout is opening his first present did Santa bring him that present?" Zola asked. "No Santa didn't your mommy got Scout this present." LInk said. "Look Scout what did Auntie Meredith got for you, She got you a stuffed Giraffe." Amelia said. "Momma ungry." Scout said. "Scout said his first word?" Meredith asked. "NO he's been talking for a month now but I just heard him call me Momma today." I said.
Bailey loved the superhero toys that Link and I got for him. Ellis loved her barbies that we got her along with all the other new toys that she got for Christmas. Zola liked her toys as well but she was more excited about Scout's expression with the toys that he got for Christmas. I thought all of our Christmas presents were opened Link pulls out a new present from his pocket. It was a diamond ring.
"AMELIA FRANCES SHEPHERD the mother of my son will you do the honor and spend the rest your life with me?" Link asked. "Oh Atticus Lincoln I will marry you because you are my world as is Scout." Amelia said. "Congratulations." Meredith said. "You knew he was going to do that?" Amelia asked. "Yes that's why I said I had to work I wanted to surprise you guys but I got out early yesterday but I knew of Link's intentions for weeks." Meredith said. "I knew too Auntie." Zola said. "It was a beautiful Christmas even though there was pandemic but all that really matters is that we are a family who love each other." I said hugging everyone.