December 8th, 2008

Alex carried River on her hip as they walked into the Christmas tree lot. Everyone was bundled up. It was bitter cold tonight.

"We're gonna get the biggest tree ever." Caroline said.

"Maybe." Ty chuckled. "Let's just look around first."

"Remember when I was frozen in the snow?" Jade asked.

"Yes, Baby." Alex said. Caroline stuck out her tongue.

"Well, I was kidnapped." She said, "They were more worried 'bout me." Jade growled.

"Girls, knock it off." Ty warned them. He didn't like it when they compared horror stories. They seemed to do it a lot more now that River was here.

"Okay, let's check these outs." Alex looked over the trees in front of her. River cooed as he grabbed a branch. "I think River likes this one." Ty looked it over.

"It's a pretty nice one." He took hold of the trunk and hit it on the ground. River sneezed. He looked at the girls "what do you think?"

"It's very good." Caroline said.

"Santa can fit a lot of presents beneath it." Jade replied.

"Why don't we check out a couple of other trees before we make our final decision." Alex suggested.

"No!" The girls cried.

"No?" Alex looked at them. Jade shook her head.

"It's a perfect tree, Momma. River picked it out." She said.

"True." Alex sighed and looked at Ty. "What do you think?"

"It'll save us time getting this one." He said. Alex smiled.

"All right. We can get this one." She said. The girls cheered.

"Yay! Momma! You rock!" Caroline chuckled. Ty waved over the salesman and told him that they were going to purchase this tree. The girls were so happy that this was their tree.

* * *

"Careful, Cricket." Ty grunted as he tried putting the tree into the stand. Caroline jumped out of the way as she cheered.

"It's so pretty." She said.

"Wait until the lights are all on it." Jade said.

"Come sit next to me.' Alex said from the couch. River sneezed.

"Fine." Caroline crawled onto the couch. "Why is River's hand like that?" Alex looked at River's hand. It was swollen twice the size.

"Oh my god." Alex stood up. "Ty, look at your son." Ty dusted the pine needles off of him and looked at River. His eyes were starting to run. "Look at his hand."

"Buddy, what happened?" Ty looked at his son's hand, "Looks like an allergy to something. He isn't eating anything yet."

"We haven't changed anything of his lately." Alex frowned.

"Something is irritating him." he said, "Wash his hand. There's sap on it." Alex stared at her husband.

"Sap?" She looked at the Christmas tree and it clicked into her head. Alex groaned, "Get the tree out of here. That's what it is."

"No!!" The girls cried. Ty looked at his son then the tree then the girls. He nodded.

"We have to, girls. River is sick." He said, "But we can put it in the backyard and still decorate it." Caroline's lips quivered.

"Will Santa still come?" She asked. Alex nodded.

"He will come, just take this outside." She walked out of the living room as River started to fuss, "It's okay, buddy. We're taking care of you." She walked over to the sink and began washing the sap off of River's hand. Soon, Alex was cradling River at the kitchen table, breastfeeding him. Ty walked into the kitchen.

"How is he doing?" He asked.

"Okay. He's calmed down some." Alex said, "The tree outside?" Ty nodded.

"Tree outside and pine needles are all swept up." Ty said, "Poor little guy."

"You think he will have a hard time when we go to the cabin? There are a few pine trees out there." Alex asked. Ty shook his head.

"As long as he isn't touching them or anything, he should be okay." Ty said, "I'll go get an artificial tree tomorrow morning." Alex sighed.

"I hate artificial trees." She said.

"I know." Ty said, "But we'll get used to it." Alex nodded. She loathed artificial trees. They didn't smell like Christmas, but now she couldn't have real ones. She would get over it. It wasn't the end of the world.

December 22nd, 2008

Alex smiled as she got in the bus. She was so happy to be back ito the swing of things at work. Sure she loved having children, but she loved her job too. She hated maternity leave and working over at the dispatch. This was where she really belonged.

"We need to restock the medbag after the neck run." She said.

"Al right." Kim smiled, "You're really gun ho now aren't you?"

"Of course I am. I adore this job, Kim." Alex said grinning broadly.

"Adore is a strong word." Kim said. Alex nodded with a smile.

"I know, Kim." She said, "Next to my family, this is something I love the most. Does Joey like what you do?" Kim chuckled.

"Not really. He'll be sixteen next year and he's pissed off at me that I won't teach him to drive because I'm so busy at work."

"Does he have his permit?" Alex asked. Kim nodded.

"Yeah. It's scary." Kim said, "I can't believe my baby is almost sixteen. It's unbelievable. Love your kids before they grow up."

"Oh they're growing up too fast all right." Alex said. "Jade will be six in June. Carrie's birthday is next month. I haven't even started planning it yet. I've just been so busy." Kim nodded.

"Well, we'll plan something wonderful for her then." Kim smiled, "You only turn three once." Alex smiled at her friend.

"I've run out of birthday Ideas." She said. Kim chuckled.

"Well, let's see…Something easy just incase there's a snowstorm. So, how about a princess theme or a circus theme or maybe let's see…She's kind of nuts so how about a peanut theme." Kim suggested. Alex laughed loudly getting out of the bus.

"No peanut theme. I'll ask her what she wants." She said walking over to a man laying on the ground, "Sir, I'm a paramedic. Can you tell me your name?"

"Patrick Flynn." He grunted.

"You're having chest pains?" Kim asked kneeling down in front of him. Patrick nodded.

"Yes. My arm has pains." He said. Alex glanced at Kim as she opened the medbag.

"All right, Mr. Flynn. We're going to take you to Mercy and you can see a cardiologist." Alex said softly to the man, "It sounds like you may be having a heart attack." Patrick groaned.

"Can you call my wife?" He asked. Alex nodded as they helped him into the bus.

"Of course, Mr. Flynn." Alex said, "We'll call her as soon as we get to the hospital." She shut the doors and sat next to Mr. Flynn taking his vitals, "Have you ever had chest pains?" Patrick shook his head.

"No. This is the first time." He said as Alex put the oxygen mask on him.

"Does your family have heart attack history?" Alex asked him. Patrick nodded.

"Yes. My father and grandfather both died from heart attacks." He said. "Do you think I'm going to die? I can't. We have a baby on the way."

"Well, don't worry about dying. You'll be just fine after the doctors take a look at you. They have great doctors at Mercy and then you can have a healthy baby to watch grow up and grow old." Alex smiled softly at him. Kim looked at her partner.

"You still adore this job?" Kim asked. Alex nodded.

"Always will." She said as she worked on the man. It was true. She would always love this job. She got such a rush when she helped someone.

***

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