Happy National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. I've worn a few in my time (shudder).

Seriously, I've been in a Christmas-y mood lately. So I've been thinking up lots of Christmas related stories. But it wasn't like last year where I wrote one for each day. That was crazy.

I also checked the weather in and around New Mexico which is about where Gen Rex takes place. It does get very cold in some places and they do have Christmas tree farms. So that is plausible…

Anyway, hope you like this one.

I do not own nada.

"Caesar, we've been here for hours. Just pick a tree." Beverly said tiredly. They were on a tree farm looking for the perfect Christmas tree. Beverly held Angel who was so bundled up that he couldn't put his arms down. But he didn't seem to mind. He gurgled happily in his one piece jacket as Beverly gently rocked him.

"This needs to be just perfect." Caesar had a tape measure out taking the dimensions of the current tree he was standing in front of. "No, the left side is eight centimeters shorter than the right. Let's keep looking."

Beverly sighed. Caesar had a single minded determination to make this the perfect Christmas for Angel's first Christmas. Beverly looked at the squirmy mass in her arms. She was pretty sure he didn't care what kind of tree they got or if it was slightly lop-sided. He was just a happy baby.

"Ah-ha!" Caesar's triumphant cry broke her from her thoughts.

" You found the tree?" Beverly asked excitedly.

"No, but they labeled this a Douglas fir when it is clearly a Balsam fir." Caesar stated. "I must have a word with the manager."

Beverly groaned. Caesar looked at her in surprised. "Caesar, please can you just get a tree so we can leave? We still need to decorate."

"Are you tired?" Caesar put the tape measurer into his pocket and went over to relieve her of the baby.

"A little. He's getting quite heavy." Beverly smiled ruefully as Caesar took the baby into his arms.

"I'm sorry, bonita. Why don't you wait in the car with Angel and I'll take care of getting the tree." Caesar started to walk toward the parking lot.

"Caesar, I don't mind picking a tree out but you've seen nearly every tree here, not to mention all the previous trees in the other lots. Every one of them had something wrong with it."

"Well, I don't think Angel should settle for second best." Caesar tossed the baby into the air and caught him. "Should you mijo?" Caesar addressed his son.

Angel merely giggled at the motion.

Beverly sighed again. There really was no point in trying to talk him out of it. Once Caesar had locked upon an idea, he was as tenacious as a bulldog. Arguing would only result in her standing out in the cold longer.

"How about this one?" She suggested randomly pointing at a tree.

"Let's see." Caesar handed the baby back. He studied the needles. He shook the branches. He took out his tape measurer. Beverly watched slightly bemused. Beverly knew she had to be slightly amused by Caesar's antics otherwise he would drive her nuts.

"This is perfect." He pronounced.

Beverly blinked in surprised. "Really?"

"Well, the coloring is a little off but once the decorations are on, you won't even see the tree." Caesar said as he snapped the tape measurer shut.

Beverly tried not to face palm.

0o0

Caesar insisted on documenting every step of the process. Beverly was all for pictures but it was getting to be too much, even for her. They had taken pictures of the tree before they had cut it down. Then they took pictures of Caesar cutting the tree. Then they took pictures of the tree on the ground, the tree being tied onto the car. Beverly drew the line of taking a picture of the tree as they were driving. They had taken so many pictures that they actually filled up the memory card and had to erase some of the pictures. At one point Caesar had misplaced the baby, as they stopped to take a picture of the Beverly with the tree. Caesar had put him down for a second. Unfortunately, he didn't notice it was on a slope. Angel started sliding. Luckily, his decent was stopped by another tree. Beverly never moved so fast. She jumped down the slope and picked him up. She checked him for any injuries. The layers of clothes had protected him. Angel just laughed and tried to clap his hands but was unable to move his arms. So he opted to just giggle and squirm.

"See, he's fine." Caesar said. Beverly glared at him.

Now they were home. Beverly took Angel into the house while Caesar struggled by himself to get the tree in.

"Need some help?" Beverly called from the front door.

"No, oomph, I got it. Go inside and oomph warm up." Caesar grunted as he stood on the hood trying to pull the ropes off.

"Are you sure?" Beverly asked frowning as Caesar slid off the hood and onto the ground. He popped back up. "Don't worry. I've got this." He turned his attention to standing on the trunk of the car and pushing the tree off.

Beverly shrugged and went back inside. She pulled off Angel's coat and sat him in the bouncer. She gave him a kiss and started to get the house ready.

As she busied herself with getting the area ready for the tree, Caesar came in with the tree.

"Here, let me help you." She went over and together they carried the tree into the living room.

After the tree was placed into the stand, Caesar began decorating methodically. First he placed the lights around the tree with Beverly's help. Then he placed the ornaments carefully from bottom to top. Next he put up the garland. Lastly he took out an angel.

"See mijo, this is you." He showed the angel to his son. "When you were born, I went out and bought this for our tree. When you get old enough, you'll get to put it up."

Beverly smiled. Sometimes Caesar could be so sweet.

Angel blew raspberries and reached out to grab the angel.

"Not till you're older." Caesar reached out and stroked his son's head. Angel grabbed his father's hand and gurgled happily. Caesar kissed him on the head before getting up. He turned to the tree. He climbed up his step ladder and placed the angel on top of the tree.

He climbed back down. He took the light plug and the extension cord. He looked at Beverly who nodded with a smile as she dimmed the lights in the living room. He smiled as well before he plugged in the lights. A soft golden light covered the whole room. For a second there wasn't a sound as the little family enjoyed the beautifully decorated tree and breathed in the fresh scent of the evergreen.

"It's beautiful." Beverly picked up Angel who was uncharacteristically quiet. She carried him to the tree so he could get a better look. Angel's eyes were wide staring at the lights.

Caesar wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.

"I see something more beautiful." He said softly.

Beverly turned to look at him and he kissed her gently. When they pulled apart she put her head on his shoulder.

"You know, it's still not perfect. Maybe next year, I'll build my own tree. Then it would have the exact dimensions. " Caesar said. Beverly looked and him in surprise. She then chuckled and shook her head. She walked out with Angel.

"No, I'm serious. How about an 8 foot simulated Norway spruce complete with lights… oh how about multi-colored lights… that blink… and it can retract after Christmas is over…" Caesar continued to describe his tree. Beverly listened and smiled as she carried Angel into the kitchen to get his bottle. She came back into the living room and Caesar was still talking.

"Caesar?" She cut him off. She sat down in the big arm chair. Angel was already suckling at the bottle.

"Yes?" He stopped and looked at her.

"Te amamos*." She said. "It's a perfect Christmas because we have you."

Caesar looked startled for a second. Then he slowly smiled. He sat down on the arm rest. Beverly leaned into him. He put his arm loosely around her. They continued to enjoy the tree and the perfect Christmas together.

Te amamos: We love you