"Daddy, are we going to go ice skating in Central Park?" asked seven year old Carlos.

"You bet we are," said Melendez as he zipped his suitcase.

"And we're going to see the Radio City Rockettes, right Dad?" asked Mei-Li.

"Absolutely mija," Melendez kissed the tops of their heads, "Now I think Mom needs help with the bags downstairs."

Mei-Li and Carlos ran down to the living room where Lim was organizing the bags and suitcases, "Okay, we have checked luggage in this pile, carry-on bags in this pile, I have some snacks in my carry-on if anyone wants some," said Lim. Melendez came down and placed his suitcase with the checked luggage and his duffle bag with the carry-on bags, "Nancy came to pick up Mulan."

"Good," said Melendez, "Did you take your Xanax?"

"Mmhm," Lim nodded, "And I have a stress ball and book of Sudoku puzzles."

"Good," Melendez squeezed her shoulders and she wrapped her arms around him, "It's okay."

"I know," she said.

"Try to think about all of the fun we're going to have in New York and the kids' faces when they see that giant tree," said Melendez.

Lim smiled and pulled back, "Yeah, you're right. I think it's just the meds need time to kick in. But we need to get going. We don't want to miss our flight and who knows how long it'll take us to get through security."

Melendez and Lim packed the trunk and drove to the airport. They went through security and spent some time waiting in the lounge before they boarded the plane. They strapped in and Melendez said, "This is it guys. Your first trip to New York."

The flight attendants went over the safety protocol and the pilot announced, "Flight 127 to New York City is now ready for take-off."

Melendez looked over at Lim and she took his hand and squeezed it. He guided her through some deep breathing to calm her some. Once they were in the air, Melendez said, "So, if I recall correctly, you mentioned that this is your first trip to New York City."

"Mmhm," Lim nodded mutely, looking up from her puzzle book, "How about you?"

"After college graduation, my friends and I spent a week in New York City to celebrate. It involved a lot of partying and drinking," he chuckled at the memory, "But I haven't been back since then. So, I'm looking forward to it, and this time, I will be sober."

Lim laughed and went back her material. The plane landed at JFK International Airport and the family grabbed their bags before Melendez hailed a cab to take them to their hotel, "Wow, Daddy, I didn't know you were so good at getting cabs to stop for you," said Carlos.

"There are many ways Daddy will surprise you, both good and bad," Lim smiled and Melendez glared at her jokingly.

"Mom, Dad, look at all the decorations. We should decorate our house like that," said Mei-Li.

"Mija, we can't possibly put any more decorations in our house," said Melendez.

"Just wait until she sees the tree," said Lim to Melendez.

They all arrived at their hotel and checked into their room. They settled in before Melendez said, "Alright, we only have a few days to do as much as we possibly can. We have tickets to see the Rockettes tomorrow night and we have to go view the Rockerfeller Center tree, go ice skating in Central Park, shop at Macy's and FAO Schwarz, look at the window displays on 5th Avenue, and see the train garden in New York Botanical Garden in the span of three days. So how about we go ice skating today, go to 5th Avenue and the garden tomorrow, and end the trip in the stores?"

"Sounds like a plan," said Lim.

The family arrived at Central Park and rented their ice skates, "Dad, what if I fall?" asked Mei-Li as she laced up her skates.

"You'll be fine, mija; just go slow and try not to do any fancy tricks like you see during the Winter Olympics," said Melendez. He grabbed Carlos's hand and said, "Come on, Buddy, off we go."

The father and son skated off together and Mei-Li followed, though she noticed Lim was struggling to keep herself upright, "Are you okay, Mom?" asked Mei-Li.

"Don't let Dad know this, but I can't skate," said Lim, "I've always been terrible at it."

Melendez came back over with Carlos and chuckled amusingly at his wife's struggles, "Having problems, Audrey?" he teased.

"No," Lim lied, "Just that I haven't done this since I was a kid at the Taipei 101 Christmas Festival. "

Melendez laughed, shook his head, and held out his hand for Lim, "Come here. Good thing I have two hands," they all started skating, "You coming mija?"

"Yeah," Mei-Li skated up next to Lim, "Seriously Mom? You can ride a motorcycle, but you can't ice skate?"

"Hey, not all of us have mastered great balance from dancing ballet," said Lim.

"Mommy, Daddy, are we going to get our picture taken with Santa at Macy's?" asked Carlos.

"You bet we are mijo," said Melendez. Mei-Li smiled at her brother's enthusiasm. She was past the point of believing in Santa, but she enjoyed keeping up the notion for her brother's sake. They had fun skating for a few hours and Audrey and Carlos even tried skating on their own—Carlos was successful; Audrey, not so much. They had dinner before going back to the hotel to rest and get ready for bed.

"Remember guys, tomorrow we get to see the giant tree and then go see the Radio City Rockettes," said Lim.

"I would love to be a Rockette one day," said Mei-Li.

"You dance ballet," said Carlos.

"I said I would love to be a Rockette; I didn't say it was going to happen," said Mei-Li.

"Mei-Li, Carlos," warned Lim, "Get some sleep."

The next morning they were up bright and early to visit some of the stores, Christmas markets, and train garden. When they approached Rockerfeller Center, the kids' eyes widened at its magnificence, "We should get a tree like that for back home," said Carlos.

"If we got a tree like that for the house, we'd be moving into Abuelito and Abuelita's house because it would take up all of the space we have," said Melendez.

"But there's a big tree like that at St. Bonaventure," said Mei-Li.

"Yes, there is one in the main lobby," said Lim.

Before everyone knew it, it was time for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. They changed into their dressier apparel and rode the subway over to Radio City Music Hall. Lim bought the kids t-shirts and the family picked out an ornament for the tree back home before they entered the main theater. Mei-Li smiled elatedly and said, "Mom, Dad, it's everything I dreamed it would be and more."

"We're glad sweetheart," said Lim. The performance was outstanding and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Their final day in New York City, they visited FAO Schwarz and Macy's, where they all got their picture taken with Santa. They did a little Christmas shopping before returning to the hotel to pack for home.

On their flight home, Lim fell asleep from the side effects of the medication, so Melendez looked over at his kids and asked, "So, did you kiddos have a good time?"

"It was awesome!" said Carlos happily, "I loved the giant piano at FAO Schwarz."

"And the Radio City Rockettes were amazing," chimed in Mei-Li.

"Well good, I'm glad," said Melendez.

Before they knew it, they were back home in San Jose. Carlos and Mei-Li went upstairs and Lim said, "We'll help you both unpack in a minute."

Melendez grabbed her hand, pulled her closer to him, and kissed her, "Well, that was the official start of another holiday season in the Limlendez household."

"Yep," said Lim, "And this trip was a nice way to take my mind off of everything that I usually experience this time of year."

"Good," Melendez kissed the top of her head, "My beautiful and badass warrior."

"Neil…" Lim mocked.

"I just know this time of year is difficult for you, that's all," Melendez comforted.

"It is," she said truthfully, "But since I have you and the kids, it makes everything just a little bit easier."