Trimming a Tree
Dedicated to Amy's grandfather, may he rest in peace.
The gang (minus Eugene) had been successful in their endeavor to get a Christmas tree. They'd ridden in Max's sleigh so a pregnant Rapunzel could rest her feet while still enjoying the trip. Varian, Catalina, and Kiera all were wearing jackets damp with winter snow by the time they got back, so Rapunzel insisted they take off their wet clothes and warm up. Eugene greeted them cheerfully, and only hesitated for a brief moment when Rapunzel asked him to let the kids near the heater Varian had built.
"I swear that thing is a lifesaver. Almost makes winter bearable." Eugene praised.
"If you spent more time outside, you'd get used to it." Rapunzel assured him.
"I don't even think you should go outside. What about baby Fitzherbert?" Eugene pressed.
"The baby is fine. I would know that better than anyone." Rapunzel said firmly.
Lance stepped in to prevent what might have become a disagreement. "I bet you're excited to become parents! I know my girls bring me joy every day." Lance smiled.
"It is so exciting!" Rapunzel smiled brightly. "I want to be a good mother and teach my baby how to paint and explore and make friends wherever they go."
"They'll be learning from the best." Lance predicted.
"I'm going to teach the baby how to read, starting with the Flynn Rider books." Eugene envisioned.
"Oh, good. Another nerd." Kiera joked.
"I'll have you know those books are well-plotted and full of adventure and most definitely not for nerds." Varian insisted.
"And yet, you read them so clearly that last part's not true." Kiera teased.
"Be nice, kids or you might not get many presents." Eugene warned.
"Do our presents really depend on us being good?" Catalina fretted.
"Clearly, your sister is doomed." Varian said smugly. Kiera stuck out her tongue.
"I'm sure you'll all get presents. And what better place to put them than under a tree? I think you've dried off enough that you can start putting up decorations." Rapunzel knew how to get everyone psyched up about a group project.
"Yeah, let's decorate the tree!" Catalina cheered.
"I'll get some supplies from the kitchen. Varian, you can help." Eugene decided.
"Why not me?" Lance wanted to know.
"Because we need the food to make it to the tree." Eugene said simply.
"...That's fair." Lance could admit to being a big eater. He couldn't help it, so many things just looked so tasty! Out of all his friends, Ruddiger the raccoon best understood that feeling. The little raccoon was sniffing everywhere, looking for apples, but all he found was an empty plate that had once held cupcakes. Ruddiger licked a bit of leftover frosting, but still felt hungry.
Varian and Eugene returned, arms loaded with popcorn strings, candy canes, walnuts, oranges, and apples. Ruddiger looked up expectantly, Varian tossed him an apple (which rolled to a stop a little ways in front of Ruddiger. His human had never had the strongest throwing arm, but Ruddiger never minded.)
Rapunzel immediately went to work, attaching ribbons and paint to the walnuts. Pascal inspected each one, nodding in satisfaction. Kiera and Catalina began placing the fruit on the lower branches. Lance overcame his urge to eat the popcorn, and placed the strings on the tree. Varian and Eugene worked with the candy canes, and soon the tree was nearly complete. There were just finishing up when Rapunzel's parents Frederic and Arianna entered the room, with Nigel trailing behind them.
"Wow. You've all done an excellent job decorating the tree!" Arianna marveled.
"Without your parents helping." Frederic grumbled. Arianna elbowed him. "Still it looks nice."
"Well, we do have to put the angel on top. I did promise Lance he could do that though." Rapunzel realized she'd left her parents out, and felt a bit ashamed.
"It's fine, dear. This is Lance's first Christmas as a father, isn't it? I'm sure no one would begrudge him getting this special moment." Arianna looked at her husband, who frowned but didn't argue with her.
"Great! Okay, here I go." Lance stood on tiptoe and placed the angel on top of the tree.
"It looks perfect, Dad." Kiera said happily. She and Catalina moved closer to their Dad, so Lance could hug them.
"Mom and Dad, there's still the whole rest of the room to decorate. You can help me put up wreaths, and garlands, and mistletoe." Rapunzel looked at Eugene and winked.
"I'd like that, dear." Arianna smiled.
"I'll inform the staff, and they'll look for mistletoe and garlands. I believe there are wreaths in boxes nearby." Nigel bowed.
"Thank you Nigel." Frederic said, a little stiffly, but he was trying hard not to be offended that Rapunzel had thought of her friends before him. Rapunzel ran up and gave him a side-hug, as her pregnant belly was starting to make hugs difficult. He smiled, a genuine smile this time.
"Come help me hang the wreaths, Daddy. And next year, you can be the one to hold baby Fitzherbert as they open their presents." Rapunzel offered a consolation prize, and Frederic took it.
"I'd love that. Thank you, Rapunzel." Frederic was really looking forward to being a grandparent. As they finished decorating the room, there was talk about setting up a secret gift exchange for Rapunzel and Eugene's friends, to ensure everybody got a special gift at Christmas time. They drew names out of a helmet (Varian took two names, so his father would be able to participate too, and Rapunzel added Quirin's name to the helmet. Varian's names were Rapunzel- his gift assignment- and Catalina- Quirin's gift assignment. Arianna appointed herself secret keeper, and looked at the names everyone drew to make sure no one had gotten their own name by mistake.)
"This has been fun, but Ruddiger and I have got to go if we wanna be home before dark. We'll go to the evening mass on Christmas Eve, so we can visit here two days in a row. I'm sure Dad will like seeing how nice Corona looks with red and green decorations everywhere." Varian tightened up his scarf and got ready to leave.
"Okay, Varian. We'll see you and Quirin soon." Rapunzel said.
"Take care!" Arianna added.
"Bye guys!" Varian waved goodbye.
"See ya, V!" said Kiera.
"Bye Varian." Catalina echoed.
"Goodbye, Hairstripe." Eugene added.
"Don't get stuck in any snowdrifts, little man." Lance cautioned.
"I'll be okay." Varian replied. He bent down and picked up Ruddiger, who quickly climbed onto his shoulder. They'd had a lot with their friends today, but nothing beat being at home with his Dad, sitting by a fire and enjoying the holiday season.
The End
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, and if you have lost any loved ones this year, remember they are watching over you and love you still! Take care, all.