Caroline walked in the door after a long day.
"Mama," shouted Flora. "We're making biscuits."
"I see," said Caroline as she picked her up and only afterwards realized the child had sticky hands.
Kate walked over to kiss her wife. "We just finished. If you want to go get changed, I'll reheat your dinner for you…"
Caroline interrupted, "Kate, I'm sorry I'm late but…"
"Caroline, you have nothing to apologize for. You called to tell me you were working late and I know you've done an amazing job with the school and I know this is a busy time of the year for you. Now go get changed because Flora wants you to finish dinner so we can all have a biscuit after."
"Yay," shouted Flora bouncing with excitement.
"I have the best wife in the world," said Caroline as she kissed her wife.
"I'm going to have to disagree with you on that Mrs. McKenzie-Dawson. I have the best wife in the world."
"Let's agree to disagree," as she kissed Kate again.
With a huge grin on her face, Flora happily ate her biscuit while Caroline ate her dinner.
"Mama, I can sing Jingle Bells," said proudly.
"You can, will you sing if for me?"
Kate shot Caroline a look.
"Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells…"
"Flora, why don't you pick out which books you want to read for your bedtime story and if you want to sleep with your stuffed dog, he's in the family room somewhere, you need to find him. I'll be there in just a minute," said Kate.
"I don't want to go to bed," pouted Flora.
"I know but it is time," said Kate.
The moment Flora walked out of the room, Kate quietly said, "sorry, I forgot to warn you about Jingle Bells. We were playing Christmas music and after that song, Flora just kept singing 'jingle bells' and no other part of the song, for about half an hour straight. I need to practice the rest of the words with her or I may go crazy if that is all she sings over the next few weeks."
They began to decorate for Christmas a few days later and Flora happily hung all of her ornaments while they listened to Christmas music. When Jingle Bells came on, Flora sung along, knowing a few more words but she reveled in the 'jingle bells' part.
The tree was beautifully decorated with all of Flora's favorites at the bottom where she could reach, some generic ones towards the top and the really fragile ornaments remained in the boxes where they will stay for just a few more years. It was much the same with all the decorations, beautiful but kid friendly, not picture perfect but perfect in its own way.
Just as the song A Marshmallow World began to play, Kate said, "that reminds me, who wants to take a break and have hot chocolate with marshmallows and biscuits?"
"I do, I do, I do," exclaimed Flora as she jumped up and down.
Caroline looked at her daughter and like a little parrot, copied her, "I do, I do, I do," as she too jumped up and down drawing laughter from both her daughter and wife.
"Do I have something on my lip?" Caroline asked.
"You have hot chocolate on your face," laughed Flora who had an equal amount of hot chocolate on her face.
Kate couldn't help herself and took a picture of the two of them being silly together.
All those years ago, when she told Caroline that she wanted to be someone's Mum, these were the simple moments she dreamed of; hugs when she arrived home, dancing to music, making biscuits and laughter as they spent time together. She knew Flora wouldn't be little forever but she was determined to try her best to make these moments count.
Caroline had her head down, busy reviewing some reports that she needed to finalize before Christmas break. It was going to be yet another late night but it had to be done. She didn't hear the noise at first and then there was a louder knock. "Come in." She looked up as the door opened.
"Mama!"
"Tell her why we are here Flora," said Kate.
"We brought you dinner."
"I know it's a bit early still," said Kate, "but if you can spare a few minutes, I thought we could eat together, just some soup and sandwiches."
"And we have biscuits," added Flora. "And a present."
"A present for me?" Caroline asked.
Flora nodded her head and Kate handed her a folder.
"Here Mama, I drew this."
Caroline opened the folder and could tell it was a family picture.
"I see you and Mummy and me and our Christmas tree."
"And I'm singing Jingle Bells."
"And who is this Flora?"
"Our dog."
"We have a dog?" Caroline asked.
"Yes, maybe after Christmas I think," said Flora.
Caroline shot Kate a look and Kate shrugged her shoulders.
"Well Flora, I love it. Thank you. I think I need to hang it up right now so everyone who comes into my office can see my favorite girls and what a lovely picture you drew. What do you think?"
A feeling of excitement and pride washed over Flora as she nodded and smiled.
"I think it is time for a soup and sandwich break," said Caroline.
After they finished, Flora happily held hands with each of her mother's as Caroline walked them out. Down the long hallway, Flora said, "again."
"One, two, three," said Caroline as her mother's lifter her in the air.
"Again."
"One, two, three," as giggles echoed down the empty corridor.
She got the best goodbye hug from Flora, the kind where the child held on with all of her might. She stood to kiss Kate goodbye and then said, "thank you, it's been a tough day, I needed this. The two of you are the best distraction."
Kate smiled, "Hang in there. Just a few more days and Christmas break starts. Call me when you are on your way home and I'll have a hot bath waiting for you."
Caroline leaned in and whispered, "Will you join me?"
With a sly grin, Kate said, "As long as a little someone is asleep, absolutely."
"We can disagree about this tomorrow Kate but today, I have the best wife in the world."
Christmas Eve had arrived and while it had taken Caroline a few days, she was finally beginning to relax after an exceptionally stress filled December. Like previous years, they each opened one present and it didn't take long before Flora was sound asleep. Caroline looked at her daughter, "I should take her up to bed."
"I will," said William. "I'm going to get ready for bed and read for a while."
"I'm going up too," said Lawrence.
"It's only 8:00, are you okay Lawrence?" Caroline asked.
"Yeah, I'm going to go online and watch videos."
Caroline turned to Kate, "shall we head up? Our little alarm clock will have us up earlier than usual."
"No," said Kate, "stay here."
Kate turned off the lights so only the Christmas tree illuminated the room. Music began to play and Caroline immediately recognized the tune. Kate walked over and extended her arm, "do you want to dance?" Unlike five years earlier, there was no hesitation as Caroline got up to dance with her wife. They held each other as they swayed to the sounds of the music.
"Yes," said Caroline.
"What?" Kate asked quietly.
"Yes, I will still love you tomorrow and the day after and the day after, forever and ever."
They continued to dance and kiss as if they were the only two people in the world. It was only when that first song ended that Caroline let herself become distracted with a thought and she had to ask. "Not that I'm complaining but how did you get Lawrence to go along with your plan?"
"I told him I was going to play romantic songs and if he didn't want to listen to 'old people music' and see us dance and kiss, he might want to go upstairs. I also bribed him with a plate of biscuits that I left on his bed. I really don't want to talk about the kids though," as she kissed Caroline again and again and hands began to wander.
"We can disagree about this in five years from now but I have the best wife in the world."
Note:
Jingle Bells was written by James Lord Pierpont and published in 1857 under the title "The One Horse Open Sleigh"
A Marshmallow World was written in 1949 by Carl Sigman (lyrics) and Peter DeRose (music).
Will You Love Me Tomorrow was written was by Gerry Goffin and Carole King and recorded in 1960 by the Shirelles
