I stand on a stool and hang Teddy's stocking above the fireplace. His name is engraved in white on the satin red stocking in between Ana and I's stockings. It's our first Christmas with Teddy and in our new house. We wanted to spend Christmas with Teddy in our new house so the family is coming over tomorrow to spend Christmas with us. I turn around and see Teddy push himself up onto his knees while on his blanket for tummy time. I nearly jump off the stool and kneel in front of him. I pull out my phone and start recording.
"Are you ready to crawl Ted Ted?" He babbles to me as he hits his hand on the floor. "Ana, come down." She's in the office reading a manuscript for her latest author. She runs in with her glasses on and the her robe wrapped around her body.
"What is it?"
"I think Teddy's about to start crawling."
"He is?" She throws the manuscript on the couch and crouched on her knees next to me."Come on Teddy, come to mommy and daddy Teddy." He has his knees bent and he starts to move inch by inch as he crawls across the floor. Moving his leg along with his hand, he comes towards me and Ana and we're are in awe. Our mouths grin at him and when he pats my leg, I lift him into my arms and kiss his cheek.
"Good Job Teddy Bear. He's getting so big."
"I know. I can't believe it's his first Christmas already." She says playing with his hair.
"Me either. Last year he was kicking in your belly and now he's here." She kisses my cheek and looks me in the eyes."What is it?"
"You're such a great dad to Teddy. You've grown so much since we met and Teddy has an amazing role model for him to look up to."
"Thank you. I've been incredibly blessed to have the two of you." I wrap my arm around her and kiss her when the door bell rings. "Sounds like the riff raff."
"Be nice." She says playfully slapping my shoulder. We stand up and go to the front door to welcome the family in.
Christmas Day
I wake up to something small pinching my nose. I slowly open my eyes to see Teddy pinching my nose as Ana is deep into her sleep. "Merry Christmas Teddy." I tickle his little belly kiss in between his neck. I look over to the clock and see the time as seven in the morning. I sit Teddy up against the pillow so there's some space between Ana and I. I lean over and kiss her lips to wake her up. She slowly kisses me back and pulls my face towards her. I'm close to putting my hand hand down her leg when I remember Teddy next to me when I hear him babble. I pull away from her and she moans in response.
"Careful, Teddy doesn't need a show."
"Merry Christmas Mr. Grey."
"Merry Christmas Mrs. Grey." She leans to kiss me again and turns her head to kiss Teddy.
"Merry Christmas my sweet Teddy Bear. Let's take him downstairs to see his presents." We get out of bed and I take Teddy in my arms. I stretch my legs out in my red and white striped gingerbread onesie. Ana wanted Teddy and I to wear them together for the occasion. I hated the family pictures of matching holiday attire growing up but now that I have family of my own, I'm a absolute sucker when I see Teddy dressed in matching pajamas with me. we walks out of our bedroom and go down the stairs hearing several voices. I didn't expect the rest of the family to be awake. We then go into the dining area and see everyone devouring Christmas breakfast. Pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage, muffins, and several kinds of juices. Ana and I's parents and my grandparents are seated at the table while Kate, Elliot, and Mia are walking around the side table getting breakfast.
"Merry Christmas everybody." I say aloud and every else greets us with the same.
"Merry Christmas Christian. Ana."
"Merry Christmas Mom." Ana says to her mother as she hugged and then me. Teddy holds is hands out to her and she lifts him up and onto her hip.
"Are we the last ones to wake up?" I ask.
"Yes but we haven't opened presents yet." My mother says.
"Mom made us wait. I can't wait to see my nephew open his gift." Elliot says as he tickles his chin.
"I think opening one now won't do any harm." Ana says.
"Well let's go ahead." We walk over to the living room and to our Christmas tree. We went with a a red theme for our tree and decorated it together. There are an array of presents under, and almost over, the tree that Teddy's little face lights up in surprise by all the colors. I did my best hiding them from Ana in the garage.
"Christian, where did all these gifts come from?" She says to me in surprise.
"The ones wrapped in gold are from me."
"I can see that."
"It's our first Christmas together so I kind of got carried away."
"No, baby I love them. I just can't believe this is the perfect Christmas." She says to me touching my cheek. "Thank you."
"Your welcome." I say smiling.
"You want me to take a picture of the three of you?" I turn to see me standing next to me.
"Of course. The camera's on the coffee table." We walk over and sit in front of the tree. Teddy reaches for a present and Ana grabs one and puts it in front of him. He starts giggling and we point our fingers to Mia for him to smile as she gets on her knee to take the photo.
"Say Merry Christmas." She says to us.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS." We smile and hug each other as the flashes go off.
