December

Beatie was so excited she couldn't keep still. Once her Mama had her winter coat buttoned up, she hopped up and down and chanted, "Nutcracker, nutcracker, nutcracker," until Beetlejuice picked her up.

"So you all ready to go, Trix?" he asked with a grin.

"Yep!" Beatie nodded her head several times. "Let's go, Papa! Now!"

Delia poked her head out of her studio long enough to say, "Have fun!" and went straight back to her newest inspiration – Angel Descending. It looked more like a pigeon deciding on a target, but when she showed it to her family, they just nodded judiciously and left the room as quickly as they could.

Lydia kissed her son good-bye, touching his tiny hand.

Charles, who was holding his namesake, smiled at them all. "You have a good time now in New York and don't worry about us. We'll be just fine."

The Juice family, minus only infant Chazz, were going to New York City to see "The Nutcracker". Beatie had been looking forward to it for weeks, ever since her Grandpapa and Grandmama had bought the tickets for an afternoon performance and presented them to her parents. Beetlejuice and Lydia had decided they'd augment "The Nutcracker" with a trip to the Rockefeller Center to see the enormous Christmas tree and the ice skaters, and maybe, if the weather permitted, a stroll through Central Park.

ooooo

Once the ballet started, it was easy for Beatie to get lost in what she was seeing. Giant mice, toy soldiers that were alive, dancing flowers – commonplace stuff for someone who lived in the Neitherworld. She was entranced from the very beginning.

Beetlejuice, on the other hand, mostly ignored what was on the stage to watch his daughter. Once in a while, he'd glance at Lydia, on Beatie's other side, to make sure she was enjoying the performance. But it was Beatie's joy and excitement that warmed his heart and made him feel all mushy inside.

The three of them applauded enthusiastically when the ballet was over and Beatie was already asking if they could see it again the next year.

"Maybe," said Lydia. "Let's see what happens, okay? But –" she looked at her husband, who nodded, then said again, "maybe."

From there, they went to the Rockefeller Center, where Beatie was nearly overwhelmed by the giant, spectacularly-decorated tree. The skaters she found fun to watch for a while, but her main concentration was on the tree. Night had fallen before they'd gotten there, and the lights twinkled and beamed as if just for her.

As snow gently began to fall, Beetlejuice took them to the outskirts of Central Park, where they found a place right outside the entrance that sold hot chocolate. They strolled into the park, Beetlejuice holding his daughter's hand, with his other arm around his wife, having gulped down his hot chocolate as soon as the plastic cup was in his hand.

"We walked here before you were born, Beatie," said Mama. "Just a few weeks before." She pulled her husband's arm closer around her. "Papa and I met a new friend here."

Beetlejuice smiled wryly. "Guess you were right about him. He's turned out okay."

"Told you he just needed a chance," she said smugly. Then she kissed him, a long, chocolatey kiss.

Beatie looked around at the snow and the other people walking through the park. Once her parents got started kissing, who knew how long they'd keep at it.

"You always make the right decisions, dearest." Beetlejuice leaned his forehead against Lydia's. "'specially about people."

"I chose you, didn't I?" Another kiss followed the first one.

Beatie sighed.

"Oh, hey, Trix," said her father. "You getting tired?"

"Nuh-uh," she said quietly.

Beetlejuice let got of his wife to squat down in front of his daughter. "You sure, chickie? Maybe just a little bit?" he suggested.

Beatie considered that. "Okay," she replied.

"Home, then," Lydia declared. "It's been an exciting day and we still need to pick up Chazz."

"Let's go then." Beetlejuice picked up his daughter to hold in the crook of his arm, her head resting against his shoulder, then looked around at the park. "You know, New York's a pretty fun place, but –" he shifted Beatie just a little, "I wouldn't want to live here."

ooooo

Chazz was asleep when they arrived, and Delia was eager to get Lydia's promise that next time she could change him and feed him. "Charles did a wonderful job, mind you," Delia admitted. "But he said you'd put him in charge so he got to do everything. Please, Lydia, next time it'll be my turn?" She raised her eyebrows and smiled as charmingly as she knew how.

Lydia looked at her father cuddling Chazz and smirking in the background and shook her head at him, smiling. "As a mother myself, I know how important it is to teach people to share. So, yes, Mother. Next time, you're in charge."

At Delia's shriek of triumph, Beetlejuice closed his eyes and shook his head, then looked around to say, "Time for us to skedaddle, pardners. Trix, say good-bye."

As Beatie hugged her grandparents, Lydia thanked her father and took Chazz into her arms and settled him comfortably while Beetlejuice put the baby's bag over one shoulder and then picked up Beatie to rest on the other.

"It's been such a fun year," murmured Beatie.

"You mean day, don't you, Trix?" Beetlejuice kissed her temple and waved good-bye to his in-laws.

"Uh-huh. Nuh-uh. Maybe." She sighed happily and nestled closer. "It was so much fun."

The idea for this collection of stories came from a children's story published in 1894 titled "When Molly Was Six" by E.O. White. Thanks to all of you who have read and, I hope, enjoyed these stories.