"This is your first tree, Melody Claire", Jesse crooned, as he lifted her above his head.
"Jesse, she's four days old", Beca protested, as he tried to get to put the star on top of the tree. "We don't want a repeat of her birth".
As the nurse handed her the sweet baby girl, Jesse had lifted her into the air, warbling the opening notes from the classic Disney film. And Beca, absolutely exhausted, had snapped (she said snapped, he said bellowed) from the bed "get her down before they declare us unfit parents!" While the nurse had slightly chuckled, Beca knew that she was judging her.
(Also because Beca had screamed at her, halfway through Melody's eleven hour labour, that if she didn't get drugs soon she was going to kick her in the head. And then she was informed that she was too far along for drugs and sent Beca into hysterical tears.)
"It's your first Christmas baby girl!" Jesse cooed, cradling her to his chest gently. "I know you're not going to remember this, and you won't remember next Christmas either. But Mummy and I are just going to make it better, little girl. Just you wait and see. And you aren't going to be afraid of Santa like Aunt Mikaela was. Because- and don't tell Mummy I told you- Santa is just Aunt Amy dressed up".
Beca chuckled, settling herself on the lounge. The tree had been decorated during the first weekend of December, waiting for that tiny baby to make her way into the world.
"Just for you, baby girl", Beca said softly, as Jesse passed her the baby. "Happy first Christmas".
"Now, time for some classic Christmas television", Jesse declared.
"What?"
"The Grinch", he declared. "And when she goes to bed, we're watching Love Actually".
"What?"
"Christmas tradition, Becs! We've got to start early with this one, I don't want her turning out too much like her mother". Jesse kissed Melody's head. "I almost got her too late, Melody, Daddy's not going to let that happen to you".
Beca groaned. "Start the damn movie, Jesse".
"She's a fast learner", he added, pressing play on the remote.