Author's Note: Ah, how about a little Christmas chapter in October? LittleCross thanks for the follow. LucyInTheSkyWithDiamonds27 thanks for the fave! BadLuckCat thank you again for the drawing! I hope you don't mind I made it the image for this story so everyone can see it this way. Middle names mentioned were from OS! Thanks reviewers for your kind words; I do feel better now after a bad week.
(The Lorax and The Once-ler do not belong to me. They're Dr. Seuss' and Illumination's. Same goes for his family shown in the film. Marie is mine!)
Chapter 10
First Christmas
There was holly on the houses and garlands stranded around the light poles. Lights decorated windows and roofs. Snow was fresh almost every day after night. Poinsettias and Christmas trees were sold on corners. The familiar scent of rolls, baked cookies, hot cocoa and peppermints filled the tent. Once-ler got pine scented candles, placed in safe areas, to keep the tent extra warm. Marie nibbled on whatever she could find as she was putting on more weight for the twins.
"I'm getting fat," sighed Marie looking in the bathroom mirror.
She had just finished brushing her hair for a party at Luanne's. Chances were it' d be just them like all their birth classes, nobody else. It was Christmas Eve and Marie wanted to stay at home. With it being her and Once-ler's first Christmas she wanted it to be just them.
"You're not fat," said Once-ler spitting into the sink from brushing his teeth. "You have that pregnancy glow."
"That's sweet, but I'm going to need to lose weight," said Marie putting a hand over her belly. "Who knows how long losing it will take?" She grinned suddenly. "What do you think if I lose even more weight and I'll be thinner than before?"
"You said it was part of your body shape," said Once-ler. "You said pear-shaped meant a big chest and wide thighs. I'm happy with it." He seriously was!
"Well," began Marie pulling her hair up.
"I love the way you looked," pouted Once-ler playfully. "You looked gorgeous-you still do!"
"You saved yourself there," smirked Marie.
"I'm thin enough for the both of us," said Once-ler as he walked out. "You don't need to be thin."
"Alright I'll go back down to the size I was," said Marie smiling at her defeat. She did appreciate that Once-ler didn't want her skinny. "I won't go any lower in weight."
"Good. The only thing I would freak out over was if you cut your hair extremely short."
"Hmmm…I have been thinking of it." Marie fiddled with her ponytail teasingly. She wouldn't cut her hair. She hated looking at her elementary school pictures when her hair was chin length.
They both left hand in hand. Once-ler wore his usual winter coat to please Marie, but wore the Thneed as a scarf. The snow wasn't too deep like it had been a week before where it went over their ankles. Greenville was alit with gold and multi-colored lights.
"Now remember if she plans showing a birthing again," said Marie. "We will leave fast."
"Okay, but I don't think she's going to show a birthing during a Christmas party," said Once-ler.
He was wrong! The moment they trotted up the walkway, Once-ler caught a glimpse through the window of the family room and saw a picture glaring on the wall. She was showing another birth reel! Marie had been about to ring the doorbell when Once-ler pulled her back.
"You don't want to go in there," he whispered. "It's getting scary." He gently led her away.
"Disturbing wasn't it?" asked Marie. She was sure he saw something. "So much for a party."
Once-ler slowly nodded. He looked nervous. He knew Marie would be in pain, but the quick scene he saw made him cringe. He never liked it when Marie was hurt and if he could he would've made sure the pain wouldn't happen.
"Are you worried now?" asked Marie. She laced his hand in hers since both were cold. They're hands were numb without gloves.
"No," chuckled Once-ler. "I'm confident in you." He nodded, but Marie could tell there was a fear in his eyes.
"It's okay if you're concerned," said Marie knowing that maybe he needed reassurance like she had needed weeks before.
"It was just-" Once-ler looked down at the slick pavement they stepped carefully on. "I didn't expect to see it and I thought of you. Is there a way we can make the labor go really fast so it won't be as painful?"
"It'll hurt either way," said Marie. "All I want is for you to be there."
Once-ler stopped, faced her and took her other hand. He sighed quietly. The toes of Marie's boots lightly went on his.
"What exactly do you want me to do?" he asked genuinely. "What can I do other than just being there?"
"What do you mean?" asked Marie who thought it would be easy for him to figure it out. She didn't need him to do much. She didn't care if he lay on the cold tile floor or walked on the walls while in the delivery room! All she wanted was for him to be there to see his daughters and for her to not feel alone.
"I mean what exactly can I do to comfort you?" Once-ler's hands grasped harder on hers feeling a slow heat rise under his cold skin.
"You know what I grow calm at. I feel calm with your kisses, stroking my hair and-" she lifted their hands to his face. "-holding my hand. It's simpler than you realize."
"That's all?"
"Anything that you know that calms me will do. That's all I need. That and painkillers."
They both laughed and Once-ler kissed her fingertips. Marie was reminded of how he had proposed to her on the snowy prairie of Palmer and how he had done the same thing. Had it really been a year? She gazed fondly at her wedding ring. So much had happened since the last December. They had been married for six months, almost seven, and they were expecting two babies.
Both went into the square where the gazebo stood twisted with red ribbons and white lights. They felt free to be only together and not attend a party of any kind, birth show or not. Marie found herself being led up and pulled in. Hugging was tricky with Marie's large stomach intruding. Nonetheless, Once-ler led her in a slow dance. More like swaying, something that Marie could do without stumbling. They didn't know what time it was, but time didn't seem to exist. The frosty air nipped at their cheek bones and noses. The tiny bulbs reflected in two pairs of blue pools that looked into the other's. The reflection twinkled steadily after each blink.
"I'm glad we left," said Marie. She drew her cold fingers up to his shoulder feeling the icy fabric. "I like this better."
"Me too," chuckled Once-ler. He pressed his palm into her hip. "For the record, you still have a great waist." He always loved her figure.
"Thanks Once," said Marie. She blushed as she felt her ponytail come loose and her hair fall. Once-ler glided the black hairband to his wrist with a quick tug.
Once-ler grinned feeling against him the faint kicking of his daughters. It was as if they were trying to dance along. The heartfelt feeling of two toddlers nestled between Marie and him if they were dancing entered his mind. He could already feel the tiny heads of curls brushing under his chin. He tried imagining two little voices saying the special names he and Marie would be called; Daddy and Mommy.
The dance had lasted longer than they expected. It was perhaps the one moment that Once-ler would have under the gazebo that was good. No tomatoes or crowds. Going to it almost every day was like a death sentence awaiting, but it didn't feel that way in the night with the woman he loved.
Afterwards, the winter wonderland was explored and they spent the rest of the night around the town. The streets were still, truly a silent night. They took their time admiring the huge Christmas tree in the center of town. It was decorated with gold and red bulbs with matching garlands.
Marie remembered her childhood memories of throwing tinsel on the tree while Rufus and Betsy had gingerbread cookies and hot cocoa. If Once-ler was there, only his mug had marshmallows inside. She thought of the homemade gingerbread house she would make and sneak icing on her fingertips. The memories made her miss Rufus and Betsy. The memory of how once Edwin stretched out on Marie's lap at the fireplace on Christmas Eve came too. She missed Edwin. Ever since she got the cat, he would curl up with her as they watched the snowflakes swirl outside. Whenever Marie saw Pipsqueak she missed her pet. Both seemed to have the same cuddliness.
After the pace out of town they were back in the valley. The snow crunched under their boots. The trees were stiff from the snow and the faint outline of Swomee-Swans were seen nesting. Not one Humming-Fish left the water and little mounds of Bar-ba-loots piled together for warmth.
"Mercy," said Marie looking at the dark sky. "We haven't been out this late and Christmas is tomorrow."
"It's midnight, but it's still the day," agreed Once-ler. "Well, it is Christmas. It can start early for us."
"You want to open our gifts now?" asked Marie sounding amused.
"I'm not saying that," said Once-ler smiling and trying to look innocent.
"I think you want to."
"Maybe, but only because I can't wait for you to get yours."
The tent was warm within minutes from the stove when they got home. After a quick departure they fetched their hidden presents. There was always a place to hide gifts in a nursery. Marie hid hers behind the rocking chair and Once-ler had hid his in the trunk. Both gifts had been wrapped in white tissue paper. They both sat on the floor, coats off and no longer cold.
"I want you to open yours first," said Marie. "I've waited a week for you to see it."
Once-ler quickly tore it open. In the medium sized box was something of leather. It had a silver snap and when opened it showed red felt. There were little pockets of different sizes. Once-ler realized what it was. He had seen it on one of their baby shopping days, but he said he didn't need it. A sewing kit; a better kind then he had.
"It's amazing," he said feeling pleased. He leaned against Marie to kiss her cheek. "Thank you Marie. I appreciate it."
"You're welcome," said Marie. "I knew you'd like it."
She fumbled at hers. It was a thinner box, almost like a large envelope. When she freed the tissue paper off, she reached in and felt something soft. She gripped it and she pulled out a shirt with pants folded inside. In her hands were soft pajamas in black. The shirt was short-sleeved with a sweetheart neckline and the pants were loose and long.
"I thought you needed something to wear other than my shirts," said Once-ler. "They're sold especially for expecting mothers and you can wear them in the hospital."
"Ah, they're so comfy," said Marie as she rubbed her cheek against the shirt.
"They fit any size so you can where them afterwards," said Once-ler.
"Aw thank you," she said. She pulled him forward for another kiss. She was glad he had gone shopping that day. She felt a little guilty she had snapped at him. "Merry Christmas Once-ler."
"Merry Christmas even if it's really early," said Once-ler as he squeezed her hand. Another kiss against soft lips and then he kissed her stomach twice. "Merry Christmas girls. Another couple of months and you'll be here."
"You know, when it gets hot again we can let the babies cool off in a safe part of the river," said Marie. Once-ler seemed apprehensive hearing the word "river." Marie was reassuring. "I mean, we practically have our own pool."
"The whole valley is their playground," said Once-ler. "I could make a slide for them when they're bigger. If you still want to live here."
"I do," said Marie. "I think we can make it work here. You expanded the tent and if we have to then we'll do it again. The girls can sleep up in the loft for a room. They shouldn't have a problem sharing." Marie sometimes forgot that there was a twisty copper ladder leading up to a loft where spare things were kept.
"They're sharing your womb so it shouldn't be a problem." Once-ler leaned his head against the bed. Marie followed pursuit and drew her knees up the best she could. She massaged her belly instinctively. It seemed to only get larger by the day.
"So do we have names in mind yet?" she said.
"I've had names in mind for months," said Once-ler brightly.
"I know, but I haven't really given it thought yet," said Marie. "Did you think of middle names?"
"Oh that?" said Once-ler letting his eyes wander so she wasn't suspicious that he hadn't given it too much thought. First names had been his biggest focus.
"You haven't-" began Marie and then smirked. "I bet you can't name any choices." Ah, a challenge.
"Alright," said Once-ler smugly. He counted out on his fingers with each name. "Karen, Melissa, Serena, Viola-"
"I like Viola," interrupted Marie. "Wait, sorry did you have more?"
"No," said Once-ler sheepishly. "I didn't think of middle names until now."
"Well, I like Viola," said Marie. She was pleased to have at least one name.
"Really?" asked Once-ler. "It was sort of random."
"Well your randomness has won me over," Marie grinned. "It's beautiful and I love it. I say we use it for one of them."
"Huh, we haven't even picked first names and we've picked out the middle already," smirked Once-ler.
"One of the middle," corrected Marie. "Did I mention that I like-never mind."
"What? What are you thinking of?"
"I like one name." Marie paused and stretched her legs out. "It seems kind of proper on this day; it means 'born on Christmas Day.' They won't be born anytime soon though."
"Let's hope so," added Once-ler. "What's the name?"
Marie bit her lip and finally said it. "It's Natalie."
"Natalie," said Once-ler to himself almost dreamily then lit up. "Natalie Viola!"
"I take it that you like it," laughed Marie. Once-ler inched up and curled against her. He had a face beaming even more than when he first made the Thneed.
"I love it," he whispered. "Can that be the oldest's name since we chose it first?"
"Sounds good," agreed Marie. "We'll let Dr. Helms know whoever comes first is Natalie. I love our first Christmas together so far."
"What about the youngest?" came Once-ler's question. Marie knew what to say.
"There's one name I liked in your baby list. It was Chloe. I think it's adorable."
"Natalie and Chloe! It's perfect! And it doesn't rhyme like Brett and Chet."
"It sounds similar," joked Marie.
"It's not in the same spelling," Once-ler emphasized. "I like Natalie and Chloe better. To think I almost wrote Summer and Heather on the list," he lowly added.
"I don't want our daughters to be that Once-ler," said Marie who overheard. "I say we go with Natalie Viola and Chloe-oh! There is one middle name I have in mind now."
"Tell me." Once-ler was excited to hear. "This is like the best Christmas I've ever had. We're picking out names!"
"It sounds weird," warned Marie. She didn't want to ruin the best Christmas she had so far by giving an odd name.
"Please," Once-ler rested his chin on her shoulder begging. "How bad can it be?"
"Okay. I saw it in a baby book I browsed in while you were selling. It's the same book I saw Natalie in. I think Chloe's middle name could be-" she paused for effect. Once-ler still looked enthusiastic. "Eleri."