"Pop Pop?"
"Yes darlin'?"
"Santa bring me the dozer?"
Bulldozer. Yes, Santa was bringing a bulldozer.
"He might. Have you been good?"
"I be good." Vigorous nodding.
"Then maybe," Cal responded optimistically, shifting the weight of the three year old on his hip as he hovered in front of the Christmas tree.
"Look at all the pretty things."
"Very pretty huh?" The fairy lights were on and the glow of them reflected off the silver ornaments, creating an echo effect.
"I like very much," Grace noted, reaching out to touch a silver bell. She had already been warned to be careful and so her movements were tentative, her little fingers cautious. Her face was reverent as they stood, watching the tree for a moment. They were waiting for Ethan to finish doing his teeth and be ready for bed. Then they'd put out the milk and cookies and all traipse upstairs to tuck the younger kids in. Ethan and Grace were bunking in with Owen. Lewis was crashing on the couch in the 'adult' living room, and Ajay and Emily were staying in the spare room. One big happy family.
"Hi what are you guys doing?" Gillian greeted, coming up behind them.
"Shhh," Grace brought a finger to her lips, all dark eyes and black curly hair and seriousness. "We're watching the fairies."
Cal turned his head slightly to see his wife's slight confusion. Her blue eyes sought his out of the dimness. "Fairy lights," he corrected.
"The fairy flies are making light," Grace told her Grandmother.
"Aren't they pretty?" Gillian responded.
"Fire flies," Cal suddenly clicked. "Those aren't fire flies." The boys had decorated the tree before the Resnick's had come to visit. So maybe Grace hadn't realised they were lights that plugged into the wall. Did she not put fairy lights on her own tree at home? Or was it that her parents had absently encouraged the illusion. "Fire flies live outside in the garden."
"We go see?" Grace asked, her liquid eyes on him.
Cal shook his head. "No it's bed time now."
"I'm not tired," Grace informed him.
"But Santa won't come until you're asleep," Gillian told her.
Grace screwed up her nose. "Then I sleep."
"Good idea," Cal agreed. "Are they ready?" He asked Gillian.
"Just about," Gillian murmured, holding out her hands to Grace to take her. The three year old leaned towards the older woman and Cal relinquished her reluctantly. Sweet little Grace. Warm and solid; finally a wee girl.
"Hey," Emily called from the doorway. "Let's go. Cookie time." Ajay came into the kitchen and Emily yelled again, up the stairs, this time for the boys' benefit. Lewis came in from his new temporary bedroom and Owen and Ethan bounded down the stairs. Twelve year old Owen loved being a big 'boy' to his young nephew. Weird; nephew. He knew Santa wasn't real but he was really loving pretending for the younger two. It was interesting to see how good of a pretender he was. Emily and Ethan poured milk while Ajay, Gillian and Grace picked out cookies and got a plate. The five of them went into the lounge to leave the snacks on the coffee table there, while Cal stood by with Lewis and Owen, who bounced a little on the spot with excitement. He was the most excited about sharing the traditions with delighted little faces.
And once that was done it was bedtime for everyone. Lewis gave hugs and kisses and disappeared into his room. Owen was sleeping in the top bunk, now that his big brother had vacated it, and he could fully take advantage. Cal leaned up to give him a kiss goodnight. Then he leaned down to the bottom bunk to hug and kiss five year old Ethan. Wee Grace was on a thin mattress on the floor. Emily was warning her not to come out of her room and not to disturb Grandma or Pop in their room, or come all the way downstairs to see her Mom and Dad, or to see if Santa had been. She had to be a really good girl, because Santa would know, and he would not bring presents. Maybe just for the boys. Grace nodded away, her dark hair splayed out over her pillow but there was always that little hint of defiance in them, that reminded Cal so much of her mother.
It actually took some time for the four adults to say goodnight to each of the three children but eventually Cal slipped from the room and headed down the hall to wait. Gillian was the second to emerge and she wore that silly smile of hers, the result of small children. Then Emily and Ajay. They said their goodnights at the top of the stairs. Cal and Gillian went into their room and got into bed.
"Is Santa bringing me a present this year?" Gillian asked once they were settled, her hand in his.
"I dunno. You'd have to ask Santa."
"Do you still have his number?"
A very hand threat for their own kids when they were younger. And neither of them had brought up that little deceit...
"In my phone," Cal mused. He felt Gillian's lips against his and he kissed her back briefly before she pulled away again.
"This is so nice."
In bed with his wife? Yes, that was nice, Cal agreed.
"I meant having everyone together. Here. It's really nice."
"Yeah," Cal acquiesced again. This was actually their first year having their grandkids over for Christmas. Not counting when Ethan came to visit when he was just a baby. But there were three sets of grandparents to get through and when Grace had come along a few years ago, it was the Resnick's turn to go out to Oklahoma with Ajay's parents. Then Zoe's turn, now back to the Lightman's turn.
Extended family made things so complicated.
Cal closed his eyes against the darkness and relaxed himself further. Sleep was going to come easily. The house was crowded and noisy and he was an old man. "One more kiss," he murmured and felt Gillian shifting almost instantly to reach for him. She pressed her lips against his firmly and lingered for a long moment.
"Hm," Cal hummed pleased.
"Good night Cal."
"Night darlin'."