See the Joy - Chapter 17
"When we remember a special Christmas, it is not the presents that made it special, but the laughter, the feeling of love, and the togetherness of friends and family that made that Christmas special." —Catherine Pulsifer
Having been roused from slumber well before dawn, the entire house starts to crash early in the evening on Christmas Day. Lily and the boys curl up against Martha and Kate's father, snuggling against them with happy, quiet sighs. Everyone seems content to rest and relax, letting quiet lull them into half-dozing. Everyone, of course, except Eva, who seems to have gotten her second wind as everyone else winds down. It's been hours and the girl has been downright cheerful, squeaking in everyone's arms as she's been passed around and casting curious glances at her new bouncer the entire time.
When she starts to fuss, Kate's the one who musters the energy to take her to be changed. It's good to get up and move. She can get Eva into pajamas while she's up, and maybe then the baby will settle enough to fall asleep for real.
"Did you have a good Christmas?" Kate finds herself asking as she cleans the girl up, putting a fresh diaper on her and giving her a quick wipe down with the baby wipes; none of the kids got baths today, but they'll survive until tomorrow. "It was your first one, so I hope we made it special for you. You got so many great presents, and you got to spend the day with Grampa and Gram, and you were just such a sweet girl."
She touches her lips to Eva's little fist, smiling when the girl squeals. "Uh huh. I had a feeling you did."
Getting Eva into her pajamas takes a little more effort, but she still manages. The onesie is a little bit askew, but they can fix that. "I know we all missed Alexis this time around," she murmurs, lifting the baby onto her shoulder, "but we'll have a second Christmas with her in a few days. It's good for her to be with Liam's family, too."
She sways with Eva, humming one of the hundreds of Christmas songs they've listened to today. She doesn't bother with the words – it's one of the songs she barely knows anyway – just making sure to get the melody right for the baby.
Eva's head knocks hers, her little legs kicking her chest.
"Uh huh, I know you must be tired, baby. Even Lily, Reece, and Jakey are sleeping now – or they will be soon. You should settle down and relax with me, too."
Kate contemplates going back to the other room and passing the baby over to Rick to have him help settle their girl, but she stays. She pads around her bedroom on quiet feet, stroking Eva's back with a soft hand. She'll try walking the floor for a few minutes before calling in reinforcements.
Christmas has a different feeling this year, settled in some ways as they've continued the traditions they've created with the kids, and upended in others. Having Martha here seems to be soothing Rick's nervous energy, but Kate can tell her husband still misses his eldest daughter. He's been happy enough, though, and she makes a mental note to check in with him when they go to bed tonight.
Eva bounces in her arms, squawking again. Her little fingers clench in Kate's sweater, the movement betraying her tiredness.
"Eva," she murmurs. "Come on, sunshine. You're not going to miss anything by sleeping. Lily and the boys will still be here in the morning, Gram will be here in the morning, Grampa will come back tomorrow. Daddy and I'll be here, too. You can rest your eyes, baby."
Eva whines, pushing her shoulder.
"I know, I know," Kate soothes, bouncing her gently. "Come on, let's try a cuddle and then we'll walk more."
She sinks onto the chair beside the bed, shifting Eva just enough to be able to strip the sweater from her body and bring the baby to rest against her camisole-covered chest. Eva sighs, turning her cheek and pressing her face to Kate's breast.
Kate nuzzles her head. "Okay, sweetheart."
Getting Eva settled to nurse takes a few minutes, but soon enough the baby is relaxing in her arms, flexing her little fingers against Kate's skin. Kate hums again, brushing her knuckles over Eva's cheek. If they were upstairs in the nursery, she would be rocking in a slow rhythm, but this chair is comfortable enough.
"Hey," Rick calls softly from the doorway, getting her attention. Kate sees his lips lift as he takes in the picture she and Eva make. "Heard her fussing…everything okay?"
She nods, glancing down at the baby, finding her daughter still awake, but just barely. Eva's eyelids flutter, closing and then lifting before closing once again.
"She's good. Just wanted to be close, I think. Maybe have a little midnight snack."
Her husband chuckles, nodding. He steps into their room, crossing the floor quickly to kneel in front of Kate's chair.
"What about you?" he asks, brushing gentle fingers over the baby's head. Kate watches him dust a kiss to Eva's hair. "You doing okay?"
"Yeah, Rick," she murmurs. Her fingers comb through his hair, scratching his scalp gently. "Exhausted, but I'm good."
He grins, stretching up to kiss her mouth. It's just firm enough to speak to possibilities, if she happens to catch her own second wind in a little while, but not demanding. No, she's the one who counters with a little more heat, a solid promise.
They can move Eva's crib into the office for the night instead of keeping her right beside their bed.
"I'm going to help Mother and your dad get PB and J and the Sprout up to their rooms," he explains as he backs away, giving them both the space to take a deep breath. "Think my mom's heading to bed and your dad's planning to go home soon, so…"
"We'll pick this up in just a little while," she finishes for him, grinning.
Rick grins in return. "Yes, we will."
She tries (and fails) not to laugh at his exaggerated groans as he gets to his feet and stumbles out of their bedroom. Thankfully, Eva isn't bothered by the disturbance. If anything, it's what leads her to finally drift off to sleep.
Kate exhales, holding her close and listening to the world around them grow quiet.
It's been a good day.
Prompt: Joy
Thank you for reading! If you celebrate, Merry Christmas. If you do not, Happy Monday. If your Monday was less than stellar, my condolences; hopefully tomorrow will be easier. I hope you've enjoyed this little journey through life with Caskett and their kids leading up to Christmas. I may have something for New Year's but for now and to be on the safe side, I'm going to call this story finished.
Until next time.
