A/N: Thanks for your reviews! Merry Christmas!
Chapter 9
"Put those away," Jim said the next morning as he entered the kitchen and spotted Johanna taking the carton of eggs out of the fridge.
"Why?" Johanna asked. "I thought you said you wanted eggs?"
"I did, but I received a message telling me not to let you make breakfast," he replied.
She looked at him oddly. "What the hell are you talking about?"
He gave a short laugh as he stole a kiss. "Tiny people who adore you and their remorseful mother want to buy you breakfast today."
"They don't have to do that," she murmured.
"They want to…and since I won't be gone when they get here, I get free food too," Jim said with a grin.
Johanna laughed softly. "Did you put in your order?"
"No, I think Katie knows me well enough to know what I want."
"What if she doesn't?"
"I'll eat it anyway," he replied. "By the time they get here I'll be starved."
"You poor thing," she teased. "It must be your lucky week; a new big TV, free breakfast being delivered to the door, everything is just going so well for you."
He nodded. "Santa is rewarding me early for being a good boy this year."
"Who said you were good?" Johanna asked, a teasing gleam in her eyes.
He smirked at her, giving her a soft pat on her backside. "You…on plenty of occasions."
A light blush spread across her cheeks as she gave him a playful shove. "I should've known you'd go there."
"Yes, you should have…which shows that you need to start sleeping better again because you're not on you're A game, sweetheart," Jim teased.
"Shut up," she laughed. "It's early…I haven't had any caffeine yet."
"Excuses," he said with a nod. "Nothing but excuses. Santa might have to reconsider which list you're on."
"Not a chance," Johanna replied. "I earned a permanent place on the nice list."
"Oh yeah, how did you manage that?"
"By marrying you…he considered that my good deed for life," she quipped.
He laughed. "Oh, you're going to pay for that one."
"Honey, I've been paying for forty-two years now," Johanna said with a giggle.
Jim gave her an amused glare. "You're lucky that there are children coming to this door any minute because if there weren't, I'd have to teach you a lesson, Mrs. Beckett."
"That would get in the way of your free meal," she replied. "Wouldn't that be a shame."
"For someone who hasn't had breakfast, you sure do seem like you've ate your Wheaties today," Jim remarked, his hand slipping around her waist.
"That's just what you do to me," Johanna said before stealing a kiss.
He smiled; for the moment she seemed more settled than she had been the last few days and so he caught her lips in another lingering kiss that ended up turning into a few more until they heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. Jim sighed a little. "She's got your face, my height…and somehow, Jeff's sense of timing. How the hell did that happen?"
Johanna shook her head. "I think it's because we exposed her to him too much, somehow he rubbed off on her."
Jim nodded. "It's probably our fault for picking him to be her Godfather."
"Most likely. You better get the door unlocked so the kids can get in out of the cold."
"And the food," he quipped.
"Yes, we don't want cold kids and cold food."
As Jim unlocked the backdoor, Johanna took a deep breath, doing her best to steel herself for the day ahead as a touch of anxiety filled her at the thought of McKenzie possibly bringing up the past once more…of helping her finish the tree…the pressure she felt to live up to expectations. She didn't want to disappoint her. She didn't want anyone to think she wasn't giving her best.
"You okay?" Jim asked as he waited by the door.
"Yeah," she said with a nod. "Just…you know…."
"I know…it's going to be okay though, don't worry."
"I've never been good at that; you know that better than anyone."
"It's alright, sweetheart; I have faith in you even when you don't."
She gave him a small smile. "I'm glad someone does."
"I'm not the only one," he replied.
"You're not?"
Jim shook his head. "No…here comes the other one now," he said as he pulled the door open and then pushed open the screen door to allow McKenzie inside.
"Hi, Grandpa!"
"Good morning, sweet pea," he answered. "What do you have?"
"It's for Grandma," McKenzie said, carrying the McDonalds cup and straw to Johanna. "It's Sprite, Grandma, in case your belly hurts like mine did."
Johanna gave her a smile and accepted the drink. "Thank you, sweetheart. I appreciate it."
"We got you breakfast too!" McKenzie said excitedly.
"You did?"
"We did," Kate said as she slipped through the door, carrying Landen as Jim took the diaper bag from her hand. "I just have to go back to the car and get it since my helper ran off on me."
"Sorry, Mommy."
"It's alright, baby; I know you've been anxious to get here," Kate said as she sat Landen down. "I'll be right back."
Johanna sat her drink on the table and then went to the carseat and unhooked Landen who wiggled and smiled at the sight of her. She lifted him into her arms to take his coat off, pressing soft kisses to his cheek before placing him in his highchair.
Kate made her way back through the door with the bags of food and the drink carrier. "We got everyone's favorites," she announced.
"Good," Jim said. "That means I get the meal with pancakes, right?"
"Yes, Dad," she said with a smile. "And your cup of black coffee."
"And your mother wasn't sure you knew me well enough to get my order right," he teased.
Kate glanced at her mother. "I got your favorite too; scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuit and hashbrown…and an extra hashbrown because you like them best."
"You didn't have to do that," Johanna said softly.
"We wanted to…a McDonalds run made McKenzie feel better yesterday so we wanted to return the favor…and maybe make you feel a little better too."
"You like it, don't you, Grandma?" McKenzie asked, her hand slipping into hers.
Johanna gave her a smile. "Of course I do; thank you."
"Landen gets to try his first hashbrown," Kate remarked. "I think he can manage it if we give him small bites. What do you think, Mom?"
"I'm sure he'll be fine; he does have a few little teeth to work with."
"Let's sit down and eat before it gets cold," Jim remarked, feeling the awkwardness in the room.
They settled down at the table with their food, allowing McKenzie to dominate the conversation with the news about her being in the Christmas pageant. She was brimming with excitement and Johanna did her best to live up to it as she helped to watch Landen as he munched on his small bites of hashbrown.
"Grandma, did you get the big tree?" McKenzie asked as she finished her breakfast.
She nodded. "Yes, McKenzie…the big tree is in the living room."
"Can I see it!" her granddaughter asked.
"Of course; Grandpa plugged it in this morning for you."
"We'll all go see it," Jim said as he pushed back from the table. "It's not finished though, remember, you have to finish the bottom branches that Grandma saved for you."
"I can do it," McKenzie said as she slipped down from her chair as Kate lifted Landen from the highchair.
"Come on, Mommy," McKenzie said as she hovered in the doorway of the kitchen.
"We're coming, Kenzie," she replied.
They made their way to the living room and Kate froze at the threshold. "Wow…it looks so different without the wall unit."
"Yeah, it kind of looks like it did when we moved in," Jim remarked. "I forgot how big this room really is with that thing out of the way."
"Do you think the TV is big enough, Dad?" Kate asked, glancing at the new TV hanging on the wall.
Jim nodded. "It's perfect."
"It's his dream come true," Johanna remarked.
"The fireplace is beautiful," Kate stated as she met her mother's eye.
"It is," she agreed, shifting on her feet a little as they moved further into the room.
"Look at the tree, Mommy!" McKenzie exclaimed. "It's a big tree with color lights!"
"I see it," Kate replied, a touch of unease slipping down her spine as she allowed her gaze to focus on the tree. It had been so long since she had seen a tree in that room and for a moment she felt the edge of those bad memories but she shook them away as Landen wiggled and cooed in her arms, his gaze on the colorful lights, McKenzie bouncing excitedly on her toes as Scarlett left the warmth of her cat bed to greet her. She just had to look at the tree and the other decoartions sitting around the room through the kids eyes…keeping focusing on how the room looked so different from the last time a tree had been there. The unease was just a knee jerk reaction; one she could get past…but as she glanced at her mother, she could see that Johanna was still struggling with the sight. She looked so uneasy, as if she was uncomfortable in her own skin. She hated to see her like that…hated that she was the one who put her in that position. "Dad, can you take Landen?" Kate murmured to her father.
"Sure," Jim replied as he took his grandson into his arms. "Come here, buddy; I'll take you closer so you can see it all close up."
Kate moved toward her mother, shoving her hands into her pockets as she did so. "Can we go talk for a few minutes?" she asked her quietly.
Johanna nodded. "Yeah; let's go into the office."
"You didn't decorate in here?" Kate said quietly as she followed Johanna into the office.
Johanna shook her head as she moved toward her desk. "No…this is my holiday free zone, so to speak."
"I figured that would be your bedroom."
"No…I bought some of those little ceramic trees like I have at the cabin for in the bedrooms. You know they make them in all colors now so I got a pink one for McKenzie's room and a blue one for Landen's…a white one for mine. I can leave the trees on at night in the kids rooms for nightlights if they stay over during the season."
"McKenzie will love a pink tree in her room."
"I hope so. I put those little ceramic reindeer you always loved when you were little in her room by the tree too."
"You still had those?" Kate asked. "I thought you got rid of everything?"
She gave a soft shake of her head. "Some things I couldn't part with…you loved those little reindeer so much when you were little and they are cute…so I kept them along with a few other things in a box in the attic."
"I wondered about them when you had mentioned getting rid of all the stuff…I hated the thought that they were gone," Kate admitted.
"You should've asked, I would've given them to you."
"It didn't seem like a topic we could talk much about…you know?"
"Yeah, I know," she said softly. "If you want them, you can have them though."
Kate shook her head. "They belong here for McKenzie to enjoy. I'm just glad you kept them after all."
"Like I said…some things I can't let go of no matter how hard I try."
Kate shifted on her feet a little, trying to find the right words as awkwardness filled the air. "Mom…I'm sorry."
"I know, Katie."
"I don't think you do," she murmured, emotion clogging her throat.
"I do," Johanna said as she met her gaze. "It's alright."
"It's not," Kate replied, her tone anguished. "I did everything wrong…I told McKenzie things she didn't need to know and it upset her and worried her for days; what kind of mother does that?"
"A human one," her mother replied. "Your mother has done worse…which is how we ended up in this mess of things being told. If I had never taken that case, you wouldn't have a story to tell her."
Kate shook her head. "You didn't do it on purpose…you left because you had to, and you had laid that to rest a good while ago…and then because I was stupid, it got dug up again and it hurt you…and I spent enough time doing that when you came home."
"You had every right to hurt me back then."
"No, I didn't…and I sure as hell don't have a right to do it now. I hurt you and you ended up being backed into a corner about the holiday and I know how much you hate celebrating it…."
"It's not that I hate it," she murmured. "It's that it can't ever be the way I remember…because I tainted it by procrastinating and not getting the decorations down that year. I ruined it for all of us. I tried to get it back but it had been gone for too long. I had to accept that the way it was wasn't how it would ever be again."
"It's why you like going to the cabin?"
"At the cabin it's easier to get through because I don't have holiday memories there with the exception of the last several years with your father. I can decorate there and not feel my skin crawl. I can make a nice holiday meal and be fine with it just being us because we're hours away from relatives so it seems natural…where if we're here…it just reminds me that something is missing."
"You don't know how bad I feel that you had to cancel your plans and do all of this when you didn't want to."
"It's going to be fine, Katie. I can't say it wasn't hard to put that tree up in the living room…it was, but I'll get through it. It's not like I don't want holiday memories with my grandchildren…I just always stuck to the deal after that first time we tried to have Christmas together."
"I should've never allowed that deal to happen," Kate murmured.
"It was my idea."
"I know…but I should've said no."
She gave a soft shake of her head. "Maybe we needed it then. You and Rick were having problems and he liked to blame me for being one of the problems…he didn't want us to be close…and I didn't want to be the reason your marriage ended…so it just seemed like the best thing to do; step back, agree to be out of the picture for holidays with the small exception of being allowed my own day to celebrate with McKenzie and any other children that came along and then we'd go to the cabin and be out of sight and out of mind."
"You were never out of mind," Kate said quietly.
"It's okay if I was…I don't mind. It's just how it was."
"It's how you wish it still was."
"It's not that, Katie. I just…I don't know if I remember how to have the kind of Christmas that she wants…the kind you had when you were her age. I don't want to disappoint her…I've disappointed enough people in my life and I can't bear to add her name to the list."
"You're not going to disappoint her, Mom. All she really wants is to have a real Christmas with you…and you're giving her that by staying home. She's going to be happy no matter what you do or don't do. She just wants you to be here."
"She wants it all."
"Yeah…but whatever you give her will be enough," Kate assured. "But I know you…you'll find a way to give her everything you can…you always do."
"I'll try my best," she promised.
"I know you will…but the point of this whole conversation was me trying to apologize and we kind of swerved away from that."
"You don't need to apologize."
"I do. I got this ball rolling…."
"No, I did by being nostalgic."
"I've heard what you said about that…but I am apologizing because I did wrong and I'm so sorry…and I hope you'll forgive me."
"I always do, Katie."
"I'm always afraid of the day when you won't," she admitted.
Johanna gave her a small smile. "If it hasn't happened by now then I don't think it ever will."
"We don't know that for sure."
"I'm pretty sure we do, after all, I love you too much not to forgive you…and you do have that added bonus of me loving my grandchildren and not wanting to be kept from them," she added with a touch of lightness.
Kate gave her a wobbly smile. "They are two good Ace cards to have up my sleeve."
Johanna nodded. "Yes, they're very effective weapons in your arsenal."
She raked her hand through her hair, worrying her bottom lip as she did so before meeting her mother's gaze. "So…you forgive me?"
"I told you; I always do."
"I hope so. I really am sorry…I never meant to cause all of this."
"I know," her mother assured. "But listen, let's leave that part of my past buried where it belongs…please? Or at the very least, give me prior notification of hard topic story hours, okay?"
"I promise," Kate murmured. "And I talked to McKenzie and I told her we're not to bring up that story anymore, that none of it matters now and that nothing like that is ever going to happen again. She's promised not to bring it up."
She gave a small hint of a smile. "I'm sure once her mind is occupied that she'll forget…or at least we can hope she will."
"I think she will…she was all about the pageant news last night and this morning."
"You're sure you're fine with that?" Johanna asked.
Kate nodded. "Yeah; I think she needs it and I think she'll have as much fun as I did. Are you sure you're alright with taking her to her rehearsals?"
"It's fine…it might be a little hard to walk in there the first time but Valerie will be there. I'll be fine."
"I've messed up your whole Christmas," Kate remarked. "Because of me, you've been pushed into so many uncomfortable situations this season."
Johanna gave her a hint of a wry smile. "I can't lie and say there hasn't been a few moments when I wanted to slap you upside your head…but I figure that I just have to accept it…that this is the way it's supposed to be for some reason."
"Maybe despite the bad parts, it'll make it better…the kind of Christmas you've wanted for a long time."
"I'm still not going to have high expectations; I've been burned too many times for that…but I'll do my best for McKenzie and Landen…and you."
"We're going to do our best for you," Kate replied.
"Everything will be fine, one way or another," Johanna remarked. "We are going to go to the cabin after Christmas; we're going to go up there for the New Year."
"You're not leaving the day after Christmas, are you?"
"I highly doubt it…but we'll be up there by New Year's Eve."
Kate gave her a small smile. "You don't want to stay home and keep your grandchildren overnight on New Year's Eve?"
"Nope."
"Why not?"
"Because I have a date…we like to bring in the New Year with the air of romance."
Kate shook her head. "But if you stay home and babysit, maybe I could give you another grandchild."
"I'm alright with waiting on that," Johanna replied. "You can produce one on another holiday…St. Patrick's Day, celebrate your Irish heritage."
"You conveniently skipped over Valentine's Day."
"I have a date," Johanna told her. "That's one of my favorite date nights."
"You could have your date the day before."
"No way; I'm not giving up my love life for yours."
"You'd think you would've had enough of one by now…I mean come on, most women your age are no longer interested."
"That's not how it works in our family…we just keep going," she replied. "I'll keep them overnight on St. Patrick's Day."
"Fine; I'm holding you to that," Kate remarked with a soft shake of her head.
"No problem; I have no plans for that evening."
"Keep it that way."
"I promise."
Silence fell over them for a moment; Kate shifting on her feet. "Are we okay?" she finally asked.
Johanna nodded. "Yeah, we're fine."
"You're sure?"
"Of course…I told you; I always forgive you, Katie."
"I'm glad," she murmured. "Because I screw up a lot."
"You don't," Johanna assured.
Kate stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry, Mom."
"I know; me too," she said as she returned her hug.
"I love you."
"I love you too…and I promise I'll do my best this Christmas."
"I know you will," Kate said sincerely before glancing at her watch. "I better go tell the kids goodbye; I have to get going or I'm going to be late."
Johanna nodded. "Yeah; you don't want to be late…and McKenzie has a tree to finish."
"It'll be okay," Kate replied. "I know the sight of it makes you uneasy…but it'll be okay."
"That's what everyone keeps telling me."
"We can't all be wrong, can we?"
"Only time will tell," Johanna replied as they moved toward the door.
After Kate had left, Johanna returned to the living room with Landen on her hip, her gaze catching sight of McKenzie as she stood before the Christmas tree admiring the ornaments. She didn't know how long it would take to get used to the sight of a full sized tree in the room but she was doing her best…and yet it didn't feel quite good enough if Katie had been able to pick up on her unease.
"I like that pretty ballerina," McKenzie said, her finger pointing at the ornament hanging on the tree.
"She is pretty, isn't she," Jim replied, his gaze shifting from his granddaughter to his wife. "You should ask Grandma about that ballerina and why she's special to her."
McKenzie turned to face her. "Why is she special, Grandma?"
Johanna took a deep breath, forcing her body to relax. "Because she was a gift from my Dad…your great grandfather Frank."
McKenzie smiled. "I saw him on the video!"
"That's right, you did."
"How come he gave you a ballerina?"
"Because when I was little, I wanted to be one," she replied, not bothering to mention to her granddaughter that she had taken ballet as a child.
"Did he give you those other ballerinas?" McKenzie asked as she pointed to two others on the tree.
"No; the one in the white tutu I bought and Grandpa bought me the one in the blue tutu."
"They're so pretty. I saw ballerinas on TV, they dance on their tippy toes."
"That's right, they do."
A memory came to Jim's mind of the time that Johanna and Naomi had taken Katie to the ballet to see the Nutcracker when she was a little girl. "Maybe Grandma and Mommy can take you to the ballet," he suggested to their granddaughter. "When your mommy was a little girl, Grandma and your great grandmother Naomi took her to see the ballerinas at Christmas time."
McKenzie's eyes lit up. "Grandma, you seen real ballerinas!?"
She nodded, knowing that Jim was trying to help her find things to do with McKenzie for the holiday. "Yes, we did. Your mommy loved seeing them when she was little."
"Can we go see them, Grandma?"
"I'll look into it," Johanna replied. "I'll have to see if I can get us tickets and we'll see when Mommy can go with us."
"Okay," McKenzie said happily before turning back to the tree. "What's that sparkly star?"
"Your mommy made that when she was your age," Johanna replied.
"It's special too?"
"Yes, all of those ornaments are special to me."
"How come?"
"Because some were from people I love and some are for special moments in mine and Grandpa's lives…they tell our story."
"Tell me, Grandma," McKenzie said. "Tell me the story."
Landen was squirming in her arms and yet she felt reluctant to put him down, as if her grandson was keeping her grounded somehow. Jim rose from the chair and gently lifted Landen from her arms. "I think our boy has spotted his toys in the playpen," he said as he met her eye. "I think we should let him play in there while you and McKenzie take care of the tree."
She nodded, watching as Jim kissed Landen's head and then sat him in the playpen that was off to the side of the room in its own space now that they had re-arranged the living room and had gotten rid of that wall unit.
"Tell me, Grandma," McKenzie prodded, her fingers wrapping around Johanna's.
Johanna picked her up and shifted her on to her hip so that they could step closer to the tree. She began slowly, showing her the ornaments that had belonged to Elizabeth Beckett and then the heart her grandmother had given her and Jim the year they were married. She showed her the snowflake that Elizabeth had given her; Katie's bear that represented her first Christmas, an angel that Naomi had given her and other special ornaments that had been collected over the course of their lives.
"What's that little reindeer?" McKenzie asked. "Is he special?"
"Yes, he's very special," Johanna replied. "That's Grandpa's reindeer, his Grandma Virginia gave him that when he was a little boy."
"Did I see her on the video?" she asked.
"No," Jim answered. "Grandma Virginia was already in heaven then. She's an angel with all the rest of them now."
"Do you got a picture of her, Grandpa?"
"No, sweet pea, I don't. I wish I did," Jim said, a note of longing in his tone. "I don't know who has the pictures of her that my mom had."
"I know Liz always had one in her wallet," Johanna replied. "She showed it to me that time she talked to me about her."
"I think Michael took her wallet and things…being the oldest, he was in charge."
"I know…I wish you did have a picture of her though."
"Me too."
"Do you remember what she looked like?" McKenzie asked.
Jim nodded. "She was pretty…her hair was the same color as your mommy's and she had blue eyes. She always wore dresses; she never wore pants."
"Didn't she get cold, Grandpa?"
"I'm sure she did," he laughed.
"How come she didn't wear pants?"
"Because when she was growing up, girls weren't allowed to wear pants; they had to wear dresses all the time so that's what she did."
"I'm glad I can wear pants, I get cold," McKenzie remarked.
Jim laughed. "I'm glad you can too; I don't want you being cold."
Johanna was quiet as Jim relayed a few more things he remembered about his grandmother and she made a note to herself to call Mikey and see if he could somehow find out if Michael had the pictures of Elizabeth's mother. If she could get a picture of Jim's grandmother, she could give it to him for Christmas as an extra gift…she just hoped that the pictures were still around somewhere.
"Grandma, what's that elephant?" McKenzie asked, drawing her out of her thoughts.
"That's the ornament we got for you the year you were born," Johanna replied. "We wanted you to have a special ornament on our tree."
"Where's Landen's ornament?" she asked.
Johanna paused; how had she forgotten to get an ornament for her grandson? "Oh no," she murmured. "How did I forget to get him an ornament? How could I do that?"
"Jo," Jim murmured. "You forgot because our plans got changed, you always shop for things like that in town when we're up at the cabin."
"But still, we were out buying stuff the other day and I didn't get the baby an ornament, what kind of grandmother am I!"
"You're the bestest Grandma," McKenzie replied.
Jim smiled as he held Johanna's gaze. "See, it didn't mar your image at all."
"But Landen needs an ornament, Jim! It's his first Christmas!"
"So take McKenzie and go get him one," he said with a laugh. "I don't go into the office until the afternoon. I can watch Landen while you run out to get an ornament."
"Let's go get Landen's ornament, Grandma!" McKenzie exclaimed. "Then we can finish the tree."
"Are you sure?" she asked Jim.
"Yes; you may as well do it or it's going to eat at you all day and you won't feel like the tree is finished," he replied.
"Alright," she said with a nod as she sat McKenzie down. "We won't be long."
"I'm not worried," Jim replied as he took his wallet from his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill and gave it to McKenzie. "Here, sweet pea, if you see an ornament or decoration you want, you get it, okay?"
"Thank you, Grandpa."
"You're welcome. When Grandma gets her purse, let her put it in there for you so you don't lose it."
"I will."
"I can't believe I forgot to get him an ornament," Johanna muttered as McKenzie raced past her to get her shoes.
Jim pressed a kiss against her forehead. "It's alright, Jo; you've had a lot on your mind. He'll have one shortly. Go get ready before McKenzie starts timing you."
She blew out a breath. "We'll be back shortly…and hopefully this time the decoration buying will be done."
Later on, Landen was starting to fuss, his gaze searching for his grandmother even though Jim had taken him out of the playpen moments before. "She'll be back any minute, buddy," he told him as he did his best to soothe him. At least he hoped so, she had sent a text saying they were on their way but they may have hit some traffic on the way back. A moment later he heard the sound of the backdoor opening and McKenzie's voice sounding through the kitchen.
"Grandpa we're home!"
"I'm glad," Jim called back as his granddaughter raced into the room.
"Look, Grandma bought me a Christmas squishmallow!"
Jim smiled as he looked at the squishy penguin wearing a Santa hat that she was clutching. "That's real nice, how did you wheedle that out of her?"
McKenzie laughed. "She said I could have it."
"She said please," Johanna remarked as she entered the room, carrying a bag with her. "Show Grandpa the ornament you got with the money he gave you."
Landen whimpered, his arms reaching for his grandmother as McKenzie took the bag from her hand.
"What's wrong with my sweet boy?" Johanna asked as she reached for him.
"I think he's been missing his grandma," Jim replied as she took the baby into her arms. "I think he thought you were only in the other room and then he realized you had left…and since he hasn't seen much of you the last several days, he was getting a little upset."
"I'm back, darling," she murmured to him, kissing his soft cheek as he snuggled into her.
"Look, Grandpa," McKenzie said as she held up the box containing the ornament she had gotten. "It's Snoopy!"
He smiled. "Now that's just what our Christmas tree needs; we needed a Snoopy ornament."
"Will you open it for me?" she asked.
"I sure will," he said as he took the box from her. He opened the box and took out the ornament and handed it to her. "There you go, sweet pea; now you and Grandma can finish the tree. Did you get an ornament for Landen?"
"We got it," Johanna said as she pulled it out of the bag. "McKenzie wanted him to have an elephant like hers, so I found one with blue spots for a boy. I just need to put his name on it."
"I think that was a good choice; now our tree will be perfect," Jim replied.
"I hope so," Johanna murmured.
"It will," he promised quietly. "Now give me the baby and help McKenzie finish the tree; I want to see it finished before Jeff picks me up."
"How come you're not driving yourself today?" she asked.
He shrugged. "Jeff suggested carpooling. I figured why not; we're only going in for a little while."
She eyed him with a hint of lightness in her gaze. "You two probably need to discuss what to get your wives for Christmas."
Jim laughed. "My shopping is nearly completed; I'll have you know."
"Nearly?" she asked as she handed him the baby.
"Yes; I have the big things…I just need to get a few little things."
"Well you better get on it,' she teased. "My shopping is done."
"Sweetheart, I'll never reach your lofty heights of preparedness. I bow to your greatness on that one."
She smirked at him as she shook her head. "I don't know if we can really give me that title this year…all things considered."
"You're doing fine," he assured quietly.
"Am I?"
He nodded. "You are…just breathe; you've got this."
Johanna took his advice and took a breath before turning back to McKenzie who was digging into the box of ornaments she had left out for her. "Let's get this tree finished, McKenzie; or Scarlett will be stealing the Christmas balls and making them her new toys."
"I'm ready, Grandma," she said, her new Snoopy ornament in one hand and an ornament that looked like a gingerbread man in the other.
Johanna made herself kneel down on the floor next to her as she gave her permission to hang the ornaments where she wanted them. She could do this…it would make the kids happy…and maybe after a few days of getting used to it, maybe it would make her a little happy too.
By noon; Jim was dressed for work and downstairs in time to see the last ornament being hung on the tree. "It's all done, Grandpa!" McKenzie exclaimed as she turned to look at him.
"I see that; it's beautiful, sweet pea. You and Grandma did a good job."
"Do you like it, Grandma?" McKenzie asked.
Johanna looked over the tree, taking in the colorful lights, the bright new star on top and a mixture of her most treasured ornaments and some new selections. It was beautiful, even if it did still give her a small shiver down her spine. She would get used to it though, she told herself…after all, the knot in her stomach had loosened and that had to mean something, didn't it?
"Grandma, do you like it? Do you think it's pretty?" McKenzie asked once more; her face anxious for confirmation.
"Of course I like it," she replied, her grip tightening on Landen as he wiggled in her arms. "What about you, Landen, do you like that Christmas tree?"
Her grandson babbled happily, a smile on his lips as he gazed at the colorful lights.
"Landen likes it too!" McKenzie said happily.
"I'm glad you both like it," Johanna replied.
"I'm glad that with the exception of a few interruptions, that it got finished before I have to go to work," Jim stated.
"Grandpa, do you have to go?" McKenzie asked, a touch of sadness in her tone.
Jim nodded. "I have to go for a little while, honey," he told her. "But I'm sure I'll be back before Mommy picks you up, okay?"
"Okay," she replied, her bottom lip poking out a little.
"Now don't be sad, you were all happy with your tree," he said as he picked her up and kissed her cheek. "And I'm sure you and Grandma will find things to do."
McKenzie sank into his hug for a long moment and then he sat her back down as a knock sounded at the door. "That's probably Uncle Jeff, I better go let him in."
"He can see our tree," McKenzie replied.
"That's right," Johanna said as she settled down on the couch with the baby. "We'll see if Uncle Jeff likes it."
Jim went and answered the door, reappearing in the room a few minutes later with Jeff.
"Uncle Jeff, look at our pretty Christmas tree!" McKenzie exclaimed.
"That's a beautiful tree, little Sassy," Jeff replied. "I think that tree might be prettier than the one at my house; I'm jealous. I bet you helped decorate this tree."
"I did. I decorated the bottom and Grandma did the top."
"You both did a good job," he said before glancing at Landen and tickling him. "What did you do, little man?"
"He supervised with his grandfather," Johanna answered.
Jeff nodded, giving him another tickle to make him giggle. "That's manly work; you did a good job too keeping these girls in line."
"I'm going to be in a Christmas pageant, Uncle Jeff. I'm going to be a angel like my mommy was," McKenzie told him as he sat down.
"I heard about that, I bet you'll be good at it."
"Do you know that Grandma and Grandpa are staying home for Christmas!?" she asked.
"I do know and I'm glad because me and Aunt Maggie miss them when they're away," Jeff replied. "I bet you're happy they're staying home."
"Me and Landen are happy."
"Good," Jeff said as he pulled something from his pocket. "I found this on the porch and I think it belongs to you and Landen," he stated as he showed her the Elf on the Shelf.
"Oh no," Johanna muttered as she saw the elf. That was the last thing she wanted to deal with…a creepy eyed elf in her house that she'd have to move all the time.
"We get an elf here too?" McKenzie asked.
"I guess so," Jeff replied. "Probably because you'll be spending time here leading up to Christmas. He had this note with him, I'll read it to you. It says, 'Dear, McKenzie and Landen; I'm sorry I was late getting to your Grandma's house but I got lost in this big city. Your Grandpa has to give better directions next time…"
Jim scoffed and McKenzie's gaze was drawn to him. "Grandpa, did you give him the wrong directions?"
Jim shook his head. "Not me; I think that elf is mistaken."
"Anyway," Jeff said. "Your elf says, "I might be late but I'm here now and I can't wait to have fun with all of you."
"What's his name?" McKenzie asked.
"His name?" Jeff asked. "His name is…uh…his signature is a little hard to make out…."
"But we have to know his name," she declared.
Jeff glanced at Johanna. "Don't look at me," she said. "I've never seen that elf before in my life. He might be at the wrong house since he's so misguided."
"He's not at the wrong house, Grandma; he knows our names," her granddaughter replied.
"Yeah, Grandma," Jeff mimicked. "Pay attention to the facts…that used to be in your job description."
Johanna glared at him as he gave her his signature grin.
"What's his name, Uncle Jeff?"
Jeff pondered it for a moment, he hadn't paid any attention to how his grandchildren's elves had come by their names…and he couldn't have Katie's kids having a nameless elf; what kind of godfather would he be if he didn't have a name for an elf? The thought of Kate stuck in his mind for a moment and then he smiled, remembering the candy he had always given her. "This elf is named Skittles."
"Oh good lord," Johanna muttered as she rolled her eyes.
"That's my mommy's favorite candy!" McKenzie told him.
"I know. That's probably why this elf was picked for you and Landen."
"I like it," McKenzie said, a smile on her lips. "I got a elf at home too; his name is Hermie."
"Really?" Jeff asked. "Does he like to make toys? Because I know an elf named Hermie that wanted to be a dentist."
McKenzie giggled. "It's not that Hermie!"
"Good to know," Jeff laughed.
"Thank you for finding Skittles, Uncle Jeff. He might've got cold outside."
"You're welcome, little Sassy," he said kissing her forehead. "I think me and your Grandpa better get to work now. I feel a hostile glare on my back."
"It is pretty lethal," Jim said with a laugh.
Johanna rose from the couch and put Landen in the playpen. "Let me walk you two to the door. McKenzie, check the floor and make sure we didn't drop any hooks."
When the three adults were in the entry way and out of eyesight and hearing of the kids, Johanna took the elf from Jeff's hand and whacked him in the shoulder with it. "What the hell am I supposed to do with this creepy little bastard?" she hissed quietly.
Jeff laughed merrily. "Creepy?"
"Yes! These things have the creepiest eyes and you brought it into my house. Why?!"
"So you can make Christmas merry," Jeff quipped, amusement gleaming in his eyes.
"I have enough problems without thinking up elf antics!" she whispered sharply.
"You were having trouble thinking of holiday things to do," Jim replied. "This is something you can do."
Johanna turned her blazing green gaze upon him. "If you think for a minute that I don't smell your influence all over this idea, you're sadly mistaken."
Jim grinned at her. "You can't prove anything."
Johanna glared at him. "You will pay for this. Mark my words."
Jim shook his head. "You're going to be too busy with pageants, elf antics and other holiday things to think up punishments for me, sweetheart."
"I'll make time," she said, whacking him with the elf as well.
"You're right, Jim; she is beautiful when she's angry," Jeff quipped.
"She is stunning right now, isn't she?"
"Gorgeous, just like a Christmas angel," his friend remarked.
"You don't want to know what I'm calling the two of you," Johanna replied.
"You don't have time for name calling, Sassy," Jeff remarked. "You've got an elf to assist."
"What if I throw it on the floor tonight and let Scarlett maul it?" she asked.
Jim shook his head. "I don't think elf murder is a good look for the season."
"I can make it look like an accident."
"No; the kids would cry…and do you really want to premeditate the murder of an elf?" he teased.
"Maybe."
Jeff shook his head. "Jim's right, Sassy; it's not a good look…and it might get you on the naughty list."
"I'm willing to risk it."
"The kids would cry," Jim replied. "The elf has to stay."
She sighed deeply. "Damn you two."
"You know you love us," Jeff said lightly.
"Get out of my house, both of you," Johanna said. "You've caused enough problems."
Jim laughed as he pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "I love you."
"I'm not feeling the love when I'm being given more problems in the form of a creepy elf," she replied.
"I'll help you feel loved later," he quipped suggestively, stealing another kiss. "I'll see you in a little while."
"Be careful," she told him. "I love you…despite the error of your ways and your poor taste in friends."
"Hey now," Jeff quipped. "You know life isn't complete without me."
"You're right; come back after the kids leave so I can finish beating with you with this elf."
He laughed. "I would love too but Maggie's making a roast for dinner and I can't miss that," he said as he kissed her cheek. "Go now, little elf, spread Christmas cheer."
"I hate you," Johanna told him.
"Santa frowns on telling blatant lies like that, Sassy," he teased as they headed for the door. "You better change your ways."
"So I've been told," she said before saying her goodbyes and locking the door behind them.
Johanna made her way back into the living room nearly bumping into McKenzie as she headed in her direction. "I found some hooks, Grandma."
"Thank you, baby; we don't want any little feet stepping on these."
"Or Scarlett," her granddaughter replied.
"You're right, we don't want one getting in Scarlett's paw; or worse…we don't want her to try and eat it either. You did a good job."
Landen squealed from the playpen, his hand reaching out for the elf she was still holding. "You want this elf, Landen?" Johanna asked as she moved to the playpen.
"No!" McKenzie exclaimed. "He can't touch it!"
"Why not?" she asked, freezing in her tracks.
"Because we're not allowed! He'll lose his magic and won't be able to get back to Santa," McKenzie replied. "Daddy says only grownups can touch him because sometimes the elf needs help if he's stuck in his spot or makes a mess but we can't touch him!"
"I don't think it would hurt for Landen to see him for just a minute."
"No, Grandma! He can't touch Skittles! Skittles won't be able to get back to Santa and tell him we're good at your house! Why don't you know this!?"
Johanna sighed deeply, wishing she had hit Jeff harder. "I'm sorry, this is my first elf…I didn't know he had rules."
"Didn't mommy have a elf when she was little?"
"No."
"How come?"
"I don't know…you'll have to ask Grandpa when we gets home. I'm sure he probably knows why we never had one before," Johanna replied. "What am I supposed to do with…Skittles," she said reluctantly.
"You got to put him in a safe spot," McKenzie said seriously. "Somewhere where he can see us but we can't touch him."
"Okay," Johanna said, moving across the room to sit the elf up on one of the new shelves that Jim had put up. "Is this spot okay?"
McKenzie nodded. "Skittles will be safe there."
"I'm so glad," Johanna replied, hoping the sarcasm hadn't leaked into her tone.
"Grandma, what are we going to do now?"
Another sigh crossed her lips; she felt like she had enough of holiday related activity for the day. "I'm going to turn on cartoons and see if we can get Landen down for his nap; if he goes to sleep, then we'll make some hot chocolate and read our book a little, how does that sound?"
"That sounds good, Grandma. We need to get some new Christmas books to read soon."
Johanna nodded as she picked up the baby. "I'll put it on my list, dear," she told her, while silently adding, 'right along with everything else'.
