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9
That’s Christmas to Me
Amber
“Santa came! Oh, he came! Wake up! Wake up!” I vaguely heard Kennedy and Jeremy yelling, and then, they were jumping on the bed.
The two collided with each other and landed on top of Ryan who groaned. Thankfully, we had learned over the years that nothing stopped the kids from barging into our room and had put our pajamas on before succumbing to sleep in the early hours of the morning.
“Merry Christmas, Momma!”
“Merry Christmas, Daddy!”
There was so much happiness in their voices that despite the early morning and startling wake-up, I smiled. This was everything I had wanted.
Ryan groaned again and snuggled further into his pillow, ignoring the two bundles of energy that were jumping on his side of the king bed.
“Merry Christmas, my babies.” I sat up and opened my arms just in time for them to throw themselves at me – all giggles and smiles.
I spied Nicky hanging around by the door of the room, a slither of sunlight illuminating the small smile on his face.
“Come here, baby. Merry Christmas.” He darted into the room and threw himself on top of Ryan’s back who groaned yet again. The poor guy had become the landing pad for our kids.
“Merry Christmas, Daddy and Momma.”
“Come give me some love.” I made a little space for him, and he squeezed right in, kissing my cheek before burying his head in the crook of my neck.
“I love you, Momma,” he whispered. My heart squeezed at his soft confession, and I held him a little tighter.
“I love you more, Nicky.”
Ryan sat up and leaned against the headboard beside me. He rubbed his tired eyes and squinted at us with a smile. “Merry Christmas.” He yawned and stretched his arms above his head.
The kids moved from me to his exposed chest, all hugging him at once.
“We’re missing two more. Where are Maddi and Mason?” I asked just as the two in question slunk through the open doorway. With matching Christmas hats on their heads, they looked at me with Cheshire grins. I knew instantly that they had been up to something. “Merry Christmas, you two. And what have you been up to?”
“Just getting breakfast ready, Momma.” Maddi smiled and walked over to me. “Merry Christmas.” I pulled her into my chest, holding her there firmly, wishing she would stay like this forever – my little girl.
“And your brother?”
“Helping, Momma. Merry Christmas.” He joined his sister and hugged me tightly.
I cherished this moment with all my kids in bed with Ryan and me. I tried not to let my mind wonder just how many more of these Christmas mornings I would have. I knew one day they would be gone, and all I would have left were memories of these beautiful times.
The kids didn’t let us relax for long before they were yanking us out of bed to open Santa’s gifts. Ryan hobbled into the kitchen, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he made us a cup of coffee each. I sat on the big sofa and watched the kids look in amazement at the sparkling, red and white paper only Santa Claus used. They ran between the front door and the tree where the man in the big, red suit left big, white, sparkling footprints, the letters SC engraved into the bottom of his heavy boots. It sent the kids into a burst of even more excitement.
“Can we open them now? Please?” Mason asked, holding up his gift and shaking it.
“Wait for Daddy.” All five kids were bouncing on their feet in excitement.
“Come on, Daddy!” Jeremy called to the kitchen where Ryan walked from, holding two steaming mugs with white foam on the top.
“I’m coming. Hold your horses now.” Ryan settled next to me, handing me a hot mug with a dash of cinnamon on top. He had made us cappuccinos. “Alright – open them.” The kids squealed, and then, the sound of paper ripping filled the still morning air, and I couldn’t fight my happiness.
* * *
After having pancakes for breakfast, the kids quickly went to get ready for the Christmas party at Celine and Ace’s. I had bought matching red dresses for the girls and red sweaters for the boys that said Ho Ho Ho on them with matching khakis.
