It was that time of year again….

“The blue and white ones!” Zas said loudly. He was pointing to the wall. It was Christmas time again, and they were decorating. Ezza sighed.

“It’s plastic, and as you know Nigel Su is crawling around now. He could eat and choke on it. Which is why we go for the green.” Ezza said calmly. She was holding fresh green garland strung with dried berries and leaves, all natural.

“It’s not aesthetically pleasing with the colours of our walls, which by the way you chose. Besides there are plenty of things in nature that are harmful to children.” Zas countered. As they continued to argue, Cameron sat on the bay seat with Nigel Su in his lap playing away and cooing. Every time Zas or Ezza would yell, Nigel Su would laugh. What a weird kid, Cameron thought.

“Green is poison!” Zas shouted.

“Blue and white are death!” Ezza shouted back. Sighing, Cameron put Nigel Su down on the carpet and watched as he started to crawl away.

“If it’s alright with you two, I would actually like to be the one who decides how we poison my child, and I vote green.” Cameron said nonchalantly. Ezza made a triumphant sound while Zas made an exasperated one.

“Fine!” He said grabbing the garland from Ezza’s hands. He placed it on top of the fireplace and asked her to get the rest of it. When she traipsed off he knelt down beside Nigel Su, who had crawled over.

“Someday, you’re going to learn that when your Daddy and Aunty Ezza team up, life is going to be hard. Words of wisdom from Uncle Zas.” Zas said in a cheerful, sing-songy voice. Nigel Su giggled at him.

“Bad sport Muffin, bad sport. Don’t try to influence my son to your side for something petty.” Cameron said scooping him up and taking him outside to the yard. Ezza came back in with her arms full of garland and a smile on her face. 

 

 

Carols were playing in the background and the room was decorated nicely, there was the scent of vanilla and pine in the air from the garland, and the cookies that Zas had baked. Ezza was pacing nervously in the family room waiting for Zas to get home. Nigel Su was sleeping in his room and Cameron was looking under their tree and the pile of presents for his son.

“Do you think maybe he has too many?” Cameron asked her. 

“Hmm?” Ezza asked. She had been looking out the window, watching for Zas. “I guess? I mean is he old enough for half that stuff?” 

“I have no idea. The sales lady I asked said he’d grow into most of it, and I suppose he will. I’m not really sure what to get him at this age.” Cameron said. He was wondering what presents should now be saved for later. Maybe the ones Zas and Ezza got him? No, they’d be upset if he didn’t get anything from them.

The door opened and Zas walked in and placed a wiggling container on the floor.

“Come.” He said to Ezza. He led her over to the bay seat and sat them down together. He was overly excited and was bursting at the seams to tell her about what was in the box.

“Merry Christmas!” He yelled enthusiastically. What was in the box start barking and Ezza jumped from the new noise. 

“What is it?” She asked Zas.

“A puppy. I know you love to cuddle Nigel Su, who doesn’t what a cutie,” Zas said smiling. “I just thought you could have something of your own to cuddle and take care of, you know since Cameron won’t let you have his son. Plus, every boy should have a pet as he grows older, and they don’t carry Larfuds here, so a puppy is the next best thing I found out.” 

Ezza stood up and went over to the container. She was about to bend down and open it when her foot suddenly became wet. Turning with a frown she looked at Zas questionly.

“Yeah, it does that. It did it earlier, I need to go change.” Zas said standing up.

“Thank you.” Cameron said, Zas’s thoughtfulness had touched him.

“You have to pick a name. It’s a girl.” Zas said to Ezza on his way to the bedroom. Ezza smiled and went to go open the container, when Cameron told her to go change.

“Just in case,” was all he said. She walked into their bedroom to find Zas fixing his scarf, she kissed him on the cheek and started rummaging through the closet. Zas watched as Ezza would look through her closet and then gaze towards the living room. Zas smiled to himself, I did good.

Ezza went back out into the living room. Cameron had cleaned up the mess, and gone back to assessing Nigel Su’s present situation. Ezza bent down and opened the container. Inside was the puppy. It was a dark brown colour, with a white underbelly and curly tail. Ezza let it out of the container. She bent down and held her hand out to let it sniff it.

The puppy let out a little whine and then nudged her hand. Ezza jumped a little. It’s so soft! Picking up the puppy she held it up to her face and smiled. This creature was so tiny, and so beautiful, she was in love already.

 

 

 

Forgetting about the puppy for a moment, Ezza went and found Zas in the office. He turned and smiled at her.

“So? You like her?” Zas asked. He already knew of course. Ezza nodded as a huge grin spread across her face. She held out her hands to him, Zas got up and came towards her.

“Now it’s my turn.” Ezza said.

“I can’t wait.” Zas said. He hoped she was going to take him back to their room and expand his universe again. He could picture it now.

“I’m pregnant. Merry Christmas.” Ezza said gently, but happily.

“No!” Zas hollered.

“Well, that turned painful really fast.” Cameron said the puppy in the living room as he heard Zas’s shout. The puppy was looking towards the noise, and let out a little whine.