Page 71 of Surprise Baby for Mr. Fischer
I glanced at Lincoln. With everything going on, we hadn't talked about holidays. I also wasn't sure if he was ready to spend so much time with my family. They could be a bit much.
He shrugged and looked at me, but I couldn't get a read off of him.
Mom tsked. “Well, that won't do. Christmas is only a few days away. The two of you should come here for Christmas Eve to decorate the tree and then come back on Christmas Day for dinner.”
“Mom, we’re kind of a lot to take in all at once,” I said, trying to give Lincoln an out.
“It would be a great time for Lincoln to get to know your sisters,” Dad jumped into the conversation.
I snorted. It would be more like the Spanish Inquisition than a friendly little chat.
Lincoln had a wistful look on his face. “I can't remember the last time I decorated a tree for Christmas."
“Really?" I stopped and stared at him.
“Yeah, I usually spend Christmas with my uncle, and his tree is already decorated by the time I get there. He has an artificial one, so the lights are already done, and he hires someone to do the rest.”
I gasped. “Artificial?”
Mom chuckled. “Harper has a thing about artificial trees.”
“Why bother putting one up if it's not going to be real?” I threw my hands up. “Seriously though, Christmas trees are one of the best parts of the season. The scent of pine, the beautiful needles, picking it out as a family—” It made me sad to think Lincoln had never experienced that ... until now. “We're getting you a tree!”
Lincoln's eyes crinkled in the corners as he laughed. “Okay, but where do you think we're going to find a real tree four days before Christmas?”
“Hmmm. Mom, do you think the Rossi's might have any left?”
“I can call and ask, sweetheart. They usually close down on the twenty-second or the twenty-third.”
“The twenty-second’s today. We’ll need to go tomorrow.” I rubbed my hands together. This was perfect! I loved the tradition of picking out the tree and decorating it. Now Lincoln and I would be starting our own tradition and next year the baby would be with us too. I gave a happy little sigh.
“I bet we have plenty of extra decorations, if you’d like,” Dad suggested.
“Your dad and I could get them ready for you tomorrow if you want to stop and pick them up,” Mom added.
“That would be great. Thank you,” Lincoln said, smiling at both of them. I loved seeing him with my family.
“It's not a problem,” Mom responded warmly. She liked Lincoln. When he'd stepped away from the table earlier, she'd told me she had a good feeling about him. “Lincoln, you mentioned your uncle. Will he be here for Christmas too?"
“We haven't finalized the details, but he was thinking of coming up to visit."
"Bring him with you. We'd love to meet him. Besides, it'll be nice to have another guy here,” Dad said and winked.
“I'm sure he’d appreciate the invitation. I know he'd like to meet both of you.”
I reached over and squeezed Lincoln's hand. This was the magic of the Christmas season. Everything was coming together perfectly.
“We should get going soon.” I let go of Lincoln and stood to start clearing the dishes. Lincoln got up to assist me.
“No, you kids get going.” Dad shooed us with his hands and took the plates from Lincoln and me. “I’ll clean up.”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“I’m sure. Take care of my little girl.” Dad stared Lincoln down.
“I will.”
Lincoln was the first not to bow under Dad’s pressure. My two previous boyfriends had been terrified of him after he chewed them up and spit them out.
