The Family Man

“Mommy! Daddy! Wake up!” The twins shouted as they jumped onto our bed.
“We’re up.” I said, sitting up to look at them.
“Daddy’s not up.” Samantha pointed out.
“Well then, you better wake him up.” I replied, smiling.
Samantha climbed on top of Ashley’s chest and started half-heartedly hitting his chest. “Daddy!”
“What? I’m up!” He said, immediately waking up.
“Today we go get the Christmas tree!” They announced together.
I laughed; they had been looking forward to this all week. “Come on then Ashley, we can’t keep them waiting. Besides, you need to cut down the tree.” I climbed out of bed and started getting dressed. “You two head downstairs for breakfast, I’ll be there in a minute.”
They both raced out of the room, grinning like mad.
“I need to tell you something Belle.” Ashley said as he got out of bed.
“Am I going to like it?” I asked.
“Maybe.”
“Well get on with it then.”
“We’re starting tour in January.” He said.
“How long will you be gone?” I asked.
“We’ve broken the tour up so I won’t be gone for too long. The first leg is from January until March so that Andy can be here for Juliet. Then the second leg is June and July so that I can be here for you. The last leg is going to be from September to the end of November.” He said.
“Well that isn’t too bad.” I replied.
“You’re fine with it?” He asked.
“Yeah, you won’t be gone too long and it is your job. I know you have to tour. Now if you said you were leaving in January and I wouldn’t see you until September, then I would be upset.”
“You’re the best wife in the world.” He said, hugging me.
“I know.” I replied. “And don’t you forget it.” I pulled out of his arms to go make the twins some breakfast.

We were walking through the trees while the twins were running ahead of us. We told them they could choose the tree, so they were checking them all out.
“We found it!” Jack yelled.
Ashley and I approached the tree, examining it. It was just over six feet tall, not too skinny and filled out completely. I smiled; I half expected them to choose a Griswold tree. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was one of their favorite Christmas movies, that and the Muppet’s Christmas Carol.
“You’re sure this is the one?” Ashley asked.
“Yes Daddy!” Samantha said.
“All right then.” He picked up his axe and started chopping away at the trunk of the tree.
Pretty soon it was on the ground and Ashley and I were carrying it back to the main lot to pay for it. We loaded it on top of the car and headed home.

“I wanna put the star on top!” Samantha said.
“No, I wanna do it!” Jack complained.
I looked at Ashley. “Why don’t you both do it?” I said. “Come here Jack.” I picked him up while Ashley picked Samantha up.
“Here.” Ashley gave Samantha the star.
“Now Jack, you hold the other side.” I said.
They each held a point of the star and placed it on the top of the tree.
“There, all done.” I said, putting Jack down.
“Now all we have to do is wait for Christmas and there will be presents under the tree and we’ll get a visit from Santa.” Ashley said.
“Yay!” They both shouted.
“Up to bed now.” I said. “It’s getting late.” It was already 8:30pm and they should have been in bed half an hour ago.
“Okay.” They said in unison. They both headed for the stairs with Ashley right behind them.
What a wonderful day it had been, and only one week left until Christmas.

Notes

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