Chapter Three
Aiden
He likely should have resisted it, but he hadn’t. There was something about nutcrackers that fascinated Aiden. The mechanics of them, the craftsmanship, not to mention the fact that they were functional and yet, they looked like the best toys.
Yep, nutcrackers were the ultimate Christmas decoration. So, when he’d seen a wreath covered in mini nutcrackers that actually worked, there was no way that it wasn’t coming home with him. Especially not when he’d just finished taking the decorations for Thanksgiving down the day before.
Aiden stood back and admired his handiwork, taking in the feeling that flowed through him at the sight of the first decoration of the season hanging on their door. Christmas time was officially here and Aiden couldn’t wait to do all the things.
As he stepped back inside and headed for his playroom, he hummed a familiar Christmas tune and anticipated Daddy’s return from therapy, hoping he’d love the new addition on their door.
Rocky
If Rocky had realized how much therapy would help him, how much lighter he’d feel after talking to someone trained to help, he’d have begun counseling years ago.
As Rocky navigated the familiar route home, he reflected on the breakthrough he’d had during his session.
The realization that all the trips he’d taken with his late husband, crossing places off of Seth’s bucket list, had caused a connection in Rocky’s brain between traveling and saying goodbye was eye-opening.
But it had given Crystal the information she needed to teach him some techniques designed to calm that particular anxiety.
Hopefully, those techniques would help him to be able to carry out his Christmas plans.
As he pulled into the drive at home, his eye caught on the wreath on the door and he smiled as he dismounted his bike and walked toward the door.
Thank goodness both he and Aiden were free for the rest of the week because that adorable wreath was a sure sign it was time to get the Christmas spirit flowing in their home.
Rocky hummed a tune about Christmas trees, the first stirrings of Christmas spirit flowing through him as he headed to the playroom to let his boy know they had plans. Tonight, they were going to do it up right.
Aiden bounced his knee and wiggled in his seat as he watched out the window and asked for the fifteenth time, “where are we going, Daddy?”
Rocky couldn’t hide his wide grin if he’d tried. It was adorable how excited and curious Aiden was about their destination. There was no way Rocky was going to spoil the surprise and miss seeing Aiden’s eyes light up as they pulled in.
“You’ll see, baby. Patience.” He reached over and squeezed Aiden’s knee as he spoke letting the other man know he wasn’t upset, just in case his gentle tone hadn’t conveyed the message clearly.
“Daddy, you know Littles and Middles aren’t exactly known for their patience.” It was a valid argument, honestly. He’d yet to meet a Little with the ability to wait, especially for something exciting.
“It’ll be worth the wait,” he reassured his boy. “I promise.”
Thankfully they were almost at their destination and Aiden was caught up in looking at the lights on houses of early decorators.
It was nice that some people decorated early.
If they came this way in a couple weeks, all the houses would be lit bright enough to make it seem like daytime.
Rocky made a mental note as he slowed for their final turn to bring Aiden back to see the lights when everyone had finished getting ready for the season.
He slowed again to turn into the parking lot of their destination and heard Aiden’s gasp of joy as he took in the popular Christmas tree farm before them. Yep, totally worth the wait.
Aiden
The Christmas Tree Farm! They were getting a tree and Aiden couldn’t be more excited. It would be his first time picking a tree. He hoped he chose a good one.
“There is no such thing as a good or bad tree, baby. The perfect tree is the one you know will make you smile each time you see it.”
Had he spoken out loud, or was Daddy just so attuned to him he anticipated the thought? Aiden would probably never know but the answer to that quandary wouldn’t make what Daddy had said any less perfect.
He waited as patiently as he possibly could for Daddy to get his door and unbuckle him. It was a rule that had been established the very first day they’d been together and the last thing Aiden wanted was to get in trouble on such a special day.
Once he was out of the car, Daddy took his hand and led him to the pretty garland arch that served as the entrance to the farm. “You get to pick the tree, baby. It’s your first time celebrating and anything you choose is going to be perfect for both of us.”
Daddy might say that, but it didn’t make Aiden any less determined to pick a tree they’d both adore.
He wanted Daddy to love the way their home looked just as much as he did.
So, as they entered the winter wonderland offering trees and shops with decorations of all sorts, and every Christmas snack imaginable, Aiden determined that their personal Christmas wonderland would be the most perfect, beautiful one in town.
His eyes felt too big for his head as he took in everything that the farm had to offer.
Daddy led him directly to the tree area to pick out a tree.
When Aiden tried to get him to stop for hot chocolate first, Daddy explained that hot chocolate was something they drank while the tree experts prepared their chosen tree for transport.
So, he hurriedly followed his love, eager to find the perfect tree for their first Christmas.
The third different version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer since they’d arrived was playing in the background as they wandered for the third time down a row.
As the woman on the speakers told the story of the misfit deer, Aiden found his eyes wandering yet again to what seemed to be the misfit tree on the lot.
As he watched, another family looked it over and dismissed it.
That was the sixth family he’d seen pass up the little tree and Aiden felt his heart squeeze.
He knew what it felt like to face constant rejection.
Led by his gut feeling, he made his way to the tree. Its branches were missing some needles in spots, there were a few brown spots on it, and it was far from the tallest or fullest tree there. Still, it was calling his name in a way he hadn’t expected.
“Is this the one, baby?” Aiden startled at Daddy’s voice. He’d been so caught up in the tree he’d almost forgotten anyone else was there.
He hesitated in answering, he really wanted the perfect tree, but he also didn’t want to be yet another person to pass the poor tree by. Reaching out a hand, he stroked the closest branch, taking in the texture of its needles and asked, “would it be a terrible tree?”
“No, baby. I think it’s perfect. It needs love and attention and I think we’re the perfect people to give it what it needs.”
Aiden felt his grin spreading so wide, it almost felt like his face would split from the ferocity of it. He just knew this was the tree for them and he was so glad that Daddy agreed.
“You’re going to be the most loved tree in all of Texas.” He told the tree as Daddy flagged down a tree salesperson to get the tree ready to head home with them.
Rocky
“Every precious tree needs an ornament just as precious to grace its branches,” Rocky explained to Aiden as he led the other man to the hot chocolate cafe close to the tree lot. “So, once we get our hot cocoa, we’ll head over to the ornament store and pick out a special ornament for our new tree.”
“That sounds perfect, Daddy.” Aiden’s voice was laced with a joy and innocence that made Rocky’s heart sing.
As he opened the door, the smells of chocolate, peppermint and cinnamon poured from the opening, enticing them to enter and indulge.
Aiden hurried forward, obviously anticipating his sweet treat. Rocky was slower to make his way to the counter so that by the time he’d gotten there, Aiden had almost finished placing his order.
“...and marshmallows, the little ones, not the big ones. Oh! And chocolate syrup drizzle!” Rocky wasn’t sure what Aiden had added to his drink before he’d gotten there but it really didn’t matter. It was Christmas. There were worse things than a sugar high while decorating.
Rocky quickly placed his order and paid the tab before finding them a table.
As they sipped their drinks, they talked about all the things they wanted in their home for the holidays.
It didn’t take long for Rocky to realize that his boy had a thing for nutcrackers.
It was good information to store for later.
The knowledge also made him more excited for one of his Christmas plans.
“Oh, Daddy, look!” Aiden shouted across the store. “It’s perfect!”
Rocky made his way over from where he’d been inspecting the ornaments with the year printed on them to where Aiden practically danced in excitement.
When Aiden handed him the ornament that had caught his fancy, Rocky’s heart stuttered in his chest and his breath caught.
In his hands, he held two nutcracker ornaments, each with their own strings but when they were put together, their hands were drawn together with magnets until they were holding hands.
One nutcracker was obviously older with grey hair and one was a younger nutcracker with darker hair.
They stood at almost the same height with the younger being just a hair shorter than the older.
They really did make the absolute best ornaments.
And the best thing about them was that they were able to be etched with their names and the year.
Rocky looked at Aiden whose eyes were radiant with the pleasure, excitement and hope of a young kid at Christmas. “They’re almost perfect, baby.” He said and took Aiden’s hand to lead him to the customization desk.
Aiden