December 24

"Oh, Rosine, it's perfect!" Zipporah gushes as we enter the house to find our tree, which we picked out ourselves earlier today, set up and decorated, minus our own personal ornaments, knick knacks and the star. Lanzo gaggles excitedly, waving his fists and squirming in his carrier. I set it down and unbuckle him, lifting him up so that I can give him a better view of our festive home. He's just over a month old now and is growing fast. Zipporah giggles and tickles him sweetly, "Yes, it's your first Christmas, Lanzo! Isn't it beautiful?!" Lanzo grabs onto her fingers and babbles in response. She grins and kisses him lovingly, then plants one on me.

We got here on the fifteenth so that we could officially present Lanzo to Eldstein, and so that we had assured protection again. Once his birth was publicly announced, we started receiving warnings and threats from Ziska and her associates, most of whom have fortunately been taken into custody.

"Dankeschön, Princess," Rosine chirps, smiling brightly at us before stepping aside, "If that is all you need, I will take my leave."

"Of course, Rosine. Danke."

Rosine curtsies and exits, off for a well earned vacation. This leaves us alone together. I grin and carry Lanzo over to the tree, allowing him to finger it and some of the decor. Zipporah turns on some music and opens our shared box of ornaments. She puts hers up, then I hand Lanzo to her so I can do mine. While I finish up she holds Lanzo, singing gayly along to the tunes.

"Now all that's left is Lanzo's first ornament and the star." I explain, digging through her purse and extracting a small box. Zipporah nods.

"Of course," She comes around and we unbox the ornament- 'Baby's First Christmas', "Okay, Lanzo, let's put yours up." He reaches for it and we let him toy with it for a minute before placing it on a branch. Lanzo squeals with glee, "He's such a happy baby." Zipporah hums.

"Yes, he is," I agree, then pick up the star and hold it in front of Lanzo, "One day you'll put this up on the top of our tree. Alright, Lanzo?"

He warbles in reply and I carefully crown the tree with the star, completing it. Zipporah giggles and we kiss passionately under the evergreen boughs, "To think, this is our second Christmas and we've only been married a year and nine days."

"The best year and nine days of my life, Edelweiss." I remark and kiss her again, then we return attention to our energetic baby. He smiles toothlessly and wiggles excitedly, grabbing at my fingers.

After feeding Lanzo and enjoying a few movies with treats, we carry him up to his nursery and change him. Zipporah continues to teach me how to do it, but I can't match her deft skill with it. We end up sharing laughs before she sits down in the recliner to rock him to sleep.

I start softly, singing a lullaby which seems to work best at coaxing him to sleep. Zipporah joins in and in a while, we tuck him into his bassinet and check the room temperature and monitor. I grab ours from the bedroom and we sneak back downstairs, "Merry Christmas Eve, Edelweiss." She coos sweetly as we snuggle up together on the couch.

"Merry Christmas Eve, mein Schatz."

This is the second to last chapter for the book! Please vote and comment! Thanks!

~Uilosris