Margaret chuckled under her breath before she wrapped an arm around Cherish’s shoulder and walked ahead of the men, “Did you have fun on the bunny slops dear?” she asked.
Cherish held both jackets in her arms as she shook her head and nudged her, “Not as much as you.” She whispered.
Returning inside the large, crowded, recreation area, they found Miriam and Jack with the babies by a large fireplace eating lunch. The kids’ little snowsuits were open and damp from where they sat and played outside in the snow. They were almost done by the time their mom and dad had sat down with them, “You got food for all of us?” Simon asked.
Jack nodded while he scooped the last bits of oatmeal for Jr., “We didn’t think you’d be too long behind us. Miriam and I got into a conversation with a guy and he said there’s a pine tree farm not far from here. We thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring one back and decorate it for Christmas. Instead of buying a tacky, plastic one covered in fake snow, with fake cranberries, and fake glitter.” He said before he slowly glanced up at Margaret.
She returned his gaze with a glare and threw a dirtied napkin at him, “It was beautiful! You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?” she snapped.
Jack chuckled under his breath before he tossed the napkin back in her direction, “Never.” He answered while the others laughed.
After lunch, they returned the gear and left for the farm. The grandparents stalked through the small sea of trees and looked for the right one; debating, “This side looks too wimpy.” Simon Sr. muttered.
Margaret stood in the background and crossed her arms as Jack groaned, “It looks better than the one you picked out!” he retorted.
Cherish carried Jasmine on her hip while they trailed down numerous lines of Christmas trees. Unlike Jack and Miriam, she didn’t know what she was looking for. Mainly because she’d never had one. Leaning over, Jasmine gripped a few of the needles in a vice grip and Cherish smiled at her while kissing against her chilled cheek, “You can’t have each one you grab baby.” she whispered pulling Jasmine’s hand away.
Moving on to the next, Miriam pointed upwards and shook her head, “See how the top is leaning over? That just won’t do. The angel will lean as well.” She whispered moving down the line.
Simon had Jr. in his arms, but his baby boy wasn’t interested or entertained. Jr.’s big, cold cheeks pressed against his father’s chest. Simon wrapped his scarf around him while he circled one tree, “Hmm, this one looks perfect, I think.” He muttered under his breath.
Jack wandered over and appraised the tree before he reached in and grabbed a branch. He ran the needles through his grip and with him a bunch fell away which meant it was old and dry, “No go.” He said.
Jr. grew restless and wailed out. Large tears rolled down the sides of his cheeks which in turn made his face colder. A cold little man in dire need of a nap didn’t make the trip any easier. Simon wiped at his face and rubbed his back before he tightened the little hood over Jr.’s round head. His cries lessened as he pushed his face back in Simon’s chest again, “Shh. Shh. It’s okay, buddy. Just a little longer.” He whispered.
A few minutes later they found the perfect tree sitting a bit away from the others. It wasn’t too tall or wide, a nice, deep green with healthy needles that were even on all sides. Simon quickly pointed the tree out and bumped Jr. against his bottom, “Thar she blows!” he called out.
Jack and Simon Sr. stepped out between other prospective victims before they approached the tree and wandered around it a few times. Nodding to Jack, Simon Sr. grabbed the other side of the saw in Jack’s hand and they began to cut.
Cherish appeared beside Simon and Jr. as the grandfathers worked. She nudged against him holding Jasmine out, "Here. I'll take him to the van. He's about as done with the cold as I am." She said.
“Good idea” Simon agreed as they traded babies.
Cherish kissed against Jr.’s cheek before she retrieved the keys and hurried out, "Come on handsome, let's get you out of the cold." She whispered.
The tree shook and the blades raked from one side to the other. Finally freed from the trunk, it fell with a creak and the workers hurried over. They wrapped and secured tree with rope before Simon Sr. and Jack pulled one cord over their shoulders towards the van. Spotting their struggle, Simon handed Jasmine off to Miriam, walked around to the back, and pushed against the end of the trunk. They hoisted it onto the roof and tied it tightly on the rack for the ride back.
The men dusted off their gloves and the front of their coats before they climbed into the heat of the van with the women. On the way to the cabin, Margaret listed what was for dinner that night to start Hanukkah right.
Once home, Cherish took the kids upstairs and drew them a warm bath. Jasmine smacked the water while Jr. chewed on a clean wash cloth. Miriam and Margaret went through the motions and began to cut the potatoes and knead the dough for the latkes and doughnuts they’d have later. While Simon and the men dragged the tree in and perched it beside the living room windows, Cherish finished with the kids and got them ready for a needed nap. She appeared downstairs momentarily and proceeded to make Jasmine’s bottle.
Margaret’s chops against the cutting board slowed as she looked to Cherish, “When you’re finished, come downstairs so we can get started on dinner,
