Bob dragged in the pine tree, set it on the stand in a corner and stood back to admire his handiwork.
"Looking good" Eliza encouraged, coming in from the kitchen. "I bought down the decorations from the attic."
"Ainsley" she called in a voice meant to carry upstairs "Come and see."
A stamping of small feet as Ainsley thundered down the stairs.
"Did you get it?" she asked, near breathless with excitement.
"Of course" Bob chuckled "Can't have Christmas without a tree."
"Mmm" Ainsley hummed; taking in deep, audible breaths of the real tree scent.
At first, Bob didn't even take off his heavy jacket before Ainsley swopped on the old cardboard boxes and he was swept up in trimming the tree with his family.
"Jingle bells. Jingle bells. Jingle all the way." Bob and Ainsley sang enthusiastically, though not necessarily on key.
"Oh what fun it is to ride on a one horse open sleigh." Eliza joined in, a pretty sound that made the others stop, silently and stare. Eliza looked a little embarrassed.
"Well come on then." she cajoled her admirers. "Jingle bells. Jingle bells."
"Mamma can sing." Ainsley told her father quietly. Then she joined in the carolling again.
Yeah. Bob thought, half in the present with his wife and daughter, half in the past when a younger Bob used to watch Eliza those nights she came to the karaoke bar. Mamma can sing.
Eliza watched Bob a moment as he expertly prepared a grand Christmas dinner. He really knows his way around the kitchen she thought to herself. Then, not wanting to be caught staring, she bustled out of the room with her orange juice.
For his part, Bob got lost in the rhythm of cooking. Time just flew by when he was in the world he knew and loved.
When everything was ready and the table was set, Bob and Eliza sat down. She thanked him sincerely for cooking and gave him a warm look that had not passed between them in some while. Bob was about to respond, when Ainsley burst into the dining room, alerted by the smells that dinner was imminent.
Bob shifted to be closer to his daughter. Eliza was last to serve herself from the delicious roast meal. The Pancakes sat down and ate together; which was something of a rarity. Bob was a bit of a comedian that evening, trying heartily to keep both his ladies entertained with his lame jokes.
During desert, Bob slipped away from the table, while Eliza distracted Ainsley. They had a surprise for her and not just the presents in the shed.
Bob came back, bundled up in his jacket against the cold outside. His mission accomplished.
Not only had he snuck the presents under the tree, but he bought along company.
Bob had convinced one of the neighbours to play the role of Santa for an hour or two. The elderly gentleman, who used to babysit Ainsley on the rare occasion and who had no family locally, agreed. He told Bob that he did not have the traditional red suit, but he did have a jacket and hat from the "old country" that would do nicely.
Ainsley was positively thrilled about this personal visit from Santa himself. She did question him on his choice of costume and whether he ought to be delivering presents to all the children and where were the reindeer? The old man did his best under the interrogation, explaining that Ainsley had been particularly good and so warranted a brief visit before he went to put on his work clothes and hitch up the sleigh. Presents were supposed to be delivered when children were sleeping didn't she know?
The lure of presents under the tree was enough to divert Ainsley's attention.
When all the presents had been opened. Old Mr Petrov was sent on his way, with profuse thanks from Bob. When Ainsley had been tucked safely in bed. Bob and Eliza changed into their pyjamas and began to get ready for bed. They were so happy at the merry day they had given Ainsley and the joyful holiday spirit. The sparks that had been flying between them all day ignited. Sleep would have to wait a while longer...
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