Tides and Tidings

Chapter 48

Charlie

“D o you want to order pizza tonight?” Blythe asked with her head in the refrigerator. “We don’t have any groceries.”

Relief washed over me when Blythe made that suggestion. The thought of having to go to the store and cooking sounded horrible.

My parents left a bit ago and offered to watch Wren while Blythe and I restocked the house, but we politely declined. We wanted to spend some time outside with our girl and her new toy.

“I was thinking…” She shut the refrigerator door and turned towards me, her elbows against the counter. “It’s still early in the day. Maybe we can go get a tree and decorate it tonight?”

Her green eyes pleaded. This was our first official Christmas together, and I was willing to do whatever I could to make it memorable for both her and Wren.

I positioned myself against her body, my hands on either side of her. “We could do that.”

Blythe perked up at my agreement and placed a small peck on my lips. “You’re the best.”

Our quiet moment was interrupted by a six-year-old bounding down the stairs and into the kitchen. “Guys! Guess what?”

“What?” We asked in unison.

“I taught Marshy a new trick!” Wren looked around realizing the dog didn’t follow her downstairs. “Marsh!” The kid screamed at the base of the stairs.

Our favorite Golden Retriever ran towards us before sitting at Wren’s feet. These two are crazy for each other. People told me getting a puppy when I had a new baby was insane—and maybe it was for a bit—but they light up each other’s lives. I don’t know if Wren will ever have siblings, but these two are the companions each other needs.

Wren turned towards Blythe and me. “Are you ready?”

We nodded.

“Marshy, up!” Wren tapped her little shoulders, and Marsh gently rested his paws on them. “Good boy!” She pointed to the ground and gave him a treat.

I knelt to be level with the dog. “Good boy, Marsh.” My dog dad voice came out. “Good job being gentle with your girl. Who’s the best boy?” I ruffled his ears.

“That’s incredible, Wrenny. Great job training him!” Blythe offered a boost. “How long have you been practicing that?”

Wren shrugged nonchalantly. “Since we went upstairs.”

“That’s impressive,” I added.

Wren smushed her face into Marsh’s chest. “He’s really smart.”

“You both are,” Blythe confirmed.

My kid’s face lit up like the sky on the Fourth of July. Blythe quickly learned that Wren’s love language was words of affirmation and provided confirmation and affirmation in this house.

“Little Bird, do you want to pick out a Christmas tree?”

Wren looked up at me with the same eyes I see in the mirror. “Yes!” She grabbed Blythe’s hand and headed for the door. “Can we go now?”

Blythe’s eyes met mine. I shrugged. “Sure, why not? Go put your jacket on.”

“Birdie, can you help me?”

I could see Blythe’s chest fill with excitement. “Absolutely.”

Blythe helped Wren into her coat and the three of us made our way to the car. Wren was being buckled into her seat when she asked if we could listen to Christmas music. Even though it wasn’t my go-to music, I happily obliged. Blythe got in the passenger seat and drove to the nearest Christmas tree farm.

Wren and Blythe sang along while I tried to hold back the smile tugging at my lips.

“I’m not used to picking out a tree while it’s sixty degrees out. This feels weird to me.” Blythe commented while plucking Wren out of her car seat.

“Birdie, was it cold where you lived?”

“Oh yeah. It even snowed!”

Wren’s eyes were saucers. “I’ve never seen snow.”

“Maybe your daddy and I can plan a trip to the mountains so you can see snow soon.”

Her mouth hung open. “Really?”

Blythe looked over at me. I could tell by the look on her face that it would make her feel more at home as well.

“Let’s do it. Do you think Grammy and Pops would also like to come with us?”

Wren nodded under her little beanie. “I think they would love that.”

The kid started to take off through the parking lot.

“Hand!” Blythe called behind her, extending a hand out for Wren to grab. She did as she was told.

She sure played the mom role well for someone who didn’t want kids. Wren always listens to whatever Blythe says, whether she wants to or not.

“Do you smell that?” Blythe inhaled deeply.

Wren looked up at Blythe and inhaled the same way. “It smells good.”

“It does, doesn’t it? That’s what our house will smell like once the tree is in the living room.”

“It’s heavenly!” Wren spread her arms wide and did a little twirl.

Where did she even learn that?

I would agree, though. The smell of Frasier Fir is one of my favorites. It reminded me of all the times my mom and Ron took me to this farm to pick out a tree. Those are some of my best memories, and being able to recreate them with my daughter is special.

With Blythe’s hand firmly grasped, Wren also reached for my hand. The kid led us around the farm while she decided which one she wanted. She had initially picked a thirteen-foot monster of a tree, but Blythe had to explain that it wouldn’t fit inside the house. Crisis averted .

“How about this one?” Wren let go of our hands and found the perfect tree. “It’s super fat!”

“It’s full.” I corrected.

“What is it full of?” My daughter cocked her head, not understanding what I was saying.

I bit back a smile. “Never mind.”

“Can we get this one?” Wren glanced up at Blythe for approval.

“I think it’s perfect. What does your dad think?” She looked towards me.

I offered a huge smile. “I think we should get it.”

“Yay!”

There was a younger guy who worked at the farm walking by. “Excuse me?”

The guy turned towards me. He was eighteen. “Yes, sir?”

I handed over my phone. “Would you mind taking a picture of us by our tree?”

“Of course, man. I’d be happy to.”

I picked up Wren and Blythe snuggled into our side. We stayed like that for a moment while the kid took some pictures.

He handed the phone back to me. “You’re really lucky. I hope to have a wife and family like yours one day.”

This is all I ever wanted, even though I didn’t know it.

“You will. Just wait for the right woman to come along.”

“Is that what you did?” He asked.

“Sure is.” I pulled my girls close. “One day, you’ll be at a Christmas tree farm with your wife and kids, and it will be a core memory for all of you.”