All I Wish for Christmas

When everything all good and back to normal ~

Enneagram #2 (Helper/Nurturer):Empathic, sincere, warmhearted, friendly, self-sacrificing, and generous. Can be sentimental, flattering, and people-pleasers.

“Daddy, is she coming?” Sammy, whispered.

Trevor, wore a red top hat trimmed with a pink ribbon and a coordinating bow tie matching Sammy’s. He turned with a smile, “Yes, she’ll be here any minute. Now, stay there with Oliver, just like we planned, okay? And fix your tie, it’s crooked.”

Turning back, he took in the crowd forming in front of the now cool logs of the gas fireplace. Garland trimmed the mantle, decorated with red and pink bells and matching bows. Above them, Bill, Alexa, and Caitlyn’s stockings hung. It was a special, symbolic reminder of their life-bringers, of whom without, none of them would have the Christmas Magic that brought them to life.

Sammy stood right behind his father, and the three groomsmen next to him included Oliver, Glint, and Jasper. Across the aisle, Trevor watched as the bridesmaids, Olivia, Miss Tooth, and Dolly were all smiles. The entire wedding party had been outfitted with variations of red and pink, blending both Tilly and Trevor’s standard colors together. The brilliant white lights from the giant Christmas tree cast a glorious glow and a sense of magic over the entire scene.

His bride, Tilly, was behind the gifts under the tree with Mary attending to her. And now at the front, Balthazar had taken his place, giving Trevor a reassuring smile, while the last of their guests gathered around. Trevor took a deep breath, the magnitude of this moment filling him with nervous wonderment.

The room began filling with soft Christmas music as the quartet of carolers started with a melodic chorale. It was time to begin and the crowd grew quiet. Mary silently made her way out from behind the gifts, aiming for her seat in the front next to Joseph, holding sleeping baby Jesus.

Trevor wasn’t sure about anybody else, but his eyes were trained on the opening in the packages where he knew his bride would emerge. Sure enough, a resounding murmur arose as Tilly stepped out, her arm hooked under the Grinch’s as the pair began the slow march down the red roll of wrapping paper leading to the altar and the wedding party.

Trevor’s heart melted—she was gorgeous. Her standard pink tutu had been embellished with a long, flowing swath of white lace trailing behind her, a pink bow adorned the bottom. Her cap had been replaced with a golden circle crown, streams of red silk ribbon flowing down her back. But prettiest of all was the soft smile she held as she returned his gaze.

Upon reaching her groom, Tilly looked up at her dear friend, giving the Grinch a tight squeeze, “Thank you, Grinch. It means a lot to me to have you walk me down the aisle.”

He silently squeezed her back, wiping a tear from his eye before taking her by the shoulders and pointing her towards her fiancé. Only Tilly would spend a chunk of her wedding delving out hugs, Trevor thought. Taking Tilly’s hands in his, the immense amount of love he felt for her was returned through both her sure grip and beaming countenance.

“Dearly beloved, we gather here tonight…,” Balthazar proceeded with the ceremony, while the pair listened to the wise man’s perceptive words regarding the promises that they would make to one another.

Trevor was the first to give his vows, his heart in his throat as he spoke. “Tilly, on behalf of Sammy and I, I wanted to say how much your being a part of our family has meant over the last few years. We both couldn’t be any more happier to officially make you ours, in both wife and mother now. Tilly, I promise to love and honor you so long as there’s Christmas Magic left in this world bringing us to life. And may we never be separated by military moves and extended bouts in storage ever again. I love you, Tilly.”

Tilly smiled, unsuccessfully holding back tears. “Trevor, Sammy, I’m the one who’s honored to be a part of your family. I’m so glad that you both came to be a part of our household and that we all found each other. For many years, I’d contemplated the meaning of love. And I’ve found that love flows from many places. But the love that I have found with you is one that is worth falling for. And I don’t think I will ever stop falling in love with you, for my love seems boundless. I will always love you.”

Trevor’s heart burst as they both looked to Balthazar again. “Do you Trevor Snowman, take Tilly to be your lawfully wedded wife, so long as the Christmas Spirit dwells within you?”

“I do,” he softly proclaimed to his bride.

“And do you, Tilly Tippy Toes, take Trevor to be your lawfully wedded husband, so long as the Christmas Spirit dwells within you?”

“Oh, yes, I do!” Tilly gushed.

Balthazar smiled down upon them, “Then so long as no one objects, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

And so Trevor scooped Tilly up, kissing her as she laughed and cried, hugging him tightly. When they parted, they both opened their arms, bringing Sammy into their hug, and the trio overflowed with love and happiness.

“The bouquet, the bouquet,” several voices began chanting, breaking them from their moment. Trevor released his wife, taking Sammy’s hand, while Tilly giggled at the group of eligible ladies gathering for the traditional bouquet catch. Turning away from them, she effectively tossed the tiny plastic mistletoe arrangement over her head.

“Oh-oh, looks like Glint’s not gonna be a bachelor much longer,” Oliver jabbed the blushing Elf on the Shelf in the ribs as everyone laughed, teasing the well established bachelor and his also-blushing girlfriend, the Tooth Fairy.

Trevor welcomed Tilly back to his side, as he kissed her again, intertwining his fingers with hers. “Are you ready for our first dance, my beautiful dancing angel?”

“Definitely,” she grinned, as they officially embarked upon their happily ever after.

~ THE END ~