alex and merder - 34. bauble pls and thank
Christmas was 4 days ago but shhhhh....I couldn't resist. I hope you enjoy this, thank you for sending it in!
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Christmas trees have always been uniformed for Meredith. The fake one she’d drag down from the attic every year, starting from the time she was old enough, to the traditional white and gold ornaments that once belonged to Ellis’ grandmother. She decorated that tree every year until she left for college and then didn’t celebrate the holiday much until Izzie decorated that first year. She got out all the fancy ornaments and lights. It became something of tradition, even after Izzie moved out.
This year is different, because this year, Meredith is a mom. She has realistic expectations for the things in her home. It means she keeps the few family heirlooms up high so Alex can’t get to them when he’s feeling small, or she’s tucked them away all together. Sure, on Christmas, she could try to explain to him why he needs to be careful. But she’d rather not give him that anxiety or worry.
So, the glass baubles remain tucked away their first Christmas with Alex.
Derek’s family always did the fun, cartoonish ornaments growing up. They hung the ones kids made in school. Most of those are back in New York, but he has a couple that he brought with him. Carolyn is kind enough to mail over a few more. Alex made a snowflake and an elf at daycare, which proudly go on the tree.
The rest they pick up from the tiny ornament shop at the Christmas tree farm (because Derek insists on a real one this year).
“We need new ornaments, Baby Bear,” Meredith explains as she leads Alex over to the back wall. There’s a mixture of glass baubles, Barbie dolls, Snoopy, Hostess snacks, and other brands. Some tacky, some gaudy, some too snooty-even for people like Ellis Grey or Harper Avery. “You can pick out whichever one’s you like.”
Alex’s eyes light up. “Anyone?”
“Yup. It’s your tree too!”
Alex picks out 3 sets of pre-packaged ornaments: Bluey, Elf, and dinosaurs. They don’t go together at all. This year, Meredith’s Christmas tree won’t look like a Pinterest board threw up. But maybe that’s what makes it her favorite of all the ones she’s ever had.
Derek walks over with a glass bauble in hand. Meredith tilts her head. “I told you, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she whispers.
He shakes his head. “We’ll put it up high enough where little hands can’t reach. Besides, I think this one is important.”
Derek spins the cream-colored ornament in his hand, revealing the silhouette of three bears on the front, two big and one small, gathered by a pine tree. Meredith smiles as she reads the pristine black cursive.
“Alright,” she agrees. “Just this one, though.”
Alex looks up from admiring his Santa Bluey and beams. “Bears! Bears!”
“That’s right.” Meredith lifts him into her arms. “There’s three bears. A mommy, a daddy, and a baby. They have a baby bear just like we do.” She kisses his cheek.
“It says “Baby’s First Christmas”. Because it’s Lex’s first Christmas with Mommy and Daddy.”
“Do you like it?” Derek asks.
Alex nods. “Uh huh.” He looks down at the pre-packaged characters. “Still gets these?”
“We can get all of them.”
“That’s okay,” Meredith says. “I like crazy trees better. Don’t you?” She grins as Alex happily nods. “Good. Then let’s check out and head home so we can decorate.”
