Holiday Memories
By Chantal Bellehumeur
I have always put up my Christmas tree during the first weekend of December. In 2015, I ended up doing it on November 28th.
That Saturday, I took out a bunch of goodies from the kitchen such as small gingerbread cookies, "homemade" Pilsburry sugar cookies, various types of chocolates as well as candies, plus round nacho chips and mild salsa, and brought them into the living room. I left three small plastic Christmas plates out on a wooden folding table with the treats in case anyone needed one.
My husband Jeff as well as my teenaged son Aidan helped me get boxes out of our storage area. They were going to help me put up the artificial tree, but I thought we would just get in each other's way so I did it myself. It only took me a few minutes, and then Jeff helped me string up the small multicoloured lights and wrap the red garlands around the tall fake pine by the three living room windows.
Aidan joined us when it was time to take out the tree decorations. We had a lot and decided not to hang all of them this year; just the ones we cherished most. First we put the red, silver, and golden Christmas balls in the green branches. Then ornaments were hung; some of them were very delicate and fragile while others were made of cheap materials. We also put some red bows on some of the branches.
Other decorations, such as snow globes, music boxes, a nut cracker, stuffed animals, and festive candles, were taken out of our boxes and I put them on display in the living room. I hung our stockings on the windowsill to the right of our tree, and an artificial pine wreath on the inside of our front door.
I placed a festive decoration on each doorknob in the house.
On the knob of the front door, I placed a "magic" ancient looking key for Santa. It was meant for him to come in through our door like regular people since we didn't have a fireplace, something I wished I had in the winter season. Although nobody in our household believed in Santa anymore, I still liked to act as though he would swing by on Christmas Eve.
I always enjoyed counting down the days left until Christmas; not as much as I liked doing a countdown until Halloween, but I enjoyed it none the less.
A fabric advent calendar my mother had made when I was younger was placed on my bedroom door. Another fabric advent calendar with small tartan patterned pockets on it was hung in the hallway near the kitchen, and later filled with wrapped chocolates and candies for Aidan; they were actually discounted Halloween goodies.
Jeff had bought me an advent calendar that included a bracelet and several metallic charms. It was meant for adults so I expected the bracelet to be big, but it ended up being so huge that I could wear it as an anklet. Luckily, I had another charm bracelet I was able to use for the new charms. It broke later in December but I managed to collect all the falling charms out of my coat sleeve. They all went on their original bracelet once I was home, but I could not wear it.
I wanted to get an advent calendar for my husband, but the one I was thinking of at Starbucks ended up having more teas and specialty coffees than what Jeff liked to drink so I didn't get it. I ended up telling my husband he could move the felt bear on the calendar my mother had made, but it looked like Aidan was still interested in taking care of that himself. I jokingly told them both not to fight over it.
As we decorated our apartment while eating junk, Jeff was in charge of the music. He played tunes he liked, some Christmasy and some not, off the internet from his computer. It broke the tradition of listening to the chipmunks cd, but that was okay. Aidan told me he was tired of it.
My son accepted to wear fake reindeer antlers on his head and I convinced my husband to wear a Santa hat. That only lasted a few minutes; mainly to take funny pictures.
Two cardboard boxes belonging to Jeff were opened once we were done with me and Aidan's decorations. My husband could not really remember what was in them because he had not put up a Christmas tree or decorated his place in years. The only reason he was doing it for Christmas 2015 was because he had moved in with me and I wanted our home to look festive.
We curiously took a peep inside one of his boxes and found a nice wreath which I hung on the outside of our front door instead of sticking thick red ribbons on the green surface to make it look like a giant present as I usually did. There was also a nice santa doll which I placed beside my small green pine-like reindeer.
In the second box, there were a few ornaments with sentimental value plus a lot of Christmas balls and strings of lights. There was also a long silver garland so I added it to the fake pine one I had placed on our black television stand which had large flat plastic snowflake ornaments hanging from it. I had found them abandoned in the garage along with other Christmas decorations so ended up taking the ones I liked.
When we were done decorating, I sprayed some pine scented air freshener near the tree and out in the hallways. I really loved that smell.
I had already done my Christmas shopping and even wrapped all my presents, so I placed them all under the tree as decorations along with empty festive looking tins and cardboard boxes. I ended up buying a few more gifts before Christmas which I added to my pile. Jeff's presents were added much later since he did most of his shopping at the last minute.
"Santa" came a day early to fill all the stockings, but we were good and waited until Christmas Eve to see what was inside them.
*****
On Saturday December 5th, Jeff and I decided to go to the Stewart Museum on St-Helene Island to see a free Santa Claus exposition. It was interesting to see the evolution of Santa and other holiday traditions.
Since the rest of the Canadian historical museum was free during the holiday season, Jeff and I explored the two floors of artifacts. I liked looking at the displays and reading some of the info about them, but also the old building we were in. It was actually used as a fortress during the war. What I liked most about it was the caved in windows and thick windowsills.
When we were done exploring in the old rooms, Jeff and I went up some stairs within a modern section of the museum. The walls were practically all glass and on the third floor there was an observatory. We could see Jacques Cartier Bridge and the tall buildings across the St-Laurence River. The sun was shinning brightly above.
It wasn't too cold outside considering the time of year, so our walk back through the snowless woods to the metro station was as pleasant as the walk towards the museum had been. It was quite peaceful too.
I spotted a squirrel on a thin leafless tree branch and got mesmerized by it. I silently watched as it gathered one round berry after another and ate them. Jeff remained by my side the whole time, patiently waiting for me to start walking again.
As we were waiting for the metro, Jeff told me he wanted to stop somewhere for coffee before heading home. We were going to head straight to a Starbucks but I remembered that the Nutcracker Christmas Market was happening and asked my husband if he wouldn't mind checking it out.
The indoor market within the Congress Centre was a lot bigger than I expected it to be. There were over fifty venders exposing their merchandise for sale and everything was tax free.
We took a look at everything on the left side and even tasted some wines and ciders. I decided to buy a bottle of pear cider for a special occasion.
About halfway though the market, Jeff ran into the father of his friend Dave who I had not met yet. Two paintings hanging in our living room were done by Dave's brother Kyle, so Jeff used that as a reference for me after introductions were made. I ended up meeting more people from that family. Like everyone else in Jeff's life, they were all very nice and friendly.
Jeff and I continued exploring and by the time we reached the end of the line an announcement was made that the market would be closing in ten minutes. We quickly walked back in the direction we had come and briefly peeped at everything on the side we had not looked at yet, figuring we could return the following day if something caught our eyes.
There was a large section with a lot of ballet things and it made me feel very nostalgic. Jeff knew that I had taken ballet classes as a child and had been asked to perform in a production of The Nutcracker. I had told him about my family moving from Burlington to Ottawa two days before the show date and not being able to dance in the production. I had been very disappointed back then and quit ballet, but sometimes regretted it. I told Jeff I never got my pointy ballerina shoes and kind of wanted some as an adult.
In that same section of the market, I found music boxes and started playing with them as I often do when I see some. They make me feel nostalgic too for some reason. I remembered having a musical jewellery box with a twirling ballerina inside as a young girl. I also had a musical cat which I gave to Aidan who handed it back to me when he got older. I told Jeff all this.
After my short trip down memory lane, my husband and I continued on our way to our starting point and left the market.
Jeff still wanted his coffee so we walked to the nearest Starbucks, which was in Old Montreal, and sat down at a table by a high window with our warm drinks for a few minutes.
*****
My office Christmas party was on Friday the 11th of December. Although I had fun, it felt strange not to be in the company of my husband for a celebration.
Jeff's office Christmas party had just been a lunch the previous day; from what he told me, it was nothing fancy like what my company did.
At my office, wine glasses were passed around starting at 4:30 while everyone (mostly the women) started getting ready for a fancy evening. Jeff called me at work to wish me a good time as I was starting to sip on my white wine. I wished he could be present and thought about him all evening.
At around 6:15, my few co-workers and I all walked to Sophia's, the Italian restaurant our boss had made reservations at. There were a few snowflakes falling from the dark sky, but they melted right away. It felt more like rain.
Shortly after everyone was seated at a long set of tables in the dimly lit restaurant and had given their jackets to the man in charge of the coat check, appetizers were brought to the table and orders for the entrees, main courses, and desserts were taken. I think we all enjoyed our nice meals, during which our wine glasses continued to get filled.
I left the restaurant at around ten o'clock feeling very full and slightly inebriated. I was happy to be greeted by my loving husband when I got home. Even though I had my keys, I had buzzed to be let into the apartment.
Unfortunately, I was much too tired to stay up and ended up going to bed rather than make love to my husband like I had been thinking about throughout the evening.
*****
Jeff and I enjoyed a quiet evening alone on the 17th, while Aidan was at the movie theatre to see "Star Wars; The Force Awakens" in 3D. I had purchased two tickets for my son in advance as an early Christmas present. I was going to buy tickets for Jeff and I at the same time, but my husband said he could wait to see the movie. We actually ended up seeing it in 3D and IMAX with Aidan one Saturday afternoon shortly after the holidays. Before the movie, we played a couple of fuzzball games in the arcade area of the deserted theatre.
Taking advantage of Aidan being out with a friend, we started off our Thursday evening with a candlelit dinner where Jeff and I ate Gnocchi with a simple homemade vegetable sauce. I had put breadsticks on the table as well.
My husband had bought a bottle of red wine because the previous day I learned that I was going to get a big raise. My salary was going to go from 30k to 32k as of January 1 2016, and up again to 35k on March 1 2016. Jeff toasted me after pouring us a glass of wine each to go with our dinner.
After our meal, we cuddled by the lit Christmas tree and table fireplace to watch the movie "Love Actually." I had admitted to Jeff that I hated the movie the first time I saw it, but wanted to give it a second chance because he loved it so much. I am glad I did because I actually enjoyed the movie this time. Perhaps it was because I felt that I was in a much better place in my love life than I had been when that movie was originally released to DVD.
If my teenaged son had not interrupted our romantic evening, Jeff and I most likely would have ended up making love. However, Aidan buzzed us while we were still watching our funny romance movie. Because I was wearing a very short black dress to look sexy for Jeff that evening, I ran to the bedroom to change into my comfy pyjamas while Jeff casually went to answer the door.
Aidan told us how much fun he had at the theatre without giving any movie spoilers away. The three of us talked for a good half hour.
When Aidan went to bed, Jeff and I resumed our movie then headed off to sleep as well.
*****
On Saturday December 19th, Jeff and I decided to check out the outdoor Christmas market in the "Cartier des Spectacles" near Place des Arts Metro Station.
We left our apartment sometime after eating a late lunch. Aidan was invited but he didn't want to come.
When we exited the metro, Jeff and I saw a series of 30 big metallic teeter totters on a strip. Many adults, teens, and a few kids were having fun on them. When Jeff asked me if I wanted to try one, I said sure.
I got on one end of an available teeter totter and Jeff got on the other. As we went up and down, the sides lit up and played musical notes. It was pretty interesting to see all the teeter totters in use, especially later in the evening when it was dark out. By then we were sitting at a Starbucks and could see the teeter totters light up as well as all the colourful lights from the Christmas market.
When we first arrived at the market, the sun was still out. Jeff and I went to each little wooden hut to see what was being sold. The first one we approached sold maple products and I ended up purchasing some maple sugar along with a cute white sugar bowl in the shape of a little house. The wrapped package came with a little metal spoon as well as a spheric red lollipop.
While I was paying, Jeff and I were offered a taste of maple butter. We both loved it and considered buying a small container but didn't really know what we would use it for. It was extremely sweet.
Next, we spotted a vendor who sold chocolate goodies as as well as nice gift baskets that included nut assortments. The friendly man in charge gave us a little presentation on all his products, and Jeff ended up buying several individual hot chocolate kits; they were basically wooden spoons with a large chunk of milk chocolate on them as well as three small marshmallows each. My husband thought they would make good stocking stuffers and I agreed.
After passing by huts selling handmade winter accessories, fruit cakes and other goodies, my husband and I tried a sample each of honey meed. I thought it tasted okay and loved the beige medieval looking bottle it came in, but Jeff didn't like it at all. After taking a tiny sip, he asked me if I wanted the rest. I took the small plastic cup from him and finished what was inside while sitting on a flat log bench.
My husband and I then moved on to see the contents of other huts.
I saw some creative jewellery I really liked and took a business card from the artist. Right beside her tiny hut, there were tall pine trees as well as plastic reindeers on display. Many people were taking portraits in front of them. If it hadn't been so crowded, I might have been tempted to do the same just for fun.
We found a fire pit in the middle of another crowded area and stood in front of it for a few minutes to warm up; mostly our cold hands. We could have also sat in one of the green wooden chairs available and wrapped ourselves in provided warm looking blankets, but we chose to move on. We might not gave gotten back up otherwise.
Jeff and I entered a small white tent that had several venders inside and found some cute handmade eye masks. We bought one for our niece Zoey.
We saw many other interesting things for sale and on display after we continued looking around outside. Artificial white trees lined one side of the open area and were all lit up which looked really pretty. Further away, there was a giant puppet being controlled by children who wished to make it move every which way. There was a hut with a woman dressed as Mother Christmas inside and another with working elves painted on a backdrop as well as a moving conveyer belt with wrapped presents on it.
I smelled cotton candy and found where the sweet scent was coming from. I was tempted to buy some, but figured it would be too messy to eat. I could not picture myself taking bites directly off the paper stick and knew my hand would freeze if I took my glove off to take chunks of the fluffy pink stuff.
Jeff and I continued walking.
At the end of the market, there was a giant blown up igloo with two entrances. Jeff and I curiously went inside thinking there was a show going on because we could hear a man talking from a mic, but found nothing of interest. There were chairs to sit on but they were all taken and we couldn't quite figure out what was going on.
We left the fake igloo as quickly as we had entered and passed by many little play structures kids were having fun in. I imagined Aidan would have liked playing there had he been much younger.
Jeff and I noticed that there were many places to buy small glasses of wine or liquor for $8 but didn't purchase any. Jeff preferred to get coffee and I wanted something warm as well. Hot wine was available and I was curious to try some, but not for $8.
When we had taken a look at everything we wanted, Jeff and I headed to the nearest Starbucks. The lineup was really long, as usual at this particular location.
While in line to order our coffee, Jeff asked me what I wanted my name to be. I jokingly said Supergirl, then Wonder Woman. I actually said my real name when I placed my coffee order.
When I was waiting for my holiday late, the barista called out the name Jordan and nobody came to get the drink she was holding. After a while I asked if my order was put in and there was nothing for a Chantal. Apparently, Jordan's late was mine but it got dumped in the sink so I had to wait for another one to be prepared. When I explained to Jeff why it had taken so long for me to join him at the table he had reserved for us after getting his order, he told me I should have went with the name Supergirl.
Jeff actually asked the barista at another Starbucks to write Supergirl on my paper cup during a coffee outing about a month later which I thought was funny. I was not expecting it since Jeff had gone by himself to the cash while I was reserving seats by the same gas fireplace we sat in front of on our wedding day. It was just as cozy.
As Jeff and I where enjoying our hot beverages back in December, we discussed what to do next.
Previously, I had thought about taking a look at some of the stores inside the Complexe Desjardins so after we finished our coffees Jeff and I headed there. To our surprise, the majority of the stores were closed despite all the festivities going on outside and even inside the huge mall.
Jeff mentioned being hungry so we went to the food court and ended up sharing a small poutine from Frank's Supreme. A lovely choir was singing Christmas carols on a large stage while we ate.
Across the stage, young kids were waiting to see Santa and close by Mother Christmas was reading a book to other children.
As we were about to head to the metro station, I noticed that one shop was open and asked Jeff if he minded if I looked inside. He went in with me and we looked at the beautiful Christmas decorations, lanterns, hand crafted dishes, decorative pillow and jewellery...
I found a pair of earrings I liked and Jeff offered them to me as a Christmas present, but after consideration I found the black roses too big for me. I much preferred a few gem necklaces I saw afterwards and Jeff told me he could get one of them for me instead of the earrings. I had a hard time choosing which one I wanted more between a silver penguin with a white gem, a white crystal heart with black lines in it, or an oval black gem. I told Jeff to pick for me, that way the element of surprise would still be there.
I walked out of the store after Jeff kind of kicked me out and waited for my husband beside a large motionless carrousel, wondering why it wasn't going around in circles with children riding the plastic horses.
Jeff joined me a few minutes later holding a small aqua coloured paper bag decorated with curly plastic ribbons. I couldn't help but wonder which necklace he had chosen.
Shortly after Jeff joined me, all the lights in the mall turned off. We thought it was a subtle hint that it was closing, but a few seconds later a show of lights and water jets started. As various Christmas tunes played, images were projected onto a giant clock and walls of the two floor mall connected to businesses tours. Colourful jets from the large water fountain went up to the sound of the music. At one point it looked like water drops were coming down from the tall ceiling and into the fountain. It was all quite impressive, and if I may say so, magical. Watching it made me feel like a kid again. I actually had happy tears forming in my eyes and a warm feeling in my chest. Perhaps it was because I was hanging on to my love's arm, and that he looked at me with a big smile every few seconds.
Jeff and I headed home after the short unexpected show.
We stopped at the grocery store to pick up a BBQ chicken for dinner, prepared side dishes when we got home, ate with Aidan, then we all sat down together in the living room to watch a downloaded Christmas themed movie before bed.
I was going to go back to the Complexe Desjardins the following day to check out a clothing store I would have liked to go to the previous day, but decided I didn't need any more clothing regardless of the good sales. I had a closet as well as a dresser and wicker chest full of clothes.
*****
I was originally supposed to work half a day on the 24th of December but ended up getting the whole day off which was really nice.
To start off my Christmas vacation, I went to Spa Diva to get a French manicure done right after work the previous day. My sister-in-law had generously given me a gift certificate because she didn't have a chance to use it before moving out of town. I had never gotten my nails done professionally before and was looking forward to the new experience.
I asked the manicurist to paint black tips on my fingernails rather than white and she did so. We both found that it looked really nice.
While I was waiting for my nails to dry, I sat in a comfortable chair inside a dark and quiet room with small water falls plus a long rectangular artificial pond. I drank some white wine and ate two chocolate covered strawberries as well as a mixture of nuts and dry fruits. It was quite relaxing.
When I got home, my husband delicately informed me that my ex had called, which automatically caused me to have butterflies in my stomach. I was in no mood to communicate with him, but was glad that Aidan finally got to talk to him since it had been a while-since the month of August actually.
Jeff had made dinner so we sat down at the kitchen table with my son to eat.
After supper, I relaxed in a warm bath while applying an oriental mud mask on my face and long hair, a freebie I had received from the Yves Rocher boutique I loved to shop at.
It felt great to take time to myself and I needed the pampering more than ever because Aidan's father was causing me a great deal of stress and anxiety. I did my best not to let it get to me but... Luckily, I had Jeff and even Aidan's support so felt a lot stronger emotionally knowing I wasn't alone.
Rather than risk having my colitis symptoms act up because of somebody else's negative and abusive attitude, I decided to have a great Christmas. It would be the first time in years that Aidan would be spending it with me and I was quite happy about it.
Since I didn't have to wake up early on the 24th because of my boss's generosity, I tried to sleep in. It didn't quite work because I got really hungry and ended up getting out of bed to eat. Jeff soon joined me in the kitchen. We let Aidan sleep.
With my simple breakfast of plain toasts, I had some coffee with the maple sugar I had purchased at the Christmas market. Jeff tried it too. We both liked it.
I went to lie down in bed with my husband right after breakfast and we both ended up falling asleep by accident. By the time we woke up again, it was almost lunch time.
My husband and I ate our second meal of the day with Aidan, then my son and I decorated two gingerbread men with white icing and small round candies of various colours that came in a small kit. We added red and green sprinkles to them.
In the past, I had done gingerbread houses with Aidan but the walls always fell apart in the making and I found it to be a waste of food since our masterpieces became too hard to eat. I changed to gingerbread men because it was easier, but we still didn't eat them.
I thought Aidan might be too old to want to decorate a cookie with me but he seemed to enjoy it. I guess you're never too old for that.
When we were done, I set up a nice table for dinner using Jeff's old green and red dish set as well as my silver reindeer shaped napkin holders around festive cloth napkins that went well with our red table cloth. During this time, Jeff did some last minutes Christmas stuff.
It had been decided that we would be spending the afternoon in the comfort of our warm apartment rather than go out.
When everyone was ready to spend quality time together, I brought all sorts of snacks and goodies into the living room; most of it was junk food, but I also put a few clementines and mini Babybel cheese on the wooden folding tables so that we would have healthy things to eat.
As a special treat, Aidan and I opened up a small glass bottle of Coke each. Jeff prepared himself a coffee. We then got comfortable, the boys on the couch and me on a beanbag surrounded with pillows, and watched "A Christmas Carol" together.
After the animated movie starring Jim Carrey was over, we made some phone calls to wish family members a Merry Christmas. I told Aidan he could call his dad if he wanted, but that I wasn't going to talk to him because I knew all he would do is be nasty towards me. It might have sounded immature and I was fully aware that ignoring him would not solve anything, but attempting to write polite messages in response to his nasty ones had given the same frustrating results so...
I took a few deep breaths with Jeff by my side, and once again promised myself that I would not let my ex spoil Christmas for me or anyone in my presence.
Jeff and I cracked open a chilled bottle of peach flavoured wine and I took out a glass bottle of fancy lemonade from the fridge for Aidan. After the drinks were poured, we all held up our wine glasses and did a toast.
We discussed what to do next. Jeff and I wanted to play board games but figured Aidan would prefer his usual video games so as a compromise I suggested we play bowling on the Wii.
To my surprise, Aidan ended up suggesting we play Scrabble so we set up the junior board game on the living room floor. My son won.
I was enjoying the time spent with my husband and son since we were all smiling and laughing, but needed to start cooking so excused myself.
I prepared a simple macaroni bake for supper and warmed up a baguette in the stove while the glass pan of macaroni was in there so that the grated cheddar cheese could melt. When the food was ready, we ate by candlelight. Jeff and I had some red wine with our meal while Aidan continued to drink his bubbly lemonade.
Since we were all quite full after our meal, I waited a few minutes before serving dessert. Jeff did the dishes and I cleared the table, then I cut up the small Christmas log and placed pieces of cake in three plastic Christmas plates.
After dessert, we all went back to the living room to unwrap the presents. Aidan started, then Jeff, followed by me. In turns, we each unwrapped a surprise until nothing was left and then looked at what was inside our stockings.
Aidan seemed to like all his gifts which made Jeff and I happy. My son appreciated everything, including the joke Frosted Flakes cereal box and plastic Tony the Tiger bowl we wrapped up for him.
I loved my gifts as well. My husband got me a nice black Victorian chocker, two metallic bracelets that linked to rings, chocolates, lip balm, a small crank up music box that played Beethoven's "For Elise," a special brush that make it easier to untangle my long hair...
My husband gave me the aqua coloured package I had seen him come out of the store with at the Complexe Desjardins and I found out the necklace he chose to buy for me. It was the white crystal heart with the black lines inside which I discovered was my preference the same day I saw it with the black stone and penguin pendant. I only realized this after Jeff had made the purchase and hoped that he had chosen it, but would have appreciated one of the other necklaces as well.
Jeff also bought me a pyjama top with a penguin on it that had a word bubble saying "I'm freezing." I had mentioned seeing it at Ardene and thought it was cute because I like penguins and am always saying that I am freezing. I had actually been saying it a lot more since seeing the pyjama top, and had created a voice for the penguin which made Jeff laugh.
The thin grey and red t-shirt came with really soft reddish pyjama pants that resembled the material of a light grey hoody Jeff got me. When I tried the hoody in the lingerie store earlier in the month, I thought it was like wearing a blanket. Jeff bought it for me as a gift right away along with a short soft white slip with black flowers on it, but I wasn't allowed to wear either of them until Christmas Eve.
My husband knew one thing I had gotten him for Christmas too because I needed his help bringing it back home. It was a set a weights matching the one he had bought a few months before. I didn't know how to wrap the heavy black plastic box so I simply put a pretty golden bow in it.
Along with the set of weights, I got my husband a set of men's body wash, shaving cream, after shave, face exfoliant and lotion which I thought smelled really good. I also got him a coffee calendar he mentioned really liking when we were shopping together, a dark metallic pocket watch, and a blue bandage that keeps you cool. He actually used it that night because it was really hot in our apartment.
Outside, the temperature was at a record of 17 degrees Celsius and the heat was on in the building. We could not control the thermostat.
Jeff had to open up a window to let some cool air in. We would have gone outside earlier in the day but it was very windy. A tragic tornado occurred in one of the states of our neighbouring country so we were getting winds of 80 miles an hour.
We were safe and cozy indoors and remained in the living room by the lit Christmas tree for the rest of the evening. I felt that it was the best Christmas Eve in my adult life.
Remaining on the couch, Aidan tried one of his new video games while Jeff and I played Cribbage in the living room. I was too tired to finish the card game so we left it out on the floor with the intention of finishing it the following day.
Before heading to bed, I put all the unwrapped presents under the tree just so that they would not be left scattered everywhere.
Jeff and Aidan stayed up for a little while then my husband joined me in bed.
*****
On Christmas day, we all slept in and ate a big breakfast together. I had printed out some typed up menus which I placed on everyone's plates at the kitchen table.
I cooked scrambled eggs and bacon, plus chocolate chip waffles for my son and Jeff. The adults had coffee plus Aidan and I drank Welshes grape juice. I ate two small clementines as well which Jeff peeled for me so that my French manicure could stay nice. The black tips were already starting to fall apart on some of my nails because of the manual work I had been doing. I guess I just wan't meant to be a princess, although I find that I do get pampered a lot by my husband and love it.
Jeff and I were going to finish our game of cribbage after breakfast but forgot who's turn it was so we just started a new game. My husband won and made a big scene about it. I pleasantly rolled my eyes and went to make lunch.
We all ate together and finished getting ready to leave for Jeff's mom's place.
Aidan put on one of his new t-shirts. It had a picture of Yoda wearing a Santa hat on it and the funny caption "Elf I am not" printed in red. Jeff put on some jeans and his nice blue dress shirt.
I was already wearing jeans and a short sleeved black shirt with Victorian style jewellery. I was originally going to wear the new chocker my husband bought me but was afraid that one of our nieces might accidentally break it because it was very fragile so I kept things simple; peal bracelets I got for free at Yves Rocher, a thick black ribbon with a Victorian broach on it around my neck, and long pearl earrings I could remove if necessary.
While Jeff and Aidan were busy, I touched up my makeup and sprayed some apple scented body spray that matched the glittery body lotion Jeff helped me apply on my skin. I added some of the lotion to my hair which I had brushed earlier with my new brush.
Close to two o'clock, Jeff headed out to get the Communauto vehicle he had reserved a month in advance. Before going back home, he called me so that Aidan and I could wait for him with the gifts in the lobby. We actually ended up waiting for him outside in the fall-like weather. There still wasn't any snow on the ground.
We headed towards Lachine to pick up Jeff's dad and then went to Pierrefonds. Jeff dropped us all off in front of his mom's second floor condo and went to park the car. Aidan and I carefully went up the set of stairs followed by Mr. Overall and I rang the doorbell. Jeff's aunt Wilma answered the door.
Upstairs, we saw Jeff's mom, Heather, Darren, two and a half year old Zoey and seven month old Skye. The kids had changed since we last saw them.
After taking off my jacket and putting my things in the guest room, I went strait to Zoey. She had received a doctor kit from Santa and was playing with it on one of the two couches. She showed me everything that was in her fancy plastic doctor bag and gave me a quick medical exam, telling me I was perfect.
Most of my day was spent focusing on Zoey as well as the adorable baby, but I also talked with the adults while munching on regular chips and sipping coffee. Aidan shyly and politely talked to everyone as well, then I gave him permission to play on his portable gaming device.
Zoey was pretty anxious to unwrap the presents left under the tree. It's exactly what she had asked Santa for Christmas that year during her second visit. I was told that the first time she saw Santa that year she said "Trick or Treat." I laughed so much when I heard about it.
My niece started randomly passing around the unwrapped presents to everyone and we had to tell her to put them back under the tree.
It was soon decided that we were going to unwrap the gifts, so Zoey helped distribute the packages and envelopes to the right people.
Everyone unwrapped their presents at the same time, then made rounds to say thank you to the right people. I was playing with Skye on the couch at this point so let people come to me and thanked them for their gifts as they were thanking me for mine and Jeff's.
I had an awkward moment were Jeff's father asked me if I had time to read his card. I didn't remember getting anything from him but recalled a touching card about being a wonderful daughter-in-law with no signature on it. I pulled it out of a gift bag I had placed it in and asked if that's the one he was talking about. He said it was and apologized for not having signed it. I was glad to know whom to thank for the nice words on the card. Although my father-in-law had not composed it, he had obviously taken great care in his selection and it felt great to know I was well-liked and a cherished member of the family. I had felt it the moment Jeff and I had announced our life-long commitment, but it was still nice to read the message. I told Jeff about it later.
Soon it was time for everyone to sit at the nicely set table for dinner. We each had a Christmas cracker at our place and broke them the traditional way. Everyone wore their colourful paper crowns on their heads and showed off the toy prizes they received. Those that had gotten jokes told them out loud and those that had mind puzzles passed them around.
We ate a delicious meal of turkey and ham with vegetables. That was followed by coffee and desserts. My mother-in-law had made her famous plum pudding which most people ate. I only took a bite because I was feeling pretty full.
As everyone was leaving the table, I stole Skye again and she started cuddling with me. Somehow, despite Zoey's numerous screams of excitement, the baby ended up falling asleep in my arms sucking her thumb. It felt great. She was so snug and warm. I was afraid to wake her when it was time to leave.
Although Skye did wake up when I stood up from the couch with her, she wasn't fussy. I slowly handed her back to Heather, not really wanting to.
We got ready to leave and said by to everyone. I had a knot in my stomach at the thought that I would only see my nieces live in a year and that they would be quite different then. Skype of Facetime would have to do in the meantime.
Jeff left to get the car then Aidan, Mr. Overall, and myself went outside. It was a bit chillier than earlier in the day, but still not winter weather.
We rode home, looking at all the pretty Christmas lights and outdoor displays.
*****
We left for Ottawa in another Communauto vehicle on the morning of December 26th. It was odd to see all the bare trees, green lawns, and unfrozen water masses along the way.
At around noon, we stopped in Rigaud for lunch. I wanted a juicy burger so went into Harveys while Aidan and Jeff went to Tim Hortons. They met me a few minutes later, saying the lineup at Timmy's was way too long. I suggested the drive through and Jeff left again. He found me and Aidan a few minutes later at a table inside Harveys. I was half done my bacon cheese burger, and Aidan had eaten all the pickle slices I had asked for on the side. He was sipping on his $0.99 Mountain Dew.
Jeff and Aidan ate their chicken sandwiches from Timmy's and we were back on the highway.
We arrived at my mom's apartment at around two, a little later than planned. My younger sister Karyne was there and I was quite happy to see her since she had not been sure if she would be able to make it for the holidays. But, she drove the twelve hours from New Brunswick like she had been doing for a few years now.
I took off my jacket and announced that I was wearing my Christmas shirt. My sister gave me a funny look but my mom started laughing. Jeff and Aidan already knew the joke. The black sleeveless shirt I had chosen to temporarily wear over my long black dress had white skulls all over it, but the day I bought it my mom thought the skulls were Christmas balls so I made fun of her.
My mother seemed very pleased to have everyone over even if we were teasing her. She had a lot of goodies out on the coffee table and dinning table. More food was brought out into the living room/dinning area.
I wondered if my mom had invited anyone else over. My aunt Janet and her husband Guy often joined us around Christmas. It wasn't the case that year, but I did get to talk to my aunt Janet over the phone a few days later.
While my mom made coffees and hot chocolates for us, I ate some of my favourite cheese. I had been craving it and planned on buying a block before leaving town.
My mother eventually sat down with us and we talked for a while, then exchanged presents. One person at a time unwrapped something.
I had warned my sister that she was going to get spoiled because I had not sent her anything for her 30th birthday. She seemed very pleased with the beauty products and travel bags I got her, and laughed at the joke four leaf clover seed I had purchased to give her luck. She always complained that I had all the luck. I had to agree with her.
Jeff witnessed my sister and I being our silly selves but he was used to it at this point.
It was soon time to head over to my dad's so we gathered our things, said bye to my mom, and left.
When we got to my dad's house, his wife Nicole was there as well as my grandmother. We sat in the living room and were offered something to drink. Jeff chose a cold beer while I decided to have a glass of Irish cream. Aidan politely asked for a Sprite.
We ate more junk while conversing and laughing together, then my step brother Mathieu as well as his two year old son Xavier arrived. My nephew, whom I had only seen three times in my life so far, had a Cailloux doll with him but soon started playing with a doctor kit that used to belong to Aidan. He did not examen me like Zoey had the previous day though.
My cute blond haired nephew was very shy at first, but warmed up to me shortly before dinner. I played trucks with him. The two small vehicles belonged to Aidan as a child. I had brought a big bag of stuff over to my dad's for Xavier the last time I had come to Ottawa so was glad to see him playing with some of the toys.
Xavier had more things to play with when it was time to unwrap presents (again!) Everyone handed out their gifts and unwrapped what was given to them.
Opening the Christmas card from my dad and seeing the lottery ticket inside reminded me that I had forgotten to buy a ticket to put in his card. I meant to buy one after crossing the Ontario boarder. I told Jeff we would have to get a ticket for my dad at the same time that we checked to see if we were millionaires. (For the record, we didn't win anything, and my dad's ticket was not a winning one either.)
My grandmother had bought a big tin of butter cookies for my sister, Aidan, Jeff and I to share. Xavier moved it around so much when he saw it, desperately trying to get it open, that I am pretty sure the cookies turned into crumbs. I didn't have the pleasure of finding out because I forgot to take my share before leaving my dad's house the next day.
Soon it was time to gather in the dim dinning room to eat. Fake tealight candles had been placed on the long table. We sat on some fancy velvety white chairs I was always afraid of getting dirty.
I had brought over my own dinner, leftover macaroni bake, to avoid being sick and warmed it up in the microwave. Everyone else had salad, meat pie, and lasagne. Red wine was served with the food. We ate warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Xavier started calling me "maman" from his highchair for some reason. Perhaps it's because I somewhat resemble his mother Chrystal, who was on call at the hospital that night. I kept telling Xavier my name when he came to see me at the table later on to play trucks again but he never said it.
As everyone was cleaning up, Aidan chased Xavier around the big house with a truck. It brought back happy memories of when he was a child.
Shortly after my step brother left with Xavier, my father drove my grandmother to her retirement home and I got into my new pyjamas plus slippers. I realized that I hadn't even bothered to wear the high heel shoes I had packed.
My father returned and we all sat in the living room for a short while, looking exhausted, then went to bed.
Aidan had his own room and Jeff and I had ours. While my husband and I were talking in bed, my husband suddenly asked me if my sister was sleeping in the closet. Karyne and I used to adore sleeping in my grandparent's walk-in closet as children which was brought up earlier in the afternoon. I laughed at Jeff's question and told him that Karyne was sleeping in the finished basement.
*****
On the 27th of December, I woke up to snow on the ground. Jeff told me to look out the window when I got back in bed from having gone to the bathroom and I was shocked at what I saw. My dad's backyard was completely covered in the white stuff. My first thought was that we had travelled to Ottawa without our winter gear and wondered if we would be okay.
I didn't really want to get up for good but hunger took over so I soon headed downstairs. When I arrived in the large kitchen, my father informed me that my best friend Sarah had called. She had flown in from Belgium with her husband Thomas for the holidays and we were supposed to meet up for coffee that morning. She had written me "not too early" in her Facebook message so I was surprised to find out that she had called before 9:30.
I called Sarah, who was staying at her parents, and made plans. Jeff and I had to get ready quickly and skip the breakfast my step-mom and father were in the middle of preparing. I ate a banana before going out the door.
After brushing off a bit of snow and scrapping thin ice off the car, Jeff and I picked up Sarah and Thomas in my old neighbourhood. I realized that I had forgotten Sarah's Christmas present at my dad's so called Aidan to see if he could get it in the room Jeff and I had been sleeping in, and meet me at the front door. This gave my son the opportunity to say hi to Sarah and Thomas like he wanted.
I had given Aidan the option of coming with us, but he preferred to stay in pyjamas at my dad's and eat pancakes as well as bacon. Jeff and I had breakfast at Tim Hortons where Sarah and I also exchanged Christmas gifts.
In the git bag I had given Sarah, there was a small wedding present I had not given her and Thomas back in May when we attended their wedding. Sarah handed me a thank you card with a website link to the wedding pictures. Jeff and I looked at them together a few weeks later and thought they were lovely.
Later on after dropping Sarah and Thomas off, Jeff, Aidan and I headed to the bank to deposit money and checks we received for Christmas. Aidan bought himself a Playstaion 4 at EB Games at their boxing week discounted price. He had been wanting the console for a while and had saved more than enough for it. His Christmas money and EB Games gift cards helped a lot.
Jeff and I ate lunch at my dad's and headed out again to drop Aidan off at his Aunt Michelle and Uncle Gavin's house where he would be spending the week.
Aidan was originally supposed to spend a week at his Granny's house as he often did during his Christmas vacation, but I had learned that his father who temporarily resided there had run into some minor legal problems relating to his alcoholism and felt uncomfortable with Aidan visiting for too long so decided against it even though I knew it would cause trouble. I thought Aidan would have more fun playing with kids around his age anyways, so I could not refuse Michelle's offer to take my son for a few days and arrange short visits with his granny and father. Aidan had been part of the final decision making.
As soon as my son saw his cousin Brendan, I was forgotten. I didn't take it personally though. The boys had been eager to hang out.
Michelle and I talked for a few minutes in the entrance before I joined Jeff back in the car.
My husband then drove down the hill to go to the mall. On our way, we passed by a dance studio and part of me wanted to go see if they had ballet slippers or black dance shoes for sale. Jeff had no problem taking me. It looked closed though, and I realized that I just wanted to fulfil a childhood fantasy.
We continued to our original destination and parked the car in the big lot.
I bought a block of fresh marbled St-Albert cheese at the grocery store before walking into the small mall I used to hang out at as a teen.
Jeff needed to buy some new winter boots so we entered the first store we saw that sold shoes and ended up getting a nice pair of black boots on sale. I didn't want to spend my day shopping so we went back to my dad's and found him playing Jok R Rummy with my sister and Nicole.
Jeff and I prepared ourselves some coffee using the Kurig machine; mine had Irish cream in it. As we drank our hot beverages and munched on regular potato chips, a party mix, and grapes, my husband and I watched my "crazy" family play the card game, learning the rules at the same time. My husband and I then joined in.
It was soon time for dinner. We ate leftovers plus drank some red wine in the dinning area by the lit gas fireplace, then resumed the card game we were playing. We didn't have time to finish it because Jeff and I had to leave for Montreal. Jeff had reserved the car until 11:00 that evening.
I had expected there to be traffic or ice on the roads but the trip back home was pretty smooth and quick.
Jeff helped me bring everything in the apartment then headed off again to drop off the car.
While I waited for Jeff to come back, I took a nice hot shower and then ran a warm bath. I soaked in the water which had vanilla scented oil in it and Jeff joined me when he returned. We relaxed in the bath together with tealights lit in the bathroom, then made love in the living room with more candles lit.
We went to bed together, glad to be home. I missed my family and Sarah though, as usual after spending time with them. However, I didn't feel as lonely coming home as I did in previous years because Jeff was a big part of my life.
*****
Jeff and I slept in the following day because neither one of us had to work. Jeff didn't have to go back to the office until the 4th of January, but I had to go back on the 29th of December so I did my laundry, unpacking, and cleanup.
When the necessary things were done, my husband and I ate lunch together. Jeff made some poached eggs for us and I ate some pieces of my favourite cheese. I then tried the chocolate tea Sarah had given me as a Christmas gift and used my new ceramic skull mug, also a gift from Sarah, to drink it.
After my filling meal, I relaxed with Jeff.
We played two games of cribbage while I drank some leftover peach flavoured wine and ate chocolate.
Jeff then massaged my feet with some mint scented lotion I received as a gift from my step-mom. My feet have always been very ticklish, but Jeff found a way to manipulate them without me instinctively wanting to kick.
The foot massage felt really nice, and the unexpected sexual gesture that followed was even better.
Jeff eventually went to the grocery store to buy himself some beer and see if anything on the grocery list I wrote up was on sale. They weren't so he came home without them since we did not need them right away.
The rest of our afternoon was spent playing more cribbage while munching on corn chips and a party mix. Jeff enjoyed a cold beer and I had another cold glass of peach wine.
We ate more leftover macaroni bake and lasagna my dad gave us by candlelight, then relaxed in the living room with coffee and hot chocolate.
I knew Jeff had been looking forward to seeing me in my sexy Santa's Little Helper outfit, so I eventually got changed and we had fun in the bedroom.
I didn't want to go to bed too late because I figured it would be hard for me to get out of bed the following morning. I ended up waking up to a severe storm warning. Winter had definitely arrived.
When it was time to leave the apartment, I took out one of my pairs of warm boots as well as my long white winter coat from the closet and headed outside where a pile of snow was waiting for me to walk in. I had to walk on the street because the sidewalks to get to the bus stop had not been shovelled or plowed yet. More white flakes were coming down and blowing sideways in the cold wind.
I thought I was going to arrive late at the office, but ended up being there really early. I relaxed, flipping through the free local papers I usually grab, and made my usual hot chocolate before starting my work.
As expected, it was a very slow day at the office so I was kind of bored. I would have much preferred to stay home and cuddle with my husband.
The snow continued to fall throughout the day and I wondered if Jeff had gone to visit retirement homes with his dad as planned. He had been debating it in the morning, thinking it would be horrible to drive in the accumulating snow.
I did my work and ate Hersheys chocolate kisses Jeff had put in my Christmas stocking, constantly looking at the digital clock on my computer screen to see when I could go home.
Finally it was time for me to head home. When I arrived, Jeff was not there. He had ventured in the storm with his dad after all. It wasn't long before my husband returned thought. We discussed our day over dinner like we often do.
For the rest of the week, Jeff and I continued to take advantage of the fact that Aidan wasn't home to be romantic together in the evenings.
*****
I had to work half a day on the 31st of December. Because I was already going to be downtown, Jeff and I decided to have lunch together at Baton Rouge in the Complexe Desjardins. I made reservations online for 12:30 over a week in advance. Since I never received the confirmation by e-mail like I was supposed to, I called the restaurant a few days later just to make sure Jeff and I would have a table. My name was indeed in the reservation book.
There wasn't much to do at the office before our date, but I was at reception that day so it wasn't too boring. I actually ended up chatting with Michelle on Facebook for a while, getting updates on my son and family members requesting to see him. Michelle and Gavin had done their best to let everyone, including Aidan's dad, see Aidan but not everyone was happy with the plans they suggested and it caused a lot of tension. I felt partially responsible for all the drama but Michelle told me not to stress about it so I stopped. Well, I relaxed until I saw my husband later on.
I vented a little about my ex disappearing for months at a time and being super rude to everyone, including Aidan, for not being able to see his son on demand, but Jeff was happy to listen because he knew I needed to talk. His calm nature kept me cool. Aidan needed to talk about his dad's unpleasant behaviour days later when he was back home and Jeff was there for him too. I could tell that it did my son some good to talk about his feelings as well as frustrations and was glad that he felt comfortable doing so with Jeff present. My son knew that Jeff and I both meant well, and that we still wanted him to try and maintain a good relationship with his dad even though my ex was making it really hard to do so.
I was very eager to meet my perfect husband at the restaurant the day before New Years and left the office in a rush when it was finally time to go.
Jeff was waiting for me in the lobby with a long stem red rose, a nice surprise that made me smile.
Shortly after we were seated at a booth, I ordered a chocolatini and Jeff asked for a pint of beer. We took a while to decided what we wanted from the lunch menu, and finally placed our orders; a medium rare steak with a baked potato for myself and pork ribs with fries for Jeff. Our meals came with the soup of the day which ended up having a lot of ginger in it so I passed and ordered salmon tartare as an entree instead.
Jeff and I were too stuffed for dessert after our main course so we didn't even look at the dessert menu. Coffee or tea were included, so we had some before paying the bill with a gift card we had received as a Christmas present. We then walked hand in hand to Old Montreal which took us about 5 minutes. The weather was really nice; not too cold.
I had mentioned several times how nice it would be to go on a horse carriage ride and Jeff agreed to go with me on this special day. We found a covered carriage so the falling snowflakes did not land on us, and a thick blanket was given to us for the ride so we were nice and warm.
Our white horse, guided by a nice man, pulled us in the old streets and alleys for a half hour. People always looked as we passed. Kids and a few adults got excited when they saw our horse, who neighed every so often. I felt like I was in heaven, smiling from each to ear. Jeff was happy seeing me happy.
After our fun ride, the driver was nice enough to take a picture of Jeff and I in the carriage. I had to take my Ipad out of my purse because Jeff's cell phone had died after taking many pictures with it during the ride. He was trying to capture the reflection of us within the carriage as well as the horse in building windows.
We slowly walked away from the carriage after disembarking it and paying our driver his fee and tip, thanking him for the ride. I even thanked the horse.
My husband and I walked around in Old Montreal for a bit, being watchful of falling ice, and entered a few shops.
It was soon time for our usual coffee. Rather than go to a Starbucks, we checked out another cafe. It was a quaint little place with a small decorated Christmas tree inside as well as a fireplace.
Shortly after we ordered our small mochas plus croissant and I was seated at a small wooden table, I overheard the young male cashier telling Jeff that the cafe was closing in ten minutes. That explained why there was smoke rather than a nice fire in the fireplace.
We felt a little rushed after that, but managed to finish our hot beverages while still relaxing in the cafe which had suddenly become crowded. The door was locked when we tried to leave, so the young female employe who had been sweeping and looking eager to end her shift came to help us out.
I knew there was going to be fireworks in the Old Port by Bonsecours Island at midnight, but Jeff and I didn't want to stick around the area for 8 hours just for that so we headed home.
In our apartment, we took a relaxing bath together which led to other things. We then spent our time playing cribbage before eating a light dinner by candlelight, after which we watched a comedy and resumed playing cards until midnight. At that point, we toasted the new year with leftover peach wine and went straight to bed after drinking it pretty fast.
I was actually surprised that I had managed to stay awake for the countdown, which we nearly missed because the radio station we were listening to did not interrupt their rock song to bring in the new year. I just happened to notice the time on our kitchen clock and change stations just in case there was a countdown elsewhere. I changed it just on time for us to hear "three, two, one..."
*****
On New Years Day I got all dolled up by putting on a long red dress that still had the price tag on it. The Ralph Lauren design was originally purchased on sale during my search for a bridesmaid dress before Sarah's wedding. Jeff, being the honest person that he is, said the style made me look like an aunt when I asked him his opinion on how it looked on me. I was going to return it but finally decided to keep it. I figured I would only feel comfortable wearing it around older people though.
I accessorized with one of the bracelet/ring combo Jeff had given me for Christmas and also put on long silver leaf earrings from Pandora, given to me by my mother-in-law. I figured she would be pleased to see me wearing them.
We had plans to go to Jeff's mom for dinner but I started feeling nauseated early in the afternoon and had to go lie down. I ended up napping for about two hours. Jeff made me some white rice when I woke up and it settled my upset stomach.
Jeff was going to stay home with me if I wasn't feeling up to going to his mom's, but I didn't want to prevent him from visiting him mom or the others who were supposed to be there. I also wanted to make an effort to see everyone and figured that if I started feeling unwell again I could just go lie down in my mother-in-law's bedroom. My husband gave his mother a heads up by giving her a quick call before we left the apartment.
I was fine on the road and Jeff dropped me off in front of his mom's steps before going to find a place to park. When I got in, my mother-in-law greeted me with her usual smile and asked me how I was doing. I answered truthfully that I was feeling better.
After taking off my boots and giving my coat to my mother-in-law, I saw that Jeff's dad as well as his aunt Bernice and uncle Roy were in the living room so I went to see them to wish them a happy New Year.
I learned a while back that Bernice and Jeff's mom used to be friends. Bernice married Jeff's uncle Roy, his dad's older brother. That is how Jeff's parents met, and why they all still hung out after they got divorced.
Jeff soon came in and joined me on one of the two couches, then got up to make everyone coffee with his mom's Tassimo machine.
Things were quite different than the last time Jeff and I were over. Without the young kids around it was much quieter, and our conversations were a lot more adult. I felt rather old talking about health issues, but I think it's because I fit right in.
We all drank our coffees and ate regular chips before a delicious lasagne dinner. My mother-in-law had made a small pasta dish just for me without the ingredients I could not eat which was much appreciated. She also warmed up some bread without garlic on it so that I would not be sick.
Assortments of desserts made by Jeff's mom and aunt were served with coffee after supper. A pot was made this time. My mother-in-law always brewed a batch after her family dinners.
After our delicious meal, everyone went back to the living room. Jeff's mom made a nice fire in her fireplace.
Jeff and his dad went over some things regarding visits they had done to some retirement homes, and then it was time for Roy and Bernice to leave. They were giving my father-in-law a ride home so he got up with them.
Once everyone was ready to go, Jeff went outside with them to make sure they didn't slip or fall in the staircases or ice. He also brought his dad's folded walker to the car. My father-in-law often neglected to use it despite his many accidents. He wanted to continue being independent but...
Meanwhile, Bernice was worried about her husband's health, and the possibility of him loosing his driving licence.
There was a small incident in the parking lot where Roy accidentally bumped into a neighbour's car while backing up with his vehicle. My mother-in-law and I saw it from the living room window.
Jeff came running up the stairs and into the condo to announce that there was a dent in the vehicle, so him and his mom went to talk to the downstairs neighbour while I sat down on the floor in front of the fireplace. I loved the heat and found the flames mesmerizing.
I was only left alone for a few minutes.
Soon it was time for Jeff and I to leave because we had to return our Communauto vehicle. We got home sooner than expected.
I ran a warm bath with vanilla scented oil in it right after Jeff dropped me off. He joined me in the bathroom when he came back. It was our last night of romance before my son's return.
*****
Aidan came back home on the second of January, on time for his 15th birthday party. I wasn't home when his uncle Gavin dropped him and his cousin Brendan off because I went to pick up a pay check for Aidan. I waited for his agent in front of her locked office but she never showed up. Turns out she had left me a message on my home phone a few minutes before I left my apartment, saying she was ill. Jeff and I missed the call because we were both in the shower.
I was happy to have Aidan back home even thought both him and his cousin were on their laptops playing Minecraft together when I arrived and was barely noticed. Once again, I didn't take it personally.
When Aidan's first two party guests arrived together, they had to patiently wait in the living room for the birthday boy. Chips, candies, and cut up melons were already out for them so I told them to help themselves to the snacks. I also offered them something to drink, informing them that there was juice and pop in the fridge, but neither one wanted anything yet.
When Aidan came out of his room with Brendan, he joined his friends Jeremy and Carlos. His other childhood friend Emmerick swung by just in time for the cake. He rang the buzzer as I was cutting pieces for everyone after signing "Happy Birthday."
As requested by me, Jeff had purchased two frozen McCain cakes; one chocolate and one vanilla. I decorated them with Minecraft artwork I printed out on one of the slow days at the office.
Shortly after cake was eaten, Aidan unwrapped his birthday presents. Jeff and I stuck around for this part because we wanted to see his reaction to our gift. Aidan looked quite pleased with the Bajan Canadian Minecraft hoody Jeff and I bought for him. It had arrived in the mail from the US the previous day and came with a signed postcard from my son's favourite Youtuber. Little did we know that Mitch (A.K.A Bajan Canadian) would write a positive comment online after Aidan posted a picture of himself wearing the checkered red and black hoody on Twitter. That made my son quite happy so Jeff and I were pleased.
Aidan received a lot of other cool gifts for his birthday and when everything was unwrapped my husband and I retrieved to the kitchen again.
Jeff and I played boardgames together while the teenage boys kept themselves entertained with video games. Emmerick left before supper because he had a family dinner to attend to, but I thought it was nice that he came to spend time with Aidan.
I ordered chicken meals from St-Hubert in advance for the teens plus my husband and I. After the food arrived, Aidan and his friends ate in the kitchen while Jeff and I dinned in the living room.
Brendan got picked up shortly after 6 and went back to Ottawa with his dad who had enjoyed the few hours he had to himself. Gavin had been invited to stick around earlier on if he wished, and to be honest I would have even invited Aidan's dad over had the circumstances been different. Gavin had errands to run though and really wanted to read his new book, which he finished.
Before leaving, Gavin gave me a big piece of the caramel fudge cake Michelle and Aidan had made from scratch together. We split it three ways the next day and found it good but extremely sweet.
Gavin also made sure Aidan had brought in the gift bag given to him by his granny earlier that day. Aidan took a look at what was inside later in the evening and I made sure he sent his granny a thank you message. She was big on thank you cards, but with the internet in existence I personally thought an e-mail was sufficient to give thanks if it could not be done in person.
Carlos left much later than Brendan, and Jeremy ended up sleeping over. Him and Aidan installed the two thin mattresses from Aidan's bed in the living room. I handed Jeremy a pillow as well as blankets and showed him where the nightlight was in case he wanted it. Jeff looked at me funny because of my son and his friend's age, but I figured it might be useful if they woke up needing the bathroom in the middle of the night and got disoriented. The long white curtain hanging in the entrance of the living room had fallen down earlier on because Jeremy had accidentally run into it, so I imagined something similar could happen.
Jeff and I continued to do our best to stay out of Aidan's way and kept playing boardgames in the kitchen. My son came to talk to us every so often though. His friends had done the same throughout the party. They were all so well-mannered and polite, as usual. I was happy that Aidan hung out with good boys and told him as much.
The day after Aidan's party, I decided to put away all the Christmas decorations. Jeff helped me. The apartment looked a bit bare afterwards, but we got used to it pretty quickly.
Aidan went to La Source with Jeremy to purchase a flat screen television so he could hook up his new Playstation 4. Jeff helped my son set up the new 28 inch TV in his bedroom shortly after he came home with it. My husband and Aidan had to move the heavy old tube television out of the way first, and we decided to temporarily keep it on the living room floor beside our empty bird cage. Both our pet budgies had sadly passed away; Snow in the summer, and Link in the fall.
I was proud of my son for saving his money and buying big things he wanted rather then spend it randomly as he made it just because he had it. He was good at shopping around and comparing prices so that made me proud too. I felt that I had done a good job teaching him the value of money.
On his actual birthday, January 4th, Aidan met me downtown for lunch and we headed to EB Games together so he could buy a new Playstation 4 game. The one he really wanted could not be played offline though, and it cost $50 per year to connect to the server which I thought was ridiculous. Aidan ended up buying a different game.
When I had to get back to the office, I offered to show my son around. He came with me and I proudly introduced him to my co-workers who had not gone out to eat. They all commented on how tall he was.
I had been mentally preparing myself to say I had a 15 year old son for months, but saying it out loud still felt unreal. He was definitely not a child anymore though.
Aidan had become very mature, but still had his childish moments and I enjoyed hearing him laugh at silly things as much as I enjoyed laughing at them myself. Jeff had become quite used to our weirdness and fit right in. We had become one happy family who teased each other and also had great communication. I had no complaints about the household. In fact, I was quite content.
I realized over the holidays that despite the problems I was faced with every so often, having Aidan and Jeff in my life made everything bearable.