Hide Your Heart

Tree Hunting

The snow has stopped by the time Paul woke up the next morning. He made coffee and started pancakes. When he heard the shower running, he knew Tommy was awake. The day before had been draining on both of them. Paul knew Tommy would try his hardest to please him until he let his guard down. 

Flipping the pancakes, Paul started water for oatmeal. He had noticed Tommy wasn't very big weight wise so he wanted to try to get him to eat. Along with the pancakes and oatmeal, Paul made bacon and eggs. Pouring orange juice, he set the table. 

Tommy came down and sat. Paul set the coffee in front of his husband along with the plate of pancakes. He had cut them in half and added fruit. "Do you want eggs and bacon?" 

"No,  this is fine. Do we have any milk?"

Paul handed the milk over. He had a plate piled high with the breakfast foods. "Tom, what kind of tree do you want?"

"I haven't really thought about it. "

Paul let Tommy wash dishes while he fed the girls. "It's our first family outing little ones." "Are you ready?"

Taylor squealed as Paul put a pink hat and coat on her. Aurora was in yellow and Hannah had peach. He put on a multicolored sweater and blue hat. Going downstairs, he got blankets ready and put them in the car. Tommy had made the diaper bag and was looking for a jacket. 

"Paul, have you seen my jacket?"

"In the closet in the hall."

The five of them were finally able to leave. Tommy's shoes were untied and his jacket wouldn't button.

Paul bent down in the snow to tie Tommy' shoes and fold his legs into the car. He noticed Tommy needed new clothes. "Do you want to get a tree first or go get warm clothes?"

"A tree. I can wear layers."

Paul pulled into the parking lot and parked. He put Hannah in the front pack and Aurora in the back one. Taylor was in Tommy's front pack. Holding Tommy's hand he headed towards the tree lot.

"Paul, look. It's so round!" cried Tommy after a few minutes. He looked at the price tag. "$40."

Paul asked if he wanted it or was willing to look more before going home. 

"It's adorable. I can reach it without stretching." "I want this one--if it's okay with you."                       "It's fine." replied Paul. He paid for it and had it tied to the roof. "Ready?"

After leaving the tree lot, Paul drove to the mall. "Come on sweetie, I'll help you out."

Tommy sighed as he scooted forward. "Ugh. This sucks."

Paul told him to wait a minute and he'd be back. Running inside, Paul brought Tommy back a motorized scooter. "Hop on. It will take the pressure off your back."

People stared at them as they browsed through the different stores. Paul stared back at them. 

"Paul, it's fine. I don't mind." whispered Tommy. "  I promise."

They shopped for a few hours before Tommy started getting tired. "I really can't do this much longer." "My back is killing me."

"I know. Let me go load up you and the girls."

On the way home it started snowing again.