Arranged: A Future Decided

Merry Christmas

December 23rd, Amalienborg Slot

Nikolai was helping carry presents into the palace, setting them up under the large Christmas tree in the main sitting room. His parents and siblings were all at Amalienborg for the holidays, along with his grandmother. He smiled as he heard Eva with Athena and Henrik, teaching them American and Italian Christmas songs. 

"Hey, chingedy ching, hee haw, hee haw
It's Dominick, the donkey
Chingedy ching, hee haw, hee haw
The Italian Christmas donkey
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la|
La, la, la, la, la, la, ladioda

Santa's got a little friend, his name is DominickThe cutest little donkey, you never see him kick

When Santa visits his Paesans with Dominick he'll be
Because the reindeer cannot climb the hills of Italy
Hey, chingedy ching, hee haw, hee haw
It's Dominick, the donkey

Chingedy ching, hee haw, hee haw
The Italian Christmas donkey
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, laLa, la, la, la, la, la, ladioda

Jingle bells around his feet and presents on the sledHey, look at the mayor's derby on top of Dominick's headA pair of shoes for Louie and a dress for JosephineThe label on the inside says they're made in Brooklyn

Hey, Chingedy ching, hee haw, hee hawIt's Dominick, the donkeyChingedy ching, hee haw, hee haw
The Italian Christmas donkey
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, laLa, la, la, la, la, la, ladioda

Children sing and clap their hands and Dominick starts ta dance
They talk Italian to him and he even understands
Cummares' and Cumpare's do the dance a tarentell
When Santa Nicola comes to town and brings il ciucciariello

Hey, chingedy ching, hee haw, hee hawIt's Dominick, the donkeyChingedy ching, hee haw, hee haw
The Italian Christmas donkey
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, laLa, la, la, la, la, la, ladioda
Hey Dominick, Bouna Natale
Hee-haw, hee-haw, hee-haw, hee-haw, hee-haw," Eva sang, gesturing to Athena or Henrik during parts of the song, laughing with them.

"I like that one! It's funny," Athena giggled before Winter Wonderland came on.

Nikolai smiled, walking over to Eva and taking her hand, and dancing with her as he sang along. He pulled her close, hand on her lower back as he sang into her eat. 

"Gone away is the bluebird, here to stay is a new bird. He sings a love song, as we go along. Walkin' in a winter wonderland," He sang, Eva smiling as she listened.

"I had no idea you could sing," She murmured, smiling at him lovingly as she looked deeply into his beautiful pale green eyes. 

"I can also play the piano, but it's been a while since I've played," He replied, moving his hips as they danced. 

"That doesn't surprise me, given how deft you are with those fingers," She crooned into his ear, which made him tighten his arms around her and hum deeply against her. 

"You cheeky woman," He murmured, holding her close before the song finished and he kissed her gently and lovingly. 

Eva giggled, letting him step away to go back to helping organize presents. She smiled as she watched him before she sat down on the floor to help Athena and Henrik make their paper snowflakes. 

She settled back against the base of a chair, watching them work before looking back at her husband. A bit later she got up as Alexandra arrived, coming in with presents and grinning at them. 

"Merry Christmas darling," She said as she hugged and kissed Eva, before going to greet her sons. 

"Dinner is on the table if you're all ready," Joachim stated, everyone, nodding and following him into the formal dining room.