matilda oneshots i had to get out of my head

matildamas day 6: getting the christmas tree

helloooo and welcome to day six!! halfway through already jeepers!! i also just realized how inconsistently i've been titling these so apologies for that!!

anyway. enjoy day six!!

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"Matilda!" Jenny calls after her daughter as she runs through the rows of trees as best as she can in the nearly knee-deep (to Matilda, at least) snow. "Matilda, dear, slow down!"

"Just look at them all!" Matilda yells back, holding her arms out to her sides and spinning around in a circle like a ballerina in a music box. "They're all so beautiful."

Jenny pants to catch her breath as she catches up with her. "They are, aren't they?"

Matilda nods and tenderly runs a finger over some sweet-smelling branches. "I've never smelled a real Christmas tree before, isn't it delightful? My old parents always just had an artificial tree."

"It is a lovely smell," Jenny agrees. "Artificial trees don't tend to drop as many needles, though."

"Oh, but you can just feel the spirit in these!" Matilda says. "Real trees are so much nicer."

"I'm glad you're excited," Jenny chuckles. "Let's go on a little bit, these are a bit small." Matilda sets to take off again. "At a reasonable speed, Matilda."

"Fine," Matilda huffs. "I suppose going slow is better for seeing the details anyway."

"It is. If you rush everywhere you'll miss the trees for the forest," Jenny hums. Matilda gently slips a little mittened hand into hers. Jenny gives it a squeeze as they walk to the next size of trees.

Matilda looks around when they make it to the ones that are a bit taller. Jenny notices the almost solemn look on her face, and she frowns. "What's the matter? You were dancing around a second ago."

"We have to cut it down to take it home," Matilda says quietly. "I don't like the idea of picking one to... kill."

"Oh," Jenny agrees softly.

"The smell only lasts so long, and I don't want to pick one to hack it to death."

Jenny chuckles. "Have we had a change of heart?"

Matilda looks up at the tall tree and shakes her head. "No. It hasn't changed, I just only noticed how I felt now."

Jenny laughs. "Fair enough. Tell you what, they sell sachets that smell just like real trees at the counters up front. What do you say we get a few of those and go to the shops for a fake tree?"

Matilda turns around to look at her and nods with a massive, bright smile on her face. Jenny smiles back and takes her hand again to lead them back to the front of the tree farm. It was a short visit, but quite pleasant.

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They go to the store the following day to pick out an artificial tree. They bought enough of the scented pouches to make their entire house smell like Christmas until Matilda is in university, so Matilda was contented with that and leaving all the real trees in the ground where they belong.

This shop has all sorts. They both tip their heads curiously at one that's completely upside down, apparently intentionally so. One is a rainbow so bright it makes their eyes ache a bit, though it is fun. Others have torsos to make the trees look like they're wearing dresses.

"Oh, look at this one!" Matilda coos eagerly.

"Matilda, dear, that's twenty feet tall," Jenny chuckles.

"But it's beautiful," Matilda says.

"It is, but our ceilings are only fifteen feet," Jenny replies. Matilda deflates a bit.