Settling in Seattle

Chapter 21- Traditions

"Okay, so we've got the changing bag, the car seat frame and the baby carrier?" Rachel picked up the keys and headed to put her shoes on.

"Yes, I've put it all in the car. Are you sure you're okay to do this? I mean you only gave birth to her a week ago." Mike bounced on the spot with Rosalie in his arms, fast asleep.

"Yes, I think I'll be fine," Rachel leant on the wall to put her boots on. "Plus, I want to make a tradition out of this." She looked up from her laces and smiled.

"Okay, just remember to tell me if you get too tired. It's a pretty long way in the car, are we going to stop anywhere?" Rosalie started waking up, and Mike grimaced, rocking more vigorously to get her to go back to sleep quickly.

"We can stop if need be. I just fed her like an hour ago, so she should be fine until we get there, then I can feed her quickly in the car if she's hungry, then we should be good to go until we get back home."

"Right, then if you've got everything, let's go." Mike knelt down and rested Rosalie into her car seat, strapping her in and checking the tightness.

"Yep, all ready." Rachel slid her phone into the back pocket of her jeans and unhooked her coat from the rail.

Mike picked up Rosalie's car seat as she opened the front door with a small leap in her step. Mike carefully loaded the seat into the mount in the car, and strapped it in, fastening the mirror that was attached to the back of the driver's seat. Rachel was already adjusting her seatbelt in the passenger seat, silently hoping that Rosalie would settle properly.

"Okayy, there you go."

"Do you want to just put her blanket over her, just so she doesn't get cold, she's got a sleeper and a onesie on, but I think you should just be sure." Rachel pointed to the pink polka dot fleecy blanket that rested on the back seat.

"Okay." Mike picked up the blanket and carefully tucked Rosalie into it, cautious not to wake her, "Finally ready."

Mike shut the door and climbed into the driver seat, placing his phone onto the holder and sticking his keys in the compartment. Rachel adjusted the radio to play Mike's phone music and found something she wanted but turning it down, so it wouldn't disturb Rosalie. Mike started the car and they turned out of their drive, heading for their first outing with a new-born.

"I can't believe it's already been a week." Rachel smiled and rested her head against her propped-up hand.

"I know, next thing you know it'll be new year!" Mike joked, turning to Rachel every now and again.

"God, I love summer and all, but winter is definitely my favourite. I'm so excited for this, and it's the start of all our traditions. Just so you know, it took ages to find this place, and we're going to come here every year to get the tree, so you better like it."

"Oh Jesus, calm down! I'm sure it'll be great. Let's just hope it's not far to walk."

"I can walk you know."

"I know you can, it just hurts."

"Well, it's getting better, I'm just sore. I'm sure I'll be fine." Rachel shuffled around a bit, changing her position in the chair.

"Anyway, I was thinking, this Christmas we can invite your parents?" Mike asked Rachel and she looked blankly. "Hey, I thought you'd want that?"

"I mean, it's a good idea, but..." Rachel frowned.

"What?"

"I just, I don't want my parents to critique me for everything I do concerning Rosalie."

"They won't? They haven't?" Mike was confused.

"You know what, it's fine, yes I think that's a great idea."

"No, you don't want them to come for Christmas. Why?"

"Look, I'm sure it would be nice, and that's what you're supposed to do, right. But I think I just want us to be a family this year. Plus, it's a long way for them to come." Rachel explained as Mike listened intently.

"Okay, I see. We could invite them for New Year instead?"

"Why are you so eager to see them? Have you got some sort of thing going on you haven't told me?" Rachel half-joked.

"You know I don't! I just, I don't want them to think I am unwelcoming to them, or anything like that. I want to be a good son-in-law."

"Oh, trust me. You're a great son-in-law." Rachel looked at him in awe of his kindness and love.

The hour went by pretty quickly, spent with deciding what they were going to do for Rosalie with presents. Mike couldn't help but smile when Rachel briefly mentioned presents between the two of them.

"Right, is it all secure?" Rachel checked Mike round, looking at all the buckles, and smiling at the little baby rested happily on her dad's chest.

"Yep, I think we're good to go and have a look." Mike found Rachel's hand in the sleeve of her coat and held it tight as they wandered into the farm. It didn't take them long to find the sort of Christmas tree they were looking for.

"Okay, so we can get one of these, and then put it in the living room, then we can decorate everywhere else with the stuff I bought online." Rachel excitedly squeezed Mike's hand, as they pointed towards trees.

"I think this one." Mike pulled on a reasonably sized one.

"Oh, you are such an idiot! That one clearly has a rubbish back." Rachel laughed.

"Hey!"

"Look, this one I think will do it." They cut it down and took it to pay. When they got to the car, Rachel sat in the back, changing Rosalie whilst Mike attempted to load it in.

"You know it would be a lot easier if you were helping!" Mike shouted.

"Yep. I know." Rachel emerged with Rosalie in her arms wrapped up in a blanket and Mike gave it one more shove to make it fit.

"Finally, god." Mike sighed.

"You'll get better." Rachel walked around to put Rosalie into the car.

"Yeah, yeah."