A Very Goode Christmas

Day 11

Day 11

Cammie pov

Today we decided to go to the mall and take a picture with a guy dressed up in a fake Santa suit, but as long as it keeps the kids happy who am I to judge. Matthew was really excited to go,he couldn't stop jumping and fidgeting in his car seat. On the other hand Lily was too tired to care. She woke up from her daily nap early and has been fussy ever since. And when I say fussy that would be an understatement. She kicked me in the arm when I tried getting her in the car and she spit up her food 3 times which caused me to change myself and her 2 more times than necessary.

I also had trouble getting her clothes on for the picture. She didn't make it easy for me to put on her red dress and stockings. Glancing at the rear-view mirror she looked even more adorable with her little pout and her arms crossed. I stifled a laugh and resisted the urge to take a picture. I'm going to have a lot of fun telling her this when she gets older.

Meanwhile in the drivers seat Zach was trying not to get annoyed at the lane closure causing massive amounts of traffic. And to top things off there was nothing on the radio except for Christmas carols. Normally I don't mind them but hearing Jingle Bells 1,000 times can cause someone to get sick of it easily. 

We arrived at the packed mall a few hours later and I for was extremely exhausted. “Come on Matty” I said holding his hand giving Zach Lily. Apparently every other parent decided to bring their child to the mall. Thus, the line for the pictures extended 5 or so stores down.

The picture only lasted a few seconds. In my opinion I think the whole thing is a little ridiculous.  It was no surprise when I was a little annoyed that it took us 2 and a half hours to get the picture. I cant fathom how there could be such  a huge line that was so slow when the actually thing took a few seconds. Not to mention that the costume looked extremely fake. At least Lily managed to crack a smile for the picture.

After Zach suggested we look around the mall. I agreed seeing as how we were already there. Zach wrapped his arm around me while I pushed the children in the double stroller. We walked into the nearest store not really bothering to see what it was. It turned out to be a toy store, fortunate for the children.

I let them out of the stroller for them to wander around. This would be the perfect opportunity to get the kids some extra gifts. I wasn't worried about them getting lost or wandering too far, we would find them in no time. And we put microscopic trackers on them. Zach and I use it sometimes when we play hide and seek with Mathew when we are too tried. “Be Goode little children!” he called out after them as they ran off. Matt was sweet he made sure to go a little slower to go at the same speed of his sister. He was extremely protective of her. However it wasn't always like that. When Lily was first born Matthew didn't fully understand what was going on and got easily jealous of the attention the new baby was getting. Eventually he grew out of it and realized she wasn't as bad as he thought.

“Let's do this” I tell Zach leaning into his side. He responded by kissing my temple.

“At last we have alone time” he says pulling me into a deserted isle. I laugh putting a hand to his lips when he leans in to kiss me. “Zach” I nearly burst out laughing at his pout. He looked adorable. “Come on we're not going to make out in a corner of a toy store.”

He groaned pulling me into a tight hug (which was difficult with my stomach) burying his face in my hair. I can say without a second thought that i was addicted to his hugs. “Come on Zach let's go buy toys for Matty and Lily.” He let me go but held on to my hand the entire time. I was glad that after all this time it still felt like we were teenagers. He still had the same affect on me all those years ago whenever he smiled or gets that twinkle in his eye lighting up his whole face. I still get butterflies on my stomach whenever we kiss. 

“What do you think about this one?” I asked holding up a stuffed monkey. Zach shook his head. “She has too many of those.” I sighed. We couldn't agree on a toy for Lily. Matthew was easy we got him one of the race cars he's wanted for a while. Lily was another story. She was very picky on her choice of toys. I wanted to get her a stuffed animal while Zach turned down each idea I had.

“You come up with something then” I told him getting annoyed. He smirked and grabbed something behind me. It was a plush minion twice the size of her. Lily had an obsession with the despicable me movies. I can't blame her they are cute kidish movies.

I nodded rubbing my stomach. I heard a small yet distinctive voice say “yes!” followed by a groan of pain. I turned around giving Zach a question look to make sure I wasn't the only one. His facial expression reassured that I wasn't going crazy.

Another sound came and from my experience it was a an isle or so in front of us. At the same time Zach and I motioned to follow it. I smirked at our timing. I had a feeling I knew who it was.

“Lily shush” That confirmed my suspicions. Lily and Matt were trying to tail us to find out what they were getting for Christmas. I had to admit that was pretty clever for toddlers. It brought back memories of when I did the same to my father. I still remember the look of disbelief on his face when he found me hours later. I was proud of them despite the outcome.

When Zach and I found them Matty looked scared as if he thought we were going to yell at him. Imagine his surprise when he pull them into an enormous group hug saying how much we loved them.