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 Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 7:13 pm
"I think they're beautiful," Maia said, taking out an ornament and admiring it. She set it on a branch of the tree. "Yeah, really. Pine trees don't grow on the beach." She leaned up and kissed Toby's cheek.
"We're antique," Luca said, grinning at Lori. He stroked Seamus.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 7:23 pm
"Well of course. So you've seen them in pictures and things?" Toby asked. He and Dari were now trying to make the top look right.
Lori laughed. "That we are." He stroked Seamus too and let him sniff the ornament, then got up to hang it on the tree. Finally Toby and Dari came around to the bins and joined the others in decorating the tree.
"There's no real rhyme or reason to it, just try and keep it balanced," Toby said.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 7:36 pm
"Yes," Maia said. She'd read about them, she'd used Google once she'd heard about the vacation for Christmas. "But never in person. I think a live one would be even better." She hung up another ornament. "Won't it get crowded?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 7:46 pm
"We don't have to put them all up," Toby said with a smile, "It's different every year. When ever it's done, it's done. We have to do the one outside too! That one's live. We do it up for the animals."
Dari nodded. "When we're done with this we can start stringing popcorn."
"That's sweet," Lori remarked, looking to Dari. He'd bet it had been the alien's idea.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 7:53 pm
One for the animals? Maia beamed. She put a red ornament on the tree. "Squirrels and birds?" she asked. Were there other kinds? "That's a beautiful idea," she looked to Dari. He had always seemed the more...Thoughtful wasn't the right word. Sensitive? To things like that. She put up a snowflake shaped ornament. "Do you want to put the star on top Toby?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 7:56 pm
"Squirrels, birds, raccoons, skunks, deer, whatever finds it," Dari said with a smile.
Toby looked up to the top of the tree and then looked to Lori.
"Naaah. We'll let the tall guys do it. Safer than climbing up on a chair." Plus it was their first time. He considered it a rite of passage and proof that they were in the family, and his smile toward Lori and Luca said as much.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:08 pm
Maia had never seen raccoons or skunks in person. She was interested in watching them eat. "Do you think they'll run away if we're too close?" maybe they should watch from a distance?
Luca beamed at Toby. He went over to Lori and picked up an ornament, setting it on one of the higher tree branches.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:14 pm
"Yeah. We could watch from nearby, though. Once one of them finds the tree it's just madness from then on out," Toby said, "Maybe we could abuse Lori's animal magnetism a little."
When it came time for the star, Lori handed it to Luca and lifted him up the bare inches necessary to easily reach the top. It was just affectionate, not necessary.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:23 pm
Animal magnetism? Luca had told her about a bear following him home once. "I think we should." Abusing powers? Fun!
Luca was surprised when Lori lifted him, but set the star on the top branch with ease. When lowered he smiled up at the tree. "Its beautiful," he said. He kissed Lori's cheek.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:30 pm
Lori wrapped an arm around Luca and smiled, giving him a little half-hug. Toby smiled and looked to Maia. They'd made a good choice bringing them.
"Well," Toby said, clapping his hands together. "Maia, if you'd take a seat I think it's time for the first present of the season."
Lori perked. Ooh, yes!
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:34 pm
Maia blinked. First present? But it wasn't Christmas yet! She hadn't wrapped her gift for Toby yet! She did sit though. "Present?" she asked. "What is it?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:38 pm
"I'm not telling you!" Toby said with a laugh, "Dari, can you come help?"
"Of course," Dari said calmly and stood. The pair disappeared and Lori turned to smile at Maia.
"We know what it is."
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:43 pm
"We aren't telling either," Luca said immediately, seeing Maia's look.
"Please?"
"No." Luca shook his head at her. "I'll tell you what I got everyone though. Things covered in wrapping paper." Even Lori. He'd written to his mother requesting a particular book he thought Lori would appreciate.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:50 pm
Lori snorted and laughed, leaning over on Luca. That was like a dad joke, but it'd still made him laugh. Luca was so cute.
It was several minutes later when Toby came down the stairs with a rather large, awkward box he seemed to be having trouble balancing. The box was wrapped and the lid was wrapped, but separately. There was a large red bow on top.
"Okay, Maia. Hold your arms up." Toby came toward her with the box, pushing the lid down. He placed it in her lap, still holding the lid.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:55 pm
Luca placed a kiss on Lori's cheek, grinning. He watched Toby emerge from the stairs with the box.
Maia took the box. It was big enough for Seamus to play in later, definitely. But what was inside? ...Was the box moving? She looked to Toby.
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