Page 64 of The Holidays with Dr. Mitchell
“I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve enjoyed all of this, even the silly Christmas songs,” Carmen shockingly admitted. “The kids have been happy and engaged all week, and seeing them participate in all the thoughtful activities has been a delight. I don’t think I’ve ever been in the Christmas spirit more than I have on this wonderfully crazy trip,” she chuckled.
“I say we keep my bride happy,” Mark chirped, “and keep these Christmas celebrations going like we have all week.”
“Agreed,” Ash concurred. “Even though it’s been crazy, this has been the most exciting and hilarious Christmas I’ve ever had.” She stood up and walked over to me, “And it’s all because you and Collin couldn’t let it rest that those boys played a prank on the two of you.”
“All of you are very welcome,” I said. “Now, who wants to play Santa’s Christmas Eve elf and start passing out the Christmas Eve presents?”
My son immediately turned, and the boy, who was usually consumed by electronics and anything other than his family on Christmas Eve, was thrilled to be Santa’s helper. Knowing that my son had enjoyed this trip to the fullest made me grateful for what I had to endure to put these things in motion.
Sure, we heightened the festivities with Christmas tunes, a perfect and beautiful Swiss Chalet, sleighs, and reindeer, but even when all that material stuff was out of sight, John seemed a little lighter and happier. He’d experienced the true gift of Christmas: being happy, silly, and carefree with the family and friends you love.
I could finally see and fully embrace that life is better lived when you’re with your loved ones, doing crazy and extremely silly things—even if you are at war with your brother while you’re doing it. We were the most fortunate group of best friends in the world, not because we were spoiled with wealth but because we were always there for each other no matter what.
Gifts came in many different forms, and my greatest gift came from the happiness and good health of the people I loved most.
Jim stood and raised his glass after the Christmas Eve presents were opened. “To the best Christmas weekever,” he smiled at me, “and to the eternal goofballs who made it all happen.” Everyone sipped their drinks, and Jim finished by looking at the children. “Are you kids ready for Santa?”
“Yes,” they all proclaimed in unison.
“Then, it’s time I conclude this night by electing the one who will read‘Twas the night before Christmas,” Jim said. He was always the one to read the story since he liked to do voices, but tonight, he was passing the torch. “Mark, would you do the honors?”
“I’d love to,” Mark said, looking like he’d just won an award.
I couldn’t imagine a better group of friends to celebrate this holiday with. There was nowhere else I’d rather be.
Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night…
Ash
I lay in bed,nestled tightly to Jake’s side, watching the snowfall. Large flakes floated like feathers, dancing in the chilly breeze, and I listened to the fire crackling in the fireplace, appreciating this beautiful Christmas Card view of the Alps.
“Good morning, angel,” Jake said, rousing awake and turning to face me.
I draped my leg over his perfectly polished and sexually satiated body, moving him closer to me and gaining a soft kiss on my forehead.
“Merry Christmas to King of all Christmas festivities,” I chuckled.
“Frohe Weihnachten,” he said in his cute morning voice.
“Oh?” I said, running my fingertips over his forehead. “I didn’t realize you’d been polishing your German. Care to translate?”
“Actually, it’s Swiss German dialect, and it means Merry Christmas,” he said, pretending to be pretentious.
“You sure are sexy with that second language you’ve picked up.”
“Well, I’m not fluent in four languages like my brother, but I’ve spent enough time being rescued from frostbite on a Swiss Christmas tree farm to learn a thing or two,” he laughed. “For all the time we spent in Europe with my dad, you’d think more of the languages would’ve stuck, but hey. I rarely have to speak Italian or French when I’m performing open-heart surgery, so it’s just as well I let Jim focus on that.”
“Well, I’m happy you grew up experiencing so many other countries and cultures, even if you never learned the languages,” I smiled, loving when Jake reminisced on the fond memories of his past. “You know, we should look into getting a vacation home over here.”
“Well, it’s not so easy to buy a residential property in Switzerland if you aren’t a citizen, but I’ve considered looking at other places from time to time. I never imagined my lovely wife would care to have anything like that, though.”
“It does seem kind of foolish to bring it up after all the beautiful lessons we’ve all learned this Christmas,” I said.
“What, that money and material possessions don’t buy happiness?” he laughed.
“Exactly,” I chuckled. “Maybe I’m just caught up in this peaceful bubble we’ve been in here, and I don’t want to leave?”
“Baby, it’s okay to desire things that you’re capable of having,” Jake said, “and I know you well enough to know that buying a second home overseas isn’t the key to your happiness. We have more than enough money to make that happen; infact, I would love to have a place where we can take our kids whenever we feel like it. My brother and I loved vacationing in Europe with my dad. It was a bonding experience that kept us close.”
