Cantrell: The Early Years, Part SIX

The Christmas Wish, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Six Update

Erik met a fellow by the name of Emit, who bid him to seek out a couple of elements.  Although the celebrity already had quite the full schedule, doing his best to balance his career with his family time, he shrugged and agreed to take up the challenge. Because that’s exactly what it was. Everyone who knew Erik knew he loved a good challenge. The other thing he was told to seek was Time Shards. This baffled him, making him question the sanity of this so-called Time Traveler, and consequently his own sanity for agreeing to help.

Spending some extra time away from his wife and infant sons, Erik fulfilled his concert and photoshoot obligations and then went on a hunt. He shared this with no one.  Before he knew it, Christmas Eve was upon them. Erik got busy putting up the outside decorations, finding he only really had time for the houselights. The boys were too young to miss anything his parents may decide to place in the yard. Also, the horses were every bit free-range, often running around the entire outside perimeter of the house. Hanging up the last string of lights, Erik was very glad he listened to his contractor on adding the built-in all-weather hooks for such things.

Walking back inside, he found Kayleigh and they commenced dressing the boys’ very first Christmas tree. “What do you say, Sweetheart, shall we get this done? We do have Midnight Services tonight,” he said.
“Absolutely, the boys are down, for now. Perfect timing, as usual.”
Working together the two had it done in short order. Happily, the boys slept through it.

Bringing in the already wrapped gifts, Erik placed them near the tree. “Whoa, somebody’s been doing some shopping. What did you do, buy out the stores?”
“It’s only a First Christmas, once,” Erik said.
“You who gave me a full lecture in not spoiling them? Sincerely, take your own medicine, Mister.”
“Did I say these were all for the boys? Many of them are for you, my bride, but if you like I’ll send them back.”

“Oh, that’s just wrong on so many different levels. What’s really on your mind. You seem almost sullen when you normally are as excited and happy as a small boy. Come on, Erik. Give.”
“Okay, if you must know and you must, I’m greatly concerned over Jamison’s development, or lack thereof. Andrew is going at warp speed. I’m very concerned. Why can’t Jamison keep up? They’re the exact same age, minus five minutes for Andrew.”

“He hasn’t even managed to roll over on his back, let alone attempt to sit up.”

“I will tell you what my mother told me.  Even  identicals learn at their own pace. He may be a late bloomer. Try not to fret.”

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Christmas day arrived and like a kid, Erik was the first one up.  He all but raced down the stairs, as if he was hoping to catch Father Winter in the act of placing presents under the tree. Kayleigh, on the other hand groaned and slowly eased out of bed. She went straight to the nursery to check on her sons. She picked up Andrew and told Jamison, “I’ll send Daddy back up for you.”

Both boys were changed and placed onto their playmats near the warmth of the fire.  The doorbell rang, and Erik went to answer it. “It’s all right, I called somebody over. He’s new around here and had no place to go. I figured you wouldn’t mind sharing our bounty with him. It is Christmas, after all.”  Answering the door, Erik stepped out onto the front porch. “We’ll be right in,” he told Kayleigh, who wondered just what was up with the man? You’re acting so strangely lately.

“Emit, thanks for coming. I wanted to show you what I found.” He handed the man the gift box.
“Shards of Time, very good. Well done.”
“I found them in two of my relatively new toilets. So strange. How do ancient things get into new?”
"And that, my friend, is the mystery of it."

“Please, come inside and meet my wife.”

Emit thanked them and then left for parts unknown.  “What a strange person,” Kayleigh said.
“Yes, he claims to be from another time. As in he travels time.”
“Erik, what have you got yourself mixed up in this time?”
“Nothing really. I found what he was looking for, is all. Here, Merry Christmas.” Erik handed her a gift, hoping to put an end to the Inquiry.

"Oh, Erik, it's absolutely lovely. You made this"

Erik sat down next to Jamison, who was lying on his stomach. The two were having Tummy Time together.  “Come on, little Guy, I know you can do it. You just need to roll onto your back. Don’t give up, just flip over. That’s all Daddy wants for Christmas. I promise. Oh, oh, don’t fuss and cry. Okay, okay, that’s enough for now. We’ll try again, later.”

Erik got up and went into the kitchen unable to contain his disappointment.  He stood there; eyes closed in silent prayer. 
O heavenly Father, please help my little son. I don’t understand why he can’t roll onto his back. I’m very worried. Please, help him. I just need to know he’s going to be okay.”

Erik and Kayleigh enjoyed a nice quiet Christmas Feast together.

Returning to the living room, Father Winter made an appearance. “Oh, Father Winter, hello,” Kayleigh greeted. “I didn’t realize it was that time. Please accept this small token of our esteem,” she said.

“Father Winter,” Erik greeting giving the man a bear hug, “You’re just the person I wished to see.”

In another moment, Kayleigh picked up little Jamison and presented him to Father Winter. “I’d like to introduce you to our firstborn, Jamison, Twin A,” she said.
"Ah, yes, the slow, thoughtful one."

Father Winter, holding the child close to him, sat down in the wicker chair with the infant in his lap. “My but you’re a fine, healthy little babe.  You need to do Father Winter a great favor. I want you to turn over onto your back and I also want you to work on sitting up. Your daddy is very worried. We both know he needn’t be so worried, but maybe you should let him off of the hook, a little bit? Hm? For me? That’s a good, good boy.” In the next moment, he placed Jamison back onto his play mat on his stomach. “You know what to do,” he said, with a wink.

After the couple each had a chance to ask Father Winter for a gift, for which he gladly complied, the entity disappeared in a swirl of smoke.

“My people come and go so quickly here,” Erik quoted, with an impish grin. “Guess it’s time for bed,” 
“Oh, Erik, look,” Kayleigh said. “Not yet, he’s trying to crawl. Look, look, look!”

At that moment, the boy was down on his stomach once again. Erik whipped out his notebook and scribbled something inside of it. Suddenly Jamison flipped onto his back.

Sitting down, Erik helped with the Tummy Time. He placed Jamison into a sitting position.  “That’s a boy, you can do it. Look at you, you’re sitting. You just needed to work on those abs. I’m so proud of you. Thank you, best Christmas ever.”

Suddenly sitting on his own, he even crept a little bit forward. Then he surprised both parents as he crawled for a couple of paces. Next, he sat and picked up his foot, as if to place it in his mouth.

“Oh, now, you’re just showing off,” Kayleigh said. “And thank you for giving your daddy the best Christmas, ever." 

"And now after all of that, let’s go try some real food, you earned it.”

“Well, he hates applesauce. How can anyone hate applesauce? Are you quite certain these are our kids? I love applesauce, you love pumpkin. I don’t get it. I just don’t.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Erik said, tears of joy in his eyes. “He’s fine, he’s totally fine and I’m so very grateful.”

All for now. Thanks for reading!