Under The Mistletoe

With her beloved teddy bear tucked under one arm, Becky, a bright-eyed girl with golden curls and rosy cheeks, twirled around the living room, her little feet scuffing the polished wood floor.

The Christmas tree sparkled with strands of tinsel and colorful lights, its ornaments glinting like tiny treasures. The house radiated holiday cheer, with garland across the mantel and candles casting a warm glow.

Brenda Lee's Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree crackled from the old record player, filling the room with festive energy. The spicy scent of gingerbread cookies baking in the oven drifted through the air, making Becky hungry.

The doorbell chimed, pulling her from her cheerful dance. Hugging Teddy close, she dashed to the door, her socks skidding as she stopped. She opened the door wide, and a man holding a bouquet of roses greeted her; their red petals were vivid against the newly fallen snow.

Her eyes lit up with curiosity. "Are those from my daddy?"

The man chuckled warmly. "No, but they are for your mommy."

Becky tilted her head, pondering this information, before chirping, "Okay! I'll go get her."

She hurried toward the kitchen, colliding with her mommy in the hall. "The man has flowers for you." Having delivered the message, she scurried off — but not far — because her curiosity got the better of her. Peeking around the corner, she watched her mommy engage in a cheerful conversation with the delivery man. He had a hearty laugh and a red scarf wrapped snugly around his neck. Above them, the sprig of mistletoe dangled in the air.

Mommy laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief as she leaned in to kiss the man on the cheek. Becky's eyes widened as she took in the scene.

After the man left, Mommy waltzed into the kitchen, humming along to the music and carrying the roses. She placed them in a vase — her face glowing as she arranged the blooms.

Becky wandered in, her brow furrowed with questions. "Who sent you flowers, Mommy? Is it your birthday?"

Mommy shook her head, her voice light as she answered, "No, it's not my birthday."

Becky frowned. "But Daddy only sends flowers on your birthday."

Still smiling, Mommy replied, "Daddy didn't send these, sweetheart. They're from a friend."

Becky hesitated, glancing toward the doorway. "But — you kissed him. Under the mistletoe."

Mommy paused, and the timer on the oven rang, breaking the moment. She waved a distracted hand as she turned to check the cookies. "Oh, it's just a holiday thing, sweetie. When people are under the mistletoe, they say hello like that. Now go play, okay?"

Becky nodded, clutching Teddy to her chest. Her mommy's explanation didn't quite make sense, but she decided to file it away for later. After all, there was still so much about the holidays she had to figure out.

Later that afternoon, the doorbell rang again. This time, it was the postman, a cheery man in a dark blue uniform. His breath formed small clouds in the chilly air as he approached the door, holding a package marked Postage Due.

After Mommy invited him in to settle a postage fee, she stepped away, retrieving her purse from the kitchen counter. Becky stood by the door, her gaze fixated on the mistletoe once more, its presence now filled with newfound significance.

"Hi, Sam!" she said brightly.

The postman smiled. "Hello, Becky."

"Excuse me," she said shyly. "Can you bend down for a second?"

Sam hesitated, then crouched down, curiosity dancing in his eyes. Before he could ask why, Becky leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek, her lips barely grazing his skin.

Sam blinked in surprise, caught off guard. His face flushed a bright shade of crimson just as Mommy returned with her purse in hand. She stopped short, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Becky! What are you doing?"

With the beaming enthusiasm of a child eager to share a new discovery, Becky explained brightly, "I was saying hello."

Mommy stammered an apology, rushing to pay the postman while ushering him out quickly, embarrassment creeping up her neck.

Becky turned to her mother, completely unbothered. "I was just being polite, Mommy. Like you said!"

Mommy knelt at Becky's level. "Sweetheart," she said gently but firmly, "you can't just kiss everyone under the mistletoe."

"Why not?" Becky asked innocently. "You did it with the man who brought you flowers."

Mommy opened her mouth to respond but was saved by the front door opening.

"Daddy's home!" Becky shouted, dashing toward him with Teddy in tow.

Daddy scooped her up, planting a kiss on her forehead. "There's my little elf. Did you have a good day?"

"Yup!" Becky grinned. "I kissed the postman!"

Daddy raised an eyebrow, looking over her shoulder at Mommy, who had gone pale. "Oh? And where did you get that idea?"

Becky smiled brightly. "Mommy kissed the man with the flowers, so I thought that's what you do under the mistletoe!"

Daddy set Becky down, crossing his arms as he turned to Mommy. "The man with the flowers?" he asked, his tone light but curious.

Mommy sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead. "It was Ted — my college friend. He stopped by to drop off some flowers to thank me for helping with his fundraiser. That's all!"

Becky chimed in, "And you kissed him. Like you were saying hello!"

Daddy smirked. "Hmmm — a friendly hello under the mistletoe, huh?"

"It's a holiday thing," Mommy added, her cheeks flushed. "Right, Becky?"

Becky nodded earnestly. "Yup! Mommy said so!"

Daddy chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, sounds like someone's learning a lot about holiday traditions." He ruffled Becky's hair. "Next time, let's stick to waving, huh?"

Becky nodded solemnly. "Okay, Daddy."

Mommy let out a relieved sigh, pulling them both into a hug. "Agreed. No more unsupervised mistletoe for anyone!"

As the family moved into the living room, Brenda Lee's voice filled the air again, and Becky danced around the Christmas tree with Teddy in hand. Daddy wrapped his arms around Mommy and kissed her. "I kind of like this holiday thing."

Mommy smiled and kissed him back. "Me too!"