You step out of the kitchen, into the living room and the scent of cinnamon and vanilla candles greets you instantly.

The big box of Christmas ornaments is already open.

Next to it, your three year old son, Noah, sits on the carpet, turning a red Christmas ball curiously in his little hands.

Lando kneels beside him, trying to sort out the string lights, which just like every year...have transformed into an impossible knot.

“I swear they do this on purpose. Every year…no matter how carefully we pack them." You mumble with a grin.

Lando chuckles quietly. “I’m pretty sure it’s the Christmas elves.”

Noah looks up at Lando in shock, then at you. Lando nods with a mischievous grin. “Yep. Sometimes they come here to report to Santa whether you and Mara have been good or not.”

Noah’s eyes widen in desperate confusion, but you just laugh and ruffle his messy curls.

In the bouncer beside you, your eleven month old daughter, Mara, kicks her legs excitedly, her tiny hands reaching for the air while she happily babbles to herself.

Every time Noah rushes past her, she squeals with joy.

“Alright, let’s get started, yeah?” Lando says and begins looping the lights around the tree, something Noah finds absolutely hilarious, especially since Lando circles the tree a hundred times and pulls a new silly face on each lap.

“Daddy!” Noah giggles, pointing at him.

“Daddy is crazy. I think he had a little too much sugar today." You tease.

Lando stops and stares at you dramatically. “Not true at all!” Then he drops the plug onto the floor. “Alright..ready, buddy?”

Noah’s eyes grow huge with excitement as he jumps up, grabs a Christmas ball from the box, and hangs it on the tree.

Together, you begin decorating.

You hand Noah a wooden pinecone ornament, nothing breakable. He hangs it a little crooked, but with deep concentration, on the lower branches.

Lando handles the higher ornaments, shooting you small glances every now and then, which warms your chest instantly.

“Mommy, look!” Noah calls proudly as he discovers a silver snowflake and places it at his eye level.

You smile and nod. “Perfect!" You say, brushing your fingers through his hair.

Mara answers with a happy burst of babbling, as if she has personally approved the decoration.

Finally, the moment arrives.

Lando lifts Noah gently. The little boy stretches as far as his tiny body allows, his tongue poking out in concentration, and places the golden star on top of the tree.

“Done!” He shouts.

Lando grins and presses a quick kiss to Noah’s cheek before setting him down.

You all take a step back and admire the result. The tree glows warmly, slightly chaotic, but completely perfect.

Lando slips an arm around your waist. “Looks like us..” He murmurs.

“Yeah…chaotic..but perfect." You reply softly, nodding.

Noah bounces with excitement. “And now?”

You wink at him. “How about we bake some cookies? Santas? Stars? Maybe even race cars?”

His eyes light up, and he takes off running toward the kitchen. “Race cars!!!”

Mara shrieks in agreement, as if it had been her idea all along.

You lift Mara up, and you all follow Noah. Ready for flour clouds, giggles, and the perfect end to your Christmas evening.

Lando grins, wraps his arm around your waist, and pulls you closer, while his other hand reach out to Mara. She grabs his finger and babbles.

“Alright.." He says, giving you a knowing look. “You do know I’m a complete chaos magnet in the kitchen, right?”