Hello. Its two days after Christmas but this three chapter story is going to surround that, in a way. I wasn't inspired to write this until Christmas Eve so that's why it wasn't posted earlier. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this regardless.

Disclaimer: I don't own Scandal or the characters (except for the two I created in this chapter). I just enjoy writing stories involving them.

Chapter 1

Olivia and Jake were finally alone together for the night. Their day was filled with a variety of activities to celebrate the holidays. Along with their twin seven year boys, they watched several TV specials, which included "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas." It snowed two days ago and they all took of advantage of playing in it. They built miniature snowmen in the front yard. An unexpected snow fight also occurred, which everyone enjoyed. The boys also helped Olivia with her baking and Jake read them a Christmas theme story before they went to sleep. It's was definitely a good day for the Ballard Family.

But in spite of it being a little after eleven o'clock, Olivia and Jake couldn't go to sleep yet.

"Did you make sure they were really sleeping when you left their rooms?" Olivia asked her husband as they sat at the dining room table.

"Yes, honey. They pretty much passed out as soon as their heads hit the pillow. I'm sure they won't wake up in the middle of the night trying to catch a glimpse of Santa."

"Ok. I'm just making sure. She still felt a little skeptical about it. "Because you know they almost caught us last year."

Jake nodded. "I remember. Speaking of the jolly old man in a red suit, when are you going to let me read the note you helped them write?"

"Right now," Olivia responded as she handed him the note.

Jake read it out loud.

Dear Santa,

Thank you. We really really liked our gifts last year. It was so cool. Dad helped us put our Stars Wars Lego set together in one day. We love our bikes too. Mom and Dad let us ride them as much as we want. We left you three chocolate cookies and a glass of milk. Our mom helped us baked them for you like last year. We hope you enjoy them. Merry Christmas, Santa.

Love, Cayden and Jaden

P.S. Please tell Mrs. Claus and Rudolph we said hi.

Jake let out a small laugh when he finished. "We have some very thoughtful kids."

"We really do," she said with a smile. "That means we are doing a great job raising them."

"Of course we are. Look who their parents are." He wasn't being cocky but confident in both his and Olivia's parenting skills.

"I would have to agree with you on that." Olivia took the note from him and read it again in silence. When she was done, Jake could see sadness in her eyes that wasn't there previously.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

While staring at the note, she sighed. "It's nothing."

"Olivia, talk to me."

Olivia placed the note back onto the table before resting her head on his shoulder. Jake held her close. Her voice cracked a bit when she spoke. "It's just…hard sometimes. It shouldn't be, not with the life we have built together, but it is."

Jake knew exactly what she was referring. He despised that his wife's childhood still affected her deeply. However he understood why it did. Her mother died when she was twelve. Boarding school became a permanent fixture in her life until it was time for her to attend college. To make things more difficult, Olivia never had much of a relationship with her father either. She spoke to and saw him from time to time but the fulfilling relationship she desperately wanted wasn't there. Because of those things, Olivia tended to doubt herself as a parent at times. Though it's been a long time since Jake seen her this way.

"Liv, listen to me. I know it's hard. Parenting alone is difficult without the added stress of life in general. But you are an amazing mother and wife. Cayden and Jaden adore you. I'm still madly in love with you. And we appreciate every single thing you do for us. Your childhood may not have been an ideal one but the life you have is no reflection of that. Everything you have accomplished and obtained shows you are a strong and intelligent woman who didn't let hardships defined you. You have a beautiful and fulfilling life now, Olivia, and that's all that matters. That's all that will ever matter."

Olivia wiped away a few tears that fell against her will. "I know."

"Good because I never want you to forget that."

She lifted her head and shifted her body to get a better look at Jake. She was truly thankful and blessed to have him as a friend and partner. "I couldn't forget even if I wanted too. You remind me ever chance you get."

Jake brought a hand to her face and caressed her cheek with his thumb. Olivia smiled at him.

He smiled back at her. "You're right because it's my job to do that. And I will continue to do so for the rest of my life."

Olivia kissed him deeply after his last word. Her screwed up childhood and the lack of love and affection she dealt with at one point in her life no longer weighed heavily on her mind.

She pressed her forehead and spoke. "I love you, Jacob."

"I love you too, Olivia." There was nothing else Jake needed to say to erase Olivia's fears and uncertainties. Everything he did, no matter how big or small, always spoke volumes. That's why she felt peace again. The same peace she experienced since meeting Jake eleven years ago.

They remained that way for a minute until Olivia reluctantly pulled back. She glanced at the plate of cookies before picking one up. "Ok Santa Claus," Olivia said with a little grin facing him again. "It's time for your treat."

Jake smiled. "Yes, Mrs. Claus."

Jake let Olivia feed it to him and once he was finished, he said "Mmm, that was good. As always, of course." He drank some milk and briefly thought about eating another one. But he changed his mind.

"You want another one?"

Jake wiped his mouth and shook his head no. "I'll eat the rest later. I don't want to spoil my appetite before I have a taste of someone's special cookies." He wiggled his eyebrows causing Olivia to laugh.

She leaned into him and gave him a kiss. "You're naughty."

"Only for you," he replied before kissing her again.

A/N: Let me know what you thought. Next two chapters should be up soon. They are almost done.

If you're reading any of my stories, I will update them. Just took a little break from them for personal reasons.