Hello, hello! I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas/Boxing Day! I had this story written and saved, but never got the chance to post it before the holiday! Rose, Miranda and Oliver are my characters from Heartlines and the OS, And There You Are.

Jim groaned, shifting under the heavy blankets that covered his body. Rose had always insisted on sleeping with three heavy blankets on the bed during the winter, complaining how Jim was a blanket hog. With a yawn, Jim rolled onto his back and threw his arm across his face. Then he heard a giggle and felt his side of the bed shift, as a tiny body climbed ontop of him.

"Hmmm?" he groaned, opening his eyes slowly, to find a tiny little person sitting on his stomach. "Randa?"

"Daddy! Wake up!" she whispered, poking his cheek. "Santy Claus came!"

Peering at the clock on the nightstand, the blue lights reading at 0600 hours, the Captain let out a whimper and set his head down on the pillow. "Randa it's still early," he said, as she moved closer to his face. "Mommy and Daddy are tired."

Miranda groaned, "But Daddddyyyy! Santy ate all the cookies Mommy and I made last night."

Jim wrapped his arms around her and pulled her off his chest and to his side, "Did he?" he asked, pulling the blankets over her. "Are you sure?"

Miranda nodded, "Uh huh! All twelve of them!"

"Santa's a piggy then," he kissed her cheek. "Did he drink the milk too?"

Jim already knew the answer, since it was he who ate and drank the milk and cookies. He and Rose didn't climb into bed until 0200 hours, after wrapping the last of the presents for the kids and hiding the evidence that they did such a task. Jim managed to stuff is face with the cookies, washing them down with the milk; his wife scolding him for doing so, threatening that he would have an upset stomach for drinking dairy before bed.

"Can we wake Ollie up?" Miranda asked, as Rose rolled over onto her stomach. "I want him to open my presents."

"Ollie's sleeping, baby girl," he kissed her head. "How about we sleep for another hour or two, and then we can wake Ollie and Mommy up?"

Miranda sighed and nodded, "But we need to open them all before Uncle Bones, Aunt Chrissy and Joanna come!" she warned, as Jim pulled the pillow down further for her.

"We will," he promised, tucking her into his arms. "Close your eyes now and sleep."

…..

The next time Jim woke up, it was both Miranda and Rose, bouncing on the bed.

"Daddy! Daddy!"

"Jim! Jim! Wake up, it's Christmas!"

He groaned, "You two are insane," he groaned, pulling the blanket over his head. "What time is it?"

"It's 0800 and you need to get your cute butt out of bed," Rose giggled, as Miranda jumped. "I'm going to get Ollie and you need to make him a bottle and a pot of coffee."

Jim groaned and the girls hopped off the bed, rushing out of the bedroom. By the time Jim made his way downstairs, he could hear Miranda rustling under the tree and Rose talking to their ten month old in the kitchen.

"Look Ollie! Daddy's finally dragged his sorry behind out of bed to grace us with his presence," she teased. "I made coffee since you took forever to come down here."

Retrieving a cup off the counter, Jim made his way over to his wife and son, dropping a kiss on Rose's lips.

"Merry Christmas," he grinned, as she carefully fed Oliver a jar of applesauce. "And Merry Christmas to you, big guy."

Oliver gurgled around the spoon in his mouth, slapping his hands on the highchair tray. "Miranda's poking under the tree," Jim said, as he took a sip from his cup. "Better hurry before she opens everything before we get in there."

Rose nodded and scooped on last spoonful of applesauce, "Nyota left a message for us," she nodded to the terminal in the kitchen. "She and Spock are having a great time on New Vulcan and they plan on returning just in time for New Years."

Jim nodded, "Good to know," he sighed. "I miss that pointy-eared bastard."

"MOMMY! DADDY!" Miranda shouted from the living room. "ARE YOU COMING OR NOT?"

"Guess we better get out there," Rose sighed, setting the spoon and jar down. "Come on big boy. Let's see what Santa brought you."

…..

Two hours and many presents later, the living room looked like a total war zone of wrapping paper, bows and boxes. Miranda was busy admiring all the presents that "Santa" brought her, along with the gifts from her Uncles and Aunt, who were celebrating Christmas with their own families all over the world.

"Do you like your present?" Jim asked, as he and Rose sat on the couch. "I know you said not to get too crazy, but I think you needed something on that finger."

Rose smiled, looking down at the ring on her left hand. "IT's about damn time you got me a rock," she said, holding her hand up. "Now I'll be able to keep the men off when I drop Miranda off at school or run to the store."

Jim snorted, "I like my presents," he grinned. "Silky boxers and flavored lube? Baby you shouldn't have."

"Oh god," she groaned, rolling her eyes. "I know for a fact that you bought that package of lube and wrapped it yourself."

Oliver babbled at their feet, smacking his hands against the paper that covered the floor. Jim sat up and reached down, scooping him up into his arms.

"Do you like your presents?" he asked, as Oliver reached out to touch his mouth. "You got some fancy building blocks there, kid. I get the feeling that they'll be used as weapons."

"Bah! Bah!" Oliver screeched, holding his chubby arm out to him.

Rose sighed, "I better make some breakfast for you and Miranda," she sat up. "Then we have to clean this mess up and get ready, especially if Len, Christine and Jo plan on coming around noon."

Jim bounced Oliver on his lap, "Do you want me to put the turkey in the oven?" he asked, as Rose started towards the kitchen.

"Give it an hour," she said. "Miranda, start cleaning this mess up. Then straighten up your presents so they don't get ruined."

Miranda nodded, "Okay Mommy," she said, standing up. "I'll put Ollie's presents with mine too!"

"Good girl," Rose nodded. "I'm making breakfast now, so help your father with your brother."

….

By noon, everyone had showered and dressed in their party clothes. Oliver sat in the playpen, while Miranda bounced around the kitchen, helping Rose put the appetizers together for their guests. When the doorbell rang at 12:01 on the dot, Miranda let out a shriek and ran through the house.

"Easy Randa!," Jim laughed, as he unlocked the door. "Wait until they're inside to tackle them!"

Leonard, Christine and Joanna stepped through the front door, holding bags and trays in their arms. Miranda and Joanna tackled one another, after three months apart.

"Merry Christmas!" Jim cheered, holding his arms out. "Look how lovely you two are!"

Joanna blushed, "Uncle Jim!" she whined, as he dropped a kiss on her cheek.

He placed a kiss on Christine's cheek, before throwing his arm around Leonard's shoulders. "You clean up real nice, Bones."

"I'd say the same to you, but that sweater is fucking ugly," the doctor shook his head. "And what the hell is that on your head?"

"It's a Santa hat!" he smiled, as Christine giggled. "Come on, Bones! Smile!"

Christine started towards the kitchen, as the girls ran into the living room. "You'd think he'd smile on the happiest day of the year," she said.

Leonard huffed, "Did your kid tackle you in bed this morning at an ungodly hour?" he asked, as Jim took the bags from him.

"Yup! Bright and early!" he said, as they walked into the living room. "Though I managed to get Miranda back to sleep for two hours."

Leonard spotted his god-son in the play-pen and bent down to pick him up, "Hey Buddy," he kissed his cheek, before turning to Jim. "Joanna did a cannon ball and I got a knee to the balls. Kid should try for the swimmin' team."

Jim couldn't help at his friends misfortune, "Sorry Bones," he slapped his back. "How about I get you a drink and let Miranda show off all her presents? Admiral Hot Wheels should be here around one and I think Scotty's dropping by before dinner."

"Oh joy," Leonard said, as he carried Oliver over to the couch. "Uncle Bones get's to hear all about the princesses and girly things again."

….

Once gifts were exchanged between the Kirks to the McCoy's and Christine, the women went into the kitchen to check on the food, while the kids and men sat around.

"Jo! You and me are princesses now!" Miranda said, as she twirled her princess wand around. "Uncle Bones and Daddy are Kings and Mommy and Aunt Chrissy are Queens!"

The eleven year old nodded, "What's Ollie then?" she asked, nodding to the baby sitting on her father's lap. "Besides smelly."

"He's the stinky horseman!" Miranda giggled. "Stinky! Stinky! Stinky!"

Leonard chuckled, "Such a sweet girl," he said, shaking his head. "You've taught her well, Jim."

The doorbell rang and Jim groaned, "Hold that thought," he said, pulling himself off the couch. "That's probably old grouchy pants."

Sure enough, when Jim opened the door, both Chris and Scotty greeted him. "Merry Christmas, laddie!" Scotty grinned, as the screen door was pushed open. "Yer lookin' jolly as ever!"

Chris snorted, "That is the ugliest sweater I've ever seen in my life," he said, as Jim pulled him into a hug. "Merry Christmas, kid."

"Merry Christmas, Old Man," he patted his shoulder. "You missed out on all the fun! The kids tearing into presents and hearing Bones whine about he got a knee cap to the balls this morning."

Scotty was busy being tackled to the floor by Miranda and Jo, when they stepped into the living room.

"Girls!" Rose scolded, as they begged Scotty to be the court clown of their imaginary kingdom. "Chris!"

Rose made her way over to them and pulled the Admiral into a hug, "Merry Christmas!" she said, kissing his cheek.

"Merry Christmas," he smiled. "Jim was informing me that I missed an eventful morning," he said, turning to look at Jim.

"Eh," she waved her hand. "It was okay. A few presents being opened and listening to the girls screech over their presents. Then seeing this one coming downstairs with that hideous sweater on."

Jim groaned, "My sweater is awesome," he said, running his hand down the cable knit.

"That sweater should be burned," Leonard said, as he walked over to them. "Chris," he shook his hand.

Miranda and Joanna came running over to the adults, "Uncle Chris!" Miranda squealed, wrapping her arms around his leg. "Hi!"

"Hello Miranda," he patted the top of her head. "You look lovely today."

Miranda beamed at him, twirling in her red and green dress, while Joanna stood by Leonard's side. "Merry Christmas, Mr. Admiral."

Ever since Joanna met the older man, she couldn't help buy shy away from him. Jim teased her constantly over her little crush, while Leonard tossed back a full glass of whiskey whenever he brought it up. Rose and Christine thought it was cute, as well as innocent for the eleven year old to admire the man who was in charge of her father's ship.

"Jo, I told you plenty of times to call me Chris," he said, with a smile. "I don't know what your Uncle over here has told you, but Mr. Admiral makes me sound much older and meaner than I really am."

Joanna blushed and nodded, before grabbing Miranda's hand and running back to the Christmas tree.

Rose snickered, "Better hope she doesn't have a bundle of mistletoe her in bag," she elbowed him.

"Rose," Leonard groaned, "Must you?"

"Oh hush," she shook her head. "I have food and drinks in the kitchen. Dinner should be done in a half an hour."

Scotty grinned, "Great! I have presents for the wee ones!" he said, nodding to the bag on the floor.

Chris held up a large gift bag as well, "As do I," he nodded. "Along with a bottle of brandy and wine for later."

Rose smiled, "Well, go on and relax," she nodded to the couch. "I think Santa left a few presents for you two under the tree as well."

"Come on," Jim started towards the couch. "Before she changes her mind and makes us help in the kitchen!"