Chapter 2
Christmas Morning,
"Daddy, Beth." Mia asked her voice filtering through the slumbering adults' consciousness.
"Mummy." Kaito said loudly enough it woke Mike up first. Beth however was more persistent in staying asleep as she groaned wanting more sleep. They had come back home just before midnight and tucked sleeping kids and a very tired Sienna into bed before they put the final touches of Christmas in the house.
"Oh what is the time?" Mike asked as he pulled Beth tighter against his body and looked over her head to Mia and Kaito who had climbed up onto the bed.
"It's super early, and Kaito stinks. I think he pooped himself. Merry Christmas!" Mia said excitedly, Mike snorted a laugh as Mia unknowingly made it sound like Kaito soiling himself was a Christmas gift.
"Yay!" Kaito said as it was it stock standard cheer for when someone sounded excited, while he tried to climb over Beth to get to Mike. "Mummy, Daddy." he called to them.
"Merry Christmas." Beth replied sleepily as she pulled Kaito into her arms so he'd stop crawling over her. But Kaito wouldn't have it as he squirmed.
"What are the numbers on the clock?" Mike asked as he was too bleary eyed to see.
"4:30, and Santa came last night. So can we open all of our presents now?" Mia asked with a grin. Mia didn't really believe in Santa but she pretended to for the sake of her Dad as she knew it made him happy to have her believe. She did however believe in the Christmas spirit and celebrating generosity and kindness. She loved decorations, lights and many other Christmas stuff to list them all.
"Can we get half an hour?" Mike asked.
"No," Mia told him.
"Sienna is still asleep. So how about you give Beth and I time to wake up and to get Kaito changed. We'll meet downstairs in ten minutes?" he asked her.
"Ok." Mia said with a reluctant sigh.
"We love you." Beth told her.
"Oh, he is really ripe." Beth told Mike as she passed a squirming and very smelly Kaito to him.
"Merry Christmas to me." Mike quipped as he took Kaito into his arms. He leaned over and gave her a good morning kiss because he needed something pleasurable before he dealt with Kaito and reluctantly got out of bed.
"Mocha, Mint coffee?" Tom asked as he held out a mug with a candy cane sticking out of it.
"Yes, a million times yes." Sasha said as she finished changing Jed into a reindeer onesie and placed him onto the play mat with his sisters who were dressed as a snowman and a gingerbread man. Presents that Andrea had given to them as a baby shower gift. She took the mug from Tom and took a deep inhale enjoying the chocolate mint scent mixing with the roast coffee smell. It was like Christmas in a mug with a much needed caffeine shot as she was only running on two hours of sleep. "So good." Sasha told him
"Merry Christmas." he told her with a grin. He pressed a kiss to her cheek as she took a sip of her drink.
"Tastes amazing." She told him a moan of pleasure as they both sat down on the lounge and looked to the floor watching the Triplets just lay there like little lumps of cute.
"I hope they sleep through the night soon." Tom said, he wasn't complaining but making a wish list as he knew only time would give them triplets who slept through the evening.
"It's like a bad joke, you get them to sleep and then one wakes up and cries loud enough to wake the others and it's all rinse and repeat." Sasha said with amusement.
"Yet they are so lovable." Tom replied as he drank some of his own coffee.
"We make beautiful babies." Sasha said with a smile. "Last night was fun." she said changing the topic.
"It was. It might good to have a date night in the next month or so." Tom said.
"So we can book a hotel room and sleep for eight hours?" Sasha joked.
"Sounds great to me." Tom said to which they both chuckled.
"Do you think Mike and Beth know they weren't fooling anyone when they disappeared last night for an hour?" Sasha asked with amusement.
"No, and I doubt they care given they are in the euphoria of being engaged." Tom said with a grin.
"Did we just sailed past all those euphoric stages and straight into old married couple?" Sasha asked him as she couldn't remember the last time they had been giggly and all over one another.
"We had triplets, it tends to crimp the libido a little." Tom quipped, but he was waiting for her to tell him when she was ready.
"I was cleared over a month ago." Sasha reminded him with a teasing smile as caffeine, sugar were kicking in with her fourth wind of energy. "Ashley and Sammy are still asleep. The triplets will be fine without us." she said invitingly.
"There's something I need to tell you." Tom told her.
"Now? I'm offering myself to you and you want to talk?" she asked him a little incredulously.
"Yes." Tom said with an amused smile, he definitely wanted to take her up on her offer but he needed to talk to her first.
"Ok." Sasha said reticently as she was a little worried as to what he wanted to tell her when she just not so subtly offered sex on the table for them.
"I quit my job at the White house." he told her, Sasha blinked as it took her brain a moment to realise what he just said.
"What?" Sasha asked in a careful manner as they were relying on Tom's income to keep them a float while she was on maternity leave. "When?" she asked him.
"Two days ago." he told her.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She demanded.
"Because I wanted to give you this as a Christmas present." he said as he handed her an envelope. Sasha placed her mug on the coffee table and took the envelope opening it. "You said all you want for Christmas was for everyone to be happy. I can't guarantee 100% happiness, but this is the right step." he said.
Sasha pulled out the letter and read the contents, a smile spreading across her lips. "We're happy that you've accepted the Full-time Lecturer position and welcome you to St Louis University faculty." she read out loud.
"It's a bit more money, less hours than the White House. They will even pay me to do finish my PhD so I can become a Professor. While it's full time, I can work from home one day a week and sometimes more as long as I'm on campus for at least 30 hours a week." Tom told her.
"Tom, this is amazing." Sasha told him.
"It means I'll be home and more present for you and the kids. When I'm a Professor, I can earn more money which means we won't have to worry about money if you want to go part time or stay at home with the kids longer. We can afford to do so. If I stay at the University, the kids get a discounted college education as well. But most importantly, we get to have time and it's something we all wanted." he told her, not just speaking for her but also Ashley and Sammy.
"It's the perfect gift. Thank you." Sasha said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply and passionately.
"Can we wake Sienna up now?" Mia asked anxiously as Mike spoon fed Kaito his breakfast. Mike tried to let Kaito feed himself but the food and spoon usually ended anywhere but his mouth. So he placed small pieces of toast for Kaito to feed himself while Mike fed him the mush.
"I'm awake." Sienna said half awake as she came down the stairs to the kitchen dining table. She sank into her chair looking as tired as Mike and Beth felt. They were pretty sure Mia had gone up and woken her on her trip to the bathroom.
"Let's open presents!" Mia said.
"Let's have breakfast." Beth told her as she placed freshly baked pre-made Croissants on the table. "Then presents." she said laying down the law as she was starving and needed to take her meds.
"Ok." Mia conceded as she obediently sat at the table and ate with them. But as soon as the croissant were consumed and Kaito was cleaned up it was go time for the presents. She raced to the tree with Kaito behind her. Beth and Mike watched as the kids pulled out the presents with Mia looking for names and sorting the out while Sienna made sure Kaito didn't unwrap them all.
Beth and Mike sat down on the couch watching as the piles were set out and the kids tore into them. They smiled enjoying their kid's happiness over being spoiled with new clothes, books and movies. Things they had been without during the pandemic, luxuries that were long forgotten during their time in the factories while for Kaito it was his first time enjoying everything. Though his enjoyment seemed to come from destroying the wrapping paper more than anything.
"You're not opening your presents." Mia told Beth and Mike.
"We were just enjoying the moment." Mike said as he and Beth had a meagre pile of gifts, it was out of choice as both already had everything they needed and wanted before them and with each other.
"Merry Christmas!" Sasha said as she waved Andrea and her plus one into their home. She couldn't help but smile at all the ugly Christmas sweaters coming through the door as it was theme of the meal's wardrobe. Andrea who usually ignored such themes was participating as she and her plus one had matching ugly sweaters sweaters covered in gingerbread men and snowmen.
"Wow, you guys don't mess around with Christmas." Andrea said as it looked like Christmas had exploded inside the Chandler home.
"Blame Mike and Beth. They are a little obsessed with the holiday and spread their cheer and decorations over our way." Sasha said as she closed the door and gestured for them to go through to the dining area where the adults were as the lounge room was filled with kids and babies.
"Nick, I'd like you to meet Sasha. She ruptures mens' testicles if they are rude to her." Andrea warned him, Nick, a 6ft athletically lean, Caucasian man with salt pepper hair in his late forties with a well groomed beard smiled at Sasha. A smile that made anyone with a sexual inclination to men melt. It seemed even Sasha wasn't immune as she smiled like a school girl back at him.
"I'll be polite and keep my legs crossed." Nick said as they shook hands.
"One time, I did it one time and now I have a reputation. But I will break you if you break Andrea's heart." She told him as a clear warning so he understood she wasn't joking.
"I wouldn't expect any less." He said affably.
"It is nice to meet you." Sasha said as she released his hand and once Nick moved into the room pulled Andrea by the arm and mouthed an appreciative 'Damn!'.
"Everyone, this is Nick. Nick, that's Beth- she's engaged to Mike. Tom is married to Sasha. Joseph is a confirmed bachelor and Sophie is his sister. Russell, you've met and there's a gaggle of kids and babies. They'll introduce themselves or not." Andrea said making introductions and gesturing to each person. Nick exchanged handshakes and pleasantries before they all went to grab food and sat down at the long table. They picked up their crackers ready to pull them open.
"One, two, three!" They counted out. They all pulled and loud bangs sounded a long with the sound of babies crying which made everyone laugh and share a little sympathy.
"Awwh, it's ok." Beth promised Kaito who blubbered as the triplets cried at the sound. Jeter, Tom and Sasha went and came back as the triplets were calmed and placed into the crib. Sasha wanted them to be downstairs with them but there wasn't anywhere to put their bouncer chairs or a play mat without Zuma making mischief with them.
"Where's mine?" Sasha asked excitedly, Beth tossed her a small package that ended up spare as everyone at the table were now wearing their paper crowns and sharing terrible jokes. "Cheers," she replied.
"What does the word Minimum mean?" Joseph asked the table.
"Small amount." Andrea offered.
"No, it means a small mum. Mini Mum." Joseph said with grin, the kids laughed hysterical while the adults rolled their heads or cringed at the bad joke.
"I see we got the cheap bon bons." Mike said with a groan as it was a terrible joke.
"Finally, some facial hair." Sasha joked as she put her faux mustache that had been in her bon bon onto her face and then the final touch of the paper crown.
"That's a beautiful look." Joseph told her.
"I have a joke." Jeter told them, "What lies at the bottom of the sea and shivers?" he asked them all as he read his joke.
"A nervous wreck." Beth replied.
"How did you know that?" Sophie asked her incredulously, while the either grimaced at the joke.
"I got the same joke." she said as she tried to blow the whistle that came in her bon bon to find it didn't make a noise at all. The bad jokes flew around and before long the delicious food was consumed and the children rushed off the play leaving the adults at the table with the dregs of their dessert wine and coffee.
"So Nick, what do you do?" Beth asked, Andrea had skillfully made sure the conversation at lunch had been about everyone but her and Nick. But thanks to a lull in conversation, Beth had snuck in and asked the question.
"Welder, fabricator." Nick told her.
"So you two met at work." Sasha said, Nick gave a nod and smiled at Andrea who blushed while trying to act like she was not charmed utterly and completely about him.
"We did, I asked her out every day for a full six months until she caved." Nick said in a teasing manner.
"I didn't cave. I just decided to give you a chance; so you'd shut up." Andrea corrected him.
"You keep telling yourself that as I haven't shut up and you've kept me around." Nick told her with a grin as he was clearly smitten with her.
"And now you're here which means it's serious." Mike said as he took a sip of his coffee.
"We are the equivalent of meeting the parents." Tom told him.
"How am I going?" Nick asked in a serious manner which made it all the more amusing as Tom and Mike were really getting into the big brother roles.
"You've won the ladies with just existing. Thank you and your parents." Sophie assured him, everyone laughed as Nick was guileless, he was clearly used to his good looks being admire that he couldn't be bothered preening under their attention.
"Thanks." Nick said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, my sister is weird. Just go with it. She's harmless unless she's holding a curling iron." Joseph said to the man even though it wasn't the first time Sophie's weird nature showed at lunch but it was part of her charm.
"What I want to know now is when will Beth and Mike be getting married." Andrea said changing the topic.
"What about Nick and Andrea?" Beth asked throwing the question back at her.
"According to Mike's rules for his daughters. Nick and Andrea have over a year of dating to get through before we can prod them for a wedding date." Sasha said mockingly, saving Andrea and Nick from finding an answer while making everyone smile.
"We have the licence, Russell can officiate right here with the kids." Tom offered.
"No, we're getting married in Spring. We'll have a date when we book a location." Beth announced to the table putting the question to bed.
"But we'd still like you to officiate if you're around." Mike said to Jeter.
"I'd be me know when and where." Jeter replied warmly.
"If Andrea hasn't cut you loose, you're invited too." Mike told Nick.
"Thanks, I like a good wedding." Nick said with a grin.
"We could have it here." Sasha said wondering if she could wear them down into having a Christmas wedding today.
"No, we're going to have a special day in Spring and I'm wearing my Dress Whites. It's not going to fall on any birthdays or anniversaries." Mike informed Sasha, her eyes lit up in amusement as did many of the others at the table. "Yes, I'm a Groomzilla. I want a formal wedding and I promised Mia she would be our flower girl." he announced to the table in a tone daring them to mock him.
"It's true, I said we should elope but he won't have a bar of it." Beth said with a smile to Mike as she was so deeply in love with Mike. He'd given her everything she could ever dream of and things in life she thought she could never have. Yet, here she was with him and their family and friends.
A few hours later,
"Night." Sasha said as Ashley and Sammy said their goodnights and disappeared in the direction of their rooms. The house was finally theirs until the triplets woke up.
"Well, I'd say that was a success."
"I agree, it was so good to be surrounded by friends and family. Added bonus, they helped clean up after lunch and we ended up with enough leftovers to feed us for the next few days." Sasha said with a grin.
"I think we have a couple hours until the triplets wake up." Tom estimated as he and Sasha walked up to their bedroom. They paused along the way to make sure that the triplets were indeed asleep and kept moving as it was time to lay down.
"We should probably get some sleep." Sasha said with a tired sigh.
"I was thinking of something more entertaining." Tom informed her slyly.
"A TV show?" Sasha asked being obtuse as Tom pulled her against his body, He leaned in close and whispered exactly what he had in mind. Sasha smiled like a Cheshire cat as she felt a second wind of energy kick in at the salacious promises Tom was whispering in his ear.
The credits started rolling on the screen and Mike gently nudged Beth awake as she had fallen asleep about a quarter of the way into the Christmas movie. Mike couldn't say he was any better as he dozed in and out during the movie himself but it was some Hallmark movie, so it wasn't like it required many brain cells to keep up with or hold his interest.
"Well, it's time for bed." Mike announced as he and Beth sat up.
"Night Dad, Beth." Sienna said as she hugged them each.
"Night and Merry Christmas. I loved my presents." Beth told her and Mia, the two smiled at their clear success as Beth knew Mike had taken them with him to buy some of the Christmas presents.
"It was a great day!" Mia said.
"I'm going to bed." Sienna said.
"Night kiddo." Mike said, he looked to Mia. "Ready to be tucked in?" he asked her.
"Can Beth tuck me tonight? I promise that you can tuck me in tomorrow night." Mia assured him.
"Ok, I'll lock up down here and be up to say goodnight after Beth has tucked you in." Mike said.
"Ok Daddy, let's go Beth." Mia said as she held out her hand. Beth took her hand and allowed the girl to lead her upstairs. She checked in on Kaito who was fast asleep while Mia finished her bedtime routine and bounced into her bed.
Beth pulled the blankets over her and tucked Mia in tight just as she liked and placed the reindeer in with her.
"How's that?" Beth asked her.
"It's good for a first attempt." Mia said, Beth chuckled as she knew there was no competition as Mike was the best at making beds and tucking in the children. "But I wanted us to talk alone before Daddy gets here."
"Ok, what do you want to talk about?" Beth asked.
"I have one my present to give you." Mia told her.
"What's that?" Beth asked out of curiosity as Mia hadn't produced a physical present.
"I know it's not a gift like something you can unwrap but I'd like to call you 'Mommy'. I know you're not my real Mommy as she's in heaven but you're my second Mommy. I love you like a Mommy, so is it ok?" Mia asked her.
"That is a very beautiful gift, I'd be honoured if you called me 'Mommy' and I love you too." Beth told her, overwhelmed by Mia's words.
"I love you Mommy." Mia said, she rose from the bedding with complete ease.
"I definitely need to work on my tucking in skills." Beth said as they hugged, Mia giggled before she laid back down. She hugged her stuffed toy with a grin on her face.
"How's it going in here?" Mike asked from the doorway.
"Abysmally, Mia needs you to tuck her in." Beth said, she leaned in and kissed Mia on the forehead and stepped back letting Mike take over as he tucked Mia in and kissed her goodnight.
"Ok, sleep well. Merry Christmas." Mike said as he rose from the bed.
"I will, Night Daddy and Mommy. Merry Christmas." Mia told them.
"Night," They both replied before they left Mia and Kaito's room, partially closing the door and heading to their room.
"She called you Mommy." Mike noted with a soft smile as he closed the door to their room and closed the space between them.
"Mia gave me a title as a gift." Beth said as she slid her hands up his chest and around his neck.
"Pretty good Christmas for us all then." Mike surmised as he felt it was perfect but wasn't going to say as much out loud as he wasn't going to set the bar for next year.
"The best." Beth told him, his heart sang as all he wanted for Christmas was for his family to be happy and very spoiled. Today, he had achieved both of those goals and now he wanted a reward. One he knew Beth would be on board with.
"Mmm, it is missing one thing that would put the cherry on this sundae." Mike said to her, she clearly read his thoughts and felt his intentions.
"You going to put your Merry into my Christmas?" Beth asked in amusement as she knew very clearly what he was talking about.
"And bring a lot of joy to your world." Mike half joked and half promised, Beth smiled and chuckled as she truly loved the man in her arms.
"I've been waiting all day for this." Beth told him.
"Me too," Mike said and even though they joked about joy and innuendo, she couldn't be more happy as she knew this would be the first of many amazing Christmases that they would share. She melted against him as he tangled one hand in her hair and pulled her mouth to his in a hot kiss and walked her backwards to their bed.
The End! and may you all enjoy your holidays and celebrations!