Dante crept into Nikki's room to see if she was awake and was surprised to see she was.

"Is Mommy awake yet?" she asked.

He shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know" he answered.

"Let's go check," she grabbed his little hand in hers and they walked to Olivia's bedroom.

Nikki put her finger to her lips, "Shh..." Dante mimicked her actions.

They slowly opened the door and looked in. Sure enough, there she was still asleep.

Nikki sighed and rolled her eyes. Then she had an idea. All she had to do was look at Dante and he knew what she was thinking.

"Ready, set, go!"

"MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY!!" They yelled in unison.

They both jumped on her bed.

Dante sat on Olivia's back and started to jump up and down. "It's time to wake up Mommy!" he yelled.

Nikki laid down next to Olivia and touched her nose with her own. Olivia smiled even though she still hadn't opened her eyes.

"Mommy," Nikki softly said, "Wake up, you promised."

"Ma! Come on! It's getting late," said an annoyed Dante.

At that point, Olivia couldn't help but laugh. "Baby, it would be a lot easier for Mommy to get up if you weren't sitting on her."

As Dante climbed off of her, she kissed Nikki on her nose. "Feeling better sweetie?" She put her lips to her forehead to check for a fever and noticed she was a bit warm. Nikki nodded her head yes. "Don't pretend just because you want to see Santa. He will be there when you feel better, too."

Nikki thought about how excited her little brother was to go see Santa, "I'm not pretending Mommy." She lied.

Olivia knew she was indeed pretending, but decided she would just keep a close eye on her. "Ok baby, come on so I can give you some medicine."

Olivia checked the time before she gave Nikki her morning dose so she knew when to give her the next one.

"Dante! You said it was getting late and its only 8 o'clock!" Olivia exclaimed.

Dante shrugged his shoulders, "I can't tell time Mommy."

"We were just going by our internal clocks ma," Nikki simply stated.

Olivia looked at them and laughed. They would never understand just how much they meant to her, even when they drove her crazy. She couldn't see her life without either one of them.

"You missy," she said to Nikki, "You know how to tell time. You think Mommy doesn't talk to your teacher?"Olivia was still blown away from her meeting with Nikki's teacher yesterday.

Olivia proceeded to give Nikki her medicine. "I'm sorry Mommy. I really didn't look at the time before I went to your room."

"It's ok sweetie, but since you guys woke me up so early…we won't-"

Before she could even get the words out of her mouth, the complaining started.

"But ma, you promised!" Nikki started.

"Mommy I wanna go see Santa!! You promised!!" whined Dante.

"Hey! Chill out you two and let me finish, ok?" Olivia had to yell to be heard over their complaints.

Silence immediately followed.

"What I was trying to tell you before you went ballistic is that Macy's does not open until 10, so it's too early to go see Santa." Olivia looked at the two pouting children. 'They really could care less,' she thought. "You know what? I'm gonna start breakfast, why don't you two go call Aunt Connie and see if she's ready?" Olivia offered.

"Yay!!" They both jumped up and cheered.

Olivia watched them run out of the room. 'If I have to be awake this early, so will you Connie,' thought Olivia.

"No, I wanna call," whined Dante.

"You don't know how to dial the number, you're too little. Give me the phone!" Nikki yelled.

"Stop fighting! Nikki just dial the number for him!" Olivia yelled from the kitchen as she started the coffee.

Nikki snatched the phone from Dante's hand and he pushed her with as much energy as his little 4 year old body could muster sending her flying back right into the edge of the end table.

Nikki screamed out in pain and started crying.

Olivia dropped what she had in her hand and ran to see what happened.

Dante stood in shock staring at his crying sister. The sight of his mom coming towards him brought him back to reality and he ran to hide from her.

Nikki was sitting on the floor crying, "Dante pushed me and I fell into the table," she cried.

Olivia knelt down next to Nikki, "Where did you hurt yourself baby?" She reached for her.

"My back and it hurts real bad Mommy," she whined.

Olivia knew her little girl was in pain. The only time she ever said "Mommy" was when she wanted something or was in pain.

"Dante Angelo Falconeri!! Get over here right now!" yelled Olivia.

Dante reluctantly crept out from his hiding place behind the sofa and slowly walked over to his mom and sister with his head down.

"What have I told you about hitting your sister? You're not supposed to hit girls!" scolded Olivia.

"But I didn't hit her; I pushed her because she took the phone from me," Dante argued.

"And you think that makes it ok? You don't deserve to go see Santa. I should leave you here with Nana," Olivia threatened.

"No Mommy please? I'm sorry! I'm sorry Nikki!" He walked over to his sister and kissed and hugged her.

The phone rang just then and Nikki answered it. "Hello? Hi Aunt Connie. Are you ready? Dante can't go." Nikki stuck her tongue out at Dante.

"Nikki! Give me the phone and stop picking on your brother!" Olivia grabbed the phone from Nikki.

"Another fabulous morning in the Falconeri house huh?" laughed Connie.

"To say the least. Remind me again why I promised a visit to Santa today…" said Olivia

"You are a glutton for punishment Liv, as am I" they both laughed. "I'm leaving here in 10 minutes to help you get them ready."

"Hurry up before they kill each other or I change my mind." She hung up.

Connie arrived just as Olivia finished breakfast. "It is freezing out there! Oh good I'm starving!" She said when she saw the food.

"Help yourself, I'm gonna go get ready." Olivia said as she walked out of the kitchen.

"I'll start the kids when we're done eating" Connie said to Olivia's back as she walked out.

Connie came into Olivia's room with an undressed Nikki just as Olivia was finishing up with her hair.

"Why isn't she dressed?" asked Olivia.

"Well I wanted to show you this before I dressed her," stated Connie.

Connie lifted up Nikki's t-shirt to show her the big purple bruise on her back.

Olivia gasped, "Jesus Christ!"

"She said Dante pushed her into the table earlier?" Connie said.

"Yea he did. Wow. She obviously hit the table hard," Olivia said while looking at the bruise.

Connie started to dress Nikki, but Nikki stopped her. "I can dress myself Aunt Connie. I'm not a baby like Dante," said Nikki.

Nikki started to leave Olivia's room, "Don't forget to put your boots on sweetie and make sure Dante does too," said Olivia.

"Well excuse me," stated Connie when Nikki was gone. "You know, it's when she does stuff like that I forget she's not your kid."

Olivia looked at her, "Seriously Connie? Do you really have to say such stupid shit?"

Connie knew she was wrong and didn't respond. "Is she still not feeling good? She didn't eat much of her breakfast at all," asked Connie.

"Really?" This concerned Olivia, "She's had this throat infection that just won't go away. Of course she is pretending to feel better so she can see Santa, but if she's not any better by Monday, I'm taking her to the doctor."

The women got the kids all bundled up in their coats and walked out into the freezing cold. The streets were covered in freshly fallen, blindingly white snow that crunched as they walked.

"Are we there yet?" asked Dante.

They all looked at him. Nikki was the one to answer, "We just left the house dummy. How could we already be there?" Nikki shook her head.

Olivia and Connie stifled their laughs, "Nikki, don't call your brother names, that's not nice."

"It's not nice to ask stupid questions, either," she mumbled.

Olivia stopped walking and looked down at Nikki "What did you say?" she asked.

Nikki knew that look all too well, "Nothing." Nikki lied.

They continued to walk to the train station and made their way into the city to Macy's.

An hour later as they were climbing up the stairs from the underground station, the kids grew excited at the sight of all of the Christmas decorations hanging from every light pole that lined the streets. Every tree surrounding Macy's was adorned with bright white lights. Over the main entrance was a huge Snoopy balloon, just like every other holiday season. All of the windows of Macy's had a different scene from 'Miracle on 34th Street' set up with the most intricately carved wooden dolls and props. Just like every other year, Olivia and Connie had to take them to each and every window.

The sidewalks were cleared of all snow, but full of people walking in every direction carrying shopping bags from all of the surrounding stores. The air was filled with so many different aromas. Pretzels, hot dogs, and cookies were the most prominent. There was a bell ringing Santa every few feet collecting donations for the homeless.

As they were walking from window to window and lifting the kids to have a better view, it started to snow.

"Alright guys, let's go inside and see Santa now. Mommy and Aunt Connie are freezing!" said Olivia.

They all walked into the big nine story department store. They weaved their way through the crowded store to the elevator.

When they reached the 8th floor, they were met by more crowds of shoppers. They made their way over to their destination.

They rounded the corner and there was Santaland. Nikki & Dante cheered.

They noticed the very long line, "Oh my god! You have got to be kidding me," groaned Olivia.

"Oh come on Olivia, you knew there would be a line," said Connie.

When they joined the line Olivia and Connie removed the kids' coats. Nikki and Dante went to look at the pictures that were on the walls around them.

"Hey, didn't you have a meeting with Nikki's teacher yesterday? How did that go?" asked Connie.

Olivia sighed, "They want to skip her to 2nd grade, possibly 3rd. She's far too smart and if I don't let them do it, then I am holding her back, so they say."

Connie was shocked, "Wow. Well, what are you going to do? Do you agree with them?"

"Do you know what came in the mail yesterday? Not one, but two copies of "Mickey's Christmas Carol,"stated Olivia.

"Ok and what does that have to do with anything?"asked Connie.

"I didn't order them! Thanks to Vito's bright idea in getting Nikki a computer for her birthday and Joey showing her how to use it, Nikki ordered them with my credit card!" Connie gasped. "When I asked her why she ordered two, she said she didn't want to share with Dante. She's six years old for crying out loud!"

All Connie could do was laugh, which in turn made Olivia do the same. "Oh my God Olivia! What are you going to do?" Connie asked through her giggles.

"What can I do? She's too smart, but she's still my baby. I feel like if I let them skip her, I am making her mature too fast. We all know that's not a good idea, look at me." Olivia sighed.

Just then she felt a little warm hand in hers and looked down to see Nikki standing next to her. "Mommy, how much longer are we going to be here, I'm tired."

"Hopefully, it won't be that much longer sweetie and when we are done, how about I take you shopping?" asked Connie.

"I don't wanna go shopping; I just wanna go to sleep," whined Nikki.

"YOU don't want to go shopping with Aunt Connie?" This surprised Olivia. She brushed her hair out of her face and as she did so felt the heat emanating from her head. "Oh Nikki! You're burning up baby! Are you ok?"

Nikki started to cry "No Mommy, I don't feel good. I lied so Dante could come see Santa but now I feel really bad!"

Dante appeared next to Nikki "Don't cry Nikki, Mommy can we go home so Nikki can go to sleep? We can come back when she feels better."

Olivia looked at her son and felt his head for a fever too, "Are you feeling ok baby? You're actually willing to give up Santa for your sister?"

Once she had Nikki all bundled up again, Olivia tried to grab her hand to start walking, but Nikki shook her head and reached up for Olivia to pick her up. "Oh baby, you're breaking my heart here and now you want to break my back too?" She looked at her crying baby and picked her up. "Ok, let's get you home baby girl."

Nikki slept the whole way home and when they reached the house she went straight to her bedroom. Olivia and her mom followed her.

"What's wrong honey?" Olivia's mom asked her.

Olivia was helping Nikki change into her pajamas. "Nikki pretended to feel better so that Dante could see Santa. Now she feels worse."

Olivia's mom felt Nikki's head for a fever. "Oh baby, you're burning up. Let me get the Tylenol so you can drink it before you lay down."

"Mommy, will you lay down with me? Please?" begged Nikki.

"Of course I will sweetie. Mommy's tired too, remember, you and Dante woke me up early," Olivia laughed.

Hours later, Olivia woke up and Nikki was still asleep next to her. She still felt warm.

She walked into the kitchen where her mom was cooking. "Ma, she still feels warm. I think I'm gonna have to take her to the hospital."

"Let's try to give her some of this soup and see if maybe it makes her feel better," suggested her mom.

"Ma! Soup is not a cure all you know. She's had a throat infection for weeks now. She's not getting any better," Olivia complained.

Before she could respond, Nikki came running into the kitchen, "Mommy! Why did you leave me?" She whined.

"Come here baby, Nana made some soup for her sick little girl," Olivia's mom reached for Nikki.

Nikki shook her head, "I wanna stay with Mommy." Olivia sat down at the table and Nikki sat on her lap.

After just a few spoons, Nikki didn't want any more soup and didn't want anything to drink. Olivia was growing more concerned, this was not her baby.

"Mommy, can we go lay down again?" asked Nikki.

"Sweetie, are you still tired? You just slept for hours!" exclaimed Olivia.

"I don't feel good again Mommy, my tummy hurts," Nikki started to cry.

Olivia picked her up and carried her to her room. Nikki started to cough, which made her cry more. Before Olivia could lay her down, she threw up, all over Olivia. Vito just happened to be passing at that very moment.

"Whoa! Is she ok?" he ran over to them, concerned.

"Well, I think it's safe to say that neither one of us are," Olivia was disgusted.

"Eww Liv, you're covered in vomit," Vito scrunched up his face.

"No shit Sherlock! I need to get us cleaned up," said Olivia

Olivia got them both cleaned up and still all Nikki wanted to do was sleep. So, Olivia gave in and they both went back to bed, though Olivia didn't sleep much.

The next morning, she woke up and went to make coffee. Vito was already there with a cup for her. She sat down at the table. "How is she?" he asked.

"She still feels a little warm; I'm just waiting for her to wake up so I can see how she is," Olivia answered.

"Ma," Dante called for his mom as he walked down the hall to the kitchen, "Why won't Nikki wake up?"

Olivia almost choked on her coffee "What are you talking about honey?" She got up and went to check on Nikki. Vito followed her.

"I tried to wake her up. I was shaking her and everything, but she won't wake up." Dante explained.

Olivia rushed to Nikki "Nikki? Nikki, baby wake up. It's Mommy, baby." Nothing. She was starting to panic. She picked her head up. "Sweetie, come on, wake up for Mommy, please." Nikki stirred, opened her eyes and closed them again.

"Let's go Liv; we're taking her to the hospital, NOW," demanded a panicked Vito.

As they rushed to get ready and out the door, the rest of the house woke up.

"What's going on?" asked their dad.

"Daddy, I have to take Nikki to the hospital, something's wrong, she won't stay awake," Olivia tried hard not to cry in front of Dante.

"What?! I'm going with you!" exclaimed her dad.

Dante started to cry, "Mommy, what's wrong with Nikki?"

"I don't know baby, but I'm taking her to the doctor so they can make her better ok?" Olivia hugged her son.

Their dad came rushing out of the bedroom, "Let's go, let's go!" He yelled.

Vito took Nikki out of Olivia's arms and they rushed out of the house to get her to the hospital.

Dante ran to the window and watched them get in the car "Nana, is my sister gonna be ok? Is she coming home?" he was sobbing at this point.

"I hope so baby, let's go pray," she answered.