Disclaimer: You know the drill...all characters, etc. belong to their proper owners.

Chapter Three: It's Not Like Christmas at All

Christine couldn't believe Drake. He'd suggested inviting their families for Christmas that year. She couldn't believe she'd agreed either. They'd invited his parents, Josh with Lana and Rose, Megan, Christine's father, and even her mother and Tim out of politeness. She'd warned her mother ahead of time that her father was going to be there. Her mother had agreed to come. Christine was not thrilled for this. Her mother hadn't spoken to her father since she left him. Christine hadn't spoken to Tim since that Christmas years ago as well. It wasn't something she was looking forward to that year. If it was just Drake's family and her father, she'd be fine, but her mother and Tim would be there, and she was worried about how things would go.

She was running around the house Christmas Eve, trying to make sure everything was perfect. She had no idea why her mother was coming with Tim when she knew perfectly well that her ex-husband would be there. Christine had been stressed the past few weeks getting everything ready.

Drake came home early that day because it was Christmas Eve and to change before Christine's father needed to be picked up from the airport. He watched her run from the bedrooms to the bathrooms, making sure everything was right.

"Whoa," he said, catching her in his arms. "Be careful. It's just our family."

"I know," she replied. "But I just can't help...there's so much to do."

"Christine, it's going to be all right."

"You don't have to worry about your parents arguing! All you have to worry about is Tim saying something about you, and you won't defend yourself anyway." She ran off into the kitchen and came back as quickly as she had left. "I'm sorry, Drake. I didn't mean that. I just wish you'd stand up for yourself when Tim says those things."

"I don't know what to say. What else can I do? It was years ago, and if he hasn't let it go yet, then there's really nothing I can do about it."

"I know. I'm just tired of it."

"Maybe he's gotten over it."

"I don't think my argument with him that Christmas helped any."

"If he doesn't get over it, it's not our problem. Don't worry about him."

"I can't help it."

"Then don't kill yourself over it. It's not worth it. There's some truth to what he says."

"No there's not."

"Okay, fine, but it used to be that way. It's done and over with now. If he hasn't figured that out yet, then I don't think he ever will. I don't understand why your mom decided to come when your dad was going to be here anyway, but they're going to be here. I'm sorry. I wouldn't have suggested it if I'd known they'd all decide to come."

"Don't worry about it, Drake," Christine replied. "Maybe things won't be that bad." She glanced over at the clock. "Oh, my dad needs to be picked up in an hour and a half. I don't have time..."

"I'll go get him," said Drake. "I just need to shower and change."

"Okay," said Christine. "Although, you could clean up while I go get him."

"Yeah...I'll be in the shower..." he said, heading up the stairs.

"Drake Parker..." Christine said, following him. He slipped into the bathroom. "It won't kill you to vacuum once in a while!"

"I can't hear you, honey. The shower's running!"

"Don't worry," John Baylor told his daughter who was still moving quickly through the house Christmas Day. "It will be fine. Ruby didn't have to come. If anything happens, well, she knew I'd be here."

"Oh, Dad. It's not just that," said Christine. "Tim doesn't like Drake. That bothers me so much."

"Well, I'm your father, and I say he's wonderful. Besides, the only opinion that matters is your's."

"Thank you, Daddy. Anyway, everything Tim says about him could never be true."

"No problem. Now, where is my son-in-law and my granddaughter? I haven't seen them since this morning. I know Angela must be itching to open those presents."

"Oh, Angela begged Drake to play her new game with her. He can't say no to her, and you know, anything to avoid housework..."

"Ah. He's a good psychiatrist, but I don't think he'd survive without you."

"If he wasn't married, he'd probably be living on take out," Christine laughed. She heard a car outside and glanced out the window. "I'll be right back. That's Josh and Lana." She went to the door to let them in and then hurried up the stairs to find Drake and Angela. "Drake," she said. "Josh is here."

"We're going to have to cut this short, Angel," Drake told their daughter. "Everybody will be here soon. Then it's time to finish opening presents."

"Okay," she said. "Can we keep this for later?"

"Yes," said Christine.

The three made their way downstairs when the doorbell rang. Christine's face went white.

"It's just my parents," Drake said.

"Yes, but that means Mom and Tim will be here next."

"Don't worry. It's going to be okay," he whispered.

"I can only hope," she replied.

Drake followed her to the door to let his parents and Megan inside.

"Merry Christmas," said Walter cheerfully.

"Merry Christmas, Dad," said Drake opening the door a bit wider for them to come in. Audrey stood in front of her daughter-in-law and smiled.

"You look lovely, dear," said Audrey.

"Thank you," Christine said.

"You do," said Megan. "I can tell you're nervous, but you also seem happy."

Christine would have continued smiling at Megan, but the next sight she saw made her face fall.

Megan turned around and followed Christine's gaze.

"Oh, it's Mr. I Have No Life, So I May As Well Try to Run My Step-daughter's Marriage," Megan commented.

"Megan!" said Drake.

"Well, it's true."

Drake pulled Megan inside for a second.

"Keep that to a minimum, got me?"

"I wouldn't say it in front of him."

"I know," Drake said. "Christine's just very stressed about her parents being in the same house along with Tim. If I had known they'd all be here, I would never have suggested it in the first place." Drake returned to the door. Walter was standing beside Christine, making sure she was okay. Her falling out with her step-father those years ago was definitely the first thought on her mind.

Ruby and Tim made their way up the sidewalk and smiled.

"Merry Christmas," said Ruby.

"Merry Christmas," Walter responded.

"Good to see you, Christine," said Tim.

"You too, Tim," she replied.

Audrey glanced up quickly and said, "Walter, there's still presents in the car, Drake, Josh, why don't you go help bring them in?"

"Sure," the brothers replied.

"Actually, I'll need some help too," Tim piped up.

"Hey, I'll help him," Josh whispered to Drake.

"I've got it," Drake replied.

Drake followed Tim over to his car and waited while he unlocked the trunk.

"Ruby says you're working in an office now," Tim commented.

"Yes," said Drake. "One of my old teachers offered it to me."

"I wonder if that's the best way to go about things," Tim said.

Drake frowned. What was he getting at?

"I mean," said Tim, handing Drake a few presents, "I always thought a psychiatrist would begin to work in a hospital. Get people to know who they are."

"Well," said Drake. "Dr. Reynolds, my mentor, mentioned to me that most of the psychiatrists at the hospital during my fellowship were very pleased with me. She said I'd likely be referred plenty of patients. I even took some of the ones I had while working at the hospital."

"Well, I'm sure you have some, but I always wonder if a living can be made off of that. It just didn't sound as planned as it could have been. But maybe then I'm wrong." Tim stacked a few more presents in Drake's arms, and Tim pulled the rest out before closing the trunk.

"Everything takes a build up," Drake said.

"Well, I'm sure, it just seems like it would be easier at a hospital," Tim said as they walked into the house.

Drake was really tired of this by now. Christine caught the last bit of conversation.

"Drake is home more now. He can't be home as often as he likes at a hospital."

"I realize that," Tim said, "But for monetary purposes..."

"I have a career too," said Christine. "And I'd rather Drake was home than having the money."

It was an extremely uneasy conversation. However, Drake was happy to hear Christine say it was him she wanted and not just having part of the dual income come from a doctor's salary. Not that he'd doubted it, but he was happy to hear it again and with Tim in earshot.

"Who wants to open presents?" Lana asked.

Drake and Christine were both thankful for Lana's intervention, but they had no idea how they were going to make it through the rest of the day.

The rest of the family tried very hard to keep Tim's attention away from Drake. Megan, Josh, and Walter tried to keep Drake in conversation with them, so Tim couldn't catch him alone again. John was a bit uneasy with his ex-wife and her husband in the house. He would really only talk to Christine and Drake. Christine was in the kitchen as much as possible. She hated to leave Drake alone with Tim, but she didn't know what she'd be able to stop herself from saying. The tension in the house bothered everyone. It was Christmas. They were supposed to be happy.

The phone rang, and Drake jumped to answer it. It was Rob, and Drake was thankful for the escape.

"Merry Christmas," came Rob's cheerful voice over the phone.

"How's it going?" Drake asked quickly.

"Okay, Scrooge..."

"Don't blame me for that. Tim's here."

"Oh. I thought John was going to be there?"

"Ruby and Tim decided to come anyway."

"Oh...that's not good."

"I've already gotten a mini interrogation from Tim. I can't handle anymore."

"He's Mr. I Have No Life, So I May As Well Try to Run My Step-daughter's Marriage," Rob said.

"You've been talking to Megan lately, haven't you?" Drake questioned.

"How'd you know?"

"Never mind. How's your Christmas so far?"

"Good. I got your package a few days ago. Thanks for the cookies. Mom doesn't cook or bake as well as Christine and Josh."

Drake felt a slight twinge of pain when Rob said "Mom."

"Are you okay out there?" Drake asked, as he often did when he spoke to Rob.

"Yeah," said Rob. "As always."

"Did you want to talk to anyone else?" Drake asked.

"Sure, if they want to talk to me."

"I'll be right back." Drake put down the phone and walked into the kitchen. He told Christine Rob was on the phone in the other room, and she left right away. Drake sighed. She loved Rob like a son, and Rob was too stubborn to realize it.

After Christine, Megan, Josh, Audrey, and Angela spoke with Rob, Drake took the phone back to say goodbye.

"Sorry Tim's driving you insane," Rob said.

"It's okay," said Drake. "I'll survive. It's Christine I'm worried about. Her parents haven't spoken to each other since they got here, and that's not good for getting along. I know John's the one everyone claimed ruined the marriage, but he's closer to Christine than her mom is now."

"At least she has both parents."

The last comment hurt Drake so bad he nearly dropped the phone.

"I guess you've got a houseful of people to get back to," Rob went on, "I'll talk to you later. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," Drake said and hung up the phone. He sighed. "I'm sorry I wasn't good enough."

"Drake," said Christine, walking into the room. "It's time to eat...what's the matter?" she asked.

"It's just...Rob...I..."

"I know," she said. "It's going to be okay." She hugged Drake and kissed him. They walked out to the dining room for dinner. They rarely ate in the dining room. If it was used for anything, arts and crafts and projects were done there or if company came. They often ate in the kitchen. There were too many people in the house for that today, though.

When Drake and Christine sat down, the girls were settled, and everyone began to eat, Tim started in again.

"I suppose it's rather strange to discover you have a younger brother, take him in when he's young, and then watch him go back to where he came from as soon as he graduates."

"Well, yes," said Drake.

"It just doesn't seem to be worth it, but you live and learn."

Drake felt his face grow red. Tim was hinting that taking care of Rob had been a mistake.

"He's been no problem to have," said Drake.

"Well, I don't know. How does school treat you when you have to take care of a child?"

"It treated me fine," said Drake. "I had help when I needed it."

"Suppose you hadn't had the help?"

"It doesn't matter," Josh put in, "he had it. He's always had it whether it was Christine, Mom, Dad, Megan, me, or anyone else willing to lend a hand."

"Well, if he hadn't taken him in it never would have been a problem in the first place."

"It never was a problem!" Drake nearly yelled. He practically jumped out of his seat. "You think I didn't plan at all? You think I just went into this blindly? I'm not surprised. You've never expected much out of me."

"Drake!" said Audrey.

"He hasn't, Mom! I know I'm not perfect. I'm definitely anything but the perfect boyfriend, fiancé, husband, father, whatever, but he twists it until I'm lower than dirt. To him, I've never been good enough for Christine. And maybe I'm not, but..."

"So you'll admit that?" said Tim. "Giving her less than what she deserves?"

"That's enough!" John said, rising from his seat. He turned to Tim, addressing him directly for the first time ever. "It doesn't matter what you think. It's been Christine's decision from the start. Not your's, not mine. Even if I'm the one Drake went to first before he proposed to ask my permission."

Drake groaned. He'd never actually shared that bit of information with anyone besides John.

"You what?" Christine whispered.

"Later," Drake responded.

"That's not like Drake at all," Megan said with wide eyes.

"Yes, thank you," Drake said.

"It wouldn't have been better to ask the man who knew her best at the time?" Tim questioned.

"I think that would have been Drake," said John.

"Oh, please leave me out of it now," Drake mumbled.

"Hmm. You can't know a person much when you're not in a relationship."

"That wasn't my fault, and it wasn't that long!" Drake shouted.

"It may as well have been!" Tim fired back.

"Would you three just stop it!" Christine finally yelled. She ran from the dining room and up the stairs to her bedroom.

All three men made to go after her. Megan and Audrey stopped them.

"You three have done enough," Megan said.

"Mom..." Drake began.

"I tried to tell you to let it go," said Audrey. "Maybe you'll listen to reason next time."

"Would you just let me..." Drake said.

"No."

Drake stood there looking dumbfounded.

"How are you going to make it better, Drake?"

Lana walked by and touched Drake's shoulder.

"I'll take care of her, Drake."

He sighed.

"Thanks, Lana."

Drake turned to find Ruby and Tim gathering their things. Drake didn't even try to stop them. As bad as he felt for doing that, he couldn't tell them to stay. He went back into the dining room where he found Angela looking worried.

"Hey," he said. "What's the matter?"

"Why'd you yell?"

Great. He'd scared her.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I just..." She'd heard everything. Tim tearing him apart, Drake and John going at it against Tim. Drake sighed. "Come with me for a second," he said. She got off of her chair and followed him into the den.

"I'm sorry I yelled," he said.

"But why?"

"Because I didn't like the things he said, and I know that's not how we deal with our problems, but I sort of forgot. I'm sorry I scared you."

"Why'd he say that stuff?"

Drake frowned. It's not something she would understand. He had no idea how to respond.

"He just didn't think that Mommy and Daddy should have gotten married."

"Why not?"

"He thought it was a bad idea."

"Was it?"

"No," Drake said. "If we hadn't gotten married, we wouldn't have had you. And we wouldn't be happy."

"It's not very happy today."

"No, it's not," said Drake. "I'm sorry you're not having fun on Christmas."

"Daddy?"

"What?"

"I miss Rob."

He sighed. She'd said the same thing last year.

"I know, Angel. I miss him too, and so does Mommy."

"Is he going to come back?"

"I hope so," said Drake.

"Drake?" said Lana, walking into the room. "Is it all right if I come in?"

"Yeah," Drake responded. "Do you feel better?" Drake asked Angela.

"Yes," she said.

"Good. Now don't worry about it anymore."

"Angela," said Lana, "Rose is looking for a playmate."

Angela smiled and scurried past Lana and out into the living room with the rest of the family. Lana turned to Drake.

"I think you can go talk to Christine now. I take it Ruby and Tim left?"

"Yes," Drake replied. "I don't know what to do about it. Part of me didn't want to let them go, but..."

"Drake, you invited them into your home, and Tim insulted you. He was incredibly rude, and while John was rude as well for what he did, it is your home, and you shouldn't be treated that way. If I were you, I would have asked him to leave. I don't know what's gotten into Ruby. I don't know why she didn't try to stop him."

"I don't know," said Drake. "I'm going to talk to Christine."

"She won't come down for me, but I hope she'll come down for you."

"We'll see," said Drake. He left the den and headed up to their bedroom. "Christine?" he said, opening the door. She was sitting on the bed, looking incredibly unhappy. Drake walked inside and sat down next to her. "Are you all right?" he asked.

"I don't know," she replied. "I'm mad that he talked to you that way. I'm mad that you, him, and my dad started that argument. I'm mad that Christmas is ruined."

"Well, it's not entirely ruined. I mean, dinner tasted really good."

"Drake," she sighed.

"Sorry."

"I don't know what to do about him anymore."

"Well, he and your mom left, so..."

"They left?"

"Yes..."

"Oh, why is he like that? Why does my mom let it happen?"

"I don't think she wanted to interject when John was talking."

"You're probably right. I'm just so upset now, and I can't..."

"Hey, it's okay," said Drake, wrapping his arms around her. "Everything will be fine. It's not your fault. I still don't understand why they came when John was here."

"Mom doesn't want me to fight with Tim anymore, why else? I think it bothers her that I don't accept Tim like family, and I seem to have chosen you over him. I know he doesn't like you at all. Mom used to be so understanding. She loved the idea when we were engaged, but now she seems to be upset that I don't get along with Tim."

"You don't have to take me over him, you know."

"No. I mean, I wish we could all got along, but that's not happening. I love you. We've always been there for each other. He doesn't seem to understand that."

"I'm sorry about yelling in the dining room earlier. I shouldn't have done that."

"That would be my fault. I bothered you about not standing up for yourself yesterday."

"Maybe, but when he started in on Rob, and when he said I gave you less than what you deserved...I snapped." Drake's eyes turned toward the floor. He sighed.

"I know. Drake," she said. "Look at me." His eyes slowly made his way back up from the floor to look at her. "You don't give me less than what I deserve. If anything, you give me more than what I deserve. I'm happy with you, and I love you. And that's all that matters."

"You're making me sound better than I am. I love you too."

"Maybe we should go back downstairs."

"Yeah. They're going to think something is seriously wrong if we don't. Hang on a second, though."

"What?"

Drake stood up and ran off into the hallway. He came back with a gift.

"Drake, you gave me the necklace this morning."

"I know. But I wanted to give you something else. I was going to wait until tonight, but I think it would make you feel better to open it now."

"Drake, I didn't get you..."

"That doesn't matter. I wasn't even expecting as much as you did give me this year. But I guess we have been having a bit more money lately. Although, I still wasn't expecting as much as you gave me."

Christine took the gift wrapped in the green paper with candy canes covering it.

"Be careful with it," said Drake. "Don't drop it."

Christine carefully tore the paper from the box. It was made of wood. She ran her hand along the smooth case and lifted the lid. Inside she found several brushes and paints. There were pencils and a kneaded eraser.

"Drake..." she said.

"I asked your dad about what brand of paints and what kinds you used. He mentioned you loved how watercolors looked, and you used acrylics a lot. Then I asked him about your brushes, and he'd saved some of them even though they aren't usable anymore. Then he told me what kind of eraser you normally used. I asked the manager in the store which colors were good for a starter set, at least to help mix the other colors until you add to them."

Christine touched the brightly colored tubes of paint and the brown brushes.

"It's just...it's so much...and..."

"No, it's not too much. You didn't mention it again, but I remember how much you loved it even before you left for San Francisco."

"I might not even remember..."

"You don't forget talent. You said you missed it."

"I did. I just wish you hadn't..."

"Why not? The cost? Forget about it."

"But, Drake."

"Hey, it wasn't too bad. Besides, it's worth it."

Christine smiled.

"Thank you, Drake."

"You're welcome." He frowned.

"What?" she asked.

"Well, you need something to paint on."

"Drake...you didn't."

"I don't know, did I?"

"I have a feeling I'm about to find out."

"Yeah, let's go." Drake took her hand and led her out of the room to the extra room upstairs. There was only the one extra room. Rob's old room was also upstairs, but they didn't feel like just clearing it out. That would feel too much like he was gone for good. There was another room downstairs. Drake normally played his guitar there. When Drake opened the door, a small easel was sitting in the middle of the room with a few books of paper sitting on the table next to it.

"Oh, Drake," said Christine. "You really shouldn't have..."

"Well, I did. I want you to be able to express yourself the way you'd like to. And I know how much you've missed this."

"Thank you so much," she said.

"You're welcome." She kissed him for a short while, and when she pulled away he said, "Well, there's a thank you."

Christine carefully laid the box of paints and brushes on the table, smiling. Drake had once again proved Tim wrong. He didn't give her less than she deserved, and she knew that if he could, he'd give her everything. But then, he already did. She didn't need anymore, but he'd appear with something else for her. Nothing Tim would ever say about Drake could be true. Absolutely nothing.

Drake and Christine finally headed back downstairs. Everyone stopped talking when they reached the bottom.

"Um...I'm sorry," said Christine, "for running off like that."

"That's all right," said Audrey. "It's fine."

"I have to apologize too," said Drake. "I yelled, and that was really uncalled for."

"Don't apologize," said Megan. "He deserved that."

"Megan!" said Audrey.

"Well, he did," Megan responded.

"I think we all should have been a bit more cool about the situation," John said. "And I have to apologize, especially to Drake and Christine who invited us into their home, and I just added to the nonesense."

"It's all right, Dad," said Christine.

Things slowly began to return to normal. There was definitely less tension in the house now. No one seemed to mind that Ruby and Tim had left. Christine resolved to go see her mother in a few days when Tim was at work and decided to leave it at that. There was no sense in ruining her's and everyone else's holiday. She, Lana, and Megan helped the girls set up a game Rose had gotten for Christmas. Drake stood off in the corner watching his daughter. He sighed.

"Something wrong?" Josh asked.

"Angela didn't like that I yelled. I'm worried I scared her."

"I wouldn't worry about that," said Josh.

"What? My own daughter might be afraid of me, and you're telling me not to worry about it?"

"What I mean is she's not afraid of you."

"And you know this...how?"

"Oh, Rose asked if she was scared, and she told Rose she has the best daddy in the whole wide world, so she doesn't have to be scared." Josh gave Drake a wink.

"Did she really say that or is that your way of making me feel better?"

"She really said it," Josh said. "Do I lie?"

"No, you can't lie."

"Yeah, thanks. But I haven't even told you the best part."

"What's that?"

"She said it when Tim was in earshot. He was headed out the door. He slammed it. That scared her. She ran to John. Tim saw that through the window. Heh heh heh."

"I'm really not out to get my wife's step-father, you know? I want him to like me. But even being a doctor isn't good enough for him."

"There's just no pleasing some people, Drake. For some reason, he can't get over what you did to his niece. Which is really ridiculous especially since you were just a teenager. Don't let him get to you. Christine's not letting you go for him. Her mom likes you at least. Although, I don't get why she wouldn't say anything."

"I don't either, but I'm past trying to figure out why. Christine will talk to her in a few days when Tim goes back to work. Right now, I just want to enjoy the rest of Christmas while there's some of it left."

"Yeah. Hey, why don't you go get your guitar? Some music sounds good."

"Yeah," said Drake. "That's a good idea."

Despite the trouble that afternoon, things began to go much more smoothly. They were all happier once things settled down, and why shouldn't they be? It was the holidays.