Thanks for the reviews guys. We appreciate each of them. Now have fun with the next chapter and don't forget to continue reviewing. It's the only payment an author can get.


4.

While he read Neal was surprised the children listened as intensely as the other children did with Rebecca. He started to like it and voluntarily took the next round of reading too. After that they made a small pause to get some coffee and a sandwich after all the cookies. They sat down at a table when Mozzie came over with little Will who held proudly a self made Christmas star in his hands.
"Neal! See, I can do it!"
"That's great. That's one of the best stars I ever saw."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
With happy giggles the boy ran over to his mother and showed her what he did. Mozzie watched it with a smile.
"The little one just needed someone who showed him how it works."
"I thought so." Neal told and offered Mozzie his still fresh coffee.
"With a little more practice he probably become more skillfully than other kids his age."
"Don't get funny ideas." Rebecca warned him.
"You start to sound like Peter."
"I am honored you finally don't say suit anymore." Peter laughed from behind them. Mozzie rolled his eyes and left it unremarked.
"Using your short delay?" Neal teased Peter.
"Could say so. It's more getting a break. You would be surprised how many cookies a toddler can eat if you let them."
"Enough to make their parents regret it later because they will be crying all night thanks to hurting tummies." Rebecca explained.
"I guess so. And you three? No problems on the diaper front?"
"Actually only a small amount of the children still need diapers." Mozzie lectured.
"But speaking of diaper front." Neal nodded towards the entrance where a really pissed off Diana tried to make her way through the crowd with the stroller. Much to everyone's surprise it was Mozzie who got up to help her out. By the time they arrived at the table Neal managed to get a hot chocolate and some cake for Diana to prevent her from getting all SheHulk on them. Mozzie already had Theo out of his stroller and carried him. Peter frowned surprised because the Diana he knew would have killed Mozzie for this in an instant.
"Hey guys."
"Hey Diana. You look worn out?" Peter replied.
"More annoyed. It's hard to get a parking lot around here."
"You are ok with Mozzie holding Theo?"
"Yeah, why shouldn't I?" Diana asked seriously puzzled.
"Because it's Mozzie?"
"I am still present." Mozzie reminded Peter and sat down next to Rebecca to get away from the agent. Rebecca turned a little bit to have a better view on Theo who looked around curious. She started to play with the baby. Neal and Peter kept an close eye on Diana if she would jump at Rebecca for this but much to their surprise nothing happened. Seconds later Rebecca realized she didn't introduced herself.
"Oh uhm, hi...I am Rebecca." she said with red cheeks.
"I thought so. Peter told me you are with Neal. Seems like Theo likes you."
"He is just adorable."
"He is as long as he is calm."
"Had a rough night?"
"Don't ask."
"Mind if I take him?"
"No, it's not a problem."
With a big grin Rebecca took Theo from Mozzie and continued playing with him.
"It's amazing." Diana stated after a few moments.
"What?" Neal asked.
"Theo normally is wary of strangers."
"What makes me wonder why he is ok with Mozzie." Peter inquired.
"Because Moz looks after him from time to time."
Three confused gazes hit Diana.
"Why are you looking like it's an alien invasion?" Mozzie asked a bit hurt.
"Because it's weird." Neal answered.
"More than weird." Peter added.
"He just happens to be the best babysitter I can find. Even if I still wait for the moment he shows Theo how to pick locks."
"I never would do that without your permission."
"I am touched."
Theo happily babbled in Rebecca's arms and it was obvious she was fascinated by the little boy. Neal came closer to her and also started to play with Theo.
"I always said you are just a big kid." Peter laughed.
"Who outsmarted you more than once."
"Maybe that's why Rebecca can handle him." Diana snickered. Neal and Rebecca looked at her puzzled.
"Why?"
"Because you know how to handle kids."
"I know no one would expect this because I look so nerdy and so but I love kids. That's why I am doing this here and …...I need to go back to the reading area."
Rebecca suddenly gave Theo to Neal and more flee than went to the reading area.
"What was that?" Diana asked baffled.
"You get used to that." Neal smiled and gave Theo to her. He caught Rebecca in the middle of her preparations and sneaked up to her.
"Hey gorgeous."
"Please don't."
Confused he made her turn around and saw she was red like a tomato.
"Did we say something?"
"No! It's... this is not the right place to tell."
"Wait, is this because if the topic?"
"Which topic?" she feigned ignorance.
"Kids..."
"Like I said not the right place."
"But you will tell tonight?"
"I promise."
They finished the preparations together and barely sat down when Diana came over with Theo.
"Neal, Rebecca, could you look after him? Only as long as a hot chocolate lasts?"
"Sure, come here Theo, Rebecca will read us a story."
With a thankful gaze Diana gave Neal her son. Curious Theo looked what happened and gave Neal a happy smile. Rebecca sighed wholehearted and picked up the book. Within minutes all seats around them were taken and she started to read another story. She found it really hard to concentrate on reading when Neal was playing with Theo to keep him silent so the other children could listen. More than happy the story was over Rebecca closed the book again and looked over to Neal.
"Neal, I get a refill."
"Ok, we stay here." he replied with a happy face still entertaining Theo. With another sigh she went over to Elizabeth. June stood there too and Rebecca got the weird feeling the two women talked about either Neal or her.
"Hey, Elle, I need a refill again."
"I am still wondering the kids eat so much while listing to your stories. You and Neal have a way to read that even makes adults stay and listen."
"I would say we are naturals?"
"Like you two are naturals with kids." June added.
"Yeah, he is." Rebecca replied lost in thoughts looking behind her to Neal. Elizabeth and June only smirked.
"You only need to read one more story till it's time for Santa." Elizabeth told her.
"I know. Is Peter still pissed off because he has to play Santa?"
"He arranged himself with it."
"Samantha can't wait till it's time. It was really a good idea to come here."
"I guess no child can. I better go and see if Peter is getting ready."
"And I go back to Neal before he ends up with every toddler here."
"Would be a cute picture." Diana came over snickering.
"Yeah..."
"I come with you and get the little cutie before Neal becomes infantile."
"I don't think this will happen so fast." June defended him.
"You'll never know."
When Diana picked up Theo Rebecca thought she saw disappointment in Neal's face for a moment but shook her head to get that thought out of her head.
"Hey little man, do we wanna see what uncle Mozzie is doing?"
Diana went over to Mozzie who was a bit surprised.
"It's really cute how he reacts to Theo, don't you think, Neal?"
"You should have seen him after the little one was born."
"I think I have an idea. Well it's your turn to read. I have to help Peter."
"Why?"
"Because each present is labeled with the child's name. The parent's bring those with them."
"Smart move."
"Was my idea years ago." Rebecca told proud.
"I should have think of this. Well then go and help our Santa."
He gave her a peck on the cheeks.
"And will you be our helping elf later?"
"Huh?"
"We need at least three people to search for the right presents."
"Peter will kill me."
"Please?" she gave him a puppy look.
"Ok, I'll help."
"That's my cute elven boyfriend."
"Are you making fun of me?"
"I never would do that and you need to entertain this merry crowd here."
Rebecca pointed at the children that gathered around them.
"Always at your service."

The sound of a bell announced it was time to see Santa. With happy yells the children ran to the door that lead to the room next to the hall where everything was set. Two volunteers made the children stay in line to make it easier for everyone while Neal sneaked past them to keep his promise to help with the presents. When he entered the room he couldn't help himself and started to chuckle about Peter in the costume. Elizabeth stood at the side armed with her camera to make pictures. Rebecca came over and grabbed Neal's arm.
"You come with me, my gorgeous elf."
"What went into you?"
A dirty look towards the two female volunteers on the other side of Peter made Neal understand what was going on.
"Just making a point where this elf belongs to."
"Like your love bites aren't enough of a mark."
"You tunic covers them." Rebecca stated dry and make him stand between her and Peter. Only seconds later the first children came in and went over to Peter in his Santa costume sitting on a huge chair. After the first children it was obvious to Neal the volunteers knew most of them by name and got the right present before Peter could ask for it. With every happy face Peter got more and more into a holiday mood and soon he acted really Santa-like. Neal didn't let the chance pass by to give the children he knew by name their present personally much to Rebecca's amusement. After an hour it was over and most of the children already went home with their parents. They looked if a present was left over or a child was without a present when Neal's gaze went to a tiny present. He read the label and had to smile.
"Diana?" he called her from across the room.
"What's up?"
"I guess this is for Theo."
"For Theo?" Diana asked confused and tried to balance her sleeping son to get the present. With a smile she recognized the handwriting like Neal did seconds before.
"Elizabeth you didn't need to do this."
"Every child gets a present today, also Theo."
"Thank you." Diana said seriously touched. A little bit helpless she looked around because she wanted to open the present.
"I take him." Rebecca offered and got sleeping Theo. She softly rocked him while Diana unwrapped the present which was a sweater with "My mom is FBI" written on it.
"I guess that scares every mean toddler away." Neal joked.
"I hope so, we don't want stupid girls meet him, don't we?" Diana shot back.
"Ouch that was foul play."
"You can take that, Neal." Peter stated. June stepped closer to Rebecca to take a closer look at Theo.
"I guess this little guy will be a charmer later."
"Why?"
"Because he already has wrapped everyone around his little finger's". June laughed.
"That's true." Diana also laughed and they went to get ready to leave. While Diana packed everything into the basket underneath the seat of the stroller Rebecca kept Theo. Neal stood a few steps away and watched her when June came closer.
"She looks good with a child in her arms."
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing, Neal." June smiled and went to grab Samantha's stuff.