The final chapter, enjoy! Love, Katie

Recommended listening: White Christmas by The Andrews Sisters and Bing Crosby

A Merry Christmas

Cindy's favorite Christmas CD was blasting downstairs and he could smell his mother's Christmas ham recipe baking. He couldn't wait to get downstairs and see how his wife had decorated the table.

"Arielle, don't you dare!" Cindy yelled but then a loud pop was heard through the house.

"That's my girl," he commented as he came downstairs.

His wife was covered in soot from whatever one of Arielle's experiments had exploded. "James Isaac Neutron! You are going to help clean up this mess before we eat! Understand?" She bellowed, trying fruitlessly to wipe the soot off her face. He chuckled as he neared her.

"Sure. But you should leave on the soot, it's a good look for you," he teased.

"Help your daughter clean up now. Or there won't be any dinner." She threw an old towel at his head and he began to help clean up the floor.

After a few moments, Arielle raised her eyes to look at him. "Daddy, will I ever be able to make something that doesn't explode?"

"Ari, you are named for one of the smartest people I ever knew. You've got my brains, and your mother's looks which I'm sorry for," he started.

"HEY! I heard that!"

"My point is that you will save the world someday, I'm sure of it."

She smiled up at him as he cleaned the last bit of mess from the floor. She gave him a kiss and they both went into the dining room to sit down at the table. It looked beautiful with candles burning, beautiful china plates, except for Ari who had a red plastic plate.

With a grin he noticed the sprig mistletoe hanging above the table and he couldn't help but wonder if it had been intentional.

As Cindy came into the room with the ham she laughed. "Like father like daughter. What on earth was I thinking?" After the dish was on the table, Jimmy grabbed her waist and pulled her down onto his lap. Arielle squeaked and covered her eyes.

"That you love me," he whispered.

She giggled and pulled him in for a wonderful, but admittedly short kiss. "Yes, yes I do," she replied as she rose from his lap. "Now shall we eat?"

The meal was spectacular as her meals always were. It was all cooked to perfection with time and love poured into every dish.

When they opened presents Jimmy pretended to be surprised when he found that Cindy bought him yet another replacement ratchet. Cindy squealed when she opened the diamond earrings he had made her. Ari loved her new Chemistry set. Then they all sat down to watch an old version of A Christmas Carol on TV and Ari fell asleep about half way through. Jimmy offered to tuck their daughter in bed and Cindy smiled gratefully.

When he got back downstairs his wife curled up in his arms.

"You know, Jim," she began. "You never explained what exactly happened to make you change."

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me."

"I just had a change of heart, I guess."

"Fine, don't tell me then."

He chuckled playfully as he pulled her lips onto his with passion and fire. She let out a small mewl of approval as he sucked on her lower lip.

"Merry Christmas, Cindy," he whispered.

"Merry Christmas, Jimmy," she whispered back as she shut off the lights then leaned back into his welcoming kiss.

It was a merry Christmas indeed.

-x-