A/N not mine, I own nothing but the plot.

Only the epilogue to go! Be on the look out for a chapter of Paying The Price coming soon. Also, the Fanfiction Takeover on Facebook is coming up later this month. We had a lot of fun last year! If you would like to join me and my Co-Hosts this year, please send me a PM.

A Christmas Carol, Plum Style

I was actually excited to wake up early for once. I'm really not a morning person, but today was the beginning of a New Year. A chance for new starts. A time for healthier relationships, for family and friends. I already witnessed it with Christmas. I can't wait to see what this will bring me. I slip out of the bed, careful not to wake Bobby.

I take care of nature's call and hop in the shower. Once done, I head to the kitchen to get coffee going and notice that Bobby has white chocolate raspberry creamer in his fridge. After a quick search I find everything I need to make flavored French toast. It's a recipe that Aunt Jo taught me and I can actually make. Flavored creamer instead of milk, makes it yummy.

As I am plating up, Bobby comes out and grunts out what I assume is a good morning. He is looking a little rough today. He perks up considerably when he drinks his coffee and notices food.

"Should I be worried?" He asks, with a cocked eyebrow.

"Sit down, shut up, and eat. I may be able to make a lot, but this is one of those things that I can."

"Ma'am, yes, Ma'am."

He digs in and looks shocked. "What is in this? This is the best French toast I've ever had."

"Aunt Jo taught me to use flavored creamer instead of milk. You can make just about any kind that way. Peppermint just doesn't hold its flavor though."

After we eat, we sit and relax. Around 10:30 Bobby gets a call from the lobby, he has visitors. He runs down to bring them up, and I am happily surprised to find my Aunt and Marcus. It doesn't take long for Hal, Manny, and Lester to come banging on the door as well. Apparently they saw Marcus come in and wanted to say hi. Lester stopped short when he saw me sitting on Bobby's lap.

"Did I miss something?" He immediately asked, completely confused.

"Steph and I are dating, other then that...no," replied Bobby.

The look on Lester's face was priceless. I couldn't hold back my laughter. How he missed it was beyond me. We hadn't made any effort to hid it.

"Way to be aware of your surroundings, Santos," I teased him.

"How did I miss this?"

"You seem to have been the only one who did," Bobby replied.

We all talked, laughed and visited with the guys and Aunt Jo until around 3. When the guys found out that Marcus and Jo were going to the Plum household, they invited themselves as well. My mother was going to love this.

When we all pulled up, Mom was just stepping outside and Grandma was peering through the window. I was a bit apprehensive about everything, but decided that I needed to be relaxed and just go with it. I took a deep breath and waiting as Bobby opened my door. I looked behind us and saw Marcus doing the same thing for my Aunt. We all made our way up the walk way and I was surprised to see a smile on my Moms face. Probably, this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Mom actually hugged each of us. I know I was shocked, but the look on Aunt Jo and Marcus's faces were ones of shock. Mom was even excited to find out that they were engaged. I think the Merry Men doing their best fish impressions were the best part of the entire day.

A/N I know it's short, and I apologize for that. Please be on the look out for updates on all of my WIPs in the next seven days. Plus a couple of one shots. This is mainly me trying to get back into the Grove of things, and prepping for the Fanfiction Takeover.