The following morning Mary fluttered her little eyes open suddenly wide awake remembering what day it is. Throwing the covers back she jumped out of bed racing next door climbing on her brother's bed to shake him awake. "Joey Joe wake up, it's Christmas. " Joe quickly opened his eyes sliding out of bed with his sister's help scurrying to their parent's room.

Eddie lay on her side tangled in Jamie's arms with her head on his chest . Jamie's arms wrapped tightly around her waist facing her a smile on his face. Neither moved when their door opened or tiny footsteps tapped across the room of their two oldest. Mary helped Joe on the bed before pulling herself up too shaking her daddy. "Mommy, daddy wake up its Christmas..wake up.."

Letting a small groan tiredly Eddie turned wanting to snuggle into Jamie and sleep but the turning of her stomach sent her running into the bathroom. Sighing Jamie sat up too forcing a smile at their kids so they don't worry. "It's okay guys I'm going to check on mommy stay here."

Stepping into the bathroom he found Eddie in the bathroom keeling over the open toilet getting sick. "Oh Eddie, are you okay babe?" Jamie joined her on the floor rubbing her back until she finished. With his help she stood, washing her mouth and walked back out to their kids.

"Go down with mommy and check if Santa Clause came last night while I check to see if Allanah is awake," Jamie laughed at both kids taking Eddie's hand to nearly pull her down the hallway excitedly. He ducked into Allanah's room surprised to see her staring up at him laying contently. Lifting her up Jamie changed her and brought his youngest downstairs.

Mary sat in her purple chair eyeing the presents in front of them trying to wait patiently for her father and sister. The minute Jamie stepped inside she turned to give them a wide eyed look. "Daddy look Santa came."

Jamie gave her a smile setting Allanah down sitting next to her letting Eddie give the presents out. Mary and Joe excitedly took their gifts from Santa first ripping open the paper with squeals seeing a new toy they asked for. "Daddy..look Daddy.." Joe stood so excited wanting to show his dad the new toy he stumbled over his own feet.

Throwing his arms out Jamie caught his son setting him down on his lap to see. "Whoa that's so cool buddy. Want to play with it later together?" He rubbed Joe's hair keeping him close while Mary received her other present.

With their attention turned away watching the kids allowed Eddie to move his gift out nervously wanting to give it to him. Allanah rolled the toy she just received contently while her older siblings studied their new toys.. "Jamie, this is for you lambchop merry Christmas."

Giving her a smile he took the nearly wrapped gift taking the paper off. Underneath a white box that Jamie easily uncovered looking inside. A small red stocking matching the ones they hung up by the fireplace lay inside, writing on top reading September 2017. Jamie looked up eyes watering while he pulled Eddie into a tight hug. "That's why you've been getting sick. This is the best Christmas I could ever ask for..I love you Eddie."

Pulling apart they found the kids staring at them all wearing the same smiles. "You guys knew," Jamie smiled too. He stood stepping over toys and pinned up the new stocking. "You know what this means, extra special Christmas morning breakfast."

Squealing the kids abandoned their toys rushing into the kitchen. Jamie turned back looping an arm around Eddie so they could walk in together. Jamie started on breakfast, pancakes and scrambled eggs a tradition started with Mary who took her mother's appetite. While he cooked Eddie started coffee for Jamie staring longingly at the black liquid .

In a matter of ten minutes the family sat together working on their plates in between conversations. "I want a brother mommy.." Joe announced giving his sisters a slight shrug showing there was no hard feelings. He loved his sisters but being the only protector of them was hard work.

Jamie smiled at his son remembering being told Erin said the same thing before Joe and Jamie were born. "We'll see buddy but if it's another sister.."

"It's okay but I really hope I get a brother."

Eddie couldn't help but grin at their son's insistence as though that would help get what he wants. She pushed the food around her plate trying to keep from getting sick hungry and nauseous at the same time. "After breakfast why don't you show mommy and daddy all the new stuff you guys got before we get ready for grandpa's."

The distraction didn't keep Jamie from noticing Eddie barely eating, frowning as she usually shoveled two plates down. Not wanting to alarm the kids he waited until they cleared and left to play. "Hey, you barely ate babe..feeling okay?"

"Yea, just nauseous you know.. I'll be okay Jamie.." Eddie forced a smile one Jamie knew was a front.

"Take your time Eddie, I'll make you some tea too." Jamie leaned over placing a kiss on the top of her head on his way to the stove making her a cup of tea. While Eddie waited she pushed around the food eating more.

Jamie returned to the table with a cup of tea, setting it in front of her. "Don't force yourself babe why don't you rest on the couch until dinner," Jamie offered softly.

Cup of tea in hand Eddie went to the living room watching their kids playing while Jamie cleaned up then joined. He sat on the floor joining Mary and Joe in play with their new toys. Allanah crawled around picking up toys sprawled all over the floor to shake with a long laugh. She lifted a doll examining it before bringing it up to her mouth.

"No Allanah that's not food, we don't eat toys!" Mary quickly swiped the doll away from her sister shaking her head. Allanah turned to Jamie wide blue eyes teary startled her sister took the toy away. Her bottom lip began quivering reaching both arms out to Jamie.

"No no no no.." Allanah wailed lifting her fist to swing at Mary, blocked by Jamie who grabbed his youngest and sat her on the couch.

Eddie took their daughter to sooth her watching the older kids playing until they had to get ready for christmas dinner with the family. Both girls wore matching red dresses, their blond hair pinned with a bow completely straight against their back. Joe wanted to wear a white dress shirt with black pants similar to his father.