A/N: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! Thank you so much for all your fantastic, wonderful reviews! I received much more than I thought I would, considering how frequently I updated this. I'm so glad you all enjoyed this!

Before I go, I have to plug my other Friends' fanfiction, Cousins. It's your typical spin-off series about the second generation, written as individual "episode stories" (but not in script format). If you like the tone and writing style of this, those stories are the exact same way. I'll begin posting new episodes in a week or two. One episode, TOW They All Leave Home, is already posted and completed on my profile.

And now, it's three in the morning on Christmas, I am posting this and going to bed (I was so determined to finish this, you have no idea). My little sister will probably me waking me up to see what Santa Claus brought in the next five hours (not sooner, I hope).

After the friends relaxed during work's temporary dismissal,

Announcements caused chaos that might've needed a referee's whistle,

The next morning was a flurry of gift giving and a child's delight.

Happy Holidays to Friends fans all, and keep the humor light!

Chapter 10

Soon after Monica and Chandler left, the rest of the group began to prepare for the meal that would take place when they got back. After they shoved the dollhouse in the closet, Ross and Rachel put on a Barney tape for the kids…and kept a very close eye on all three of them. Meanwhile, Mike and Phoebe offered to set the table.

Ross walked back into the living room after offering to help Mike and Phoebe, since the kids were content to watch the movie. Rachel was snuggled next to Emma on the chaise lounge that ended the sectional. As with the Christmas tape, she sang along, this time with her daughter, both at the top of their lungs, "'If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gum drops, oh what a rain that would be…'"

"Yeah, plants wouldn't get enough water to produce oxygen, and we'd all die, but whatever," Ross muttered to himself. He and Barney had problems going way back.

Rachel was having the most fun she'd had all day. The dollhouse was finally done, and she could just sit back and spend time with her daughter. And her niece and nephew, who were content babies while they sat on the couch, as mesmerized by Barney as their daughter was. They were still at the age where they hadn't really picked favorite characters yet, so Rachel could see Barney fans in the making.

Poor Monica and Chandler.

"Mommy, sing!" Emma insisted when she noticed her mother had stopped. She had gotten a second wind after the snowball fight, especially since she'd taken a nap earlier. She was still very disappointed that her Uncle Joey was not there when she woke up, like her mommy had said. But she had a lot of fun when she and Uncle Mike beat Uncle Chandler in a snowball fight. Besides, her mommy had said that Uncle Joey would be there in a few minutes, so she was very happy for the moment.

Rachel smiled down at her daughter. Well, never mind what Ross thought of the tape. She'd sing if she wanted to. "'If all the snowflakes, were candy bars and milkshakes, oh what a snow that would be…'"

"'Standing outside, with my mouth open wide…'" Phoebe sang to herself as she came into the living room. Her and Mike had finished setting the table, so while Mike checked on the cooling food for Monica, she went to join the others. She sighed with happiness as she watched the cute scene in front of her. The Geller-Green family were cuddling on the couch. Rachel and Emma had smiles on their faces, but Ross wore a slight pout at having been made to watch the purple dinosaur. They'd included the babies, with Erica on Ross' lap and Erica on Rachel's, while Emma leaned on her mother's side.

Monica and Chandler had the twins. Ross and Rachel had Emma, and they weren't even married yet. Phoebe's chance to have a family had come, and it was about time.

She kissed Mike when he joined her in the living room doorway.

The doorknob twisted, and Joey led the way in, Monica and Chandler right behind him. He wanted to cry at the sight of his friends. He actually had at the airport. Monica had stood there awkwardly while Joey and his best friend took part in what could only be described as a non-gay man hug for what seemed like hours, both men on the verge of tears. It had been months since they saw each other, and the added stress of Joey's prolonged trip didn't help. "Hey, everybody!" he greeted.

"Uncle Joey!" Emma shouted as she jumped off the couch. He'd just put her down after hugging her when Phoebe's voice rang through the room.

"I'm pregnant!"

Mike was disappointed at the unexpected announcement. "Honey! I thought we agreed that we'd say it at dinner!"

"I'm sorry, Mike, it's just that…Joey walked in the door, and I couldn't hold it in any longer!" Phoebe exclaimed. She didn't look the least bit remorseful as she began to jump up and down. "Well, don't just stand there! Tell me how happy you are!"

On her cue, chaos ensued. Joey ran to wrap her in a tight bear hug. Monica and Rachel were so excited that they just jumped up and down and hugged each other. Chandler and Ross were considerably calmer as they each shook Mike's hand in congratulations.

Emma stood back near the babies and wondered what in the world caused all the adults she knew to act like that.

Within minutes, though, they had all moved to the dining room table for dinner. While Monica sat at the head of the table across from Chandler, she couldn't help but be disappointed that she didn't have a better feast…especially after Phoebe's happy, unexpected announcement. This should be a grand celebration feast for Joey's homecoming and Phoebe's pregnancy. Instead, it was an artery-clogging mess of latkes and doughnuts. "I'm so sorry, everyone. I know it's not the best…"

"Why in the world not?" Joey asked, his tone incredulous. "Heck, I say smother it all in cheese and call it a night."

The rest laughed and made their plates. Rachel grimaced as she put a latke and a doughnut on her excited daughter's plate. "This is a one-time thing, Em…"

"Hey, Pheebs," Joey said as he loaded his own plate with everything he could reach. "What are you going to name it? How about Joey? You know both girls and boys have it now? I personally think it's very masculine, but I think for your girl it could work. I mean, she's bound to be a tough chick if she's anything like her mother…"

Phoebe blushed at the compliment and considered it. "I don't know, I was thinking of giving it my name. I mean, it worked out well for Erica," she said, with a nod to the babies, who were each seated by their mother in high chairs.

While his friends chatted, Chandler noticed that Monica still seemed upset. She cut up the babies' food with extra vigor and wore an aggravated frown on her face.

Then he smiled. He knew what would cheer her up.

He clinked his glass with his fork. "Hey, everyone, I think it's appropriate to make a toast here," Chandler said as he raised his glass and stood up. His friends and wife smiled at him, curious.

"First of all," Chandler began. "Phoebe and Mike, congratulations. Although, Mike, I think it's fair to warn you that after Phoebe conceived triplets without much effort, you may need to pick out six names or so. Luckily, there are six of us, so you won't have to do much work."

The group laughed, but Phoebe and Mike's eyes widened as they realized the very real possibility of multiple births.

"And Joey," Chandler continued. "Great to have you home, my man. Finally. And while I'm sure we'd all like to believe that was the real Santa on the train with you. I mean…why take a train when he has flying reindeer, for crying out loud!"

Joey nodded as if to say "that's true," while the rest laughed again.

"Ross, Rachel, I know you've had a…long, hard day," Chandler continued, careful not to mention the dollhouse with Emma in the room. "But hey, I say it's better than dressing up in an armadillo costume."

Finally, Chandler's gaze fell on his wife, who was smiling, touched by his remarks so far. "And, Mon, I know this isn't what you planned…but I say it fits. A smooth holiday dinner just isn't us. I mean, it's not a holiday without me on my back in a box or reminiscing about past lives in World War II."

At Mike's confused look, Phoebe whispered, "That was me." When he was even more confused, she added, "I'll tell you later."

Amused, Chandler finished, "All I'm saying is, today was a crazy mess…because anything else would've been boring. So here's to an ideal Christmas."

"And a perfect New Year," Monica added.

The friends agreed as they clinked their classes.

"It's Christmas!"

Emma yelled as she popped up between her parents. At first, she was somewhat confused since she wasn't in her room at home. But then she remembered that she was at Uncle Chandler's and Aunt Monica's, so she continued to scramble out of bed. "Mommy! Daddy! Wake up!"

Both of her parents moved way too slow. The two looked at the alarm clock on the nightstand and, for some reason, groaned. "Em, honey, it's only seven," Rachel pleaded. "Go back to sleep."

"But Santa was here! I knows it!" Emma insisted. She ran out the door and peered down the stairs.

Her eyes widened. There were piles of presents, and a big thing she couldn't really make out. But she was sure it was for her. "Come on! Santa came!"

She frowned in disappointment when her parents only closed their eyes again. Then a baby's cry pierced the quiet. "Come on! One of the babies is up too!"

Her parents glanced at each other, then let out another groan. "Alright, Em, we're getting up. Put your slippers on," Ross told her.

"Yay!" Emma cheered as she ran to slip on the slippers she'd brought with her. They were bright red and matched her Christmas nightgown her mommy bought her.

Her parents went ahead of her, her daddy getting the video camera. Her parents told her to stay upstairs for an agonizing five minutes while they woke everyone up. Before long, everyone else except her was waiting downstairs for her entrance. "Can I come down now?" Emma whined, sure that if she couldn't, she would cry.

"Come downstairs, sweetie! Look what Santa brought!" Rachel called.

An excited yelp escaped her as she flew down the stairs. She almost tripped when she stopped short because of what her mother had been talking about.

It was Barbie Dream House! She couldn't believe it! All set up…her own Barbies were even set up on the furniture, ready to play!

"Barbie Dream House!" She shrieked as she ran and threw her arms around it. "Thank you, Santa!"

She began to inspect every inch of the house, when her mommy kneeled down next to her while her daddy worked the video camera. "Honey, I know you want to play with the dollhouse now, but Aunt Monica, Uncle Chandler, Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Mike all got you presents too."

"And Uncle Joey!" Joey insisted as he gave Emma a large wrapped box. At the others' surprised looks, he explained, "Yeah, that Santa guy? He had three presents left over, two for babies and another for a young girl. Weird, huh?"

While the adults thought about that, Emma ripped into her uncle Joey's present.

It was what she wanted – a Barney doll all her own, just like the one in the show. She'd wanted one for the longest time, but didn't ask because her daddy didn't like Barney, and her mommy always wanted her to play with Barbies instead. "Thank you so much, Uncle Joey!" Emma exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around her surprised uncle's neck. "I wanted one so much!"

"Oh, uh…you're welcome," Joey replied, surprised

As Emma went on to unwrap the rest of her presents, the adults gave their gifts to each other. After she'd finished her last present, a play chef kit from her Aunt Monica (and a toy spray bottle…Emma really didn't know how much fun that would be), she sat back and watched her family. She liked this new Christmas morning. She remembered the last one, where it had been just her and her parents. This way was better. It gave Emma a fuzzy feeling inside to see her favorite adults this happy.

This was definitely, in her book, her best Christmas ever.

Never mind that, though. Emma was busy. Aunt Monica just sat next to her to teach her how to "arrange furniture in an efficient manner." Whatever that was.