Sorry it has been so long, nearly 2 months but other things come first. I finished this today as it was not quite ready for Christmas.
Chapter 10: Christmas
Christmas was one of the best times of the year according to the Castle Beckett clan. It was a time for joy and celebration. Kate had ensured she had Christmas day off this year, nothing was going to stop her being at home with their kids to see them open their presents. Or for her to put the turkey in the oven at 6am, rather push her husband out of bed to go do it in payback for last year.
Everyone was here this year, the four kids along with Martha, and Jim. It was a houseful which made it that much more enjoyable and meant the kids could be supervised during the busy cooking times.
Fortunately, for all the adults, the kids didn't appear until just before 8. Rick and Kate had gone back to bed after putting the turkey in so had been reminiscing and talking about all sorts of things before their children came running into the bedroom, Tom leading as per usual, and climbing on the bed. Apart from Amelia who had to tug on her mother's hand as she couldn't quite get up by herself. Tom knew that Santa wasn't real but played along with it for the sake of his sisters who one day in the future would know that their parents were Santa.
It was time for presents, the parents were told and were trying to be pushed and pulled out of bed. How they would long for just a few more minutes in bed, snuggling even with the three kids in the middle.
Jim could be heard making his way down the stairs along with a mumbling Martha with Alexis blaming her younger siblings for waking them up.
Everyone had gathered in the lounge, each had their own stocking adorning the fireplace along with a pile of presents. The ones for the little kids were slightly bigger. Rick and Kate had agreed that they wouldn't spoil their children however, they weren't going to be scrooge.
Everyone liked their presents and it didn't take long for wrapping paper to litter the floor. The three children helped to tidy up, placing the paper in a bag before taking it to the recycling. Somehow all eight of them managed to be showered and dressed within an hour so they were back downstairs playing games with Rick and Kate cooking.
Christmas dinner was promptly served at 1pm where each member had their plates full, even the kids with their smaller plates. Thankfully, none of them minded their vegetables so it wasn't a battle to get them to eat healthily. Christmas crackers were popped which was accompanied with lots of laughing and giggling, not only from the children. The silly paper hats started on top of heads but didn't manage to stay atop anybody's head very long.
An hour later, stomachs full with turkey, veg and the rest followed by Christmas pud for desert or just ice cream for the little ones. The grandparents insisted on organising the clearing up coercing the youngsters into helping as their parents had made them a lovely dinner. Kate and Rick walked into the lounge then sat down not so gracefully on the sofa,
Both of their eyes had slipped closed as they took a moment to relax. Their rest was short lived as their three kids tracked them down then jumped on the sofa giving them no option but to wake up and be lively.
After a while playing with toys, Tom suggested Monopoly to which some of the adults groaned inwardly. Even so all of them managed to manoeuvre themselves back to the dining room where they would for the next hour and a half play a game.
An evening of more games and a movie followed until everyone was tiring; especially the kids, who by the end of the movie were virtually asleep. A quick shower then all were put to bed with an "I love you" and "thank you" from the kids to their parents for making their day so special.
The adults enjoyed their evening too, watching some TV and having another drink or two. Even for them it was an early night as they were tired out as well.
It had just gone eleven when Kate's hand was being tugged. She'd been asleep for a couple of hours having had some fun with her husband once their parents and Alexis had gone to bed as well. She opened her eyes to see Charlotte and Amelia who each held tightly their teddy. She shuffled back into her husband allowing the girls to climb in only to find Tom behind her, when did that happen? Judging by the giggle that came from him, just now. The girls then clambered over her so that the three children were in the middle of the thankfully big bed. Rick whispered "Merry Christmas" followed by Kate "go to sleep." The children then snuggled down with their parents for a long night of sleep.
Hopefully.