Ch 9

By four the Reagan house busily buzzed with every family member arriving early to celebrate. "Uncle Danny." Joe and Mary let go of their mom's hand to run at their uncle for hugs while Eddie hung back smiling. Danny leaned down wrapping his arms around both happy to see his niece and nephew.

"Hey Eddie, where's the kid?" Danny picked his head up noticing the young woman shyly standing in the doorway even after years of being in the family.

"Outside getting the presents. Come on kids lets go say hi to everyone." While Eddie ushered the kids in so they could hi to the others Danny rolled up his sleeves starting outside. He smiled seeing Jamie taking out presents from the trunk of his car.

"Hey need help kid, merry Christmas.." Danny approached the car first giving his little brother a tight hug before taking the gifts Jamie already took out. Giving his brother a grateful grin Jamie turned taking the rest out. He wanted to tell Danny about their news but Eddie had pinned how she wanted the family to know so instead he followed Danny inside.

When they came inside Frank stood in the living room holding Allanah with one arm fussing over the little girl. Mary and Joe sat on the couch entertained by Jack and Sean loving time with their older cousins. "Hey son, merry Christmas," Frank greeted his youngest with a smile when they came in.

"Hey dad Merry Christmas." Jamie set the gIfts down in front of the tree. He gave his father a hug walking into the kitchen finding Henry cooking. "Hey pops Merry Christmas."

Henry grinned, "There he is hey Jamie, Eddie." He set the knife down to greet both with big hugs. From their first meeting he knew Eddie was the one for his youngest grandson and only hoped Jamie realized too.

While they waited for dinner the family lounged the younger kids with Linda and Erin in the living room. Frank joined his sons, Eddie and Henry in the kitchen helping prepare the last of their dinner. "It smells good think you outdid yourself this year pop."

"My special recipe.." Henry's grin matched that of his son having said that very same phrase before.

Eddie chuckled at the older man leaning into Jamie's side with a smirk. "It really does smell good."

"Thank you Edit just have to let the roast soak a little to absorb the juices and we'll be business. These can start going out to the table.." Danny and Jamie volunteered to bring the dishes that were ready to the dinning room table allowing Eddie to relax for the holiday.

A half hour later they all sat around the table talking after Erin said the prayer. "So did Santa come to your house because he came here." Henry addressed mostly his youngest grandkids.

"Yes," Joe replied. "He comed to our house and left us presents, piles and piles...I got this new toy..." Each child was allowed to bring a toy with them to show at grandpa's house. It would keep the little ones entertained while the adults exchanged gifts.

"Oh wow look at that, what do you have their Allanah?" Henry asked. Allanah showed off her toy then Mary. "Well, look at what we have over here for you. Eddie I'm going to get them started on some presents."

Eddie didn't argue, she leaned into Jamie rubbing her cheek on his jacket receiving a smile and kiss on her forehead. Danny smirked from across the table watching his baby brother, enjoying the twinkle in his eye. Henry handed each grandchild a present rejoining his family at the table.

Mary and Joe ripped apart their wrapping easily revealing brand new toys a car for Joe and American Girl for Mary. Beside them Allanah pulled at her own paper squealing in frustration when it didn't come off. Setting aside his own toy Joe jumped in to help his little sister taking most of the paper off for her. Her little eyes lit up seeing a brand new toy. "Pop pop tank oooh."

"Thank you grandpa, pops.." Mary and Joe choruses together excitedly showing each other their new toys while the adults finished dinner.

Before starting on desert everyone gathered around to start the gifts allowing them to digest. Henry went out and bought juniors cheesecake to join Linda's Irish soda bread cake and Erin's angel cake with strawberries.

Gifts were passed to Jack and Sean then Niki all sitting together with their cousins excitedly opening their own presents. Sean grinned at his great grandfather as he held up a brand new jets jersey. "Thanks pop!"

Jack received a new kindle fire to read books on and Niki a bath and body works gift set. With theirs done the adults took turns passing out their own gifts. Eddie took a bag she brought passing out her gift to each member ending with Danny. She returned to sit beside Jamie taking his hand smiling nervously.

Jamie and Eddie waited nervously waiting for a reaction. Henry opened his first discarding the paper aside to take out his gift. Inside the bag a small red stocking with Gg September 2017 written in silver glitter. Henry's eyes took in the gift for a full minute until it finally registered enough for him to look up.

Next to them Danny opened his own finding the same stocking with niece or nephew September 2017. He turned towards them wide eyed in surprise before a grin took over. "Are you serious?"

"Yea I told Jamie this morning.." Eddie smiled, giving Jamie's hand a gentle squeeze.

Frank's eyes watered with the news they would have a new addition next year. Henry was already on his feet to congratulate them a new excitement in the air.