So Merry Christmas everyone! I am having a spectacular time... And I managed to make it home in the nick of time!

I got woken up this morning by my boyfriend, who was carrying my dog, both of them wearing Christmas hats and bearing presents. He's such a sweetie.

Just thought I'd send you all a Chrissie present. Hope Santa was good to you all.

Sienna's first Christmas was a spectacular one. Although it was, as Julie had said, mostly for her parents' sake.

Christmas was always an important time of year for the Rafters, like it is for most families. No expense or effort was spared; everything to make the day special.

For Jake and Rachel, this Christmas was more special than the previous one's they had spent together. They hadn't had too many Christmases' together, but they did know this Christmas was extra special. It was, again like Julie said, the bond between parents and child. Such a special day to share with them. Although Sienna might not remember it, there would be plenty of photos to see when she was older, Rachel was making sure of that.

Jake and Rachel had to split themselves for Christmas this year. They had decided to spend the morning with the Rafter family, before they visited Jake's family later in the day. Grace had been okay with it; she understood with little children involved.

/

On Christmas Eve, it was, unsurprisingly, Ben who suggested they put out milk and cookies for Santa.

"And water and carrots for the reindeer," he had also reminded them. Ben insisted that it was never too early to get the littlies into the Christmas habits and rituals.

So again it was Dave's duty to eat the food, cursing Ben silently who had encouraged Ruby to add lots of biscuits to the stack. Twelve, Dave counted. So he called in the help of Jake and Ted to eat them on Christmas Eve, as Rachel and Julie finished the wrapping of presents under the tree.

/

Come Christmas morning, Rachel was asleep peacefully when she awoke to Jake looking over her.

"Merry Christmas baby," he smiled at her as she opened her eyes and flipped herself over to face him.

"Morning," she replied sleepily. "Merry Christmas," she added, leaning up as he leaned down for a kiss, meeting each other halfway.

"Sienna's first Christmas," Jake said as he leant his head down on his elbow.

"And she's already given us a Christmas present by sleeping almost all the way through the night," Rachel smiled, settling into the pillows. "It's really special," she decided after a moment's thought.

"Who would have thought," Jake replied, putting his arm behind her.

"I sure as hell didn't," Rachel responded with a snort. "Last year, could you imagine we'd have a baby?"

"Definitely not," Jake agreed. "Amazing how time flies." The stirring and whimpering of Sienna alerted both Jake and Rachel to the baby.

"That's impeccable timing," Rachel laughed as Jake threw back to covers and stood up to get her. Whilst he picked up Sienna, Rachel pushed herself into more of a sitting position, adjusting the pillows behind her back. Jake, with Sienna outstretched in his arms, placed Sienna down in her mother's arms.

"Merry Christmas beautiful," Rachel cooed, looking down at her baby daughter, whose dark blue eyes were open and looking up. Jake leaned down on his side and looked over Rachel to gaze at his baby girl.

"Oh, wait a minute," Jake instead said, sitting himself back up and off the bed whilst Rachel looked over, intrigued. When she saw what he was holding, she couldn't hold back her laugh.

"Oh Jake!"

"Now, it is a big deal, Sienna's first Christmas," Jake said. "And it's not a Christmas without Santa hats." He placed a red and white fluffy hat on Rachel's head, not allowing it to sit properly before pulling out a smaller one.

"Oh you didn't," Rachel couldn't help but smile as he went to balance one of Sienna's tiny downy head.

"Oh I did," was Jake's reply. "Saw them when we went shopping the other day. Wanted to surprise you." He paused and smiled at Rachel.

"That's really sweet," Rachel said, smiling widely before kissing him again. "But hang on, where's yours?" Rachel again had to laugh as she saw Jake reach behind again and pull out one. Before he could put it on, Rachel moved Sienna to block him. Jake accepted the baby, letting Sienna settle in his arms once more. Rachel then took the Santa hat from him, equally as fluffy as her own and Sienna's, and placed it upon his dark hair.

"There we go," Rachel said as she drew her hands back and they both laughed. Sitting there on the bed, the three of them as a little family, it was picture perfect.

/

A short while later, Rachel and Jake took Sienna out to the living room where Ted already was.

"Is it early?" Rachel asked, pausing in the kitchen when she saw no one else up. Whilst everyone liked a sleep in, no one did on Christmas. Especially in the Rafter family.

"It's only six-thirty," Jake answered for her, shifting Sienna in his arms from behind Rachel as he eyes the kitchen clock.

"Merry Christmas Grandad," Rachel said as she continued into the lounge, sitting down with one leg tucked underneath her before reaching to give him a hug. "Why are you up so early?

"Merry Christmas love. I had some gift wrapping to take care of," Ted replied, nodding towards the wrapping paper rolls, sticky tape and the presents that sat wrapped on the table before them. "And you three are up. Little one acting as a personal alarm clock?"

"No, not this time," Rachel said as she and Jake laughed. "I actually thought it was later."

"Oh yeah, Christmas trick ay?" Ted smiled. "More like you wanted to beat Ben to Santa's presents."

"Yeah, and there's that," Rachel agreed with a chuckle. "You right with her while I have a quick shower?" Rachel asked Jake, to which he nodded.

/

Rachel had her shower, and when she came out, Dave was awake and making a coffee.

"Merry Christmas Rachel," Dave said as she came out, dressed and ready for the day.

"Merry Christmas Dad," Rachel replied, giving him a tight hug which he accepted. "Where's Mum?"

"With Ruby," Dave said, nodding towards the hallway as he took a sip of coffee. "She should be out in a minute." Rachel peeked back at the living room to see Jake and Ted sitting on the couches, Ted holding Sienna. Rachel stepped back towards the hall and Ruby's room.

Opening the door quietly, Rachel stuck her head in to see Julie sitting in the small chair, holding Ruby on her lap.

"Merry Christmas Mum," Rachel whispered as she snuck into the room, bending down to kiss her mother's cheek. "Merry Christmas Rubes."

"Merry Christmas darling."

/

"Merry Christmas!" It was then that Christmas was kick-started, with Ben trotting into the Rafter living room, Nathan, Carbo and Loretta behind him. He just paused to hug his Mum and little sister.

There were 'Merry Christmases' all round, and hugs.

"And did Santa come and visit you?" Ben asked, taking his baby sister from his Mum and moving in to the living room, where Dave, Ted, Rachel, Jake and Sienna already were.

Presents were opened, with Julie and Dave but admiring their extended and growing family.

Nathan held Sienna as Jake and Rachel popped a cracker, Rachel falling onto Jake with laughter when she won. Ruby was content with Carbo and Retta, and Ted and Chel were laughing as Ben tore the wrapping paper off a present like a five year old.

It was a Christmas of first's: Ben's first Christmas without Melissa. The first Christmas for Jake and Rachel as both parents and an engaged couple. The first Christmas for Carbo and Loretta, they too as an engaged couple. The first for Ted and Chel now as great-grandparents. And almost the biggest, it was Sienna's first Christmas entirely.

And the family were there to celebrate it.

So wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, and if I don't get a chance to update until after the 31st, have a wonderful New Year.

P.S. Remember, Santa only comes to those who aren't naughty. But if you review, he might rethink your naughty status and give you presents! LOL