Christmas Shopping Part 3

Christmas Eve came and went, as the kids, Chris and Amelia ate a small dinner at the table. Afterwards, Amelia stayed out in the living room for a while with the kids, as they watched a holo-vid and ate Christmas cookies. By nine, Emma was asleep at her side and Catherine was yawning widely.

"Bedtime," Chris clapped his hands gently. "We have a big day tomorrow."

Giving them hugs and kisses, Amelia watched as Chris led the girls upstairs to their rooms, while Andrew grabbed a few candy canes from the coffee table and brought them over to the tree.

"Are you going to bed, Andrew?" she asked, as he set the candy canes on the branches. "You don't want to be the last one down here tomorrow morning."

The boy nodded, "I am," he glanced back at her. "Dad said he was going to call Uncle Jim and I wanted to talk to him."

Amelia nodded, "Okay," she frowned. "But don't stay up too late, kiddo. You need your rest, too."

Andrew made his way over to the couch and sat down next to her, "But you need it more," he said, resting his hand against her belly. "They're kicking," he laughed.

She nodded, "That they are," she placed her hand upon his. "Kicking too much actually."

They were laughing when Chris came back downstairs, making him smile at the sight before him. He watched them for a few more minutes, before making himself known.

"Time for bed, Mrs. Pike," he said as she groaned. "You've been down here for longer than I liked."

Giving Andrew a quick kiss on the head, Amelia held her hands out so Chris could pull her up to her feet. Then they slowly made their way up the stairs, Chris motioning to Andrew towards his office. Once Amelia was tucked into bed with a holo-vid on, Chris made his way back downstairs to help his son.

"Do you think it'll be okay in here?" Andrew asked, an hour later.

Chris nodded, "It'll be fine," he promised. "The heat is on and the door will be locked."

They cleaned up the mess they made and locked the door, making their way up the stairs. "Don't stay up playing your video games, "Chris warned, as Andrew went into his room. "You know Emma will be in here at the crack of dawn."

Andrew laughed and nodded, "Night Dad."

"Night, Andy."

….

Emma managed to wake the entire house at 0600 the next morning, bursting into bedrooms and hopping on beds. When she reached her parents room, Emma climbed up onto Chris' side of the bed and jumped on him.

"UP! UP!" she tapped his forehead. "Cwistmas!"

Amelia groaned and pulled the blanket up over her head, leaving Chris to deal with her. Grabbing the little girl around the waist, Chris sat up and hugged her.

"Give Mommy and Daddy five minutes and we'll go downstairs," he said, kissing her cheek. "Go see if Cat and Andrew are up."

Emma squealed and scrambled off the bed, tearing out of the bedroom like a roadrunner.

"One day," Amelia said from under the blanket. "She's going to give us both heart attacks and put us in our graves early."

Chris snorted, "I'll be the first to go," he said, as she pulled the blanket down. "Merry Christmas."

Amelia gave him a sleepy smile, "Merry Christmas."

They got up slowly, taking their time with going to the bathroom and making themselves presentable. Once they made their way downstairs, they spotted their children waiting for them. Andrew and Catherine sat on the loveseat, while Emma poked around under the tree.

"Emma Jane," Chris warned, as he helped Amelia onto the couch. "Get out from under that tree."

The three and a half year old turned around quickly, "Daddy!" she ran towards him.

"You are always getting into trouble," he grunted, as he picked her up. "Patience my child. You will open your presents in a minute."

Amelia snorted as Emma pouted, "Good morning my sweet children," she said, smiling at them. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Mommy," Andrew and Catherine said.

"Cwistmas!" Emma squealed, wrapping her arms around Chris's neck. "Pwesents!"

Setting her down, Chris nodded to the kids. "Go on," he sighed, as they all took off towards the tree.

"One at a time!" Amelia warned, as they picked up the neatly packed boxes. "They're not going anywhere!"

For the next half hour, the kids opened their gifts and handed Chris and Amelia theirs. They sat on the floor and watched and their parents opened boxes and bags, showing their delight over the presents that their children picked out for them.

"You three did such a good job!" Amelia said, as they each gave her a hug and kiss. "Thank you, my little babies."

Chris chuckled, "I can't wait to read all of these," he said, eyeing the set of books on the American Civil War. "Thank you."

He then looked at Andrew, who nodded quickly. "But, we have one more gift."

Catherine and Emma frowned, "We do?" Catherine asked, as Amelia looked at her husband.

"Yup," Chris said, standing up. "Andrew?"

The girls watched as they quickly moved down the hall to his office, slipping inside quickly. Amelia could hear them whispering, as Andrew poked his head out into the hall.

"Close your eyes, Mom!" he shouted, before looking back into the office. "We're coming out now!"

Amelia did what she was told, "You too, girls," Chris said.

A few minutes later, Amelia could hear them approaching, before something soft was placed onto her lap. Then she felt movement and jumped. "Can I open them?" she asked.

Chris chuckled, "Go on," he said. "You too, girls."

As soon as they opened their eyes, Emma screeched. "KITTY!" she screeched, as Catherine held her back

Amelia opened her eyes quickly and looked down at the black and white fur ball on her lap. Around the kitten's neck, was a red and green bow bigger than her head.

"Oh my god," she gasped, picking the small kitten up to look at her. "You didn't!"

Chris shrugged, "I did some thinking and I figured you were right about moving on since Watson," he sighed. "I thought we could give this little girl the same kinda love and attention we gave him."

The kitten meowed and Amelia felt her heart melt, as she brought the kitten close to place a kiss on her head. "She's adorable," she murmured against her head. "Thank you, baby."

She held her arm out and Chris moved in to give her a kiss, "Now," he said, turning to the kids. "Since this is Mommy's present, she gets to name the kitty."

Emma was bouncing on her toes, her hands grasping her nightgown. "Can I touch?" she asked, unsure of what to do. "Pwease?"

Chris nodded and pulled her onto his lap, "Easy Em," he said, as she reached out quickly. "The kitty is a baby and you have to be gentle."

Emma nodded and carefully touched the kitten on the back, giggling as it meowed and arched into the touch. "Pwetty."

"What are you going to name her, Mommy?" Catherine asked, leaning over the arm of the couch to look at the kitten.

Amelia was lightly scratching the kittens back, "I'm not sure," she sighed. "Mommy's gonna have to think about that for a while."

"Dad," Andrew stood up. "Can I put her sandbox together?" he asked.

Chris chuckled, "We can do that," he stood up. "You girls clean up that wrapping paper and your presents away nicely," he said.

"What about breakfast?" Catherine asked, as Emma kissed the kittens head. "Mommy said you were making bacon!"

"I will make breakfast after your brother and I put the kitty's box together," he promised. "Don't worry, I wont let you guys starve."

…..

When Robert, Liz and the girls came around noon, breakfast had been served and everyone went upstairs to wash up and change. More gifts were exchanged and the kids went to play, as Emma sat on the floor with the kitten.

"She's been sitting there for hours," Amelia said from her seat at the table. "I have no idea what she's trying to do."

Liz moved to the stove and dumped the diced peppers into the pan; "Maybe she's trying to get it to play?" she shrugged. "Who knows if the people at the pet store even played with her."

"Kitty pway!" Emma rolled the ball towards the tiny animal. "Pway!"

"Is she still in there?" Chris asked, as he came into the kitchen.

Amelia nodded as she plucked the basil into a bowl, "I have to name that kitten," she shook her head. "Can't keep calling her kitty."

Robert chuckled, "Why not? It's an easy name!"

The doorbell went off, "Because, she needs a good, strong name!" Amelia insisted. "She's a Pike!"

Chris chuckled and dropped a quick kiss on her lips, "That she is," he said. "And that must be your sister and Paul."

"Ah Brittany," Liz sighed. "I wonder what color her hair is this time."

Amelia laughed, "Hush," she waved her hand at her. "I'm hoping it's red and green," she admitted, as the squeal of five children rang out.

Liz rolled her eyes and went to the refrigerator, "Let's hope it's not," she said, pulling out the ingredients for the stuffed shells. "I don't wanna have to go through the reasons why Arianna and Isabella can't color their hair again."

…..

Dinner went off without an issue, as the kids sat at one table and the adults at the other. Most of the conversation varied from work; Starfleet for Richard and Chris to what their wives, Brittany and Paul were up to. Then it went to what the rest of the family that couldn't make it that year and how Amelia was feeling.

"I feel fine for the most part," she sighed, sitting back in the chair. "I just can't wait to get them out."

Brittany giggled, "Any plans for baby number six?" she asked innocently.

Chris snorted, "I think we're done after these two," he said. "I'm getting too old and whatever grey is left will be gone by then."

Amelia nodded in agreement, "We're done after these two," she rubbed her belly. "Even the doctor said no more and that we got very lucky this time; considering the fact that it's twins, we're pushing it here."

"I want another baby…" Liz sighed, making Robert choke on his wine. "What? I do!"

Robert shook his head, "Oh no," he glared at Chris. "See what you did! Now she's going to make it a mission to get pregnant!"

Amelia laughed, "Hey, you guys could make it your New Years Resolution!" she exclaimed, earning a round of laughter.

At that point, Emma came over to the table and tugged on Chris's arm. "What's wrong Emmy girl?" he asked, as he pulled her onto his lap. "Did you finish eating?" he asked.

Emma nodded, "Can I pway with kitty now?" she asked. "Pwease?"

"You don't want to play with the others?" he asked to which Emma shook her head. "What about Arianna and Isabella?"

"No Daddy," she shook her head. "Kitty."

Chris sighed, "Kitty's sleeping, Em," he brushed her hair away from her face. "It's been a long day for the kitty. She needs her rest so she can play with you tomorrow."

Emma pouted, "No pouting," Chris kissed her forehead. "How about you help me clean up the dishes and we'll make hot chocolate? Then we'll put the cookies you made out?"

The little girl thought on the offer for less than five seconds, nodding quickly. "Now?" she asked.

Chris chuckled, "Let's wait five minutes so everyone's done and then we can clean up."

"Okay!" she squealed, as he dropped another kiss to her forehead. "Hwrry!" she said to the others, as she placed her hands on the table.

…..

By seven, the adults and kids were scattered about the house, with cookies and hot chocolate. Brittany and Paul were settled on the loveseat, while Liz and Robert sat with the girls.

"Good Christmas?" Chris asked as he settled next to Amelia on the couch.

She smiled at him, "The best," she nodded, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you for my present."

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, "You're welcome."

"What made you change your mind?" she asked, as he took a sip from his mug. "I mean, you were so adamant on not getting another pet."

Chris set the mug down on his leg, "You were right about Watson," he nodded. "It's been two years since we had to put him down and while I'll always love him, it is time to move on."

"I didn't mean to make you feel bad, Chris," Amelia said. "That wasn't my intention at all."

But he silenced her, "I know, Mia. But you were right."

She nodded, "Wanna help me pick a name for her?" she asked. "You're good a picking out names, since you named all three of our kids."

He chuckled, "Hmm, but it's different when it comes to pets," he said, eyeing the small kitten curled up on Emma's lap.

"Come on, baby," she nudged him. "You're so good at it," she grinned.

Chris kept his eyes on the kitten, which was now rolling around on Emma's lap, making the little girl laugh. "Aphrodite?"

Amelia nodded slowly, "I like that," she said, watching as Emma picked the kitten up to kiss her nose. "She's a beautiful kitten."

"That she is," he murmured as Emma crawled after Aphrodite. "I think Emma's found her calling."

Amelia laughed, "No Starfleet for her," she sighed.

"I still have four more to bribe," he shrugged. "Besides, Andrew is determined to become a Captain. Just to kick Kirk's ass and be just as awesome as his father."

"Are you sure you didn't spike that hot chocolate there?" she asked, nodding to his glass. "Andrew is going to become a scientist and work under McCoy AND Spock."

He chuckled, "We'll see, Mia," he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Let's worry about them being young for now. I don't want to think about them being older and going off to do their own thing yet."

They fell into a comfortable silence, watching as their children, nieces and in-laws moved about the living room.

"Hey Mia?"

She shifted against him, "Hmm, yeah?" she whispered.

"Merry Christmas," he said softly, reaching up to run his fingers through her hair.

Amelia smiled against his shoulder, "Merry Christmas, baby."