Chapter 14 – Christmas Cheer

Saturday, December 20th, 2025

Logan laughed with Ben and Audrey as they ran through the house as we were having our big friend Christmas with two additions this year. We had invited Brittney and Casen along with Jace and his current girlfriend Allison. It was a big festivity this year as all of the kids ran around the house.

Alex was still on pretty strict bed rest so she was just hanging out on the couches and the girls were rotating to talk to her. Zach was always keeping a close eye on her, which made her super happy. We were just ordering pizza and supplying beer for our Christmas dinner keeping everything low key before the rush of the holidays. Since the kid count has come to a total of 11 kids we had decided to draw names for people had to buy for.

Logan had drawn Emerson while the twin girls, Logan, drew Ryan and Drew. It was nice getting to shop for the boys since I didn't get to do it too often. I couldn't believe by next Christmas we would have thirteen kids among our group. My eyes were drawn to the monitor where the twin girls as they were sleeping and they were almost four months old causing my heart to ache. Time was moving way to fast with them and I wanted it to slow down.

They were both still under ten pounds and in 0-3 month clothing. "Gabs," I turned to see Britt as she gave me a smile, we had gotten so much closer in the last month. Her and Casen just bought a home in this area so we saw them all the time. Casen was becoming almost best friend status with Troy as I almost see him more than I see Cody anymore. Jace, Casen, and Zach were frequent fliers through the house and among the group now.

"Hey!" I gave her a hug and she looked among the group, "This is fun. I wish that we had a group like this at all of the last clubs we have been too." I smiled, "We are a good group. We are all so diverse and unique that we all have different aspects to the group. You guys just help further that diversity and we love it. I love seeing you all the time." Britt smiled as she looked at all of the kids running around. "Case really loves it,"

"Good,"

"Momma! It is snowing!" Logan came running up to me as her eyes were bouncing to the outdoors. "Can I go play? Please? Please?" she asked again, I laughed smoothing her hair down around her face, "Sorry sweetie, it is super dark and super cold." She pouted, "I want to go outside!" she whined and I shook my head, "Sorry Logan," she pouted and started to pout. "Daddy!" she whined and turned around running for Troy.

I rolled my eyes at the dramatics as I followed her to watch this. "Daddy!" Troy was taking a sip of beer when Logan flung herself at him. Casen, Jace, and Cody all laughed at her and Troy looked down at her, "May I help you?" he asked her, "Mommy said I couldn't go outside!" Troy looked up at me and I shrugged as he looked down at her again, "If mommy said no, then the answer is no." She stomped her feet on the floor as she sat down and started crying.

Her new tactic lately to get more attention from Troy and I but we just ignored her and carried on. Troy returned to his conversation as Logan cried on the floor and I returned to the living room. "Wow, is this the new I want attention?" Ellie asked me, I rolled my eyes nodding my head, "Yea, and she hates it even more when we ignore it." Ellie smiled and rested her hand on her growing bump as she looked over at Emerson.

"I hope she does okay,"

I smiled, "She will. Logan is the queen of attention and Emerson really enjoys quiet time." Ellie laughed nodding her head, "Yea, this is true." I heard one of the twins cry from upstairs and Troy and I moved at the same time causing the three boys in the kitchen to laugh. "Are you all going to fight over a crying baby?" Jace laughed between us as Troy and I took off down the hallway causing disbelief to cross Jace's face.

A laugh escaped my mouth as I popped my hip into Troy's leg and he stumbled but grabbed my waist pulling me backwards. I laughed shoving him and Troy yelped with laughter pushing past me. We both tried to fit into the doorway with each other but me being smaller I snuck through first. Troy grabbed me again and I laughed but Makenli's cry went out again and I knew she was hungry. "You can't even help her," I said and Troy laughed as he picked her up from the crib.

"What do you think mommy can help you?" he cooed and she moved her head away and cried more. Troy smiled kissing her face as he gave her over to me. I found the wrap as I got her situated before she started to eat. Troy smiled as he looked down at Adalyn who was sleeping still, "You can pick her up. She has been sleeping for a while." Troy happily picked her up and she only curled back up onto his chest to fall back asleep.

We walked down the hallway and back with the group and Jace shook his head at us, "Maybe you two should always have twins so there is less fighting," Casen said looking and I smiled, "They are awesome girls,"

"How old are they now?"

"They will be four months at the end of December." Troy said, "How much do they weigh now?" Ellie asked, "Less than ten pounds," Troy said, "We haven't weighed them since their three-month exam but they are still just small."

"Maybe you can keep them that way forever," I smiled checking on Makenli as she ate but her eyes were closed again. "It's going to be one of those nights," I said to Troy, he looked at me as I adjusted my shirt, "A snacking every thirty minutes," Troy sighed, "Hopefully it doesn't end up that way." I adjusted Makenli as the pizzas arrived and Troy paid for all of them. "Gabs, can you come take Addy?" I nodded as I slipped her out of his grasp and added her to the wrap.

I kissed her head as she snuggled up to her sister in the wrap as I grabbed Logan and put her down at the table. Everybody else was gathering kids and putting them in their spots as I noticed Casen and Britt smiling among the group, "You guys okay?" I asked coming over, "We were just thinking about getting to add kids to this group." I smiled as Casen leaned over to kiss her temple, "Hopefully soon," I told her giving her shoulder a small squeeze.

We began to grab pizza for all of the kids and within five minutes they were all quiet eating as much as they could. "You want a slice Gabs?" Troy asked, I shook my head, "I think I am going to get both of them to eat to help avoid every thirty-minute co-sleeping night." Troy smiled at me as I waved towards the friends as they had this under control. I walked back to the girl's room and sat down in the chair. I got all of them settled and eating when somebody knocked on the door.

"Gabs?" Britt's voice came through, "Come on in Britt," I propped my feet up and she smiled walking across the room to sit down next to me, "I thought I keep you some company," I grinned, "Thank you, you probably had to stop Troy,"

She laughed, "Yea, I did. I told him I would keep you some company,"

"He doesn't like to leave me alone," I told her, "He constantly is keeping me company, even at two am when we are all four fussy," Britt laughed as I looked up towards the ceiling, "How are you and Casen?" I asked her quietly, she gave a soft smile, "We are doing better with you and Troy's marriage counselor. Thank you for that, and for Troy to encourage Casen for it. Our doctor's appointment went well as well. We will probably have to do IVF treatment but there is nothing wrong with that."

"I'm happy for you," I told her, Britt smiled as she looked around the nursery. "I hope it goes well," she whispered, "Or I might have to steal one of those babies," I laughed, "I might be okay with this," I whispered back, "They are needy," Britt giggled while I leaned back, "Are you ready for Christmas?" I asked her, she nodded her head, "I am beyond ready, Casen and I decided to completely spend time with each other on Christmas. We just want together time."

"Troy and I are counting down the days until we are in the Caribbean without any children. I will also definitely miss all of my children." Britt smiled, "Will you need any help with them during those times?" Britt asked, "I don't know. Our parents are pretty desperate to get their hands on them most of the time. I can ask to see if they will need any help." Britt smiled, "I'd love to help." I nodded, "I'll keep you in mind when we are making all of the official plans."

Britt leaned back with a smile, "Casen is signing a long term contract in Kansas City." She told me, "That's amazing Britt."

"We really love it here."

"I'm super glad. Logan already adores Casen so he is stuck." Britt smiled, "Logan is such a sweetheart." I rolled my eyes, "I wish I could claim that right now but she is being a bit on the bratty side lately with the twin's arrival. It is something different all the time."

"I was the same way when my younger brother was born. I was pissed all the time according to my mom. I wanted all of the attention and would do anything to gain that attention. She'll finally one-day melt out of it and be the cool big sister. They are still so tiny she doesn't understand that they will one day be stealing her clothes and talking back to her." I smiled thinking about those days but I wanted to hold every memory right here.

Britt and I talked for a little bit longer until Makenli pulled away, I gave her to Britt while she snuggled and burped her as Makenli stretched her arms and turned her head to look at me. "Makenli," I whispered to her and she gave me one of her smiles that made my heart happy. She cooed from her spot in Britt's arms, "Oh you are a happy baby tonight."

Adalyn pulled away about five minutes later, she started crying though as I tried to burp her. Once she finally burped she still screamed, "Oh you want your daddy," I said, Britt laughed, she squirmed and I kissed on her little face as Britt and I went back down the hallway.

"Oh uh," I heard Troy before I saw Troy, "Somebody wants her daddy," I said handing Adalyn off to him, he laughed, "How come when she is cranky she wants me?" I shrugged as I leaned up to kiss his cheek while I let Britt take care of Makenli.

I found a piece of pizza and sat down on the other side of Logan as she talked to me about her day and everything that she plans on doing before Christmas. I smiled looking at her as her eyes were shining with happiness and I knew she was struggling with certain aspects of life but she was also happy.

I could take happy.

Monday, December 22nd, 2025

Troy whipped me with his sweaty towel, I laughed reaching for it with an amused smile crawling all over my face. I grabbed onto the towel and Troy just rolled me in to his body, I squealed at the shock of how sweaty he actually was, his strong hands grabbed my hips and I could barely breathe with this proximity. He still had that effect on after so many years and I loved it. Troy and I had developed a new routine for the off season and that included letting the grandparents have the kids every Monday morning.

Troy and I would normally go work out together and run any errands that we needed to run. It was a special time for just us and we were able to work-out and be together. I loved to work-out with Troy because I worked harder with him compared to when I would work-out on our own.

Troy kissed me with both of those sweaty hands on my face, "You're hot," he whispered into my ear, I rolled my eyes with a laugh as I pushed him off of me because I was hot and if he stayed any closer to me we were going to have to leave. "Thank you for the nice compliment but we have a lot to do still this morning." I told him as I let my eyes flickered to his hoping he would understand everything I was trying to get across to him.

"Oh?" he said raising an eyebrow, "I thought we were only going to Target after this to finish up some Christmas shopping?" Troy said innocently, I pulled him in as I grabbed onto his long sleeve shirt, "Mr. Bolton, I suggest we hurry through this and Target," a devil of a smirk crossed his face, "I like that suggestion. I feel like we should have an open suggestion box." I laughed as I kissed him and he deepened the kiss while I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I believe you are giving me a preview," I said pulling away from him, Troy smirked again, "I might have been." I shoved him gently, "C'mon we have to finish this." I told him and Troy nodded as we both went back to the circuit that we had created a couple of weeks ago that worked every part of the body. Melissa strolled by with her laptop and coffee in hand as she settled on the floor watching us. "How long do you two have left?" she asked.

Troy looked at the clock and his eyes scanned the amount of the circuit that was left for the both of us. "Twenty to thirty minutes," he admitted, she nodded her head and leaned back against the wall closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again. "I have a class in thirty so if you could be done in twenty-five that would be great." We both nodded as we got back to work. Melissa got up and left to go finish up some work after a bit. Our Monday routine was one to kick out butts so that we got at least one good work-out per week. Sometimes we could both get another couple of work-outs per week other weeks this was it for me. Troy had to get his so he came before me but I looked forward to my Monday work-out.

Troy did squat jumps with a thirty-pound ball for two minutes while I continued to jump rope with ankle weights. Once the two minutes was up we switched spots but not without the constant touching between the two of us. I found the twenty-pound ball and he got higher ankle weights as we both did this for six minutes, then we moved to core exercises as we only had ten minutes left in our morning time.

"I can kick your ass on the treadmill again," I said shoving my finger towards it, Troy let a sly grin cross his face as he was still trying to catch his breath. He looked out the door of the room to see who was here before he took two steps before he was in front of me, "I have another idea to get our hearts pumping," he whispered as he lowered his lips onto mine. Troy was right too, my heart almost raced out of my chest at his touch of possessiveness.

Forget the treadmill. I wrapped my legs around his waist and Troy groaned as he pressed me back against the nearest wall, "Brie," he whispered as his fingers massaged the back of my neck while I held onto him. Quiet time to kiss Troy without the fear of a toddler or infant crying was bliss. Since Christmas Break had started Logan wouldn't leave us alone and refused to lay down for a nap. Troy and I were struggling.

"Alright you two, break it up," Melissa walked in, almost used to this behavior between us, Troy pulled away and I dropped down to the floor as his lips were suddenly buried in my hair as I tried to catch my breath. "Mel, Christmas break sucks." I told her and she smirked because she knew exactly what I meant. "You lovebirds need a baby sitter?" Melissa asked us.

"Fuck yes," Troy growled, I laughed touching his arm as he pulled away from me and began to collect our waters and other belongings. Troy came around to squeeze my ass and I laughed, "You know that Josh is bored, he'll watch Logan for a bit. He needs the challenge of two kids." She joked, "I know, but I also want to soak all of this time up with her." I said with a shrug, Troy rolled his eyes at the statement as he helped me put on my jacket.

The continuous fight of letting the girls spend the night somewhere else was our favorite fight anymore. I shook my head at him with a smile as he reached up to rub my shoulders. "The girls are almost four months old and you still won't let them out of your sight." It was my turn to roll my eyes, "And there it is, Troy, they wake up like three times a night still. Once we get that number down we can talk."

"Ouch, three times?" I nodded as I pulled on my hair, "They are just so little still. Some babies are born their size." Melissa nodded, "True, Brooke was born about eight and half pounds." Troy snorted, "I think Adalyn just hit nine pounds, maybe." Melissa smiled as I leaned back against Troy. "But they are adorable little girls." I could resist the smile this time, "I know, they are precious and I don't mind breastfeeding them all the time. I enjoy just getting to watch them and hold them."

"I definitely fed Logan more than I have fed these girls," Troy said, I laughed tilting my head back to look at his face, "I'm sorry." Troy shook his head, "No, I don't think it is your fault. I think with having Logan I entertain her so you can go feed the girls. It's easier for you to just feed them and for me to play with Logan. Less bottles to clean and I think they both eat better with you anyways." I smiled squeezing his wrist as people started to come into the room for Melissa's class.

"Have a good day guys, I'll see you later!" I waved to Melissa as Troy wrapped his hand with mine. "Do you want to feed the girls when we get home?" I asked him tilting my head to look at him, "You can feed them while I get to play with Logan. I haven't gotten to do that in a while." Troy smiled, "I'd love too…" he stopped short of our car in the Missouri winter while I turned to look at him. "Gabs, I hope you don't think I was complaining. I wasn't complaining. I just was observing."

I shook my head as I walked over to kiss him softly, "I know you weren't complaining Troy, but it does help me remember that you can feed them too. We have a lot of milk stored up." He nodded his head and I kissed him gently, he hugged me and I just wanted to melt in his arms.

Troy and I walked through Target with each other as Troy pushed the cart and I browsed. I took a sip of my coffee while I debated about the gifts I should get Logan for Christmas. "You know you should just get her the new American doll she wants. It makes everybody happy," Troy said as he scrolled through his phone, "That would be her third. She is six." Troy laughed, "Yea, and we have a little bit of money."

"How is the contract going?" I asked him, Troy shrugged again as he finally looked up at me with those blazing blue eyes. "Your dad hasn't said too much about it. I haven't asked. I am letting it all work out. I am hoping this one will be long enough that I never really have to worry about this again." I looked at him as he was finally mentioning an end to the baseball life. My eyes watched him as he looked at his phone again and then he looked back up at me.

"What?" he asked, "You are talking about an end to your contract?" I questioned, Troy shrugged his shoulders, "It has to end at some point right? I mean I am talking like a ten-year contract here," I rolled my eyes this time because that was a little ridiculous. "You think you are going to make it ten more years?" he smirked, "If there is a will, there is a way." I shook my head as he let go of the cart and came over to pull me into his body.

"You don't think I can play that long?" he questioned as he dipped me back and kissed me, I laughed pushing on his shoulders back away from me, he let a lazy smile cross his face. "Troy, I think you will do whatever you set your mind too. I just wonder sometimes if your mind is up to that amount of work and dedication for ten more years." Troy looked at me and he nodded his head, "I understand but Gabs…"

"You don't know how to give the game up and that you will be lost without me. I understand." Troy looked down at his hands again, "Gabs, I seriously don't know what I would do after that." I could see the panic behind those blue eyes, "I have been playing this game since I was four, I would be beyond lost and scared without it." I went over to him and I leaned in to kiss his cheek, "How about you get that little girl over yours a little glove so you can start teaching her the game,"

Troy looked at me for a couple of seconds and he then smiled, "If you need me," I nodded my head as he disappeared back to the sports aisle towards the back. I let him wonder off because even I knew his next step after this – coaching. He would coach at whatever level he wanted to coach. I would hope that he would coach a high school level team at Swings or something before making that steps to the big leagues until the kids were all at school.

It would be nice for him to focus on the girls for a little bit so I could advance my career maybe further than Fox Sports Midwest. Maybe I could branch my horizons further while he stays home with the kids. I'm letting him live his dream right now, maybe I could go back to ESPN or MLB Network. I could probably choose anything that I wanted after the success I have received with Fox Sports. I browsed through the women's section for a couple of minutes before heading back to the sports section.

Troy was browsing through the gloves as I admired his sweatpants and tight quarter-zip around his torso. His hat was twisted backwards and I kind of wanted to push him into a deep corner of the store to kiss him for a little bit, "I think I found one," he said turning to look at me, I smiled at him as I went over to wrap my arms around his torso. I put my chin on his shoulder as I looked up at him, "She'll absolutely love it but Troy," he looked down at the pink glove, "It isn't my cup of tea with the pink around the edges but I think she'll love it."

I smiled up at him while we looked down the baby aisle but the twins didn't need anything because of Logan. We had basically everything that we needed and now double. Troy walked along side of me as he let out a yawn as I did myself, "Stop yawning." I told him, Troy smiled as we finished getting everything that we needed at Target which included wrapping paper, more toys for Logan, and some small groceries that I needed.

Troy started to put everything on the conveyor belt as I inspected the candy. I grabbed some M&Ms and tossed them up there, "For us?" Troy questioned with a smile, I shook my head, "For your little girl," Troy smiled thinking about her as he paid for everything while we both grabbed bags and walked out into the howling wind.

Once we had everything in the car, Troy and I got in as he looked over at me and I smiled, "You choose the place my friend,"

Logan ran around the downstairs playroom as Troy was feeding the girls on the couch next to me. Logan giggled and ran over as she plopped down into my lap with a big smile on her face, "Mommy! I played with grandpa all morning!"

"Yea? What did you do?" I asked her, she went into through detail about her morning from playing dress-up, to cooking breakfast, and helping feed the girl's this morning their breakfast. She danced around with her energy that I wish I possessed but I was worn out after this morning. "Logan, do you want to take a nap with mommy?" I asked her, she shook her head and giggled running away.

I bowed my head rubbing my eyes, I felt a foot into my back as I turned to look at Troy, "Do you want to go take a nap?" his face was serious as I looked at the two girls in front of him. "They are going to fall asleep and sleep for the next two hours. You know this Brie, if you need a nap go. I can handle all three of them." I finally gave in and leaned over to kiss each of the little girls faces, "I love my little girls," I whispered into their ear.

"Mommy," I turned to see Logan as she held up one of her books, "Do you want me to read it to you?" she nodded her head, "Come here," I told her, "Brie," I shook my head as Logan plopped down into my lap and we read her book from front cover to the back cover. She curled up in my lap and I looked down at her innocent face as her eyes followed along with the words. I swept back her hair and kissed her forehead as she was battling her eyes closing.

"Do you want to go watch a movie with mommy?" I asked her, she nodded her head this time and I stood up with her still in my arms. She rested her head on my shoulder as I took her upstairs with me. She waved to Troy and Troy smiled at her, when I got to my room, I laid her down but she clung to me, "Lolo, I just have to set the movie up. Do you want to watch princess?" she finally just nodded her head but wouldn't let go.

"Logan," I bargained with her and she let go of me, I walked over to plop a movie in and then walked back over to the bed. I laid down next to her and she curled into my side, I brushed her hair back while kissing her forehead. Her face buried into my chest and then she looked up at the TV to watch some of the movie but she didn't last long. She fell asleep within the first twenty minutes and I took the opportunity to mesmerize her tiny features.

Troy appeared in the room a little bit later with the baby monitor in hand, "The person who refused the nap is asleep and the person who probably needs a nap more than her is awake, you okay?" he asked laying down on the other side of the bed. I shrugged, "I'm tired," I told him, "But I want to spend as much time with her and the twins because I want to capture this age and never let it go."

"You also need to be sane." Troy told me with a look, I sighed, "I know, I just…" I played with her hair and Troy leaned over to kiss my forehead. "I know,"

"She just curled up next to me today and I just know that this is going to end one day. This is going to end and she won't want to do this anymore. I don't want that to end." Troy ran his thumb down my arm, "I want her to wake up excited for Christmas every single year but how many years do we have left before she pulls the covers over her head?" I asked looking up at Troy, his face had a hint of amusement beyond it.

"Brie, stop," his words were calm as he looked down at the six-year-old, "We have so many more years of exciting adventures in our lives. Logan is six. The girls aren't even four months old yet. Relax." He said softly, "You really do need to take a nap though." I finally just nodded my head and looked as Troy rolled out of bed. "Where are you going?" I asked, he turned to look at me with a smile, "I have to get some stuff done around the house. Sleep."

I watched him walk out and I sighed, I'm lucky to be blessed with him.

Wednesday, December 24th, 2025

I zipped up the pajamas as we were getting ready to have our famous Christmas Eve evening and all three girls had matching pajamas. I was dying with the amount of cuteness as Troy was setting up the movie Logan received tonight as I rocked Adalyn in my arm while playing with Makenli on the floor. Logan stretched out on the floor as she was bossing Troy around, "Daddy, did you remember the hot chocolate?"

"Yes," Troy mumbled as he was trying to get the projector to turn on, "Did you remember the cookies that we get to eat? Not Santa's cookies," I laughed and Troy looked up at me, "You know, Logan, you are getting a little sassy."

"Logan, will you take a picture with your little sisters for me?" she shrugged her shoulders, "Why?" I sighed, "Because you three are adorable in your matching pajamas and momma wants a picture," she finally nodded her head as I put the two twins up on the couch and Logan in the middle of them as they were in red and black striped pajamas. They were footie pajama's and they all looked super sweet in them.

I took several pictures but I couldn't get Logan to smile, "Lolo, tomorrow is Christmas…smile!" she finally gave me one and then a laugh as I looked behind me to see Troy making silly faces at her. I shook my head as I took a couple of pictures to capture the moment. I knew when I looked back at this picture that I would probably remember most of this. I would remember Logan not wanting to take a picture with her sisters. I would remember Troy being the dad that he is trying to get her to smile. I would remember it all.

"Lolo, you ready to watch?" she nodded her head as she took her spot as I picked up Adalyn and Troy grabbed Makenli as we nestled into the couch. Logan rested between us as Troy pressed play on the remote and the movie glowed around us. Addy was more interested in grabbed my hair that was hanging down around her causing me to laugh. "Mommy," Logan said giving me a look, I laughed again looking at her. "Where did you get all of this sass from?" I asked her, this caused Troy to snort.

"I know!"

"Shut up," he smirked while I paid attention to the movie again. The little girls did well for the first thirty minutes but then started to get fussy. I knew if I nursed them they would fall asleep for the next several hours and I wasn't sure if I was ready for them to go to bed. My eyes lingered on Logan who was very contently watching the movie in front of her, I stood up which caused her to look at me. "I just have to change the babies' diapers." I told her quietly as I reached for Makenli.

"But I don't want you to leave." She whined, "Do you want daddy to take care of the twins?" she shook her head no and I took the opportunity to leave. I could hear her whining as I walked out of the room. I went to their nursery as I put Makenli in her crib while I changed Adalyn. She squirmed on the table as I found her pacifier to hopefully hold her off for a little bit. I then switched girls as Makenli was in a better mood than Addy was right now.

She smiled up at me and was reaching for my fingers as I tried to change her diaper. "You're the sweetest," I whispered into her ear as I gave her the pacifier before we went to join big sister who was in a mood tonight. I walked back downstairs as Logan was curled in Troy's lap watching the movie, he shrugged his shoulders when I looked at him. I sat back down on the couch watching the rest of the movie play out on the screen. Logan didn't move from Troy's lap the rest of the time and I sighed because this game was getting old.

Once the credits began to roll, Logan looked over at me and then back to Troy. "Can I feed the reindeer now?" Troy nodded his head, "Go get your shoes on and I'll find your jacket." She took off while Troy melted back into the couch with a roll of exhaustion. "I'm exhausted Brie, she is exhausting me with this whole I'm better than sisters and I don't want anybody to take care of them."

"She'll figure it out Troy, it's only going to get worse when she finds out that the babies will travel with us and she'll have to stay back with grandpa and grandma." Troy rubbed his eyes and then stood up to go find her, "Give me one of these girls," he reached for one and I handed him Addy, "They are getting hungry. I'll probably feed them during story time." Troy nodded his head, "Okay, they are almost asleep."

"I know, I felt bad pushing it off but I didn't want to put them to bed yet." Troy rubbed my shoulder as we walked upstairs together. We grabbed Logan's coat along the way and then she ran outside sprinkling reindeer food all over the front law causing a familiar sparkle. "This time last year we were talking about making babies," I told him, Troy smirked, "We sure did make babies," he said, I laughed, "I don't think either of us had twins in mind."

I shook my head as I watched Logan gallop around outside and running back and forth covering the entire area. "Atta girl," she giggled and came running back to the house. Her cheeks were red from the wind as Troy locked up the door while I helped her undress. "Are the reindeer going to want to stop here?" I asked her, she nodded her head and I kissed her cold forehead. "Alright, go get all snuggly in bed."

She nodded as she ran down the stairs to her bedroom, "I'll just sit in the chair in her room to feed the girls and then you can read her a story," Troy again nodded his head as we followed her down into her room. She was playing with one of her toys on the floor as Troy came in sweeping her up causing a giggle to leave her mouth. "What do you think Santa is going to leave you?" Troy asked as he sat her down in the bed.

He pulled her blankets around her and Logan rested back against the pillows. I moved the chair closer to the bed as I sat down across from her while getting situated in the chair. "I think Santa will leave me another American Girl doll that I want!" she exclaimed, "I also think he will leave colors and maybe a new princess dress!" Troy smiled as he grabbed the two books off the nightstand, "Mommy, come cuddle,"

"I have to feed your sisters; I am right here though." She shook her head, "No, I want mommy to cuddle." She pouted and Troy inhaled, "Lolo, she is just feeding your sisters. I am going to read you the stories while mommy feeds sisters. They want to listen to the stories as well." Logan huffed and tears brimmed her eyes, "I don't want to read the stories," she laid down and curled up on her side like a dramatic teenager.

"Oh boy," Troy whispered, "Logan," I said softly, I looked down at the twins because I couldn't stop them but I also knew Logan wanted me at this moment. Troy just shook his head, "I'm going to get Logan a glass of milk because her blood sugar is eighty. Maybe after her blood sugar comes up she'll feel like listening to stories." Troy stood up and walked out of the room as I watched Logan's back, "Lolo," I whispered, she twisted over and her eyes were red.

My heart broke because I knew she craved for some moments to be back to normal but I also knew that it wasn't possible for us to regress. Troy came back upstairs with a cup of milk for Logan and she only went further into her dramatics. "No, I don't want milk."

"Logan Brielle," Troy was getting a bit fed up with her as I looked down at the girls again, they were both almost asleep as they continued to eat for several minutes as Troy fought with Logan about the milk. "Santa won't come if you don't drink this milk Logan," I winced with the Santa card because she was exhausted and had a low blood sugar causing those dramatics to increase further. "I want Santa to come!" she cried out, Adalyn let go first and I took the opportunity to walk up the stairs.

I took the twins to their room as I rested Adalyn down with her pacifier in her mouth to keep her asleep and then I put Makenli down. Her brown eyes flashed open and I stroked her head until she closed her eyes and turned her head to fall asleep. I adjusted my shirts and then walked down the stairs again to see Logan still fighting Troy on the milk. She was sobbing by this point as I crawled onto her bed and pulled her into my lap.

She twisted to bury her face into my shirt as I kissed the top of her head, I kept quiet until she started to calm down. "Lo," I said quietly, "I need you to drink all of your milk while we read the stories together, after that, I need you to give your daddy a hug because you are making him grumpy because of how you are acting okay?" she nodded her head as she got up from my arms and reached over for Troy.

She wrapped her little arms around Troy's neck and buried her face into his neck, "I love you, daddy," she whispered, Troy let his face relax as he gave her a tight squeeze and he closed his eyes, "I love you too Logan, do you want to listen to the two stories or do we just need a family cuddle session?" he asked her, "Both," Troy smiled and brushed her hair away from her face. "I think we can do that…if you drink your milk."

She nodded crawling back to my lap while she drank her milk, I scooted closer to the wall as Logan curled into my side while Troy landed on the other side of her. She took a long drink of her sippy cup as Troy began to read the book aloud to her. My fingers played with the back of her hair as she battled sleep. Once Troy was finished, he turned off her lamp and then curled up next to her as we laid in the dark together.

"Why do you think she is acting this way?" Troy asked once he knew Logan was asleep, "I don't know Troy, I think she is used to her getting all of the attention. I think she misses it sometimes and that is when things get worse. I think she liked all of her previous Christmases where we spent the entire time with her. We did everything with her and now we are trying to balance two extra kids and her." Troy exhaled kissing the top of Logan's head.

He went to roll away when Logan reached out for her. "Stay here," I said quietly, "I'll take care of the girls tonight and you take care of this little girl. It seems she needs some extra love tonight," I said kissing her little head. "But I wanted some love tonight," Troy said, I smiled reaching over to run my hand through his hair, "We have an early morning. I think we both need some sleep." Troy nodded with a smile while I bent over to kiss him.

"I love you Troy, thank you for tonight. It may have been crazy but I loved it. I love having three of them." He smiled into the kiss while I kissed him a little bit harder. "I love you too Brie, and you are more than welcome."

My fingers ran down his face and I kissed him once more before disappearing upstairs. I checked on the twins once more and then disappeared into our bedroom. I collapsed on the bed and my eyes closed faster than I could have imagined.

Thursday, December 25th, 2025

Our parents laughed as we were all sitting around the table for our Christmas dinner at the house. I always enjoyed that both of our families were able to come together now at our house for a big Christmas dinner so that Logan could enjoy all of her grandparents on one of her favorite holidays. After getting up at the crack of dawn this morning to open presents, we spent the afternoon playing with toys and taking plenty of naps.

I did receive and early gift from my little girls as they only woke up twice last night instead of three times allowing me to get almost two extra hours of sleep than normal. I wanted to dance for joy when they didn't wake up until almost two in the morning and then they woke up again around five. They fell asleep again and it wasn't long after that until Troy dragged his body into our room brushing his teeth claiming that Logan woke him up and she was patiently waiting downstairs.

"Lolo, what did Santa bring you?" my dad asked as he watched her and she grinned, "Santa brought me all kinds of toys! He brought me clothes for my American Girl dolls and he brought me stuff for my kitchen downstairs so I can learn to cook!" Troy smiled while tipping his beer back watching her grow full with excitement. I walked over to Troy as I sat down on his lap and he smiled wrapping his arms around my waist to pull me back against him.

"Dad what are you guys doing tomorrow night?" I asked as Lucille and Jack were in the nursery with the twins. "Nothing, Cam and Lilly will be out of the house with a group of friends so your mom and I are doing nothing."

"Would you want to keep the girls' tomorrow night?" Troy moved his head to look at me and my dad let a broad smile cross his lips, "All three of them overnight? Are you presenting a challenge?" I laughed nodding my head, "I mean, if you just want to take the little girls we can take Logan to Cody's or to Troy's parents." My dad thought about it for a minute and I think we all knew that might be the best idea for the first time.

"Yea, maybe for the first time?" my dad suggested, I nodded my head as I could feel Troy's stare into the side of my head. I turned to look at him and those blue eyes got me every single time. "Merry Christmas," I whispered to him as I kissed him, he smirked as he hugged me, "Thank you, it was time for us to get a night." I nodded because I realized with the trip to New Mexico next week and then Troy being out of town for a week in January we could do one alone night without the kids.

Cam, Lilly, and Luke were all watching a movie on the TV as Emily was actually with Finn's family over the holiday. "You sad your sister isn't here?" I asked him, he shrugged, "It's different. I miss calling her Em Em to piss her off." I shook my head with a smile, "You dork." He smiled at me and kissed me again, "I figured we could use tomorrow wisely, we drop the girls off, we pack for New Mexico,"

"Oh no, no," he said shaking his head, "Absolutely not. We are going to drop the girls off, we are going to eat an expensive dinner, and then I might just find a dark alley after that because I won't be able to wait much longer. Then after we do that for a little bit we sleep – through the night."

"You know I can't sleep through the night still, I still have to pump," I said brushing my fingers through his hair, "You're going to have to dump it anyways, I'm getting you drunk." I laughed shaking my head as I kissed him, "Sorry babe, I have to have a solid supply before we leave for Turks. You can get me drunk in Turks okay?"

Troy tilted his head back and rested his chin on my shoulder, "Deal,"

We all got up as our mothers were doing dishes and the guys were all playing with the little kids. "Gabi, can we have a sister day soon?" I looked over at Lilly and I nodded with a smile, "Maybe lunch and pedicure before you go back to school?" she nodded her head with a smile and I grinned back, "Sounds like a plan."

"Troy, can you come throw and hit with me sometime this week. Dad is getting burnt you." Troy smiled with a laugh, "Yes, I'll go with you. I probably burned him out a long time ago." Jack snorted with a laugh, "You sure did,"

"Do you guys want to play a game?" Troy suggested, he opened the cabinet below the TV and began to dig through the card games and board games we had. "Please! Let's play Phase 10!" Lilly said, "Yea?" Troy held it up and nobody protested as he grabbed two decks coming closer. I put the twins in a swing while Logan planted herself in my lap. She had become my partner when we played Phase 10 and she was actually pretty good at the young age of 6.

Troy dealt the cards and we began to play through the first couple of rounds without much issue. The normal trash talk and the complaining of being skipped echoed out but it was all fun in games. Logan was helping gather all of the cards that I needed as she was beginning to really know her numbers and it made my heart swell that she was learning and growing. "Skip Gabs," Troy said laying down the skip card.

I rolled my eyes dropping my hand as he smirked, "That's not nice Daddy!" Logan said pouting, Troy laughed, "Sorry lil babe," the group laughed as Logan continued to pout which caused me to tickle her. "No," she said giggling trying to get away from me, "We don't pout on Christmas," I told her, she giggled again and finally smiled a good smile. We continued to go around as we narrowed down the race towards the final phase.

"Brie," I looked at Troy and I followed his eyes down to see Logan had fallen asleep. She had gotten up about three hours earlier than normal and then only took a short nap. I smiled brushing her hair away from her face, "Do you want me to take her downstairs?" Troy asked looking at me and I shook my head, "She's okay." I said and Troy gave me one of those looks that made my heart skip a beat. Logan and I weren't in the most comfortable positon but I also didn't want to put her to bed yet.

I kissed on her face as we continued to play the game for the next hour until we had four people in the final phase. Jack, Troy, my mom, and Luke were all competing for the winner title. I had dropped my cards when I had gotten stuck on the seventh phase while everybody else was way ahead. Troy cursed as he drew a card and he discard another rather quickly. Jack rolled his eyes at the card he drew and then my mom pulled her next card.

"Winner winner chicken dinner," she said laying down all of her cards and the group groaned around her. She grinned, "Winner cleans up," Cam said quickly, my mom laughed and nodded her head, "I know sweetie, do we still want to do dessert?" she asked, "Yes!" the three teenagers shouted and ran to the kitchen. Troy came over to sit down next to us, "She played hard today," he said leaning into me looking at her.

"I wish we would have videotaped her this morning when she opened the glove," I said playing with the ends of her hair, "Oh man, me too. I had no idea she would react like that." I smiled because Logan opened her glove and was so excited that she talked a mile a minute, her face glowed with happiness, and she was just happy. "She wants to be just like her daddy and I don't think that's a bad thing," Troy gave a soft smile, one that hurt just a little bit because he knew if she picked up softball that he would miss so much.

"Do you want to take her downstairs?" I asked him, he nodded his head and I slipped her over to him as he held her close, I knew he would do anything for these girls. He loved them each so much and I love watching him love them. It gives me a glimpse of how he treats me from the outside. I stood up and walked into the kitchen where dessert was being passed around. I walked over to my dad and he smiled, "How are you?"

"I'm good. I'm really good," I told him with a smile, my dad smiled and he gave me a tight hug. "Lunch sometime soon? Please?" I nodded my head, "Of course. I can't say no to you." He smiled as he kissed the top of my head. I piece of pie was handed to me and I went to take a seat. Christmas music floated through the house and I felt joy wash over me. There was nothing like Christmas and being with family.

Nothing.

Hey guys! I hope you are all having a fantastic end to your summer! I know people are getting frustrated about the lack of updates but let me fill you in on a secret: it isn't going to get better any time soon. I start college on the 22nd – I move in on the 19th. I am trying like crazy right now to spend time with friends and family + packing and getting everything I need!

I promise I am trying my hardest with the updates! I truly am! ALSO – you guys need to finish Rescue! You HAVE too! I know a lot of you are mad but I promise you that the ending is worth it! I will try to update that ASAP!

Thanks for the love and patience!

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