Whoohoo! It's finally Christmas for our little family here! Plenty of emotions and feelings to go around.

Early was an understatement. At five thirty, Albey and Avery came barreling into the bedroom, jumping on the bed and hollering out presents.

"Guys, guys, chill. It's not even time for breakfast yet," Allen mumbled, not opening his eyes.

That left them to sick their puppy dog eyes on Lila.

"Can we please go play?!"

"What are you asking me for guys? It's up to your daddy," she replied, stifling a yawn.

"Leave Li alone boys. Go back to sleep," Allen said with finality.

Avery groaned, climbed of the bed, and made noises that made him sound as if he was being tortured.

"Do not wake up your sister or you'll be on trash duty til ya leave," Allen warned as Avery groaned again.

Lila covered her smile with her hand at the dramatics but Albey turned towards her with a frown.

"Can I lay with you until it's time to get up?"

The bigger man beside her let out a disgruntled noise, but the blankets came up and in burrowed the eight year old boy who immediately snuggled closer to her. She reached up and softly pushed back the dark brown hair on his head, looking over his once again tired face. It couldn't have been more than a few minutes of her rubbing his hair before he passed right out. She was startled slightly when Allen laid his arm across them, causing her to look up and find him smiling sleepily.

"Couldn't have found a better step mama for them," he murmured, rubbing the bit of her skin showing between her shirt and shorts.

She blushed slightly and laid her hand on his, enjoying the sentiment.

"Thank you."

"Get some sleep before all of 'em are up," he advised.

She did just that and was woken around seven when the bed was suddenly ambushed.

"Merry Cwistmas!" Anney yelled.

"What, it's Christmas? No way!" Allen teased, grinning widely.

"Dad!" the boys groaned.

Within seconds they were buried in kids, begging and tugging at them to get them up. She met Allen's gaze and saw the mischievous look he gave her.

"I think they need to be tickled before we get up, what do you think?"

"Definitely," she agreed.

"Eeek!" Anney screamed, giggling as Allen caught her.

"Ah, no!" Ajay yelled as Lila reached for him.

He tried to jump from the bed but she caught him with a snicker and started simultaneously tickling him and Avery.

"Get them Albey!" she cheered as the youngest boy approached.

Laughter and squeals filled the room until they were all exhausted.

"I think I need a nap," Lila teased, falling over beside Anney.

"No! Pwesents!" the small girl protested.

"How about breakfast, then presents?" Allen replied.

"Soods good, I'm starvin'," Ajay said, popping up over her side.

She reached up and ruffled his hair, grinning as he blushed and pulled away, patting his strands back down.

"Alright, pancakes sound good?"

"Yes!" came from all four kids.

Within seconds they were all running into the hall, arguing about who got to help their dad cook and who had to set the table. Allen sat up with a groan and stretched out, causing her to end up rolling in his lap. Smiling up at him, she reached out and gently scratched at his scruffy chin.

"What?" he asked with a grin of his own.

"Nothing. Just in awe. This is probably the best Christmas I've ever had," she admitted.

He lifted an eyebrow and said, "We've only been up half an hour."

"Yep, and already the best. I never dreamed I'd be in a situation like this. My Christmas' as a child were filled with inanimate love from toys but I never got to spend the day with the parents or any family. So to have you and the kids here, it's just wonderful."

Her smile turned into a smirk as she added, "Plus, you're really hot in the mornings."

Chuckling he helped her lean up and gave her a soft kiss.

"I'm really glad you're here too. Just think, next year we'll have another to spoil," he whispered against her lips, gently rubbing her belly.

Biting his lip softly, she gave him a deep kiss, trying with all her might to explain how happy she was without speaking.

"Oh ew! Gross dad!"

Lila jerked back with wide eyes and turned to find Ajay covering his eyes.

"Are ya done yet? Can I look without bein' scarred?" he groaned in disgust.

"What do ya need Ajay?" Allen sighed.

"Just wanted to see what was takin' so long. That's gross dad. Can't ya wait to kiss until it's night time or somethin'?" Ajay grumbled.

"Go get dressed and have the others do the same. We're gonna get dressed too then we'll be down."

Ajay shut the door behind him with a slam, like he couldn't get out fast enough. Finally Lila let out a laugh, blushing darkly.

"Well, that's probably the first time I've been caught kissing by a kid," she joked.

"It's gonna happen a lot probably," he replied as she got off the bed, "Just gotta get used to it. And make sure we lock the door if we're gonna have sex when they're over cause I wouldn't put it past one of 'em to try to come in."

She gave him a look and her blush deepened.

"I'd die. I can't imagine- How does one explain that?"

"Depends on how old they are. Avery walked in on me and Wendy when he was four and we just told him we were wrestlin'," he replied with slightly red cheeks.

As hard as she tried, she couldn't keep her laughter in as she pulled on a clean bra and panties.

"Yep, I'd die," she muttered with a grin.

After they were both dressed, they headed down and found the kids at the tree, trying to guess what was in their gifts.

"Who's ready for pancakes?" Allen asked.

That got a round of cheers and Lila followed them into the kitchen, just watching amorously at the way they all interacted.

…

Breakfast went smoothly. Present opening was even better. She got a lot of pictures of the kids' smiles and gifts as they unwrapped them.

.

"This is so awesome! Thank ya!" Ajay exclaimed, eyes wide in delight.

Lila snapped a picture and watched in amusement as he looked over the quadricopter. It was basically a drone for kids.

"It even has a cage so it won't break if ya crash it," Allen added.

The eldest boy looked over the moon with it. It was his last and biggest gift, and apparently a great choice on their part.

"No way!" Avery gasped loudly, holding up his last gift in shock, "You found a Lego Stormtrooper transporter?! Yes!"

Before Allen or Lila could reply, Avery started cheering about his NERF Rhino-Fire Blaster. Lila looked over to the quietest party and saw Anney struggling to unwrap her last gift. It was probably taller than her. With a laugh, Lila climbed onto the floor and snapped a picture before offering help. Anney pushed the box towards Lila with a sigh and stared curiously as the paper was peeled back. When the box was revealed, a stand up magnetic and chalk board, the little girl let out a squeal and dove into Lila's arms.

"Whoa kiddo," she joked, wrapping the girl up.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you. You da best! Soooo much! Can I pway it now?! Pwease?"

"Sure, let's get some of these open," Allen said, sliding onto the floor next to Lila as both dove into opening boxes for the kids.

.

After playing for a bit they had lunch then went into the yard to play with the little snow that had fallen up until dinner time. Fed, bathed, and tired, the kids were up in their rooms by nine while Allen and Lila were in bed watching The Nightmare Before Christmas on his laptop, per her request. She was debating when would be the best time to give him her big gift which was burning a hole in her pocket, almost literally. Santa Claus had just been kidnapped when a Skype notification popped up, saying Chris was calling.

"What the?" Lila asked curiously.

"Ah, hold on," Allen replied, leaning forward and answering the call, "Hey man."

She looked at him in confusion.

"What's up Chris?" she asked.

"He said I needed to video chat with you guys," Chris replied with a small smile.

"Why?" she questioned, looking to Allen.

She realized he wasn't beside her anymore, instead seemingly kneeling on the floor with his hands clasped on the bed and a nervous look on his face.

"Chris, can ya hear me?" he asked, eyes not leaving Lila's face.

Her skin prickled, sensing something weird going on, and she looked between Chris on the screen and Allen kneeling at the bed.

"Yep, all good. Go ahead man."

"Wha-"

Allen cut her off.

"Chris Irvine. You and I have had our differences, but the one thing we have in common is we both love this lady here."

With that, he reached out one hand and gently grabbed her left one, clasping it between both of his. Was this-

"That we do," Chris replied.

"She means the world to me, and even though our hard times, I've never doubted I wanted to marry her. Since you're the only family she's got, I want to ask for your permission to marry Lila."

One hand let go and slipped into his pocket. The reality of what was going on hit her hard.

"Permission granted," Chris said softly from the screen.

"Oh fuck."

Allen grinned and brought out a red box. Her free hand jumped up to her mouth as she blinked back tears. He opened the box and revealed a simple but beautiful ring that took her breath away.

"If you accept Lila, I promise to spend the rest of my life with you. I will do everythin' in my power to protect and provide for you and our children. I will never take even a second of my time with you and them for granted. I will treasure you and treat you like the queen you are. Will you do me the honor of marryin' me?"

It took a second to wiping her eyes and sniffling before she could speak through the tears.

"Y-Yes, of course I will."

She watched and a small bit of humor saturated her tears as his hand shook when he took out the ring and slid it onto her finger.

"Sorry, nerves," he said with a rough chuckle.

With a half giggle half sob she brought her hand up to really look at the ring. It was a thin silver band with a small diamond set between two smaller ones.

"It's perfect."

A small frown disrupted her smile and she heard him take a deep breath.

"What's wrong?" he asked, coming to sit by her on the bed.

"Nothing, you just totally blew my last gift for you out of the water," she muttered, smiling again as she reached into her pocket, pulling the band out.

"Well hell, great minds think alike huh?" Chris chuckled.

She grinned and said, "Apparently," then turned back to Allen who looked surprised, "This was going to be a big thing, but uh, everything you said is going to overshadow what I had planned."

"This is really beautiful Li. If you don't mind, I wanna hear what you were gonna say."

Blushing slightly, she wiggled and groaned.

"It sounds so blah now," she muttered.

"Please?"

"Just say it kid. Only the two of us are gonna hear it," Chris butted in, making her throw him an exasperated look.

Biting her lip she stared down at her own ring as she spoke.

"I wanted to give it to you as a promise from me to you... A promise to stay with you. Stay faithful and not let anything divide us again. To work through anything that may come up and to never go to bed mad or without saying I love you because-" she swallowed thickly and blinked before continuing, "Because I love you more than I've ever loved anyone and I never want you to think otherwise."

"Oh Li."

She easily fell into his embrace and let the tears come out.

"I love you too darlin'. Chris, I'll have her call ya tomorrow or somethin'."

"Gotcha. Congratulations guys. Love you Li."

She pulled her head out of her crying and replied, "Love you too Chris. Thank you."

The room was suddenly completely silent but neither tried to fill it, simply holding the other tightly. It was emotional, but perfect. Never did she ever think anyone would ask for her hand in marriage, much less get permission from her only family. Tilting her head up, she found him staring down and then reached up to rub his cheek.

"I know you don't believe in God or anything-"

"It's not that I don't beli-"

"Shh. I know you have your own beliefs, but in my eyes, you were sent to me from God. He knew I needed you to be the person that would complete me when I thought I would be incomplete for the rest of my life. You're the one that's opened my eyes to see that things aren't as bad as I thought. Without realizing it, you've educated me on bein' a better person than I've ever been. Thank you."

"Stop, or I'm gonna cry again," She murmured, trying to hold back the tears.

When his warm lips met hers, she kissed back with love, holding him as close as she could.