Chapter 36

Silver Bells

Jason and Elizabeth stood in the corner watching the activity in the room. Georgie, Spinelli, Chris and Amy were all laughing and tossing tinsel at each other. Francis was sitting on the floor with Aaron shaking a cluster of bells that matched the ones hanging on the tree. The dog's were sitting just outside the perimeter of the commotion, nervous from all the odd smells, sounds and clutter that was in the living room.

Jason and Francis had carried the recliner into the guest bedroom and Spinelli and Chris had set the tree in place. In front of the big bay window, where Elizabeth wanted it. After Jason and Francis strung the lights, Georgie and Amy had carefully placed he ornaments on the tree taking turns to stand back and adjust items to make sure the tree was evenly adorned.

Elizabeth stepped in, with Aaron in her arms, when ornaments with a special meaning needed to be placed. Some were worn and old and Styrofoam half showing but she placed them on the tree anyway. Toward the top, near the angel. Those were the ones she and her grandmother had made together when she was a child.

At one point, she pulled an ornament out that Jason couldn't see and immediately handed off Aaron to Amy and pulled Chris into the kitchen with the ornament in her hand. Jason had no idea what the ornament was but she had turned and given him a tentative look. Curious, they all waited for the two to return.

When they walked out of the kitchen, Chris shot Jason a slight smile and walked toward the stairs, stopping to drop a white envelope into one of the ornament boxes then returned downstairs with a camera. Elizabeth announced that everyone needed to gather in front of the Christmas tree, including the dogs to have a picture taken. Everyone agreed except Francis who wanted to take the picture, but Elizabeth insisted and prodded him until he took his spot next to Jason.

The picture, with Aaron in her arms, Amy and Georgie to her sides, Chris and Spinelli kneeling and holding on to each dog and Francis and Jason behind her, was perfect. She then went upstairs with Chris to the office. After printing the picture in a 4x6 size, they returned with it in a beautiful sterling silver frame that was engraved "Our First Christmas"

Elizabeth walked over and hung the frame on a branch in the center of the tree. Just at her line of sight. She ran her finger over the frame and then looked over at Chris who was holding Aaron and had an arm around her shoulder. They both smiled and nodded at each other in approval.

Elizabeth then turned and stood beside an awed Jason and wrapped her delicate fingers together on the other side of his waist. "I love our family." She cooed as she buried her head in the crook of his arm and chest.

"Yeah, me too." He sighed as they watched the group laugh and play and bond.

Francis offered to drive Georgie home because she had to work early the next morning and he was ready to go himself after having a second helping of meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Amy and Chris had headed off to their bedroom to put Aaron to bed and Spinelli was left standing near the tree as Jason and Elizabeth cuddled on the couch, her legs draped over his lap.

"Um, I guess it is time for the Jackal to retire to the spacious yet empty abode that hangs high above the liquid roadway. Will you be home tonight, Stonecold?...No, I feel certain you shall remain with the Sweet Songstress to slumber in anticipation of first light." Spinelli said as she shuffled his feet on the carpet with his head facing the floor.

"Spinelli, you could always stay here tonight in the guest bedroom." Elizabeth stated, concerned for the young man who had become a second son.

"No need, Fair Elizabeth, the Jackal is a man and requires no mollycoddling."

"You don't need what?" Jason asked as he pushed Elizabeth's legs down and stood to walk over to his young apprentice.

"I'll go back to the penthouse. Amy and Chris are going to bed and you two want to be alone. I'll see you guys later." Spinelli said sadly as he pulled on his jacket and walked out the door.

"Spinelli, I'll call you tomorrow. First thing." Jason called out to him and he shut and locked the door, set the alarm and turned to Elizabeth.

"Is he okay?" she asked as she stood and walked over to unplug the lights on the tree.

"I've never heard him speak in coherent sentences but that last statement…"

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. You know, you haven't slept at the penthouse in over two weeks." She stated turning out the lights and wrapping her arm around his waist as they walked toward the stairs.

"Yeah, did you see how he looked at the picture you printed out for him?"

"Yeah, you know, he is family. I have never put blood in to factor when calling someone family."

"ME either." He said with emphasis thinking about most of the Quartermaines.

"Well, he looks up to you. You are more than just his boss, you know."

"I know, I feel the same way. He's…he's like my little brother. I need to go spend some time with him tomorrow. I don't know when the guys are going to get a lead on…well, I don't know when I am going to have to leave again. I need to make sure he's doing ok."

"Well, that will give me time to go shopping with the girls. Besides, Amy and I need to finalize the wedding preparatons. That's in four weeks. I hope she mailed out the invitations like she was supposed to. Have you thought about what you want for Christmas?" she rambled as she slid out of her red capri's and pulled the white top with the picture of Santa climbing down the chimney over her head and draped it over the arm of the chair. Finally, pulling a soft red slip of a negligee over and settling it onto her body she slid into the cool crisp sheets.

"I already have what I want" he said as he stretched out his arms to pull her into his chest already stripped to his black boxer briefs.

"That's not an answer." She purred as she captured his lips with hers, brushing lightly over them.

"No, it IS an answer, just not the one you want because you can't buy it, wrap it and give it to me Christmas morning. I've had it since the day I met you."

"You've had what?" she asked as she lay down and put her head over his heart listening to it beat.

"You." He whispered.

They lay in each others arms for a while, silently thinking about the wonderful evening they had just shared. Jason stared at the ceiling, stroking her back and pondering if he should ask her. Finally deciding the worst she could say was no, he turned and tipped her chin to look into her eyes.

"Honey, can Spinelli move in here?"

"What?"

"Spinelli. Can he live here? You have the spare room. He gets along with Chris really well. I am here most of the time anyway. I would know he is safer here, with you and the guards. He…he needs us. He needs you. You are good with him. I'll…well, I have been thinking and"

"Yes" she cut him off before finishing his thought.

"Yes he can move in?"

"Yes, you BOTH can. We'll go tomorrow and you can bring your other suit and five pair of jeans and six shirts. That's pretty much it for you anyway." She giggled.

"Oh, you are bad." He said as he started to tickle her sides.

"Well, it's true. You wouldn't even have that many clothes had I not insisted on buying them." She struggled out of his grasp and sat up.

He laid back and stared up into her beautiful blue eyes and held her gaze with his own slightly lighter ones. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am positive. My family needs to be here, with me, permanently."

"You know, if we are going to do this, why don't we look for a bigger place?"

"I love my house. I don't want a bigger place."

"Yeah but, we need a bigger garage and Aaron is going to need his own room soon and…Hey, you know, we could give the penthouse to Chris and Amy as a wedding present."

"I think that's a little much, don't you? Besides, I don't want them to leave. Just because you and Spinelli are moving in doesn't mean they have to leave. Aaron is still in a crib and hell, their bedroom is just as big as this one. The condo is almost 2500 square feet and has a two car garage. I think we can all live in harmony without toppling over one another."

"Well, you can topple over me." He said as he pulled her down to lay on his chest again.

"I'll need to talk to Chris about this. I'll do it first thing in the morning."

"Okay, and I'll arrange to pay off your mortgage and put the utilities in my name."

"Wait a minute mister. I pay my own bills."

"Well, they are our bills now. If I am going to live here, this is OUR house. I will take care of OUR family."

"No, I have paid for this place with my own money. I am not about to start letting you keep me now."

"It's not like that. I just, you know, you don't have to work so hard. I want to take care of you. I certainly can't let you keep me."

"Well you pay for all the security around this place. That alone is probably worth more than I paid for the house."

"Yeah, and it's because of me that you need it. Listen, I need to do something. You are being too stubborn and proud about this."

"Okay, then I'll tell you what. I'll sit down and take the average of my household bills for the past six months and divide it in half. We'll open a household account that you and I share and both put EQUAL amounts into it."

"Okay, and I'll start it off with a fifty thousand dollar deposit. That way you'll have the money for whatever you need for the house."

"No, you and I will start it off with one month's bills each. No arguing. I know you are a millionaire. I enjoy those perks each time we traipse off on a weekend getaway, a limo drive or an expensive dinner. You spoil me as much as I am going to allow. I already let you do too much. I would prefer we just live simply. You can sock your money away for a rainy day."

"Fine, you win."

"I always do." she smirked and she hugged him in tight.

He pressed his lips to her forehead and kissed her softly. "I love you."

"I love you too" and they drifted off to sleep.