Totally hoped to put this up last week, but things got a little crazy. Hope you don't mind a late Christmas Chapter.

"One more day, Mommy!" Rue announced running over to Alicia and smiling up at her with that big Rue smile. Six weeks after giving birth, Alicia was happy to finally be comfortable with picking up her toddler and carrying her around. Liam was sleeping in his bouncer and thank god he had inherited his fathers "pre-children" sleeping where he could sleep through an earth quake without even stirring. It was a handy quality in an infant, especially with a happy toddler joining her on maternity leave.

Everyone had said she was crazy to keep Rue home while she was getting used to a newborn, but they had obviously forgotten she had three kids at home with her at one point with the oldest being three and a half. It wasn't easy, but sometimes she forgot how much she loved those days. Though she loved her job, it was nice to trade in her iPad and suits for casual clothing and playing dolls. It was even better that she had a full week left of maternity leave and it just happened to go through Christmas.

"That's right, pumpkin," Alicia replied just as excitedly. "Santa Claus comes tonight."

It wasn't always her favorite holiday, but since she's had children she always looked forward to it. Danni was the most indifferent when it came to getting gifts, she was thankful, but she had always been the type of kid that was just content with what she had. When she was little, her room was often set up in such a way that she would spent time trying to figure out how to display her new toys rather than play with them. Zach had discovered electronics at about eight and usually spent Christmas setting something new up and figuring out its full capabilities. Grace, she was one that it changed yearly. This year she was getting a new iPod. Her last one had found its untimely death when she knocked it into the sink while washing her face.

Rue was definitely getting spoiled with all kinds of new stuffed animals and books. She had been going through a book stage where she was plenty happy to just sit next to Alicia and let her read her a book. Once the story was over, she would take the book and go page by page looking at every picture with a critical eye. Then she would point out things that she like in the story that was well illustrated.

Alicia had also noticed that Rue had taken to drawing. She was getting to that age where she would start searching for her "thing". Danni had done dance and piano, Grace did soccer, and Zach did t-ball and book club. Not all of them lasted long, but they had given them something to start and socialize in. Then again, that was back when Alicia stayed at home with them, they didn't go to daycare like Rue did.

"I've been good this year, right Mommy?" Rue asked for probably the ninth time that day. It was Christmas Eve and they were currently alone in the house. Will and Danni had gone to pick up Zach and Grace from Peter's, after there had been a heated argument about who had them for the holidays. Alicia won, if only because Peter was not about to fight with a woman who was still dealing with pregnancy hormones.

It was just fairer. Zach and Grace had siblings they wanted to spend Christmas with. When Danni was younger, Will had her Christmas Eve and then she would go back to Alicia's so she could sleep and open Santa's presents with Zach and Grace. Will had understood the importance of sibling love, but it seemed harder for Peter.

"You have been absolutely wonderful, and I was sure to tell Santa when he asked." Alicia shifted Rue on her hip and walked her to kitchen window. Rue rested her head in the crook of her mother's shoulder and played with the ends of her hair. "I bet he'll be here in a couple hours, don't you think?"

Rue nodded then looked over at Liam in his bouncer. "Is Brother going get lots of presents too? Santa knows about him, right? He's still really new."

Her concern made Alicia smile, and she struggled not to just giggle. "Kiddo, you are very sweet. I know Santa knows about Liam. You don't have to worry."

Rue nodded, but she didn't look entirely convinced. "If he does forget though, Liam can play with my toys, Mommy. I'll share. I bet Gracie and Zach and Danni will share too."

This time Alicia did giggle at her heart of gold as she hugged her a little tighter. How did she ever get so lucky to have such a sweet girl? All her children were good, but it still melted her heart when they offered up something so selflessly.

"I really don't think Santa will forget, but if he does I think that would be incredibly sweet, baby doll."

Content with her mother's response Rue settled back into her shoulder. She was tired, that much was plainly obvious. It was going on nine-thirty, and after spending most of the day making cookies and playing games with her big sister, Rue was going to fall asleep on her mom's hip. Not that Alicia minded.

"We're home!" Grace called out, immediately getting shushed by Zach who was trying to be mindful of her little brother.

As much as Alicia knew she shouldn't, she felt a since of pride that this house, this home with her and Will, was the house that her kids considered their home. It was the house that all their belongings were in, and the home where they chose to be most of the time. Of course it was always busy with people coming and going, but it was definitely a home.

"Merry Christmas, Mom," Zach greeted her cheerfully as he walked into the kitchen. He easily wrapped his arms around her and Rue. Alicia quickly pecked his cheek and enjoyed the hug she so rarely got from her teenage son. When he broke off the hug he smiled at her. Her arms weren't empty long before Grace jumped in.

"Merry Christmas!"

Alicia hugged her just as tightly and loved that she didn't move away when the hug was over, but instead leaned into her mother's other side. She looked up to see Danni under Will's arm. They had been so great toward her while she missed two of her children.

"How was your dad's?" Alicia asked as she regretfully moved away from Gracie so she could shift Rue higher on her hip. "Want some cookies? We made them earlier, didn't we Rue?"

Rue nodded, her hand thumb tracing her bottom lip obviously she wanted to slip it into her mouth so she could fall asleep, but she knew better. Alicia smirked and nuzzled her hair.

"Actually, I'm full," Zach said obviously looking guilty.

"Grandma made us a feast," Grace confirmed wrinkling her nose. "With four courses."

"It was some sort of awesome and awful all rolled into one," Zach added leaning against the counter looking over at his little brother who was still snoozing peacefully. "Grandma kept saying that it would just be easier on you if we stayed the night at Dad's. I think she told me three times to call and say we're saying."

That woman was insufferable. Jackie was enough to drive her crazy on the best of days, Alicia was very glad Will and Danni went to pick them up. At this stage in Alicia's hormone level, she would have killed the woman with her bare hands if she said one thing about keeping two of her children away from her at Christmas.

"Well, in that case, you have to eat a cookie," Alicia teased, offering them two star shaped cookies to her two middle children. Both of them playfully groaned and accepted a cookie while Rue reached for another cookie as well, but Alicia clucked her tongue. "Not you, kiddo. I think it's bedtime for little girls who expect Santa Claus to come."

Rue pouted dramatically as she glared at her older siblings. "No! I'm not sleepy. I wanna stay up with you!"

Will plucked Rue out of Alicia's arms and it was Alicia that frowned at him. The last several months of not being able to hold her close had made Alicia itch to cuddle more with her babies. However, Will pulled her close as well so she could wrap her arms around his waist and claim at least half his chest that Rue wasn't occupying.

"You know if you don't fall asleep, Santa can't come," Will reminded his youngest daughter.

"They have to go to bed too!" Rue reminded him, leaning back and crossing her arms.

"We are! We are!" Zach assured her, raising his hands in surrender, half a cookie still in one. "Aren't we, Dan?"

Danni had her head down looking at her cellphone when her head popped back up at the sound of her name. "Yeah, sure, what he said. Hey, Mom, it's cool that Travis is coming to Christmas dinner, right?"

Alicia rolled her eyes and pretended to think on it. "Is he bringing me a gift?"

The goofy, teenager in love expression that Danni held made Alicia adore her while simultaneously feeling old. "He's bringing everyone gifts. And Diane's bringing everyone the expensive gifts that sometimes we're too afraid to use."

"Oh, my favorite," Grace quipped.

"Oh, no. You should see Aunt Aubrey's," Danni mused, hopping up to sit on the edge of the counter before immediately jumping back down when her mother gave her that look. There was already flour all over the counter and Alicia was not usually strict about sitting on the counter (being privy to it herself) but she was not about to let Danni tract flour around the house.

Will nodded. "Aubrey is known for her legendary gifts that sometimes I can't help but be completely in awe of."

"My bow and arrow in the ninth grade," Danni hummed. "And the bruise from the string that covered half my left arm." Then she grinned at her brother. "And she's already asked for your sizes!"

Zach groaned and shook his head. "Yay."

Danni grinned. "Oh yes! And then there is Sara! At least this year she likes mom so you won't get a How to Single Parent A Teen book." Alicia scoffed, but she was not unaware of Sara's previous distaste for her. As much as she loved Will, his older sister was a prude, and even she knew it.

Rue yawned again and Alicia sighed as Liam started to stir. "Okay, okay. I love you all, but everyone upstairs and into bed. Santa will not show up until everyone is sleeping!"

The older kids groaned before smiling back at their parents. They all exchanged goodnights before Alicia unwound herself from Will to pick up Liam who was now sucking on his fist. His eyes were open, but he still looked tired.

"Give Mommy kisses," Alicia told her daughter as she turned around to say goodnight to her little girl. Immediately Rue smacked her lips to her mothers and Will leaned into kiss his wife as well. The quick peck he was expecting definitely was something heavier. When she pulled away, he raised an eyebrow at her unable to hide his grin.

"Merry Christmas, Daddy. I'll feed this one and put him to bed. Then I'll be right there."

As she walked past, Will noticed she was swaying her hip teasingly at him and he groaned a little at the image. That woman.

All the kids were in bed, but he knew Rose would probably be in Danni's room within the hour and all four of them would be in their room before six am to open presents. Will was laying on their bed with his iPad. By the look on his face, Alicia could tell he was doing something for work and hadn't noticed she was standing in the doorway of their bathroom.

"Hey," she almost whispered. The baby was in the next room, and the other kids were probably not asleep, but Alicia wanted her Christmas present already.

Will looked up and Alicia saw him swallow at the image of her. She was at first self-conscious. They hadn't had sex since before Liam was born so she made sure she bought memorable lingerie for this occasion. Red with black lace. They were his two favorite colors on her, and despite her not being back to her pre-baby weight she could tell she was having quite the effect on him.

"H-hey," he stuttered making Alicia laugh. She moved over to where he was laying on top of the covers and straddled his hips. "You are so beautiful," he whispered as she moved near his face where he could feel her warm breath but she refused to place kisses.

His hands slid up her sides and grazed the sides of her enlarged breasts. Immediately she arched into his touch and grinned at him. "You're anxious. Aren't you, love?"

Suddenly he flipped her over and pinned her to the bed, her hands held by his above her head. "And you aren't?" His lips landed on her neck and she arched for more contact. "Hmm… Seems anxious to me."

"Shut up. Remember, it's Christmas. It's the season of giving-"

Suddenly he was moving south. Giving was exactly what he had in mind. She would be sure to return the favor, and Alicia was glad they could finally have this time to themselves. Where they had themselves to enjoy and Will could ravish her body while it wasn't being shared with their son.

When two AM rolled around, they were redressed and Will was on a latter opening up the little hideaway that the Christmas presents. Rue's stack seemed almost never ending and Alicia was shamelessly grinning at the lovely view she had of her husband's ass clad in his red pajama pants. Sometimes they were worse than teenagers, but then again Alicia was not completely ashamed. Love like they had, Alicia used to think it couldn't actually exist.

He handed down another wrapped present and caught his wife's shameless ogling. "Are you enjoying the view?"

She accepted the gift and stuck out her tongue. "We could switch and you could stare at my ass."

"You could, but we are all out of Christmas presents to take down."

He climbed back down the latter and kissed the pout off his wife's face. He goosed her as she picked up a present and was properly whacked in the arm for the gesture.

After making three trips to carry presents to the tree Alicia stepped back and looked at the final result. Suddenly she was very glad Will had suggested paying someone to wrap the presents rather than trying to find time to do late night wrapping between feedings.

"Okay, our children are incredibly spoiled," Alicia decided with a firm nod. The impressive stack of gifts that covered the area from underneath the tree to the chair that was at least five feet away.

"And Diane is still bringing her presents tomorrow," Will sighed with his arm around her waist. Veronica, Ian, and Will's sister's presents had already been pre-approved and delivered underneath the tree. Veronica's present for Danni was already returned and exchanged for something more appropriate despite her mother insisting that Danni was old enough for. Thank god Will didn't see it was all she had to say.

They were going to have to get a storage unit just for all the presents their children got the first Christmas they were married. This is while Liam only really got new clothing and little toys. Next Christmas the storage unit was going to seem like less of an option and more of a requirement.

It felt odd to go back to having Santa deliver presents. Alicia had only really had two Christmases without having to sneak down and sneak presents under the tree. She was back to having a maximum of three hours of sleep on Christmas Eve so she could make sure her kiddos were getting the best Christmas they could ask for.

Especially her little Rue… It was her first Christmas with them and though she has come a long way since her mother died, Alicia knew there was very real possibility of this going very badly. Still, they would get through it. No matter what, Alicia knew they would always get through it. They were a big family, but they were a tight knit one.

"You know you have to go to work next week right? Liam starts daycare with Rue… The kids go back to school… Life returns to normal."

Alicia groaned as Will pulled her into his lap on the couch. "Why? Can't we just stay on break?"

Will chuckled and ran his fingers through her hair that hung long on her back. She was growing it again, and he hoped she kept it long. It was as beautiful as Danni's.

"Afraid not, beautiful. Life's just not fair."

Alicia pretended to pout when they heard footsteps on the stairs. Suddenly Will had them horizontal on the couch so they were properly hidden from whoever was awake in the house. The footsteps were too heavy to be Rue's and immediately Alicia started giggling at her husband's antics.

"You guys are terrible!" Danni laughed along with them as she hopped onto the back of the couch and scrunched her nose up at them. "And your hiding was about ten seconds late. Totally just caught Mom kissing Santa Claus."

There was a snort as Alicia pushed off her husband to sit up. "We were hardly kissing."

Will pulled her back down and shot his daughter a teasing look. "We could show you kissing," he offered as Alicia playfully glared at him.

"Oh please don't. I think five children is enough, don't you?"

At that, Alicia nearly shoved her daughter off the couch. Cheeky thing. Danni laughed against her hand to try and keep from waking her siblings. Will and Alicia sat back up, she settled across his lap as Danni jumped over the back of the couch to join them. For a moment she just looked at the epic amount of presents.

Slowly her head turned to look at her parents. Her lower lip being caught a bit by her teeth as she grinned. "Can I open one now?"

"Absolutely not! You have to wait for everyone else," Will chuckled while Alicia grabbed ahold of Danni and tugged her across her lap. The two of them on his lap was a little heavier than anticipated and Alicia grinned when he groaned.

"What's wrong Santa?" Alicia teased.

"It's two AM and there are way too many people awake in this house," Will replied matter-of-factly. "We really shouldn't risk adding to it." Then he looked over at his daughter. "Why on earth are you up?"

Danni rolled her eyes a bit at him. "Rue woke up both Zach and Grace and brought them to my room to watch for Santa. So I have Zach sleeping on my window seat, Grace on my bed, and Rue in my chair. Grace is not an easy person to share a room with when you're a light sleeper."

Alicia hummed in understanding. "Take Grace's bed for tonight. I'm sure we only have a few more hours until everyone comes and wakes us." She patted Danni on the shoulder to signal her to get up. "Enjoy sleep while you can, kiddo."

She hummed and nodded before pressing a quick kiss to her mother's cheek then her father's. "Goodnight."

Six o'clock. On the freaking dot.

Her children were morning people, all except for Rue, who you couldn't get out of bed before nine o'clock to save her life. Yet, somehow, her two year old was dive bombing their bed at six o'clock.

"Mommy?" she whispered loudly, her little hands trying to force her mother's eyelids open. She halfway succeeded before moving to the other person in the bed. "Daddy?"

There was a loud grunt from Rue landing hard on his gut. "Good morning, Rue," he replied, sleep heavy in his voice.

"It's Christmas, Daddy," Rue whispered loudly.

Not a second late another, much larger, body hit the bed. "Mom? Will? It's Christmas!"

Alicia groaned as she grabbed ahold of Rue with her eyes still closed and pulled her into a close for cuddles. Surely if she could get the girl to be still, there would at least be a chance for more sleep. "Like we don't know. Ten more minutes."

"Mom!" Grace groaned. She was already pulling Will up by the arm to make him get out of bed. "Come on Will! There's presents!"

"She means there are presents for you too," Zach's voice added as Alicia finally decided to open her eyes against the squirming toddler. "And Travis is already here. He and Danni are waiting downstairs."

This time Will sighed loudly and threw the covers off his side. If Travis was there, Will had to get out of bed and interrupt whatever was going on between him and his daughter. Zach and Grace smiled in triumph while his wife frowned at him. If he got up, that meant she had to get up. There was no choice in the matter.

Will pressed a kiss to her cheek. "It's Christmas, Leash. I promise I won't let anyone wake you up early tomorrow."

The smirk on his lips made him chuckle. It was a fairly empty promise. An infant and a toddler assure her that there were many nights ahead of her that would be exhausting and mornings that simply came too soon.

"Come on, Mommy," Rue tried again. This time Grace was also pulled her out of bed while Zach just sat back and watched. He always knew when he should step in or when he should just let everyone else do the work and have the fun.

"Fine," Alicia grumped, tossing off the blankets as she settled Rue on her hip. "Let's go see what Santa brought you all."

Rue looked at her mother as they moved through the doorway. "We can't forget my brodder!" she announced dramatically leaning toward Liam's room. Alicia laughed at the little girl who wiggled off her mother's hip and pushed the little boy's door open. Liam was contently kicking at his mobile, wide eyed and awake. "Hi brodder!" Rue greeted and her big smile got even bigger when he turned toward her voice. "He listens to me, Mommy!"

Will was escorting the rest of the family down stairs to not allow Danni and Travis any more time alone than they've already had. She could hear Will mutter something before Zach and Grace both burst into laughter. It always pleased her to see Zach and Grace interact so well with Will. It took less effort than she had expected, but then again it wasn't all that surprising. Danni was their sister, she was half of Will, and they loved Danni.

"Hi, baby boy," Alicia cooed at her son as he kicked his legs. "Good morning." She easily swaddled him, before picking him up. Rue knew that Alicia couldn't carry both her and her brother, so she settled for holding onto Alicia's free hand.

"It's Christmas, Mommy," Rue reminded her again. "Does that mean presents now?"

Alicia squeezed her daughter's hand as they walked down the steps. It was a slow process with Rue holding onto the railing and taking one big step at a time. It took one time of falling face first down the last three steps for Rue to learn going slow and steady worked best for the time being. She was not the most graceful toddler. In fact, Rue was fairly graceless. The constant little scrapes and bruises from her adventures were proof. Danni was much the same was a little girl. Now Alicia could prove it was Will's genetics.

As soon as they reached the bottom of the steps Rue looked up and made one of the cutest gasps Alicia had ever heard. "Wow…"

Travis and Danni were sitting in the couch together while Will, Zach and Grace sat on the floor together. Presents were everywhere. It must have been quite an image for a little girl like Rue.

At first, Alicia was sure Rue was going to let go of her hand and spring into the piles of presents, but she didn't. Instead, she looked up at her Mom, waiting for her to take the first step. "Come on, kiddo. Let's open some presents."

Those big eyes lit up, and she nodded. "Go ahead and sit on Daddy's lap."

Alicia gently nudged the girl forward, but she barely took heavy step. The rest of the family chuckled at the girl's awe.

"Come on, Rue. Come sit with us," Grace beckoned. The little girl looked to her sister on the floor but still didn't take a step.

Zach picked up a fairly large box and turned it over to look at the name on it. "Looks like this one is for you. You going to open it or should we give it to some other little girl?"

At that Rue ran over and plopped herself in her father's lap.

Alicia took her place on the couch and quietly nursed Liam as the whole family burst into conversation and laughter over their gifts. She and Will would quietly exchange presents later, and the kids always knew she preferred to watch them enjoy Christmas.

It was what she had wanted. It was completely different than last Christmas, completely different than any Christmas she could have ever imagined the year before, but it was the very vision of perfection.

She wasn't religious, but there was something enchanting about the snow covered ground, a green tree perfectly decorated with her five beautiful children and her loving husband sitting in the living room seeming the happiest and most relaxed she had ever seen. Her finger traced down her son's jaw as she glanced back down at him. He was small, but strong and growing.

"Merry Christmas, Mom."

Alicia looked back up to see Danni offering her a wrapped present. All eyes were on her. Obviously it was a present all the kids were waiting for her to open. She offered Liam to Danni who passed him off to Will.

She looked at all of them as they watched her with eager expressions. She looked back at the present and started to tear at the ended of the paper. Rue had gotten up to her feet and perched herself next to her thigh to get a better look. Obviously she was just as curious as Alicia was, kept out of the loop by her siblings because toddlers can rarely be trusted with secrets.

The box she revealed was plain and she carefully opened it.

She gasped softly at what she saw.

A picture. All five of her children together. It had to have been taken within the last few days, but it was professional.

"This is perfect…" she whispered as she felt tears spring to her eyes.

Danni smirked. "Well, you haven't taken a picture of all of us together since I was sixteen, and we have a few new member since then. I thought you could use an update for your desk."

Alicia gave her children a water smile before she reached out and grabbed all three of her older children. None of them protested. Not even Zach.

She had the best kids. Thoughtful, kind, amazing kids that knew they were loved. They never doubted it. Even when things were getting crazy in their lives, because that certainly defined the last year, all three of her nearly adult children never doubted her. They stood right beside her and kept their chins up.

"Merry Christmas, Mom," Zach said somewhere in the hug.

Alicia smiled and kissed his cheek before moving to Grace and Danni's. She pulled back to look at all of them. She had no words for them, but her expression was sheer adoration and love.

It was a Merry Christmas. The best Christmas Alicia had in many years.

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