Thanks for the reviews for the last chapter. I hope you enjoy this one...and if you don't know the truth about Santa yet you should probably not read this chapter!


"Is it time to open the stockings?"

"Can't we just open presents now?"

"Keep your voice down, you'll wake Lola!"

Henry McCord smiled a knowing smile at his wife as they listened to their children argue following their return from Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. Lola was held securely in his arms as she snoozed against his shoulder having finally succumbed to sleep on the journey home. Despite it being way past her normal bedtime, Lola had been such a trooper at Midnight Mass tonight and had been completely enthralled with the service, even trying to grab the priest as she'd received Holy Communion. He'd been overcome with emotion at getting to share his granddaughter's first Midnight Mass with her and he had felt so proud as he'd carried her to get her Holy Communion, the simply blessing making him feel so at peace in those few moments.

"Come on, guys, you know the drill. Pyjamas first and then you get to open your stockings before bed" Elizabeth replied, earning groans from all 3 of her children. Elizabeth couldn't help but chuckle at her children's antics, every year it was the same and a wave of fondness washed over her.

"I'll go and change Lola, dad" Alison stated in a resigned tone. It wasn't that she didn't love her daughter, but trying to get Lola changed and into bed and get herself into pyjamas without her brother and sister bursting from excitement was going to be virtually impossible.

"It's ok, I've got it" Henry replied affectionately. Alison deserved some time to just be a teenager after all she had been through this year and he was more than happy to spend a few more minutes with his precious granddaughter. "Go and change into your pyjamas so you can open your stocking with Stevie and Jason".

"Thanks dad!" Alison replied excitedly as she ran up the stairs behind her siblings.

"Some things never change, huh?" Elizabeth stated with amusement as she turned to look at her husband with a smile.

"I guess not" Henry replied with the same nostalgic smile. "Are you ok to handle the hot chocolate whilst I settle Lola?"

"I think I can handle the hot chocolate" Elizabeth replied in a mock exasperated tone as she rolled her eyes "I mean, it's just heating milk, right? And I'm totally qualified in the microwave department"

"Yes, but this is you..." Henry replied teasingly as he walked past his wife and dropped a loving kiss on her forehead on his way to the stairs.

"I'll get you back for that later, McCord!" Elizabeth called after her husband as she headed into the kitchen.

As Henry lay his granddaughter on the changing table and readied a onesie to change her into, he couldn't help but feel blessed at having Lola in his life. She was such a happy baby and her happiness was infectious. Elizabeth often joked that she should take Lola into the State Department with her to help her with negotiations as Lola could put a smile on anyone's face. He may be biased, but he thought Lola was extremely smart too. The rate at which she was learning new things was phenomenal, she truly was one of the most inquisitive babies he had ever known. Lola had brought such joy into his life over the past few months and he wouldn't change her for the world now that she was here - despite what had happened to Alison.

He was so proud of Alison too, of how well she was coping with the demands of motherhood and college life. She was maintaining a GPA and also getting involved in school activities, the determination she had not to let what happened to her hold her back was inspirational and it brought tears to his eyes.

The arrival of Lola had even helped Jason. He'd never seen his son so serious about school or his future, and although he would deny it, he knew that Lola had him wrapped around her little finger. He'd seen Jason check on Lola every night before he went to bed, and the loving expression that came over his face whenever Lola was around was heartwarming. He was happy to look after Lola if he saw Alison struggling and he fought less with Alison too. Living with his baby niece was the push Jason had needed to start focusing on his life and he couldn't be more proud of his son.

Stevie too had stepped into her role of aunty well. She would help Alison and Lola out whenever she could and she was always buying things for her niece. Lola had brought Alison and Stevie closer as sisters and it was endearing to see his two daughters growing closer again after the strain of their teenage years. Lola had been such a comfort to Stevie recently after her break up with Jareth and he was sure Lola was the reason that Stevie hadn't fallen into a deep depression after her engagement ended.

He often wondered how Elizabeth and he had managed to raise such great kids. They truly were blessed as a family. Nothing could break the Team McCord bond, of that he was sure.

As he finished changing his granddaughter a wave of love and gratitude for Lola washed over him. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and settled her in her cot, making sure that she was tucked in securely with a blanket. He watched her sleeping peacefully and took a moment to revel in her innocence. Finally he switched on the baby monitor before walking downstairs to find 4 expectant faces looking up at him.

"Come on dad!" Stevie exclaimed.

"Is Lola ok? You were gone ages" Alison asked worriedly.

"She's fine, Noodle, don't worry" he assured as he squeezed his daughter's shoulder comfortingly on his way to one of the vacant chairs, picking up the rather impressive looking hot chocolate Elizabeth had made as he sat down.

"Great! We can start with the stockings!" Elizabeth stated excitedly as she rose from the chair and gathered everyone's stocking from above the fireplace.

For the next 30 minutes the family unearthed the presents from their stockings, laughter and joy filling the air at the gifts that were found. Chocolate coins, oranges, candy, and other small gifts filled the coffee table and a warm atmosphere filled the room.

"Can we open the big presents now?" Alison asked hopefully.

"No! Santa Claus hasn't come yet!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Come to think of it, you guys need to leave a mince pie and glass of sherry out for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph"

"Mum. Seriously?" Stevie exclaimed with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, we're not 6 anymore" Jason remarked.

Henry saw a little of the light leave Elizabeth's eyes. She hated being reminded that their kids were not kids anymore and he thought there was one gift he could give his wife tonight.

"Come on, kids. Santa won't come at all with those attitudes. Mince pie, sherry, carrot, and then bed" he commanded.

All three of his kids rolled their eyes before reluctantly moving to the kitchen and arranging the assorted items before bringing them back into the drawing room and placing them in front of the fire.

"Happy now?!" Jason asked sarcastically.

"Santa is very happy" Elizabeth replied happily as she pulled her son into a reluctant hug and ruffled his hair as she dropped a kiss onto his forehead. "Now bed!"

"Yeah, yeah..." Jason replied in a mock annoyed tone as he headed to the stairs, giving his dad a quick hug on the way.

"Bed for you two too" Henry remarked as he gestured towards his daughters.

"But I've got to do Santa for Lola" Alison argued.

"Uh-uh. Your mum and I will take care of Santa's present for Lola. Bed." Henry replied in a serious tone.

"Ok, night" Alison replied with a roll of her eyes as she grabbed the baby monitor and followed her brother upstairs. As much as she wanted to play Santa for Lola, a part of her was happy to leave Santa to her parents. Not having to play Santa made her feel a little less grown up and she felt like she could enjoy Christmas as a normal teenager in some way. Plus, she should probably get as much sleep as she could as no doubt Lola would be awake early in the morning like she normally was.

Henry and Elizabeth turned to look at their eldest child, their arms crossed and eyebrows raised as Stevie resumed her place on the couch and started playing with her mobile phone.

"Seriously?" Stevie exclaimed as she raised her head after several moment. "I'm 24!"

"Well, I guess that depends on whether you want to open presents in the morning" Elizabeth replied in a no-nonsense tone.

With a roll of her eyes Stevie got off the couch, hugged her parents goodnight, and retired to her room.

Elizabeth watched wistfully as her eldest child ascended the stairs. Where had the time gone? It seemed like only yesterday that they were taking Stevie to see Santa and now she didn't even want to play along for the sake of family tradition.

"You ok , babe?" Henry asked as he enveloped his wife from behind.

"Yeah, it's just...when did they get so big?" she asked nostalgically.

"I know" Henry soothed "But at least we have Lola now, we'll still get to play Santa for a while yet"

At the mention of her granddaughter Elizabeth turned around to face her husband, a loving, excited, smile on her face.

"Yes we do! Time for Santa to deliver the presents!" she replied happily as she slipped from Henry's embrace and headed for the basement door.

Henry watched his wife go fondly. Elizabeth loved Christmas, especially seeing the excited and happy looks on their children's faces as they opened their presents on Christmas Day morning. As their kids had gotten older and they'd found out the truth about Santa, Christmas hadn't been quite the same. They no longer came running into their bedroom in the early hours of the morning wanting to open presents. There were no more toy building projects for him to construct in the early hours of the morning, no more new toys for his kids to play with delightedly on Christmas Day. But now with Lola around the magic had come back. He'd loved going shopping with his family this year to buy gifts for everyone, Lola had brought new energy into the house and it was infectious. Watching Alison choose and buy Lola's first Christmas ornament had melted his heart, and his heart had ached as he'd watched her buy Lola's presents from Santa - a part of him feeling like it was still his responsibility. Apart from the many words he'd had with Elizabeth over the amount of money 'Santa' had spent on Lola, he couldn't complain about the joy Lola was bringing into the house this Christmas. Having a child in the house at Christmas was magical and he couldn't wait to do it all again with Lola.


Alison McCord blinked blearily as she heard her daughter's chatter through the baby monitor, confusion reigned over as she saw daylight through her curtains and that her alarm clock read 9.23am. How had she managed to sleep until 9.23am on Christmas Day? How had Lola?

She threw the covers off her bed and went into Lola's room to find her daughter sat up in her cot playing with some toys. As soon as Lola saw her, her face lit up in a bright smile and she reached her arms in her direction.

"Mama!"

Alison stopped in her tracks and her heart raced as she heard what sounded like her daughter's first proper word.

"Lola! What did you say?" Alison asked breathlessly. Her daughter had been making sounds for weeks now, but today was the first time she had pointed to something - someone- and used the correct word.

"Mama!" Lola exclaimed happily.

"That't right, I'm your mama!" Alison exclaimed with tears in her eyes as she lifted Lola from her cot and spun her around excitedly earning a loud giggle from Lola.

"Mama!" Lola exclaimed again excitedly.

"Yes, Lola. I'm your mama!" Alison repeated as she kissed her daughter all over her face, earning more giggles from her daughter.

She settled herself in the rocking chair with Lola and quickly breastfed her daughter, wanting her to be ready for her first Christmas morning. Hearing Lola say her first word was by far the best Christmas present she had ever received and it was just what she needed after the past month. Her sessions with Alexis prepping for court were hard work and emotionally draining, but the sessions were helping and she was having fewer and fewer nightmares. She just hoped she would be ready in time for court.

But she didn't want to think about the trial or him today. She just wanted to spend time with her family and she couldn't wait to see Lola's reactions to the presents she had brought her.

"Mama!" Lola exclaimed as she finished feeding and reached up towards her mum, other intelligible sounds falling from her mouth.

"Is that so?" Alison 'chatted' to Lola as she re-dressed herself and changed her daughter's nappy, loving the animated expressions on her daughter's face who obviously thought she understood what she was saying. "Do you think you can show nana and grandpa and aunty Stevie and uncle Jason what you can do?" she prompted as she walked down the stairs and into the view of her family. Surprisingly everyone was up and sat eagerly around the tree.

"Oh thank goodness you're finally up! Can we open the presents now!" Jason asked impatiently.

"Jason!" Elizabeth and Henry scolded their son from their chairs.

"Sorry we're up last. I didn't think to set the alarm as Lola is normally up early, I hope you haven't been up too long" Alison stated remorsefully as she came over to take her place on the couch next to her sister, depositing Lola on the floor who immediately started to crawl towards the presents, no doubt curious about the shiny paper.

"It's fine" Elizabeth assured with a wave of her hand "We've only been up an hour or so".

"Mama!"

The occupants of the room turned to look at Lola in shock. Jason had been defending the presents from Lola and had been tickling her to stop her from advancing.

"Did she just say..."? Henry began before being cut off by Lola.

"Mama!" Lola exclaimed as she reached towards her mum, wanting to escape the tickling hands of her uncle.

Alison beamed proudly at her daughter.

"Yep! She said it for the first time this morning as I walked into her room. Best Christmas present ever!"

Elizabeth reached down and picked up her granddaughter, a proud smile on her face. "Aren't you a clever girl! she praised, earning her a huge smile from Lola. She couldn't believe her granddaughter was starting to talk already. It seemed like only yesterday she was holding her in her arms do the first time.

"Not that I'm not happy about Lola saying her first word and everything, but can we please open the presents now!" Jason exclaimed in frustration.

"Yes, we can open the presents now" Elizabeth confirmed with a roll of her eyes, amused by her teenage son's impatience as she gently handed a squirming Lola back to Alison.

An hour and a half later Alison watched her daughter in amusement as she sat in the middle of a pile of ripped wrapping paper and empty boxes. Lola had more new toys and books than she could count, but try as she might to get her daughter interested in her new toys, all Lola wanted to do was play with the discarded gift wrap.

"I should have just brought her a cardboard box" Alison stated in amusement.

"It's always the way. To babies nothing is better than the gift wrap and boxes the presents come in" Elizabeth remarked as she sat with Alison on the floor of the drawing room playing with Lola whilst Stevie and Henry made a start on Christmas Day lunch. Jason was in the family room playing his new video game. It seemed like only yesterday that she was desperately trying to get her own babies interested in their presents rather than the packaging they came in, now she was doing the same with her baby's baby.

"And thank you to 'Santa' for the extra presents Lola received" Alison stated gratefully. Although she had managed to save a fair amount of money from her allowance over the year to buy presents for Lola, there were still many things that she hadn't been able to afford and it had made her feel guilty that she couldn't give her daughter everything she deserved. She was, after all, a single mother trying to live within the monthly allowance her parents gave her, albeit a generous allowance by most standards.

"It's ok" Elizabeth replied with a soft, reassuring, smile.

As much as she had enjoyed Christmas shopping with her family, and how proud she was of Alison for saving her own money to buy presents for Lola, it had broken her heart to see the disappointed expression on Alison's face when she hadn't been able to afford everything that she had wanted to buy for Lola. Despite Henry's protests, she hadn't been able to stop herself from buying all the things Alison hadn't been able to afford and have 'Santa' deliver them. Alison worked so hard and had overcome so much this past year that she deserved to be able to give her daughter everything she wanted, Lola deserved it too. The little girl had reminded her of what was important in life and she now spent more time with her family than she did before Alison was attacked. Sure, it may mean she had to read reports later into the night, but being home in time to bathe Lola, or feed her dinner, or rock her to sleep after a tough day in the office, meant the world to her. The arrival of her granddaughter had given her a new perspective on life and she would forever be grateful for that.

Alison smiled at her mum shyly before she rested her head against her shoulder. A wave of security surrounded her as her mum wrapped her arm around her and pulled her closer into her side. As Alison took in the scene before her complete and utter contentment washed over. This Christmas was so different to last year. Last year Giovanni Rossi had just been charged with a second rape and it had effected the entire family. She had been so angry that she had spent most of the festive period picking fights with her family and taking out her anger at the situation on the people she loved and cared the most about in the world, something she still felt guilty about. The past year had been a rollercoaster, and she was sure next year would be turbulent too with the upcoming trial, but right now she was happy and relaxed and feeling blessed. She couldn't have asked for a better first Christmas with her daughter.


I've never been to Midnight Mass before but I did do some research on the internet and it said that you receive a holy communion so I hope that bit is correct. Internet research also said that Midnight Mass might not be held at midnight, but I know my local Catholic Church holds Midnight mass at midnight on Christmas Eve so I went with the traditional route. The only family I know that goes to Midnight Mass then open stockings when the get home so I wrote that in too as I'm not sure if that's a catholic thing or just our family friend's thing.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Let me know what you think.