After a long flight back home, we landed and went to our homes. Since it was a long flight, we decided to take a nap before having to be at Ted's parents' house so Riss and I could help with the baking. We did end up napping for a few hours before getting the energy to move and get our things together for the party to bring it over to the house to get ready there. Riss went through her things, finding what to wear for tonight.

"Hmm..." She mumbles, chewing her lip.

"Need help?"

"Maybe."

"I'm coming." He grins, walking over.

She laughs a little and flips through the dresses in the closet while waiting.

"Hmmm...that one." He points out a white dress.

She pulls it out and looks at it.

"Good choice."

"I have good taste. I know."

"You do." She says amusedly.

"Just like you do."

"Of course."

"And then when we get back here tonight, we can put the tree up and decorate the house."

"Sounds like a plan." She agrees.

"Mistletoe..." He grins.

"Like you really need an excuse for a kiss."

"I don't but still."

"I know."

"It's still fun to do."

"Of course. I know that."

"Love you."

"Love you too."

She steals a really quick kiss before gathering the rest of her things that she'll need to get ready for the party later. Once everything is gathered, she changes into more sensible clothes.

"There. All ready."

"Beautiful."

"You always think so." She says as they get their jackets and shoes on.

"Because it's true."

"That's what you're supposed to think."

"Because I'm your husband and I love you."

"I love you too. Lover." She smiles, kissing him.

"Ready to go?" She asks him.

"Yup." He nods.

They makes sure they have what they need before leaving the bedroom, grabbing the keys, locking the door and getting into the car. They drive to the 'big house' and go inside.

"We're here!" You declare.

"In the living room sweetheart!" We heard Ted Sr call.

Riss and Justin take their jackets off and hang them up, before heading into the living room.

"Hi Daddy." She greets him with a hug.

"Hi sweetheart." He greets as he hugs back.

"Hope you got enough rest."

"I'm much better. Between sleeping on the plane and our nap, I feel fine."

"Well that's good."

"Where's Momma?"

"In the kitchen, getting everything together for the baking."

"I'm going to go help. I'm sure Jussi will keep you company."

"Of course."

She gets a kiss from Justin and leaves the room. When she walks into the kitchen, she greets Melanie and hugs her. She does the same in return.

"I can't wait to show you all the family recipes that we make for around the holidays."

"I can't wait to learn." She smiles.

"We have lots to do. The party tends to have a lot of people. Family, friends..."

"Of course."

"Let's see...where's my book of the recipes..." She trails off, looking for it.

"...ah, there it is." She finds it, pulling it out.

"Now we just need Air to get here."

"I'm sure she'll be here soon."

"Right."

It's not too much longer after that when the door opens and I declare that Ted and I are there. Riss pokes her head out of the kitchen.

"Dad and Jussi are in the living room. Momma is in here."

"Most likely the baking. I'll be in the kitchen with them." I tell Ted.

"Alright. Have fun." He smiles, kissing me.

I head to the kitchen while he goes into the living room with his dad and Justin.

"Time to have fun." Melanie says after hugging and greeting me.

"Baking is always fun." I nod.

"Uh-huh." Riss agrees.

She then opens the book, looking for a recipe that is used every year, and we gather around to see. She picks one out and we get started. We get everything done quicker than how long it would take for just one person to do it, and it's put into the oven.

"Onto another?" Riss asks.

"Yeah, get it started at least while we're waiting for that to be done in the oven."

"Sounds good."

The whole afternoon was basically dedicated to baking everything. We also went and made doubles of everything just in case they run low at the party tonight.

"Whoo, what a baking spree." Riss says when we get done.

"Haven't baked for that long before."

"Me neither."

"But I appreciate the help." Melanie thanks us.

"Oh its no problem. We had fun."

"This is definitely going to be an every year thing."

"Oh yeah."

"I can't wait for the party."

"Me too, its going to be so fun."

"What're you wearing?" I ask Riss.

"Jussi helped me pick a white lace dress. You?"

"Well it's a strapless, dark blue and black dress with a black flower."

"Sounds cute."

"The one thing Ted could not stop talking about was the mistletoe...as if he needed an excuse to kiss me." I laugh.

"Jussi too." Riss laughs as well.

"Aww, isn't that sweet." Melanie smiles.

"Lovey dovey boys." Riss giggles.

"We love it."

"Yes we do."

"So what's next?"

"Well all that's left to do is decorate the house."

"Alright, lets do this."

"We'll just have them go get the Christmas tree from the basement." She motions to the living room.

"Right."

"We'll go tell them."

She nods and we pop into the living room to grab the boys. Justin and Ted go into the basement to get the tree while we go through the bins of decorations that were already brought up and left in the living room to decorate the house with. We start putting things up while they get the tree together. Once it was put together, they started decorating it and they just so happened to come across the mistletoe before we could even find it. They smirk at each other. Since there was more than one, they each grab one and hide it until we come back into the living room. Ted Sr sees them and chuckles. We come back shortly to get more decorations and such to put up around the house.

"The tree is looking good." She says.

"Yeah, great job so far." I add.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Then we go decorate more.

"Alright...only one thing missing..." I state as we finish everything.

"Mistletoe?"

"Mmhmm. That's the only thing we haven't hung up yet."

"Right." I nod.

"Hmm, I swear I saw it in one of these containers..."

"Gee, if it disappeared I wonder where it went." Riss says sarcastically.

"Oh, they would."

"Mmhmm."

We decide to hide the fact that we know that they took the mistletoe, and we head back to the living room and sit down just as they were finishing decorating the tree.

"Looks good." Riss remarks.

"Very nice."

They grin, looking proud. The lights get plugged in before they come over and sit next to us on the couch.

"Perfect."

"It really is." I nod.

"Thank you all." Melanie smiles.

"You're welcome."

"There is one more thing though..." Justin trails off.

"We know you ran off with the mistletoe."

"You are the ony two who would." I add.

They grin sheepishly.

"We do need to hang those up at some point."

"We'll do it." They both say.

"But after we do this..." Justin adds.

She looks at him curiously. They both pull out the mistletoe and hold it above our heads, grins on their faces. We start laughing.

"You goofballs."

"Couldn't resist."

"Of course not."

We kiss them. They hold the kiss a bit longer than we planned, but after they pull away, they go to hang the mistletoe up.

"Nice." Riss laughs.

"And they'll try to get us under that all night."

"Of course."

"And not to mention at home when we're decorating for Christmas." She adds.

"Oh god, yeah. That too."

"It's gonna be a long night."

"Yup."

After hanging the mistletoe up, they come back into the living room and resume sitting in their spots next to us. We cuddle up against them, intent on relaxing for a bit before going to get ready. We stayed there for about an hour, before going out to the cars and grabbing our dresses and such and coming back inside, heading upstairs to get ready. We use the same room, helping each other and everything.

"You look so pretty." I grin.

"You do too." She laughs.

"Shouldn't keep them waiting too long down there. I'm sure they're standing down there just anxiously waiting."

"I bet they are. Sounds like them."

"After you."

She nods and heads downstairs. I follow her out and head downstairs myself. We walk into the living room.

"Tadaaa."

"Oh don't you two look beautiful." Melanie compliments.

"Thank you."

"You look even better than I imagined." Justin says to Riss.

"Aww." She smiles.

"And that dress is perfect on you." Ted says to me.

"Thank you." I smile.

"Now I know why you waited until now to let me see."

"Exactly."

"I wanted it to be a surprise. Because you haven't seen this before yet."

"Not until now, no."

"I like to surprise you."

"I know."

"So when is everyone getting here?" Riss asks.

"They should be starting to show up very shortly." Melanie answers.

"Okay."

"Do you need help putting all the food out?"

"Sure, that would be great."

We follow her into the kitchen and help with setting the food out on the counter and table.

"Thank you girls."

"You're welcome."

And just like she said, people started showing up. The first two being Ted's brothers of course. We get hugs all around and the boys all start chatting.

"It feels nice to be a part of this." Riss remarks.

"It's so good to feel like I have a family again." She adds.

"A big family too." I nod.

"Oh yes."

"First family Christmas Eve party."

"First of many."

As we talk with each other, more people start to show up. More family and then friends. Soon the house is full of people. We're all talking and laughing, having a good time. We get pulled over by Ted and Justin because Ted wants to introduce us to more of the family that hasn't met us yet. We walk over and say hello, along with answering a few questions.

"So what's it feel like to meet the rest of the family?"

"Its...special, I think would be a good word for it."

"That's good."

"It's a good feeling to be so welcomed by family who accept you even if they don't know you."

"That's the best thing about our family."

"I know." She smiles.

"Get ready for firsts for a lot of stuff as a family."

"Oh I know. I can't wait."

"It's gonna be fun, I can tell." She adds.

"It always is with our family."

"I can't wait."

"Me either."

"I think it's time we got into the food." I remark.

"Sounds good to me." Riss agrees.

"Cookies...chocolate."

"Mmmm. So good."

"They came out great if I do say so myself."

"They did. We're so awesome."

"Why are you so awesome?" Justin asks as he and Ted walk up.

"The cookies."

"Ohhh."

"We did a good job."

"Yes you did."

"I think you need to taste them to make that judgement."

"Had one already."

"Ohhh ok."

"They're fantastic."

"Why thank you."

"You're welcome."

"I'll make some tomorrow for ourselves." I tell Ted.

"Awesome." He grins.

Then Justin gives Riss a look.

"Yes, I'll make some too." She laughs.

"Yes." He cheers.

"You're a dork."

"You married me."

"Twice." She acknowledges amusedly.

"And I couldn't be any happier."

"Me either."

"Awwww."

They both shrugs and smile.

"You two are so cute."

"Well thank you."

"You're welcome."

"You two are too." She says as she snuggles up against Justin.

"We are aren't we?" Ted grins, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my cheek.

"Of course." She giggles.

"Oh would you look at that..." Ted trails off, looking up and over her and Justin with a smirk.

They both look up and see mistletoe.

"Oh jeez." She laughs.

Ted then pushes me away and he follows, leaving them under the mistletoe alone. She giggles and looks up at Justin.

"Did you hang that there?"

"Maybe." He smirks.

"Riiight."

"I knew this area would be where you would be most of the night so I had to hang it here."

"Sneaky."

"You know I am."

"Mmhmm."

"But now we have something that we need to do." He grins.

"Uh huh." She giggles as he pulls her close.

He then leans down and presses his lips against hers in a soft kiss. She melts against him, returning the kiss. He makes sure to make the kiss last a while, before starting to pull away, letting the kiss linger.

"Mmm." She sighs in content.

"Love you."

"Love you too."

"Let's go find somewhere to sit." I suggest.

He nods and she follows him to find somewhere to sit. They find a little spot and she sits on his lap, leaning into him.

"Better?"

"Much better."

"Good."

"There's a special reason why I can't wait until tomorrow. Promise you can keep a secret?" She asks him.

"Promise."

"Marvin's going to propose." She says quietly.

"Really?"

"Yup. I helped him pick it out the day I got my tattoo."

"It's been so hard to not give anything away around her." She adds.

"I bet. It was just as bad for her to keep it quiet when I was going to propose."

"And now think about it, you'll really be sisters once they do get married." He adds.

"I know. I'm excited."

"I can't wait to see the look on Mom's face tomorrow when he does it in front of everyone. She's gonna be so happy."

"For sure."

We all just hang out, and talk, leaving the couple hours left of the party to spend time together, you with Justin and me with Ted, having our alone time. Before we know it, people start leaving and we're down to the normal family group.

"The party was fun."

"Yeah it really was."

"Do you need any help putting things away or are you all set?"

"No, I think we're good. Thank you though."

"You're welcome. Thank you for having us."

"You're always welcome."

"We'll see you all tomorrow then."

"Of course. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." We say, hugging everyone before leaving.

We head to the cars and leave for our houses. As soon as Ted and I get home and walk inside, I take my shoes off and turn the lights on so we could see.

"Long day."

"It was."

"But tomorrow's Christmas."

"Yes it is." I grin.

"I can't wait to see what you got me." I add.

"I can't wait to give it to you."

I kiss his cheek.

"I know I'll love it."

"So decorate and relax a bit before going to bed?" I ask.

"Sure."

"Should get into more comfortable clothes first though."

"Right."

Without warning, he picks me up and carries me to the bedroom.

"Ted!" I squeal, laughing.

"Quickest way to get to the bedroom." He chuckles.

"Suuuuure."

He sets me down once he gets to the bedroom. Riggs of course followed and jumped onto the bed, sitting there. I laugh and pat Riggs on the head.

"Someone missed us too much."

"I know." Ted chuckles.

While he finds something to change into, he picks something out for me as well. I thank him and head into the bathroom to change. I come out a few minutes later and put away the dress.

"Now let's go decorate."

"Right."

We go back to the living room, Ted gets everything out of the basement. The first thing we do is the tree. Once the tree is together, you start putting ornaments and such on.

"Perfect." I say when we're finished.

"Looks great." Ted grins.

After admiring the tree for a bit, we decorate parts of the house. Once we were done with that, everything is put away, Ted starts the fireplace up and turns off the lights. That only leaves the fire going and the tree on. He pulls me down onto his lap as he sits in front of the fireplace.

"Perfect. The house looks amazing."

"We did a great job."

"Yes we did."

"And a perfect ending to the night."

"For sure." He agrees, kissing my cheek.

"You and the great ideas."

"Yup. That's me."

"Love you." I say, snuggling into him more.

"Love you too."

He kisses me gently. When he pulls away, I wrap my arms around him and lay my head on his shoulder as I look on at the fire. Ted lays his head against mine and we sit together in peaceful silence. It isn't too long until my eyelids start to get heavy. I try to stay awake, but it's a losing battle.

"To bed with you." Ted chuckles, scooping me up in his arms while standing.

I don't really protest at all, and he carries me into the bedroom again, setting me down for a second to pull the blankets back, and then picking me up once more and placing me on the bed, pulling the blankets over me. He gets into his spot and snuggles with me.

"Love you."

"...love you too..." I mumble.

We both fall asleep easily, tired out by the long day. Justin and Riss however are home and had just started decorating themselves. She's decorating the tree while he decorates the rest of the room.

"Looking good." Justin says about the tree.

"Why thank you."

"You're welcome."

"You're doing a great job yourself."

"Thanks."

"Uh huh." She smiles.

"Almost done."

"Yup. Then we can relax."

"Right." He nods.

They finish the decorating and admire everything.

"Amazing."

"Definitely feels like Christmas."

"I know."

Then he pulls her over to the couch where they both sit. She curls up against him.

"Mmm."

"Much better." She adds.

"Very." He agrees.

"You'll be falling asleep soon, it was a long day." He chuckles.

"Mmhmm." She nods, leaning against his chest.

"Tomorrow's gonna be great."

"Definitely. I'm excited."

"Can't wait to see what you got me." She adds.

"I know." Juustin chuckles.

"Just like I can't wait to see what you got me." He adds.

"Right." She nods.

After a bit, she starts to yawn, the feeling of being tired coming over her.

"Bed." She mumbles, burying her face in his neck.

"I'm on it." He nods, grabbing her and picking her up as he stands.

She wraps herself around him and he carries her to their bedroom. Since they both were basically dressed for bed already, all he had to do was lay her down on the bed, before he joins her. She snuggles in and gets comfortable. He kisses the top of her head before they both say goodnight to each other.

"Love you."

"Love you too."

It isn't too long after that where she falls asleep first, and he follows shortly after.