This is a one shot, stand alone Christmas story, but I'm adding it to my current story. It was suppose to be posted between Christmas and New Year's but school and physical therapy has been in the way. Merry belated Christmas and Happy belated New Year's.

A week before Christmas, both Throttle and I were getting the house decorated. The boys were helping me cause I couldn't bend over. I was 6 months pregnant. Even Silverdawn was helping, along with Charley and Modo.

Numerous times Throttle had told me to go sit for a bit. He was right, I did need to sit down and rest my feet and back. The boys noticed I had stopped decorating.

"Are you ok, mom?"

I smiled. "I'm fine, Tony. I'm just a bit tired. I'm carrying extra weight. Don't let me stop you boys from helping your father, grandma, aunt and uncle. Just be careful with the decorations. My mom spent years collecting Christmas decorations. She loved Christmas."

"We'll be very careful, babe. Just go sit down and relax for a while. You've done a lot already. We can all finish up here."

I walked over to Throttle and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, sweetheart. You are so good to me."

I turned around and walked towards our room to lay down for a while. Before I went in, I told everyone not to be real loud cause I am going to lay down for a bit.

"We'll be quiet as mice, mom."

"Very funny, Tyrone."

"Sweet dreams, babe. If you need anything, just text or call me."

"I will." Then I walked into the bedroom.
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Later in the early evening, I had just gotten up and hit the bathroom. I put my bathrobe on, tied it then headed for the living room to see how everyone did on the decorating.

I was a bit shocked on how well they decorated. They were even quiet when they were decorating. Everyone had been at the table, having dinner.

I walked over to the table and sat down. I was hungry as hell.

"How'd you sleep, love?"

"Like a baby. You all did a great job decorating. I'm also thankful that you were quiet when decorating."

"What do you think of the tree, mom? Tony and I did it by ourselves."

"They had some help, but mostly did it all themselves."

I ruffled up Tony's hair a bit. "You boys did a great job. I think your grandma would love how well you all decorated the house."

"How did your mom pass away, Mike? You never told us."

"Honestly, Charley. I don't know, either. I had left home before they passed away. I'm guessing maybe old age. I'd rather not dwell on the past. Not this close to Christmas."

"Not a problem, Mike."
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That night, Throttle and I wrapped presents and put them in the closet 'til Christmas Eve night. Some were from us, some from his mom, some from Charley and Modo and the rest from "Santa".

"Do you think the boys are going to like everything?"

"Why wouldn't they?"

"Cause they're gamers like me. They gave me their list. They want new games for their Xbox."

"What kind of games? I know nothing about game consoles, babe."

"Tony wants some racing games and Tyrone wants fighting games. They also want some movies. Nothing kid friendly, apparently."

"What kind of movies? And why not kid friendly? I'd rather they not get nightmares, thank you."

"I hear ya, Throttle. I watched a horror movie at their age and got nightmares. I got back into horror movies when I was an adult."

"I thought about the Marvel movies. Those were awesome movies."

"They would be better than horror movies. I'm not ready to deal with nightmares."

"See, I am. I've been there at their age. When they're 18, 19, then they can watch horror movies, 'til then, I'd rather they not."

"Smart thinking, babe."
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The rest of the week went by fast and before we all knew it, Christmas was here. We had Christmas dinner on Christmas eve night. Charley and Silverdawn helped with everything, including the turkey. I let Charley and Silverdawn pluck the feathers from the turkey while I got the potatoes, the stuffing and gravy made.

By 6p, the turkey had been done and everything was on the table. I let Modo carve the turkey. Throttle didn't say anything about me letting Modo carve it.

Throttle helped me put everything on the table. Everything looked great. Modo had brought over the turkey, all carved up and ready to dig in. I grabbed a drumstick and dug in. Everyone helped themselves to the great food. Throttle and I helped the boys pick out what they wanted first. They both wanted the drumsticks. I gave Tony mine and Throttle grabbed the other one for Tyrone.

We had a great dinner. It felt wrong cause we didn't have 2 of our friends to join us. They were dead and gone.

"Before we eat, can we say a small prayer for Vinnie and Harley?"

They all looked at each other then to me and nodded. Modo said the prayer for Vinnie and Harley. It was very nice, too.

"Thank you, Modo. That was a very nice prayer, even if I couldn't understand it."

"Sorry Michelle. I forgot you don't speak Martian."

"That's ok, Modo. It was still very nice."

"Thank you, Michelle."

"Alright everyone, dig in."
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During dinner, Throttle noticed that I hadn't eaten much. He put his hand on mine and lightly squeezed it. I looked at him and smiled.

"I'm not very hungry, but don't let that stop you from eating all you want."

"Come with me to our room. I wanna talk with you."

"Ok." Then I excused myself from the table.
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After Throttle closed the bedroom door, he had me sit down on the bed. He pulled out a small box, then sat down next to me. He handed me the box and told me to open it.

I took the box then looked at him. "Why didn't you give this to me at the table?"

"Cause I wanted this to be special. Open it. I think you'll like it."

I opened the box and couldn't believe what I saw. I looked at him in total shock.

"Is this what I think?"

"Yep. It's the 2016 Chicago Cubs World Series ring. Not a replica. It's the actual World Series ring. I even had it inscribed."

I took the ring out and saw the inscription on the inside of the ring. "To my #1 Cubs fan and #1 wife. Love Throttle."

I hugged and thanked him. I didn't even bother to ask how he got the ring. "I've always wanted a World Series ring."

"Now you have one."

"I feel bad for not getting you anything for Christmas, Throttle."

"Don't worry about it. Besides, you did give me a Christmas gift. The gift of a wonderful and loving family. It's the best gift ever."

"And growing." Then I rubbed my swollen stomach. We didn't want to know what the gender of this baby is. We just want it healthy when its born. Secretly, I'm hoping for another boy. I think Throttle is secretly hoping for a girl.

Christmas morning, everyone was up and by the tree. We invited Charley and Modo over too. What Charley and Modo didn't know is that we all got something for them too.

While we swapped presents with everyone, I had to hit the bathroom. Something didn't feel right. I couldn't stop pissing. I was thankful I had my phone with me. I texted Throttle and told him I think my water broke. He rushed to the bathroom and opened the door.

"Are you sure your water broke?"

"Yeah, I am. I need to get to the hospital right now."

"Ok then. This is one present I wasn't expecting."

"The baby was suppose to be due around March, but having a Christmas baby is ok by me."

"Is it normal for a baby to be born 3 months early?"

"Not really, but it does happen. Let's just hope its healthy."
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Several hours and lots of screaming and threatening later, the baby was born. We had another boy. Being 3 months early, he was pretty healthy was the perfect weight. He weighed 8lbs. 4oz. He was a big baby. He was our Christmas baby.

Throttle was so happy, he was crying tears of joy. He held his newborn son and beamed with pride. He sat down next to me and kissed my cheek.

"He's beautiful, babe."

"He is, isn't he? He also needs a name."

While Throttle was thinking of a name, he pulled out his cell phone and took a family pic, then sent it to everyone.

I had been thinking of boy names, too. When the nurse came in with the birth certificate paper, she asked us what his name is.

"Oliver Alexander Thornboy."

Throttle looked at me and I looked back at him. I shrugged my shoulders.

"What? I like the name."

Throttle smiled. "I do too. I was just surprised that you came up with that rather quickly."

The nurse asked for our names and we told her them. She congratulated us and wished us a merry Christmas.

I had been discharged 2 days later with my newborn. Throttle was the happiest guy in the world.