AN: Children, I am back again with another holiday filled story! I need some Mondler family in my life again...so here goes nothing.

Merry Christmas Eve!

The aroma is filled with cinnamon, hazelnut and everything Christmas. The house is decked out in red, green, and tinsel as dozens of presents pile under a Douglas Fir. Matching pajamas are folded neatly at the foot of every bed while the kids slide around in fuzzy Santa socks.

The ground is frozen as an even blanket of snow covers the streets. Snow angels and frosty's are surrounded by little footprints as cold shovels lean up against porches, waiting for the next snowfall. The twinkling lights dance around neighborhoods brightening the warm homes with Christmas spirit as families wait for Jolly St. Nick to sweep down their chimney.

The spirits are high during the holiday season, with family's gathered around the kitchen catching up on days gone by and elderly couples curled up by the fireplace watching old classics. I'm sure the malls are filled with urgent last-minute shoppers too, but right now my family is at home dancing along to Christmas carols. At least, my wife is. I'm a little frustrated with the tape dispenser at the moment.

"Mon." I sigh, tape wrapped around every finger, refusing to cut loose.

Her back is towards me as she takes out another batch of treats for Santa's visit.

"Hm?" She mumbles, finding a place, anyplace, on the counter to set the hot cookie sheet.

"A little help?" I beg, frustration beginning to take over my positive emotions.

Finally she turns and examines my state before letting loose a loud belly laugh. "Oh, honey." Her heels tap against the tiled floor; her gliding movement causing her apron to sway back and forth before she reaches my helpless form.

I continue to hold the wrapping paper in place as I lift my tape covered hand, with the dispenser dangling beneath, towards my wife.

"What are you doing?" She questions, like asking a young child why they brought in a handful of snow from outside.

"Um..." I eye her "I'm wrapping your mothers gift."

"Sweetheart," And there's the head tilt. The same head tilt she gave Jack when explaining that snow doesn't "get" cold. It needs to stay outside where it belongs. "You need a bag. This is nearly impossible to wrap properly."

"Babe." I stop her right there, looking directly up at her curious eyes as she tries to free me from the mess I've created. "We have no more bags," I look around making sure Thing 1 & 2 aren't in ear shot "Santa used them all."

"And I suppose Santa used up all the tape too?" She teases, winking at me as she bites down on her bottom lip lightly, causing her dimples to shine brightly.

How can one woman be so gorgeous? Light curls fall loosely at the end of her layers, her black cocktail dress matches my tie and although her fingers are covered in flour at the moment, her diamond ring continues to stand out.

"Okay." She sighs, ripping off the last strand of stickiness from my wedding band. "Now are you sure there are no more bags under our bed? My mother is going to be here in twenty minutes to watch the kids." She reminds me, rolling up the tangled useless tape into a ball before tossing it in the garbage.

"I checked," I assure her

"Well, can you check again?" She asks desperately, observing the unwrapped gift. Her hand finds the back of my chair as the other rest upon her hip.

"Mon," I turn to face her, although she's not looking at me. "Hey," I grab her attention. "Come here." I grab her hand and swing her around to sit on my lap. "Relax." Wrapping my arms around her waste, I rest my chin on her shoulder. Her body falls as I feel her muscles ease. At last, she is off her feet and in my arms. "Everything doesn't have to be perfect." I inform her "We'll go pick up more bags after the Christmas party. Everything is going to be fine." Kissing her shoulder blade, she rubs my hands.

"Thank you." She turns over her shoulder "I love you."

Leaning in, our lips touch in a passionate kiss before she pulls away.

"You're not gonna shave?" She questions, pinching my chin gently.

"Nah," I shake my head "I'm not that fond of the guys in my office."

Chuckling, she pecks my lips once more before standing and striding back to her baking "You know," She turns to glance back in my direction. "You're really hot with a stubble shadowing your face and your glasses pressing down on your gelled hair." She turns on the faucet to wash the powder from her hands.

Before I can return my seductiveness towards my wife, Erica comes sliding in. "When's Nana getting here?" She asks

"In a few minutes." I answer, "Did you pick up the popcorn that I asked?"

"Jack is the one that broke them all." She counters, crossing her arms over her chest as she refuses to clean up her brothers mess yet again.

This is why we never bother with stringing popcorn; it never works out and it just becomes a hassle.

"Here," I stand up, placing my hands on my daughters shoulders, and spinning her back towards the family room "I'll make it easy for you, I'll go get the dust buster for you."

I've never had siblings so I don't know the real torture they can be, but when it comes to parenthood...yeah, I don't have much experience in that department either. Monica is usually the bad cop in situations like this. She continues to remind me that I'm amazing when it comes to the kids but every once in a while I still need some guidance in putting my foot down.

Everything is a learning occurrence. My parents were never perfect, but they tried their best when it came to my well-being. I believe that. And I would say I've learned from their perspective on molding my childhood. I've learned to express rather than react, I've learned to give the kids more than one option too. "Do you want to go to bed, or do you want to lay down?" They are getting too old for that trick though; now that they're 6.

"Dad, why do I have to vacuum up Jack's sloppiness?" Erica asks as I hand her the dust buster from the cleaning closet.

"Because I know you can do a good job." I answer simply. I can tell she isn't satisfied with that reply because she immediately collapses on the floor with a pout.

"I'm telling Mom on you." She whines as a tear threaten to fall. "I don't wanna be good at cleaning."

Okay, I think someone needs an early bedtime.

Crouching down, I speak softly in a calming voice. "Eri," I grab her attention "Smell the soup." I breath in through my noise and she does it with me "Cool the soup." We blow out a long sigh. "Now, when is Santa coming?" I ask, curious

"Tomorrow..?" She begins to question as the tears subside.

"Tomorrow!" I repeat, excitedly "We don't want Santa to see our messy house, do we?" She just shakes her head. "If you do a good job I think your Mom will sacrifice a cookie before bed."

Her eyes light up as she quickly stands and switches the power from off to on.

Maybe I do have this parenting thing down after all.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa..."

I reenter the kitchen in mid-catastrophe. Jack is kneeling high on his favorite bar stool, reaching over everything with one elbow on the counter in order to get his dipping finger in the bowl of frosting.

Monica watches Jack with daring eyes as he freezes, inches from a sugar rush. "If you want to decorate these cookies, I'd put that weapon down, Mister."

His shoulders droop "But Mom..." He whines before getting cut off by his mother.

"But Jacky..." She mimics his sing-song tone.

Suddenly the doorbell rings and the lecture comes to an abrupt stop. "Jack, go let your Nana in, please. Chandler," She points at the present on the kitchen table and I hurry to discard of the evidence.

I love Christmas time; no matter your age, the magic never ends. The way the snow falls, the way the church bells ring, the way the twinkling lights brighten the township; there is nothing else like it.

Then when you have kids, it just adds to the most wonderful time of the year. Writing their first legible letter to Santa, decorating Christmas cookies without smearing frosting up to their elbows, seeing the tree lit up in Time Square...is there anything better?

Monica keeps pushing me towards the idea of another baby, but honestly, I'm afraid of being out-numbered.

Most kids grow up with the same beliefs in Santa Claus. It wasn't until this year that we decided to introduce Hanukkah to the twins. I don't know if they understood the full meaning behind Hanukkah expect for the idea of lighting a candle on our Chanukah Menorah every night. Once the shammash was lit, four days ago, they started asking questions why we don't have anymore candles to light. Monica then went on to explain that Hanukkah only lasts eight nights in honor of the Holy Temple. I think they liked the idea of eating donuts and potato latkes every day than anything else, though.

"Darling, you look gorgeous..."

Walking back into the kitchen I gush "Aw, thank you Mrs. Geller, but look at Monica!" I joke

Judy cringes "I was talking about Monica, Chandler." She corrects my mistake before turning her attention back to her grandchildren.

Swallowing the lump in my throat I turn to Monica. "I told you she hates me." I whisper in her ear.

"She doesn't hate you, honey." She straightens my tie before patting my chest "She just doesn't understand your jokes." Reaching behind her, she begins to undo her apron.

It's nice to see Judy's relationship with her daughter has changed over the years. I started noticing the difference when we had the twins, but I honestly think it's because she wants more grandchildren.

Well, she's just going to have to wait a little bit longer.

"Mom, their bedtime is 9 if we aren't back before then." Monica informs her mother as I follow her to the front door and help her into her coat. "The cookies are cooling so they can frost them for Santa in about an hour."

I wrap my scarf around my neck before slipping into my coat. Grabbing my keys off the side table, I press the automatic start from inside.

"Wait, I can't remember if I turned off the oven..." And there she goes

Monica's mind is always racing right before we leave the house. I think she is more paranoid with leaving the kids on a day like today, but when I was promoted to Junior Copy Writer I was obligated to attend all business related events to show my devotion towards the company.

"If they are good they can have 1 cookie." I let Judy know as I fix my collar.

"Alright, everything is off." Monica emerges from checking every appliance in the kitchen. She wouldn't allow me to light the fireplace the first two years we moved into this house, so this kind of behavior doesn't surprise me. Honestly, I'm glad she double checks things; it's better to take a couple minutes to check everything than return to no home.

We exchange hugs and kisses with the kids because we probably won't be back in time for bed.

And finally we're out the door.

Climbing into the drivers seat I quickly close the door behind me and shield out the bitter cold. Thank God for seat warmers.

"I think it's getting colder by the minute." Monica chatters; her body frozen as she sits next to me completely still.

I look down at my speedometer "16" I announce the temperature as I sniffle. Reaching over, I rub the warmth back to her near-bare legs. I know she's shaven, but with the goosebumps it seems like she hasn't shaved in weeks. "Here..." Reaching in the back seat between the two buster-seats I grab the blanket we keep back there for the kids during the winter months. It's chilled from staying out in the car over night, but with the warmth of her body it should be cozy in a few minutes.

"Thanks." She shivers.

I wait another minute before I put the car in reverse and back out of our driveway.

The car ride is fairly quiet as we enjoy the Christmas lights through the town with the soft sound of holiday music playing on the radio. "I don't expect to stay long past the gift exchange." I tell her as I pull up to the parking garage and slip in my business pass before quickly removing it from the machine. Once it spits out a parking slip, the arm raises and allows my entry.

I don't find a parking spot until we reach the second level. "C" I say aloud to remind myself for when I need to find my vehicle later.

We unbuckle and climb out - back into the bitter cold evening. The orange secretary lights shine their way through the garage as the sun has already set for the night.

Popping the trunk, I pull out the wrapped present I bought for Carol a week ago. Monica's arm laces through mine before I even get a chance to slam the door shut. "What did you get her?" She questions as we find the exit and make our way across the street to the office.

"One of those Siamese cat sun catchers. She likes cats." I answer, looking both ways before we cross the intersection. "But this one waves to you when the sun touches it." I add "I also got her a cat pen, cause I didn't want to seem cheap." I admit

Monica laughs "Nice save on the pen idea." She leans against me for a split second, letting me know she is only teasing.

"Coats, Sir?" We walk through the door "Madam." He nods to Monica. First, I help Monica remove her coat before I hand over mine to the gentleman.

"Thank you." He hands me a number and I stuff it in my slacks.

I take Monica's hand in mine and I lead her through the office.

In just a few hours I'm going to have a Santa suit on and my wife up close. But first, business.

AN: I decided to split this into two parts. The next part will be up tomorrow to give you fine writers something to do at those dreadful family gatherings ;)