A bell rang down the corridor waking everyone up, apart from John who was already up, and Grandma smirked as four grouchy boys poked their heads around their doors.

"Grandma, what are you doing?" Gordon croaked as he appeared beside Virgil.

"Waking you up of course. We have festivities to prepare for."

Scott groaned. "Okay, but can we have some time to wake up properly?"

"Yes. You have an hour, and then I want you all in the kitchen."

On that note, Grandma turned on her heel and walked back to the lounge leaving her grandsons confused.

"What was that about?" Alan looked across at Scott and Virgil who shrugged.

"No idea, but we better do what she says," Scott laughed. "Last one in the kitchen will have the worst chore. Go!"

Grandma tied a knot in her apron after an hour was up and smiled at the list she had made. "And here they come, dear." She said to Penelope who was sitting at the table.

Penelope laughed. "I can't just sit here whilst they're doing all the work, Sally. Let me do something?"

"You're our guest and these boys lounge around way too much."

"Lounge around? We're the ones who go out on rescues," Gordon exclaimed as he entered the kitchen. "Christmas is our day off."

"Tough luck, Seahorse. Right. Find your name on the list and the assigned task, then get on with it."

Virgil smiled. "I'm sure we can make this fun, guys."

Scott noticed his brother was in his work clothes. "You sneak! You saw the list early and got prepared for it."

"I don't know what you're talking about?"

Scott read the list and ran his finger down until he landed on Virgil's. "Ah-ha! Virgil is on kitchen duty?"

"He's helping me with the baking and the hard stuff," Grandma smiled as she rubbed his arm.

"I'm more than happy to help here too," Penelope stood up. "I hardly ever cook because we have kitchen staff, but I think it'll be a laugh."

"Glad to have you on the team," Virgil smiled at her with so much warmth that she blushed.

"No! Why me?" Alan moaned. "I'm on dusting duty!"

"That's one of the easiest jobs. Now you all have your assignments. Get to it. The sooner you finish, the more time you'll have for leisure."

The kitchen emptied apart from the cooking trio and Penelope smirked as Grandma got out cooking utensils.

"You run a tight ship, Mrs Tracy."

Virgil smirked. "Yeah, and one we can't abandon."

"Don't be cheeky, young man."

"Where do we start Grandma? I thought we had the main stuff prepped days ago."

"We do. We need to make dessert. The turkey just needs to be cooked tomorrow."

"Ah so you need my sweet tooth," Virgil washed his hands before glancing at the cookbook. "Are you sure you don't want assistance from Max? The cake he made for me was pretty special."

"Oh, and mine wasn't?"

"It came from Paris, Grandma. You can't beat homemade," Virgil kissed her cheek and Penelope smiled.

"I can see why you wanted Virgil in here," Penelope tied her hair up. "Constant charm."

"And because he's good at cooking. I thought we could make a chocolate Yule Log."

"Not a fan of Christmas pudding then?" Penelope asked as she got out blocks of chocolate from the fridge.

"Not really. Alan doesn't like fruit cake, and Gordon doesn't like brandy flavouring, but we can all agree on chocolate," Virgil chuckled as he got out the eggs. "Let's crack on."

Grandma sighed. "If I wanted bad jokes, I would've assigned Gordon to this task."

Penelope giggled. "Ouch."

Meanwhile, Alan had given up on his dusting and instead was lying on his bed playing games. The duster sat on his desk and he laughed to himself knowing that he wouldn't be caught by Grandma. Scott ran the hoover past his door and frowned suspiciously at the lack of activity around, and with a smirk, he pushed the door open and walked in nonchalantly ignoring Alan's squeak as he jumped.

"Scared me half to death!" Alan shouted over the sound of the hoover.

"Sorry Alan, didn't catch that?"

Alan pushed the switch off. "This room isn't ready to hoover yet."

"Oh, I just assumed by the lack of dusting, that you were finished?" Scott planted his hands on his hips. "Get on with your job, or I'm telling Grandma. She'll make you do the whole house if you're not careful."

"That pose doesn't intimidate me, you're not Virgil."

"Alan, I'm serious, we live here so we all contribute," he took the attachment off and aimed it at Alan. "Move in 3, 2..."

"Alright alright!" Alan grabbed the duster again and ran out into the decorated hallway.

"Not intimidating huh?" Scott smiled as he turned the hoover around and back out into the hallway. "We'll see."

Gradually more people ended up in the kitchen as chores came to an end and Virgil found himself being helped by more of his brothers. The baking session was in full swing and the Yule Log was in the oven. Kayo had got on board with decorating it with Virgil and the two of them were making chocolate twirls to place on top of the cake.

"This is lovely," Penelope looked around at everyone in the kitchen all taking part in different cooking jobs. "It makes me think I should get into the kitchen more."

"Let's take a break, the majority of stuff is in the oven," Grandma suggested as she smiled with praise at her family. "Thank you, boys and girls."

Scott helped Gordon load the dishwasher. "I can't wait to eat all of this."

"We're having most of it tomorrow and Max is on lunch duty at the moment," Grandma looked over at the robot who beeped in compliance. "Now go on, relax."

Virgil brushed the flour off his shirt as he walked up to the lounge and over to the piano, he pulled the stool out and smiled as he sat down. The others made their way up after cleaning themselves up as best they could and got comfortable around the room. Virgil rested his fingers on the keys and began to play a piece, which no one recognised. Scott sat opposite Alan on the sofa playing chess and looked over at the piano.

"I don't recognise that?"

"That's because I've just composed it. I've been working on it all month, it's my new Christmas song."

"Does it have words?" Alan asked.

Virgil shook his head as he crossed his hand over the other to the top of the piano and back into the middle. "It doesn't need them, plus you know how bad my songwriting is."

Kayo smiled. "It's not that bad."

"Do you like it?" Virgil looked down into the ring as he played.

Penelope nodded. "The only thing that's missing is bells. It's like an interesting take on Sleigh Ride."

Gordon stood up. "I know where we have some bells, they're in the Christmas box," he ran up to the bookshelf and brought out a string of bells. "What's your idea, Penny?"

"Well, they'd have to sound during the music, but I don't know how."

Virgil paused the melody. "Gords, I have an idea. Possibly."

Gordon gave the bells to his brother then leaned against the piano frowning as Virgil tied them to his boot. "That's not going to work, Virgil, you'd be better off tying them into the piano itself."

Virgil's eyes lit up. "Actually you're right," he laid them inside the instrument under the hammers. "This will work."

Scott sighed. "Alan, I thought Virgil taught you to play chess?"

"He did."

"Then how am I beating you so easily?"

"I'm not focused on games, my focus is up there," he looked out at the sky. "And where dad is."

Penelope sat forward on her chair. "I wish I hadn't shown you that footage, it's caused a riff."

"No, it hasn't. If anything, it's given us more hope," Virgil smiled as he played. "And we're going up there as soon as the Zero XL is built, it's our top priority."

Alan sighed. "The sooner the better."

"Virgil, shall we check the cake?" Kayo suggested after checking the time.

"Good idea, it has to cool before we stick the swirls on," Virgil followed her down the stairs and Scott took his place at the piano.

Penelope hung some lametta on the tree with Gordon. "I didn't know you played, Scott?"

"I like to keep myself occupied or my thoughts take over, and that drives me insane."

Grandma sighed. "That's not true, Scotty, your thoughts don't drive you insane."

"They do sometimes," Scott bowed his head, almost in sorrow. "That's why I keep myself distracted." There was a cry of delight from downstairs, "it sounds like the cake is a success."

"Who is in charge of the carol concert later?" John asked from where he was sitting beside the bookcase reading.

"Virgil probably, he knows all the music by heart."

"But he has the best voice out of all of us, and we need his harmonies," John frowned.

"And you're our best tenor," Scott smirked.

"No, that goes to you," John shot back before anyone else had the chance to.

"Whoever was cooking the brownies, they're done!" Virgil called up from downstairs.

"Ooh, that's me" Gordon leapt to his feet and ran out of the lounge and Scott turned back to playing 'O' Holy Night,' he closed his eyes, and the remaining family members knew not to disturb him.

Virgil smiled. "This looks so good. Shall we decorate it?"

Kayo brought out a tray from the freezer covered in chocolate decorations. "Here we are. Is that Scott playing, Gordon?"

Gordon nodded as he grabbed the oven gloves off the countertop to take the brownies out. "Yep. I think he's feeling a little overwhelmed all of a sudden."

Virgil stuck some spirals along the cake. "I'll talk to him later. He sounds good."

"It's entertaining Penelope for sure, she had no idea he could play."

"He hides it better than I do," Virgil smiled. "Women swoon over him already, imagine if he told them he was musical too?"

Kayo stabbed a toothpick into Virgil's hand. "Watch it."

Virgil yelped as he pulled it out. "Dammit, Kayo! I'm only teasing."

"Next time it'll be your eye," she turned back to decorating as Gordon and Virgil looked at each other.

"Sorry," Virgil got a knife out for Gordon. "Don't cut them just yet Gords, just test the middle."

"FAB. Oh, before I forget. Grandma wants us dressed in something smarter for the carols, we're having food at five."

"What time is it now?" Virgil asked.

Kayo checked her watch. "Four. We have an hour."

Virgil nodded. "We'll finish decorating this and put it in the fridge when it's cool," he chuckled softly. "Grandma has this well scheduled, the same way dad used to."

Brains took a break from the Zero XL preparation and assisted Max in making the Christmas Eve spread and John went to help out as the others got changed for dinner, deciding to go half formal which meant dark jeans and smart tops. They would change into Christmas jumpers after the meal. Kayo checked herself in the mirror and then faced Scott.

"What do you think?"

"Whatever you're wearing, you look beautiful," he kissed her forehead and rubbed her arms which were hidden under a lace corset-styled top.

"Thanks," Kayo sighed. "Are you going to wear a suit tomorrow?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

"You look very sexy in a suit, there'll be no complaints from me, I assure you," she chuckled as he unbuttoned the top button on his shirt. "Cologne time. Which one, Kayo?"

"The one you wore when you told me you loved me," she mused as she sprayed berry-flavoured perfume onto her neck.

"I was going to pick that one anyway," he smiled as he dabbed spots at the side of his neck. "Ready?"

Kayo slipped on a pair of heels. "Yep," she looped her arm around his and they made their way to the dining room which was rarely used in the house.

Candles had been lit and Virgil and Alan were already there with Penelope and Parker and Brains, sat at the table.

"Are the others running late?" Scott asked as he sat down opposite Penelope and next to Kayo and Virgil.

"Seem to be," Grandma answered gruffly. "But most of you are here and you all look lovely," she smiled at Virgil who was wearing black jeans and a dark green turtleneck which made his hair look blacker than usual, and Penelope was wearing a gold dress topped with a black shrug cupping her shoulders. Alan had changed into a pair of long jeans and a long-sleeved red top.

Gordon ran in followed by John who walked in at a normal pace.

"Sorry we're late, Gordon hid one of my shoes," John scowled at the aquanaut who simply smirked, and sat down beside Penelope.

"Merry Christmas, John," Gordon grinned across the table at him.

"Let's raise a toast," Grandma raised her glass as the others did the same. "Firstly, let's hope tomorrow goes smoothly now that everything is ready, and second, thank you, Penelope and Parker, for joining us. Christmas is a time for family, and we wouldn't be complete without you two. Sure we have other agents, but not one of them does the same amount of work as you do. Cheers!"

Penelope blushed before tapping her glass against Parker's. "We do our best."

"Dig in," John smiled.

The concert began around eight and by that point, everyone was well under the influence of alcohol which made the preparation funnier. They rotated the piano around so that whoever was playing could look out directly into the sofa ring and the boys had decided to change into their Christmas jumpers. The concert kicked off with a full performance of 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing,' with harmonies and descants which often went out of tune as someone laughed and threw them off their line and Virgil chuckled as he played the piano. The carol finished, and Grandma clapped her hands to get the room's attention.

"Right, solo stuff. Come on, we owe Penelope a proper concert. Virgil, would you like to go first?"

Virgil nodded. "Fine, but Scott can play next."

Virgil put his glass down on top of the ledge above his hand then unhooked the bells from the hammers before sliding the stool out to get more comfortable, he looked down at the keys and began to play the main theme to The Snowman. His fingers moved slowly and each note echoed around the room, he looked out at the family with a smile before looking down again as his right hand played thirds before bringing the tune back to the middle in complicated moves in both hands. The pedal held each section down lovingly, and he spotted Penelope wiping tears away. Gordon watched his crush and wondered if he was about to lose her to his brother. The lounge was so silent, minus his playing, that Virgil was stunned that when he brought the final scales to a close and released the pedal, clapping filled the room.

"Thanks, guys," Virgil picked up his red wine with a bashful smile.

"That was spectacular, Virgil," Kayo gasped. "No way that was just you playing."

"I can assure you it was," he stood up and walked down the steps into the ring sitting on the sofa beside John who rested his hand on his shoulder.

"That was amazing," Penelope said softly still slightly tearful.

"I didn't mean to make you cry."

Penelope laughed. "I've never heard that played so smoothly before. Well done."

"Thank you. Now I stand by what I said. Scott, up you go."

Scott pushed himself off the sofa and walked round to the piano stool. "My playing is nowhere near as good as the level Virgil is at," he slurred slightly then rested his foot against the pedal before beginning to play the introduction to 'The Power of Love'.

Penelope's jaw dropped at his 'not as good a level', as he effortlessly ran his hands up and down the keys hammering out chords in a rhythmic but simple pattern. His left hand kept a steady chordal rhythm throughout whilst his right hand doubled up in octaves and a middle melody which would usually be sung, he smirked at Kayo as he rounded off the piece with accentuated chords and with a final scale at the top of the piano he released the pedal and the snowflake swung gently from the top of the open lid as he left the instrument to applause.

"Don't lie to me again Scott," Penelope scolded before she sipped her espresso martini.

"I didn't lie," he snuggled against Kayo's hip.

"Yes you did, that level of playing was just as good as Virgil's."

Virgil shrugged. "Nah, I know I'm better than him."

"Virgil, don't be snarky," Grandma tutted. "You were raised better than that. Now, who is next?"

"Can we do another carol? I'm not ready to go solo yet," Gordon ran a hand through his hair.

"Good idea. Does anyone want a top-up, or more snacks?" Kayo asked.

"Ah let me, Miss Kyrano, serving is my job h'afterall," Parker smiled. "What would people like?"

"I've been drinking red, Parker, it's on our Father's desk. Who else is drinking it?" Virgil asked as he got to his feet.

"I have," John smiled at him and Kayo also raised her hand.

Virgil walked up to the piano and held out his glass as Parker topped him up then he sat back down behind the keys. "Which carol then?"

"'Oh Come All Ye Faithful!" Alan grinned. "That was always the one I loved in school concerts."

"FAB. Gather round then," Virgil beckoned them all over and smiled as the group assembled around the piano.

Alan sat down on the stool beside Virgil, and Penelope stood with Parker at the end of the piano looking over the strings. Virgil began to play the introduction and Alan grinned as the tune rounded off to start the first verse.

"O Come, all ye Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant.

Oh Come Ye, Oh Come Ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold him, born the King of Angels."

The room sang with voices high and low, and Penelope rested her arms on the end of the piano smiling at Alan who was leaning against Virgil's shoulder as he played. Scott stood behind Virgil with his arms around Kayo who was singing as she swayed and Grandma was sitting at Jeff's desk with Gordon and John who were singing together.

Virgil beamed as he looked around at his family before continuing to sing with his accompaniment and heard the bells jingle inside the piano amongst the vocals, and the chords rang clear and loud. The fairy lights quivered from where they hung along the open lid and Virgil began the descant verse immediately bursting out laughing as it went to pieces. The group sang through it and Virgil played harder trying to guide them. The snowflake swung gently from the movements of the piano and Penelope watched the pedal hammers holding down the notes bouncing them up and down repeatedly hitting the small bells, and with a shake of his head Virgil gave up as they reached the final lines.

"Oh come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!"

Virgil released the pedal heavily and sat back with a sigh. "Wow guys, that last verse was pretty awful," he huffed as he rested his hands on his knees. "Gordon, are you ready to go solo now?"

"Yes, just give me a second to get my instrument," he smiled and left the lounge in the direction of the bedrooms.

"What is he playing?" Alan asked.

Virgil shrugged as he leaned forward to pick up his wine glass. "His guitar I'm guessing."

Gordon returned holding his acoustic. "I'm afraid I'm not a pianist, Penny."

Penelope smiled from where she was now sitting on the sofa. "That's alright."

Gordon walked down the steps into the ring and sat down on the edge of the centre table. "Short and sweet," he began to play 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' and smiled as he saw Penelope grinning at him in his peripheral vision, he only played a couple of verses and then rounded the tune off before striking the final chord gently. "And you guys thought I couldn't be delicate?" He said pointedly at John and Virgil who suddenly looked guilty.

Scott leaned against the pool table. "Just John and Alan to go. What are you guys performing?"

"I'm certainly not, not even if you paid me. I'm not good enough yet," Alan crossed his arms. "I'm happy just singing along with the carols."

John scuffed his shoe against the wooden floor. "I'd rather not."

Penelope stood up. "I'll play you something then."

"Penny?" Gordon's eyes widened.

"Why so surprised, Gordon? I had piano lessons as a child, it's almost a requirement for an aristocrat to be able to play an instrument," she walked up to the piano and Virgil stood up. "Thank you, Virgil," she sat on the edge of the stool and pulled it in slightly so she could reach the pedal then began to play 'Carol of the Bells.' "Feel free to join in if you want to make this a duet or whatever?"

Virgil grinned. "I'm up for that."

"Scott?" Penelope offered, as she began to play the looped introduction.

"Oh go on then, but I bet we can't get three people on this stool," he smirked as Virgil sat on the stool beside Penelope joining in on the bass chords and he moved into the space on the other side of her leaning his knee onto the padding as he played in top octaves.

Gordon watched in both jealousy and admiration at the performance, and the trio was encouraged with applause and cries of delight, all three of them started at the top of the piano and played a fast double octave down the keys down to the very bass notes before hammering a final chord with as much determination as they could give it and the snowflake swung in a pendulum effect, shaking long after the music had gone.

"That was awesome!" Alan cheered. "I love that carol. Have you guys heard the rock version?"

"That was the rock version, but only with the piano," Virgil hopped off the stool. "I think it's time for more food. Hey guys, it's almost midnight."

"Which means it's almost Christmas!" Scott grinned broadly. "I can't wait for tomorrow."

Brains smiled to himself from the corner of the room. "Something tells me, it might be the best Christmas ever."