Christmas morning we were all up early even though we had been up quite late...or at least my husband and I were.

For once, Bosco was up before me, excited as a little child would be, pulling off the covers and telling me to 'hurry, hurry'!

I rolled over and stuck my head under my pillow. I was tired and I wanted a few more minutes sleep. I had stayed up most of the night thinking about Carmelle Sambrooke and her sudden appearance into our lives. There was something about her that was too familiar. She looked like someone I had seen before. I decided that I would talk to Mikey about it if I could get him alone at some point. I knew that it would be tough, considering that the house was going to be full of people all day. Ty and Sasha and Carly and Tyrone and his girlfriend and their son, Elijah were all coming over for brunch. I needed to talk to Sasha. That's what I needed to do.

I was also thinking about Brett and Carly and just what was going on between them. I only had one more day to get the truth from Brett and I didn't know how to do it. If Sasha could only get Carly to tell her what was going on, I thought, then maybe we wouldn't have to dig it out of Brett.

Bosco's urgent voice brought me out of my reverie. 'Faith, come on! Let's get downstairs and get the coffee on and wait for everyone else to get up!'

I groaned. 'Bosco! Let me just sleep for a few more minutes. You tired me out last night you know.'

He jumped on the bed, pulled the pillow away from me, and kissed my face, my eyes and then my neck. 'You know what you do to me when you wear those things, besides I wasn't the only one who tired you out. It was your brain as well.' he said in all seriousness.

I opened my eyes and looked up at him. 'What do you mean, my brain?'

'You stayed up half the night just scheming a way to find out about Brett and Carly and you probably spent some time wondering about Mike's new woman, too, didn't ya?' He admonished, waging a finger at me.

I opened my mouth to dispute what he had said but he cut me off before I could speak.

'Faith, I know you. How long have we known each other?'

'Thirty-seven years.'

He nodded his head. 'Yep. Thirty-seven years. And you know what?"

'What?'

'I can read you like a book, my dear wife, and I know how you 'get'.' He put stress on the word 'get'.

I struggled to sit up and he moved over to his own side of the bed to let me do so. Now in a sitting position, I looked over at him, slightly annoyed that he could read me so well. 'How I get?'

He rolled his eyes and pursed his lips together. 'Faith, you always try and solve everything. You can't let Mike make his own decisions. You can't let Brett and Carly have their privacy. Just let them find their own way. It won't do any good if you're there every second, breathing down their necks, just waiting for the next drama to unfold.'

'I do not!' I cried out defensively. ' I'm their mother, Bosco! I try and prevent drama, not contribute to it. And you should be on my side! You don't even see what's going on, do you?' I accused. I felt hurt by his lack of understanding.

'What's going on? The only thing I see is that Mike got a new girlfriend who isn't Kath, by the way, and you don't like it. The only other thing that's going on is that your son doesn't tell you every blessed thing that happens in his life and you can't take it! You can't accept the fact that they are grown up.' He said, now lying back down and covering his face with his arm.

'I can too! I can't believe after all of these years you can't see what's going on with your son and Carly! Do you know that's she's sick?' I threw out.

'So what? She threw up. She's probably got a touch of the flu...'

'No. Last night at your party, didn't you see the way she and Brett were? Didn't you notice that they only talked to make it appear that nothing was wrong? Sasha told me that Carly has been throwing up at her house, too. Don't you see?' I cried, holding my arms out. It was the most simple thing in the world. Why didn't he see it too?

'Faith, what should I be seeing?' He asked in a tired voice. Apparently, I was enough to take the Christmas joy from him.

I pulled his arm off of his face so he could look at me, really look at me.

'Bosco. She's pregnant. I know it.' There. I'd said my suspicions.

He blinked rapidly and looked away for a second. 'What are you saying? Do you think Brett is the father?' he asked slowly.

I nodded. 'Yes. I do. They've been living together since they were eighteen years old. They don't see anyone else. Who else do you think it could be?' I asked softly.

He digested what I'd said. He sat up and rolled over on his elbow, his head resting in his hand.

'I admit I always wondered what was between them, but I just can't believe that they're together and they wouldn't say anything but...' He stopped and grinded his teeth together.

'What? What?' I asked when he didn't respond quickly enough. My mind was racing a mile a minute.

'Well, last night I got up to hit the head and went down stairs to see if I'd forgot to turn off any of the lights. You know that sometimes we forget...anyway, I went past the livingroom and Brett was in there talking on the phone.'

'And'? I asked breathlessly.

He scratched his head before continuing. 'And I heard him talking about some big mistake. I couldn't make it all out, cause I was still kinda drunk, but I definitely heard him say that he couldn't deal with it for much longer. He sounded really mad, like the time when Mike broke his G.I. Joe battle station, do you remember that?'

This was not the time for G.I. Joe. I pinched his arm and flashed him a warning look.

'Yesssssss...I remember, so what else did he say? Did you find out who he was talking to? Did it sound like he was talking about a baby?' I fired off my questions like a lawyer, not giving him enough time to even think about what I was asking.

He carefully pulled my arm away from him. 'Ouch! Don't pinch me! No. I didn't find anything else out. I guess I forgot my super-sensitive hearing and my recording device out in the car, Nancy Drew!' He said sarcastically, rubbing the pinch mark.

I slapped his arm and rolled out of bed. 'I'm sorry that you can't take this seriously, Bosco! There's something going on here! What are you gonna do to help me?'

He quickly jumped out of bed and came around to me and grabbed on to my arms. 'Listen. It's Christmas morning and we aren't going to do anything about it! Do you hear me? Promise me that you'll leave it alone, at least for today.' he pleaded. 'I swear, tomorrow both of us will talk to him. Both of us.'

I saw how much it meant to him to have peace on this day. I had to admit that it wasn't the best way to start our celebration. When he was little there was never a Christmas that didn't end up in disaster. Anthony always ended up getting too drunk and then he either beat up Rose or them. Sometimes both. Every year that we had been together, I had always tried to make it extra special for him, and here I was, being mean and starting an argument on this happy day. I felt myself soften.

'Okay, darling. I'm sorry. I'm just worried about them. I won't say anything today. I promise.' I said and kissed him.

He clapped his hands together, all Christmas spirit restored. 'Okay then, let's get the coffee on and then we'll make sure everyone gets up. I can't wait to see Little Faith open her doll. It's gonna be so great!'

He disappeared out the door and down the stairs. I put on my robe and brushed my hair back and put it securely in a pony-tail and headed downstairs to start our celebration.

By nine-thirty everyone was up and about. Mikey had arrived alone, thank goodness, just as we were about to open the gifts. We all gathered around the living-room and opened our presents. Emma and Robb were on top of the world watching Little Faith open her gifts and tear the beautifully wrapped paper into shreds. She got everything she could have ever wanted, not that a one year old could really want much. Toys, toys, and more toys filled the room. She loved the doll that her gapa had given her. We had also given her a beautiful Victorian dollhouse, filled with furniture and accessories for when she was older. It cost almost two hundred dollars, but when I saw it in the department store window, I knew I had to get it for her.

Bosco had given me a new watch, three sweaters and a beautiful locket with both of our pictures inside. He also gave me a car-starter and a membership to a new gym that I had been wanting. I, in turn, had given him a new work bench that he could use in his garage, along with a new power saw and tool set that I knew he'd had his eyes on.

I thought I had found my favorite gift of all time when I was presented a slimly wrapped package that weighed quite a bit. It was from all three of my remaining children. They had taken a picture that had been taken almost thirty years ago of Bosco and myself outside of 55-David, our old patrol car. They had embossed it on a beautiful cherry wood plaque with engraved writing on a gold plate at the bottom.

'55-David: Love: Life: Eternity, Love Mike, Brett Emma.'

"Ohhhhhhh...I love it! Thank you so much!' I cried out, admiring all of the thought that had gone into this particular gift.

But that wasn't the last surprise for me. After looking to their father, who sat in a wicker rocking chair, looking a little somber, Brett stepped forward and placed another heavy package in my hand. 'Mom, this is from all of us to you. I hope you like it.' he said softly and went to sit down beside his brother and sister.

All of them looked at me with tight smiles on their faces. It confused me and made my heart flutter a bit. My hand trembled as I ripped the brightly festive paper off, looking every so often to one, or all of them, to find a clue as to why they'd all become quiet.

At last I had the paper off. Whatever was inside was heavy. I pulled off the top of the box and peered down at to what I thought was the most beautiful music/jewelry box I had ever seen. I sucked in my breath and tried to blink back the tears I felt building. I looked up at all of their dear faces, as the tears poured from my eyes and fell to my lap. It wasn't just the box, while lovely, that had made me cry. On the lid was a picture of all five of the children that I had given birth to. They had taken a picture of Mikey, Brett and Emma as small children and merged it together with another picture of Emily and Charlie. From the way the picture looked, it did seem as if they had all been together that day.

I tried to make the words come out of my mouth; I tried to speak, but all I could do was cry. I mean really bawl. It was the most wonderful gift I'd ever received. I kissed the tips of my fingers and pressed them to Emily and Charlie's sweet faces. I'd never gotten over losing them.

Alarmed, Emma jumped up from her seated position on the floor next to her father's chair and threw her arms about my neck. 'Don't cry, momma. We didn't want you to be upset.' She consoled, running her fingers over my head.

I hugged her back and pulled her so she could look at me. 'I'm not upset, Em. I'm happy. Thank you all. This is the best gift I could have asked for.'

Brett and Mikey both nodded and then looked away. Neither of them could stand to see a woman cry. They had gotten that honestly enough, though. Bosco couldn't either and was soon making the excuse about needing to go to the kitchen to start our brunch before the Davis's arrived. Although, he did make his way over to me and kissed me on the cheek before leaving the room and then added on his way out. 'Hey snotface, go get a kleenex.'

So much for that moment.

We all gathered in the kitchen to make the brunch. We were having bacon and eggs with hash browns and english muffins. We were also having potato salad and garlic break and caesar salad. There would also be orange creme brule for desert that Sasha would bring. That woman was amazing in the kitchen.

Emma went upstairs to put Little Faith down for a nap and Robb went to take a shower. Brett and Mike helped set the table and do little chores that I needed done. It was fun, all of us together, getting ready to celebrate with our best friends.

'Rockin'Around the Christmas Tree' came on one of the old time radio stations and Bosco ran over to turn it up. He always loved getting into the season, and loved, loved the music, although he'd never admit it to anyone other than our family.

He swung his hips to the music as he fried a pan of bacon. 'Deck the halls with bells of holly...' He sang in a deep silly voice.

Brett even got into the mood and grabbed the mixing bowl I was using out of my hands and set it down by the sink and twirled me around. Laughing, I grabbed on to his shoulder and kept pace with him. He was a great dancer.

Mikey stood back, shaking his head and laughing. 'You guys should see yourselves' he scoffed.

Brett let me go and I twirled into my second son, who had to catch me by the waist or be knocked over. 'Oh come on Mike, dance with your momma'.

'Alright, alright.' he muttered, but obliged in leading me all over our huge kitchen and even dipping me at the end of the song.

Bosco had turned around and was watching and nodding to himself. He was impressed as I was with both of our son's abilities to dance.

'That's enough' Bosco said in a deep voice, faking anger. 'I'd like to cut in and have a dance with my lady, if you scoundrels don't mind.'

He came across the kitchen and gathered me in his strong arms and started to slow dance with me.

'Merry Christmas, Mrs. Boscorelli.' He whispered in my ear. His whiskers grazing over my cheek, his breath on my neck.

I tilted my head back and looked at my beloved. 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Boscorelli.' Impetuously I leaned in and gave him a long, passionate kiss. He returned the kiss, so much so, that both of our boys turned and left the kitchen.

I heard a door slam and boots being stamped in the foyer, but continued to kiss my husband passionately until I heard:

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?' Came the loud booming voice of no other than Ty Davis.

Bosco and I parted, both wiping our mouths off with our hands. Bosco stepped forward and shook Ty's hand.

"Buddy, glad you could make it. Merry Christmas!"

He started toward me, his hands outstretched. 'You gonna give me one of those kisses?'

I kissed him square on the lips, as I did every Christmas and hugged him. 'Merry Christmas Ty!'

Sasha was the last to come in. Tyrone, Tania and Elijah came in with Carly. After hugging all of them, I turned to Carly.

"Where's your momma, baby girl?' That was the name I had called her since the day she was born.

"Oh, she's out in the car. She asked me to get you to come out and help her with some stuff. Oh and something about a surprise or something?' Carly said as she shed her heavy coat.

'Ok. I'll go see what she needs.' I said, slipping on my boots and a heavy sweater. Winter in New York was colder than it used to be.

I made my way down the steps to the Davis's Durango. Sasha was sitting on the front seat. It looked like she had been crying. She exited the door and pulled me by the hand to the back of the vehicle, where she opened the trunk and began piling packages in my arms.

'Sasha, what's wrong?' I asked, as she put another package on top of the four that were already there.

'Sasha?' I again asked when she didn't answer.

She turned to me, and this time I really saw her. She was upset. Upset as I'd ever seen her. No one else could probably tell how extremely unnerved she was, except for maybe Ty.

She took a deep breath and blinked back her tears. 'Ok, we can't spend any time out here jabberin' but I talked to Carly...and..'

'And what?' I held my breath and bit down on my lip.

'She's pregnant.'