Thanks for all the positive reviews, I hope you will enjoy the next part to this story. Happy Holidays! xx

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Chapter two.

Mistletoe and Wine

December 23rd.

Ben was on her right knee, watching cartoons. And Emma was in her left arm, allowing her mother to put teething gel on her gums. 'Now this should relieve your pain sweetie…' Rachel promised her daughter who was now patting Ben on the back.

'Stop it Emma' Ben told his sister, batting her hand away. 'I'm trying to watch this…'.

Rachel shook her head, she wasn't used to this. She remembered arguing with her own sisters but she never really had to watch her daughter be told off by her brother, 'Ben, sweetie…you have to remember that Emma is only little ok? She doesn't mean any harm to you…' Rachel told Ben who seemed surprised at her telling him off. 'Fine..' He scowled.

Rachel couldn't believe his behaviour today, but maybe it was her not being used to a 9 year old boy in the house, 'Ben, will you stay here with Emma while I put the tea on?'.

Ben nodded. 'When's daddy back?'.

'He should be home in an hour or so…'.

'Then are we going to the hunakka reading?' He asked.

Rachel nodded, 'Yeah Ben, your Daddy wants you and Emma to know more about the Jewish holiday…so he'll take you tonight ok?'. She placed Emma in her highchair, and looked at Ben who was concentrating on the TV. 'Don't annoy your brother now Emma'. She told her daughter, stroking her hair gently before walking to the kitchen.

'Oh Mom, that's so generous of you to ask us to Christmas dinner…I'll tell Rachel when I get home but you know---'

'Ross, I have to say…I was a little anxious asking you, because your father seemed to think that you would want to spend it alone. But I know you wouldn't let me down Son…I asked Monica but I'm not sure she'll come. The twins are a handful, she seems to think they'll be too stressful for me in the house…'.

'Maybe she's right. Twins must be tough to handle Mom, I mean even Emma is a little tough to take but she behaves most of the time. I have Ben to stay this weekend so I'm going to spend some time with them both….'.

'That's marvellous dear, So how are things with you and Rachel?'.

'They're great Mom, we hardly get time with just us at the moment…but its only because of my job, and she only works certain days now at Ralph Lauren so---'.

'I'm sorry to interrupt you son, but your father and I are having a get together with a few friends this evening, I should make a start on the food. So promise me you'll try and make it? It'll be nice to have you and Rachel here as a couple for Christmas'.

'Ok Mom. I'll speak to you soon'. He couldn't say no if he wanted to, not that he did want to say no, but he did remember Rachel saying that she wanted to spend Christmas dinner at home, their home.

Maybe she wouldn't be mad, they wouldn't have to stay the whole day anyway. He ended the call to his mother, and continued his drive home. It was 7.15pm now, he only had an hour till he was to be at the special Jewish evening he promised to take Emma and Ben to.

24th December.

'Now the tree is complete' Rachel announced, presenting the newly bought baubles that were now hanging from the tree in the corner of the apartment.

Ross stood beside her, 'So cute…'.

'I love them. I just couldn't resist it…it just makes it that more special, don't you think?' She asked him, placing her hand on the back of his neck as he nuzzled hers.

He admired the three baubles, each with their names on. Ross, Rachel and of course, Emma.

'Do you think it's a bit…' Rachel began.

'Over the top?' Ross jumped in before she could finish.

'Yeah. Do you think they are?'. She worried, looking at them again.

'No. I don't sweetie…we could never be over the top.' He told her, kissing her in the nape of her neck.

She smiled. 'I'm glad you think so'.

They stood there for the moment, just admiring their very own Christmas tree. Something about this year made it more special, it wasn't only because they were together again but it was something more than that. They had grown up, and it was their first Christmas as a real family, and that was what made it extra special.

'Oh and look what I bought' Rachel told him, digging into a shopping bag to bring out mistletoe, 'We're never too old for this…' she smiled, holding it up in the air between him.

'Do you know how much I love you?' Ross asked her, stroking her cheek.

He kissed her under the mistletoe, the only sound that they could hear was the fire burning, 'Oh…I do now' She confirmed after their kiss.

Ross wrapped his arms around her. 'This Christmas is going to be the best we've ever had, and its because we're together again…'.

'Do you remember our first Christmas together as a couple?'. Rachel asked him, smiling up at him.

'How could I not remember?'.

They sat for hours, sipping wine and remembering their times together, their first Christmas together had been only a few months into their relationship. Ross remembered frantically searching the shops, for something she wouldn't return. 'At least this year I know you wont be returning your gift…' Ross confidently told her.

'How can you be so sure?'. She asked him.

'Oh believe me, you wont be returning this one…'.

With a glint in his eye, Rachel had an idea what he might be hinting at, but she didn't want to ruin the surprise. But if it was what she was thinking, he was right, she wouldn't return it to anybody.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

'You don't mind do you?'. Ross asked her.

'I don't mind. Its just…Oh your so going to kill me'. She said, itching her forehead nervously.

'What?' Ross asked her.

'Don't get mad okay?'.

'Just tell me Rach..' He asked her.

'Ok. Well…I sort of told my father that we would go and have dinner with him tomorrow…I would have said no but you know…'.

Ross shook his head. 'So your telling me that we've made plans to have two Christmas dinners?'.

She began to snigger, 'Its so typical of us Ross, If I'd of known that your parents were even thinking of asking us then I wouldn't have agreed to going to see my dad…but we're just going to have to find a way around it…'.

'Is your dad alone or something then this year?'.

'Well yeah…he hasn't spent Christmas with my mom for 7 years now, and he's always had the option of spending it with Jill and Amy, but they both have their own arrangements now…I'm surprised my mom hasn't asked me to hers yet, I figure she'll be on her own too'.

'I don't mind going to spend it with your father, if he's going to be alone then we can figure a way…I think my parents have their dinner at a later time anyway, so get your dad to have his earlier…'.

She nodded. 'I would feel bad leaving him, I cant believe Jill and Amy have just forgotten about mom and dad this year, they cant say being in love is an excuse for them…because I don't use that as one'.

He took hold of her hand as he spoke to her, 'That's because your more kinder than they are Rach. You always have been….but let me ask you this, are you disappointed that we cant spend it alone?' he asked her.

'Kind of…but we can have the night with just us cant we?'.

'Yeah. I suppose…'.

'I was even going to make a big effort and cook this year as well…' She told him.

Ross looked at her, 'Oh I'm glad I missed that…'. he joked.

She slapped him playfully on the wrist. 'Hey..'.

'I'm just kidding Rach, you're improving as a cook…'

She tilted her head, 'C'mon, your kidding right?'

He laughed again. 'Kidding indeed, cooking just isn't your thing Rach'.

'Yeah well, you know what is?'. She placed her finger on his dimpled chin and kissed him firmly on the lips. 'If only you could cook as well as you kiss huh?'. Ross said to her before she began to straddle him. 'Wishful thinking honey…' She murmured, amid kisses.