Once everyone opened one gift they started their other tradition. Fran sat in an arm chair that was across the arm chair CC was sitting in, and the children all sat on the couch along with Niles who was sitting in the middle of the couch with his reading glasses on reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas". "Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.!" Niles read and then closed the book slowly, "Again!" all six kids exclaimed.
Niles smiled, "Now you all know the rules, I read once and only once and then you all go to bed." "Aw!" they all exclaimed again, they like all other children around the world wanted to stay up to see Santa Clause. "Come on, no sleep, no presents." Niles pointed out, the kids all looked at each other and dashed up the stairs. Niles got up to go tuck the kids in, Fran and her kids were staying over night, but CC stopped him , "Niles," she started and he walked behind her chair, "why don't you put the kids to bed and then go lye down." "Are you sure, he asked after all CC was now showing she was pregnant and was once again needed help getting out of her seat.
"I'll be there soon." she replied smiling and Niles smiled back and then leaned in to kiss her. While they were kissing they heard several little voices exclaim "Eww!" Niles pulled away from his wife and looked at the top of the stairs where the two sets of twins were standing already in their pajamas. Niles grinned at them and then ran up the stairs, and all of the kids ran off in different directions they all knew he was coming to put them to bed.
Both Fran and CC laughed, and then CC turned to Fran, "So what's wrong?" "I'm worried that Max not being here will ruin the kids Christmas's forever." Fran explained but that was just one of her fears. CC was confused, "What are you talking about?" "Oh come on CC," Fran started, "It happened to you! Your parents weren't there for you during Christmas, so ya were always bitter during the holidays." Fran pointed out. "Until I married Niles." CC said softly as she smiled and remembered her past Christmas's with Niles, but then her smile shrunk as she remembered her lonely Christmas's before she married Niles.
"But my parents didn't really love me," CC continued, "sure my father might but my mother could have cared less. Both you and Maxwell love your children and each other." Fran smiled at CC's comment. "Besides Fran, I was raised by butlers and Nannies, you're kids have you when Maxwell isn't here." CCC pointed out, "Ya know CC I think you're right." Fran said smiling, "I just hope they don't hate him for not being here." she then thought for a moment, "Although if they do, then they'd take my side more often."
The two laughed "Thanks CC, ya really helped me out, but I think I'm gonna head off to bed." Fran announced as she got up and walked towards the stairs. "Ok. Oh and Fran?" CC called "Yeah?" Fran, who was already going up the stairs, asked "Could you go get Niles I can't get up." Fran smiled as she continued walking up the stairs, "I remember those days!" she exclaimed, "Yeah I could kill Niles for doing this to me again." CC said playfully, she actually liked being pregnant. "And I could kill Max for not doing it to me again." Fran said softly as she walked up the stairs.