10.

"Let me get this straight. We have been prepping for a confrontation with the in laws and your mother freaks out on you," Kendel repeated to Addison. Addison nodded while chopping the carrots.

"I cannot wait till Aunt Kane gets here," she added. Kendel and Addison adored, Aunt Kane. Kane was Mona's younger, free spirited sister, who had once been a top model in Europe. Oh the stories she could tell. Now she simply earned her living by penning saucy romance novels. She had been the girls' hero once a moon ago.

"Your Aunt Kane is coming?" Alaina Shepherd asked from the door way. Kendel and Addison froze.

"I am not going to attack you. Del, can you give me and Addi some time alone."

Kendel obeyed the request and disappeared out the door in which Alaina entered.

"I am upset with you, Addison, but I do not hate you. You hurt my son. You broke his heart. You betrayed our family. Any other woman I would have slapped to Timbuktu."

"Alaina, I am so--"

"Mom, Addison. I am still Mom."

Alaina stood before Addison and took her chin into her hand.

"There is some trust to be built, but I see the look in your eyes when you look at my son. When you hold your son. He is beautiful, Addi. One would think you had given birth to him."

"I never meant to hurt you or dad."

"We know. All marriages have points where the road forks. You made a choice. You fought to fix it. I love you, regardless. You and Derek are both at fault."

Addison flung her arms around Alaina's neck. She would go crazy without Derek's mother in her life.

"I cannot promise that the girls will be as forgiving, but just now that we love you."

"Thanks, mom."

"Kendel, Derek, you can remove yourselves from the door," Alaina called out.

The door swung open to reveal Kendel, her mini me, and Derek with Aidan. The Mrs. Shepherds giggled at the scene before them.

"What bad habits are you teaching my son?" Addison inquired. The adults in the door way simply shrugged.

"So what are your holiday plans, Alex?" Izzie asked, as they prepared to leave for the day.

"Work. I'm on call."

"You are coming over for Christmas day dinner, right?"

Alex sighed, " I don't know, Iz."

"You can't be alone on Christmas."

Alex hung his head low. "All right. I'm in. I'll spend Christmas day with you guys."

"Perfect!" Izzie chirped. She slammed her locker shut and walked off. Alex leaned against the locker, beating it with his first. Perfect. Just Perfect.

"Your boyfriend and your ex-boyfriend will be here for Christmas dinner?" Meredith repeated. Her and Izzie were sitting in the kitchen splitting a pizza.

"Yes."

"Why don't we invite my ex and his wife, it can be a real party!"

Izzie rolled her eyes and continued munching on her pizza.

"We are in for an exiting holiday aren't we?"

"Not half as exiting as Cristina's."

"I don't want to."

"Cristina."

"Go away."

"Cristina."

Cristina peeked her head out of the bathroom. "No. I changed my mind. I am staying home and spending Christmas with my friends. We are going to perform surgeries and drink superfluous amounts of alcohol. Merry Christmas to me. Goodbye!" she closed the door and locked it again.

Burke banged his fist on the door. He sighed and leaned his head against it.

Cristina sat in the tub pleased with herself. She picked up the medical magazine she was reading and leaned back.

To say she was surprise when the door suddenly swung open, would be an understatement.

"Preston!" She shouted as she was swung over his shoulder and carried out of the bathroom.

Addison sat in the family room watching Bronte coo over Aidan. She was in love with the baby at first sight. The baby sat in the arms of his grandma Alaina, looking at the little girl intently.

Derek, Ewan, and their father's had disappeared to the trailer after dinner. They muttered something about male bonding before getting into Derek's van. Addison smirked. She knew that was where Derek stashed his best liquor and cigars. From 2 rooms over, Addison could hear her mother ranting on the phone. It was just like Mona to be on the phone with her boss when her family was around. Kendel was off in the office sending out a last minute note to her editor. Kendel would be launching her design book in the new year. It was just like her to procrastinate. All of her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the less than pleasant voice of her oldest sister in law.

"Mom, where did that baby come from? Please tell me, Derek did not father a child with that adulterous bi--."

"Hello to you to, Monica," Addison interrupted curtly. She rose from the couch to take her son from his grandma. " I'd like you to meet your nephew. Aidan Shepherd, mine and Derek's son."

If looks could kill, Addison would be way under. Christmas with the Shepherds had officially begun.

so, in conclusion, please review! especially you! yeah, you... you know who you are.

muah