A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I appreciate it. This chapter skips ahead a little bit. Let's say it skips ahead two weeks from the trip to Devon. Hope you enjoy this update!
/
"Okay, the next road trip you all take, whether it's to Devon or Shamokin or the North Pole, I want in on. You all have way too much fun. I just need a little notice so I can make sure I'm not on call." Maura said as she sat back on the sofa and sipped her wine.
A few months ago their group decided it would be nice to get together, if possible, for a girls' night once a month. They would each take turns planning and/or hosting the evening. This month, they were gathered at Minx Manor for a girls' night in. With the holidays upon them, it was easier and less stressful to be at one of their homes rather than fighting for a table at a restaurant packed with holiday shoppers. Because they were at Minx Manor, Sam volunteered to watch the Tasker-Montgomery children while Gail and Carol enjoyed their time with the others. The kids were thrilled to have a movie night with the teen down in the playroom and were currently munching away on pizza and popcorn downstairs while the women were gathered in the family room upstairs. While they had all watched the video from Devon right after Greenlee had posted it on YouTube two weeks ago, they had just finished watching again. This time however, they have viewed it on the large screen television in the couple's home.
"Maura is right. I had a great deal of fun in Shamokin, but I have to say that what happened in Devon is hysterical." Rafaela added.
Kendall nodded. "Better yet, none of us were injured in Devon."
"Yeah, that was definitely a plus. We didn't have to explain a black eye or a busted lip to anyone." Marissa laughed.
"I'm really liking the high-def big screen version. It brings out the color on Shelly. Those brown splotches are just so vivid." Greenlee smirked.
Bianca groaned at the joke. She couldn't help but agree with Greenlee's critique. With all that Shelly had said about both her wife and her mother, Bianca had to admit that it was pretty satisfying to see Shelly get what she more than deserved. "You do excellent work, Greenlee. My favorite part is when you zoomed in on her face after she lifted it up."
"They call that the money shot." Rafaela explained to those not familiar with the term that was used frequently in modeling for both still photography and videos.
"Well, that's definitely the case here. How many views have you gotten?" Lisa asked.
Greenlee grinned proudly. "Just shy of 10 million."
"In a week? Impressive. I might have to start calling you Spielberg." Marissa smiled.
"Ooh, I like that nickname! It's much better than the other one you all call me."
Kendall rolled her eyes. "You're creating a monster, Red."
"Don't worry. We can always knock her down a peg or two."
Maura chuckled at the banter. "It sounds like you all had a good time. I'm serious about wanting to check out Winterfest. It sounds, I don't know, very nice, special."
"It is. Bianca and I have already talked about going back next year. You're definitely more than welcome to join us."
"Oh, Fitz and the city council will love having Rafaela there. How do you feel about being grand marshal?" Jo asked half joking and half serious. The doctor didn't really doubt that the question would come up if they knew the supermodel was coming to town.
Rafaela shook her head. "If it's all the same, I think I would rather not be it. There seems to be a great deal of drama surrounding that role, and I would like to avoid adding that to my life."
"We'll make sure they don't ask you then." Bianca looked at her wife who nodded. "How was Paris?"
"Beautiful, busy, a bit lonely without Maura. Fortunately, I am back home now and have a bit of time off. While I will miss my family, I am looking forward to Christmas in Pine Valley."
"She definitely has the Christmas spirit. Our place is decorated inside and outside. Rafaela wanted lights strung up outside. So, my wonderful girlfriend charmed a couple of neighbors to help us. I wasn't allowed to get up on the ladder."
"That is because you are a doctor. I don't want you to take any chances of falling and damaging those skilled and lovely hands." Rafaela smiled as she pressed a kiss to one of Maura's hands causing the doctor to blush slightly.
"Are we talking skilled medically or skilled another way?" Greenlee asked with a grin.
"Both." Rafaela answered simply and honestly. "I am a very lucky and extremely satisfied woman."
"All right then." Kendall cleared her throat and decided to change the subject. "What are the two of you doing for Christmas?"
"We're not really sure. I just found out today that I'm not on call which is the first time that's happened in quite a while." Maura answered.
"Why don't you join us here then?" Bianca asked.
"We would not want to intrude." Rafaela said.
"You wouldn't be. We have an open house here on Christmas. Pretty much the same crowd we had at Thanksgiving, everyone here tonight that wasn't here then, plus a few others thrown in for good measure that stopped by last year."
Marissa nodded. "It's going to crowded but fun. We'll eat, play some games, talk, eat some more. You get the idea."
"We're really looking forward to it. We missed too many Christmases together. That's not happening again." Jo smiled at her friend.
"Never again." Marissa agreed. Having Jo and Jessica there would make the holiday pretty much perfect.
"What about Caleb?" Maura asked.
"Oh, Caleb will be here too. If we hadn't invited him, we know Jessica would have." Marissa chuckled.
"Is she …" Carol's question was answered by Jo before she had a chance to finish it.
"Yes, Mom is with Caleb tonight. He was taking her on a proper date."
"Does she have a curfew?" Kendall smirked.
"I tried to give her one, but she just rolled her eyes at me and left. It's so hard raising them when they get to that age." Jo barely managed to say with a straight face before she cracked up.
"And all of you will be here?" Rafaela asked.
Stef nodded. "Yep. Jamie is really looking forward to it. He had a great time here last year. Now, he's more aware of Santa Claus. He's so excited. We're going to stop over in the afternoon. We figure he can open up what Santa brought him at home and then hopefully take a nap before we come over. He won't be overtired and cranky that way."
Maura glanced at Rafaela, and the two had a silent conversation before the doctor answered for them. "Well, if you're sure, we would love to come over."
"Great!"
"Can we bring anything?"
"Everybody brings something, and we just kind of graze."
"Repeatedly." Greenlee smirked.
Kendall nodded. "She's right."
Greenlee's eye lit up suddenly. "Ooh, could I put in a request for the Brazilian Cheese Bread you made for Thanksgiving?"
"The Pão de queijo? Of course. I'm glad you liked it." Rafaela smiled.
Maura cleared her throat. "If you're taking requests, my vote is for the Brigadeiros."
Rafaela was impressed with her girlfriend's pronunciation of the chocolatey delicacy.
"That's the chocolate bonbon, right?" Carol asked.
"It is."
"Chocolate bonbon? My vote's for that too. Anything with chocolate, I'm down for." Lisa added.
Rafaela chuckled. "I am happy to bring both. I haven't forgotten that I still own you the recipe, Carol. I'll bring it if you bring me the recipe for …" She looked at her girlfriend. "What was the name of the cookie I really liked?"
"Snickerdoodle."
"That's it. Snickerdoodle! I love the name almost as much as I love the cookie. Your gingerbread cookies were very good as well."
Carol laughed stuck out her hand. "I'll trade you the secret recipes for both of those for both of your recipes. Alex loved the bread."
Rafaela took the older woman's hand, and they shook. "Deal!"
"Well, this sounds like a win-win for everyone." Greenlee smiled. "And before anyone asks, I'm not baking."
"Trust me, you don't want her to. It's best for all concerned." Kendall smirked.
"What she said. I'm bringing wine and lots of it."
"Something she is very good at picking." Kendall and Greenlee clinked wine glasses.
/
Bianca sighed as she closed her suitcase. It was three days before Christmas, and she had to fly to the Miranda Center's New York branch the next day to handle an emergency that had come up. Normally, the staff there would be able to handle it, but this was one that required Bianca's presence. Neither she nor Marissa wanted her to go, but they both knew she had to. The Center did so much for so many people in need. Given that and the fact that Bianca poured her heart into it, it was a no-brainer that she would go. Because this trip came up at the last minute, Bianca had only been able to book a direct flight to New York. For her return home to Pine Valley, the brunette would have to take a connecting flight from Philadelphia. She would have preferred a direct flight, but beggars can't be choosers.
"Do you have everything?" Marissa asked she entered the couple's bedroom.
"Yes, I do. I wish I didn't have to go. I want to stay here with you and the kids. It's Danny's first Christmas, and I don't want to miss any of it."
"I know, but we both know you have to go. You are the heart and soul of the Miranda Center, and you're the only one that can fix this problem. It's the Montgomery touch, and no one else has it. Besides, you won't miss anything. Tomorrow is just a normal day for us. The kids have school, and I have work which means Danny will be going to daycare. So, nothing special is going on tomorrow. Other than the fact that we will all be missing you desperately."
Bianca rolled her eyes but smiled.
"That's what I wanted to see. I love when you smile."
"Well, you always know how to make me do that."
"It's a job I'm more than happy to do. Now, you'll be home Christmas Eve, and that is when the Christmas magic starts."
"You're right. It is."
Bianca and Marissa would do some prep work on the dishes they would be serving to everyone that stopped by on Christmas Day. The family would also bake cookies, drink hot chocolate, wrap presents for their family and friends, and watch several Christmas movies. Once the kids were in bed, the couple would bring out the presents they had gotten for the kids along with the ones Santa would deliver that night out from their hiding spot. They had gotten very good at hiding them from excited and prying eyes. The best part of the night for them however was when Bianca and Marissa sat in front of the fire and enjoyed the quiet as well as each other. They relished that time because they knew the kids would be up bright and early the next morning anxious to open up their presents.
"See. It's all good. Now, I really need you to do something for me."
"For you, anything. What do need, Rissa?"
"I need you to move that suitcase because right now the only thing I want on our bed is you, preferably naked." Marissa flashed a wicked grin.
Bianca raised an eyebrow and immediately picked up her suitcase. "Yes, ma'am. Never let it be said that I don't aim to please."
Once the suitcase was moved, Marissa stopped her wife when she started to undress herself. "On second thought, let me do that. It is Christmastime, and you are my favorite present to unwrap."
"Do I get to unwrap my present as well?" Bianca said with a twinkle in her eye.
"If you insist." Marissa teased.
"I do. You're my favorite present too. Always."
"How could I ever deny you? You know how much I love the Montgomery touch."
"That's Tasker-Montgomery, and don't you forget it."
"Never."
/
"Okay. I've got to go. Be good for your Ma while I'm gone."
"You'll be back tomorrow, right?" Gabby asked.
"I will do my very best." Bianca assured her youngest daughter.
"Okay."
Bianca glanced down at Max and patted him on the head. "Max, take good care of them for me, okay?"
The dog barked in reply and wagged his tail.
"Good boy." Bianca then turned to her four children and kissed each one. "I love you, and you, and you, and you."
"Love you too, Mom."
"I'll be right back. I'm just going to walk your Mom to the car." Marissa said as she followed Bianca into the garage.
Bianca loaded her suitcase into the trunk of her car, shut it, and then turned to Marissa.
"Drive safe, and call when you get there."
The brunette smiled. It was what they told each other when one had to travel. "I will."
"I love you, and I'll see you tomorrow."
"I love you too. I'll definitely see you tomorrow."
"Good. Now, go kick some ass." Marissa winked.
Bianca laughed. "Yes, ma'am!"
The couple shared a loving kiss before Bianca got into the car and headed out. Marissa waited until her wife's car was out of sight before she closed the garage door and went back inside to get her day started.
/
Marissa smiled as she saw the name and picture of her wife appear on her cellphone. "Hey."
"Hey. I'm sorry for calling so late, but we finally just wrapped up."
"It's okay. You know it doesn't matter what time you call. I just hate that you were working so late."
Bianca sighed. "You and me both. I missed talking to the kids before they went to bed. I hate that."
"I know, and they do too. We all understand though."
"Do the kids really understand?"
"They were a little disappointed, but once I explained that you were working late to get everything wrapped up as fast as you can so you can come home tomorrow, they understood because they want you home. Same with me."
Bianca was relieved to hear that. The last thing she wanted to do was disappoint the kids, but she was glad that Marissa was able to explain things to them so they could understand. "Thanks for explaining it to them."
"You know you don't have to thank me for that. Besides, it's the truth. What I hate is that you had to work so late. You had something to eat today, right?" Marissa was worried that Bianca was so focused on resolving the issue that she wouldn't take care of herself.
"Yes, we had something brought in. We actually could've wrapped up earlier and finished tomorrow, but we were so close to being done that we just decided to power through and get it done today so everyone could be off tomorrow. As a result, I was able to switch my flight out of New York to an earlier one. I still couldn't find a direct one to Pine Valley though so I still have to connect in Philadelphia, but I was able to get that flight moved up too."
"That is great!"
"Yeah, I thought so too. Barring any problems, I should be home in time to help bake cookies."
"The kids will be so happy to hear that."
"What about you?" Bianca knew the answer but wanted to hear it.
"Me? Oh, I'm beyond thrilled. The earlier you get home, the earlier we can finish everything. Once the kids go to bed, all we'll have left to do is put the presents out, and that will give us more time to have our own private celebration."
"Have I ever told you how much I love how you think, Counselor?"
"You may have mentioned it once or twice."
"Well, I do, and I love you even more."
"I love you too." Marissa smiled as she heard her wife try and suppress a yawn on the other end of the line. "As much as I would love to talk more, you need to get some rest. I know you're exhausted. Plus, you have to get up early since you have an earlier flight."
Bianca chuckled. "You're right, and you need to get some rest as well. While our kids are pretty good, they can still be handful especially at this time of year. We both know that they're going to be bouncing off the walls tomorrow."
"Yes, they will. Be safe. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you."
"I will. I'll call you when I get to Philadelphia. I love you too."
/
"Morning, Ma."
"Good morning, Mimo. You're up early." Marissa greeted her oldest daughter. The redhead wasn't really surprised to see her this early. In fact, she expected to see AJ and Gabby come into the kitchen as well at any moment. Marissa had been up for a little while with Danny. She suspected he picked up on all of the excitement in the home, and it caused him to wake up early that morning.
Miranda shrugged. "I couldn't get back to sleep."
"Looking forward to everything we have planned for today?"
"Yeah. Have you heard from Mom?"
"I talked to her late last night. She was able to finish everything up yesterday which means she's going to catch an earlier flight home today."
"Really?!" Miranda smiled brightly.
"Really."
"That's awesome!"
"What's awesome?" AJ asked as he entered the kitchen with Gabby following close behind.
"Mom's coming home early today!"
"Really?!"
Marissa laughed. "Yes, really. Good morning, AJ. Good morning, Gabby."
"Morning, Ma." AJ said as he took his seat at the kitchen table.
"Morning, Ma. When's Mom going to be home?" Gabby asked as she sat down. She had been the most worried that her brunette mother wouldn't make it home in time for Christmas.
"I'm not positive. She finished everything up early so she was able to book an earlier flight. If everything goes all right, she thinks she'll be home in time to help us bake cookies. It doesn't matter what time though as long as she gets home safe."
The kids all nodded their agreement.
"Okay. So, I was thinking we could have chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. Does that work for all of you?"
"Yes!"
"Excellent! Now in honor of the holiday, I found something we can use to make Santa Claus, reindeer, and snowman pancakes. What would you like?"
"Could I have Santa?" Gabby asked excitedly.
"Of course you can, Monkey."
"Could I have Santa too?" Miranda asked.
"Definitely. AJ?"
"Yeah, I want Santa ones too."
"Santa pancakes all around then!"
"Ma?"
"Yes, Monkey."
"Do we have carrots for Santa's reindeer?"
"We do. I picked fresh ones up at the store yesterday. I think they deserve them because they're going to working really hard tonight. What do you think?"
As much as Miranda and AJ wanted to roll their eyes, they couldn't, not when they saw how excited their little sister was. The birthday twins just exchanged a knowing look and grinned.
Gabby smiled brightly and nodded. "Yep, they do! And we need hot chocolate for Santa."
Marissa winked. "You got it!"