December 25 2020

Sam woke up at 7 am and couldn't fall back to sleep. At 7:30 he gave up, slid on his robe and wandered down to the kitchen for some coffee.

"Merry Christmas, Samuel."

Sam smiled, "Merry Christmas, Abbey. Could you pour me a mug?' He asked since she was standing beside the coffee maker.

"I guess Mara was asleep the second her head hit the pillow."

"Oh yeah, I went to tuck Matty in and by the time I made it back to our room she was snoring."

"I thought I'd find Matty down here."

"He knows that Mara won't get up before ten so he's finally clued in and won't be up before 9:30. I hope we'll be invited to share Christmas with you next year."

"Of course Sam, we love having you here at the farm. I hear you are getting Matty a cat."

"He probably won't get it for several months, I didn't think a new kitten and adjusting to the White House were a good idea."

"As long as you don't keep him waiting too long. That daughter of yours still hasn't told me how Jacob proposed to her."

"I could tell you, but she tells it better. I suggest withholding her present, that should do the trick."

"How did Mara, guilt you into going to Anguilla?"

"There is never any guilt involved in Anguilla, I love it there as much as Mar does. It was actually my idea since it would be our last chance before I'm sworn in. Security triples once I take the oath."

"I certainly remember that part. Matty and I were drawing up plans of what we'll do while you are gone. Jenna is going to stay until the 30th she said."

"Yeah, she's throwing a New Year's Eve party at her house in Montreal. I can't believe how fast they are growing Abbey. It seems like only a few years ago that I was finding Jenna's crazy pencils in my hand and Matty couldn't hold his head up on his own. Where did the time go?"

"I wish I knew the answer to that one. I also wish I discovered the fountain of youth like the two of you did. You both still look like 30 year old kids."

"Thanks, but I wish my body would let me believe that. My back aches, I can tell if it's going to rain by how much my ankle hurts and last time I took Mara out for a night of dancing, I could barely get out of bed the next morning and I still felt it a week later."

"I could make a joke about your sex life but it's too early in the morning." Abbey said with an impish grin.

"No pain from sex, I'll really know I'm old when that starts happening."

"Hey Dad, Abbey, Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas Sweetie. We were just talking about you. Were your ears burning?"

"Were you telling Abbey about how I locked you in your office?"

"No, but I want to hear that story too. I was complaining that you never told me how Jacob proposed to you."

"I'll tell you in exchange for a mug of coffee."

"Start your story Missy and if you do a god job I'll hand over the coffee."

"Abbey that's cruel." Jenna replied with a grin.

"Hey your loving Father told me I should withhold your Christmas presents."

"Dad just wants to get back at me for the office incident."

"Abbey how about we all watch Bambi today and..."

"I hate you."

"Right back at you Sweetie."

"I'm still waiting for the story Jenna."

"We were at the beach house and Jacob had lied to me and told me we were going out for dinner.

So I put on a dress and heels and when I came downstairs the table was set for dinner with candles, flowers and music playing. He ordered a four course dinner from the islands best restaurant. When I asked him about going out, he said he wanted to surprise me. After an amazing meal, he turned up the stereo and we went on the patio to dance beneath the stars. Jacob suggested going for a stroll in the surf so I kicked off my shoes and left my dress on the patio. He chuckled and led me to the water. We strolled for a few minutes and watched the stars. A shooting star passed by and he decided it had to be the perfect time."

"He didn't know there would be a shooting star?"

"No, he planned on waiting until we made it back to the house. So he dropped down on one knee and told me that he couldn't remember not loving me and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. Jacob said that he had Sam's blessing and if I said yes there was a pretty engagement ring in it for me. I laughed and asked to see the ring first. We both started laughing and I told him I'd love to be his wife. He put the ring on my finger and told me that he never envisioned me being naked and backlit by the moon but he wasn't going to complain."

"You neglected to tell me the naked part." Sam muttered.

"Ignore your father, go on."

"We made out for awhile then Jacob picked me up, carried me home and brought me to bed."

"And that is more than enough information for me. I'm going to wake Matty up."

They watched Sam leave and chuckled, "So is the sex good?"

"Abbey!"

"Oh please Jenna, I've been called many things in my lifetime but never a prude."

"The sex is very good and unlike Mara, the world can't hear me having it. It's a good thing, since Jacob is in a condo with thin walls."

"Yes I've heard her in the throws, I wouldn't be surprised if Ainsley and Tom can't hear her."

"Ainsley isn't exactly quiet either. I decided to go swimming one night to avoid Mara and Sam and I could hear Ainsley and the window was closed. I actually walked back to our patio to see if I could still hear her but she wasn't that loud."

"Have you ever mentioned it?"

"Are you kidding? Mara takes it in stride since she freely admits how vocal she is. I'm afraid Ainsley would pass out in sheer mortification."

"So why does Sam seem to enjoy mentioning Bambi to you?"

Jenna told Abbey the entire story and how it had originated between Mara and Matty before Sam decided to torture her with it as well. She mentioned that at least once a week a Bambi item would show up on her desk, on her computer, in her purse or luggage.

"You need to find a way to fight back."

"Oh, I take my revenge whenever I can, like the office incident or the sneak attack snow ball barrage later today. I've got everyone except Mara and you to turn on him when we start the snow ball fight."

"I won't attack but I won't say anything either."

"Thanks, now about that mug of coffee?"

Fifteen minutes later, Matty, ran straight to the fridge, pulled out the jug of chocolate milk and poured himself the biggest glass he could find.

"I think he's thirsty." Jenna laughed.

Matty ignored his sister, drank half the glass then filled it up again.

"You better save Mara some or she isn't going to be a happy camper." Jenna warned.

"What's for breakfast Grandma Abbey?"

"What ever you make for yourself."

"Jenna, what are you going to make me?"

"I'll hand you a bowl so you can have cereal."

"You're mean!"

"Merry Christmas, Squirt."

"Dad, the women won't feed me." Matty complained to Sam who had just entered the kitchen again.

"I'd like the record to show that he did not get that from me!" Sam said quickly.

"Matthew Tobias Seaborn, do you enjoy living?" Jenna hissed.

"Matthew, I'm shocked to hear such utter nonsense from you!" Abbey added.

Matty looked at his father who was shaking his head.

"Yes, I enjoy living and I don't think being hungry is nonsense."

"Son, Abbey is referring to your assertion that the women should be cooking for you. I strongly suggest apologizing and making your own breakfast."

"Sorry." Matty grumbled and went to take some frozen pancakes out of the freezer to pop into the toaster.

"I bet he wishes Sam had let him stay asleep." Jenna chuckled as she left the kitchen with Abbey to go sit in the living room.

"Dad?"

"Yes."

"Are women always that anal?"

Sam couldn't help laughing, "Yeah, trust me you never want to mess with the Sisterhood. You say or do something to one of them and they all jump on you. When more than one of them is around, you have to think before you speak."

"Oy!"

"So are you looking forward to going to Turks?"

"Yes, Sam tells me that there is a restaurant there that parents aren't allowed in. That should be fun. I sort of wish Mommy was coming along though."

"I know, she was disappointed when she realized that she'd have to spend half of that week in Ottawa. Never underestimate your Mom though, she might try to surprise you and fly down once she is done in Ottawa."

"I hope so. So what did you get her for Christmas?"

"Her traditional box of letters, a ton of Candy and a white gold necklace with gemstones dangling off it."

"Do you think she'll like my gift?"

"She'll love it and she needs a new one so it's perfect."

"Merry Christmas Sam and Matty." Jacob stated as he entered to pour himself some coffee.

"Merry Christmas, what did you get me?" Matty asked.

"You'll see eventually. How come you are having pancakes?"

"No one will make me breakfast."

"What do you want?"

"Eggs and bacon."

"I'll make a batch of scrambled eggs and bacon."

"You are the best Jacob. I only wish your kindness would rub off on my evil sister."

Jacob laughed, "Get me a dozen eggs and milk Squirt."

Sam looked at his watch, "Jacob you may want to wait a half an hour until Jed is up. Matty has his pancakes so he won't starve."

"I'll prep them but not cook them, then."

Sam poured himself another coffee and watched as Jacob taught Matty how to break an egg with one hand then whisk the eggs with milk and drop in the right amount of butter. He decided to fry up the bacon because they could always keep it warm in the oven.

"Morning, I smell bacon." Jed stated as he entered the kitchen.

"Jacob is making us all breakfast." Matty supplied.

"So that would make you the supervisor?" Jed asked with a grin.

"No, I'm the sous chef. I crack eggs and put each batch of cooked bacon in the oven to keep warm. I also made more coffee."

"Now, that is an important job." Jed messed Matty's hair and poured himself a cup of coffee.

Jenna entered the kitchen to refill Abbey, Sam and her mugs. She gave Jacob a kiss and stuck out her tongue at her brother.

"Sweetie, you may want to add some eggs. Zoey, Charlie and the kids just pulled up."

"Matty crack another dozen eggs, then you can cut some bagels and cheese."

"Want me to do anything?" Jenna asked.

"You can make more coffee, maybe some hot chocolate for Mara and the kids and do we have enough fruit for a salad?"

"A tropical salad perhaps."

Jenna brought the coffee refills out and then went back to the kitchen to help Jacob. Once breakfast was almost ready to be served Sam went upstairs to wake up Mara. He was prepared for her to scowl at him and pull the covers over her head. He sat down beside her on the bed and bounced until she couldn't take it for another second and finally got out of bed.

"I hate you." She grumbled.

"Whatever Scrooge, get dressed because breakfast is ready and Zoey is here."

Her mood improved dramatically when Matty met her at the foot of the stairs and gave her a big hug.

"Sit down sleeping beauty, we want to eat." Jed ordered.

"Hi, Zoe, Charlie, Em and Al."

"Hi Aunty Mara." The twins replied in unison."

"Was Santa good to you this morning?"

"Yes, but Mommy said he left lots of our gifts here too." Alice replied.

"Oh, I was hoping all those were mine." Mara replied with a grin.

"Some might be yours, but most of them are ours." Emma answered with a grin.

"No, they are all mine."

"Mommy!" Alice laughed.

"You know, the longer it takes you to eat, the longer you have to wait for your gifts." Charlie said to his daughters who immediately stopped talking and started eating.

Sam smiled at Mara and wondered what Matty's reaction would be when he opened his gifts.