A/N: Theo is seven. Ollie is five. Max is two.

A Langan Christmas

"You know, Theo really outdid her self with these cookies," Trevor complimented as he studied the half-eaten cookie in his hand. "I think she inherited Mama's cooking bug," he finished, leaning forward to press his lips on my temple.

I chuckled, taking a bite out of my own cookie. I leaned on his chest, humming contently, and admiring our handy work. We had woken up at five forty-five in the morning to do our dutiful job as Saint Nick. All the gifts had been kept in my SUV, wrapped, and stuffed in my trunk for safekeeping. My children were still young enough that the magic of Christmas hadn't been shattered yet. We hadn't gone overboard this year as we had had on previous years. This year, I wanted the kids to know that Christmas wasn't just about how many gifts you received, but about what it meant to be with your family and share the joy of this time together. We had bought them simple gifts, but gifts we knew they would play with the most and in the end we would get our money's worth.

The rest of the family was free to do as they pleased when it came to gifting them something.

We couldn't bestow our rules upon them, no matter how much I scolded my mother and sister when it came to spoiling my children with unnecessary things. This year, our Christmas had been all about giving and recognizing that just because we were lucky enough to have what we did, didn't mean that for others it was the same. My children were growing up in what most would consider an upper-middle class home and some would consider us as toeing the upper class because of the type of money Trevor and I pulled together. Trevor had grown up in the same range whilst I considered my upbringing as less.

Just because Mommy and Daddy could afford certain commodities, didn't mean that I wanted my children to grow up the same as the people they spent most of their time with. It was important to the both of us to teach them values, the societal differences, and to not look down on those that didn't have the same upbringing they'd had. It was why we had spent most of our weekends since the Yuletide commenced volunteering at different shelters, keeping company to the elderly, serving breakfast to the homeless, and we'd even donated toys and clothing items to those in need. Theodora, being our oldest, had surprised us both when she'd begun donating clothing items I for sure knew she hadn't worn.

"Why can't I give them new clothes? I've already worn this stuff, Mami, and I like how it looks on me," she'd said, springing tears into my eyes.

That's all I wanted for my children, for them to be empathetic, and to fight for what they believed was right.

The snow rapped furiously against our outside door, whilst Billings lain in front of the it, watching the speckles of snow dance through the air and fall. As I munched on the cookies my daughter had made for the man in red, I reminisced on Trevor's and I first Christmas. Everything was much simpler back then, we were much simpler back then. It was only Trevor, Billings, and I… and the memory of Theodora gently forming in my womb.

"What's got you thinking, huh?" he asked, nuzzling his nose through my hair.

I turned my head, looking up at him. "Thinking of our first Christmas together," I responded, taking a bite out of my cookie.

He scoffed, smiling, "That was a really good Christmas."

"Yes, it was."

"You were most likely five or six weeks pregnant with Theo, then," he smiled beautifully, dancing his eyes across my face.

The twinkling lights illuminated his face beautifully and I couldn't help but get lost in his eyes. I took another bite of my cookie, having forgotten to continue the conversation I was having with my husband. I smiled up at him, watching his mouth slowly contort into a beautiful smirk. His eyes crinkled at the corners and he slowly let out a soft chuckle, biting his lip seductively. I mirrored his innocent, demure gesture, and I heard him scoff playfully.

His effortless beauty mesmerized me. The way every twinkling light caught his eyes and bounced off of his smooth skin, took my breath away. And, the way warmth radiated through his body even though the temperature outside could mimic our tempers when one of us was being stubborn over something very minute and insignificant, had me awestruck.

I straightened my shoulders and leaned forward to place a lingering kiss on his lips, tasting the different flavor of cookie he had chosen. He hummed, giving me a chaste kiss to placate me, "Merry Christmas, baby."

I smiled, "Merry Christmas to you too, papi. Thank you, for everything."

He sighed, "You don't have to thank me for loving you, Noa. I'd do that, free of charge, for the rest of my life."

I snickered, "You kind of don't have a choice there, baby. You're not getting rid of me that easily."

He leaned forward, hovering over my lips. "I wouldn't dream of it," he admitted, placing a kiss on my lips. "Besides, it's my job to be a major prick to every man that thinks he has a chance with you."

"And, teaching our sons in the way too. Butthole," I finished shaking my head.

"You're mine," he said, circling his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "I know that. You know that. Our children know that… let the world know it, too."

I bit my lip, looking up at him, enthralled by his words. When he'd said he was jealous with reason, this is what he meant. He didn't mind the challenge nor the lingering looks some men would have over me, yet like the territorial creature he was, he would let it be know that I was a happily married and taken woman. My husband loved me beyond measure and he would shout it from every rooftop of the tri-state area if he were allowed to. I polished off my cookie, hearing Billings whimper, and raise her head, glancing in the general direction of the staircase when I heard the sleepy voice of my daughter.

"Mami?"

I opened my eyes and smiled at Trevor, bouncing in excitement. He snorted and shook his head, the winter and fall holidays were my favorite of the entire year, and I would exude a different kind of excitement when in the Yuletide season. Trevor stretched his hand for the glass of milk the kids had left for Santa and took several gulps, wiping the milk mustache on his t-shirt sleeve. I giggled softly, utilizing my thumbs to wipe away any remaining crumbs or milk from his mouth. He placed the glass down on our coffee table with a careful thud when Theo called out for me again.

"Mami, are you down there?"

Billings stood from her spot near the door and jogged towards what I thought was the stairs, "Yes, mama, I'm down here with Papa. Where are your brothers?"

Theo yawned. "Max is getting Ollie. Can we come down, please?" she asked sweetly, elongating the syllable.

"Please hold Max's hand… and no running down the stairs, Juju."

I heard her squeal and the quick patter of her feet across the floor. Trevor used his lower limbs to push the coffee table against the other side of our L-shaped couch, careful not to spill the remainder of the milk in the glass. In a matter of seconds, Billings came bolting through the now open area of our living room with Ollie, Max, and Theo in tow. My children stood in awe in front of the tree; their mouths hung open, and their eyes twinkling with the lights. I could feel the excitement coursing through their little bodies when Theo let go of Max's hand to kneel in front of the object of her admiration.

"It's so pretty," she mused softly, turning on her waist to finally glance at us. "Is it really for us, Mami?"

I smiled and leaned into Trevor. "It really is for all of us," Trevor responded, hugging me tightly against him. "But, first thing's first, we don't get hugs or anything?"

Theo smiled her beautiful missing teeth smile and stood, stumbling and tripping on her feet when her brothers' followed suit. I received the impeding bodies of my sons, feeling the warmth of their just woken bodies radiate through my front. We had donned matching Christmas pajamas, whether it was tops or bottoms, we were wearing the same thing. The boys and Theo exchanged spots, Theodora immediately sitting on my lap. I held her close to me, nuzzling my nose against the crown of her head, inhaling softly the familiar vanilla scent that came from her hair. I kissed her temple and rocked my body slowly, gently swaying us.

"Merry Christmas, boys," Trevor said, pressing a kiss to each of the boys' heads. "Merry Christmas, Theo."

Theo sighed, "Merry Christmas, Mami and Papa. Merry Christmas, Ollie and Max. I love you!"

"I love you, too," responded Ollie, smiling.

Max, a man of few words, but big actions, threw her a kiss, giggling when Theo did the same. "So, how about we have breakfast? Mama bought berries so that I can make French toast."

Oliver gasped, looking up at Trevor, "With lots of sugar on top, Papa?"

"With lots of sugar on top… but only because it's Christmas," he smiled at his son.

"Yay!" Max shouted, clapping his chubby hands together.

I snickered, feeling Theo squirm on my lap to get up. I followed suit, glancing outside to watch the sky mark the beginning of twilight before sunrise. Trevor and I had been awake roughly an hour ago, organizing this for our children, and as I saw my husband and children shuffle to the kitchen in the rambunctious manner only they could muster, I smiled, sending a silent prayer of thanks above for allowing me this day with my family.

As Trevor busied himself—and our children—in the kitchen, I slipped on my snow boots and outerwear to play for a little while outside with Billings. The flakes had stopped falling, neatly creating a beautiful blanket of snow in our backyard deck. I tossed Billings a Frisbee, urging her on, and spurring her excitement when I heard a knock on the door. Trevor had most likely sent Oliver to come fetch me. I stomped my feet on the brick area of the yard and opened the door, wiping Billings down with the towel Ollie had brought over for her. I walked to the kitchen, rubbing my hands together to serve Billings her food.

Trevor had created his infamous berry French toast, covered with confectioners' sugar and a side of vanilla yogurt. I hummed, kissing his lips as a form of thank you when I begun digging in. We, as a family, had a habit of eating on the kitchen island for breakfast during the weekends and on special occasions. It was the only time where one of us wasn't rushing to get out the door. Otherwise, every other meal was had on the table. This morning felt incredibly special. It was Christmas, my house felt warm, my children were smiling and squealing, stuffing their mouths with berries and bread, and I was with my husband, sharing the love we had, with each other and our children.

I leaned my head against Trevor's arm, feeling his lips on my hair, and I sighed. Christmas with the Langan's had become an event of sorts. If it wasn't being celebrated in the city, it was being celebrated in the suburbs of Framingham. Either way, I loved being surrounded by all the rowdiness, all the cheerfulness, and giddiness that fell on each and every one of us during this time. Ever since my first Christmas with Trevor, I knew that the feeling I had felt then was not one I would be able to find unless with him.

We finished our breakfast quickly and as Trevor helped the kids wash up any messes they had possibly made on their faces and hands, I washed the dishes, and cleaned up in the kitchen. Once we were done we gathered in front of the Christmas tree one more time. I had sat with Max on my lap, and Trevor had Oliver in his whilst Theo sat between us.

"Now," Trevor begun, "what are you hoping for, Theo?"

The girl sighed, biting her lip as she eyed the presents underneath the Christmas tree. "I am hoping…" she paused for effect, smiling, "I am hoping for something fun."

I smiled, looking at Trevor over her head. "What about you, booger?" he asked Oliver, tickling his tummy.

"I'm hoping for… dinosaurs!" he shouted, throwing his hands in the air, giggling.

I kissed Max's curls, snuggling him into me. He smiled around the spout his zippy cup filled with my breast milk. "What about you, papito? What are you hoping for?" I said softly.

He looked up at me, curling his fingers into a paw, "Mosters! Rawr!"

"Rawr!" I cooed back, pushing my nose to his, throwing my son into a fit of laughter.

Trevor chuckled, shaking his head. "All right, so Mommy and I spoke to Santa, and he let us know that the purple ones are Theo's," he smiled, nudging the girl. "Ollie, yours are the green ones, and Max, yours are the silver ones."

I watched as Theo's eyes lit up when she looked at the metallic paper that held her siblings' and her presents. We had done so purposefully so that the colorful dancing lights of our Christmas tree would catch the mirrored effect of the wrapping paper. The ones that were from us to the kids and for each other, were wrapped in festive Christmas paper, decorated with cute reindeers and fluffy Santas.

"What about the other ones, Papa?" Ollie asked.

"The other ones are for either Mommy or I, and some of them are for you guys from the both of us."

"Okay, Theo," I begun, "it's your turn to pick out who gets to open the first gift."

She nodded, crawling forward to sit on her haunches in front of the TV. She eyed every present and finally grabbed one, "This is for you, Papa."

She handed the gift to Trevor as Oliver moved to sit on the floor. Trevor smiled. "Thank you," he said. He turned the package around, looking for the label and once he found it he smiled, "This is from... Mommy. Thank you, baby."

"You're welcome," I winked at him.

We all waited as he ripped through the paper and once he saw what it was, his eyes opened and lit up. "No!" he exclaimed. "No!" he repeated. He opened the box, sliding the bottle of custom bourbon maple syrup out, "Baby, where did you get this?"

I rolled my eyes playfully, "I can't reveal my sources, but know it wasn't easy."

He smiled and shook his head, scooting closer to me to place his lips on mine, "Thank you. I love you."

"I love you, too," I finished, placing another kiss to his lips. "All right, babies, dig in!"

As soon as the words left my mouth, Theodora and Oliver jumped into the pile, passing gifts and ripping the paper. Max followed suit and with the help of his siblings, he tore open his gifts too. The sounds of jovial squeals from Theodora, grunts of appreciation from Oliver, and the look of appreciation from Maximus' face were all the Christmas' gifts I needed and wanted from my kids. Trevor wrapped me in his arms once he noticed the Luxture Aarde Series in black and orange watch. He'd wanted that watch since his birthday and I decided to wait for the Christmas bonus to get it for him.

Theodora shouted and thanked Santa wherever he was once she uncovered her unicorn baking set, the illuminated doodle pillowcase, the do-it-yourself bubblegum kit, and her Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls book. She'd become quite the avid little chef and I was proud and more than willing to teach her and guide her through the kitchen.

Oliver gave little grunts of excitement once he unwrapped his build-your-own robot kit, his acoustic mini guitar, his road map duvet and pillowcase, and his Great Big Book of Dinosaurs; like a typical boy he loved his cars, loved his robots, and loved his dinosaurs. He had disappeared to his room to grab a few of his toy cars and had almost convinced us in opening the duvet set just so that he could run his cars through it.

Maximus' little face sported so much joy once he saw his tabletop drum set, mix and make monster puzzle, walking monster kit, and personalized My Very Own Trucks book. Like the little monster he was, he loved his monsters and we had played into his likes.

From Trevor I'd received a smart watch with interchangeable bangles for daily wear and a stone diffuser with essential oils that matched our bathroom colors. He knew I enjoyed my occasional bath and when I did, I would light candles, play soft music, have a glass of wine, and I would lock the door to avoid any interruptions. We had gifted the kids some clothing items and pajamas that they could get to wear for the remaining of the winter and spring.

We weren't set to meet with the family until a little after noon and at the moment, the kids were busy playing and building their kits, all helping each other, and giggling to themselves.

Trevor and I remained sat on the floor with our backs resting against our couch, looking out to our children in the middle of our living room. I leaned my head against his chest, humming contently, "Happy?"

I tilted my head up, placing a kiss to his under jaw, "Beyond, you?"

"Ecstatic," he admitted. "Who's going to clean up this mess, though?" he said with a chuckle, running his hand down my arm.

"They are," I snickered, pushing myself off of his chest. "I'm tired of cleaning up behind them, they can clean behind us for once."

Trevor snorted, leaning forward to meld our lips together. I had another Christmas gift for him, but that one would have to be unwrapped behind closed doors. I felt the bodies of my children collapse on top of us; they were squealing and giggling, peppering kisses all over our faces, sending us all into laughter.

"Merry Christmas, Mami and Papi," Theo shouted, wrapping her arms around Trevor's neck.

Merry Christmas indeed…