A/N: Hello again, everyone!

My apologies for my mistakes but do enjoy the chapter!

"Spencer! Élise! And little Anastasia!" David greeted the three of them with a huge grin. "You all made it! And you all look equally festive!"

Reid was dressed in a polo bear sweater over a tartan work shirt with dark tweed pants and shoes; Élise was over a polo bear sweater, black coat, black skinny pants, and low-heel boots and Anastasia was in cream bear sweater over a black velvet dress with black tights and slippers and a matching bow on her head.

"Yes, we do," Élise said, smiling as she carried a dessert tray and some bags. "I brought cookies and presents."

"Excellent." Once Rossi let them in, the place was stunningly decorated in red, gold, white; twinkling lights, lightly-scented candles, cute figurines all around including a Santa figure, a big Christmas tree with the big lavish star on top in the living room, hanging wreaths, stockings hanging by the fireplace, white roses and poinsettia.

Absolutely stunning.

"Hey, you three!" JJ greeted them. The children were on the opposite side of the room.

"Hey yourselves." Élise greeted her back.

"Merry Christmas!" Garcia was dressed in a festive yet younger version of Mrs. Santa Clause.

"Merry Christmas to you, too, Lady Garcia," Élise said. "I got a present for you!" After Élise set the tray of cookies on the nearby table, she handed Garcia a red-and-green goodie bag. Garcia's jaw dropped in glee.

"OMG! Like…no way! No way!" Garcia pulls out Élise's present for her and it was,

"A Stella McCartney bag?" Emily said in a surprised tone.

"Not just any Stella McCartney bag;" Élise said. "a Falabella tote bag from Stella McCartney. In pink. Made from cruelty-free materials; vegan-friendly…"

"Not to mention crazy expensive," Tara added. "But it's the thought that counts."

"Still, I love!" Garcia gave Élise a big hug.

"Now that you mentioned it, how could you afford some of those designer brands like Karl Lagerfeld, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Burberry?" JJ wanted to know.

Élise sucked in her cheeks and looked up at the twinkling chandelier. "I…sort of…won some money."

"From what? Gambling?"

"NJ Lottery."

"How much exactly is 'some money?'"

Shrugging her shoulders, "Millions."

Everyone's mouths dropped, including Rossi. "Seriously?"

"Seriously. But I do give back. And equally surprising I decided to play on my 18th birthday. What are the chances of that happening?"

"About 1-in-101,452,393." Reid answered as he was still carrying Anastasia in his arms. "Oh, sorry. Was that a rhetorical question?"

"Anyway, I just love the holidays!" Garcia squealed in excitement. "Everyone I know and love is here to celebrate with me."

"Really, now?" Alvez joined in on the conversation.

"Of course, I do…that includes you too…Luke." Garcia said his name with slight reluctant. Alvez responded with a quick but friendly hug. "Because it's the holiday season and because I'm the Queen of Nice, I'll allow it from you."

"Hey. What about me?" A familiar voice said.

"Chocolate Thunder!" Garcia dashed to hug Morgan; then Savannah; and her godson Hank. "Lady Thunder and little Hank!"

"Baby Girl!" Morgan gave Garcia a bear hug. "How've you been?"

"Even better now that you're here. You always make my Christmas complete!"

"Only a family can make a Christmas complete!" Rossi said with a smile and Krystall by his side along with her daughter Portia.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Reid saw Élise staring at the window with her arms crossed; watching everyone else, including Anastasia, play in the snow.

Shrugging her shoulders, in a quiet tone of voice, "I just can't believe the year is already over."

"I know." Reid understood her.

"I just felt that time went by so quickly this year and…" Sighing. "I just wish there was a re-do button where I could go back to where...you know. Who would have ever thought…?"

"I think this year went by quick, too. Then again, who doesn't?"

Smiling a bit, "Yeah. Still…I don't know, I just…Hopefully, next year's going to be an adventurous one."

"What makes you say that?"

"I often say that, but still…speaking of the new year, what are your New Year Resolutions?"

"I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but…I think for one of my New York Resolutions…I'll allow my father to meet Anastasia."

Élise looked up to him. "Really?"

"Surprisingly yes. At least once. But not before I tell him off a bit. Again."

"When you do tell him off, can I get it on camera and record it?" Élise asked him before they both burst into laughter.

"Sure, why not?"

"Hey, what's going on?" Garcia said, walking in on the two.

"Nothing." Reid quickly said.

"We're just talking." Élise also quickly said.

"Well, come on out! You're missing out on the fun" Garcia urged them before rejoining everyone else. Élise and Reid looked at each other before they both grabbed their coats and joined the others outside. Soon Élise hit Reid with a snowball and Reid did the same back to her.

Soon came a playful snow fight.

It was also the end of Christmas day. Élise and Reid had spent the entire day with Anastasia opening presents, ate milk and cookies, leftover pasta from Rossi's dinner meal and ordered Chinese food, watched classic Christmas specials such as the Charlie Brown specials, Home Alone and its sequel Lost in New Year, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, etc. Reid had even sent some heartfelt gifts, pictures, and letters to his mother; he often had to remind her she was her son. He called her to tell her he loves her, wishes her a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year; he told the staff and doctors to tell her that repeatedly. He had even made plans to go and visit his mother soon.

Reid sang some classic Christmas carols to Anastasia as she fell asleep. After getting her all tucked in, Reid saw Élise on the couch and was just looking over the album he put together to document the events that happened this year.

"This year went by fast, huh?"

"You can say that again. I still can't believe you gave Hank, Henry, Michael, and Simmons' kids one hundred dollars each as a Christmas gift."

Smiling, "You say it like it's a bad thing. And besides, it's the thought that counts." Élise gifted JJ a Kate Spade bag, Emily a pair of Stuart Weitzman boots, Tara a Tory Burch cashmere sweater, Savannah, Krystall, and Portia scarves from Hermès, Rossi a FIFA video game, and Morgan, Luke, and Simmons Hugo Boss watches.

Also, Élise got Anastasia custom-made weighted teddy bear and Reid more hardcover books by Nathan Myhrvold, such as Modernist Cuisine at Home, The Photography of Modernist Cuisine, and Modernist Bread: The Art of Science.

Reid chuckles, "True." Reid gave Élise three books, one of the visual history of Power Rangers and two on Michael Jackson, entitled Michael Jackson All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track and Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson.

"I wonder what next year holds for us."

"I've been wondering about that lately."

"This year may be ending, but the new year will be a new beginning."

"Yeah." Their eyes soon locked on to each other's; they alone were speaking to each other.

Soon, their eyes closed.

Their lips touched.

And then, their eyes opened.

Élise pressed her lips tightly as did Reid. For a minute, they didn't blink.

"I…it's getting late." Élise could hardly speak.

"Yeah, I agree." Reid quickly got up from the couch.

"Good night."

"Same to you."

They both quickly went to their rooms.

Sure, it may have been months since they kissed. But the intensity was stronger than ever. Élise still felt the electric and feeling tingles from when he touched her skin. Reid could still feel the gentle touch of her fingers touching his skin and the ends of his hair.

Just what could this mean for them?

A/N: Sorry to leave you hanging here but until next time!