Jack came home after about an hour. He had to make three trips to the truck to get everything.

He had gone grocery shopping to get things for the twins Mercy had loved like Mac and Cheese and Cheerios and then flowers for Elizabeth. Then he went to a different store and bought diapers, pajamas, socks, shirts, pants and sweatshirts. Then he found cute winter hats each with ears on top like they were bears or something. Of course he had to get something for Autumn so he grabbed a larger pink bear hat for her.

Finally he picked up a training potty because eventually some child they cared for would need one even if not the twins.

"Honey, you bought a lot of stuff!" Elizabeth said, seeing the pile of bags by the couch.

"Yeah. But they need everything." He picked up the bouquet of yellow tulips. "First, these are yours."

"Aww, thank you, Jack. You didn't need to."

"Of course I did. I love you."

She gave him a soft kiss. "Thank you. I love you too."

They sat on the couch and looked through everything as the kids played on the floor.

"Oh my goodness. These hats are adorable. Addy, come see." She held up the hat for the little girl to see. "Jack got this for you. Do you like it?" She smiled and came over, allowing Elizabeth to put it on her. "Aiden, you want to try yours on too?"

He shook his head and went back to playing.

"Pumpkin, I found one for you too. It matches hers."

"Autumn hat?"

"Yeah. Come see."

Elizabeth pulled out the pajamas. "Um, sweetheart? These are way too big, I think."

"Well, the sizes looked off. I thought the next size down was too small."

"Well, they can grow into them," Elizabeth said with a giggle.

"The little ones need a bath after dinner. I'm gonna go do a load of laundry and get all these clean." She stood and gave him another kiss. "Thank you so much for going shopping, Jack."

"Of course. I'm the husband and the Daddy."

"Yes you are."

As Elizabeth tackled laundry, Jack sat on the floor by the kids.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, pumpkin."

"Babies…stay?"

"For a while, yes. I don't know how long."

"Why?"

He thought about how to explain it to her so she would understand. "Well, their Mommy can't take care of them. She's sick so we need to take care of them for her. When she gets better, she might be able to take care of them again."

"Autumn stay…with Daddy and….Mommy. Babies stay…too."

"I don't know, pumpkin. We will have to see."

Aidan stood up and came over and sat on Jack's lap. "Hi, buddy. Can you say hi?" He shook his head. "Try it. Hi. Say hi." He shook his head again. "That's alright. You'll talk eventually." Aidan leaned his head against Jack's chest. "Are you sleepy?"

Aidan yawned and then looked up at Jack. "Hi," he said in a quiet voice.

"Hi, buddy." Jack laid him down in his lap and rocked back and forth until his eyes grew heavy.

When Elizabeth returned to the living room, Aidan was asleep in Jack's arms and Addy was on the couch with Autumn asleep too.

"Wow. You have the touch, babe," she told him with a smile.

"Maybe or maybe it was because I promised that if they took a nap, we would go build a snowman in the yard."

"That sounds fun."

"It should be, yes. Wanna join us, Mama?"

"Yes, I do, actually."

"Good." He looked down at the little guy in his arms. "I have a confession, babe."

"What's that?"

"As soon as I saw them, my heart wanted them. I don't know what will happen but if they come up for adoption at some point, I want them with us."

"Me too, Jack, but if this keeps happening, we are going to end up with a dozen kids."

"I'd be okay with that."

"I think we need to set a limit. Maybe five. At least one of which that is part you, part me."

"Deal."

….

Jack and Elizabeth put the kids in warm clothes including their new hats and took them outside. At first the little ones didn't know what to do with the snow. But as soon as they saw everyone laying down making snow angels, they wanted to do it too.

Later with rosy cheeks and noses, they ate dinner and then took nice warm bubble baths before getting in their new pajamas.

Autumn was used to the routine, so she was asleep while the twins were fighting it a bit.

Jack seemed to be drawn to Aiden so Elizabeth rocked Addy as she whimpered, singing softly until she finally dropped off.

At about midnight though, Aiden woke up crying, waking up Addy who was sleeping in the crib with him and then woke up Jack and Elizabeth.

Jack walked over and picked them up, holding one in each arm. "Hey, why are you two awake?"

He brought them over to the bed and sat down. Addy crawled over to Elizabeth and begged to be held.

As they held them Autumn walked in. "Mommy? Why babies….crying?"

"They are scared. They aren't used to sleeping here."

Autumn laid down in the bed. "We need to….say prayers."

"Prayers are a good idea, pumpkin. Wanna help me?" Jack asked.

"Yeah. Autumn pray too."

She folded her hands as Jack started. "Dear God. Please help Addy and Aidan feel safe and secure here with us. Help them be happy and healthy."

"Babies sad, God. Want them…happy too. Mommy….Daddy love babies. Autumn love…babies."

"Through Jesus name, Amen."

"Amen."

"Thank you, pumpkin. That was a very good prayer. I appreciate that."

"Babies sleep….here too?"

Jack looked at Elizabeth. She shrugged. So all five of them laid down, the three kids between Jack and Elizabeth. Before long, they were out, thumbs in their mouths.

Jack reached for Elizabeth's hand. "Our family is perfect," he whispered.

She agreed and closed her eyes, grateful they had a king sized bed.

…..

A few more surprises were in store for the newly expanded Thornton Family on Christmas Day. First, when they woke up, Jack and Elizabeth decided they would start a new tradition of eating pancakes and fruit for Christmas Breakfast before presents happened.

Although, the big present that Jack planned for Autumn was going to show up any minute thanks to Jesse and Clara.

Autumn helped Jack make pancakes as usual, dressed in her red and white polka dot pajamas and white bunny slippers. Elizabeth cut up strawberries and added blueberries and then gave them to Addy and Aidan who were full of smiles.

As Jack was flipping the pancakes, the doorbell rang.

"Autumn get!" she said.

Jack helped her down and turned off the heat to the pancakes.

"Hang on, pumpkin. This is my surprise for you!" he told her, scooping her up. "This is my present. Close your eyes!"

She giggled and covered her eyes as he opened the door. However, she took them down and squealed when she saw Jesse holding a puppy in his arms.

"Puppy!"

"Hey, lady. You are supposed to keep your eyes closed!"

"Autumn puppy!"

Jesse held the puppy up and it licked Autumn's face, making her giggle.

"Thanks, Jess. Merry Christmas, man."

"Merry Christmas, Jack."

"Are Clara and the baby with you?"

"No, I just brought the puppy real quick. I'm headed home."

"Okay. Do you want to come over later?"

"Actually, her parents are in town so we have plans. But thank you."

"You're welcome. Thanks again."

Jack set Autumn on the floor and handed the tiny yellow lab to her. "It's a girl. What do you want to name her, pumpkin?"

"Mmm. Annie!"

"From the movie?"

"Yup!"

Elizabeth and the twins walked over to get acquainted. The puppy gave kisses to everyone and then peed on the floor.

"Uh oh."

Jack sighed, got up and retrieved the paper towels and the cleaning spray and cleaned it up. "Okay, apparently Annie is not house trained yet."

Elizabeth chuckled. "It's all you, honey."

"By the time I start work after New Years, this dog is going to be house trained. I promise."

She would need to trust him because she now had three kids to take care of. A puppy was not on her radar at all.

The second surprise came later around dinner time when Grace and Julie showed up to visit, with presents galore.

"Hello! Merry Christmas, everyone," they yelled as they walked in the door.

Immediately, the twins turned shy again and hid behind Elizabeth's legs. "HI! What are you doing here?"

"We have big news and we want to meet the twins!" Julie told her, giving her a hug.

"Auntie! Autumn have….puppy!" Autumn told her.

"You do?! I want to see!"

"Come, Autumn show."

Autumn grabbed her hand and pulled her into the living room.

Grace peeked around Elizabeth. "Oh, Beth. They are so adorable. Look at those cheeks and beautiful big eyes."

Elizabeth squatted and picked them up, one in each arm. "Aiden, Addy, this is Nana Grace. She's my Mommy." They buried their heads in her neck. "They are pretty shy but before long they'll be climbing all over your lap."

Elizabeth had cooked a turkey and made mashed potatoes and green beans along with rolls. As soon as everyone had food and the blessing was given, Elizabeth looked at her mom and sister. "So, what's the big news?"

"I'm moving here to Riverton," Grace said with a smile.

"What? You are?"

"Yes. I hope you don't mind. I want to be close to my grandchildren."

"Of course we don't mind, Grace," Jack said.

"Where will you live?" Elizabeth wondered.

"I bought a small two bedroom on Maple Lane."

"What about you, Julie? Where are you going?"

"I'm transferring to Arizona State in Tempe. I'm going to get my degree in Interior design."

"Arizona?"

"Yeah. I told you I wanted to move there, remember, Beth?"

"Yeah. But it's so far away."

"I really need to do my own thing."

Elizabeth nodded. "I understand. I did that too."

"Yes and now look. You have Jack and this house and three beautiful children, not to mention your writing. I want my own thing, Beth."

Elizabeth nodded and got up to give her a hug. "I love you, Julie. And I'm proud of you."

"Thank you. I love you too."

Because it was late, Beth and Grace decided to stay overnight and head back to Augusta in the morning rather than drive on slippery roads in the dark.

Julie helped give the kids baths and read stories to them before conking out on Autumn's bed with her. Grace slept in the guest room and Jack and Elizabeth attempted to get some rest too.

"I can't believe she's moving so far away," Elizabeth whispered.

Jack wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. "Its time for her to be independent. Do something she wants to do."

"I guess."

"Hey, I just remembered. I got you one more gift."

He opened the drawer to his bedside table and pulled out a little velvet bag. "Jack, you didn't need to buy me anything else."

"Of course I did. Open."

She poured the contents into her hand and gasped. "Oh my. I've always wanted one of these bracelets, Jack."

He gently put it on her wrist. "This charm represents Autumn." It was a silver heart with a tiny pink heart and "daughter" on the side. "This one represents Mercy." It was a simple silver M. "This one represents us." It was two hearts that said "forever and always" and "my beautiful wife". "I plan on giving you one charm for each child we have a part in raising. Whether it's a day, a week, or even years. They are all going to be in our hearts and remembered forever."

"Oh, Jack. This is the sweetest gift you've ever given me. Thank you so much." She kissed his perfect lips and smiled.

"I'm glad you like it."

"Love it. And I love you, honey." What a great Christmas it had been.