AN: This is a new series I'm starting called Holidays with the Prentisses. I know it's late, but I didn't even get the idea till Christmas Eve. A new story will be posted for different holidays. Each story will vary in length. This one will hopefully fall between 5 and 6 chapters.

The ship in this story may not be everyone's cup of tea, but hope some of y'all will enjoy it.

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Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.

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"Wake up! Wake up!" Emma, her raven hair in pigtails, yelled as she jumped up and down on Ethan's bed.

Ethan groaned and shooed the four year old away. "Emma it's too early."

"It's Christmas Eve Ethan. We have a lot to do," Emma stated not giving up.

The sixteen year old sat up as his expression softened. "And what is it we have to do bumblebee?"

"Eat pancakes, take gifts, bake cookies, watch movie, open present, an' play games," Emma rushed in one breath.

Ethan swung his feet over the edge of the bed. "Is that so?"

Declan, the fourteen year old was still in his pjs, appeared at the door. "She's right. If you don't get down stairs soon Mattie, Jo, and Link will have eaten all the good pancakes. Mama made some with chocolate chips and some with blueberries."

"Tell them I'll be down in a minute."

Declan turned to leave. "Come on Emma."

Emma ran to join her older brother sending Ethan a huge smile. Ethan didn't know what to think. They'd all been living together for three months. No one had ever mentioned the Christmas Eve tradition. Usually him and his mom would spend the day reading and then order take out for dinner. In the three months since they'd moved he'd learned that the way they use to do things wasn't how most people did them.

When Ethan arrived downstairs and entered the kitchen he found everyone else waiting. Penelope was standing at the stove flipping pancakes. His mom and Emily were sitting at the counter sipping on their tea. The kids were all sitting at the table chewing away. Emma patted the seat next to her. "Sit by me Ethan."

Ethan gave her a smile as he sat down next to her. To say he was overwhelmed was an understatement. He had spent the last three months purposely over sleeping to avoid eating breakfast with the family. He guessed either Emily or Penelope had figured this out and kept Emma from waking him up. He loved her to death but he was not use to the idea of living in a house with other kids.

"Here you go sugar plum," Penelope said as she handed Ethan his own plate of pancakes.

"Thanks," Ethan replied taking the plate. "That's a new one."

Penelope had nicknames for all the kids. Mattie was diva, Jo was punky, Declan was cookie, Link was squirrel, Emma was bumblebee, and together the were her gumdrops. She had even given Emily and Alex pet names. Since moving in Penelope had tried different nicknames out on Ethan; so far none had stuck.

"I'm still looking," Penelope replied heading back to the stove.

Emily walked over to the table; Alex following closely behind. "Does everyone know what time we're leaving for the nursing home today?"

Everyone nodded except Ethan. Emily knew this and mouthed 8:30 to him when no one was watching. "So when I say wheels up in thirty you will all be at the door on time? And you'll have everything you need."

The kids all nodded again. "Yes ma'am"

As they finished eating they headed to get ready. Ethan was the last kid finished. Emily stopped him before he went upstairs. "Do you know what's going on?"

Ethan shook his head. "Not exactly."

"We have several traditions. One of them is taking gifts to the residents at the nursing home," Emily explains.

"This year is stuffed animals," Penelope adds.

"Cool," Ethan says turning to head up stairs.

"Wait," Penelope puts out a hand to stop him. She picks up a Christmas bag from next to her. "You'll need this."

Ethan takes the bag cautiously. "Uhm thanks."

Penelope just smiles. "You're welcome."

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Ethan is surprised as he pulls out a grey long sleeve shirt out of the bag. On the back is the phrase 'Elf Squad'. His shock increases as he turns it over to see 'Big Brother Elf' written on the front right side. Finding a new source of Christmas spirit he hurriedly finishes getting ready.

When he gets down stairs he finds everyone, but his mom wearing the same shirt. Declan's says 'Middle Brother Elf', Link's says 'Little Brother Elf', Mattie's says 'Big Sister Elf', Jo's says 'Middle Sister Elf', Emma's says 'Little Sister Elf', Emily's says 'Mommy Elf', and Penelope's says 'Mama Elf'.

Jo has her arms crossed. "How come you're the big sister?"

Mattie takes a defensive pose. "Because I'm older."

"By ten minutes," Jo points out.

"You two are not having this argument again. I'm sick of hearing it," Emily tells them.

Both girls look down at their feet. "Yes ma'am."

"Now Emma why don't you show Al what we have for her," Emily directs to the youngest.

"Oh yeah," Emma says holding a bag out to Alex.

"This probably would have been helpful to give you at an earlier time," Emily states as Alex pulls a shirt matching everyone's out of the bag.

Ethan strains to see what the front of her's says. He's only seen his mom cry on rare occasions so it comes to a shock when he sees her eyes water up. "Thank you Emma," Alex says. Her eyes glance over Emma to everyone else letting them know the thank you applies to them too.

"The little ones want to call you MoMo," Maddy explained.

"And us older kids thought we would go with just Mo," Jo added.

Most kids would probably be jealous, but Ethan knew that this made his mom happy and that's all that mattered. "Go change," Emily instructed.

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Ethan was glad when Penelope told him he got to be lookout. Emily and his mom both owned SUV's which were used for commute to work and when they didn't have all the kids. Penelope had 'The Bus' which sat up to twelve people. The person sitting in the front passenger seat was deemed the lookout. Ethan turned around to see where everyone else was sitting. Emma was in her booster seat behind Penelope and Link was in his behind him. Emily and his mom had taken the middle row. Mattie and Jo were seating close to the window in the back row and Declan sat a space away from them.

"Ready to go?" Penelope ask.

She revived a chorus of yeses in reply.

"Good 'cause it's time to get this Christmas Eve show on the road," Penelope announced.

Ethan grinned. He was starting to realize that as chaotic as his new family was they were pretty cool.

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AN2: Go check out my Pinterest page to see the inspiration for their shirts. I have the same name and pic on there./span/div