A/N: Well, obviously, I couldn't finish all twelve chapters in time for Christmas. Sorry! As much as I love writing TGS characters, I was busy celebrating Christmas IRL. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Chapter 11

December 24, 1851

It's the eleventh day of Christmas, and what did Barnum see, but eleven family squabbles…

Charity wasn't old (at least to her way of thinking), but she had experienced many a Christmas Eve since she was a child.

Growing up with her parents, Christmas Eve was always a quiet affair. There would be a long Christmas Mass followed by an elaborate, formal dinner. There was St. Nick and presents, too, but overall it was an occasion where she was still expected to be a prim and proper lady.

Then, there were the Christmases where she and Phineas were just starting out. It couldn't be more different than her childhood Christmases, but that was okay. Better than okay. They were all together, and while there weren't many presents, she and Phin did their best to make it special. They played in the snow, went to church, and saved up grocery money to make a nice Christmas dinner.

And as for this year...well, it was something else. For one, she and Phin had decent money this year, and while that was far from the most important part, they were able to give the girls the Christmas she and Phin had always hoped they could.

For another, Charity finally had the big family she had always wanted - if a bit unconventionally. Those first Christmases with Phin were wonderful and painful both. Wonderful, because they were finally together. Painful, because each year she got her hopes up that the girls would finally be accepted by their grandparents - and each year, she was disappointed.

That pain hadn't faded, but it was hard to be unhappy with so much joy around her. Their house was a complete mess, she never got a quiet moment to herself, and she was going to sleep for a week when the holidays were over. But while she knew many of the circus troupe was experiencing their first proper Christmas, she nearly felt like she was, too.

Compared to the craziness of the recent days leading up to the Christmas season, Christmas Eve should have been relatively calm. There were the final dress rehearsals for the Nutcracker and Phin's Christmas show both, but after that, the day was free to spend with family and friends. However, they didn't get to that part until Christmas Eve was nearly Christmas day.

First came the annual rejection note from her parents, explaining that they would not be spending Christmas with them. Except, this year, it was slightly different: They would be pleased to spend Christmas with her and their granddaughters, "but only if that riffraff wasn't going to be there". Charity wasn't sure if her parents were referring to her husband or to the circus troupe, but it didn't matter either way. The note went in the trash.

Next came, shockingly, Jenny Lind in tears on their front stoop. She had departed a few days ago, summoned by her parents for a reconciliation after 'that Barnum scandal', and things obviously hadn't gone well. Since they were planning to have Jenny for Christmas anyway, it didn't change much on the logistical side of things, but Jenny of course was distraught.

After that, Caroline and Helen were fighting over God knows what. This was a daily, or even hourly, occurrence, but Charity's nerves were already quite frayed by that point.

Phin wasn't able to help her much, because he was orchestrating his own conflict resolution during that final dress rehearsal for tomorrow's show. Evidently, tensions were running high this Christmas Eve. At this point in the Christmas season, despite the fun that had been had, no one really had had time to rest and everyone was running on fumes.

Then came an unexpected hour of calm. It was, as people say, the calm before the storm, because soon after, a fierce argument erupted between Anne and Phillip. It was the worst one anyone could remember them having, and before long W.D. became involved. Charity didn't know until after Christmas that Phillip's parents had been sending him threatening notes. All she did know at the time was that Phillip had hidden something from Anne, something important, and now Anne had found out and was not pleased. Because shouldn't a soon-to-be-married couple trust each other with their problems? And then once W.D. had figured out was happening he was screaming at Phillip for screaming at Anne, and for 'putting his baby sister in danger'. Which made Anne shout at W.D. that she wasn't five years old anymore and didn't need protecting, and could he please butt out of a private matter?

At this point, Charity could feel her eye twitching in a strange way and she knew she was only a few seconds from saying something she couldn't take back.

"Go outside."

Squabbling siblings (and fiance) looked up in surprise as their argument was interrupted.

"What?"

"Go outside," Charity repeated monotonously. "Settle this outside. I can't deal with this right now, in my house." They looked at each other, startled, and as W.D. was no doubt about to protest, Lettie appeared.

"You heard the lady. Time to leave," she ordered as she herded them out the door. Charity sighed in relief.

When Phin finally came home from the circus (rehearsal had ended ages ago, but as tomorrow's ringmaster, he had much to do), he took one look at Charity and laughed wryly.

"I was going to tell you about how rough my day was, but from the look on your face I'm guessing yours was worse." Charity sighed and leaned into him.

"You could say that. The girls were bickering, and the Wheelers and Phillip had a massive row 'til Lettie threw them out to cool off. Oh, and it's a long story, but Jenny's here and she's staying for Christmas." P.T. raised an eyebrow and began to massage her shoulders.

"Yikes. Well, on the bright side, things can only improve from here, right?" Charity managed a smile.

"One would hope." Phineas was about to reply when their daughters entered the room. Before either of them could say anything, Caroline blurted out,

"Mama, we're sorry for fighting earlier. We're sorry we made you upset." She nudged her sister none too subtley. "Aren't we, Helen?"

"Yeah, we're sorry!" she chimed in eagerly. Charity smiled as both girls simultaneously hugged her.

"Thank you, girls. It happens to everyone. It had already been a hard day, that's all."

"All is resolved now, then?" Phin asked their daughters.

"Well -" Helen began, before Caroline elbowed her butted in,

"Yup. Everything's fine." Both parents stifled their smiles.

"Why don't you go get dressed for Mass, girls." As Caroline raced off to do just that, Helen stayed behind.

"Can I wear my favorite dress?"

"No, sweetheart," P.T. began, "It's really not an appropriate -"

"Sure," Charity interrupted, to Phin's surprise, "Sure you can."

"Woohoo!" Helen ran out of the room.

"People talk about us at church anyway, Phin," she replied to his unspoken question. "Helen may as well wear what she wants." P.T. chuckled.

"Fair enough."

To Charity's relief, Phineas had been right: things did get better after that. Mass was enjoyable enough, if a bit boring for the girls, and when they got home, Anne, Phillip, and W.D. were waiting for them. All three apologized profusely for their bad behavior, especially considering they were in the Barnum's home, and if they didn't want them to stay they understood -

Charity cut them off there.

"Everyone has bad moments like that, especially now, when we're all exhausted. Don't give it another thought." And though she could see that there was still a problem among the three of them, and while it was obvious Jenny was hurting, everyone managed to put the problems of the day aside and have a good time. A huge Christmas dinner was enjoyed by all, followed by everyone really relaxing for the first time in several days.

Helen, despite her yearly resolution to stay up and see Santa Claus, was out like a light, and Caroline followed not long after. And Charity, watching her adopted family laugh and talk and enjoy each other's company, felt satisfied knowing that she had finally gotten the Christmas she always wanted, even if there were some rough patches.

"Merry Christmas, Charity"

"Merry Christmas, Phin."

...ten plates of cookies,

nine Christmas carols,

eight pints of eggnog,

seven hours of shopping,

six snow angels,

FIVE WOODEN SLEDS!

Four painted zebras,

three new daring acts,

two dancing daughters,

and a beautiful Christmas tree!