"So, what is it you want for Christmas?" Selina asked Elijah. "I mean, I feel kind of bad that you're always getting me stuff and I never get you anything."

"Oh, but you do!" Elijah replied with a wicked grin. "And you're sweet to ask, but I've accumulated so much junk over the past thousand years that I really don't need to add to it."

"However, I have one thing for you," Selina said. "Or two, depending on how you look at things." She held out a large manilla envelope and Elijah took it from her. "What is this?" He asked, opening it.

Selina sighed. "When your brother Alexander and I were married, he took me to visit a bunch of places and I let it slip one day that there were two houses of his in particular that I liked. After he left, I found that he'd left me the deeds to both of them. I've had them all these years without doing anything with them, and since you're managing Alexander's property, I think it's about time they come back into the family."

Elijah looked up at her in amazement. "Well, that's very sweet," he said, coming to kiss her. "But if Alexander left them for you, then they're yours. You don't have to give them back. But I'll be more than happy to look after them for you."

"Are you sure?" Selina asked.

"Yes," Elijah nodded. "I'm sure." He looked at both the deeds. "I've always wanted to visit these places, but he never let us." He smiled at her. "What do you say we go sometime?"

"Okay, sure," Selina nodded. "But it will have to be after Christmas, though. There's so much I still have to do, including think about what I'm gonna make for that party. Oh, I can't wait to see Adrian and Lucy again!"

"I would be happier if I knew that she wasn't bringing Damon with her," Elijah said, narrowing his eyes. "Helene I can tolerate, of course. But not him."

"Because of his connection with Lucy?" Selina asked. "Or because of his connection with me?"

"Both," Elijah replied. "I'm not going to only pick one reason."

Selina sighed. "It doesn't surprise me that you're irritated, but can you try and be happy for the party? It'll be fun. Just talk to the people you get along with, and ignore the people you don't. Can you do that?"

"Fine," Elijah replied. "I'll try."

"Thank you," Selina said and kissed him on the cheek. "You won't regret it. I promise."

"I'll be the judge of that," Elijah replied. "We'll just see, won't we?"

Although the party had originally been set to take place at Klaus and Amy's, she and Selina had a chat, and they both decided that based on the number of people who were coming, it would be better to have it at Elijah and Selina's instead. Selina cleaned up the house and made everything all neat on the day of the party, and then just waited for the doorbell to ring, making up sugar cookies in holiday shapes in the meantime.

"Hey, cookies!" Elijah cried as he wandered into the kitchen, following the delicious smell that had wafted into his office, his hand reaching for the cookie tray.

"You'll have to wait with those," Selina replied, snatching one out of his hand, and making him look perturbed. "No one eats them until they're properly decorated."

"So go and do that!" Elijah cried. "I want them now!"

"Not until everyone comes," Selina replied. "People get to decorate their own however they want, including you, Mr. Impatient."

"Can't I just have one cookie?" Elijah asked.

Selina then looked around the tray, knowing Elijah wouldn't leave unless he had a cookie. "Here. this one is weirdly shaped and a little burned," she said, handing him an odd-looking snowman. "You can have it."

"Well, thank you," Elijah said dryly, then winced as he bit off the burnt end of the snowman. "How generous of you."

"It's the point of the season!" Selina replied brightly. "Now, why don't you go put on the sweater I got you before everyone gets here?"

"You mean that ugly one that plays 'Jingle Bells' when you press the snowman's nose?" Elijah backed away. "I don't know how you can expect me to wear that!"

"It's called being festive," Selina replied. "No one will mock you. Everyone will be dressed the same way."

"I bet Klaus will have something to say," Elijah huffed.

"Well, just ignore him and know that you're having a much better time than he is," Selina said shortly. "Now get your sweater on. People are gonna be here any minute."

"Fine," Elijah sighed. "The things I do for you."

"And I love you for it!" Selina called after him.

"Well, isn't this quaint?" Gwen smiled as she led King into the house. "The cookies and the holly and the snow...it's like living in a Rockwell painting or something. But I wouldn't expect anything less on Christmas Eve."

"What are you talking about?" King asked.

"Never mind," Gwen replied. "Now you behave yourself while I'm gone, okay? Be nice, especially to Selina."

"I know," King said irritably. "I already apologized, didn't I? And why do you have to go anyway?"

"Cause if I leave Rebecca and Robbie by themselves, they'll rip each other apart!" Gwen explained irritably. "I'll be back for you later."

As King sighed, Vivi strode up to him. "Hello," she said, taking a bite out of a cookie. "Want one? Selina's letting us decorate them." She handed him a three eyed Snowman what what seemed to be a gaping wound in his middle. "I was thinking of you when I made this," she said.

"Oh, well that's nice," King replied, taking it and taking a bite.

"So, what did you get me?" Vivi asked.

King rooted around in his pockets and came up with nothing but a stick of gum. "Here," he said. "This is for you."

Vivi looked at it and sighed. "And you wonder why I don't play with you as much anymore," she sighed. "You could have at least magicked up something nice with your powers." She strode off while King went to find Selina and and see if she had anything to do that would keep him away from Vivi.

Elijah and his sweater were sulking in the corner and wishing they were somewhere else when all of a sudden, his niece and nephew via Klaus came toward him bearing drinks.

"You look like you could use these," Adrian told him.

"Did Mom make you wear that sweater?" Lucy added. "And before you ask, Damon's not here. He thought he'd have a better time with Sam, Addie, Stefan, and Felicity at the boardinghouse."

"Am I that transparent?" He asked her.

"Yes," Lucy nodded. "You are."

Elijah took the drinks they offered in each hand. "Thank you so much," he said. "You have no idea how much I needed these."

"Yes we do," Adrian replied. "We grew up with Mom. And Helene brought me one of those ugly sweaters too. I flat out refused to wear it, so she just used her powers to shrink it and gave it to Liam instead. Then everyone was happy. Why didn't you do that with Mom?"

"I only have to wear this for a few hours," Elijah told him. "I'm taking it off after whether she likes it or not. And I'm glad to see that you and Helene are actually communicating now and that you're standing your ground," Elijah told him. "I'm proud of you."

"Well, thank you," Adrian replied. "You haven't seen my dad around here, have you?"

"No," Elijah shook his head. "Do you honestly think I'd purposefully seek your father out while wearing this sweater?"

"Good point," Adrian replied. "I'll go find him myself. And if you need more to drink, it's in the kitchen."

"Believe me, I will," Elijah nodded. "Thanks for the information."

Adrian went off to find Klaus and Lucy stayed with Elijah. "So, how have you been?" She asked. "I know I don't call or visit as much as I should, but that's my new year's resolution: to do better with communicating."

"Oh, I know you're busy," Elijah replied. "If you don't have the time, that's okay."

"Of course I do!" Lucy replied and gave him a hug. "I'll always make time for my favorite uncle!" She paused. "Have you seen Laura around here? I have to talk to her."

"I believe she's getting things from the basement," Elijah replied. "What do you have to talk to her about?"

"Well, a friend of mine who works at the gallery with me paid a visit to her salon awhile back and couldn't stop talking about how well it was decorated. She has this group of friends who want that sort of neon sixities aesthetic for their game rooms or whatever, and I told them I'd ask her if she was willing to do some interior decorating as a side business. At least for time, anyway. It's only a few people. It's not like she'll be doing it forever."

"Well, like I said, she's probably down in the basement," Elijah repeated.

"All right," Lucy replied. "I'll be back in a minute."

Adrian, who had sneaked into the kitchen to see his mother, grabbed her in a playful hug around the waist, but when she turned and locked eyes with him, she gave him a hard slap.

"Hey!" Adrian cried, putting a hand to his face. "What was that for?"

Selina blinked and peered at her son. "Oh, Adrian, I'm so sorry!" She said, giving him a hug. "I thought you were your dad and we had some unpleasantness recently involving him seeing me naked and taking way too much delight in the situation. Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Adrian nodded. "I'm fine. I'll be fine. I just came in to see you." He paused. "We probably shouldn't be hugging too long. I don't want you to get in trouble because Uncle Elijah mistakes me for Dad just like you did."

"Oh, I don't think I'll have to worry about your uncle too much," Selina replied. "He's basically staying in his corner. I guess I shouldn't have made him wear that sweater. I thought he'd enjoy being festive...but maybe I should have gone with plan B to accomplish that, and not plan A."

"What's plan B?" Adrian asked.

"I got him a tie with snowmen on it. It's much more subtle and doesn't play music when you touch it. Would you mind watching the cookies for me and taking them out when the timer goes off while I get it?" She asked.

"Sure," Adrian replied. "Will do."

She went and grabbed the tie out of her underwear drawer, then went to see her husband. "I have a surprise for you," she smiled.

"If it's anything like this sweater, I don't want it," Elijah replied.

"All right," Selina nodded. "I suppose I had that coming. No, it's not anything like the sweater. It's actually something you'll like." She showed him the red tie with the snowmen. "If I let you take off the sweater, will you wear this instead?"

"That depends," Elijah replied. "Does it play music?"

"No," Selina shook her head. "It doesn't. I promise."

Elijah smiled and took it from her. "Then I will wear it gladly," he replied and strode off to their room to change.

Selina heard the 'Ding!' of the oven and went back to the kitchen, finding not only one son watching the cookies, but two.

"I hope you don't mind that I invited Gregory here to watch the oven with me," Adrian said to his mother as he put an arm around his somewhat taller brother.

"No, it's fine," Selina replied. "Wanna take the cookies out?"

"You really should stop all this," Gregory told her. "Haven't you baked enough already? You deserve a break. At least have some egg nog or something, will you?"

"But there's so much I have to do still!" Selina replied.

"Go find Amy and ask her to help you," Adrian replied. "She's got powers."

"Oh, but I don't want her to think that I invited her just for her magic," Selina replied. "That's not very nice."

"Okay," Gregory nodded. "I just wanted you to have a little fun at your own party is all, but if you don't want to, that's your prerogative."

Selina gave her sons a long look as Adrian removed the tray of chocolate chip cookies from the oven and then, after Selina left the kitchen, he and Gregory watched them for a few seconds before taking them one after another from the tray.

"Look at you, eating like it's your last meal," Adrian commented.

"I don't get to eat like this at home," Gregory said, his mouth full. "I have to take advantage of it while I can!"

Selina went to ask for Amy's help while doing her best to avoid her former husband/current brother-in-law Klaus. However, during her search, she ran into Vivi first.

"Selina," Vivi asked. "Have you seen King?"

"Not since he came running in to the kitchen and asking if he could do anything to help," Selina replied. "He headed out when I told him I didn't have anything for him to do, and I haven't seen him since. Now, have you seen your mother? I need her help."

"When you say 'help', do you mean 'powers'?" Vivi asked. "Cause I got powers too!"

"Oh, honey, that's very sweet of you," Selina said, giving her a hug. "But I'd really feel more comfortable getting help from your mom."

"Fine," Vivi said, feeling a little slighted. She stomped off toward the kitchen and ran into King. "There you are!" She cried. "I've been looking for you everywhere! Now, where's my present? And don't say you don't have anything for me 'cause I know that's a lie!"

King really didn't have anything for her, but given the angry look on her face, he figured that he had to think of something quick. Then, he noticed some mistletoe hung over the door. "Okay, I have your present. But you have to shut your eyes first," he said.

"Okay," Vivi replied. "You better not be tricking me and giving me something gross."

"No I am not!" King replied, feeling offended. He took her hand and led her under the mistletoe, then gave her a quick kiss.

"Did you juist kiss me?" Vivi asked, opening her eyes.

"Well, I had to!" King replied. "We're standing under mistletoe! You kiss under it."

"Oh, okay!" Vivi replied. They stood in silence and then, to King's surprise, she kissed him too.

"What was that for?" He asked.

"Well, I was standing under the mistletoe too, wasn't I?" Vivi replied, taking his hand. "Merry Christmas, King."

"You too, Vivi," he replied, giving her a hug. "This is much better than Christmas at Rebecca's."

"Well, look at this!" Amy said with a smile as she and Klaus approached the mistletoe. "I had no idea it was already occupied. We can wait."

"No, we're done," Vivi replied and pulled King away from her father who was beginning to look perturbed. "And Selina is looking for you, by the way, Mommy."

"All right," Amy replied. "I'll see what she wants. But first..." She grabbed Klaus and gave him the biggest kiss she could. He then pushed her against the wall and she could feel him attempting to slip his hands under her skirt.

"Not in your brother's house!" Amy whispered sharply. "Your hands. Move them."

"Okay," Klaus sighed. "So much for Christmas cheer."

"Oh, don't be such a child," Amy told him. "Don't forget, there's always tonight."

"There is," Klaus said. "And you better keep your promise."

"I will," Amy nodded. "Don't worry." They then separated with Amy going to help Selina and Klaus going in search of his brother. "Have you been avoiding me?" He asked when he finally found Elijah near the egg nog bowl. "I heard tell of you wearing a really ugly sweater. Was that a lie?"

"Unfortunately, no," Elijah replied. "But fortunately, Selina came to her senses and gave me something more sedate instead. A snowman tie."

"But I have no doubt you'll get a better present tonight. I already know I am from Amy," Klaus replied with relish.

"It figures that that's all you can focus on," Elijah smirked, looking around. "I have to admit, it all looks very festive. Selina really throws herself into holidays, doesn't she?"

"Well, holiday baking, anyway," Klaus replied. "I'm surprised that every inch of the floor isn't covered with cookies!"

"Well, they'll all get eaten," Elijah replied. "That's the important thing."

A short while later, Selina announced it was time to open presents. It was a secret santa situation with everyone bringing one gift for a specific person.

King opened his (which turned out to be a set of small toy cars) and Vivi opened hers (a play oven), and King said, "You know, your present to me was much better."

"I agree," Vivi replied. "What am I supposed to do with this?"

"You can make stuff for me," King suggested. "I don't mind."

"In your dreams!" Vivi replied. "I wouldn't do that in a million years!"

"Fine," King replied. "Your loss." He then went to hang out with Selina until his mom came to pick him up, and after everyone was gone, Selina collapsed on the sofa. "That was some party," she said.

"It was," Elijah replied. "And once I was out of that sweater, I really enjoyed it."

"Okay, no more sweaters," Selina agreed. "But I'm getting you a Christmas tie every year. No arguments."

"Fine," Elijah replied. "I think I have a similar thing in mind for you. Let me get it."

Feeling nervous, Selina waited until Elijah came back with a box. She opened it with trepidation, but relaxed when she realized it was an apron with Santa on it that said "ho ho ho!"

"A holiday apron?" She smiled. "How wonderful!"

"I thought you'd like it," Elijah replied. "How about a new one every year?"

"Heck yes!" Selina nodded. "That's a great idea!"

"Well, good," Elijah replied. "Just wonderful." He then took her in his arms. "Merry Christmas," he said. "And how long until we pick up Ethan from Jeffrey's?"

Selina looked at the clock. "Now," she said. "I'll do it. Will you wait for me?"

"Of course," Elijah replied. "I won't move a muscle."

"You better not," Selina replied with a smile. "I won't be gone long. I swear."