Thanks to those who reviewed the first chapter. It's been great to see so many of you are already hooked. ;-) Here's the next chap!
That evening, the Olivers and Scotts discussed their plans for the big holiday celebration. Everyone, including close friends and family were invited. Certainly, it was going to be big group this year, but to say for the most part, getting everyone to one destination.
There were flights to book, hotel rooms to accommodate their friends in, as well as possible after parties. The thought of it all was endless. As the fireplace began to warm up the room, Tommy and Jason sat around laughing at the good old days.
The days of being young, the laughter that was shared as youth and just reminiscing only helped them realize that through their children. The four children sat around the Christmas tree as they shook their presents.
"I wonder what this is," Miley Oliver said as she shook the box gently. Her sister Destiny sat next to her as they tossed one box to the Scott boys. "Oh maybe it's the sweater I wanted." The young girl giggled.
"She's taken after Kim so well, bro," Jason laughed as he watched his niece guess on her gifts. Miley Elizabeth Oliver, age seven, a mini-me to her mother, and a future gymnast, sat at the Christmas tree, continuously shaking the gifts. "Oh, I betcha this is for Uncle Jason. It's a…"
Kimberly shook her head as she and her friends, along with her husband discuss the plans to do a holiday celebration at the Reefside Inn. She looked over at her children as they continued contemplating what Santa would be bringing them. On the other hand, the Scott boys were attempting the same thing, but with the stockings. Jared and Devon peered their little heads into their stocking as they hoped for little presents that would be stored inside.
As the four adults were talking, many things were listed. While sifting through about fifty invitations, as well as responses via email, the night was going to be eventful.
"How many are we thinking of inviting?" Tommy asked as he turned to the computer, looking at the list that was building. The list was pretty long. He last remembered it was three pages.
"About fifty or sixty," his wife noted as she looked at the list again. "but I just hope everyone can come. It would be nice to see everyone again." Tommy nodded as he kissed his wife's forehead.
"You know who I want to see at our party?" Jason asked as he sipped his coffee. He placed his cup down as he began naming some names. "I think it would be great to see the newest rangers."
"The Overdrive Rangers?" Tommy asked as he picked up his little girl from the floor, bouncing her on his knee. As Kim handed him a bottle, he fed Destiny as he listened to his friend. "You know, that would be great too."
"I think so too," Kat nodded in agreement. In everyone's reaction, it was done, but first to contact them. "It'll give them great exposure to meet the rest of the Ranger family."
"Yeah, didn't Adam work with them for three days?" Kim inquired, looking at the list as she added their names.
Jason nodded. He remembers as it was like yesterday when he was notified by Tommy to handle a special mission aboard the K-O35. However, Adam's was truly a honor. He worked with the Overdrive rangers, as well as notable other veteran rangers. This year was truly special to all of them.
Among the holiday party, it was to be a celebration of a wrap up of an amazing year. Everything from weddings to babies, including special missions, every Veteran ranger didn't want to miss out on this momentous occasion.
Settling out the many names was to be done that evening. The attendance included noted friends, guests, and several family friends – above all, it was an event that was worth celebrating.
Into the evening, everyone was busy. The sounds of typing on the laptop as well as children's laughter filled the room that night. The four children sat around as Kimberly and Katherine hummed their children a tune.
"Mommy, do you think we can sing a song for the celebration?" Miley asked as she looked over at her mother, as she tuned her guitar. "I've always wanted to be part of such a big occasion."
"Of course sweetie, you and some of the other children are," Kimberly hinted as she smiled, tuning in the chords. Katherine was next to her friend, humming softly to her little boys she and Jason adored. "What songs do you think you would all mind singing?"
"How about 'Silent Night'?" Devon called out as he smirked. Kimberly and Miley laughed as they looked at the young boy. "Wha? I've always heard Momma sing it to the new baby that's coming."
Katherine's eyes began to well up. She was due in a few months, but she smiled at her son's kind words. She hugged him gently as Devon smiled back at her. The Scott family was growing and love filled the room.
Jason sat adjacent to her, typing up an email to several friends noting about the party. Some he hadn't seen in ages, whereas others were still to be met. He looked up at his wife and two children as he smiled in happiness.
"I've thought up something, why don't we tell a story tonight based on Christmas?" he pondered, as he thought up a way of bringing the Christmas feeling into the home.
"That sounds like a good idea Bro. You kids get ready for bed, your uncle and I have a plan," Tommy said as he scurried his kids upstairs to their rooms. "Now, how're we going to do this?"
His best friend chuckled as he showed him Hannah's Barbie dolls that were laid out on the floor. With Kimberly's guitar and Katherine narrating, it would be a great plan. However, that didn't make them forget about the duties they had to do for the party, but it was surely a way to end the long, grueling evening of party planning.
The three older children hurried upstairs as they got into their pajamas. As they prepared for their little story, Jason and Tommy moved around the furniture as they took two or three dolls as they prepared their special presentation.
I wonder what Daddy and Uncle Jason are going to do? Miley wondered as she brushed her teeth. The clock read seven-fifteen as she finished brushing her teeth. Hannah and Devon stood next to her as they finished.
"You three ready?" Tommy hollered from the stairs. The three laughed as they were dressed in pajamas, taking their little time. "Miley, Devon, Hannah, are we ready?"
"Coming!" the three said as they came down the stairs.
The three children came finally came down the stairs as they saw the make shifted stage. To their surprise, they saw their mother and aunt sitting off to the side as they presented them a rendition of their version of A Christmas Carol.
Sitting on the carpeted floor, the children listened as they saw their uncle and father portray the story through dolls. Sudden giggles and laughter were lively in the home that night.
Without a doubt, several sounds of laughter also escaped from the adults. They were enjoying their family-filled evening, just being themselves as the story continued.
It was an eventful evening. No one would forget that night, but no one would ever forget Tommy's voice of Little Timmy as he sipped his hot chocolate behind the stage. In curiosity, Hannah tipped toed over to see who was working behind the scene.
To her surprise, her father was trying to keep calm around the little girl. She giggled as she watched the magic happen. Tommy handed her a doll as Jason showed her how to handle the story for the others.
Surely, an eventful evening, but a warm household was the start of the holiday season.