Chapter Six

Alexis stood by her full length mirror fiddling with her long hazelnut colored hair anxiously. She was clad in a knee length black dress with delicate straps that lay against her shoulders and if she turned to a certain angle the dress glittered softly against her bedroom lighting. Her hair fell to her shoulders and she had a soft brush of color across her cheeks.

It was Christmas Eve and Jason would be arriving a minute. He was bringing Spinelli, while the boy was an oddball Alexis enjoyed watching him get flustered around Sam. Just the thought of her eldest daughter made Alexis nervous, tonight her and Jason were planning to try to get Sam away from Lucky for more than a second so they could tell her that they were together. The doorbell rang and Kristina's excited screams filled the house.

"SAM'S here!" she shouted as Alexis fiddled with the clasp of her diamond pendant.

Opening the door Alexis was immediately surrounded by Sam's strawberry perfume and her daughter wrapped her in a hug. Alexis clutched her daughter extra tight; in a few hours she was pretty sure that their relationship would be very different.

"Sam...Sam...Did you by us presents?" Kristina asked grinning and showing off her front two missing teeth.

"Oh my gosh...I forgot to get you guys presents!" Sam's expression went from elated to embarrassed and nervous.

"You what!?" Kristina asked heartbroken, her dark brown eyes widened in disbelief. "You didn't bring us presents?"

"No sweetie I didn't" Sam sighed sadly.

"But we did!" a chorus of shouts called from far behind Sam.

Lucky, Spinelli and Jason appeared in the doorway with giant sacks of presents and red velvet Santa Claus hats on. Lucky beamed at Sam, Spinelli giggled at Kristina's squeals and Jason stood there looking like he had just been given the death penalty.

"Merry Christmas" both Lucky and Jason smiled warmly at the girls.

"Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Joyeux Noel, Happy Kwanzaa, Feliz Navidad, Sretan Bozic, Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr! , Buone Feste Natalizie, Kurisumasu Omedeto, Sung Tan Chuk Ha, Feliz Natal, Sawadee Pee Mai, Chung Mung Giang Sinh, E ku odun, e ku iye'dun!" Spinelli rambled on excitedly.

"This...is...the...best...Christmas...EVER!" Kristina smiled jumping up and down.

Molly sat on the couch drooling and looking amused. Sam nudged Alexis softly and laughed mischievously at the sight of the three men all standing under the mistletoe.

"Guys...look up." Sam smirked arching her prefect eyebrows.

All three men's faces turned crimson as they realized that they were sandwiched in between the doorway with mistletoe hanging over their heads. Staring at the floor embarrassed even Spinelli was at a loss for words...or maybe that was just wishful thinking.

"Oooo goody...I have the choice between Stone Cold and the Dashing Detective, I feel like fair Elizabeth!" Spinelli clapped laughing.

Alexis froze, Sam's jaw dropped, Lucky looked at Spinelli incredulously and Jason covered his head with his palms slowly running it down his red face. It was eerily quietly until Kristina's excited squeal made them all jump.

"A Hannah Montana Karaoke set! Thank you Jason!" the little girl cheered and ran to hug Jason almost knocking him over in the process.

The tension was broken as the air was filled with laughs as Kristina clung to Jason's jeans. Lucky inched over to Sam and wrapped his arms around her back holding her close. Jason desperately wanted to snake his arm around Alexis' side and have everything be normal but he knew that it would take time and soon him and Alexis wouldn't have to hide the fact that they were together.

Plopping onto the couch Lucky took Sam's hands as she sat nuzzled up against him on his lap. Jason sat next to Alexis and laid his arm against the top of the couch so she could lean against him discreetly. Spinelli, Molly and Kristina sat on the floor eager to open presents.

The second Kristina was handed a present she ripped the wrapping paper off and flung it across the room excitedly. Holding up the item each time and occasionally modeling it for the clapping adults. When she came across an envelope with Alexis' name scrawled out in blank ink she frowned.

"This isn't for me..." she sighed agitated."It's for mommy."

"Me?" Alexis asked surprised. Lucky and Sam had already gotten her beautiful jewelry and a Spa day gift certificate; the girls had painted her pictures. Could it be? Was it from Jason?

Sensing her mother's discomfort Sam furrowed her brow and cleared her throat.

"Who wants to sing Hannah Montana Karaoke?" she smiled broadly at Kristina.

"Me...Me!" the young girl bounced and Jason had to laugh. She was a perfect combination of Alexis and Sonny. With her dimples, dark eyes and her long dark locks that reminded him of Sam's.

"Well then what song should we pick first?" Sam asked as she handed the box of pink wires and batteries to Spinelli making sure he knew that he was going to have to assemble this thing quick or face the wrath of an impatient five year old.

"See you again!" Kristina smiled eagerly.

"Uhhh...Fair Samantha?" Spinelli called out.

Sam turned to the young hacker and chuckled at the sight on him tangled in wires and "Rock On" stickers stuck to his forehead. Kristina however was not mused. Placing a hand on her hip she arched an eyebrow and looked right at Spinelli.

"You're SUPPOSED to be smart!" she frowned angrily.

"Yes...the jackal is working his jackaly powers on the temperamental tike's singing machine but it is very difficult Goddess in Training." Spinelli rambled slightly intimidated by the young brunette.

Sam pulled Lucky over to help her untangle Spinelli while she balanced Molly on her hip and Alexis smiled. Her daughter was going to be such a good mommy someday.

Jason stood up and ushered Alexis into her office, everybody would be distracted with Spinelli for a while. It was time for them to be alone for a while.

Alexis sat perched on Jason's lap in her blue recliner as his lips pressed softly against hers. She giggled softly as he pulled her close and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Open your present" he smiled softly. Anticipation filled his stomach as Alexis ripped the envelope open with excitement flickering in her eyes.

A small gasp escaped Alexis's glossed lips as she read the note card inside.

Mr. Morgan,

Your reservations for a January 13-15 weekend stay at the Paradise Resort in St.Bart's have been made. You and your guest will be sleeping in a one-bedroom, one bathroom bungalow on the beach. Thank you for choosing Paradise as your vacations destination.

As a thank you for your lovely patronage and generous donation we have booked complimentary massages for you and your guest.

Sincerely,
Management at the Paradise Resort

"For...us?" she asked softly, her brown eyes melting over softly.

"Only if you want to...I just thought it would be fun to get away together." Jason said slowly and nervously. He had been hesitant to book the vacation but he had decided to take the plunge and see what Alexis thought.

"Of course I do...I would like nothing more than to spend a weekend relaxing with you." Alexis smiled as she pressed her finger under his chin bringing his lips to hers.

Jason was enjoying the feel of Alexis's lips against his until a screech interrupted him. Jumping back he turned to the doorway and his eyes met the look of horror that was plastered on Sam's face. Alexis's eyes widened and she felt her stomach in her throat as Sam stood in the doorway her mouth gaping open.

"Oh...my...god." Sam let out a shaky breath, she just stood there wanting to say more but she just couldn't find her voice. It was hiding in the mess of confusion, embarrassment and terror that was flying through her brain.

"Sam..." Alexis stood up smoothing off the top of her dress. Reaching over to her eldest daughter it broke her heart to see the obvious hurt that she was trying so hard to conceal.

"This...this is like an episode of Jerry Springer." Sam stammered trying hard not to look at Jason. How could they do this to her? What made Jason think that he could make his way through the family?

"Just let me explain..." Alexis said helplessly.

"I don't think I need it explained...I have to go, Merry Christmas." Sam said softly as she walked into the living room.

Alexis sighed her shoulders drooping as her face crumpled. She felt Jason's strong arms wrap around her shoulders and pull her close.

Author's Note- Please tell me what you think