Casey was bouncing a baby on her knee. Mikey Venturi was just one and this was his second Venturi Christmas. At his first he had been barely three months old. She was looking forward to him reacting to the coloured lights and baubles.

For the third year in a row, they had returned to the massive skiing lodge. It was a regular booking now, and the Morgans were always in tow. Somehow, Casey thought happily, looking across at her soon-to-be daughter-in-law, they always would be. Lucy caught Casey's eye and smiled.

"Can I have him for a while?" she asked Casey who nodded, and passed the little boy to Lucy, the fire light catching the new engagement ring as Lucy moved her hand. Derek chuckled. "I'd watch out if I were you Stig. When they start showing an interest in babies, it's a slippery slope." James grinned and nodded his agreement.

Stig laughed. "I've seen the life plan, dad. I have another two years of peace yet."

"She has a life plan. God Case! It's you all over again."

"Der-ek."

Casey rolled her eyes at her husband and turned to Cathy. "I'm pleased Lilly and Teddy managed to patch things up before the trip to Florida."

"Those two are off and on so frequently these days it's like watching a set of fairy lights." Cathy said. "They used to be so normal. I guess that's teenagers for you."

Stig snorted. "Teddy's never been normal."

"Be nice." Lucy said, her little charge falling asleep on her shoulder. "They'll sort themselves out. They're perfect for each other, it's just we Morgan-Venturis never do things the easy way." Stig brushed his thumb against her shoulder and pressed a kiss against her mouth, being careful not to wake the baby.

"You're good at that." Casey said to Lucy pointing to the baby. Lucy blushed.

Derek chuckled. "I still find it intensely amusing that we all worried about you two bed hopping the first time we came here. I seem to remember a certain mother saying, 'I quote 'if we're grandparents in nine months, it won't be my fault'."

"Shut up Derek."

"Just exactly when was our fifth child born again?" He smirked at her. "Approximately, nine months after Christmas I believe."

"Derek. That was your fault."

"It's always my fault Casey. It's been my fault since we were fifteen."

He pulled his wife closer. "I wouldn't change it for the world."

The little group grinned and raised a toast to their ever-changing family.

Stig looked at his youngest brother sleeping in his fiancée's arms and smiled too. Later, when they were lying in their room he would tell her that he didn't want to wait the year they had planned before they got married. If this was married life, he was ready to start. Lucy would nod and they would set a date for as soon as possible.

Cathy snuggled up to James that night. "Do you ever wish we'd had another baby?" she said.

"Still could." He said, sleepily. She sat up.

"What?"

"We still could." He said, smiling to himself.

"But I'm…"

"…more than young enough to try."

"Do you mean that?" she asked. The question suddenly important.

He opened his eyes properly. "If you want another baby all you have to do is ask. Can't guarantee we'll be successful but…" he broke off as she kissed him soundly. Neither of them was aware of anything else for the rest of the night.

"So. I hope you learnt your lesson Casey Venturi." Derek said after he had settled Mikey in his cot in the next room. "If you leave well alone, everything works out."

"I didn't leave everything alone, Derek. I made friends with Cathy remember?"

He lay on his back, playing with her hair. "Hmmm, okay I'll let you off. That at least was a good decision. It's a good job we get on with them, seeing as they are going to be around for the rest of our lives."

Casey looked at him. "Do you ever regret it?" she asked, biting her bottom lip.

"Regret what?"

"Choosing to date me rather than going into your career a free agent, free to enjoy all the groupies and hangers on."

"Where's the challenge in that?" he said simply.

They were quiet for a minute.

"I love you, Casey. I've always loved you, even before I knew what that emotion was. Sure I could have the easy life, but I'd rather have the interesting one. I could have the easy girls, but I'd rather have the woman who knows when I'm ill before I do, understands why I'm upset without me saying a word, and knows how to make things right again." He saw her eyes filling with tears and smirked.

"The woman who cries like a freaking fountain." He said pulling her tightly to him.

"Sorry." she sobbed. "You don't do sappy very often, but when you do, you're an expert." She grinned. "I love you too, jerk. However much I shout at you, threaten you, hit you…" her voice trailed off.

"We're perfect for each other, aren't we?" she said finally.

He cupped a hand to the side of her face. "I think so."

She leant forward and let him kiss her deeply.

"Casey." He said breaking off for air. "How do you feel about six children?"

What with one baby or three, next year they would need a bigger lodge.

The End.