LOVE WILL FIND A WAY…
I'm so sorry it's taken too long and there is really no excuse other then writers block and Starkid induced ADD.
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It had been a long and lovely evening with the double wedding and reception and Kristina had the hopes of being able to spend the following morning sleeping in, after all even though it was Christmas everyone who mattered was at the reception and had to of wanted to sleep too….right?
Wrong.
"Merry Christmas Kristina," Artie's voice spoke from the doorway.
Looking up at her boyfriend who'd been dressed already in a pair of jeans and a MIT sweat shirt a smile crossed her lips. Pulling her blankets tighter around her own body which despite the cold Ohio winter weather was only clad in the slip she'd been wearing the night before she shook her head.
"Did you get any sleep last night?"
"A few hours, but its Christmas so I'm sure the mix of adrenaline and sugar will balance it out."
Kristina laughed.
"Are you laughing at me woman?"
"No, never, anyway what is the reason for this wakeup call?"
"Do I need a reason to be the first one to wish my girl a Merry Christmas?"
Kristina shook her head.
"Anyway seeing as how it's Holden's first Christmas amongst other things I'm sure your family has some big to do planed this morning in addition to everyone coming over later on and I'm sure they want you front and center."
Kristina nodded.
"Can you hand me my robe Artie?"
Artie didn't respond with yes or no instead he gladly picked up Kristina's robe which was draped over a chair and handed it to her, watching as she climbed out of bed in her slip, wrapping the robe around her for warmth.
"Are you cold?"
"Freezing actually."
"Why didn't you say so? I could have climbed in and kept you warm."
Smiling as she thought how much she'd like that and how if the timing were different she'd of asked him to climb into bed with her at the moment however the sound of childish laughter broke her out of her train of thought that would of most assuredly landed her on Santa's naughty list.
"It sounds like Danni's up," Artie said after a moment of silence, "I should get her and you should."
"Get dressed."
Artie nodded before leaning over to give her a quick kiss.
"Dani," he spoke making his way into the hall however the young girl didn't quite here him as she'd made her way into her own parents room where Sam and Puck were cuddling in bed with one another.
"I can't believe we're having Christmas here this year." Puck said.
"And why is that?" Sam replied, "Because you're Jewish? Because really you talk the talk Noah but admit it you only go to Temple on the High Holidays."
"So does like the majority of the Lima Jewish population when they or their children aren't prepping for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs."
Sam just looked at him.
"And no, it's not because of my faith because we always get a tree and celebrate Chrismukkah festivities here, it's just with the wedding last night I thought things would be more."
"Lax," Sam said with a smile before a familiar voice rang out.
"Mommy, Daddy it's Christmas….get up!"
Puck and Sam smiled as they watched their little girl jump into bed between them.
"Sorry," Artie's voice rang out as he'd now entered his friend's bedroom where the young man was nestled snugly with his wife and child, "I was trying to catch Dani before she woke you up and caused any trouble."
Looking from their friend to one another Puck and Sam simply laughed, clearly used to being woken up by their child on a regular basis and not just cause it was Christmas Day.
"Dani," Puck said, "want to go down to the living room with your Uncle Artie while Mommy and Daddy get dressed."
"Then can we open presents?"
"I don't see why not," Sam said with a smile ruffling Danni's blonde hair before the young girl jumped into Artie's arms.
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Sam was right in wondering why they were having yet another party when they were only just recovering from a double wedding a few hours ago however the answer to this was quite simple, it was Holden's first Christmas which was an event that needed to be celebrated. And so the plan was that while Artie's family was out of town and Kristina's room was being occupied by Matt whose family had moved out of town a year ago the dup had spent the evening at the Puckerman's which was where Alexis, Burt, Holden, Molly, Kurt and Matt would be joining them around Sam's tree for the family's gift exchange. Clearly Santa got the memo to send all of their gifts to that address. Later on in the day the plan was for more of their extended family to join them for an intimate dinner.
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Kristina walked out of the guest room and into the hallway a while later and was instantly greeted by Artie.
"We're you staking out my room?"
"Maybe," Artie said with a grin taking in Kristina's outfit and making a face, "Seriously, do I need to have Kurt stage an intervention….I mean Letterman Jackets and Blazers are one thing but Reindeer Sweaters…."
"It's Christmas and it was a gift a few years ago from Rachel, I didn't raid her wardrobe I swear."
Artie just kissed her commenting about how she totally rocked the look before they made their way downstairs where everyone was already waiting.
"I'm glad you love birds could grace us with your presence, I was beginning to think you were…."
Puck paused not wanting his crude words to fall on Dani and Holden's innocent ears and so instead he just smirked.
"Wouldn't you like to know," Artie said with a smile before turning to Dani.
"Dani, how would you like to open the first present?"
Looking from her godfather to her parents then back to her godfather she smiled a smile that was definitely her dads before sweetly asking 'please?'
"I don't see why not."
"So," Artie said, "you know how last Christmas I approached you and told you I was Santa's elf and gave you that bracelet?"
Pointing to the Little Mermaid bracelet that clung to her wrist Dani nodded.
"Well, I thought I'd continue on that theme."
"Please tell me you're not planning on taking her to Disney World?" Puck asked.
"Disney World!" Dani said giddy as Artie shook his head causing her to pout.
"No, but it does have to do with your favorite Disney Princess."
Dani took the box from the young man's hand and flipped it open.
"It's just like auntie T and auntie M wore last night," she said with a smile as she held up the Ariel wedding dress costume that Artie had given her.
Artie just nodded as Puck had visions of his little girl getting married and he didn't like them one bit.
Putting the dress to the side Dani held up a red wig and smiled.
"Now I can be Ariel….cool….thanks uncle Artie."
"You're welcome," he said, "now I hope Kristina likes what I've given her as much as you do Dani."
Kristina simply smiled.
"As much as I can't wait to see what you've given me Artie I think someone else should have a turn at gift giver."
Artie just nodded as Burt smiled picking up a small box that had Alexis and Holden's name written on it.
"Now this gift is just as much a gift for Holden to cherish when he gets older as it's a gift from you honey hence both your names on the package."
Alexis simply nodded as she untied the bow and slipped open the lid of the box to see a small silver ornament shaped like a teddy bear with a light blue ribbon tied around its neck. On it was engraved- Holden Clark Hummel 1st Christmas 12/25/14.
Looking over to her husband Alexis smiled and lent over to give him a quick kiss.
Then after Dani gave her parents the ornament she'd made them in art class which 'isn't as pretty as the one grandpa got for grandma' and other gifts were distributed around the room eyes fell on Artie.
"So, do you still want to give Kristina her gift now?" Molly asked.
"Well," Artie said with a sheepish grin placing his hand in his pocket.
"Your totally going to propose to her dude aren't you?" puck said, "Way to steal Mike and Finn's thunder."
"I'm not going to propose," Artie said looking to Kristina for a reaction which thankfully wasn't a look of regret, "however I do have something special I want to give her."
Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small jewelry box that was clearly not ring shaped.
Opening it Kristina looked to see a heart shaped locket and she instantly opened it. On the left side was a picture of Kristina perched on his lap taken at what looked to of been Nationals Sr. year while the photo on the right looked like a candid shot of the two of them at the club after one of Artie's gigs.
"I love it," Kristina said in a whisper before leaning in to kiss her boyfriend.
There were some ooos and awes and a few more gifts to pass out before Dani looked over toward her parents.
"Can I play outside?"
"That depends munchkin, can daddy join you?"
"Daddy, mommy and everyone can join me…. The more the merrier."
"Well then," Puck said simply nodding giving Dani the cue to run to her room to get bundled up.
In the end, Alexis and Burt stayed inside with baby Holden and Kurt and Matt decided to stay inside to watch Christmas Story leaving Molly, Dani, Artie, Kristina, Sam, and Puck to play outside in the snow.
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Some time had passed and soon the scene turned into Dani along with Molly and Sam on one side of the yard making a snow man while Puck and Artie were attacking Kristina with snowballs.
"Hey," Kristina said, "two against one this so isn't fair."
"All's fair in love and war," Artie said with a playful chuckle as he tossed a ball that broke in her hair.
"You're going to die Abrams."
"I'm so scared," he replied as Kristina tossed a ball at him missing completely and landing on her sister.
"Hey," Molly said looking over at the scene before tossing a ball at Kristina.
"Three against one…. Seriously!"
Luckily at this moment Blaine and Ethan had chosen to arrive from the hotel that they'd been staying in.
"Please tell me the Calvary has arrived?"
Ethan gave her a silent smile before he began to roll a ball in his hands and tossing it toward Artie.
"I know you're my mate but…"
The ball hit Artie as Blaine began to roll his own ball before glaring at Molly.
"Blaine stop…. I surrender."
Blaine gave the young girl the once over thinking she'd been sincere however as he placed his ball down onto the ground his perfectly coifed hair had met with snow.
Molly let out a laugh and the snowball war raged on… Molly, Puck, and Artie against Kristina, Blaine and Artie. This was until Michael and Quinn along with Puck's kid sister Ruthie came onto the scene and it was clear that everyone needed to come inside to warm up and imbibe in some hot chocolate.
As the group entered the house Molly paused as she looked over to where Blaine stood by her side and then looked up a smile crossing her lips as she noticed a sprig of mistletoe in the air.
Leaning over she placed a peck on Blaine's lips.
Looking from the girl who still clearly had a crush on him despite knowing all too well that he was gay to the plant that hung in the air.
"Molly," he said, "did you plan that?"
Molly, who still harbored feelings for the gay man five years her senior lied and shook her head as Ruthie spoke up.
"Of course she didn't plan it, Molly's got a boyfriend."
At Puck's kid sister's words all eyes fell on Molly.
"You have a boyfriend sweetie? Why haven't you told us?"
"I think maybe she's afraid her step dad would go all protective papa bear on his little girl."
Looking at her parents Molly let her face flush a light pink as Kristina smiled.
"So sis….what's his name? Is he in glee club with you?"
"His name…. it's….."
Pausing as the names of many a literary hero that would go over everyone head came to mind she decided to say the first name that came to mind.
"George Glass."
"George Glass," Kurt said with a wide grin.
Molly nodded.
"Clearly somebody found my stash of Brady Bunch DVD's I left behind when I moved to New York."
Molly just looked toward Ruthie for some reassurance which she soon got.
"No, Molly is serious…. That's his name and he's totally in New Directions with us. He's the one with the hipster glasses who sang the opening duet with Molly at sectionals."
Still silence filled the air as no one was buying this.
"Well his name is George and we did go out on a double date to breadsticks with Ruthie and HER boyfriend however while George is a sweet guy he doesn't want to be wrapped up in a High School romance and I respect him for that."
"Wait Ruthie you've got a boyfriend?"
Ruthie just nodded.
"He's real sweet and while he may look like a total bad ass he's really a total softie and I'll talk to you more about it in private later Noah."
"Oh you better talk," Puck said, "I want to make sure you tell me everything because if he's treating you like I used to treat girls before you know…."
"You knocked Quinn up," Ruthie said turning to the blonde, "no offence."
"None taken," was Quinn's reply as her eyes fell onto Dani who thankfully wasn't following the conversation at the moment.
"Ok," Kurt said deciding to change the subject, "enough of this game of kiss and tell twenty questions. I mean the majority of us are or were in glee club and apparently Ethan is some kind of rock star."
"I wouldn't say rock star but thanks for the complement mate."
Kurt just nodded and continued.
"Anyway since its Christmas and all why can't we get some caroling going on?"
Kurt's suggestion seemed to be liked by pretty much everyone in the room and soon Blaine made his way toward the piano that was sitting in the center of the room and flipped through the various sheet music that still sat neatly beside it. Successfully finding a book of Christmas songs Blaine began to play the familiar keys of 'Jingle Bells' to which everyone sang along.
Following this the gang continued by performing rousing renditions of 'Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer' 'Frosty The Snowman' 'Winter Wonderland' and an epic round of 'Twelve Days of Christmas' before Alexis soon announced it was almost time for dinner.
Molly pouted as the crowd dispersed. Looking at the young girl Blaine let out a sigh knowing he'd regret this later.
"What's wrong?"
"I was kind of hoping that we could sing a duet together….Baby It's Cold Outside?"
Mentally thinking of the lyrics in his head and all the sexual tension that they held.
"Um…maybe later ok."
Accepting his comment Molly made her way into the dining room with Blaine following right behind her.
TBC
Yes I'm evil….do Molly and Blaine duet or don't they? Well for that dear readers use your imagination as next chapter may be some filler/fluff or may just flash forward to NYE. Again asking what storylines you want to see worked with more because I'm worse at continuity with this piece then Murphy and Guza (who is officially gone) combined. I don't know when I'll update as I'm sure the comic con spoilers will keep me distracted and could possibly launch a new glee plot bunny into orbit. Anyway please review this even if you've been reading and haven't before because I seriously want to know if more than the two readers that consistently review actually have been reading this. Also George= Cameron from The Glee Project Ruthie's boyfriend is Samuel from The Glee Project and I still haven't 'Fan Cast' Ruthie herself yet