Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Ugly Betty...or 'It's a Wonderful Life'.

Thanks so much for reading this story! I've loved writing it!

December 25, 2021

Daniel adjusted himself in the plushness of his pillow, his blue eyes resting on the sleeping figure before him. He smiled to himself, listening to the steady sound of Betty's breathing. He brought his hand to her cheek, lightly brushing strands of hair out of her face. Betty stirred, squinting her eyes at the morning sun rays.

"Merry Christmas beautiful," Daniel leaned over, kissing her lips gently. She grinned, stretching slightly.

"Merry Christmas," she replied, snuggling up next to him.

"Is the heat on?" Betty looked up into his eyes.

"It is a little cold," he rubbed her arms, pulling the comforter up around them. Daniel leaned over to his nightstand, grabbing the remote that controlled the fireplace and pointing it toward the other side of the room. "There we go," he said satisfactorily when he saw the flames, wrapping his arms around her once more.

"Much better," she let out a content sigh, burying her nose in the soft cotton of his t-shirt.

"Have I told you I love you lately?" Daniel asked, glancing down at her. "Hmm...only about every hour for the last couple of days...but you know I'll never grow tired of hearing it," she kissed his neck, giggling to herself.

"Have I shown you how much I love you lately?" Betty asked. Daniel smirked as she left a trail of kisses down his neck.

"I don't know...what did you have in mind?" his blue eyes found her brown, staring at him seductively from under the comforter.

She met his lips, kissing them tenderly...

"Mommy! Daddy! Wake up, it's Christmas!" Daniel and Betty jumped apart, startled as their door swung open to reveal four bright-eyed children.

"Could have sworn I locked that," Betty said to herself, knowing that the kids would've gotten an eyeful if they'd come in five minutes later.

Daniel bit back a laugh, sitting upright in bed. "It's Christmas? Lily are you sure?" he scratched his head unknowingly, picking Liliana and placing her in between the two of them.

"Yes, Daddy...I looked downstairs and Santa came," Liliana said, trying to reassure him.

"He did?" Daniel raised an eyebrow in mock surprise.

Isabella laughed at him, "Dad, stop being silly. Let's go downstairs," Isabella leaned on the side of the bed.

"Yeah, come on Mom, let's open presents!" Brendan and Caleb tugged on her arm.

"Okay...hold on, hold on," Betty released herself from their grasp, sliding out of bed and wrapping her thick robe around her.

"First things first boys...breakfast then presents," Daniel reminded them, scooting out of his bed and sliding on his slippers. They nodded reluctantly, each grabbing Betty's hand and dragging her out of the room. Betty glanced back toward him as she disappeared around the corner, an amused look gracing her features.

"Daddy, can I help mom with the waffles?" Isabella asked turning to look at him as they walked out of their bedroom.

"I wanna help!" Liliana chimed in.

"How about we all do part of the breakfast this year? Lily can help me with the bacon and eggs, and Bella you help your mom with the waffles. And the twins can do something simple...like... the toast," Daniel suggested with a smile.

"Okay," his oldest daughter replied, heading into the kitchen with her little sister. He stared at his family for a moment, taking it all in. Their kids really were something else...but he cherished every smile, every laugh, and every tender moment with them. Life was a precious gift, one he'd never take for granted again...especially the one he was living.

"Dad! Brendan broke the toaster!" he heard Isabella say, and shook himself from his reverie. Daniel smiled to himself and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, hoping there was a new toaster oven wrapped neatly under the tree.

Just a random scene...hope you enjoyed! Please tell me what you thought...I'd love to know :0)