Ava just stared at her brother like he'd gone crazy. That being a relative term of course with anyone in the Jerome family. But to listen to Julian carrying on the past half hour…

"We'll have Christmas trees, holiday wreathes, Santa for the children and I don't know…plenty of good food. Roast duck isn't that what people eat…and plenty of egg nog…"

Ava put her hands on her hips.

"Julian what's come over you? You've been our family's version of Ebenezer Scrooge since I met you. Every year when Carlos and I wanted to throw a party or do anything during the holiday…you chided us to remain focus on planning our agenda. We have to sneak out just to have some fun while you were caught up in a project."

Julian went to open up a new bottle of Scotch at his sister's wet bar.

"That's not true. I went to parties…"

She scoffed.

"Only those associated with building your media empire. Nothing that was actually any fun. So why plan a party now?"

Julian sighed.

"It's Christmas time and everyone's celebrating it. So why shouldn't we? We can rent out the ballroom space and have it there."

Ava curled her lip.

"That means one of us will have to play nice with Carly."

Julian shook his head.

"I'll talk with the manager. Carly's too busy with that psycho killer to notice."

Ava shot him a pointed look.

"Hey Franco's not all bad. He's got his good points…you just have to look hard to find them."

Julian sipped his scotch.

"As long as he stays away from Sam and Danny…"

Ava smirked.

"Aw…how sweet of you acting so protective of your little family," she said, "I don't think mama bear thinks that nearly as much but at least she's not slapped you in a while."

"Ava…I'll tell you what. You can even bring your boy toy to the party if you'd like. I'm feeling generous."

She just shook her head at him.

"I hate it when you call Morgan that," she said, "You know he's done everything you've asked him to do."

Julian chuckled.

"Rich coming from you sis since you warned him not to join up with our organization."

She shrugged.

"Just the standard disclaimer given to all prospective employees…"

Julian went to pick up his phone.

"I'll make the arrangements. We'll hold it the day after Christmas."

She went to refresh her own drink still thinking her brother to be crazy.

"Carlos will want to play Santa you know that," she said, "It's his favorite holiday of the year besides the more obvious one."

The enforcer and longtime associate was such a romantic at heart.

"I'll tell him when I see him later today."

Alexis milled in the PC Mall which had gone up so quickly in the last year and just opened its doors after Thanksgiving just in time for the sales. She had bought some publishing software for Molly who had just launched an online site for her novels.

She had started another novel but wouldn't talk about its plot to anyone.

She'd woken up to Jax cooking omelets for everyone using a family recipe and so she got up and poured the orange juice in the glasses while Molly made toast for them. Jax looked well rested, his jet lag a memory as he talked about the early days of celebrating Christmas with his father, Lady Jane and even Jerry before he'd reinvented himself as some crazy terrorist.

Jax had business to conduct so he took off while she'd gone to the mall to do some shopping. She ran into Diane who was perusing shoes in the new boutique.

She held up a pair for inspection.

"Oh hi Alexis…how do you like this pair for wearing to a party?"

Alexis nodded.

"I've got a couple pairs. They're real comfortable, more so than they look."

Diane smiled.

"I love them. I'm hitting some parties and thought I'd get some new threads and heels. What about you?"

Alexis paused.

"Jax is spending the holidays with us so it's been quiet but I like that. I think I'll stay away from the parties this year."

Diane gave her a knowing look.

"You going to rekindle things with your ex?"

Alexis' eyes widened.

"No…what would make you think that? We're just friends…friendly exes. Besides he's here to see his daughter too."

Diane nodded.

"Ah, the one he had with Carly," she said, "I saw Jossie the other day and she needs her father. She's somewhat…different."

"She's been at the house. Molly's taken her under her wing and the two of them play together so well."

Diane sighed.

"That's good. So no parties this year?"

Alexis shook her head.

"It's been an exhausting year Diane, I'd rather just sit back, sip some wine and say goodbye to it."

Diane clucked in disapproval.

"You need to get out more and you have this strapping gorgeous man sharing your house," she said, "Jax is just bad enough to appeal to you isn't he?"

Alexis bit her tongue choosing her words carefully.

"Like I said, we're just friends," she said, "and long ago we decided not to complicate that friendship."

Diane sighed.

"Oh Alexis you must lead such a dull life…"

"Hey…I like my life," she said, "I just had a really tough year what with Danny getting sick and then his bone marrow donor turning out to be the long dead mobster who's his grandfather."

Diane softened.

"That must have been rough. I can only imagine if that happened to me. So where does he fit in your otherwise neat and orderly life?"

Alexis frowned.

"I don't know yet. He's got his own idea where he put himself but he's not getting his way."

Diane arched a brow.

"Oh? Is this just about Sam and Danny or does it involve you?"

Alexis just stared at Diane who chuckled.

"Oh come on Alexis you could do a lot worse," she said, "He's not bad to look at all and he's definitely a bad boy. The stories I used to hear about him…"

Alexis put up her hand.

"Enough. I'm not interested in getting involved with another mobster so just drop that line of questioning."

Diane nodded.

"Okay but I don't think you should limit your options. Sonny has the attention span of a gnat so this war going on between him and Julian Jerome can't last that much longer."

Alexis sighed.

"Julian's attention span is a lot longer. He'd been planning this all for years while he'd been living as Derek Wells."

"He did such an amazing job at it. That couldn't have been easy. He must have a great ability to multi-task."

Alexis rolled her eyes.

"Maybe…but he's a liar and manipulator…"

Diane laughed.

"Give me a name of a man who isn't in this town when it comes to getting what he wants…"

Alexis struggled with that one a moment.

"Er…Max…."

Diane brightened and she nodded.

"Okay you got me. He's such an adorably sweet massive lug. I do miss him."

Alexis smiled. Diane had few soft spots that she revealed from behind her businesslike exterior but Sonny's bodyguard surely was one of them.

"He's still there if you still want to see him."

Diane's eyes betrayed a hint of sadness before she smiled again.

"No, he got really upset with me because I was with Franco at the party. He told me his flame had gone out…"

"Flame Isn't that…?"

"A torch yes…it was so sweet. Max really has a way with words."

Alexis saw the fondness for the man on the other woman's face. She had forgotten why Diane had broken it off with him.

"Julian has a way with words too but not in a way that makes him endearing."

Diane sighed.

"You're going to have to find some way to deal with him. He's Sam's father and he'll be a part of her life if not now at some point…"

Alexis knew that too but right now, she just didn't see it. Not as long as his mob war with Sonny took priority.

Julian made some phone calls to secure the ballroom for his party. He assigned Ava some tasks like procuring decorations for the venue and to set up catering for refreshments including a full dessert menu.

Only the best for his party. Everyone would be invited. Well mostly everyone. He hoped Sonny and his crew wouldn't drop in for an appearance. He'd have to station security at the door in case the mobster Dom wandered in ready to break some glassware in one of his rants.

"Look what he did at my little party for Kiki and Morgan," Ava sighed, "Well, I'll take care of the food and the entertainment."

Julian nodded.

The door opened and in walked Carlos carrying some colorful bags. Ava walked over to see them.

"What'd you bring back?"

Carlos smiled.

"I just did some Christmas shopping and bought some gifts for my lady friends. You, Sabrina of course even though she's still planning to get hitched to Dr. Loser and Alexis and…"

Julian interjected.

"Alexis?"

Carlos nodded.

"Of course. She's a hot…a very nice woman…wait aren't you buying her a present?"

Julian just stared at him.

"I don't think she'd accept it."

Carlos laughed.

"Boss…when did you turn into such a…"

Julian sighed.

"Enough on that. I need your help with a party I'm throwing with Ava to celebrate Christmas."

Carlos' eyes widened.

"Come again…you throwing a Christmas party? What's the catch?"

"There's not any…well except that it seems like half the town's afraid of me and I'd like to change that."

Carlos turned serious.

"Boss, you should focus on your family first," he said, "Sell your case to them and not give a damn what the rest of this town thinks about you."

"They don't want anything to do with me," Julian said, "and Alexis is entertaining her ex-husband."

Carlos nodded.

"Ah Jasper Jax. Very formidable corporate raider. Treats his wives well I've read…he's staying at Alexis' house right?"

Julian gritted his teeth and nodded.

Carlos shrugged.

"Then you got your work cut out for your boss," he said, "especially when you haven't lifted a finger to woo the woman yourself."

"She slapped my face," Julian said, "I'd say she's not receptive."

Carlos shook his head.

"You give up too easily boss…which isn't like you," he said, "You never gave up the agenda we put together all those years…"

"Enough…now about the party?"

Carlos nodded.

"I'll help…I'll even let you pull my arm to play Santa…but we get to invite our own guests don't we?"

Julian considered that and nodded.

"That only seems fair. Feel free to invite as many people as you'd like."

Carlos nodded.

"I'll do that… now where can I track down a Santa Suit that will fit my sexy body…."