Christmas morning came to Erica's apartment in a leisurely fashion.

Once Erica had seen her daughter safely on her way home she readied herself for the next onslaught. She knew there would be a lot of press interest about her return. As soon as they boarded the plane she got hold of her press agent to book a conference at the airport. She and Jackson had then spent most of the night talking to the press about their rescue, giving Bianca another chance to escape.

Once the night was over Erica had collapsed into her bed, exhausted and happy to be home. Jackson snuggled in beside her.

"Welcome home my beautiful wife." was the last thing she heard whispered into her ear, and then she slept until late into morning.

"We should go over and see how Bianca is settled." Erica said once she was more awake.

Jackson nodded.

"And wish them all a Merry Christmas."

Erica sighed.

"Can you imagine those girl's faces when they see their mother home and alive." she said.

"I bet it matched mine when I first saw you."

Erica smiled and smoothed down her lank hair; despite a thorough shower and gallons of conditioner she still bore the signs of neglect from her captivity.

"I've looked better." she said.

Jackson kissed her.

"You have never looked more beautiful."

…

Kendal had gotten home too late to wake the boys that night. Instead she crept into their room the next morning in a Santa hat and bearing their stockings.

She woke Spike first, because without his hearing aid he would be in for the biggest shock.

He rubbed his eyes twice before he believed them and then squealed with delight.

"Mommy!" he cried, and gave her a hug.

Ian woke up from the cry and seeing his mommy threw himself across the room to fall on top of her. They ended up a big bundle of hugs.

"You came home for Christmas." Spike said delightedly, "Ryan and Cara said you would."

She kissed both her boys.

"I did better than that; I brought you Aunty Bianca and Erica home safe."

"They weren't dead." Ian cried. "You always said they aren't dead!"

"Yes I did." said Kendal. "So what do you say? Once our presents are all unwrapped shall we go over and wish you Aunty Bianca a Merry Christmas?"

"And AJ?" Spike asked.

Kendal gave her son another kiss.

"And your best friend AJ!"

"Yay!" Spike cried out excitedly.

Ian didn't say anything; he was already too busy pulling his presents from his stocking.

…

Reggie tried not to laugh as Ayesha was almost vibrating with excitement as she pulled the wrapping paper from her new bear.

"It's like Gabby's… Look mom, it's like Gabby's!"

"Yes," said Reggie holding under her nose, "But your one doesn't smell of strawberries… it smells of you favouritest thing…"

"…Chocolate!" Ayesha cried with joy hugging her new toy tightly as if it were the best thing in the world.

"That's it." said Camilla, laughing at her daughter's delight. "I don't think we need any more presents."

"Well maybe one more for you." said Reggie revealing something from behind his back.

"You said we weren't going to do this." she said in a warning voice. "Just the fact you kept your promise and came home for Christmas is plenty."

She pulled off the paper just the same. It was a small jewellery box and contained a blue necklace.

Camilla gasped and Reggie explained,

"I know those pirates took your best necklace… but when I saw this I thought this was the right shade of blue... to go with your dress…"

Camilla cried with delight, wrapped her arms around her boyfriend's neck and kissed him hard.

"It's beautiful… Thank you… You shouldn't have… but… but… thank you."

Reggie grinned.

"You're welcome."

"Mommy! Mommy!" Ayesha called, still hugging her bear.

"Yes sweetie?" Camilla asked finally releasing her boyfriend.

"Can I show Gabby my choccy-woccy bear?"

Camilla ruffled her daughter's hair.

"Not right now, sweetie, they'll be busy opening their own presents."

"Why don't we drop by later with some Christmas cookies," Reggie suggested, "And wish them a merry Christmas too. You can wait to show her your present until then can't you?"

Ayesha pouted but Reggie then pulled another big box out from behind the tree.

"You might want to show her this one as well..!"

…

Breakfast at the Martin Household was always a chaotic scene with so many people in one house, Christmas morning was the same… only more so.

Kathy and Jenny enjoyed being centre of attention with their dad, grandma and mom each to spoil them. Tad like to hand out the presents, always insisting on giving them out one at time in order to make the morning last as long as possible.

When the presents were done, breakfast time was when talk turned to Christmas Dinner. Opal and Dixie were discussing the timings for cooking the giant turkey. Tad and the kids were more interested in if Krystal was going to be doing her famous Plum Pudding ice cream. Krystal was a little distracted though and wasn't taking much part in the conversation; her thoughts were on her other daughter across town.

"I wonder how much Marissa's plans have changed for Christmas now Bianca's back home." Opal asked sensing her friend's thoughts.

Krystal shrugged her shoulders.

"She'll have so much to think about now…"

Tad looked at the worried face of his ex-wife.

"Well there's one way we can ease her worries. We always have more than enough… don't we?" he looked to the kids for support. "Why don't we spread the true meaning of Christmas and share our feast and festivities with our friends and family."

Kathy and Jenny cheered in agreement.

Dixie raised her eyebrow at the suggestion.

"That's a lot of food to transport." she said.

"I think that is a perfect idea." said Opal.

"I think your right." said Krystal. "I'd better ring Jesse and warn him we have a new destination for our Christmas feast."

"And maybe we should warn Marissa and Bianca that they will have a few extra quests." added Dixie.

"Nah…" said Tad. "We wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. Besides we'll be bringing dinner!"

…

Adam Chandler was adjusting his tie in the mirror. Brooke walked up and gave his reflection a smile.

"That's very jolly, I'm sure AJ will appreciate it." she said.

Adam's tie was decoration with galloping reindeer

"Well it's going to be a family Christmas…and young children... I thought I should make the effort."

"It was good of Marissa to invite us. Have you packed the gifts?"

"They're not too much?"

"The kids will love them." Brooke assured him, kissing his cheek.

They were disturbed by the sound of baby Holly crying down the hall.

"Now hurry up." she added. "Scott and your brother are waiting for us. We don't want to be late. Scott said he had important news."

…

Bianca had moved with the kids into the parlour as Marissa insisted she rested. That left Reese and Marissa to clear up breakfast.

"She looks good… Bianca." said Reese in reassuring terms.

"Yeah," said Marissa, although she knew Reese was just being kind. "Just do me a favour, and help make sure she doesn't overdo it today. She's never one to take it easy, even under doctor's orders."

"I remember." said Reese with a thoughtful smile. "And I'll be happy to help. Just point me at a job and I'll get cracking. We are going to make this the best Christmas ever."

"It already is." said Marissa happily. "My love has come home."

"Your love." said Reese with a smile.

Just then the doorbell rang.

Marissa abandoned the washing up and checked the clock.

"If that's Adam, he's early." she said drying her hands and heading to answer the door. "Can you handle the rest?"

"Easily… Although it might be Maggie…" Reese added as Marissa was leaving. "She wanted to see the kids for Christmas so I invited her… That's okay isn't it?"

"The more the merrier." said Marissa with a smile. "The more the merrier."

…