Happy holidays to everyone! Jumping in on the twins' first Christmas was a natural choice for a Christmas-themed conversation, and it was fun to write. Apologies for the lack of consistent posting...I'm trying to get back on a schedule of some kind, I promise!

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." – Burton Hillis

The house I wake up to is a quiet one. There's no crying from the room down the hall this morning for the first time in what feels like years. Emily has yet to stir, and I find my eyes slipping shut once more as I let the peace of the morning wash over me.

It's rare for the twins to sleep in like this. Maybe it's their Christmas present to us, or maybe our strategy of keeping them up just that little bit longer last night was a wise one. Usually they are up and demanding attention by just after 5am, so for them to still be asleep now at just before 7am is nothing short of amazing. Whatever the reason for their extended sleeping hours, I'm not planning on taking it for granted.

I feel Emily shift slightly as she begins to wake and I tighten my hold on her, pulling her closer to me because I'm not ready to give up this moment just yet. Between the twins making their grand entrance into the world, and us trying to get a handle on everything baby related, moments alone together have been few and far between these past five months. To have her in my arms – with no babies crying or needing to be changed, fed, or entertained – is perfection, and I definitely want to stretch out this little piece of paradise as long as I can.

"Are they not up yet?" she mumbles quietly, clearly still working her way to a fully awake state. For as much of a bear as she can be early in the mornings before she's had her coffee, she definitely has her adorable moments too.

"Not yet," I whisper.

"What time is it?"

"Doesn't matter," I answer.

"No?" she mumbles sleepily.

"No," I confirm as a sleepy smile spreads on my face, "because I am way too comfortable to let you go anywhere."

I feel her body shake lightly with a chuckle. "I'm okay with that," she replies.

"I thought you might be."

She shifts ever so slightly to get more comfortable and enjoy the peace and quiet. But before either of us can say anything further, soft cries – no doubt soon to escalate to loud wails – ring out from down the hall. "Spoke too soon, apparently," she quips.

"They have an incredible sense of timing, I tell ya," I groan as she slips out of my arms to get up.

"I think they got that from their father," she replies with a smirk as she wraps a bathrobe around herself and heads toward the door to the hall.

I roll over onto my back and rub my eyes to try and rid the last bits of sleep from them. I'm tired, yes, but not exhausted thanks to the last couple of days that I've had off. It hadn't looked like I'd be home for Christmas, thanks to a serial killer in Oregon, but Garcia had blown the case wide open with some impressive sleuthing, and we'd flown home, happy to be heading back to our families.

I can't help the yawn that escapes as I stretch, but a grin breaks onto my face as Emily comes back into the room a few minutes later and deposits a now fully awake Tegan and Matthew onto the bed beside me where she had been asleep just a few minutes before. They are both dressed in some admittedly adorable onesie pajamas covered in little reindeer that Garcia had bought for them on her latest shopping trip. I long ago had stopped trying to convince that woman to stop buying ridiculous amounts of clothing, toys, and any other presents for Tegan and Matthew. When it comes to shopping, Garcia's tenacity and stubbornness rivals that of Emily, and I'm not willing to put my life on the line over a couple of outfits, so I just let her buy what she wants.

The twins are apparently a little grumpy – probably a result of their seemingly never satisfied hunger – because they're frowning at me like I've disappointed them in some way. I reach over and try to tickle a smile out of them, but they're all business as their arms reach up determinedly, and their little legs kick in frustration as their little brows furrow and lips begin to quiver with impending cries.

"Don't take it personally," Emily says with a chuckle as she returns from the bathroom. "They'll love you again after they've eaten."

"Just in time for diaper changes, no doubt," I reply, noticing her smirk.

"You catch on quick, Mr. Morgan."

"Not as dumb as I look," I say in reply, shooting her a wink that she just shakes her head at. "I'm gonna put on some coffee and figure out some breakfast, then I'll be back up to deal with these guys' diapers."

"I was just teasing about the diapers. I can change them."

I wave off her offer. "You're feeding them now, and were up with them in the middle of the night too. The least I can do is change their diapers and get them dressed."

"Diaper change and dressing them for the day? You're ambitious this morning, babe," she teases.

"Keep this up and I won't make you breakfast," I warn.

She laughs again. "Sorry, it's very much appreciated."

"That's better," I say as I lean down to give her a quick kiss.

"What're you gonna make for breakfast?" she asks as she gets situated on the bed.

I shrug. "I'm not sure…why? Do you have a request?"

She smiles sheepishly. "Pancakes?"

"What is it with you and pancakes?" I say with a laugh as I shake my head.

"I can't help it, they're delicious!"

"All right, pancakes coming up. You need anything before I head downstairs?"

"No, I'm good. You go ahead, Gordon Ramsay."

I laugh as I make my way toward the door.

"Hey, Derek?" she calls just as I reach the doorway.

"Yeah, Em?"

"Merry Christmas," she says with a smile.

I smile in return and take in the picturesque moment of her with our children in her arms. "Merry Christmas, Em."

I pause behind the couch and take a moment to really take in the scene in front of me. Emily is sitting on the floor, splitting her attention between Tegan and Matthew, who are both propped up into sitting positions thanks to a combination of Campbell and pillows from the couch. Their arms flail as they both giggle infectiously, so amused by a simple bow from one of the gifts from under the tree.

If someone had told me four years ago that one day I'd be married to Emily Prentiss, I wouldn't have believed them. If they'd told me that four years from then I'd not only be married, but have two kids, a dog, a cat, and a house, I definitely wouldn't have believed them.

And yet, here I am with a house that is most definitely a home, a dog that adores us both, a cat that adores Emily (and tolerates the rest of us), a smart, kind, funny, beautiful, and loving wife, and two amazing children. I never imagined myself getting the happy ending, and I know Emily never had either, but somehow we'd ended up in this happily ever after together.

I watch as she plays with our children, making funny faces and joining in their laughter. A wave of emotion washes over me as I realize just how grateful I am that I'd had a moment of bravery in this very room. I never dared to imagine that anything like this would ever come of asking her to stay, but I'd struck it lucky and we ended up in this unbelievably amazing life together.

I'm startled out of my wandering thoughts by her voice. "What?" she asks with furrowed brows, confused by my expression and stare.

I feel the smile spread on my face. "Nothing. Just thinking how damn lucky I am."

Her head shakes as her frowns disappears and she smiles. "You're such a softie."

I flash her a wide grin. "I can't help it. I hit the jackpot."

"Lay it on a little thicker, would you?"

"Aw, c'mon, princess. Let me enjoy the moment."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hand me my coffee and I'll let it slide."

"Yes, ma'am," I reply, reaching over the back of the couch to hand her the mug of coffee. "So, are we just gonna let them go crazy?"

"Why not? Let's see how much damage they can do," she says, reaching forward and grabbing a larger present that they can both work on. I sit down on the other side of them, reaching over the give Campbell a quick scratch behind the ears before putting down my coffee and turning my attention to Tegan and Matthew.

"Okay little monsters. Show me what you got," I say, leaning forward to rip a small part of the wrapping paper up on Tegan's side as Emily does the same for Matthew. We both point to the ripped paper and encourage them as they reach for it clumsily.

"Yeah, there ya go. Rip it. C'mon Tee," I say with a smile as she looks up at me uncertainly. Her hands reach forward again, her fingers opening and closing as she tries to grasp the paper. I rip it a little further and watch as this time she gets a hold of it and pulls it, ripping a small section off.

"Yeah, keep going!" I say happily, looking up briefly and seeing Emily's wide smile as Matthew finds success as well. I grab my phone and snap a couple quick pictures, wanting to capture not only the twins' first Christmas, but also Emily's sheer joy and happiness.

After a few more presents' worth of ripping and shredding, we set them down on their tummies and watch as they reach for and try to grasp the wrapping paper they'd just removed from the present. Usually Emily or I have to amuse them, but today the excitement of Christmas seems to be enough to keep their attention. That, and the fact that Campbell keeps a careful eye on them, getting up and gently nudging them in encouragement when it seems like they've given up.

Emily and I stay within arm's reach, but are able to relax a little and enjoy a peaceful moment. I swing an arm up and around her shoulders, pulling her tight to me and pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Merry Christmas, Em," I say, repeating our earlier sentiment.

"Merry Christmas, Derek," she answers, turning her head to meet my gaze.

I flash her a grin before we both turn our attention back to the squirming babies in front of us, who are currently enjoying a thorough shower of kisses from Campbell, who is alternating between the two of them. I let out a laugh and nudge Campbell away from them with my foot.

"Aw, gross," Emily says with a grimace. "I'm gonna grab a-"

"They'll be fine for a couple of minutes, Em," I interrupt, not wanting to give up this moment either. With my wife in my arms, and my children, happy and content, in front of me, I can't help but think again about how lucky I am. I know we have a to do list that's pages long, that there's going to be bumps in the road, and it's not always going to be this smooth and easy. But for right now, I just want to revel in our shared joy and enjoy our children's first Christmas; the rest of the stuff can wait until tomorrow.

So...enjoy the sickly sweet fluff in this one? Let me know...