Chapter 9: Merry Xmas

Diaz Residence

"Wow! Our house's looking like Christmas Town again." Eddie commentted, coming home from a long day.

"Daddy, you're home!" Christopher greeted him sleepily, walking towards him as quickly as he could to give him a hug.

"I'm home!" Eddie hugged him tight and ruffled his hair, "Did you have a good day today?"

"Yeah! Mommy took us to look at Christmas trees! I wanted to get a really big one but she said it wouldn't fit our house… or the door." Christopher started to tell him about his day as he led his father in the den, "I think she's tired today though, she's still napping."

Eddie found Alisa sleeping on the couch covered in Christopher's dinosaur blanket as they entered the den with the TV playing softly in the background. He took a photo of her snuggling the blanket and one of the pillows to her person. "You're watching the Nightmare Before Christmas again?" Eddie chuckled.

"It's a Christmas movie, of course I'm going to watch it over and over." Christopher declared before sitting down on the floor where his things were scattered and another one of his blankets was in a pile beside him, "I also made cards for everyone. Mommy helped before we napped." he showed him what they had done so far.

"Oh! These look great, superman!" Eddie looked through them, "You even made cards for the 118."

"They're important to you, so they're important to me, too." Christopher responded, "Will Buck like what I made him? I made him 2 since he just moved into his new home."

"He'd love it, I'm sure." Eddie replied, "I'll tell him to send us a photo once he puts it on the fridge."

"I like that plan." Christopher grinned, "Hey dad, we're going to see Santa right?"

"We are. Did you have a wish in mind for Christmas?" Eddie asked.

"I do but I can't tell you because only Santa can know!" he declared.

"Of course, mijo." Eddie smiled, "Are you hungry?"

"Mommy gave me a grilled cheese for snacks and I think she has something in the crockpot for dinner time." Christopher tapped his chin, "She said that there was no way you could burn that if you got home early."

Eddie raised an amused eyebrow, "Oh, she told you that?"

"She definitely did." Christopher grinned, "We trust you with the crockpot, daddy!"

"Well, since you guys trust me with the crockpot, I'll go set up dinner. Do you mind getting ready while I do that, superman?" Eddie asked.

"I got it!" Christopher nodded and cleaned up his things, placing them in his art bag that Alisa got him when he started showing interest in art, before bringing it to his room.

"My independent man." Eddie grinned then looked at Alisa who had yet to wake up, "Mi amor, you okay?" Eddie asked as he kneeled beside her, "No fever… hey, mi amor. I'm home and will get dinner from the crockpot. Sound good?"

"Hn…" she moaned a little in her sleep before turning over to face him.

"Hey, wake up or you won't be able to sleep later." Eddie stroked her cheek before kissing her.

A few moments later, he could feel her kissing back and smirked against her lips. She instinctively reached for him and he pulled her up in his arms before devouring her, swallowing her small moans. "Buenos noches, mi amor." Eddie greeted as they pulled away from each other.

"You're home." she sleepily smiled at him, "Sorry, I'm just really tired and sleepy today. I think from tree shopping and wanting to finish those special orders before the holidays." she gave a small yawn and nuzzled his shoulders.

"No hay problema." Eddie kissed her temple and carried her in his arms, "I'm going to bring you to the dining table, alright? I'll get dinner ready and set the table with Christopher."

"Okay." she sleepily replied as he placed her down on her usual spot, "Gracias."

"De nada." Eddie went to the kitchen to get dinner.

"Mommy, you're up!" Christopher cheered and glomped her, nuzzling her chest, "You're so warm."

"Thank you for your blanket, mijo. I'm warm because of your quick thinking." she replied, cuddling him, "After we eat, we're decorating the tree with daddy!"

Eddie took another photo of his family and didn't mind that Christopher's attention was with Alisa, she listened attentively to his creations and let the TV play softly in the background while he plated their food.

**LINE BREAK**

911, what's your emergency?

I think I'm being shipped to Milwaukee

**LINE BREAK**

SoCal Airport - Tarmac

Engine 118 and EMS 118 arrived at the tarmac where they reached their destination. They were dispatched to retrieve an employee who was trapped in a box from his place of work and was transported to a carrier plane before it was diverted 15 minutes into the air. Bobby had Buck ready with a warm blanket and an extra oxygen tank for the victim. Alisa was with them on call again due to Chimney and Hen taking a leave due to personal reasons. The ground staff was there to meet with them and escort them to the plane's cargo hold. "Okay, light's on. Let's go, Alisa." Bobby ordered.

The auburn haired girl had her jump bag ready and matched the steps of the taller firefighters but climbed up first. The male firefighters were alarmed at the amount of boxes in the cargo and were sure there won't be enough time to open each and every one of the boxes. "I don't think it's too early to open presents, right?" Buck tried to joke.

"Well, hopefully we open the correct one or that kid is gonna be charcoal." Eddie commentted.

"Dispatch said the kid was having trouble breathing before he went up in the air." Bobby was walking around inspecting the boxes.

RING! RING!

"Everyone, stop and don't make a sound!" Alisa's ears perked and the team looked at her, stopping what they were doing.

RING! RING!

The auburn haired girl put on her stethoscope and used it on the boxes nearest to her. When she used it on the largest box in her area, she motioned for them to open up the box. Eddie and Buck worked together to remove the boxes on top along with the plastic seal. "Got it!" Eddie took out his knife and cut the box open from the side.

"I see him, I see him!" Buck called when there was a bit of an opening, "He's not looking too good."

"Alisa, ready?" Bobby asked.

"Ready, cap." she nodded, "Ambo 118, ready the backboard." the paramedics nodded.

"Alright, we got him." Eddie and Buck pulled the male out of the box as the styrofoam pellets spilled out and transferred him on the backboard.

"Move aside, please." she kneeled down opposite of the paramedics and began working on him, "Put the blanket on him and no pulse. I'm going to start chest compressions."

Alisa started to do the chest compressions as the other paramedics monitored for a pulse. The firefighters watched them work in anxiousness, hoping that the male was going to wake up. Alisa would rotate with Warner and Smith for the compressions and pulse check. When it was her turn again, she was relieved to hear the monitor light up and a steady pulse was shown. "Alright, we got a pulse." Jackson announced.

"His temperature is also rising. He's waking up." Warner added.

"Hey, Brandon. Welcome back!" Alisa greeted the young male as his eyes opened.

"...oh my god… are you an angel?" he mumbled.

"No, unfortunately." she smiled at him, "I'm a human just like you."

"Not dead?" he asked.

"No, you're very much alive. Just a little cold." she answered.

"Then you're an angel walking on earth…" he mumbled.

RING! RING!

"I think someone wants to talk to you badly." Eddie commentted, picking up the phone.

"She told me not to answer…" Brandon replied as the paramedics made sure the warm blanket was tucked on him properly.

"Who?" Buck asked.

"Maddie… the dispatcher… she said she'll ring it for you… to find me…" he closed his eyes and took a deep breath as Buck answered the phone, reassuring his sister that they got Brandon on time.

"Well, Brandon, you're all good to go. Our paramedics are going to bring you to the hospital." Bobby announced.

"Thank you… all of you." he smiled.

"Better under than on the tree." Buck winked causing everyone to laugh.

**LINE BREAK**

911, what's your emergency?

It's about my girlfriend's nose!- (I'm not your girlfriend!)

Seriously?

What about her nose?

We can't find it!

**LINE BREAK**

Buck and Eddie were on their knees with their flashlights as they searched for the girl's nose while Alisa was treating her patient with Hen. One of the drones in the restaurant flew at her and chopped it off. "It's not that bad, right?" Jenna asked while Alisa held bandages on her nose to suppress the bleeding.

"The cut's pretty clean, Jenna. The two firefighters over there are looking for the tissue and once they find it, it'll be packed in ice to preserve it but Hen and my job right now is to make sure you're going to be okay and bring you there." Alisa replied.

"Oh, I wish I have your nose…" Jenna commentted, "You're like… so so pretty and I look like a zombie right now."

"You're very pretty too, Jenna." Alisa kindly smiled at her, "and I can imagine how you look with your actual nose. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Jenna blushed, "... thank you…"

"Alisa : 99, Patients : 0" Hen chuckles.

"I'm not sure I wanna hear what that tally is." Alisa grinned nervously.

"And even if your nose isn't going to be found…" the guy, Travis, beside them started, "I wouldn't care."

"You might wanna up your game over there, Romeo." Hen said in a deadpanned tone.

"Found it!" Buck called and raised the tissue while the others looked at him impressed.

"Got the ice bucket!" Eddie called out.

**LINE BREAK**

The Americana

It was a busy week for the LAFD since they had their annual toy drive and the little family of 3 plus 1 Buckley was at the Americana when the weekend arrived. Alisa was able to send out all the Christmas orders her clients commissioned and requested, including her family's in El Paso and New York while Christopher finished his exams and was very ready to meet Santa Claus at the Americana. "You guys are lucky you got this year off for Christmas." Alisa said while she was hugging Eddie from behind, her chin resting on her shoulder, and waving at Christopher who was in line for the Santa Claus meet and greet.

"But we have shift next year." Eddie replied, "But I guess that's fair. I don't know how Christopher will take it since it's his favorite holiday and…"

"Mi amor," Alisa hugged him a little tighter, "we'll cross that bridge when we get there. I did that to you guys in our 2nd year of marriage but he didn't seem too upset."

"How'd he take it though when you told him?" Buck asked.

"Well, he cried a little bit because he would miss me but after talking it out, he understood. Just like before when Eddie was on his tour." Alisa replied and kissed Eddie's shoulder as he sighed.

"I don't want to disappoi–"

"Darling," the auburn haired girl turned him to face her, "that's a year away. We will cross that bridge when we get there. Enjoy the now, okay?"

Eddie stared at her for a bit before bending down and kissing her, "Okay…"

"Ugh, you guys give me diabetes!" Buck mock vomited.

"Awe, don't worry Buck. You already have it from all the sweets you and Christopher eat from my kitchen." Alisa smirked.

"Ha ha very funny, Diaz." Buck rolled his eyes.

"Which one?" Alisa and Eddie said in unison.

"You know who." he pouted.

"You know who what?" they did it again.

"Stop that!"

"Stop what?"

"Seriously?"

"Seriously what?"

"That's it, no tea and butterbeer for the both of you!" Buck ran towards one of the stalls while the couple burst out laughing.

"Excuse me, young lady," Alisa tapped the person on the other side.

"Oh, y-yes?" the girl looked at her in awe.

"Would you kindly take a photo of my husband and I?" Alisa handed her phone to her, "If that's alright with you?"

"Oh, sure! Yeah! Uh…" she got the phone.

"You're amazing. Thank you." Alisa smiled, "Edmundo!"

"Mi amor, really?" Eddie shook his head.

"It's your name isn't it?" she giggles as he pulls her close and swoops her into a kiss.

"Ready? 1…2…3!"

"I love it! Thank you!" Alisa grinned as she got her phone back.

"You're a gorgeous couple." the girl blushed before running away.

The Diaz couple sat down by the fountain as they watched Christopher bouncing on his heels to get to Santa Claus and Buck returning with their drinks. Being the doting parents and self-proclaimed Uncle of Christopher, they continued to take photos and videos of him from their spot but Alisa took this time to take photos of Buck and Eddie in sync. "Hey, no! No!" Buck pointed.

"I'm sending this to Maddie." Alisa snickered, "and Taylor."

"What!? No way! Come on." Buck pouted, "I bought you tea!"

"I'm still amazed how the 3 of them are tight. It's been months and I may not have forgotten what Taylor did but if she's good friends with Alisa, then I trust my wife's judgement." Eddie commentted, "So, do you have a crush on Taylor?"

"What!? N-no way!" Buck spluttered.

"Lies, he does." Alisa teased, "Oh! It's Christopher's turn!"

"I wonder what he's going to wish for this year?" Eddie wondered.

"What did he wish for before?" Buck asked.

"For Eddie to come home… and he did." Alisa answered.

"Looks like St. Nicholas favors him a lot then." Buck said.

"He does." Eddie nodded, standing up when one of the elves helped Christopher towards them, "To him, Santa is really real."

"Mijo!" Alisa was the first to him and hugged him tight, "Did you tell Santa your wish?"

"I did and it went great!" Christopher smiled.

"So what did you ask for?" Eddie asked.

"I can't tell you." Christopher giggles, "But Santa said he'll work on it."

"That's nice of him. Well, let's go, my darling!" Alisa carried him and cuddled him some more, "I think you deserve cake now!" she walked towards the Cheesecake Factory with Christopher in her arms laughing in joy.

"It's too late for him to have sugar, mi amor!" Eddie followed, "Alisa!"

"Oh man." Buck chuckled and was about to follow them when the elf tapped him on the shoulder.

"You three have a wonderful family." Blair, the elf, smiled.

"Oh… uh, thanks?" Buck grinned before following them.

**LINE BREAK**

Diaz Residence

Eddie watched as the door to his and Alisa's bedroom opened and his wife entered with a thoughtful expression on her face. He looked at her in wonder as she closed the door and went beside him on their bed and lay on his chest. "You know, I found out what he wanted for Christmas…" she started and he patiently waited as he stroked her hair, "He… Chris wants a sibling."

"Oh…oh!" Eddie's eyes widened, "How did he let you know?"

"Christopher didn't want me to be sad when he asked but he told me… that Peanut would have wanted me to be a mama again and he wanted to be an older brother. He's been thinking about it for a while because he was also wondering about having one." Alisa replied, "We have such a precious son…"

"Mi amor, you know we don't ha–" her lips cut off Eddie.

"Eddie, my darling," her eyes were shining with unshed tears, "I think it would be fine. We're somewhere new and I think I've been ready… my head knew but my heart just knew when Christopher told me his wish. I'm not being fair to the both of you."

"Alisa, you know that's not your fault." Eddie shook his head, "We would never pressure you into having our child if you weren't ready yet after losing Peanut. My parents shouldn't have… they shouldn't have done that to you or we wouldn't have lost Peanut."

"Eddie… it was an acc–"

"No, it wasn't. Sophia, Adrianna… they saw what happened." Eddie sat up with her in his arms, "You have a big heart, mitt hjärta, but that is something… something I will never forgive them for. Finishing up my last deployment, finding out what happened from Adri and Soph before my discharge, and… I almost lost you." he looked like he was about to cry.

"Oh, darling, I am so sorry. I am so sorry… but they're still your parents. They're… they're not bad people… just bad parents…" she hugged him, "I think it's time for us to move forward… for us, for Christopher, and for Peanut." she held him tight as he cried in her arms, "It's alright to cry. I told you that before." her tears fell on his back, "It's not a weakness.

The couple held each other tight that evening as the ghosts from their past that haunted them slowly left, closing a dark chapter in their lives. They were ready to face a new day.

**LINE BREAK**

Some days passed and it was finally Christmas. The alarm in Christopher's room rang and he immediately got up. He scurried along the hallways of his home in his bright red Christmas pajamas and stopped at the den where he gleefully saw that "Santa" had drank from the glass of milk and ate some of the cookies he prepared with the help of Alisa and the reindeer snack bowl was as clean as a whistle. Christopher then hurried towards his parents' room and climbed onto their bed, wiggling in between them and laughing when they cuddled him immediately since they were pretending to sleep as they've been up for a while, "Mommy! Daddy! It's Christmas! It's Christmas!" he kissed their cheeks, "Santa and his reindeers ate the food we laid out for them."

"That's wonderful! I knew they'd like it!" Alisa kissed his cheek, "They liked your recipe more than mine!"

"No one can compete with Christopher." Eddie chuckles.

"Merry Christmas!" Christopher greeted them with kisses.

"Merry Christmas, mijo!" they showered him back with theirs.

The couple will never tell him that they were the ones who ate it but Eddie loved the Reindeer snacks and even had Alisa make a vegan version for Buck.

DING DONG!

"Oh? We're we expecting guests this morning for Christmas breakfast?" Christopher tilted his head.

"Why don't you answer the door, mijo." Alisa smiled.

"Okay, mommy. Daddy, come with me!" Christopher nudged Eddie and the Diaz patriarch broke into laughter, Alisa capturing the moment with her phone.

DING DONG!

"Go before someone knocks the door down." Alisa giggled.

The Diaz boys got out of bed as she stayed in bed, still feeling a little tired from last night's activities with Eddie. They were able to do it quietly which thrilled the both of them because it was a challenge to keep it down from their one and only child. She was a blushing mess as she reminisced and didn't notice someone entering the room. "SIIIIIIIIIS!"

"OOF!" Alisa barely caught her older brother who practically jumped on her, "TK! Careful, you idiot!"

"Merry Christmas, sis!" TK grinned, cuddling her and kissing her cheek.

"Merry Christmas, bro!" she smiled and kissed his cheek.

"MOMMY! EVERYONE'S HERE! THE FAMILY'S ALL HERE!" Christopher's laughter and glee echoed around the house.

The twins got out of the bed, Alisa led her brother to the den and went to hug her parents, Abuela, and Pepa. The Strands flew in from New York to celebrate with them since they were seeing them once Christopher's school was out. "Mi amor," Eddie had something behind his back.

"Si?" Alisa tilted her head.

"Feliz Navidad." he grinned and revealed he was holding a mistletoe and put his arm up.

"You think you're so romantic." Alisa teased and stood on her tiptoes, "Feliz Navidad, mi amor." She kissed him while her brother and Christopher were making gagging noises in the background.