Rachel smiled, as she watched Diana pull the paper off a present, with Kyle's help. Crouched in front of the tree, next to her, Kyle said, "Wow, what is this?"
"Boo!" Diana said, holding her new little books high.
"That's right books," Kyle said. Looking at Rachel, Kyle said, "Did you hear that? She's almost said it, that's a new one."
"I think this will be the year her words will really come out," Rachel said, "She likes those texture books, educational and fun."
"Yeah, it's great the way these are put together," Kyle said.
"I can't believe everyone is still asleep," Rachel said, "When Susie decided to stay last night, I thought she would be the first one up. She's been so excited about Christmas."
"Just wait until she sees what Santa brought her," Kyle said.
"Oh, she'll be thrilled," Rachel said, "This is the first Christmas morning, I've had both my girls here. Plus my mother, that should be interesting. Also, I've got this handsome guy that I am crazy about."
"What guy?" Kyle said, joining in the teasing, "Tell me his name, I will get rid of him."
"He's right here", Rachel said, leaning into kiss him.
"Okay, that one I can live with," Kyle said.
"I am so glad we got back together and are spending the holidays with each other," Rachel said.
"Me too," Kyle smiled. Reaching up he stroked Rachel's cheek intending to kiss her.
"Good morning, Merry Christmas!" Adele's voice brightly said, breaking the moment.
"Merry Christmas, Mom," Rachel said.
"Adele, Merry Christmas," Kyle said.
"I see my granddaughter couldn't wait to open presents," Adele said, "As it should be."
"She's having a great time," Kyle said, watching Diana tear more paper off a parcel.
"Look Diana, building blocks," Rachel said, "You can have a lot of fun with those."
"Daddy, will help you build skyscrapers and knock them down," Kyle said.
"Da..ddee," Diana said.
"Did she just…?" Kyle said, "Did she say daddy?"
"Yes, she finally said it," Rachel smiled.
"This is the first time?" Adele said.
"Yes, it was always da, da before," Rachel said.
"Can you say it again?" Kyle said, "Daddy?"
"She won't now because you want her to," Adele said, happy she could share the moment.
Kyle tried to coax, Diana again, but she wouldn't comply. "I guess she won't do it on demand," Kyle said.
"It's sweet," Adele said, "Is there any coffee?"
"Yes, there is some right there," Rachel said, gesturing to coffee stand set up in the living room.
When Adele didn't move to serve herself, Kyle got to his feet, and said, "Let me get you some."
"Thank you, Kyle," Adele said. Looking at Rachel, she continued, "I see he is good for some things."
"Mom…" Rachel scolded.
"I was joking, dear," Adele said.
"Since, you bring up Kyle," Rachel said, "We have something to tell you."
"You're back together," Adele said.
"You know?" Rachel said.
"I see the way you two have been looking at each other, how you act when you're together," Adele said, "Besides, Jack told me, last evening. I understand you are living here as a couple."
"Mom, I am really happy with Kyle," Rachel said.
"I can assure you, I love you daughter, very, very much," Kyle said, "My biggest regret is walking away from our relationship, the way I did."
"I don't need your assurances," Adele said, "As long as Rachel is happy, I can accept your relationship."
"You can?" Rachel said.
"Of course, dear," Adele said, "Whatever you want, you should have."
"Then could you be more pleasant to Kyle?" Rachel said, "You have been very distant with him."
"Adele, I am in this for the long term," Kyle said, "For forever. I will take good care of Rachel, I promise."
"Are you going to re-marry her?" Adele said.
"Uh…we haven't discussed that yet," Kyle said, "It always possible, down the road."
"We are just getting into the groove of living together again," Rachel said, "We have promised to be there for each other, there's no need to rush things."
Adele nodded, but did not say anymore, as she got up to visit with Diana.
Kyle leaned into Rachel and softly said, "Your mother accepts us. It's a Christmas miracle."
Susie was the next one up, soon into her presents, pleased with her assortment of clothes, books, hair accessories and chocolates.
The rest of the family trickled in as Jack, Ashley and Traci, joined in the gift giving.
Susie was entertaining Diana, with her new toys, while Jack said, "I am going to play Santa."
"Where's your red hat?" Kyle quipped.
"I must have left it at the North Pole," Jack said.
Jack handed a wrapped parcel to each person, handing one to Adele last. Surprised, Adele said, "Why, thank you Jack."
"Why don't you go first?" Jack said.
"Alright," Adele said, unwrapping her parcel. She smiled as she discovered a jar of face cream. "Jabot just for you," Adele read, "How lovely. Thank you Jack, but you didn't know I was coming."
"You are one of the first recipients of our new line," Jack said, "Once you arrived, I requested some, special delivery."
"I'm touched you did that for me," Adele said.
"Spread the word," Kyle said, "We want this launch to be a success."
"I will praise it to everyone I know," Adele said.
"That ought to do it," Rachel said.
"Ashley, why don't you go next," Jack said.
"Oh, okay," Ashley smiled. Rummaging through tissue paper, she held her smile saying, "This is wonderful."
"What is it?" Kyle said.
"Jams," Ashley said, admiring the arrangement in the box before her.
"Excuse me?" Kyle said.
Turning it around for everyone to see, Ashley said, "Different types of assorted jams," she said, "And an assortment of teas. I can hardly wait to try them all. Thank you Jack."
"Aunt Traci, you're up," Kyle said.
Unwrapping the box and lifting the lid, Traci said, "Oh, Jack..." Lifting out the blouse, Traci said, "This is just beautiful!"
Traci held it up against herself, prompting Ashley to say, "Traci, you are going to look lovely in that."
"Such beautiful coloring," Rachel said.
"And here's a scarf to match," Traci said. She put around her shoulders to show everyone.
Drawn in, Susie said, "That's pretty. Could I see it?"
Traci handed her scarf over, while Susie draped it around her shoulders and if she was modelling it.
"That was very professional," Kyle said, "Jabot may need some new models."
"Can I?" Susie said, excitement in her voice.
"Honey, I think Kyle was just kidding," Rachel said.
"When you get a bit older, perhaps you can try it out," Jack said.
"I can't wait to tell Faith, I might be a model one day," Susie said.
"Thanks a lot," Rachel laughed, as she punched Kyle's arm.
"I didn't know she would take me so seriously," Kyle said.
"She's not going to let this go," Rachel said.
"Maybe we should continue opening presents," Kyle said, "You go ahead."
Rachel began to carefully open each section of the fold, prompting Kyle to reach over and say, "Do you need some help?"
Rachel slapped Kyle's hand away, as he quietly shared a laugh with Jack. Finding the item inside, Rachel said, "Ooh, a foot massager. How did you know I needed this?"
"You have a toddler," Jack said, "That's how I know. Also, I'm sure taking on this guy is no easy feat." He gestured to Kyle.
"You said it," Rachel said.
"She loves me, she loves me not," Kyle said.
"She loves you," Rachel smiled. "Thank you Jack."
"Okay, Kyle that just leaves you," Jack said.
"Let's see," Kyle reached into his gift bag and pulled out hardcover book. On the front was a hockey player, skating along the ice.
"Hockey Lover's Handbook: For the love of the greatest sport on ice," Kyle read.
As Kyle opened the book and admired the glossy pages, Jack said, "Everything you wanted to know about hockey and great players, plus trivia is in that book."
"Thanks, Dad," Kyle said, "This is great."
"Look in the back," Jack said.
Flipping to the back page, Kyle pulled out paper items. "Game tickets!" Kyle announced. Looking at Jack, Kyle said, "You and me?"
"I was hoping you would say that," Jack said, "Unless you would rather take Rachel."
"It's fine," Rachel said, "I support Kyle's love of hockey, but it's not really my thing. You are a much better companion for game night."
"Guys night it is," Kyle said, sharing a smile with Jack.
Looking beside him, Fen smiled at the sight of a sleeping Summer. With a quick check on the time Fen stroked the back of her hand.
Summer stirred, hearing Fen say, "Merry Christmas."
"Umm…" Summer groaned sleepily. Opening her eyes, she was greeted by Fen's smile. "Hi," she said.
"Hi," Fen said.
Becoming more awake, she said, "Merry Christmas." Rubbing one eye, she said, "I guess we have a busy day ahead of us."
"Oh?" Fen said.
"Well, we have to visit with our respective parents," Summer said, "Tell them we are officially back together."
"And living together," Fen said.
"Plus, I might have a present or two for my favorite guy," Summer said.
"I've already got what I wanted for Christmas," Fen said, "To wake up next to you."
"Hmm…" Summer said, "That's what I wanted too."
"In that case," Fen said, reaching into a bedside drawer, "I guess that means you don't want this?" He held up a small wrapped box.
"I didn't say that," Summer said, accepting if from him. Summer removed the paper and lifting the lid of the box, she said, "Oh, what a beautiful pendant."
"Open it," Fen said.
"Baby pictures," Summer said, "You and me?"
"That's right," Fen said, "Besties from the start."
"Meant to be," Summer said, "Thank you, I love it and will treasure it forever."
Summer was quiet admiring her pendant, when she said, "Great minds."
"Excuse me?" Fen said.
Reaching over to her nightstand, and retrieving a gift bag, Summer said, "This is for you."
Fen smiled and reached into the tissue paper. Pulling out a picture frame Fen said, "What have you done." Admiring the picture of him and Summer in their younger days on the top paired with a more recent photo of the two of them, Fen read the writing in the middle. "Fen and Summer, A love story."
"I hope it's okay," Summer said.
"Are you kidding?" Fen said, "This is an incredible gift. I agree whole heartedly with the words. Thank you, babe, this is the best."
"Do you remember?" Summer said.
"The top picture?" Fen said.
"It was your ninth birthday and you were in foul mood," Summer said.
"Then you came over and it made it all better," Fen said, "We had a lot of fun."
"We sure did," Summer said.
"It was the first time you kissed me," Fen said.
"It was just on the cheek," Summer said.
"Yes, but it made my whole day," Fen said.
Summer leaned over and kissed Fen's cheek. "And now?" she said.
"You just did it again," Fen said, "Best Christmas ever."
Summer giggled as she snuggled next to him.
"Thank you for the crime and mystery novels, Traci," Jack said, "I was kind of hoping it would be something of yours."
"I'm working on something," Traci said, "I admire the author of those books, I think you will enjoy them."
"I'm sure I will," Jack said.
"Aww…" Kyle said, lifting the lid of a gift, labelled from Diana. Lifting the tie out, Kyle read, "I love my Daddy."
"That's sweet," Ashley said.
"I will wear this with pride next time I'm in the office," Kyle said.
Handing Rachel a small gift bag, Kyle said, "Diana got you something too."
"She went shopping?" Rachel said.
"Yes, she borrowed my credit card and everything," Kyle said.
Rachel softly laughed as she retrieved a small box and lifting the lid, her hand went to her chest. Looking at Kyle, she had tears in her eyes as she said, "Thank you."
"What is it?" Adele said.
"It's a pin," Rachel said, "It reads best Mommy ever."
"With a small diamond right in the middle," Kyle said, pointing it out.
"Kyle, it's incredible," Rachel said.
"It's not from me, remember?" Kyle said.
"Thank you Diana," Rachel said.
Diana looked up at the sound of her name, but had no idea what her mother was thanking her for. Taking an interest in all the gift giving, Diana toddled over, and Kyle lifted her to the couch, placing her to sit between him and Rachel.
As Diana began to play with the tissue in a gift bag, Jack said, "I think that about does it."
"Who's that big present for?" Susie said, spying a box beside the tree.
"I'm not sure," Jack said, "It's kind of hard to read. Susie can you read this?"
Kyle and Rachel shared a smile as Susie walked over. Peering at the tag she exclaimed, "It has my name on it!"
"Then you better open it," Jack said.
Tearing off the paper, Susie squealed in delight, bobbing up and down in excitement. "A stereo system!" she beamed.
"It's portable so you can have it here and at your Dad's," Rachel said.
"There is a lot of features on it," Kyle said, "It will play CD's, digital files, stream, record, you name it."
"I think Santa, maybe envious he didn't get one," Rachel said.
"Maybe next year," Kyle said.
"If you're good," Rachel said.
"Aren't I always?" Kyle smirked.
Jack cleared his throat at Kyle's comment, making everyone else chuckle.
"I love this," Susie said, already getting into the box the stereo came in.
"Then you might like this too," Jack said, handing Susie a gift bag.
Susie dove into the tissue paper, grabbing hold of a box, looking at the see through cover she said, "Headphones!"
"There's all different kinds," Jack said, "From big size, to earbuds, to wireless."
"Thanks grandpa!" Susie said.
"You're welcome sweetheart," Jack said.
"We thank you for those too," Rachel said, sharing a smile with Jack, "I'm sure Kevin and Chloe will as well."
"I've got one more addition for you," Ashley said, holding out another parcel for Susie.
Susie gleefully took the parcel and unwrapping it she said, "CD's! How did you know I wanted these?"
"Santa told me," Ashley said.
"Thank you," Susie said.
"My pleasure," Ashley said.
"Okay," Rachel said, standing up, "Now, I have something for the men in my life."
"Men?" Kyle said, "I thought I was your one and only."
Retrieving parcels from under the tree, Rachel said, "You are, but your Dad runs a close second."
Jack chuckled as Rachel handed him and Kyle, wrapped boxes the same size each.
Inside the boxes, each man found a tie clip. "Baby, this is amazing," Kyle said.
"I have to agree," Jack said, "It's exquisite. Thank you, very much."
"Thanks, so much," Kyle said, giving Rachel a quick kiss on the cheek.
"It just so happens I have something special for the woman in my life," Kyle said, retrieving a gift and handing it to Rachel.
"Kyle, another gift?" Rachel said.
"I think you will like this one," Kyle said, sitting back down next to her.
Taking the paper off, and finding a jewelry case inside, Rachel said, "What have you done?"
"One way to find out," Kyle said.
Rachel lifted the lid and said, "Kyle…it's such beautiful watch!"
"I knew yours went kaput, so I assumed you needed a new one," Kyle said.
"I did," Rachel said, "This is too much."
"You deserve it," Kyle said, "Would you like to try it on?"
Kyle helped her with the clasp and Rachel held it up to show everyone, who responded with comments of admiration.
"Thank you, it's perfect," Rachel said, leaning forward to hug him.
"Anything for you," Kyle said.
Walking in from the dining room, Traci said, "Mrs. Martinez is cooking up a feast in the kitchen, it smells wonderful."
"Aunt Traci, look I got a new stereo," Susie said.
"Yes, I heard all about it," Traci said, "It looks like a really nice one."
Everyone's attention was diverted by the front door opening and Billy stepping in. "Merry, merry!" he called.
"Billy," Traci said, going to hug him, "We are so glad you came."
"I had to make deliveries," Billy said, holding up two gift bags, loaded with presents.
"More gifts?" Traci said, "We have been overloaded with them already."
"I'll just put these by the tree," Billy said.
"Hi Billy," Susie said, "Look, I got a new stereo!"
"She's over the moon, with it," Rachel said, "Santa made a good choice." She smiled with Kyle.
"Wow, that is really great," Billy said, "Can I borrow it?"
"Nope, Santa might bring you one," Susie said, "If you're good."
"Well, there's no chance of that," Billy said.
Spying Diana, Billy smiled and said, "Hi sweetheart, Merry Christmas."
Diana looked at Billy and said, "Uh-oh…" Everyone snickered in laughter.
"Uh, oh is right," Billy said, "They've taught you well."
"That sounds great," Fen was saying into his phone, "See, you then."
"Was that your Mom?" Summer said, entering the room.
"Yes, she called with happy holiday wishes and my parents invited us for Christmas dinner," Fen said.
"That sounds wonderful," Summer said, "But if they don't know we're back together, why did they invite both of us?"
"My mom did just invite me, so I asked if I could bring someone and my mom guessed it was you," Fen said, "We should have plenty of time to visit with your parents first."
Summer's phone beeped, and checking her display she said, "Speaking of parents…"
Connecting her call Summer said, "Hi, Mom, Merry Christmas…yes, of course I would like to spend some time with you today…I'm not exactly sure…dinner?" Summer looked at Fen, who gave her a look of exasperation.
"I'm not sure if I can make it for dinner…let me get back to you on that…I will be in touch soon," Summer said, concluding her call.
"Why didn't you tell her you had other plans?" Fen said.
"She sounded so hopeful, I didn't want to disappoint her," Summer said, "Besides she wants to invite Daniel and have us over for the holiday, otherwise she has no one."
"Are you saying you are not coming to my parents?" Fen said, "We have to have separate holiday dinners?"
"Not necessarily," Summer said, "What if we invite both sets of parents here?"
"Are you serious?" Fen said.
"Think of it, what better way to let them know we are back together," Summer said, "I can call Daniel and invite him too."
"It's a good idea in theory," Fen said, "But who's going to cook? Not me and have you ever made a Christmas dinner for several people?"
"Well, we can make it a potluck," Summer said, "Everyone can bring something. Let's at least ask them if they want to consider the idea."
"And here I thought I was going to have you all to myself today," Fen said.
"As soon as the last person leaves tonight, I am all yours, for the whole night" Summer said.
"You tempt me," Fen said, kissing her, "Okay, lets' have a dinner party."
"Thanks for the gifts Billy," Jack said.
"Yes, all very much appreciated," Ashley said.
"I have one for Diana," Billy said.
"Oh, that's sweet of you," Rachel said.
"I didn't see one for her in the gift bag," Kyle said.
"That's because it's too big for a bag," Billy said, "It's just outside, I'll bring it in."
"What could he be up to?" Rachel said.
"I shudder to think," Kyle said.
"Come on Diana," Rachel said, encouraging her to take hold of her finger, to walk, "Billy has a gift for you."
Billy walked through the front door, carrying a child's sleigh, wrapped in a red bow.
"Look at this," Kyle enthused.
"Wow, Diana you've got your very own sled," Rachel said.
"We definitely have to take you outside later on," Kyle said.
"What do you think?" Rachel said, trying to get Diana to approach.
However Diana was resistant, pulling back she said, "No…" and plopped down on the floor.
Kyle scooped her up and said, "Come here, I want to show you something."
Putting her down beside the sleigh, Kyle said, "Billy got this for you."
"Oooh!" Diana exclaimed.
"Let's sit you on it, to see if you fit," Kyle said, "Once he had her situated, Kyle said, "Can you say thank you?" He annunciated the last two words.
"A…ou," Diana said.
Kyle gestured to Diana in surprise, sharing a smile with Rachel. "That was new," Rachel said.
Bending towards Diana , Billy said, "You're very welcome."