*Author's Note*

Thank you for all the follows, faves, and reviews.

Christmas With The Hatfields, 1880

Jessa POV:

I walked into the kitchen at dawn only to be met with Shaw slumped over at the table, holding his head while leaning his elbows on the table. "Did you get any sleep?" I asked him, going over to the hook by the back door that my apron was hanging from.

"No." He shook his head. As I grabbed my apron and tied it on, Shaw sadly asked me with pitiful puppy-dog eyes. "How can I when you're mad at me and locked me out of our room?"

"Shaw, I think we were both mad at each other. I mean you wanted me to go to bed before you said something that hurt both of us." I reminded my fiancé, going over to the cabinet to grab some bowls to gather the sugar and flour from the pantry with.

"Babe, last night was just a bad one for us. You felt guilty about Tolbert and I got offended that you'd think I could over drink." Shaw told me in a long and deep sigh as I went over to the pantry, scooping out a bowl full of sugar and a bowl full of flour from the large 10lb bags that were in there. "I think we just need to put last night behind us, move on from it." Shaw suggested as I emerged from the pantry with two large bowls in my hands.

"I agree." I nodded, coming up to the table. Setting the bowls down, I told him, "It's Christmas, the kids should see us happy when they wake up."

Shaw leaned back in his chair while asking me, "Jessa, aren't you happy here with me?"

"Of course, I'm happy, Shaw. You're a great father to Silas; Lydia too." I told Shaw before leaving the table to grab a small bowl from the cabinet (to put some brown sugar in).

"But you're happy with me, right? You're not having any second thoughts since you saw him last night, are you?" My fiancé asked, a worried undertone in his husky timbre, as I took my smaller sugar bowl from the cabinet.

Did I have second thoughts? Out of him and Tolbert, Shaw was the only one that truly accepted Silas. I needed a good father for my son, meaning that whatever I might or might not feel doesn't exactly matter cause I have to pick the right man to be the best father figure to Silas. That man was Shaw and, in a way, I was happy with him, even cared for him, despite the fact that he was my 'Plan B'. If it was just about me, well I can't say if I would or wouldn't be with Shaw. In a way I loved him since he was the father of my children, but I also still loved my ex since I'd been with him for so long and only just broke up with him a little over a month ago. Well, at least my feelings for Shaw were growing with every passing moment I spent with him. If I dad have second thoughts I wouldn't be acting on them. I had to let Tolbert go, clear my mind of him. Even tho I still had feelings for Tolbert and felt guilty that I broke his heart (essentially making him drink all of his shine instead of selling it) I was staying with Shaw. I was going to marry him come spring and raise a family with him. I mean Roseanna approved of Shaw for me over her own brother so…

Turning around, leaning slightly against the counter, while holding my bowl in both hands, I told Shaw in a serious tone, "Of course, I'm happy with you. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't." Giving him a pointed look, I added in, "But just make sure that you don't snap at me for stupid shit anymore.", before going back into the pantry to grab my brown sugar.

"I love you so much, honey; I didn't mean to snap at'cha last night. It just kinda happened."

"Tolbert had more mood swings then a PMSing woman and I dealt with it cause I knew he was an undiagnosed bipolar, but I won't put up with you being pissy with me. Not when I know that you're normal." I told Shaw in a firm tone as I emerged from the pantry with my bowl of brown sugar in one hand and a jar of molasses in the other.

"I know, Jessa, and it won't happen again. I promise, baby." Shaw swore with urgency in his voice as I appeared at the table.

Placing the items on the table, I suggested, "Well, you better get changed into clean clothes while I get started on these sticky buns." Giving him a thin smile, I added in, "Wouldn't want the kids seeing you in last night's church clothes."

Without a word, he rose from the table and pressed a kiss my cheek before disappearing into our room to change. Well, looks like we kissed and made up. Hopefully we have a nice Christmas today, especially since it was our first one together as a family.

Shortly after putting the sticky buns into the oven, Todd and Mary came down stairs. Each of them was carrying one of the babies. I guess since it was Christmas, they were excited about opening up presents and wanted the babies up early to see what they got too. I didn't mind, I actually thought it was cute.

Currently, I was sitting on the floor next to Shaw while Silas and Lydia sat right in front of us. Lydia needed more help opening her presents then Silas did since he was more than willing to tear paper off of things. Todd and Mary were a bit closer to the tree since they were the ones grabbing the presents and handing them out.

Only a few presents remained under the tree as Todd took one, announcing it was for him. After being told by Shaw to open it and see what is was, the boy quickly tore into his medium sized package. "Uh, it's a satchel." The brunette boy said, sounding a bit puzzled, as he held the leather bag up for everyone to see.

"It's so you can carry your work supplies to and from the office." Shaw explained what the satchel was for before adding in thoughtful tone, "You can use it tomorrow."

Wait, what, work? He's like-what-12, isn't he too young to be working? Oh, as if Todd could read my mind, he looked at Shaw and asked him, "Why do I have to work tomorrow?"

"Cause it's time for you to work, plus we agreed you'd come to work for me." Shaw told his brother, his words having a simple duh type undertone to it.

"But I thought that wasn't til after the New Year?" Todd asked, a bit wide eyed.

What? They have an agreement for child labor? Oh hell, no. Looking at my fiancé, I told him, "Isn't he too young, Shaw? He needs to go to school."

"He's not too young, Jessa." Shaw assured me, even tho I wasn't buying it. Upon seeing my skeptical look, he quickly added, "Hell, he knows enough and it's time that he assisted me at the livery."

"Shaw, he's just a boy." I objected since I didn't think making Todd work at such a young age was right.

Shaw's head tilted, causing his golden-brown hair to rustle a bit around his shoulders, as he deadpanned, "He's not a boy, Jessa. He's a teen, a young man, and he needs to learn a trade."

"I don't think-" I began to protest only for Shaw to cut me off with, "This decision is mine and mine alone to make. I say it's time for Todd to learn the livestock broker trade and that's that."

Knowing I was fighting a losing battle, I relented with, "Fine, but don't think that you're putting Silas out to work so young cause you won't."

"Don't worry, I'll make sure his balls have dropped before making him work at the livery." Shaw sarcastically remarked with the roll of his honey eyes. Why the hell would he even say that for? It's uncalled for and not appropriate for his siblings' ears.

"Shaw, don't be so crude." I chastised him with a pointed look.

"Um, can we finish opening presents?" Todd asked while Mary's eyes were darting between me and Shaw. I felt like she was waiting for us to break out into a fight or something.

"Yea, grab whatever's left under the tree." Shaw told his brother, waving a hand towards the tree. "I'm gonna check on those sticky buns." He announced, pushing him up off the floor.

Looking up at my fiancé, I told him, "I don't think they're done yet.", since I didn't want him to make an unnecessary trip into the kitchen whenever he could watch the kids finish opening up their presents.

Shaw didn't say a word, just went into the kitchen while his siblings grabbed the few remaining gifts from underneath the large tree.

Allie POV:

"More jewelry, Cap. What am I gonna do with you?" I teasingly asked my husband after opening up a small velvet pouch containing a simple pair of wire and glass bead earrings. The gift, even tho it was simple costume jewelry, meant a lot to me.

"I dunno, hopefully keep me." Cap smirked, leaning over to close the space between us and placing a peck on my lips.

"I really like them, they're cute." I told Cap, letting him know that the green and blue glass beaded earrings were greatly appreciated. My husband sure was good at buying me jewelry, he knew me and my tastes like the back of my hand and I loved that about him.

Cap nodded before grabbing another present from underneath the tree. "This one's for you, lil man." Cap told our son, handing him a package with a large smile on his face.

"Dada." Captain W. smiled at Cap; his hands stretched out eagerly for the gift that my husband was about to give him.

"Well, seems he's excited for his next gift." Cap chuckled, handing him the package.

"Of course, he is, it's Christmas." I giggled, watching Captain W. greedily grab his package and rip it open. "Look, it's pony." I told my son, pointing to the toy he had just unwrapped.

"P'ny." Captain W said with a big smile on his face.

Oh my god, he just said the word pony and on Christmas too. How cute.

Roseanna POV:

It was our first Christmas together an' I was so happy. I was on the floor by the tree, openin' up my present from Johnse as he sat right 'hind me. His bare chest was pressed up 'gainst my back while his legs were bent on either side o'me. He rested his chin on my shoulder while tellin' me, "I hope ya like your gift, Roseanna."

I opened my gift only to gasp in a mix o'gratefulness an' shock as I held a silver comb in my hand. It was so beautiful, the prettiest comb I've ever seen since it had a cluster o'roses on it. Lookin' at my husband, I nearly cried tears o'joy as I told him, "It's perfect, Johns. I love it."

"I know with how abrupt or weddin' was we couldn't make time for a honeymoon yet, but I thought such a fine comb'd be a nice way to make up for that."

"Oh, Johnse, I've never had somethin' so fine as this comb in my life, other then a golden button my poppy gave me when he came back from the war. This gift means so much t'me."

"I'm glad to hear that, my beautiful sweet darlin'." He told me, kissing me right in the crook o'my neck.

"Johnse, ya gotta open up your gift from me." I told him in a giggle, wigglin' free from his hold to grab his gift from the spot it was at under the tree.

I handed him his package with a smile. "Seems light, what is it?" Johnse asked, studyin' the he was holdin'.

"I can't tell ya that, silly. Open it up."

Quickly, Johnse tore open the package to reveal the grey and blue scarf I knitted him. Lookin' 'tween me an' the scarf in his hand, he smiled, "Rosie, thank you."

I could tell by how his baby blue eyes sparkled that he liked his gift. I could also tell my how his eyes roamed ov'r me that we'd be under the tree soon, showin' one 'nother how much we loved each other.

Levicy POV:

The kitchen was full of us woman preparin' the Christmas ham supper, but I could sense a slight tension 'tween my daughter-in-law and my cousin-in-law, who once were great friends. I couldn't for the life of me pin-point why the girls weren't trying to repair their fractured friendship. I felt that them practically ignorin' each other was foolish.

I was stirrin' the bubblin' cranberry sauce on the stove whenever Jessa appeared, placin' a large pot full of fresh cut and peeled potatoes in the stove to boil. She let out a breath and subtly placed a hand on her belly. Giving her a knowin' look, I asked, "Have you told him yet?"

"No, not yet, but I will soon." She told me, a bit quietly so that nobody would overhear her.

"Maybe you should tell Allie. It might mend whatever's wrong with ya'll's friendship." I suggested, givin' Jessa a look, while stirrin' the berries a bit quicker since they were tryin' to stick to the bottom of the pot.

"I doubt that, a lot happened in the last couple of years." Jessa sadly sighed. Poor thing sounded hurt that she and Allie had a rift between them.

I symphathized with the girl. I knew how it felt to lose a good friend. Jessa and Allie have a chance to mend things; hopefully they'll take it.

"Well, I see that you're close to Roseanna so at least you've got a friend in this family."

She nodded before gesturin' over her shoulder and saying, "I need to go back to the table, help Roseanna with cleaning the apples for the pie."

"Thank you for the berry pie you brought, it was very thoughtful of you." I told her since I'd forgotten to earlier when she arrived with the pie, but that was mostly since Allie snatched the pie from her and gave her a quick thank you. Since it was my house, I felt that I needed to thank her as well, especially since the girl was family now.

"Your welcome, but I mostly brought it so that Shaw would be able to have desert." Jessa honestly told me.

A knowing smirk appeared on my face. "I figured so since that boy's so picky when it comes to pie. Just like his pa is."

Jessa just nodded, a tiny smile crossing her face, 'fore headin' over to where Roseanna was at. I noticed that Allie and Vera were whisperin' while peelin' sweet potatoes. "How's them sweet potatoes comin' 'long, girls?" I asked them, causing their whisperin' to stop. I needed need them whisperin' 'bout Jessa and Roseanna, which I'm sure they were doin', and makin' tensions thicker than they already were. They all needed to accept that we're family, that we need to stick together cause the feud 'tween our family and the McCoys is gonna take it time, like slow poison, and will affect all of us in hard and heartbreakin' ways.

Lookin' up at my, Allie announced, "They're almost ready to cut and make the casserole with, ma."

"Good." I nodded, placin' the spoon onto the counter 'fore walkin' 'way from the kitchen.

"Levicy, when's the baby due?" Jane, my sister-in-law, asked while cleaning some string beans.

"Sometime 'round May or so." I answered, going over to the table and taking a seat next to Jane.

Looking over at Allie, Jane asked with a smile, "Isn't that near your due date, Allie?"

"Yes, it is." My daughter nodded, a wide smile on her face, as she finished peeling her last sweet potato.

I subtly looked over at Jessa, curious if she was going to join in on the motherly conversation or not. She smiled at Allie and told her, "Congratulations. I'm happy for you.", while peelin' an apple.

Allie curtly nodded while givin' Jessa a polite, but clipped response of, "Thank you.", while beginnin' to cut up her sweet potato.

"I'm due in July. Oh, I'm hoping for a girl this time too." Vera blurted out, breaking the slight tensions that were tryin' to rise up.

"Oh, I just can't wait til I become a mama. I so badly want to have a baby with Johnse." Roseanna revealed, placin' a freshly peeled apple into a bowl 'fore grabbin' another to peel.

"Babies come in their good time; when the time's right for them." I passed on the wisdom I was once given, not just to Roseanna, but to all of the young ladies crowded 'round the kitchen table. "Don't worry, Roseanna, you and my son'll be expectin' 'fore ya know it." I assured Roseanna as I helped Jane clean the string beans.

Shaw POV:

I was rocking on the front porch, lazily sipping on my flask (something Jessa'd have my head for if she knew I was doin' it) whenever boots thudded on the floor. I looked to see who was makin' the noise only to see that it was Uncle Jim. He was walking up the side stairs after endin' his talk wit' Cap, who was on the left side of the house with Skunk Hair and their boys. "Where's that boy of yours at, son?" Jim asked me, coming up to my side, since I only had Lydia perched on my lap.

"With his grandpa." I told him as he took a seat next to me, pointing out where Sully was at with Silas. He was helping the boy take some steps, doing the whole paw-paw thing.

"Ah," Jim nodded. Snatchin' the flask out of my hand, he added in, "I see he's takin' bein' a gran'pappy seriously."

"Yea, more seriously then he took bein' a pappy." I scoffed, resentment heavy in my tone, as I shook my head incredulously while snatchin' my flask back from my uncle before he even had the chance to tip it back for a drink.

Don't get me wrong, I was grateful that Sully took me with him to 21st century Tulsa; getting me out of the situation I was in with my step-dad beatin' on me all the time, but my dad wasn't in the running for the Dad Of The Year prize either. He was more of a tour guide then a dad. Sully gave me a few rules (that I could count on one hand), but other then that I was on my own. My dad was always too busy doing some kind of historical research for his work as a history teacher and when he wasn't doin' that he was goin' out with skeezers he met on dating apps. I came and went as I pleased, did whatever I wanted, and partied non-stop while in middle and high school since my dad wasn't actually parenting me like a parent should. He was more or less a buddy that gave out advice, or like I previously said Sully acted like a tour guide when it came to raisin' me. It's only now that I'm a man with my own life that he's trying to be a real parent and tell me what to do. Too late for that.

At least he's hands on with my kids, something that I wish I had from , enough of that.

As I took a long sip from my flask, Jim gave me a pointed look while orderin' in his crochety drawl of a timbre, "Shaw, you're a grown man wit' a family of your own so ya gotta let whatever Sully did or didn't do for ya while growin' up go."

"I know, Jim, I know." I let out in an annoyed quip, restin' my flask on my armrest.

"Well, ya look like shit wit' bags under your eyes." My uncle bluntly told me, snatchin' my flask from my hand and takin' a drink from it.

"I didn't sleep good." I told my uncle, causing him to arch his brow in a silent 'why not?' gesture. I let out a heavy sigh before answering Jim's silent question with, "It was a bad night. Me and Jessa had a words 'bout my drinkin'; she locked me out of our room."

"Sam's Hill, ya sure did meet your match." Jim let out in a loud boisterous laugh, the corners of his mouth turning up into a grin.

"Don't laugh, it's not funny." I snapped, feelin' like a fool for having my cankerous uncle findin' my issue from last night funny. I sure as hell didn't find it funny. It was quite the opposite of that.

"Sure, it is." He chuckled, causing me to shake my head at him. "Oh, hell, boy, it happens to the best of us." Jim told me, which just made me give him a look that screamed 'yea, right…' before rollin' my honey eyes at him. A reminiscent look quickly appeared on my uncle's hardened and beard covered face as he told me, "I remember once I had to climb in thru a window cause Mary locked me out when I stayed out too late at the tavern drinkin' with Ellison."

"Mhm, and I bet you didn't think it was funny." I deadpanned, snatchin' my flask from him before he could tip it back again and drink my shine.

As I brought my flask to my lips, Jim shook his head. "No, but lookin' back at it that woman was the only one to put me in my place." Smirking, he added in, "Just like yours seems to do with you."

Cutting my sip of shine short, I pulled my flask away from my lips while achin' my brow and asking, "What?", in a slightly taken aback tone.

"Jessa reels ya in, like a fish on a hook an' line."

I took a long drink from my flask before honestly admitting, "She only does that cause I'm scared to death of losin' her, Jim. She's the only one I've ever loved; can truly love."

"Yep." Jim popped his tongue before spitting a large wad of tobacco juice into the air and off of the porch. Jesus, he sent that loogie soarin' thru the air. If Sully would've seen that he'd have a stroke. My dad was always trying to enforce manners in our unkempt uncle (something that was useless if ya ask me).

The door creaked open, causin' us to turn our heads to see who was stepping onto the porch. A small smile ghosted my lips as I saw it was Jessa. "Levicy says dinner's almost ready, time to come in and wash up!" She announced in a loud shout, causing everyone within a few yards of the porch to hear her. She didn't say another word, just spun on her heel and went back inside of the cabin.

Well, looks like it's time to go in and have dinner with the family. Hopefully it doesn't turn into a shit show, but knowing my family…

The large table in the Hatfield house was beyond crowded as everyone sat around it to eat dinner. I was squished between Jessa and Sully while Uncle Jim had a bit of arm room since the crochety old goat was sitting at the end of the goddamn table. Of course, Cap was at the tail end of the table while Devil Anse was at the head so those two had plenty of elbow room. Captain W. was sitting on Allie's lap while Vera had T.W. in hers as the woman sat next to each other across from Uncle Jim and my dad. Lucky me, I was stuck sitting across from Skunk Hair, but at least Jessa was seated across from Ellison. He was a gentle giant so I wasn't worried about him saying anything to my fiancé. I felt a bit bad for Cotton tho since he was sardined between Ellison and Johnse, makin' him look like a tick 'bout to pop.

I had Silas on my lap, feeding him bites of mashed potatoes and cut up ham, while Lydia was with Jessa. Jessa had just given our daughter (yea, I know she's not hers biologically, but I'm not doing that yours mine and ours shit. Our kids are ours, as in both of us, and that's that.) a little spoonful of sweet potato casserole to eat whenever Allie made the remark of, "Shouldn't you and Shaw trade kids since she's his, not yours?"

Dear Jesus, here comes the fucking dinner drama over ham and fixings. Yep, it never fucking fails that every holiday dinner turns into a shit show. Hell, it seems that the bullshit drama's always fixated on my branch of the family too.

"No." Jessa shook her head. Placing her spoon onto her plate and grabbing a napkin to wipe the corner of Lydia's mouth with, since it had a tiny bit of sweet potato framing it, she told her ex- best friend, "We're together so I'm going to treat her like my own."

"But she's not yours, she has a mother that she was torn from cause your crazy boyfriend hired some bounty hunter." Allie retorted with a slick tone in her voice. She made sure to cut me a look whenever she said the words crazy boyfriend. Well, wasn't she actin' like a smug lil thing as she fed her son?

"Hey, I'm not the crazy boyfriend, I'm her fiancé." I snapped, defending myself and my role in Jessa's life to the blonde bitch that was once her friend. Giving my son another forkful of food to eat, went on to further explain myself with,"I hired a Pinkerton, not trash, to track down my kidnapped girl." A wicked smirk appeared on my face as I told my cousin-in-law (who was an outlaw in my books), "If anyone's acting crazy right now, it's you, Allie."

Cap pointed his fork at me while orderin' thru gritted teeth, "Don't call my wife crazy, Shaw."

"Okay, how 'bout two-faced bitch then?" I sarcastically asked my one-eyed cousin. Smirking, added in the blunt, but truthful statement of, "I mean years ago she acted like she was concerned about me and Jessa, but now she fuckin' hates us.", before eating a forkful of beans.

Sully's head spun 'around faster than that girl's in the Exorcist as he chastised me with, "Shaw Hector, watch your language at the supper table." Shaking his head, he mumbled out a scoff of, "It's Christmas, not a workday for Christ's sakes.", before eating some ham.

"Everyone, stop your scrabblin'!" Devil Anse ordered in a firm, but level, shout from the head of the table as he pointed his fork towards all of us at the bottom end of the table.

Levicy's syrupy tone rang out with, "Anserson's right, we're all family here and should act like it", as she backed up her husband.

For a moment silence filled the kitchen as everyone ate or fed their kids, but that silence was short lived.

"He might be my family by blood, but that don't mean I gotta put up with his shit, ma." Cap shook his head while cutting his piece of ham with harsh movements. Oh yea, he hates me right now. Bet that's cause of his precious wife tho.

While giving my some a small forkful of ham to eat, I countered Cap with a scoff of, "My shit, hell what about your brother-in-law's shit? Huh?" Cap narrowed his mismatched eyes at me, clearly getting worked up over my rhetorical question. Good, I'm glad I'm getting under his skin cause he needs to face the facts that it's Abel with the problems and not me. I bounced my son on my lap and got myself a forkful of food while adding in the reminder of, "He's the one shacked up with a McCoy not to mention eatin' Christmas fuckin' dinner with them."

"Stop attackin' my brother!" Allie shouted at me, her sapphire eyes dark and angry, as she bore a hole in my head. I just rolled my honey eyes at her. I wasn't attacking her brother; I was just stating facts about him.

"Everyone, shut up!" Anse order in a blood stopping growl while giving the entire table a cold and hardened look.

"I'll drink to that." Uncle Jim chuckled, raisin' his glass of shine in the air in a mock toast before knockin' it back.

Poor Cotton looked so lost as his eyes darted around. He wasn't able to understand what was going on. Looking up at Ellison, the simpleton asked, "Daddy, why's everyone yellin' for?"

"Everyone's just a bit upset over Abel not bein' here's all." Ellsion explained to his son. Pointing to his plate, he told his son in his warm-hearted timbre, "Just et your food, Cotton."

Instead of continueing to eat his meal, Cotton's face beamed with realization as he asked the innocent meaning question of, "Oh, cause he's off with Miss Nancy McCoy instead of with us? Right, daddy?"

Uncle Wall rolled his eyes, clearly not hiding that he was over this dinner that only just began a few minutes ago. Yea, I feel your pain cuz. I feel ya, I'm over this family holiday dinner too.

"That's right, Cotton." Ellison nodded before telling his son, "Now, be quiet and et your food so you can have some pie later."

"Okay, daddy." Cotton nodded before eagerly eating his Christmas dinner in hopes of having a slice of pie later.

Silent tension filled the air as everyone ate their dinner. It was as if nobody wanted to concur the devil's wrath, so we just shut up and ate. Hell, once I get my fill of ham, I'm taking my family and going home. I don't need all the drama from Cap and Allie. I'm also takin' the berry pie Jessa baked with me. Shit, not like anybody in this room other then me, my dad, and my kids actually likes berry pie anyways.

AN:

Well, Cap and Allie along with Roseanna and Johnse are such cute couples. Shaw and Jessa, well those two got some issues…

Tolbert does something in the next chapter that heightens the feud. Yikes. Any ideas on what he does?