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REAL McRollers and Readers thank you for being the best. We love you all.


Christmas in the Garden State

Danny leaned against the hood of the Camaro, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "Can you believe it's been four years since we went to New Jersey for Christmas? Nonna would say time flies."

Steve nodded, exiting the car. "Angie was two. Now she's the same age DJ was on that trip."

Danny's smile turned to a smirk as they began to walk towards HQ. "I also remember when we first met, and you thought nobody in their right mind would ever vacation in New Jersey," he busted.

Steve shrugged. "Now I can't wait to go back to Nonna's."

His best friend chuckled, "Did I not always tell you Jersey was awesome? Luckily your kids believed me from day one."

"You've been indoctrinating Angie since she was in the womb," Steve snorted a laugh. "And you won DJ over on the first trip. They're off the charts excited. They read the book Nonna sent every night this week."

"Ahhh, Christmas in the Garden State, Grace still has her copy." They pushed through the glass doors of HQ and headed for the bullpen.

"Angie's been talking about making cookies with Nonna nonstop and they really want to play in the snow."

Danny's grin widened. "I can already hear the squealing when it's a white Christmas."

Steve laughed, "You have no idea. Angie watches snowball fights and sledding videos every night. She asked DJ and Joanie a hundred times to describe how the snow feels because she can't actually remember it."

"It's gonna be a blast spending a real New Jersey Christmas with them," Danny said, his expression reflecting genuine excitement. "Grace has about a hundred activities planned."

"Gracie's the best. I hope Nonna's ready for all of us invading her house again."

"You know she loves it. She's as excited as the kids" Danny said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "We'll just have to make sure to eat enough to make her happy."

Steve chuckled, "I'm not even sure that's possible."


Inside headquarters, Steve stood by his desk, his gaze wandering over the framed photographs of family and friends, landing on the one of the entire group in Nonna's snow covered yard from their last trip. He looked up with a smile at the rap on his office door.

"Hey, you in a good mood," Kamekona remarked as he sauntered over, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Got exciting plans for da cold and snow?"

Steve grinned. "The kids are crazy excited and Catherine and I can't wait, either. Thanks again to you and Esther for staying at the house with Cammie and the cats."

"For you, Catherine and the keikis, brah, anytime. New Jersey in da winter, though? That's a long way from the sunshine of Oahu," Kamekona said with a chuckle. "Gonna be quite da change of scenery."

"It will," Steve replied, his mind already envisioning the snowy landscape and the cozy warmth of Nonna's house. "But we're looking forward to every minute of it."

Meanwhile, across the office, Danny was laughing at something Lou Grover said, the two exchanging banter as they shared a cup of coffee.

"You're gonna kick ass at a snowball fight again." Lou offered a fist to bump with a chuckle. He nodded at Kamekona who was heading out after dropping off lunch for everyone on his way to an appointment with a new vendor.

"You not for the cold, brah?" Kamekona said and Lou barked a laugh.

"I'm from Chicago, brother. New Jersey cold can't even scratch the surface."

"Whatev's," Kamekona waved as he reached the doors. "It's all too cold in my book but family time is da best."

"Exactly," Danny agreed. "We're all looking forward to it. It's gonna be a Christmas to remember. Thanks for the backup in case Kono and Chin need SWAT."

"I've got your back." Lou toasted with his coffee cup. "Just bring me cookies from Nonna and we're square."


Later that evening, Steve sat on the sofa with Catherine, DJ, and Angie after watching snow-themed videos yet again.

"So, what are you most excited about for our trip?" Steve asked with an amused look in his eyes.

Angie clapped her hands together, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. "I can't wait to see Nonna and play in the snow and make so many cookies and have fun with Joanie and DJ and everybody and wear a winter coat and see more Christmas lights!"

DJ nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, and we get to help cook and eat all the great food Nonna makes. I can definitely eat, like, a hundred cookies."

Catherine laughed as she looked at her kids. "Well, I'm excited to spend time with Nonna and visit Uncle Danny's whole family. It's going to be wonderful seeing everyone again."

"I'm just excited to be on vacation with you two and Mommy and everyone else," Steve said, flashing a quick smile at his wife.

"Remember how Angie couldn't stop laughing at the snowball fight last time?" DJ chuckled, shaking his head at the memory.

Steve booped his daughter's nose. "I do, and I remember you guys building a snowman."

"And I fell asleep all over Nonna's house, right?" The six year old had heard the stories and found them, and the photos, hilarious.

"Right," Catherine said with a grin.

"And Grace drove me and Nonna to the mall to get you the special ornaments." DJ's face shone with happiness at the memory.

"That was one of the best days of our lives," his mother said with a kiss to his head.

"I'm very very excited, cause this time I'm big and I can do all the stuff and I won't forget anything!" Angie clapped.

"We're going to New York City, again, right?" DJ confirmed, beaming when his parents nodded. "Wait till you see the buildings, Angie. Everything's super super tall and the Empire State building was red and green because it was Christmas time."

"Ohhh that sounds pretty." Angie cocked her head in thought, then shifted subjects. "Can we bring presents back for Cammie and Pumpkin and Luna and Felix?"

"Small ones," DJ added, "So they're not too big to take on the plane?"

"Sounds like a plan," Steve said with a glance at his watch. "Now, it's story time. I bet I can guess what we're reading tonight."

Looking at each other, the kids laughed and announced together, "Christmas in the Garden State!"

# THE END thanks for reading


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