Hi Readers: I know, a lot of false starts recently. But, I think that I finally got one. Let's just hope that, by a Christmas miracle, it sticks.

Chapter One

December 8, 2018 – Halstead Home, Naperville
Miss Maya Marie Halstead; born December 5, 2018, at Chicago Gaffney Medical Center. 7 lbs 2 oz.

Three days. That's how old his daughter was today, as he debated whether or not he should go to one of the most important events in his brother's life: his wedding. Something that you only get to celebrate once, just like Jay and Alex Halstead got to celebrate six months earlier on June 6, 2018, when they got married…while Alex was three months pregnant. Yeah, that was not the most fun experience, but it was worth it due to the fact that it meant that she got to be Ms. Jay Halstead sooner than she would've been had they waited until after Maya was born. But now that his brother's waited until after Maya was born to get married, Jay was in a predicament: whether he should go to the wedding and be his brother's best man, or whether he should stay and be with the woman he loves and their three-day old daughter. However, if Alex had it her way, he'd already be long gone.. He'd be on his way to his brother's wedding, as it was something that he needed to be there for. He needed to be at his brother's wedding, as their dad died.

After he died earlier this year of a heart attack, which is what she knew her husband was debating as he stood there in his boxers, near Maya's crib. "You're debating whether you should leave to go to Will and Natalie's wedding or not." Turning his head when he heard Alex wake up, Jay smiled due to the fact that he was glad she was awake. "Hey, when did you wake up?" Alex smiled. "Just now." She said, while rolling over and extending his hand. "Come here you, I want to hold you close while you're still here." Jay smiled as Alex said that. "I think we both know that isn't going to help me make my decision one bit." Alex smiled. "Jay, it's Will's wedding. We both know that there's not really a choice that you can make. You're his best man. Are you really not going to go to his wedding just because I just gave birth three days ago?" Looking at his wife, Jay was surprised that she was acting as if it was just nothing; that was a big deal…especially since she ended up having a C-Section to give birth to their daughter. In fact, it was why he was so hesitant to go.

To go all the way to Chicago, which is where the wedding is taking place. It's just so far, and he doesn't know what the weather is going to be like. And that's precisely why he felt the need to be here with his wife, where she may need him. But first, he was going to talk to his wife about it as he walked up to their bed and sat down next to the woman he loves. "How are you feeling?" He asked her, while placing his hand on the side of her face. Smiling, Jay just looked down into his wife's eyes due to the fact that he's truly madly in love with this gorgeous woman who owns his heart. "I'm feeling better, just taking it easy like the doctor told me to do." Jay agreed with his wife, smiling as that's precisely what he wants to hear: he wants to hear that she's feeling better. "Which means that you should have no problem going to Will's wedding and having fun for the both of us today." Jay sighed, as he had a feeling that she wasn't going to give up until he went to the wedding. "It's just going to be weird, walking another woman down the aisle." Alex agreed.

After all, she was the only woman he should ever walk down the aisle with. "Just remember that it's not your wedding, it's your brother's wedding." Jay smiled as Alex said that, prior to grabbing her hand and intertwining their fingers. "I had a beautiful summer wedding with my one true love six months ago. The only woman I ever want to be married to." Alex agreed with Jay as he said that, well aware that was the case as she watched him bend down and kiss her softly; something she always enjoys the feeling of: his soft lips on hers as they take things nice and slow with each other here in bed. "God, I wish you could take it further with me." Jay shook his head, as that was the last thing he'd ever do when his wife just gave birth to their little girl. "Calm down, you just gave birth to Maya. That means that you need to relax and take it nice and easy Ms. Halstead." Alex agreed with her husband, well aware that was the case. "And you, Mr. Halstead, need to go represent your family at the wedding. Represent me at the wedding." Jay sighed.

After all, he knew that was the truth. He knew that he needed to go there and be at his brother's wedding. But what he didn't know, was that his brother's wedding was coming here to him. Which is precisely why he just hearing the doorbell ring this morning. "Did you invite someone over to help you with Maya?" Alex shook her head, as she thought she could do it herself. "I was going to call my sister Abby if I needed something, she lives here in Naperville after all." Jay agreed with his wife, well aware that his sister-in-law lives in Naperville. "Don't remind me. God, she came over so much while you were pregnant with Maya." Alex agreed with her husband as he said that, well aware that was the case. "Oh, shut up. You liked that you didn't always have to watch the Rom-Coms that I liked. And it gave you time to work on the nursery and the business." Jay agreed with his wife, well aware that was the case prior to leaning down and kissing the woman he loves; only to hear the doorbell again. "C'mon, seriously?" Alex smiled as she looked at Jay.

After all, the last thing she wanted was for Maya to wake up. "Be quiet, we don't want Maya to wake up." Jay agreed with his wife. "Put your pants and a sweater on, then go see what's going on. Okay?" Jay agreed with his wife, as that's precisely what he plans on doing for her: he's going to put some pants on and then go downstairs to see what's going on. But first, one more kiss for his gorgeous wife. "I love you, I love our family, and you come first. If either you or Maya feel like crap before I leave, I'm calling my brother and cancelling." Alex agreed with her husband. "And you need to tell me the truth, got it. I am not going to the wedding if you feel like crap." Alex agreed with her husband. "I know. Now, can you please go see who's at the door? It's early and I don't want to wake Maya up." Jay agreed with his wife as she said that, before getting up and walking over to his dresser; opening it, he reached in to grab some sweats. "I'll get you some breakfast afterwards." Alex agreed, as she liked that idea; just like she enjoyed watching Jay get dressed.

After all, he always flexes his muscles when he gets dressed. "God, you are such a turn on." Standing up once he had his sweatpants on, Jay shook his head as he went to walk around their bed so that he could grab his phone. "Seriously? Your phone?" Jay agreed. "In case of emergencies, so you can reach me quickly." Alex agreed with Jay as he told her that, liking that idea; while also watching as he grabbed his sweater and proceeded to put it on. "Leave it open." Jay laughed as he heard Alex say that. "And if it's another woman." Alex smiled. "You're my husband, and nobody put me gets to touch that gorgeous body." Turning his head, Jay smiled at Maya. "Not even Maya when she cuddles up to me after you feed her?" Alex laughed. "No woman who might want to have sex with you." Jay agreed with Alex, well aware that was the case; not that he would ever want to have sex with anybody other than his gorgeous wife. "You're my one and only, I promise." Alex agreed with her dreamy husband as he walked around their bed once more.

Walking up to her, Jay smirked as he leaned over her and proceeded to kiss her softly. "I love you, I love Maya, and I love our life." Alex agreed with her husband, well aware that he loves their life. "I love it too. Now, how about you go take care of whoever's at the door?" Jay agreed with his wife as she said that as he turned around and then went to walk downstairs so that he could check the door.

Front Door, Home of Jay & Alex Halstead – It was tradition that the bride and groom don't see each other before the wedding, but they decided that they were going to take that risk; take the risk that comes with them seeing each other before they got married as they had to speak with Jay and Alex together about their request for a new venue. Yes, you heard that right: Will and Natalie, the bride and groom, want to change the venue of their wedding. All because they want to have their entire family there. So, since there's a nice home theatre here, they thought that they could get married in there with only a few of their friends and family: Jay & Alex, Natalie's mom, Alex's sister Abby and her fiancé Mike, their friends from the hospital, and their business friends Matt & Gabby Casey; though, they are more like personal friends due to the fact that Natalie's known Matt for over a decade from when his late fiancé and her went to the same medical school. So, they wanted to have him there, along with his wife due to the fact that they're business partners.

They just need to know whether Jay and Alex are open to the idea of them having their wedding in the theatre, which is precisely what they were going to talk to Jay about; right after they explain why they're here in the first place. "Will? Natalie? What are you guys doing here on the morning of your wedding?" Jay asked, confused over the fact that his brother and future sister-in-law are here at their home in Naperville, rather than in Chicago where their wedding is taking place. "God, Natalie. Get in here and go see Alex so that you can…" Will laughed. "Jay, it's ok. We've both agreed that we aren't going to believe in that. Now, can you please let us in so that we don't freeze our asses off on the day of our wedding?" Jay agreed with the both of them as he let them in, while also closing his sweater. "Sorry, I'm not in the best attire right now." Will laughed. "Hey, at least you're wearing a sweater and sweatpants." Jay agreed. "Yeah, my wife requested that I cover up since…" Jay then realized that he didn't need to mention that. "Ok. What are you doing here?"

Natalie smiled. "Well, we have a bit of a request for our wedding. One that I think you guys might like." Jay was confused as he heard Natalie say that, while also placing his hands on his hips. "What are you talking about?" Getting up out of bed, Alex came to ask the same thing. "I can ask you the same thing." Looking at his wife, Jay got worried. "Alex, go back to…" Natalie then stopped him. "Jay, it's good for new moms to get out of bed and get the blood flowing." She said, as she took off her boots; after which, she went to grab her coat. "Here, can you take this Will?" Will agreed, as he took it for his fiancé. "Of course." Natalie smiled as he did just that, while also making her way over to Alex so that she could hug her. "How are you feeling?" Alex smiled. "Exhausted, but very happy over the fact that I'm a mom. And don't worry Will, I was just speaking to Jay. I told him that he's going to your wedding since you need your brother there to represent the Halstead family." Will then looked at his brother. "Can't believe it's just us." Jay agreed with Will.

After all, that was the truth. "You did this, didn't you Alex?" Looking at her husband. "When? When I was giving birth 3 days ago? Or sleeping over the past 3 days? Feeding Maya? Resting? Pumping? Stretching? Then sleeping some more?" Jay nodded, well aware that she's been way too busy to set this up. "Then why are you here?" Will smiled as he looked at his brother. "I'm here to make life much easier on you." Both Jay and Alex were confused when they heard Will say that. "What are you talking about doc? I'm lost." Natalie smiled as she looked at both Jay and Alex. "How about we all go sit down? That way, you can rest and take it easy?" Jay agreed with Natalie, as that was a good idea. "How about I go get dressed some more? Put a shirt on?" Alex looked at her husband as he said that. "Jay…" Jay just looked at his wife. "You need to rest. Will and Natalie are here, don't make me send them away." Natalie then looked at Jay. "Shut up, or we aren't going through with our new wedding plans." Jay and Alex were both confused. "New wedding plans?"

Will just sighed as he looked at his brother. "Shirt on, we'll go make you breakfast." Natalie agreed, as she wanted to do that for Jay and Alex regardless of the fact that it was the morning of their wedding. They're new parents, and that comes first, which is precisely why they want to do the wedding here, rather than at the church they reserved. Something their priest has already signed off on due to the fact that he understands the fact that Will wants his brother there, but he has a newborn daughter, which takes precedence over him coming all the way to Chicago for their wedding (he knows that they live in Naperville). So, he's contacted the diocese here and has gotten permission to do a wedding at the Halstead Home, with him officiating the wedding in the parish they live in. Something which has also been approved of by the Archbishop of Chicago, as well as all the other priests which need to approve such things. Now, they just need to get Jay and Alex on board; then, their wedding be held here in Naperville, at St. Halstead's Church.

Halstead Living Room – They decided that, if Will and Natalie were here, then they might as well bring Maya out of their room so that she can see her aunt and uncle. But, that didn't mean that they were going to hold her, not when they might bring in germs. Well, maybe they might hold her; Jay wasn't sure yet as he walked into the living room to see his brother setting down some toast on the table. "Ok. What the hell are you guys doing? You are serving us breakfast on the morning of your wedding." Will and Natalie agreed. "Yes, because we need to butter you up. Speaking of which, the toast already has butter on it." Alex agreed with Natalie as she said that, prior to making her way over to the couches; her favorite one being occupied by her brother-in-law. "Hey groom." Looking up, Will looked at Alex. "Move it before I ban my husband from your wedding." Will agreed with Alex and went to move out of the new mom's way as he didn't want to make her mad, while she made her way over to her spot and went to sit down.

And damn was that comfortable, especially when she covered herself with the blanket she had here on the couch too. "Oh, now this is comfortable." Jay smiled as he agreed with his wife, prior to carrying Maya over to her. "Here, how about I give you Maya so you can hold her and feed her? Then, I can sit down, and we can figure out just why my brother decided to go against tradition, see his bride, and risk having a bad wedding day." Natalie then went to defend Will. "You did the same thing and saw Alex on the day of your wedding." Jay snickered. "That was different, she was pregnant, and I needed to make sure that she felt well enough to get married." Will shrugged, as it made sense to him. "Makes sense to me." Jay agreed as he smiled at Maya. "Here you go Maya, you can cuddle up to mommy as she feeds you." He said, while setting Maya down in Alex's arms and pressing his lips to Alex's forehead. After which, he went ahead and sat down next to the woman he loves. "So, what brings you guys all the way over here to Naperville?"

Sitting up, Natalie smiled. "Well, it's a request that we have for you guys." Jay and Alex agreed, while Alex wasn't the happiest. "As if I'm not already doing enough when I just gave birth." Will smiled when Alex said that. "Don't worry, it's something easy that I think you guys would like because of what it allows us to do. It'll be something you both want to have." Jay didn't get anything about what Will was saying but decided to listen to him. "Ok. Stop talking in code and just speak up, what are you talking about?" Natalie smiled. "What do you guys think of us having our wedding here, today, in your screening room with just a few of us…rather than do it in downtown Chicago? That way, you guys can both be here at the wedding?" Turning her head, Alex was surprised. "What?" Will smiled. "I know, it's last minute. But we'd do everything. We'd set everything up, have the quick wedding, then we'd leave. It'd just be the ceremony. I know you guys want to be there, and we both want you there too; but we also know you want Maya close to you."

Natalie agreed, while also looking at Jay. "And Jay, we know that you said you'd be okay leaving Alex and Maya alone for a bit with Abby, but we both know that's not the truth." Jay smiled, as that most certainly is not the truth; he wants to be with his family all the time, something his wife already knows. "So, you want to just have the ceremony here in the theatre? Maybe then, we can even have lunch? Just order in something easy like Chinese or something?" Turning his head to look at his wife, Jay smiled due to the fact that he loved the idea. He just didn't know what she thought about it due to the fact that it'd be a lot. However, she actually liked the idea due to the fact that it meant that she got to be there with Will and Natalie when they became husband and wife, something she really wanted to do; however, she just didn't think it would happen due to the fact that they have a little baby to take care of. "I like the idea, actually." Looking at his wife, Jay was surprised. "Really?" Alex smiled. "It's a win-win. I get to be with Maya and get to be there."

Jay smiled. "And I get the same thing. I get to be with Maya and you; and I get to be there for my brother, as he gets married to Natalie." Grabbing Jay's hand, Alex smiled as she loved the plans they have for today. "I think that you guys are my new favorite in-laws." Will laughed. "I think we're your only in-laws for the moment." Jay and Alex both agreed. "Ok. So, how about we eat? Then I need your help Jay." Jay was confused. "With what?" Will looked at Natalie. "She still wanted her flowers." Jay just looked at Natalie. "For a simple wedding in my screening room? Oh hell no. You get your bouquet and that's it. The minute you're married, and you have lunch with us, you're out of my house and on your way home. I am not cleaning up after you, and I am not having you stay here when Alex needs rest; especially not when our room is right by the door." Alex agreed, as she felt the same way. "Agreed!" Will and Natalie both understood that. "Can I at least have my music?" Jay just looked at Will. "I swear to god William, if she gave the…"

That's when Jay heard another knock at the door, before turning his head and looking at Natalie. "Don't tell me…" Natalie nodded. "Ok. Before you open the door, I'm making you choose. Either it's you have guests and 4 people from your wedding party: me, one more groomsman, and two bridesmaids; or you get your musicians, and no wedding guests." Natalie shook her head, as that was the last thing she wanted as she wanted to have wedding guests here. "Ok, we'll send them home. Sorry guys, I know we already pushed it." Jay agreed with Will as he said that. "Yeah, you just thought we'd say yes." Alex smiled. "They knew we would as I want to be there." Jay agreed with his wife. "And now, you will be there." Jay said, while smiling at his wife and pressing his lips to her forehead. "Let's eat, feed Maya and then me and Will can get to work on setting up the screening room. Meanwhile, you and Natalie can relax with Maya in our room. Maybe you can find a comfortable set of leggings and a blouse that you can wear to the wedding."

Alex agreed. "Oh, and I'm still your maid of honor because Jay is your best man. However, I am not standing with your Natalie. I am going to sit down, and my husband is going to sit with me as we watch the wedding. Oh, and no stereo. Sorry, but you do not need the big speakers. Just a phone and a mini speaker. And I get to hold Maya in there. We get to eat first, regardless of the fact that you're the bride and groom as I may need to feed Maya. And I get to kick you guys out if you get on my last nerves. Is that understood?" Will just laughed, as he thought she was joking. "Yeah, sure." Jay just looked at his brother as he said that. "Uhm, Will…she's being serious." Looking at her brother-in-law, Alex glared at him as she was being deadly serious when she said that. When she says she's done with them being here, then they leave. "That's the deal, or else you can get married without Jay." Jay added on. "And delay your honeymoon until the Christmas holidays, which is when I was going to start my paternity leave originally."

Alex agreed with her husband, well aware that was the case, which then led to Will and Natalie agreeing to their terms, as they were fair and made a lot of sense. I mean, how can they say no when they make great points. "Sounds good. Now, let's finish breakfast so that we can get things out of the car Jay." Jay just looked at Will as he said that. "Oh, you misheard me. We're hosting but not setting up. I have a 3-day old baby girl. I'm exhausted from last night, and I am in no mood to set up an entire wedding when it was sprung on me. So, call Ethan (Choi) and get him here. I don't care if he's with April right now. You want to get married here; he needs to help you. I'm a husband and a father first. I'm giving you a free venue, and I'll pay for the food. Chinese good?" Will and Natalie agreed, as that sounds perfect. "Sounds perfect." Jay agreed with the both of them. "Good, now let's eat so that we can get this wedding set up." Everybody agreed with Jay, before eating so that they can get the wedding set up today; which is what they all want to do.