Christmas Morning Allison snuggled further under the blanket closer to Asher.
"Morning babe," Asher whispered, pulling her closer.
"Merry Christmas," Allison smiled.
"Should we get our princess," Asher asked, "her first Christmas."
"I know," Allison replied, "I'm cozy though."
"I know you are, you're doing the cuddling thing," Asher smiled.
"This," Allison giggled, putting her leg over his and her head on his chest.
"We have to get up before your parents," Asher sighed, kissing the top of Allison's head.
"Mom will wait for me," Allison replied, "I'll feed Ev, then we take her up to wake up Leo and mom and dad."
"Getting dressed," Asher asked.
"No," Allison replied, "Christmas pajamas all day."
"To my parents," Asher asked.
"I'll put clothes on for the hour we're there," Allison said, "then jammies for Auntie Megs."
"Everly," Asher asked.
"Maybe," Allison said, "her Christmas jammies are so cute. I bought three sets."
"Really Allie three sets," Asher asked.
"Two were in a two pack," Allison said, "and I only paid a couple dollars for the third."
"Okay," Asher agreed.
Everly began to fuss.
"I'll get her but we're coming back here," Allison said.
"Of course you are," Asher agreed.
Allison got up and changed Everly's diaper before putting her braces over her pajamas.
"Merry Christmas princess," Asher smiled as Allison sat down with the baby.
Once they had gone through Everly's morning routine Allison stood up.
"Princess let's go get grandma and grandpa and uncle Leo," Allison said.
"I'll start the kettle for cocoa," Asher said.
Allison rushed upstairs with Everly in her arms.
Teddy smiled hearing the top step creak. Allison was coming up after all.
Allison opened Leo's door and plopped on his bed.
"Wake up uncle Leo it's Christmas," Allison said in a baby voice.
Leo didn't open his eyes but reached towards Everly.
"Not till you're looking at what you're doing," Allison laughed.
"What time is it," Leo yawned.
"7:45, we've been up an hour," Allison said, "she's fed, changed and happy."
"Your perky," Leo groaned.
Allison laughed, "it's hard to wake up grumpy when this princess wants to cuddle. Up and clothes we have to get mom and dad."
"Really aren't you too grown up," Leo teased.
"Never," Allison smiled, "up come on get up."
"One thing first," Leo said, "I get to say good morning to the princess."
"Okay," Allison said, standing up with Everly and moving away, "come get her."
"Allie," Leo groaned.
"Come get me Uncle Leo," Allison said in the baby voice again waving Everly's hand at Leo.
Leo groaned and rolled out of bed. He grabbed a pair of sweatpants out of his laundry basket and a shirt.
"Good morning princess Everly," Leo said, "Merry Christmas."
Leo took the baby from Allison and swung Everly up in the air so she was flying making Everly giggle.
Allison took her baby back and led the way to Teddy and Owen's room.
"Mom, dad, it's Christmas," Allison exclaimed as she bounced into the room.
"It is," Owen agreed.
"Good morning," Teddy yawned, "this is a first, a grand child waking me up Christmas morning."
"She's been up over an hour," Allison said.
"And you didn't come get us," Teddy asked.
"Diaper, stretches, milk, snuggle," Allison said.
"Physio," Owen asked.
"Every day no breaks for Christmas or she won't get stronger," Allison said.
"You're doing good baby girl," Teddy smiled, pulling Allison in for a hug, "she's doing good."
"We are," Allison agreed.
Owen smiled seeing Teddy take Everly from Allison and the three of them cuddled on Teddy's side of the bed.
"Leo," Teddy asked.
"This once," Leo agreed, sitting by his mom and sister's feet.
"Dad, can you check the living room," Allison asked.
"I will," Owen agreed, "but first I need to say good morning to Everly."
"But she's cozy with me," Teddy argued.
"My turn Teds," Owen smiled, lifting the baby from Teddy's arms. Everly was used to playing pass the baby in the house with her parents, grandparents and uncle.
Owen gave Everly a hug then returned her to her mom.
"Asher," Owen said, coming downstairs.
"Cocoa is almost ready," Asher smiled, "I remembered."
"I'll turn on all the lights," Owen smiled.
Owen turned on the lights and called upstairs for the rest of the family.
Teddy lead Allison and Leo down like every year.
Allison settled into a corner of the couch with Everly in her lap. Asher brought over their mugs and sat with them.
"Okay so the first stocking always goes to the youngest," Teddy said, "Allie you've been bumped."
"I was last year Ash is a couple months younger than me," Allison said, "but Everly gets hers first."
"It's almost as big as she is," Leo laughed.
"It is," Asher agreed.
They spent the morning with Allison's family hanging out and opening gifts before having breakfast together. Allison smiled seeing Everly taking in the lights and playing with her new toys.
"We should get dressed," Asher said.
"I like christmas day in pajamas," Allison said.
"But we're going to my parents," Asher replied.
"I know," Allison said getting up, "you get to do her second set of exercises."
"I know," Asher said.
"We'll see you later for dinner," Owen asked.
"Yes," Allison said, "and bringing our PJS to change into. Who started this tradition?"
"Megan's idea 19 years ago," Teddy said, "but your sister and I had had a few Christmases in PJs or leggings before that."
"You and Annie did it," Owen asked.
"Leggings, T-shirts and hoodies," Teddy replied, "messy buns. We just relaxed with our roast chicken and wine."
"Roast chicken and wine," Asher asked.
"It was just Annie and I, I was stationed in Germany. She was in med school so I'd fly her out to come see me and we'd just be the two of us for Christmas Eve and Christmas day," Teddy replied.
"Dan and Chris," Asher asked, "her mom in BC?"
"It was a complicated time," Teddy replied, "Annie doesn't like to talk about it. I don't know if I even know the whole story."
"What time will you get to Megs," Owen asked.
"4:30," Allison answered.
"We're just having lunch and visiting," Asher said, "we don't do a lot of gifts my siblings and I draw names so Allie and I drew Mitch and our Eden."
"Thats helpful with a big family," Owen said.
"It is," Asher agreed, "I don't know why but my mom said Ev didn't play this year. Usually the baby has to be 3 or 4 to play and they just get something my mom picks from all the siblings."
"That makes sense in your family," Allison said, "why don't we do a draw with Annie's kids, Chris's and Cat?"
"Annie suggested it a few times over the years she did it growing up with the McKellar cousins," Teddy explained, "she suggested it when she had Henry but it's not a huge deal to Meg and dad and I would buy for them anyway as our grand kids."
"You went nuts," Allison said, "mom, dad it's too much."
"We wanted to munchkin," Owen smiled, "everlys fourth Christmas dress is cute."
"Auntie Ava bought it for her," Allison smiled, "it's cute with its candy cane buttons."
"It is," Teddy smiled, "is Ava okay with being auntie Ava?"
"She started calling Everly her niece," Allison said, "only friend I'll let baby sit."
"When did she babysit," Teddy asked.
"She hasn't yet but that was part of her Christmas gift to us," Allison said.
"When do you see her next," Teddy asked.
"She's in Spokane to see her Grandparents for a few days so after we get back from the cabin," Allison said.
They chatted for a few more minutes then made their way to Asher's parents. After lunch and a short visit there they met the rest of the family at Megan's
"Can I see her," Catrina begged.
"Let me put her jammies on," Allison said.
"I'll do it," Catrina offered.
"I need to change her and with her braces it's not straight forward," Allison said.
"I'll help," Catrina offered.
"I guess," Allison said, "I'll take her up to your room?"
"Sure," Catrina agreed, bouncing up the stairs.
Allison laid Everly and the changing pad on the floor in Catrina's room.
"My parents aren't fighting," Catrina whispered.
"He held her hand last night," Allison said.
"Do you think," Catrina asked.
"I don't know," Allison said, "relationships are hard."
"Asher," Catrina asked, "you act like you're married."
"Some days it feels like it," Allison said, "but it's not easy. We have to put the work in."
Allison had finished changing and redressing Everly.
"Work," Catrina asked.
"It's not easy. Living with some one, sharing a room," Allison said, "he's there all the time. Sometimes I need space but can't ask for it."
"Why not," Catrina said.
"It would hurt Asher," Allison said, "but your dad is staying?"
"He doesn't go again until April then it's only and 8 week trip," Catrina said.
Everly suddenly flipped from her back to her stomach.
"Wow," Catrina said.
Allison picked up the baby, "you did it princess. You rolled from your back to your tummy. You're getting so strong."
Allison ran downstairs holding Everly to tell Asher.
Evelyn waved to Allison from the couch.
"Your first Christmas as a mom," Evelyn said.
"Last," Allison said.
"But she's here and getting so big," Evelyn said.
"I know," Allsion sighed, 'Nana do you want to hold her?"
"Always," Evelyn beamed.
Allison sat Everly in Evelyn's lap.
"Hi pretty girl," Evelyn whispered, "are you going to let Nana cuddle you? Your grandma is such a baby hog I hardly get to hold you."
"I know I haven't been great about coming to visit," Allison said.
"Don't worry about it," David said, "we get lots of time with you now. You're going to school, working and raising your daughter."
"Opa we should come visit more," Allison said.
"Allison we know you have a lot going on and you call and text," Evelyn said.
"But we will never say no to a visit from you," David promised.
"But," Allison started.
"Just call us and come," Evelyn beamed looking at the baby in her arms, "will you take her out in the snow at the cabin?"
"Of course," Allison smiled, "I think she'll love it."
"She will she's ΒΌ Altman," Teddy laughed.
"I don't think the love of snow is genetic mom," Allison laughed.
"Well of my three only Leo isn't a big snow fan," Teddy said, "and I didn't raise Annie so it has to have some part in it."
"Dad had us in the snow as babies and on the mountain at 2 or 3," Annie replied.
"I know but I like to think I helped," Teddy smiled.
"I know," Annie replied.
"Is it okay to take her in the snow," Asher asked.
"Bundle her up, put her in the baby sled and take her for a walk or if your worried about her sitting in the sled use the carrier," Owen said.
"My 4 all go out in the snow as babies," Annie said, "Henry was only 2 months his first Christmas. I just put him in the carrier right against me. It's okay."
"That was a hectic Christmas," Teddy said, "Leo was 10, Allie was 9, Ellie was 5, Matt 1 and Henry was a newborn."
"I had 3 5 and under," Annie smiled, "hows being a mom at Christmas Allie Bean?"
"It's exciting in a new way," Allison smiled, "getting everything perfect for her was a lot how do you do it for 4?"
"Once you're doing it for one the magic is more fun with the others," Annie smiled, "the magic grows. This year was for you, next year she'll participate more then once she's 2 she'll really get it."
"It's fun," Allison smiled, "she likes the lights and ornaments. I laid her under the tree a couple days ago and she had so much fun playing with the ornaments on the bottom branches. I was sitting right there wrapping gifts and she was happy."
"She's a happy baby but such a mommys girl," Annie said.
"She's getting better," Allison said, "she's with nana now."
"She is," Teddy confirmed.
"Allie can I take her from my mom," Megan asked.
"If nana has had enough," Allison agreed, "were at the cabin for 5 days you'll have lots of turns with her."
"I will," Megan said, "will you ski?"
"I am only one or two days," Allison said, "I can't ditch Ev and Ash for the full 5. And I don't think I could physically do it. I walk and run but that's it."
"You're doing good," Megan smiled, "Allison you're doing really well. I know this year has been hard and you haven't had a lot of good news this year. I'm proud of you. You're so strong."
"I learned from mom, and nana and you," Allison said.
Megan hugged Allison, "I love you."
"Love you two," Allison replied.
"Now I am going to go get my great niece and give her a good snuggle," Megan smiled.
"My turn," Teddy said.
"Teddy we agreed you share your grandbabies with me," Megan teased, "It'll be a while before I get any of my own."
"But will you share," Teddy asked.
"You'll have 5 and I'll have one," Megan said.
"Not how it works," Teddy smiled, "I also have 3 kids."
"But today you are sharing," Megan said, "because you got to cuddle Ev this morning and so did Owen."
"Ev came to wake me up," Teddy said, "I like morning baby cuddles."
"You don't get the good ones mom," Allison said, 'when she's just waking up and still half asleep and she still snuggles in my arms like a newborn to be fed and cuddled."
"I had that with you," Teddy smiled, "it's pretty special and being the first face she sees in the morning. Her mom smiling at her."
"She's always happy to see me," Allison said, "reaching up for me to pick her up."
"She's got the non verbal communication down," Megan agreed.
"Words will come she makes a ton of sounds," Allison said, "she can say mama and dada but not for us yet."
"That takes time," Annie said, "the day she looks at you and says it."
"She's already growing too fast," Allison said.
"They grow fast," Annie agreed, "so did you."
"Nee," Allison groaned.
"I'm your big sister I get to," Annie smiled, "but she's good Allie. She's really good. My kids had fun picking our her Christmas presents."
"Annie," Allison asked.
"We had fun," Annie smiled, "we love all of you and wanted to spoil you."
"But," Allison started.
"No," Annie said, "Josh and I understand, so do our kids. We love you and want you to be happy."
"I'm happy," Allison smiled.
"Good," Annie replied before hugging her sister, "Merry Christmas Bean."
"Merry Christmas Nee," Allison replied.