"Santa comes tonight," Everly said sadly.
"He does," Asher smiled, "are you excited?"
"No ," Everly said, "I wasn't good."
"You're always good," Allison smiled.
"Ms Vleeming said Santa only comes to good kids," Everly said.
"Good thing all kids are good,' Allison assured.
"Then why do I have to go to another class," Everly asked.
"Because it's a better fit for you," Allison said, "the other class has less kids and more space for you to move around in."
"Talia is in that class," Asher said, "Everly Santa will come tonight I promise."
"Really," Everly asked.
"Really," Allison promised, "let's put your stocking up so if you fall asleep at Auntie Annie's it's up."
"Cookies," Everly asked.
"We can do the cookies now and the carrots," Allison agreed.
Allison and Asher took Everly upstairs in her Christmas dress to hang up her stocking.
"Excited Princess," Owen asked.
"Yes," Everly said.
"What type of cookie does Santa want," Teddy asked.
"Gingerbread," Everly said.
"Let's go get them," Teddy smiled, taking the little girl's hand. Teddy lifted Everly up so she could reach the cookie jar and put the cookies on the Christmas Cookie Plate. Teddy carried the plate over, Everly was still working on walking without her crutches or walker at home and wasn't ready yet to carry something while she walked. It would come. Reaching the fireplace Teddy gave Everly the plate so Ev could put it in front of the fire. They would put the dog in the laundry room when they left to make sure Charlie didn't eat the cookies.
Everly hung up her stocking with Allison's help. Allison paused to kiss her daughter's cheek and tickle her, making Everly giggle.
"Are you ready to go," Teddy asked.
"You're coming with us," Allison asked.
"We are," Owen said, "one vehicle?"
"Two," Allison said, "I know it's a pain at church but if Everly is tired we'll leave Annie's earlier."
"She should be okay," Teddy assured, "but it's your call."
"With the class change she's been off she thinks it's her fault," Allison said, "she's blaming herself."
"No," Teddy said, 'the teacher was wrong, not Everly."
"We've told her that but she hates school right now," Allison said, "and thinks she's bad."
"Never," Teddy said, "she can be naughty sometimes but what kid isn't. You and Leo could be really naughty at her age, making messes and trying to pull little tricks on dad and I. Having sleep overs in each other's rooms. But what she does is kid stuff, no different than you or Annie's kids at her age."
"She tried to hide her broccoli under her plate at lunch," Allison said.
"Kid stuff," Teddy smiled.
"I know," Allison said, "but she's 5. Please tell me I have a few more years of the magic."
"You do," Teddy said, "4 or 5 at least and the joy never stops. Did she start questioning?"
"Just the worry she's bad," Allison said.
"Are you ready," Teddy asked.
"Almost," Allison said, "shoes."
"Get them," Teddy replied.
They drove to the church and met Michelle on the front steps.
"Renee is here," Michelle warned.
"It's been a long time," Allison said.
"Two years," Michelle replied.
"She's still not allowed near Everly," Asher stated leaving no room for discussion.
"We know," Michelle said, "she's sitting in the back with some friends. It's for the best."
Sierra approached with a huge smile.
"Hi," Hannah now one babbled in Sierra's arms.
"Merry Christmas,' Allison greeted with a hug,
"Hannah is that auntie Allie," Sierra asked.
"Can I have a hug Hannah," Allison asked.
Hannah hid her face in her mom's shoulder.
"Okay another day," Allison replied.
"Come see nana," Michelle tried.
"No," Hannah said clinging to Sierra.
"Not today Michelle," Sierra said, "it's too crowded she's over stimulated."
"How did your finals go," Allison asked, "I haven't seen you."
"Good," Sierra said, "I got a mix of C+s and Bs."
"Thats awesome," Allison smiled, "next semester?"
"Three again," Sierra said, "it's all I can manage."
"You're going," Allison said.
"You did full course loads and are in med school," Sierra said.
"Sierra we have a ton of help from my parents," Allison said, "we don't really pay rent. I have scholarships for tuition."
"But you're going to be a doctor," Sierra said.
"Have you started thinking," Allison asked.
"I want to teach," Sierra said.
"What ever you need we're here," Allison assured.
"Mommy," Everly said, "I need the bath room."
"Let's go then we'll have a seat," Allison said.
"I'll save you seats," Sierra offered.
"Ash and Mitch have," ALlison replied, "my parents and Leo are there."
Allison took Everly to the washroom then found their seats, as usual they had taken spots on the edge closest to the door so Everly didn't have to walk as far. Renee glared across the church at Allison and Sierra, these two had ruined her life, come into her family, stole her brothers and ruined her plans.
"Renee," Sierra whispered and pointed.
Allison nodded before whispering, "stay cool. We don't engage."
"I know," Sierra whispered back.
Everly was bugging Leo trying to tickle her uncle and making silly faces.
Teddy glared across Leo at the little girl. Everly smiled and waved, she had a mischievous side sometimes.
"Ev not here," Asher whispered, "you can play with Uncle Leo later."
"Daddy," Everly said.
"Later at Auntie Annies," Asher replied.
The service started and focus shifted to the front of the church.
After the service Renee approached Asher, Allison and Everly.
"Hi," Renee said.
"Renee we're on our way for Christmas Eve dinner," Asher said.
"I'll meet you at the car," Allison told Asher leading Everly away.
"She's gotten tall," Renee said, "she's 4?"
"Five," Asher replied, "Renee we need to talk you Allie and I but not tonight. We're going to her sister's for Christmas Eve."
"Please," Renee tried.
"Not tonight," Asher replied, "we'll have a meeting with someone else around soon. I'll email you what works for us. We have to go."
Asher met them in the car and Allison drove to Annie's.
"Merry Christmas," Annie greeted letting them in.
"Auntie Annie," Everly squealed.
"Hi Ev," Annie smiled.
Everly moved as fast as she could towards the basement stairs knowing the other kids would be downstairs. Everly paused at the top and started to slide her crutches down the stairs.
"Ev," Allison sighed.
"It's no worse than my kids have done to the wall down there," Annie assured, "it's clever."
"Have you seen the scratch she put on the floor with her crutches,' Allison asked.
"She's independent," Annie said.
"She is," Allison agreed.
"Allie," Ellie shouted rushing to hug her aunt.
"Ellie," Allison greeted with equal enthusiasm.
"You got home today," Allison asked.
"Exams on the 23rd suck," Ellie groaned.
"Then the border today must have been a nightmare," Allison said.
"I left UBC at 6am and got here at 1," Ellie said, "it was brutal."
"Ellie," Allison sighed.
"I should have left when my exam finished at 9 last night," Ellie agreed.
"But two weeks," Allison asked.
Catrina ran to join them.
"Cat how's Alabama," Ellie asked.
"Amazing," Catrina smiled, "but I've missed you."
"I miss you two," Allison agreed, "I don't like you two being hours away."
"Says miss I live in my parents basement," Catrina teased.
"Mrs," Allison corrected.
"Married life is still good," Catrina asked.
"It is," Allison assured, "so boy Cat?"
"Yes," Catrina giggled, "I needed your emergency kit."
"Catrina," Ellie gasped at her cousin's boldness.
"You know what her emergency kit is," Catrina asked.
"I gave it to both of you before you left," Allison replied.
"But who is he," Ellie asked, "come on tell us."
"Please I'm boring and married I get all the details from both of you," Allison giggled wrapping her arms around their shoulders and dragging them to sit on the top of the stairs to the basement.
"Here," Catrina asked, "not El's room?"
"We could," Ellie said.
"Ev," ALlison replied.
"She's 5 and half," Ellie said, "let her play. Heather, Matt, Henry and Colton are down there. Nisha was down there a while ago because her kids were down there. Ev is fine."
"I'm learning to let her go," Allison complained, "it's hard. And kindergarten is not going well."
"What happened," Catrina asked.
"We had to switch her teacher and go to the school board because the old teacher fucked up and wasn't following her IEP and the room wasn't safe," Allison said.
"Language," Teddy warned out of habit.
"Mom they did," Allison replied.
"They did," Teddy agreed, "but do you want Ev to go to school and say that word?"
"No," Allison admitted.
"Grandma we're going up stairs call us for food," Ellie said.
"Allie," Teddy asked.
"Ev can play down stairs," Allison replied
"She can," Teddy agreed.
"I'm learning to let her grow up," Allison said taking a deep breath, "I don't like it. I miss my baby."
"Come on," Catrian laughed grabbing Allison's arm and dragging her towards the stairs.
The three young women sat on Ellie's bed giggling and talking about boys.
"So they say it gets better with time," Catrina said.
"I don't know," Allison said, "I've only been with Asher ever."
"No one else," Catrina asked.
"No one," Allison said, "he's my only. But the longer were together it changes. We know each other and what the other likes and doesn't like. The things that turn each other on instantly. Sometimes were more creative and adventurous than others but it all feels good so."
"But," Ellie started, "how do you?"
"It's the emotional relationship," Allison said, "he is my best friend, my favourite grown up, he's my person. Find your person."
"How do you do that," Ellie asked, "my mom says my dad's her person."
"So do my parents," Allison said.
"Mine are working it out but mom used to say dad was her person," Catrina said, "when we were little."
"How do you find your person," Ellie asked again.
"I don't think you look," Allison said, "Ash was a friend but I wouldn't have looked at him and said that's my person! I don't think my parents were looking for soul mates in a war zone or Annie at medical school. I think it just happens."
"Thats no fun," Catrina pouted.
"Just go meet people," Allison suggested, "I don't know but you owe us juicy details on hot boy."
"Liam," Catrina giggled, "he's from Texas. Hot as F."
Allison and Ellie giggled.
"More," Ellie asked.
"How did you meet," Allison pressed.
"Chem lab," Catrina answered, "he was my lab partner."
"Pictures please," Ellie begged.
Catrina took her phone out of her pocket and showed the other girls Liam's instagam. They scrolled through until they found on of Liam shirtless at the beach.
"Those abs," Ellie squealed, "Cat! Tell me you."
"It's abs," Allison shrugged.
"Does Asher," Catrina asked.
"Ya," Allison replied, "the way he works and works out ya."
"How do they get abs like that," Ellie asked.
"Asher physically works all day and works out 5 or 6 times a week," Allison said, "we eat well."
"Where do you find guys that look like that both of you," Ellie asked.
"I wasn't looking," Allison answered, "I had a bit of a crush and he was hot but I wasn't looking."
"Ellie no one," Catrina asked.
"Dates," Ellie replied.
"Food," Annie yelled.
"Help please," Everly said standing at the bottom of the stairs.
"What do you need," Henry asked.
"Crutches please," Everly said holding her left cruch in the air.
"What are you doing," Henry asked.
"Crawling,' Everly said.
"I can carry you," Matt offered.
"No," Everly snapped, "I'm not a baby. I can do it myself."
"What if I hold your hand and you use the railing like at school," Heather offered.
"Okay," Everly agreed, "Matt."
"I guess you're up Matt," Henry shrugged, taking Everly's crutches.
Matt held Everly's right hand, her good side as she made her way haltingly up the stairs. At the top of the stairs Henry held the crutches out for Everly.
"Wrong sides," Everly said.
"Does it matter," Henry asked.
"Yes," Everly said.
"It's like her shoes," Allison said, "what do you want to eat Princess?"
"Can I pick," Everly asked.
"Come with me and pick," Allison agreed.
Everly followed Allison to the island and told her mom what she wanted to eat.
"Mama," Annie said, "look at them all."
"I know," Teddy smiled seeing the kids all snuggled on Annie and Josh's living room floor to watch the Polar Express.
Everly was half asleep between Heather and Leo on a pile of pillows. Her travel mug of cocoa forgotten on the floor.
"It's weird," Megan whispered to Owen.
"No mom," Owen agreed, "she loved tonight. Seeing all of us and all the kids."
"She did," Megan agreed, "I've had Christmases without mom but that's because I was in Iraq."
"I know," Owen agreed, "it's weird. She should be here and David looks so lonely."
"Opa are you okay," Allison asked.
"Missing your nana tonight," David said.
"I miss her too," Allison said, "can I?"
"Sit with me Allie," David encouraged.
"I miss her," Allison whispered, "she should be here. It's the first Christmas Ev hasn't fallen asleep in Nana's lap."
"I know," David said, "she's here in spirit. She wouldn't miss it, we just can't see her."
In Heaven Evelyn stood sadly at the window looking down on her family.
"Evelyn," Henry asked.
"I want to be with them," Evelyn said, "give them a sign I'm thinking about them."
"Your options are dreams, shooting stars, snow or the perfect story," June said, "I'm going for snow tonight. Teddy loves Christmas snow."
"Megan always wished on shooting stars," Evelyn said.
"I like haunting ORs," Henry said, "but it only works with two of them."
"Just hover," Robert said, "hover and they feel your presence. Everyone in that room loves you so much Ev."
"It's the first Christmas for the little ones," Evelyn said.
"Little," Robert laughed, "Leo is 24."
"Allie is 23," Evelyn said, "I'll miss their birthdays."
"It's hard," Robert said, "they'll be okay. They miss you but they're together and they're okay."
"We have a birthday party to go to," Henry said, "come on Evelyn you're a hoot at Birthday Parties."
"I can go for a birthday party," Evelyn said.
In Annie's living room, Everly fell asleep and Leo wrapped one arm around his youngest niece she snuggled closer to her uncle.
"Princess I'm just going to pick you up so I can hold you," Leo whispered.
"Ya," Everly mumbelled.
Leo scooped up the little girl and wrapped a blanket around her.
"I can," Asher said from where he was sitting a few feet away.
"She's okay," Leo said, "I don't see her enough. I miss her when I'm away."
"She misses you," Asher said.
Allison slid onto the floor beside Asher.
"Babe," Asher asked.
"I'm okay," Allison said.
"Allie," Asher whispered.
"I was missing Nana and so is Opa," Allison replied.
"She's in heaven and celebrating up there," Asher assured, "my mom used to say they had a big birthday party up there."
"I like thinking of nana at a birthday party," Allison said, "thanks that feels better."
"Our daughter is asleep," Asher whispered.
"She's with Leo," Allison said, "she's okay with him."
"She is," Asher said.
"They're cute," Allison agreed.
The movies over everyone said good night and Asher carried Everly to the car. When they got home they laid her in her bed.
"I miss my mom," Owen said as they got ready for bed.
"I do too," Teddy said, "I'm sure she misses us as well. She would want us to be happy. She loved Christmas."
"She did," Owen said.
"Lets go to bed," Teddy offered, "we can turn on our fireplace and just sit together."
"That sounds good," Owen said.
Allison and Asher laid down in their bed.
"What did your sister want," Allison asked.
"To talk but not now," Asher said, "we're not talking about her now. Right now I just want to focus on my gorgeous wife."
"I love you," Allison smiled.
"I love you to," Asher whispered before kissing her.