:: Emma's POV ::

"Mommy wake up! Wake up!" Noah's overly eager voice quickly pulled me out of a sound sleep.

"Noah what are you doin?" My voice was definitely laced with sleep and my eye lids were too heavy to fully function; I fought them just enough to see him hovering over me.

"I think Santa came!" He bounced with excitement and I had all I could to function.

"It's still night. Santa didn't come yet bud." JJ's gruff sleepy voice unexpectedly sounded from behind me. His chest sent a vibration down my back when he spoke as he continued to hold me against him, "Why don't you try sleeping a little more. We don't want him to forget us."

"Come on, let's go lie down." I began to get up when JJ stopped me, his lips finding my shoulder.

"I got him baby. I'll take him back." He threw the covers back and slid out of bed.

At this point I knew it was very possible I could be losing my teddy bear for the rest of the night. JJ seems to be able to fall asleep just about anywhere and a lot of times it involved putting Noah to sleep. It was the sweetest site to see but I always joked that it was actually Noah who was putting JJ to bed.

I attempted to wait for him to return but could no longer fight the sleepiness that was overtaking me and my eyes fluttered closed. I was certain he had fallen asleep in Noah's room and wouldn't be returning anytime soon and I was going to need all the rest I could get. Noah was sure to be up within the next couple hours eager to open his presents and the next time I knew we wouldn't be able to get him back in bed.

“Mommy! Mommy!” Noah’s voice woke me once again pulling me away from my peaceful slumber, “Santa really did come. He did!”

“He did?” I forced my eyes open to look at the clock that rested on JJ’s bedside table. 7:12. I was actually surprised that he slept that long and I pulled myself up to a sitting position.

“Yeah and there’s lots of presents down there.” Noah was bouncing up and down, the smile on his face completely priceless, “Can we open them?”

“Yeah babe. Of course. Just let me get up and brush my teeth.” I rubbed my eyes and pulled the covers back as I slipped out of bed, “Where’s J? Is he up?”

“No. He’s sleeping.” Noah shook his head, his tone of voice changing to one of disappointment; worried that JJ may miss out on Christmas morning.

“Why don’t you go wake him up?” I suggested and his eyes immediately lit up.

“Okay!” Before I knew it he had run out of the room and back down the hall to his room, or what would be his room once we officially moved all of our things in.

I laughed to myself before walking into the master bathroom to make myself look half way presentable. After throwing my hair up into a ponytail I reached into the brush holder for my toothbrush and proceeded to brush my teeth. A slow moving JJ caught my eye through the mirror as he walked into the bathroom, his athletic shorts hung low on his hips exposing the waistband of his boxer shorts and I couldn’t help but to take in the site, it was definitely something I could get used to seeing every morning. I dropped my toothbrush back into the holder and turned to greet him

“Merry Christmas.” I stood on my tiptoes and planted a kiss on his lips.

“Merry Christmas beautiful.” His lips landed on my forehead before we parted ways.

I left him to freshen up and took Noah downstairs, or I should say he took me downstairs. Pulling me straight to the Christmas tree that was exploding with presents. I was sure his eyes were going to pop out of his head.

"Good morning." Connie came from the kitchen, a smile on her face.

"Good morning." I returned her smile with one of my own, "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas sweetie." She pulled me into a loving embrace and I accepted.

"Did we wake you?" I was suddenly feeling guilty for possibly disrupting everyone.

"Not at all." She assured me, "We were up. We wanted to make sure we didn't miss anything. John's just getting the coffee going for us. The boys can sleep through anything."

"Mommy Santa ate all of his cookies!" Noah ran to me with the crumb and sprinkle filled plate.

"Oh my gosh. He did!" I chuckled, little did Noah know one very hungry fire fighting "Santa" and three very hungry football playing "Santas" were more than happy to clean up those cookies last night.

JJ's brothers were just as sweet as JJ and they wanted to help out and do everything they could to maximize Noah's Christmas morning. They were so good with him and it was beyond obvious that the love for kids ran in the family. Derek and TJ were definitely going to make two girls very happy one of these days.

"JJ is here. Now can I open my presents?” Noah's voice was hopeful as JJ entered the room greeting everyone.

"Yes, you can start opening presents." JJ answered as we all laughed, you couldn't ask for a more patient five year old, “I figured I already missed it.”

Everyone gathered around taking a seat any where they were comfortable; I joined JJ in the oversized armchair taking my seat on his lap. Derek and TJ shuffled into the room in the midst of the present opening and spread out in the unoccupied spaces. There was nothing in this world that could beat this moment. Holidays with family were priceless but nothing could top the genuine excitement of Noah. Last year I never would have believed I’d be spending the holiday with the love of my life, but one thing is for sure; I’m so glad that I am.

“You must’ve been a very good boy.” Connie chimed in as Noah sat in the aftermath of wrapping paper and bows, “Santa was very good to you.”

“Yeah.” Noah giggled as he took in the site of all of his new toys; I could only imagine his mind going into over drive, wondering which toy he was going to start with.

“Is everyone hungry?” I asked looking around the room, forcing myself to get up from my overly comfortable seat on JJ’s lap, “I was going to make breakfast before we start round two of present opening.”

“I’ll help you out in the kitchen; you boys help Noah tackle those toys.” Connie instructed, “And Justin, get a garbage bag and help clear up all that wrapping paper.”

I looked at JJ and couldn’t help but to giggle as he cringed at the use of his entire first name, mothers never failed to be mothers, even when you weren’t under their roof any longer. JJ being the respectable son he was obliged and stood up following me to kitchen in order to retrieve a garbage bag. That was one thing about him; he didn’t need much training when it came to being a man. I had Connie to thank for that.

Noah and I had started the tradition of having cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning and we wanted to carry on that tradition with JJ. I opened the pantry door and proceeded to pull out everything I was going to need. The special thing about Christmas morning cinnamon rolls was that I made them from scratch; they were beyond heavenly and sure as hell beat any pop open can you could buy in the grocery store. Besides, this was another perfect opportunity to win over JJ’s family. Especially Connie. As the mother of a little boy I know I would rest easier knowing my son was in good hands.

Connie had agreed to do the dishes as I baked, it was really sweet and I loved that we were having another opportunity to bond. I really felt like we were growing closer and it made me happier than I could even explain and I know that it made JJ happy.

I was in my zone when I felt JJ come up behind me, fastening something around my neck before his lips met my skin. It didn’t take me long to realize it was a necklace as I took the pendant in my hand. It was a diamond horseshoe necklace that I knew had to be from Tiffany’s, simply for its breath taking sparkle. I couldn’t see it as well I wanted to from my current position but my heart was racing, I had never been given something so beautiful. I turned in his arms, looking up into his blue eyes.

“The moment you came into my life I became the luckiest guy on the planet.” His warm hand rested on my cheek and I felt the butterflies beginning to take flight in my stomach.

As JJ spoke my heart pounded in my chest, his choice for picking the horseshoe suddenly becoming more obvious; his words holding so much sentimental value. I had never received a more beautiful more romantic gift in my life. JJ always put so much heart and thought into what he did, I guess that’s what happens when you’re passionate about something.

“I love you so much.” A breathy whisper escaped my lips as I stood on my tip toes, his lips capturing mine before I even had the chance.

He kissed me slow and steady, not caring who was around to see. If I had ever doubted the way he felt about me, this kiss was certainly pushing those doubts out of the way. He set off a fire in me like I had never felt before. There was no better feeling in this world than being with someone who wants you as much as you want them. Everything is always filled with so much passion and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.