"Mommy." Gracie said coming into the living room.

"Hi sweetness." Becky said.

"Is it Christmas yet?" Gracie asked.

"Soon." Becky said. "Remember to count the rings on your countdown chain."

Gracie smiled and walked to where her paper chain was hanging.

"One, two, three." She counted out loud.

"Sounds right." Becky said.

"Waiting is hard work." Gracie said making Becky giggle.

"Yes but you have good practice at it." Becky said as Gracie skipped over to the couch and sat down.

"I do." Gracie said.

"Are you feeling a bit bored?" Becky asked.

"Yeah." Gracie said. "I did all of today's school work, I read my book too Roux for her nap story."

"Hmm." Becky said. "What should we do to pass the time?"

"What smells so amazing in here?" Seth asked coming in.

Gracie sniffed the air and looked at Becky.

"Mommy?" Gracie said.

"Gracie." Becky said.

"It smells like gingerbread." Gracie said.

"Does it?" Becky teased.

"Gingerbread house?" Gracie asked.

"Well you did such a great job at it last year, I thought you'd like to do it again." Becky said.

"Yay." Gracie said. "Mommy is the best."

"Go put your apron on and we'll get started." Becky said.

Gracie rushed to the kitchen and Becky fallowed after giving Seth a kiss.

"Where is Roux?" He asked.

"She should be waking up from her nap at any moment." Becky said as as if on cue.

"Dada, dada." Roux called over the monitor.

"That's my cue." Seth smiled and headed for the nursery while Becky joined Gracie at the table to make their gingerbread house.

"Look mommy Roux likes frosting." Gracie said as Roux sucked on Gracie's fingers.

"Are you spoiling your sister?" Becky asked.

"Only a taste." Gracie said.

Becky smiled and they cleaned up.

"Daddy what do you think?" Gracie asked.

"This house looks even better their ours." Seth said.

"It taste better too." Gracie said making him chuckle.

"I am sure." Seth said.

"Dada." Roux said.

"Yep daddy." Gracie said. "She's getting so smart."

"She is." Becky said picking Roux up as she stood on wobbly legs.

"Mama." Roux smiled.

"Hi sweet face." Becky said kissing her cheek.

"Mommy does it confuse Roux when I call you mommy?" Gracie asked.

"No." Becky said.

"Remember when babies first start talking they do not speak like you and I." Seth said scooping Gracie into his lap. "They use little words they can sound out."

"Like mama, Dada and Gar-gar?" Gracie asked.

"Yes, most babies call their mommy's mama when they are little. Now for you mama means McKenna." Becky said. "As your mommy I am so proud to share the title with her. It's thanks to McKenna that we got you. When Roux is older and under stands better we will tell her all about your mama."

"Will Roux love my mama too?" Gracie asked.

"I am sure she will, because she gave us you." Seth said.

"And mama gave us Roux." Gracie said. "Our special Angel sent from Heaven."

"Yes." Becky said smiling. "Daddy and I love both our girls, being your parents has been life fulfilling."

Gracie smiled as Seth kissed the top of her head in agreement.

"Oh my." Becky said tears in her eyes as she watched her daughter dance in the nutcracker ballet.

Seth smiled and handed her a tissue while adjusting Roux who was dozing on his shoulder.

Gracie had been taking dance lessons all year, she learned quickly was having a blast. At five years old now she was placed a year ahead in first grade. When she tested to start school the school informed them Gracie was already advanced past the kindergarten grade and if they didn't want her to become bored they should place her in first. After talking it over they agreed. Right now with their traveling schedule she only attended school two days a week if she was in town, but most was done online. They knew education was important but Gracie enjoyed traveling and showing Roux the world as they did. They turned their adventures in some towns into learning games and made sure the time she spent on her school work was there each day. Even on school break she had work to do and happily did it. She also continued with dance, ice skating and horseback riding.

Becky stood with the rest of the family and clapped as the final bow from the dancers took place before the kids scurried into the audience to find their family.

"Mommy, mommy." Gracie called.

"Oh baby that was beautiful." Becky said scooping her up. "You were amazing."

"Thank you mommy." Gracie smiled hugging her.

"You did amazing baby." Seth said. "I am proud of you."

"Thanks daddy." Gracie said. "Did Roux see me?"

"She did right before she nodded off, they music was very relaxing to her." Seth said.

Gracie smiled and leaned over and kissed Roux's head.

"How about we go get you changed and head home." Becky said.

Gracie nodded and Becky took her back stage.

"Miss Gracie." Heather said knocking on the door.

"Miss Heather." Gracie said as Becky zipped up her boot.

"I wanted to tell you, you did such an amazing job out there." Heather said.

"Thank you." Gracie said.

"I also have your goody bag from the dance school staff." Heather said.

"Thank you." Gracie said taking the bag. "Mommy dropped off the presents for everyone at the school."

"Yes, thank you so much, the staff enjoyed the goody baskets." Heather said.

"You've all been amazing working with our busy schedules." Becky said. "It was my pleasure."

"Gracie is a joy to have in class." Heather said. "She learns quickly and is able to help others, she has a talent not just for dance but for people."

"She does." Becky said.

"Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year." Heather said. "We'll see you after the New Years."

"Your too Miss Heather." Gracie said fist bumping her since hugs still weren't aloud.

"For me?" Gracie said seeing the vase of flowers on the counter.

"Yes." Seth said. "I was going to bring them, but it felt weird to take them just to bring them back."

"True." Gracie said. "Thank you daddy they are amazing."

"Just like you." Seth said.

"Okay sweetness, your bubbles are waiting to destinkafy you." Becky said.

"Yay." Gracie cheered.

Becky chuckled and walked her into the bath.

"I can't wait until Roux can bath with me." Gracie said.

"Soon." Becky said. "She needs to be a little more stable sitting in her bottom."

"Yeah." Gracie asked.

"Mommy will Roux like the presents I got her?" Gracie asked.

"I am sure once they are open for her to play with she will, but she might like the boxes more to start." Becky said.

"Like on her birthday?" Gracie asked.

"Yes." Becky said helping her wash her hair. "She loves the blanket you made her."

"Yeah and each year we can add on so her blanket grows with her." Gracie said.

"She'll have it for forever and when she wraps it around herself it will be like she is hugging her sissy." Becky said.

"I love being her sissy." Gracie said.

"And you are an amazing big sister." Becky said turning the shower on to rinse her off. "All clean?"

"Yes and stink free." Gracie said,

Becky smiled and wrapped and towel around her and picked her up out of the tub.

"Shall we put your matching Christmas Pajamas on?" Becky asked.

"Yep, Santa is coming tonight." Gracie said.

Becky smiled and after drying off she got her into her grinch pajamas and put Roux in her matching ones too.

"Look we match daddy." Gracie said when they arrived in the living room.

"Awesome." Seth said.

"Mommy has to change." Gracie said.

"I do." Becky said handing Roux over.

"I got the grinch cued to go." Seth said.

"Yay." Gracie cheered as they settled on the couch.

When Becky returned they cuddled together watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas until both girls we asleep.

"We did good Mrs. Rollins." Seth said wrapping his arms around her as they stood looking at the stuffed floor around the tree.

"We did, not just in presents." Becky said.

"This year has been a year, but I am so glad I got to spend it with you." Seth said.

"Me too." Becky said.

"I got you something." Seth said. "For our anniversary."

Becky smiled as he handed her the wrapped box.

"So the second wedding anniversary is Cotten." Seth said.

Becky smiled and opened the box to reveal hand crafted quilt with pictures of them and their girls.

"On Seth this is beautiful." Becky said kissing him.

"Our lives have been a journey, we have much, much more to do." Seth said. "So I pick some of my favorite pictures."

"It's amazing." Becky said. "I love it and I love you."

"I love you." Seth said kissing her.

"Okay your turn." Becky said grabbing a red wrapped gift and handing it to him.

Seth smiled and opened the gift revealing some hats and shirts.

"Babe these are amazing." Seth said looking through them.

"I've been scouring the web and had some remade for you." Becky said.

"They are perfect." Seth said. "What's this he asked pulling out a red lacy top.

"That's another presents." Becky said. "I get to wear this and you get to take it off."

"I love it even more." Seth said pulling her up and kissing her deeply. "Thank you for his amazing life."

"Thank you." Becky said. "Bed I think."

"I think too." Seth said smiling as he lead her to their room.

"You look miles away." Seth said sitting down next to Becky.

"Just thinking." Becky said. "So much has happened over the last few years."

"Good and sad." Seth said.

"Yes." Becky said leaning her head on his shoulder. "I am so grateful to our family, that our daughters are happy, healthy and so loved."

"Me too." Seth said. "I am also grateful for my amazing wife."

Becky smiled as he leaned down and kissed her.

"Mommy and daddy sitting in a tree, K.I.S.S.I.N.G." Gracie said.

Both looked down at her where she sat playing with Roux and all her new Christmas toys.

"And who taught you this song?" Seth asked.

"Uncle Brandon." Gracie said.

Both laughed making the girls laugh.

"We'll need to get revenge." Becky teased.

"We will." Seth smirked. "Are you girls ready to go visit grandma and grandpa and see what Santa left you there?"

"Yes." Gracie said.

"Merry Christmas Grandma." Gracie said running over and hugging her.

"Merry Christmas my sweet pea." Holly said.

"Hi mom." Seth said hugging her while hold Roux.

"Hello." Holly said. "Hello beautiful."

Seth passed Roux over who Holly cuddled.

"Merry Christmas." Becky said to all who replied the same.

"Did Santa visit you Grandpa?" Gracie asked.

"He did." Bob said. "He even left some presents here for you and Roux."

"Really?" Gracie said.

"Yep." Bob said.

Soon they were digging into the presents and Gracie was having so much fun helping Roux.

"Look our dolly's match." Gracie said.

"That's cute." Becky said. "Uncle Brandon did a good job."

"Our they sister dolls like me and Roux?" Gracie asked.

"They are." Brandon said. "See they come with little birth certificates that your mom can fill out and you can name them."

"Wow." Gracie said. "Can we do it later?"

"We can." Becky said.

"Thank you Uncle Brandon." Gracie said.

"You're welcome kiddo." Brandon said.

After presents they tucked into a feast.

"My belly is so full." Gracie said rubbing her stomach.

"Mom everything was delicious." Seth said.

"Thank you." Holly said smiling.

"Daddy." Gracie said. "Can I cuddle on you?"

Seth smiled and picked Gracie up from her seat and settled her onto his lap.

"Cuddle away." Seth said rubbing her back. "I bet you're going to fall asleep soon."

"Yep." Gracie said yawning. "Sissy beat me to it."

"She enjoyed her Christmas dinner." Becky said rubbing Roux's back where she slept on her shoulder.

"I am glad we can call be together this year." Holly said.

"Us too." Seth said. "Times are changing, our world is in flux, but as long as we got each other we're good."

"We are." Becky said squeezing his hand.

"Two years married." Bob said. "How does it feel."

"It feels amazing." Seth said. "I am a very blessed man, a beautiful wife, two beautiful daughters, a healthy and happy family and a great career."

"They are both out." Seth said.

"It was a long day." Becky said.

"Yes." Seth said wrapping his arms around her. "Did Santa bring you all you wished for?"

"He did." Becky said. "Our daughters are safe and loved, things are feeling somewhat normal again and I am beyond happy. You're an amazing husband, I could not ask for more."

"Me neither." Seth said kissing the side of her neck. "I say we celebrate our wedding anniversary for the rest of our night."

"Yes." Becky said. "Bed Mr. Rollins."

Seth smiled and scooped her up and carried her to bed.

HAPPY HOLIDAY and HAPPY NEW YEARS