pureimaginefic

[pureimaginefic]

Christmas Eve 2009

“Well? What do you think?” Christina asked Howie as he came into the living room.

“So much better, thank you” he said kissing her cheek.

“No problem, always happy to help” Christina said picking up a stack of gifts.

“See? Now isn’t this much better?” Brian asked Nick.

“Sure, now that I started everything for you” Nick said.

“Oh sweetie…you tried” Christina said to him “Just…stick to singing” she said patting his shoulder.

“I hope our parents like the gift we have planned” Kyle said sitting on the coffee table next to Adam with a tray of cookies.

“Relax Kyle, it’s a picture, not gold bars wrapped in diamonds and hundred-dollar bills” Adam said to him.

“Who cares, I’m seeing dead people and fictional holiday characters…” Bradley said sullenly as he stuck a candy cane back in his mouth “And I’m really getting sick of these things” he said throwing the candy cane into the fire behind him.

“Bradley, for the last time, Nat’s dad was not here” Kyle said to him.

“Yes he was! He was right here in this room! I talked to him!” Bradley said.

“Maybe it was Ed’s assistant” Kyle said to him.

“Ed doesn’t have an assistant…and even if he did why did Ed show up like 5 minutes later to fix the lights himself?” Bradley asked.

“It’s Christmas time he probably got mixed up or something…how hard were you thrown back during the explosion anyways?” Kyle asked.

“Not like it makes a difference” Adam said biting into a Christmas cookie.

“Bradley, if you say you saw Nat’s dad, then I believe you saw him” Harry said patting his shoulder.

“Oh, well, thanks Harry” Bradley said.

“He’s losing it” Harry mouthed to Kyle and Adam once Bradley turned away, the both subtly nodded.

Bradley’s head snapped around to look back at Harry who smiled at him “Oh to hell with you guys!” Bradley said getting up from his seat.

“Why go to hell when I can just go to Adam’s room, it’s basically the same thing” Harry said taking Bradley’s seat.

Adam chuckled “Oh I get it…because I’m Satan” he said laughing lightly “Get some new material” he said irritated as he got up.

The front door opened and Sasha stepped in, she gasped “Oh my god, Chris, this place looks amazing” she said.

“Thank you” Christina said taking a small bow.

“Wait a second, what makes you think I didn’t do this?” Nick asked.

“Because it actually looks good” she said looking around.

“From their mothers” Brian muttered to himself as he and Vicki hung stockings on the fireplace.

Vicki looked at him suspiciously “Excuse me?” she asked.

"Hmm? What?" he asked smiling sweetly at her.

“Sorry I wasn’t able to help this year” Sasha said to Christina.

“Oh don’t worry about it I know you were swamped with work, besides Adam was nice enough to help me” Christina said to her.

Adam looked up fearfully, everyone turned to look at him in surprise. Looks of amusement crossed the faces of Bradley, Kyle, and Harry “Oh alright fine” he said “I like to decorate and wrap presents…don’t judge me!” he said storming out of the room.

“I really wish Neilson was able to hear that” Bradley said “I’m gonna text him” Bradley said pulling out his phone.

“So how’d the second store work out?” Christina asked.

“Perfectly…but to show I’m not a total scrooge as some would think…” she said looking towards Nick.

“When did I say anything?” Nick asked.

“I’m donating some of the profits to charity” Sasha said.

“Well that’s nice of you” Christina said.

“Well thank you” Sasha said to her.

“Didn’t you say you were bringing someone?” Christina asked her.

“Well I was planning on inviting Janitor Bob, as a thank you for filling in last minute but as I was leaving the mall I heard Ms. Beaumont on the phone telling the mall manager that he just up and quit his job and I can’t seem to get ahold him” Sasha said.

“Really” Bradley said.

“Maybe he had somewhere else to be” Christina said to her.

“Yeah…maybe he did” Bradley said to himself, holding a Santa Claus ornament in his hand before hanging it from the tree.

“Hey look who I brought” Neilson said coming inside.

“Merry Christmas!” Natalie said.

“Oh…and here I was hoping it was someone good” Adam said sitting down on the couch.

“Wow this place looks great” Natalie said as Neilson helped her with her coat “Adam, I didn’t know you had such great taste” she said.

“Yeah, I hear you’re a regular Martha Stewart” Neilson said as Adam sat up horrified and irritated and looked at Bradley who was quietly snickering to himself “You son of a bitch!” he said angrily.

“Hey!” Bradley said “Leave my dad out of this!” he said laughing.

Brian's face fell and he turned to look at Bradley angrily.

“Hey everyone!” Kellie said standing in the doorway.

“Hey, Merry Christmas!” Christina said to her.

“Merry Christmas” Kellie said to her “I hope it’s okay that I brought a special guest” she said as the door opened.

“Ho ho ho” Kevin said coming inside.

“Hey!” they said happily, greeting him.

“You said you weren’t coming home!” AJ said greeting him.

“Yep, the perfect cover” Kevin said.

“Dad!” Kyle said coming in from the kitchen.

“Hey, Merry Christmas” Kevin said hugging him.

“What are you doing here? You said you were staying in New York” Kyle said.

“Well what kind of surprise would it be if I told you I was coming home?” Kevin asked him.

“Well I’m actually glad you’re here because, we have an awesome surprise for you guys” Kyle said “Guys?” he asked.

“Really? We have to make a big deal out of this?” Adam asked.

“Just get up and give them the presents!” Kyle said, Adam rolled his eyes.

“I know, son, believe me…I know” Kevin said putting his arm around Kyle and patting his arm.

They handed everyone a package each.

“Alright, ready?” Kyle asked.

“Yes! Can we open them?” Sasha asked excitedly.

“Go head” Kyle said as they each tore the paper off.

“Oh my god!”

“This is so sweet!” Sasha and Christina cooed as they each held a picture of the boys together at the mall’s Santa’s Workshop.

“This is perfect!” Vicki said.

“Told you they’d like ‘em” Kyle said to Adam.

“Yep, you sure showed me” Adam said.

Brian took a seat on the coffee table “Merry Christmas” he said handing Vicki a present.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“Open it and see” he said as she tore the paper off and opened up a velvet oblong box.

She gasped “My bracelet, where’d you find it?” she asked happily.

“When we were helping your mom move over the summer, I found it in an old jewelry box, the chain was worn and broken so I sent it away and had it fixed” he said “This is so amazing, I loved this thing” she said.

“I also took the liberty of adding a few more charms to it” he said.

“I see, thank you so much” she said as they kissed.

“Ugh, alright, enough with that” Bradley said disgusted.

“Bradley for most of your life you have wanted us to get back together” Brian said “And now that we are, you have a problem with it?” he asked.

“Doesn’t mean I want to see you guys making out every ten seconds” Bradley said to him.

“Merry Christmas” Neilson said presenting Natalie her gift.

“Oh my god, thank you…you didn’t have to get me anything” she said.

He looked around in bewilderment “…no I wanted to” he said to her.

She tore the paper off and opened the velvet box “Oh my god” she said looking at it.

“Check the back” he said.

She flipped it over to see the engravement “Oh my…this is…how did you get this?” she asked shocked and confused.

“Let’s just say I had some help” he said.

"More like divine intervention" Bradley said behind him, Neilson turned and slapped his arm.

“Thank you so much” she said tearfully, hugging him tightly.

~*~

The wind blew hard outside a small secluded bar, the temperature was bone chilling, flurries flying past the window. The door opened, bells jingling above the door. Bob stood there in the doorway, dusting the snow off of himself.

“Cold out there huh?” someone asked him.

“And getting colder by the minute” Bob said “Well hey there Joey” he said approaching the bar.

“How’s it going Nick?” Joe asked as Bob took a seat next to him “Or are you still going by Bob?” he asked amused.

“Safe to say, I’m through with that gig” Bob said to him.

“Yeah, you like being a janitor?” Joe asked.

“Was a change of pace for sure” Bob said “You get that necklace back to your daughter?” he asked Joe.

“Yep, back where it belongs” he said.

“So…did you ever think in a million years that your daughter would be hanging out with the sons of the Backstreet Boys?” Bob asked chuckling heartily.

“Got to say that thought still blows my mind” Joe said laughing along with him. “I’ll tell you the truth, the thought of Natalie hanging out with a group of boys all day every day used to scare the hell out of me but…these kids…they seem like good guys” Joe said.

“I can honestly say, you got nothing to worry about with these guys” Bob said.

“Glad to hear it” Joe said to him.

“Alright, got to get back on the road” he said standing up from the bar.

“Hey Merry Christmas” Joe said as Bob went to the door.

“Yeah, you tell the big guy I said Happy Birthday” Bob said leaving.

“Merry Christmas sweetheart” he said appearing behind Natalie as she sat on the foyer steps, he gently placed his hands on her arms and kissed the top of her head.

Natalie looked up confused and felt the top of her head, she looked behind her and looked around.

“You okay?” Neilson asked sitting on the steps next to her.

“Yeah…I just…never mind” she said shaking her head.

“Merry Christmas” Neilson said smiling.

“Merry Christmas” she said as they kissed.

[pureimaginefic]

Once Adam and Neilson somehow managed to convince both the art and drama clubs to come back onboard, preparations for the play came off without a hitch, Adam’s behavior greatly improved and soon it was time for opening night. The guys sat among a packed auditorium,

Adam paced back and forth backstage “There he is, mister director” AJ said as he and Melissa approached him.

“We’re so proud of you sweetheart” Melissa said hugging Adam.

“Thanks mom” he said to her.

“Hey, break a leg alright? You did a great job pulling this all together” AJ said to him.

“Well I guess we’re about to find out aren’t we?” Adam asked

“Come on we better get to our seats” Melissa said to AJ.

“Good job buddy” he said hugging Adam quickly.

Adam took a deep breath and walked into the auditorium, taking a seat in the front row.

Mr. Escobar emerged from behind the stage curtains, walking center stage “Hello everyone and thank you for coming” he said to applause “The Hilridge High School drama department in addition to St. Ignatius’ Church are pleased to present the annual Christmas pageant” Mr. Escobar said “This year our pageant is being directed by the president of the drama club Mr. Adam McLean” he said gesturing towards Adam, he stood up and waved to the audience. “now without further ado, I present to you The Story of Christmas” Mr. Escobar said exiting the stage, the lights dimmed and Bradley and Kyle pulled the ropes to open the curtains.

Bradley, Neilson, and Kyle stood backstage watching the play, everyone watching intently as Harry and Natalie acted out their roles with precision “I’ll hand it to you Neilson, art club did a good job with the backdrops” Kyle said to him.

“Yeah only took about 800 tries before Adam finally approved them” Neilson said pulling on a rope.

“Don’t play with that” Kyle said.

“Why not?” Neilson asked.

“Because you don’t know what it does” Kyle said to him.

“And you do?” Neilson asked.

“Don’t play with it” Kyle said to him, Neilson looked at him and gently yanked the rope “Stop it, Neilson, stop it” Kyle said as Neilson kept at it.

“Oh would you relax it doesn’t do anything” Neilson said pulling it forcefully, suddenly Bradley got hoisted up into the air. Neilson and Kyle looked up as Bradley went further up “Look what you did!” they yelled at each other.

Harry stepped forward, his arms stretched outward “Behold!” he said when suddenly Bradley crashed down on top of him. collective gasps and screams came from the audience.

“Was that Bradley?” Brian asked as they stood up from their seats.

Bradley groaned as he stood up, he looked at the crowd nervously and laughed “Hey” he said waving, Adam covered his face with his hand in frustration. “Everyone enjoying the show?” he asked “Great” he said, he looked down and pulled Harry up “Joseph I believe you have a phone call” he said ushering Harry backstage “Nat you’re doing great!” he whispered to Natalie, she looked over at the crowd nervously before dodging backstage herself.

Mr. Escobar quickly ran onstage “I see we’re experiencing some technical difficulties so until we get them straightened out let’s enjoy some Christmas music from our orchestra” he said quickly.

Adam got up and went backstage, seeing red.

“This isn’t going to be good” Nick said.

“Oh no” Brian agreed.

The curtain then opened revealing the boys “What the hell are you guys doing?!” Bradley asked irritated.

“It wasn’t me! Neilson’s the one screwing with the ropes!” Kyle said.

“What the hell Bradley you could’ve killed me!” Harry yelled at him.

“It’s not my fault! Kyle and Neilson are the ones who sent me into space!” Bradley said to Harry.

“What are you idiots doing?!” Adam seethed.

“He did it!” Kyle and Neilson said pointing at each other, Adam growled, screaming loudly and lunged at them.

They ended up in a scuffle, the backdrops fell forward and landed with a thud on the stage, the entire audience watching.

Mr. Wexler approached the guys’ row “Will you please get your spawn under control?!” he asked angrily.

They each sighed, getting up from their seats and approached the stage.

[pureimaginefic]

Christmas was fast approaching; December had finally made its way into the foreground and it was all about the most wonderful time of the year. In the weeks since Adam was born, everyone was busying themselves preparing for the happiest of holidays. Christina cradled Harry in her arms, his wide eyes staring up at the glistening tree.

“Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!” Drake said descending the staircase dressed as Santa Claus.

Christina gasped “my goodness Harry look who it is!” she said “It’s Santa!”

“I heard it's someone’s first Christmas” Drake said as he sat in an armchair near the tree she handed Harry to him as Harry began to cry.

“Aww” everyone said as Christina picked him up “It’s okay sweetie” she said “Sorry daddy” Christina said to him.

“Presents for everyone!” he said reaching into a big red bag.

~*~

“Smile” Kellie's mom said snapping a picture Kellie, Kyle and Kevin all stood in front of their Christmas tree.

“Okay everyone!” Kellie’s dad announced “Now as we do every year we will all pick just one present to open, pick a good one” he said.

“Kate” Jack said approaching her with a very large gift box.

“Oh” she said surprised “Wow” she said laughing.

“Merry Christmas” he said, she took the box and set it down, pulling the lid off and finding a smaller box inside.

“Are you kidding me?” she asked, Jack smiled to himself, she opened that box to find yet another smaller box inside. “Jack” she said laughing inside the last box was a small velvet one. She picked it up and flipped it open to see a pristine diamond ring inside “Oh my god” she said.

“We first met at Christmas remember? Senior year?” he asked “The first moment I saw you I knew that you were the only one I wanted to spend all my Christmases with” he said taking the ring from her. She covered her mouth in surprise “So…Kathryn Grace Mitchell…will you marry me?”

She shook her head emphatically “Yes” she said tearfully “Yes!” she said once more as she threw her arms around him.

Everyone applauded them “To the happy couple!” Ken said raising his drink “Jack welcome to the family” he said “You too” he said to Kevin, Kellie looked at him surprised. “As the father of my grandson, you’re as just a much a part of this family as Jack is” Ken said.

“Wow…uh thank you sir” Kevin said shaking his hand.

“Okay I think you’ve had enough dear” Lynda said taking his drink away.

“I’m not drunk” Ken said “I mean every word…Merry Christmas everyone” he said.

“Hey, sorry I’m late” Kellie’s sister Kristy said entering the house, a young boy following behind her “Everyone, this is Tommy” she said smiling “We have geometry together.”

“Merry Christmas” Tommy said to them.

“Oh god not another one” Ken groaned, he then took his drink back from Lynda and took a big gulp.

~*~

Christmas music played softly inside Vicki’s house as people mingled, she and Emily sat on the couch together. Brian brought a plate of cookies over, setting them on the coffee table and sitting next to Vicki.

“Vicki, sweetheart, I want you to open this it’s from me” Jackie said handing her a present.

“Oh thank you so much, you didn’t have to do that” Vicki said.

“Oh don’t be silly of course I did” Jackie said.

Vicki tore the ribbon off the box and pulled off the lid “It’s a baby book” she said.

“That is so adorable” Emily said.

“This is so great, thank you” Vicki said hugging her.

“You’re welcome sweetie” Jackie said.

“This is perfect” she said flipping through the blank pages just waiting to be filled.

“Honey, this is from me” Lizzie said handing her a small box.

“Oh mom” Vicki said pulling off the wrapping and opening the box. “It’s a baby’s first Christmas ornament” Vicki said pulling it from the bubble wrap “Mom, this is so cute” she said looking at it.

“Is that marker?” Brian asked noticing the year had been changed.

“Okay so I altered it a bit” Lizzie said “I hope you like it” she said.

“Thanks mom” Vicki said, she and Brian looked at each other and kissed softly.

~*~

A light snow fell outside, Nick and Sasha laughed as they entered the diner.

“Well what are you two doing here? It’s Christmas Eve” Marla said.

“Sash was craving your hot chocolate” Nick said as they pulled their coats off and took a seat in a booth.

“Oh honey I know that feeling, coming right up” Marla said to them as she went back into the kitchen.

“Sure your mom doesn’t mind you taking off?” Nick asked her rubbing his hands together for warmth.

“I think my mom understands pregnancy cravings” she said.

“It was really cool of her to get me a gift” Nick said “And your dad and your brothers didn’t want to kill me for once” he said happily.

“I can be pretty persuasive” Sasha said “Plus I am very hormonal and my mom told them that if any of them made me cry there’d be hell to pay” Sasha said happily.

“Here we go, two hot chocolates” Marla said carrying a tray over to the table.

“Thank you” Nick said sliding a mug over to Sasha “What are you still doing here? Don’t you close early on Christmas eve?” he asked her.

“That was the plan but unfortunately our plans were postponed due to weather” Marla said to her.

“Aw I’m sorry” Sasha said.

“Oh don’t worry about it, can I get you anything else? Cookies? Cake? Pie? French fries covered in hot fudge?” Marla asked.

Nick looked at her disgusted “Eww” he said.

“Don’t knock it until you try it” Sasha said to him.

“Enjoy” Marla said to them.

“Thanks Marla” Sasha said to her.

“Wow, look at that” Nick said about the snow coming down outside.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Sasha asked.

“We need some Christmas music” Nick said sliding out of the booth and going to the jukebox, he slipped a quarter inside and pressed a button.

“Have yourself a merry little Christmas…” Frank Sinatra began to croon.

Marla shut the lights off, the sky outside became a light pink, a small Christmas tree in the corner filled the diner with a illustrious glow.

~*~

Melissa held Adam up to the tree to let him look at it “Merry Christmas Adam” Melissa said kissing his cheek.

“Okay everyone dinner is served” Michelle announced, everyone filed inside the dining room, Jessica sat next to Jeremy, Zoey nestled safely in her arms.

AJ sat next to Melissa, Adam cradled snugly in his arms.

They joined hands and her dad started to speak “Dear Lord, we come to you today to thank you for this food and to thank you for letting us celebrate this holiday season with the newest additions to the family.” “My grandson Adam and My granddaughter Zoe” “Amen” they all said ending their prayer “Let’s eat” her dad said before they all dug into a glorious Christmas ham.

~*~

Vicki sat in a chair, a pen in her hand as she scribbled something onto one of the pages of the baby book.

“Whatcha doin' ?” Brian asked crouching down to her.

“Just finished one of your Christmas presents” she said standing up, placing her hand on her back.

“Oh yeah, what’s that?” he asked, she folded the back cover of the book and the pages backward, showing him the page she was writing on. “Full name: Bradley Jason Nickolas Littrell” he read, smiling “I love it” he said.

“Merry Christmas” she said.

“Merry Christmas” he said coming closer to her.

“Oh look at that” she said looking upward, he looked up to see a mistletoe hanging above them.

~*~

“Kellie, sweetheart, I found the book” Lynda said as she cradled Kyle in her arms, they sat snugly together on her couch, her mom handing Kevin a book.

“Oh great this is a classic” he said.

“Want to hear a story?” Kellie asked Kyle.

"Okay bedtime” Christina said taking Harry upstairs.

“Okay...Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house...” Christina started reading.

“...Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse, the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...” Kevin read.

“...In hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there, the children were nestled all in their beds...” Christina read.

“...While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads...” Kevin read.

“...And mama in kerchief and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter's nap...” Christina read.

“...When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter” Kevin read.

“...Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash...” Christina read.

Kyle and Harry were both by this time fast asleep, yet he and Christina finished the story.

“...But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight...” Christina read.

“...Merry Christmas to all and to all goodnight” they both said before putting the sleeping infants in their cribs.

[pureimaginefic]

Snow fell softly outside as Lizzie hung brightly colored balls on the dark prickly leaves of the Christmas tree. Vicki looped hooks through the ornaments and handed them to Lizzie to hang on the tree.

"Okay, how are we looking so far?" Lizzie asked.

"Great mom" Vicki said to her.

"Feels so weird decorating a tree without your grandmother yelling at me" Lizzie said to her.

"And grandpa passing out from drinking a pitcher of eggnog" Vicki said.

"Oh that reminds me I better pick some up before they get here tomorrow" Lizzie said.

"Great" Vicki grumbled as she continued hooking the ornaments.

~*~

Brian looked in the window case of the jewelry store.

"That one" he said pointing to a heart shaped charm with a V engraved on it.

"We can wrap it for you if you want" the sales lady said to him.

"Uh...sure why not" he said.

"Okay" she said ripping the Christmas paper from the roll and wrapping up the box.

~*~

The doorbell at Vicki's house rang.

"Daddy!" Vicki said happily, seeing James on the doorstep.

"Hello princess" he said hugging her tightly.

"Come on in" Lizzie said.

"Thanks" he said "Really coming down out there, I'm glad we were able to land" he said taking his scarf and coat off.

"So? What do you think?" Lizzie asked.

"Very nice, I'm surprised actually, I'd thought it be a little smaller."

"Well, I grew up in a big house, feels more homey" Lizzie said to him.

"Where's Cindy?" Vicki asked.

"Oh she flew out to New York early, she had an emergency with her parents."

"I hope everything's okay" Lizzie said.

"I'm sure everything's fine, besides now I have a few more days to spend time with my favorite girl" he said wrapping his arms around Vicki "Your parents here?" he asked.

"Tomorrow, if the weather holds out" Lizzie said.

"So..." James said "Where is he? I brought my shotgun" he said to Vicki.

"Daddy" she said to him "I'm actually going to meet him now, I'll bring him by later."

"Great."

"Bye daddy, bye mom, be back later" she said grabbing her coat. The door closed as she left.

"I brought my shotgun?" Lizzie asked him.

"You brought it up" James said to her "So...what about you? Any romantic prospects?" he asked, she laughed.

"Sure you want to know?" Lizzie asked.

"I'm married remember?" he asked.

"A few but if anything does get serious enough then I'll tell Vicki, don't want her getting her hopes up" she said as they put the ornaments on the tree.

~*~

Brian held the gift in his hands as heard footsteps on the stairs.

"Hey" she said coming down to the basement.

"Oh hey" he said smiling "You're all snowy" he said brushing the snow from her coat.

"I know it is really coming down out there" she said taking her coat off.

"Hi" he said to her.

"Hi" she said as they kissed.

"Cookies!" Jackie chimed as she came down the steps with a tray and two cups of hot chocolate "You must be freezing!" she said rubbing Vicki's cheeks.

"Thanks mom" he said to her.

"Thanks so much, Mrs. Littrell" Vicki said as she handed her a mug.

"Okay I'll leave you two alone" Jackie said as she went back upstairs.

"Sorry about her" he said setting his mug on the table.

"Oh I like your mom, she's sweet" Vicki said taking a drink of cocoa.

"Well here, Merry Christmas" he said handing her the gift.

"Aww thank you" she said giving him a kiss, Vicki tore the paper off of the small box and took the lid off "Wow" she said looking at the charm lying in the box.

"You like it?" he asked.

"I love it, thank you" she said giving him a kiss.

"You're welcome."

"This is so sweet" she said looking at it.

"That for me?" he asked nodding towards the gift lying on her coat.

"Oh wow, don't open that" she said picking it up.

"What? Why not?"

"Oh come on, after this? It makes my gift look so lame" she said to him.

"Trust me, you gave it to me I'll love it" he said reaching for it, she put it behind her back "Give it to me" he said laughing.

"No" she said as they laughed.

"Come on."

"No its too embarrassing!" she said to him as she continued to hold it away before pulling him into a kiss, trying to distract him. He was able to get the gift from her.

"Ha!" he said taking the box back from her and opening it. "Oh hey" he said picking up the frame from inside the box "Wow, this is really great, thanks."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I needed one of these actually" he said looking at the picture of the two of them.

"You are way too nice" she said to him.

"No really, this is going right on my nightstand, thanks" he said giving her a kiss."

"You're welcome" she said hugging him tightly "Now I'm afraid I have some bad news."

"Bad news on Christmas?" he asked.

"Yeah, uh...my dad just came to town today."

"Oh" he said.

"Yeah and when we were home for Thanksgiving, I told him about you and...he wants to meet you" she said nervously. "Now if you don't want to I completely understand this is totally out of right field and..."

"Vicki" he said "I'd love to meet your dad" he said to her.

"Really?"

"Sure, uh? When do you think? Day after Christmas?" he asked.

"Actually...how about now?" she asked.

"Now?" he asked her.

"I'm so sorry, if the day after Christmas is good for you then its good for me" she said to him.

"Uh no, now's good, lets go" he said standing up.

"You don't have to do this" she said to him.

"No its okay" he said.

"I'm serious you don't..." he sat back down and kissed her.

"I want to" he said holding her hand "Come on" he said as they went upstairs.

"Oh leaving so soon?" Jackie asked.

"Uh we're just going to Vicki's house, I'm going to meet her dad" he said putting his coat on.

"Oh your dad is in town?" she asked.

"Yeah uh he's going to New York to meet my step mom in a few days, so he stopped on his way."

"Oh well that's nice, Vicki sweetie if I don't see you before then, I want you and your mom to have a great Christmas" Jackie said to her.

"Thank you, you too" Vicki said as she hugged her.

"I'll be back later" he said.

"Bye" Vicki said as they left.

~*~

"Well?" Lizzie asked James as he took a bite out of a gingerbread man.

"Delicious, who made 'em?"

"Our daughter."

"Really" he said intrigued as they saw him and Vicki step on to the front porch "That him?" James asked.

"That's him, now be on your best behavior" Lizzie said to him.

"Hi" Vicki said as they came into the house.

"Hi."

"Hey Mrs. McAdams" Brian said to her.

"Well...daddy this is Brian, Brian this is my dad, James McAdams."

"Nice to meet you sir" he said shaking James' hand.

"Well nice to meet you too son, good handshake you got there."

"Thanks" he said.

"Well who wants a drink?" Lizzie asked.

"Oh mom, look" Vicki said showing her the charm.

"Oh that is beautiful, that was so sweet of you."

"I know how much she loves that bracelet" he said to her.

"Have a seat" James said as he sat in a chair, Brian sat on the couch across from him.

"So uh...Vicki says you're a lawyer, that's got to be interesting" he said.

"Mmhmm" James said "So...tell me, how did you meet my daughter?" James asked.

"Oh uh, well we met when they were moving in, she uh was trying to carry a box into...here...and she tripped and fell". "I was playing basketball in my driveway and I ran to see if she needed help, she hurt her ankle pretty badly so I helped her in" he said to James.

"Wow...so you play basketball" James asked.

"Uh yeah" he said.

"He can sing too" Vicki said sitting on the couch next to him.

"Really."

"No..." he said "Well kind of yeah..."

"He's amazing" Vicki said, James looked at her "At singing" she said to him. He noticed Vicki take his hand and their fingers lace together.

"So...what exactly are your intentions with my only daughter?" he asked.

"Oh my god" Vicki sighed as she sat back on the couch and put her hand to her forehead.

"No its okay...look Mr. McAdams...sir, I like Vicki a lot, I really care about her and she means a lot to me" Brian said smiling at Vicki, they laced their fingers once again.

"Alright that's enough interrogation, you're not a prosecutor" Lizzie said to him.

"I'm just trying to get to know my daughter's...friend" he said smiling.

"Daddy, come on" Vicki said to him.

"Alright, well I got to get to my hotel, call Cindy see how everything in New York is coming, I'll see you all tomorrow" he said "Well it was nice meeting you, son".

"Nice meeting you too" Brian said shaking his hand again.

"Bye cupcake" he said hugging Vicki "Lizzie" he said.

Once the door closed Brian breathed a sigh of relief.

"Man" he said "You weren't kidding about the lawyer thing" he said to Vicki.

"Sorry, you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah I'll be alright" he said leaning in close to her, she turned to look at Lizzie.

"Oh, right, sorry, well I will be upstairs, I have some more wrapping to do.

"Thanks mom" Vicki said as Lizzie went up the steps, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close as they kissed, softly and sweetly as the fire roared next to them.

"So? My dad didn't totally scare you?" she asked as he put his coat on.

"I think all dads are scary, especially if their daughters are as beautiful as you" he said.

"How do you always know just what to say?" she asked, he leaned in and kissed her.

"Wow, look at that" he said opening the door, snow fell lightly on the ground.

"A white Christmas" Vicki said looking outside.

"Merry Christmas" he said to her.

"Merry Christmas" she said before they kissed goodnight he then ventured off into the winter wonderland.

~*~

Vicki brushed her hair as she sat at her vanity, the charm sitting in its box next to her. She picked it up and smiled, she then got off the bench and got into her bed and stared at it. Lizzie stood in her doorway and smiled.

"What?" Vicki asked.

"Its just nice that's all" she said.

"I know, I can't believe he bought me this" she said "Guys never notice such small things like that."

"I meant, its nice seeing you so happy."

"I am happy" Vicki said to her. tears sprang up in Lizzie's eyes "Mom!" Vicki said laughing "If anyone should be crying it should be me" she said taking the box back.

"I'm just so happy for you, this is your first boyfriend" Lizzie said to her.

"Technically he's not my boyfriend" Vicki said putting the box on her desk.

"Yet" Lizzie said to her.

"You keep saying that" Vicki said to her.

"Honey, I remember what its like to be a teenager, first loves are powerful."

"I'll say" Vicki said.

"Well we should get some sleep, want to be nice and refreshed when we pick your grandparents up from the airport" she said rolling her eyes.

"Night mom."

"Night sweetheart" Lizzie said shutting her door.

~*~

"Here we are" Lizzie said opening the door to the house and letting her parents in.

"Oh goodness" Mary said taking her gloves off "Lizzie this is beautiful" she said looking around.

"Thanks mom" her dad dragged the luggage in and set it down.

"What do you think Dan?" Mary asked him.

"Oh I like it, very nice" he said.

"Grandma, grandpa" Vicki said rushing down the steps.

"Oh hello dear" Mary said hugging her tightly.

"Hello sweet pea" Dan said lifting her off of her feet.

"How was your trip?" she asked.

"Oh smooth as can be, considering the weather" Mary said as Lizzie helped her with her coat.

"Where am I taking these?" Dan asked.

"Oh dad, don't worry about those, I can get them" Lizzie said.

"Nonsense, I'm perfectly fine."

"Don't hurt yourself dear" Mary said to him.

"Guest room daddy, third door on the left, right next to Vicki's" Lizzie said to him as he went up the stairs.

"Oh grandma I want to show you my room."

"Well of course dear, but first thing's first, when uh...do I get to meet your special friend?" she asked.

"Soon grandma, he needs a few day to recover from meeting daddy yesterday" Vicki said to her.

"Oh, Jimmy's in town? What happened to the young chippie?" Mary asked.

"Mother" Lizzie said to her.

"Grandma" Vicki said laughing.

"Cindy had an emergency and had to go to New York early, so James is staying on a few days while she deals with it" Lizzie said to her "Did you show grandma what your friend got your for Christmas?" Lizzie asked as she passed by.

"Mom" Vicki said to her "Its nothing he just got me a charm for my bracelet" she said.

"Well isn't that sweet, let me see" Mary said as Vicki held up her wrist and showed it to her "Very pretty" Mary said looking at it.

"Okay we're all set, where's the eggnog?" Dan asked.

[pureimaginefic]

The snow outside went from a light flurry to fluffy clumps of white, coating the town and the hospital's parking lot. It came down heavier as the morning arrived, the sky turned a bright orange pink color. Melissa began to feel restless, waking from her deep slumber, she took deep breaths from the strong pain radiating through her body.

“Mom” she said “Mom” she said once more, Michelle then woke up, opening her eyes and jumping from her seat.

“Honey? Honey what is it?” she asked going to her side.

“This is it” Melissa said breathing, Michelle then ran from the room waking up AJ.

“Miss? Hey, you okay? What’s going on?” he asked rushing to her side.

"This is it, it's time" she said to him.

“Jeremy” Jessie said, Jeremy snored away in a chair next to her “Jeremy!” she said louder.

"You okay?" he asked sitting up in the chair.

"I think it's time, get the nurse” she said.

"I'll get her" Jack said rushing from the room.

"Excuse me, I think my daughter's about to deliver" Michelle said a nurse in the hallway.

"Nurse!" Jack said to the same nurse "My daughter's about to deliver".

“Good morning” a doctor said coming into Melissa's room “I hear we’re about to deliver” he said sitting at the foot of the bed and throwing the blankets up over Melissa’s knees.

“Good morning Jessica, how are we feeling?” her doctor asked.

“Well doc I think it’s time” Jessie said to her.

"Let's see what we're dealing with here" she said examining her “You would be right…let’s have a baby” the doctor said.

“Alright everyone, let’s have a baby” Melissa’s doctor said as well "Melissa on the count of three I want you to start pushing."

“Jessica I want you to push on three okay?” the doctors said to them.

"1..."

"2..."

"3!" both doctors coached.

Melissa lifted her legs from the bed as she pushed, gritting her teeth.

"Okay again, 1...2...3" the doctors said to them, Jessie glommed onto Jeremy's hand, squeezing it tightly.

"He's crowning."

"She's crowning" the doctors said to them.

"Come on, again" the doctor said to Melissa as she pushed harder, nearly crushing his hand.

Jessie screeched as she pushed, falling backwards.

"Come on Jessie just one more."

"One more Melissa, you're almost there" both doctors coached.

They both gave one final push, screaming in agony and falling back in relief.

"Here she is" a nurse said holding up Jessie and Jeremy's daughter, she wailed loudly in response.

“Oh my god, Jess, Jess look at her” Jeremy said, still clutching her hand tightly.

“She’s absolutely perfect” Jessie cried.

"Here he is" another nurse said holding the baby up for Melissa.

"Oh my god" she said happily.

“This is probably the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life” AJ said in awe “I love you so much!” he said kissing Melissa’s head.

“He’s so perfect” Melissa said crying happily, he wailed, kicking his legs as they passed him to another nurse.

"Want to cut the cord?" he stepped forward taking the surgical scissors and cutting the umbilical cord.

Jeremy also clipped the cord, the nurses cleaned her up and bundled her in a pink blanket.

"Here's your daughter" the nurse said handing her to Jeremy.

“Want to hold your son?” a nurse asked Melissa.

“Oh god yes, please” she said holding her arms out, the nurse smiled and placed him safely in her arms. She smiled down at him, tears forming in her eyes “Hi…hi little Adam” she said tearfully “I’m your mommy” she said as she began to cry happily. “And you have no idea how much I love you” she said kissing his little head.

“Hey…hey little guy” AJ said looking at him in awe “I’m your daddy” he said in a whimper.

They looked at each other, Melissa tearfully smiling at him, he then kissed her lips softly.

“I love you” she said to him.

“I love you so much” he said to her.- Pomp & Circumstance ch. 28 "Adam John McLean"

[pureimaginefic]

The day went on, she lied in her bed with a magazine when Michelle poked her head in "Honey, I'm going to the store, I'll be back soon okay?" she said.

"Okay" Melissa said to her.

Michelle went downstairs and the front door opened "Hey mom" Jessie said entering the house.

"Oh hi, this is a nice surprise" Michelle said happily as they hugged.

"I just wanted to see how Missy was" Jessie said.

"She got sick again this morning but she seems fine now" Michelle said.

"Think I can go look in on her?" Jessie asked.

"Honey you're pregnant I wouldn't want you to catch anything" Michelle said concerned.

"No, mom I'll be fine" Jessie said.

"You sure?" Michelle asked.

"Yeah, it's fine I promise" Jessie said going towards the stairs.

"Okay, you mind staying here with her until I get back?" Michelle asked grabbing her purse.

"Sure" Jessie said going up the stairs.

"Thanks, I'll see you later" Michelle said putting her coat on.

Jessie went upstairs to Melissa's room, knocking on the door "Hey" she said.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Melissa asked.

"Just wanted to come check on you, how you feeling?" Jessie asked sitting at the foot of Melissa's bed.

Melissa shrugged "I'm alright I guess" she said sitting up.

"Mom said you got sick again this morning" Jessie said to her.

"Yeah, I guess, so?" Melissa said to her.

"You and Alex...you're being careful right? When you're together?" Melissa looked at her curiously "When was the last time you had sex?" Jessie asked.

"Oh my god I am not answering that question" Melissa said.

"Missy, right before I found out I was pregnant I was acting just like you, I was tired all the time, I started throwing up for no reason...tell me, the last time you guys...did it, did you use protection?"

"I don't know! It was a while ago I don't remember!" she said incredulously.

"You need to see a doctor" Jessie said to Melissa insistently

"No way, I'm fine" Melissa said to her.

"You're not fine, at least take a home test" Jessie said.

"What are you going to make me?" Melissa asked.

"If I have to" Jessie said.

"Fine, if it'll get you off my back" Melissa said irritated.

"Good, I'm going to run out right now..." Jessie said going for the door.

"Now?!" Melissa asked.

"No time like the present" Jessie said to her.

"Mom could be back any minute, I don't want her catching me taking a pregnancy test!" Melissa said in a harsh whisper.

"Mom is at the grocery store, you know how long it takes her to go shopping, I'll be right back" Jessie said leaving the room, she soon came back with a paper bag "Here" Jessie said handing her a box.

"Let’s just get this over with" Melissa said opening it begrudgingly. She sat on her bed "How long does it take?" she asked irritated.

"Just a couple more minutes" Jessie said to her.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this, I'm not pregnant" Melissa said crossing her arms.

"Doesn't hurt to make sure" Jessie said to her "while we wait for the results maybe we should talk about your options" Jessie said.

"Options?" Melissa asked.

"yes, there's adoption, there's abortion..." Jessie said rattling off a list.

"Abortion? You would want me to have an abortion?" Melissa asked.

"That's your choice, you need to decide what's right for you" Jessie said, she then looked at her watch "Now's your chance to find out" she said nodding towards the bathroom, Melissa looked at her nervously and stood up from her bed.

"Okay so, it's two lines what does that mean?" Melissa asked.

Jessie sighed "It means you're pregnant" she said.

"What? No, it can't be" Melissa said looking at the test.

"It is, it says so right here" Jessie said pointing to the box.

"Oh my god" Melissa said plopping down on the bed “I am so dead, mom and dad are going to crucify me” Melissa said.

“Miss, I will help you with mom and dad alright, don't worry, you'll be okay” Jessie said pushing her hair back.

“Will you kill me?” Melissa asked her sister.

“Oh Missy, look, I'm your sister and I love you and no matter what happens, I'll take care of you” she said cupping her face in her hands.

“Thanks” Melissa said tearfully.

“Oh honey” Jess said hugging her.- Pomp & Circumstance ch. 12

[pureimaginefic]

Kids stood in a line outside of Highland High School, the doors blocked off by a velvet rope and a student with a clipboard stood at the entrance letting people in. AJ pulled Melissa along behind him as they surpassed the line and went up to the door. He handed the girl the tickets she checked her list and stamped their hands "Enjoy" she said as she unhooked the rope.

"Wow" AJ said as they looked around "I'm going to find us a table" he said into her ear over the loud music.

"Forget the table I want to dance!" she yelled back at him before pulling him on to the dance floor with her.

They stumbled down the dark hallway and opened the door, AJ flipped the lights on and saw it was a locker room.

"So..." he said to her.

"So..." she said back to him as she walked into the locker room.

"What do you want to do?" he asked she then shoved him up against the lockers, she began to pull his coat off.

His hands roamed up and down her back, squeezing her butt when they slid to the floor.

"This is perfect," Melissa said as she tried to catch her breath.

"You're perfect" AJ said before kissing her again Melissa giggled as he kissed her neck "What?" he asked.

"Nothing, sorry" she said, he started to kiss her neck again when she started laughing.

"What?" he asked as he began to laugh as well.

"I'm sorry, it tickles" she said, still in a fit of giggles.

"Oh yeah?" he asked.

"Yes" she said, he began to kiss her neck more and she started laughing "Okay okay, stop" she said laughing.

"There's that smile" he said smiling at her, pushing her hair away from her face.

He reached up to cup her breast while still kissing, he choked on a breath caught in his throat as he felt her fingers wrapped around him.

"So, what do you want to do?" she asked biting his ear lobe, running her finger nails against his length.

His breathing became heavier as she massaged him, becoming harder by the minute, he closed his eyes as he gulped for air, still squeezing her breast in his hand. He reached behind her and swiftly pulled the zipper of her dress down.

"How'd you do that? It took Sash and Vicki almost ten minutes to get this thing on" she said to him.

He laughed "Skills my dear" he said capturing her mouth in another kiss whille slowly sliding her dress off revealing a silky black slip.

He kicked his legs until his pants were off, he slipped his fingers underneath her slip dress and pulled her panties off. She smiled up at him as he positioned himself, she gasped as she felt him enter her. She whined and gasped as he rocked them steadily. She dug her fingernails into his shoulders, he groaned at the feeling. He buried his head in the crook of her neck as he began to move faster, her gasps became quicker and louder.

He finally collapsed on top of her before groaning and rolling over. As they lied on the locker room floor, a smiled crossed Melissa's face and she began to laugh.

"What?" he asked laughing.

"Nothing" she said.

"Come on what's so funny?" he asked.

"We just had sex in a high school locker room" she said laughing even more.

"Okay and?" he asked laughing.

"We don't even go to this school!" she said laughing harder.

He laughed as well before kissing her, soon the door to the locker room opened and they looked around at the empty hallway.

"I think we're good" he said as she came out wearing his jacket "Come on" he said as they left.- Pomp & Circumstance ch. 8 "Shut and Dance With Me

[pureimaginefic]

Happy Birthday Adam!

Hello again readers, once again we've got a Jr. BSB Birthday! Let's all wish a Happy Birthday to AJ's son, the dark and brooding prince of darkness, Adam 🥳Help us celebrate with a birthday spam in his honor!

[pureimaginefic]

It's The Holiday Season

Happy December readers! It's officially the holiday season! Celebrate with our favorite Jr. BSB Holiday moments! What's your favorite? Brian's thoughtful gift to Vicki in 1989? Kyle, Harry, and Adam's first christmas in 1991? Adam directing the school's Christmas play (with disastrous results) in 2008? or Neilson's quest for the perfect gift for Natalie and the boys becoming seasonal mall hires in 2009? We'll revisit all of that starting on Dec. 20th, Stay tuned!

[pureimaginefic]

“Are we all okay out here?” Natalie asked coming in from the dining room.

“I’m not sure” Neilson said to her.

“Well, I hate to interrupt but dinner is now served” she said.

“I’m watching you” Adam said to Kyle as they all filed into the dining room.

Everyone gathered around the large table “I feel like someone should make a toast” Natalie said holding a glass of wine in her hand.

“I have one” Adam said standing up from the table.

“Oh Jesus” Bradley said bracing himself.

“To Kyle and Zoey” he said raising his glass.

“…that’s it?” Kyle asked confused.

“That’s it” he said shrugging with a smile, sitting back down.

“To Adam and Quinn” Kyle said raising his glass.

“To Bradley and Syd” Neilson said raising his glass.

“To Neilson and Nat” Bradley said raising his glass.

“To us” Harry said to Greta, also raising his glass.

“Here’s to love” Greta said raising her glass.

“Here here” Adam said as they all took a drink.

“Okay, let’s eat” Neilson said.

“Yeah” everyone agreed.

[pureimaginefic]

“Boys, Nat, you guys are going to be in here” Vicki said to them.

“Mom, aren’t we a little old to be at a kids table?” Bradley asked her as they went into a small room off of the dining room.

“Yeah I know but there’s just not enough room at the dining room table for you guys” she said.

“Can’t we just eat on the couch in front of the TV?” Bradley asked.

“No! it’s Thanksgiving” she said to him.

They each took a seat at the small round table, setting their full plates in front of them.

“So what are you guys thankful for this year?” Harry asked, the all groaned in response.

“What?” he asked “We used to do this when we were little, remember? We would go around and say what we were thankful for? We’d make little paper hand turkeys?” Harry said.

“Oh my god that’s so cute!” Natalie gushed.

“Adam would always try and start a food fight” Kyle said.

“Oh remember the one year Adam took a mouthful of Harry’s mashed potatoes and then spit them back out on his plate?” Bradley asked.

“And then Harry ate it” Neilson said as they began laughing,

Harry looked at them horrified and disgusted “Oh my god!” he said looking at Adam.

“Give me a break I was nine” Adam said to him.

“What is wrong with you?” Natalie asked.

“…Have we met?” Adam asked her.

“Moving on…” Natalie said “Harry that’s a good idea, in fact why don’t we go around and say what we’re all thankful for” she said.

“I am so glad you invited her” Adam said leaning over to Neilson.

“Come on one of you has to have something” she said.

“Like what?” Bradley asked.

“Oh I don’t know, surviving a school shooting? Being dug out of a grave? Walking away from an explosion?!” she asked.

“Oh! I just thought of one!” Adam said raising his hand.

“That’s surprising but okay…what are you thankful for Adam?” she asked.

“I’m thankful that the Winchesters are dead and were incinerated in the explosion” he said happily.

“Cheers to that!”

“Amen!” Bradley and Kyle said agreeing.

“Okay, maybe something else besides someone’s violent death?” Natalie asked, they all looked at each other.

“No I think that’s about the only thing we’re thankful for this year” Bradley said to her.

“Okay fine I have something” Natalie.

“Oh goody” Adam said sticking a fork of food in his mouth.

“I am thankful for all of you guys” she said “I was the new kid from out of town, I just lost my dad, and you guys made me feel welcome and you became like another family” she said. Neilson smiled and kissed her cheek “Bradley?” she asked.

“We’re really doing this?” Bradley asked.

“Yes!” she said.

Bradley sighed “Fine…well I guess I’m thankful for Neilson and Nat taking care of me after I got shot” Bradley said “Even after I told you guys to leave about five hundred times, you didn’t, you stuck with me and made sure I didn’t die” Bradley said.

“Neilson?” she asked.

“What can I say? I’m thankful for Bradley for taking a bullet for me, I’ll be grateful for that for life” Neilson said.

“Well I’m thankful for Kyle and Adam taking care of me after I got shot” Harry said.

“Kyle?” Natalie asked.

“Well…I guess I’m grateful that Adam and Harry saved me from Damien on Halloween and that we all somehow managed to survive everything this year” they all turned to look at Adam.

“Yeah I’m sticking with the violent death” he said to them.

“Happy Thanksgiving everyone” Kyle said raising his glass.

“Happy Thanksgiving” they all replied clinking their glasses together.

“Are we done now? I’d like to be able to keep this food down” Adam said.

Suddenly a glob of mashed potatoes hit him in the face, he turned to Natalie and looked at her in shock “Oops?” she said innocently, they began laughing.

"Oh, you know what this means don't you?" Adam asked.

"Uh oh..." Harry said.

Food began flying around the room as they started pelting each other with it.

“What are they doing in there?” Sasha asked as they heard the commotion from the other room.

“I don’t think we want to know” Nick said.

“Mind checking on that?” Vicki asked him.

“Sure” Brian said getting up from the table “Hey guys?” he asked going into the other room when a glob of food hit him in the face. He looked around, the remnants of food on the floor and the walls “What the hell are you guys doing in here?!” he asked irritated.

“…Happy Thanksgiving?” Bradley asked shrugging.- The Kids' Table

[pureimaginefic]

That night the guys stepped up on to the front porch of the house.

"I am never flying on Thanksgiving again" Howie said.

"Wait a minute" AJ said before Brian opened the door.

"What?" Brian asked.

"Listen" AJ said as they all went silent.

"I don't hear anything" Howie said.

"Exactly!" AJ said to him.

"He's right, no music, no screaming, no fighting"Brian said.

"Oh my god they died!" Nick said.

They opened the door, the living room was immaculate, a fire burned in the fire place.

"Oh this is not good" Howie said.

"Someone broke in, killed the boys and cleaned up" AJ said as they looked around.

"Hey look who's home" Kevin said coming in from the kitchen with a wine glass.

"Hey" they said to him happily as they all exchanged hugs.

"What are you doing here?" Brian asked.

"Came home for the holidays" Kevin said taking a sip of wine.

"Hey welcome home" Vicki said coming into the living room.

"Hey" Brian said to her "Wow, what's going on?" he asked.

"The boys have a surprise for you" she said.

"Drink anyone?" Kellie asked coming into the living room with a tray filled with glasses and wine.

"Whatever this surprise is I like it so far" Howie said as she filled their glasses.

The boys set the dining room table, Bradley sat with a goofy expression on his face.

"I feel good" he said laughing.

"Yeah I bet you do" Neilson said patting his head.

"Hey guys they're here" Kyle said running in, they all stood together.

"Whoa" Howie said as they filed into the dining room.

"Surprise!" they said.

"Hey! Dad's home!" Bradley said.

"Wow look at this" Kevin said coming into the dining room.

"Complete Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings" Kellie said bringing in a plate with a giant golden turkey on it.

"You guys did all this?" AJ asked.

"Well we tried to" Kyle said.

"They really did you're lucky this house is still here" Melissa said sitting at the table.

"Everyone have a seat" Vicki said as she, Sasha and Melissa brought other dishes into the room while Christina brought in another bottle of wine.

Brian looked over at the bandage wrapped around Bradley's hand, he picked it up and looked at it "Do I want to know?" he asked Vicki.

"No" she said as he dropped his hand back down on the table.

"Neilson did it" Harry said as he sat across from him at the table, Neilson threw a dinner roll at him.

"Hey! None of that!" Sasha said to him.

"Yeah you can bully each other tomorrow" Nick said.

"Should we say grace? Kev?" Vicki asked.

"Sure" he said as they all held hands "Dear lord, we want to thank you for bringing us all together on Thanksgiving, we thank you for the food in front of us and we thank you for the boys who were thoughtful enough to plan it for us and thank you for their mothers who stepped in and kept the house from burning to the ground, amen"

"Alright" Howie said.

"Lets eat" they said before passing dishes around, that night the table was filled with laughter and love.- We Gather Together

[pureimaginefic]

Lizzie looked into the oven and saw the turkey turn a golden brown.

“Hey, look who’s here” Brian said coming into the kitchen with his parents.

“Oh hello!” Lizzie said cheerfully hugging Jackie.

“I made my famous sweet potatoes, I hope you don’t mind” Jackie said handing her a dish.

“Oh of course not, these look delicious, thank you!” Lizzie said to her.

“Well I wanted to thank you for letting us join you for Thanksgiving dinner” Jackie said.

“Oh it’s no problem at all, after all, we’re practically family now” Lizzie said.

“Oh I’m so excited to meet our grandson” Jackie gushed.

“I think we all are” Lizzie said.

“Well hello there” Vicki said waddling into the kitchen, her hands on her back.

“Oh, hi sweetheart” Jackie said hugging her “My goodness look at you” she said standing back “How do you feel dear?” she asked.

“Fat” Vicki said laughing “I’m actually glad you’re all here because I have some very important news” Vicki said “I picked a name” she said turning to Brian.

"Right...names" he said nervously "Funny thing I wanted to talk to you about that actually..." he said to her.

“What name did you pick honey?” Lizzie asked her.

“Now if you don’t like it that’s fine but I think it’s the perfect name for our son” Vicki said.

“Well? Come on what is it?” Lizzie asked impatiently.

“What do you think of Bradley James?" Vicki asked excitedly, Lizzie and Jackie both cooed.

“Oh I love that" Jackie said to Vicki.

“It’s perfect!” Lizzie said.

“I know, well you know I was thinking James after my dad and Bradley, I’ve just always loved that name…so?” Vicki asked "What do you think?" she asked.

"Bradley...I like it...it's nice...yeah..." Brian said nervously.

“What’s wrong?” Vicki asked.

“Okay…before I say anything I just want to remind you that the doctor said that you are supposed to avoid stress…” Brian said.

"Did you do something stupid?" Lizzie asked.

"Well...define stupid" he said.

“Brian Thomas” Jackie said in a warning tone.

“Okay, fine, awhile back…I was talking to Jason…” Brian said to Vicki.

“Oh this is never good” Jackie groaned.

“And I may have promised Jason we would name the baby after him” he said covering his head.

“You did what?!” Vicki asked angrily.

“How could you do that?” Jackie asked.

“I'm sorry okay, it was way back in the summer when you first found out you were pregnant we were hanging out…” he said.

“I can't believe you!” Vicki said angrily.

"Vicki, honey, calm...stress is not good for you or the baby" Lizzie said to her as she took a deep breath.

"Look I'm sorry, obviously I should've told you" he said sadly.

"Yeah!" Vicki said.

"Vicki, I'm sorry, okay, I was wrong” he said to her.

“Oh this is so much more than wrong” Vicki said.

“If you like the name Bradley, then that’s what we’ll do, if that's the name you want for our son than its fine with me, I promise" he said.

She sighed “This goes against my better judgement but…I guess if you really want to name the baby after Jason then…what if we made Jason his middle name?” she asked.

“No come on you don’t have to do that” he said.

“Yes I do” she said reluctantly, rolling her eyes.

He smiled at her “You’re amazing you know that?” he asked kissing her head.

“Anyone ELSE you promised to name our son after?” Vicki asked.

He looked at her nervously “No…” he said laughing.

“You did didn’t you?” she asked in disbelief.

“I…may…have…” he said turning away from her.

"Who?!" Vicki asked.

“On Halloween I told Nick that if I had a boy I’d name it after him” he said clinching his eyes shut.

She pulled the refrigerator door opened and took a pie from the top shelf, she grabbed a fork and walked out of the kitchen "I'll be in my room" she said taking the pie with her.

"I love you!" he called after her when he heard her bedroom door slam shut, Jackie then swatted him with a dish towel "ow" he said.

~*~

“Okay everyone! Time for dinner!” Michelle yelled into the living room.

Everyone filed into the dining room, AJ pulled Melissa’s chair out for her as they sat across from Jessie and Jeremy. Jack sat at the head of the table, Michelle then came into the room, a large plump turkey sat on a serving as she carried it in.

“Ooh” everyone said in delight, gazing at it's deliciousness.

“That’s a good looking bird” Jeremy said.

“It smells amazing” Melissa said.

Michelle set the tray in front of Jack “Sweetheart will you do the honors?” she asked handing him a carving knife.

“Don’t mind if I do” he said cutting into the bird “Okay, who wants dark meat?” he asked.

“Before we say grace I want to make a sort of announcement” Jessie said.

“Oh my god, you’re having twins?” Michelle asked excitedly.

“Oh god no” Jessie said “No, Jeremy and I finally settled on a name for our little girl” she said.

“Oh that’s wonderful!” Michelle said “So? Don’t keep us in suspense, what is it?” she asked.

“Eve!” Jessie said happily.

“Eve?” Melissa asked in confusion.

“Oh that’s so pretty” Michelle said.

“I thought so too” Jessie said.

“It was also my grandmother’s name” Jeremy said to Michelle.

“Aw that’s nice” Michelle said.

“Eve? Really?” Melissa asked once more.

“There a problem?” Jessie asked her.

“It’s just…it’s kind of weird don’t you think?” Melissa asked.

“How is it weird?” Jessie asked.

“Jess, think for a second…I name my son Adam, you name your daughter Eve…you get where I’m going with this?” Melissa asked.

“Adam and Eve, that is so cute” Michelle said putting food on her plate.

“Oh god you’re right that is weird” Jessie said.

"You know it’s not too late to go with Chandler" he said to Melissa, she looked at him angrily "Or not" he said.

~*~

Kellie and her sister set the dining room table, her dad sat in a chair with Kyle in his arms when the doorbell rang "I got it" Kellie said rushing to the front door.

"Happy Thanksgiving" Kevin said standing there with Ann.

"Happy Thanksgiving" Kellie said hugging him "Thank you so much for coming" she said hugging Ann.

"Thank you for inviting us" Ann said to her warmly.

"Oh hi" Lynda said giving Ann a hug.

"I brought something I hope that's okay" Ann said handing Lynda a dish.

"Oh of course" Lynda said taking the dish from her.

"Need any help in the kitchen?" Ann asked.

"That would be great thank you" Lynda said as they went into the kitchen.

"Look who's here" Kellie said taking Kyle from her dad.

"Hey there he is" Kevin said as Kellie cradled him in her arms "How's my little man?" he asked "It’s your first Thanksgiving" he said taking him from Kellie and holding him "Happy first Thanksgiving" he said.

"He's thrilled" Kellie said as she noticed Kyle had fallen asleep.

~*~

Sasha stood against her kitchen counter with a plate in her hand, food piled on top of it.

Kathleen came into the kitchen and saw her eating. “Sasha!” she said irritated “We haven’t even started dinner yet!” she said.

“…Oops?” Sasha said.

Kathleen sighed in irritation.

“Mom I’m sorry okay but this is not me, this is your grandson” Sasha said.

“fine…just promise me you’ll stay away from the pies” Kathleen said.

“There’s pie?!” Sasha asked opening the refrigerator door.

“Ah ah ah!” Kathleen said to her “Get out of there” she said shutting the refrigerator on her.

The doorbell then rang “Can you get that? I need to check on the turkey” Kathleen said to Sasha.

“Sure…oh by the way…the turkey may or may not be missing a drum stick” Sasha said to her.

Sasha waddled into the living room and opened the door, Nick stood there on the porch.

“Hey” he said smiling at her “Happy Thanksgiving” he said giving her a kiss.

“Happy Thanksgiving” she said surprised.

“Mm cranberry sauce” he said licking his lips.

“Yeah I was just testing the food to make sure everything came out okay” she said “What are you doing here? I thought you were having a nice normal Thanksgiving for a change?” she asked.

“Yeah we were for about five minutes before my parents started arguing” he said as she let him inside.

Sasha sighed “What happened now?” she asked.

“Mashed potatoes” he said.

"Are you kidding me?” Sasha asked him.

“I really wish I were” he said.

“So you didn’t get to eat at all?” she asked.

“Well I was going to until my mom took all of our plates and shoved them all in the sink and told us that if we thought we could make dinner so much better than her we were welcome to it” he said.

“I’m so sorry” she said.

“Oh hi Nickolas” Kathleen said coming into the living room.

“Hi Mrs. Miller” he said smiling at her.

“Mom would it be okay if Nick stayed for dinner?” Sasha asked.

“Of course” Kathleen said “I’ll set you a plate” she said going into the dining room.

“You didn’t have to do that” Nick said.

“Of course I did, it’s Thanksgiving” Sasha said to him.

“So, how’s little Neilson today?” he asked patting her stomach.

“Shh!” Sasha said to him “I want to keep it secret, I want to surprise my dad” she said.

“Right, sorry” he said as they whispered back and forth.

Craig then came down the steps “Oh, Carter, what are you doing here?” he asked reaching the bottom.

“He came for dinner” Sasha said to him.

“Oh…well there goes my one thing I’m thankful for this year” he said going into the dining room.

“Craig” Kathleen said scolding him “Come on everyone! Dinner’s ready!” Kathleen called out, she took his hand and they went into the dining room.

~*~

The doorbell at Christina's house rang, Louise answered it.

"Happy Thanksgiving" her daughter, Tracie said to her.

"Oh it’s so good to see you" Louise said hugging her "Hi Will" she said to Tracie's husband.

"Happy Thanksgiving" Will said as they entered the house.

"Let me take your coats, can I get anyone a drink?" Louise asked.

"Later, where are Chrissie and the baby? I want to meet my nephew" Tracie said to her.

"Upstairs in the nursery" Louise said to her.

Christina sat in a rocking chair with Harry in her arms, making sucking noises from the pacifier in his mouth.

"Hi" Tracie said quietly as she went into the room.

"Hi" Christina said to her in a whisper.

"Oh my goodness, look at him" she said leaning over the rocking chair.

"Harry, this is your aunt Tracie" Christina said to him as she still sucked on his pacifier.

"So precious" Tracie cooed.

"Want to hold him?" Christina asked.

"Please" Tracie said as Christina stood up and passed him over, Will then came into the room.

"Hey Will" Christina said she said standing up to hug him.

"Hey Chrissie" he said hugging her.

"Will look" Tracie said as she held Harry "The first boy in our family" Tracie said.

"Hey buddy, I'm your uncle Will" Will said to Harry.

"Oh Chrissie...he's perfect" Tracie said looking at him.

"Yes he is" Christina said taking him back.

"Mom dad, I'd like you to meet Jake" Leigha said introducing her boyfriend to Drake and Louise.

"Look who's here" Tracie said as she and Will came down the steps.

"Hey" Leigha said upon seeing them "Jake, this is my older sister Tracie and my brother in law, Will" she said hugging them.

"Nice to meet you guys" Jake said.

"Hi everyone" Christina said as she came down the steps with Harry in her arms.

"Oh my god" Leigha said "Jake, this is my little sister Chrissie" she said hugging her.

"Hi" Christina said to him "And this is Harry" Christina said.

"My first little nephew" Leigha said "He's so cute."

"Yes he is" Christina said looking down at him in her arms.

"Everyone? Dinner is served" Louise said as they all made their way towards the dining room and took their seats.

~*~

"Okay shall we say grace? Jack?" Michelle asked.

"Dear lord, we ask you to bless this table and we thank you for this food before us...We thank you for bringing us all together today...and we thank you for the days to come...Amen".- Pomp & Circumstance; Ch.27: "Giving Thanks"

[pureimaginefic]

"Hello again" the doctor said returning to the room "Just came to check where we are" she said examining Christina once more. "Good news, ten centimeters, you're ready to deliver" she said.

"Really?" Christina asked "Right now?" she asked.

"Right now, you're about to be a mom" she said.

"Oh god this is really happening" she said nervously.

"You okay?" he asked her.

"I don't know...this is really happening the baby is coming out now" she said.

"I know, you ready?" he asked.

"I think so...I want my mom" she whined.

He sat parked by her side, holding her hand tightly in his.

"You okay?" Louise asked.

"This is it; I'm scared" Christina said.

"Oh don't you worry, everything is going to be just fine, you'll see" Louise said to her in a reassuring voice.

"Will you stay with me?" Christina asked her.

"Of course I will" Louise said to her.

The doctor and a nurse returned to the room, shutting the door behind them.

"Christina, on your next contraction I want you to start pushing" the doctor said pulling a mask over her face, Christina nodded absently.

"Everything's going to be alright, I'm right here okay?" Howie asked kissing her head.

"I love you" she said to him, he smiled.

"I love you too" he said smoothing her hair away from her face.

"Okay, ready? 1, 2, 3...push" the doctor said, Christina grabbed his and her mom's hand, squeezing tightly. "Come on, just a few more, you're doing good Christina" the doctor said coaching her "ready, 1, 2, 3...push" Christina gritted her teeth, a loud screeching sound escaping her throat. "He's crowning" the doctor said "come on, Christina, you can do this" Christina pushed harder, her mom holding her leg back towards her chest.

"Come on sweetie, you're almost there, you can do this" Louise said to her, Christina continued pushing.

"Oh my god" Howie said in awe, watching the baby emerge. Christina fell back in exhaustion.

"Here he is" the doctor said holding him up, his arms and legs flailing about, wailing loudly.

"That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen" he said, still in shock "Want to cut the cord?" The doctor asked him, she handed him a pair of surgical scissors.

He cut the cord and she handed him off to a waiting nurse. They wrapped him tightly in a blanket and handed him off to Christina.

"My goodness...hi" she said happily.

"Hello little prince" Louise said kissing the baby's forehead and then Christina's.

"Our little boy" she said as a tear began to fall down her cheek.

"He's our boy alright" he said kissing Christina's head, they looked down at him.

"Hi angel" Christina said softly, she leaned in to kiss his little forehead.

"Here he is, our first grandson, the first boy in our family" Drake said focusing in on his video camera. "Little Harrison Drake Dorough" he said taping Harry lying in his little bassinet, a small blue cap snugly on his little head. "November 23, 1991...Happy Birthday little guy” Drake said as the camera shut off.

[pureimaginefic]

Christina lied back on the examination table as the doctor dragged the transducer around on her stomach.

"Development is right on track, very healthy, a little small but we can fix that no problem" the doctor said to her "Are you interested in knowing the sex?" she asked.

"Yes" both Howie and Christina said, the doctor laughed "Okay, let's take a look here". "See this right here?" she asked pointing to the screen.

"Oh my god" Christina said laughing.

"It's a boy? It's a boy, that's what I think it is right?" Howie asked excitedly.

"It's a boy alright, congratulations" the doctor said to them "I'll get you a copy" she said.

"It's a boy!" Christina said happily.

"It's a boy!" Howie said as they kissed.

"Here you go" the doctor said handing her a picture.

"Hi, Harry, we cannot wait to finally meet you" Christina said as they looked down at the picture.

[pureimaginefic]

Christina sat up on an examination table wearing a gown.

"You okay?" Kellie asked, pushing her hair back from her face.

"I'm scared" Christina said.

"I know, I know..." Kellie said comfortingly.

"God how I could be so stupid?" Christina said her “I can’t have a baby, not now, what about school? My friends? College? how did you deal with this?" Christina asked.

"About the same way you are right now" Kellie said to her.

The door opened and the doctor came in, looking at her clipboard.

"Well?" Christina asked nervously.

"The tests are conclusive, you're pregnant" the doctor said.

Tears filled her eyes, she looked around the office in shock and fear, she began to sob.

"Christina, since you're under 18, I'm obligated to notify your parents" Doctor Westbourne said softly.

"No please" Christina said to her "I can do it" she said.

"Okay, you want to get started on pre-natal vitamins and you're going to want to schedule an exam so we can check on the baby and make sure it is developing properly" the doctor said to her.

Christina nodded, tears still trickling down her face.

"I'll give you a few minutes" she said leaving the room.

“Kel” she said crying and latching on to her.

“It's going to be okay" Kellie said soothingly.

[pureimaginefic]

Howie and Christina reached her house and climbed the steps to the porch, she opened the front door and flipped on the lights "Hello? Mom?!" she asked, noticing a piece of paper sitting on the coffee table "Dinner and movies with the Templeton's, be back later" she read.

"Hmm...we're alone" Howie said to her, pulling her close.

"We are" Christina said, she grabbed his hand and sat on the couch, he pulled her close and they began kissing hungrily.

Howie slid his hand up her sweater and cupped her breast while sliding the other up her skirt, gently squeezing her thigh. She ran her fingers through his hair, gasping and whimpering at his touch, she pushed him backwards so they were laying on the couch. She kissed his neck, nipping at his skin with her teeth, taking his earlobe into her teeth. She began to stroke him gently through the fabric on his pants, she could hear his breaths becoming quicker.

"Chris, please" he said breathlessly, she looked down at him.

"Want to go upstairs?" she asked sliding her hand under his sweater, her fingertips feeling soft on his skin.

"Please" he said in an almost pleading tone, she slid off of him and pulled him upstairs behind her.

Howie carried her into her room, her legs wrapped around his waist. He gently dropped her on to the bed, she looked up at him as she frantically unbuckled his belt and pulled his pants down. He kicked them off and frantically pulled his sweater over his head, getting stuck.

Christina laughed "need some help?" she asked as she pulled it off of him.

Howie tore her sweater off of her and slid her skirt down, before collapsing on to her bed. Christina flipped him over and straddled his waist, she pushed her hair back running her fingers through it. He reached up and slid the straps of her bra down her shoulders as she reached behind her and unhooked it.

His hands fell from her shoulders and to her breasts as he cupped them gently, he ran his hands down her sides, coming to a stop at her waist. He hooked his fingers into the band of her panties and slid them off. She could feel him becoming harder underneath her, she pulled and released him from his boxers. As she sank down on top of him, slipping inside her entirely, he threw his head back, and closed his eyes. He kept his hands on her hips and she rocked back and forth on top of him, his hands roamed back up to her breasts feeling them and gently flicking her nipples. Her head fell back as his thrusts became harder, she bounced as she sat on top of him.

"Chris" he moaned grabbing onto the pillow underneath his head, she gasped and whimpered, getting him even more turned on. His thrusts became harder and faster "oh god Chris" he moaned gripping the pillow tightly in his fists they both cried out in passion. He started to slow down before coming to an eventual stop, she fell against him and they began kissing once more.