“Glen…a girl got more girls than you did man!!”  Clay choked out between fits of laughter.  So much for Glen’s “all the girls want me” attitude.  Correction: All the girls want Ashley.

Glen only glared at his brother.  As Morgan attempted to stifle her giggles.  The poor boy stood there defeated shifting uncomfortably. 

“Oh come on son.  I’ll let you wear my apron while you’re doing the dishes.”  He patted Glen on the back walking towards the kitchen the pulling the boy alongside of him, as if the prospect of wearing the famous “Kiss the Chef” apron would cheer up the blonde boy.  Leaving a still laughing Chelsea and Clay wrapped around each other in fits of giggles.  Taylor and Paula glaring at the two infused hands between Spencer and Ashley’s body. As if their intense gazes could burn the bond between the two joined hands.

“Hey are Zak and T asleep?”  Ashley asked, feeling so proud of herself she could have burst.  Yes I’m proud of myself.  And no it’s not called being a snob.

“Yeah, they got tired waiting up for you guys.”

“Oh okay, I’ll just see them tomorrow morning” Ashley nodded slightly disappointed she didn’t get to tuck in her niece and nephew into bed.

“Hey guys you want to know who the winning number was?”  Spencer whispered to her brother and sister in law.  Glen was always such an ass about girls, she was going to milk this moment. 

Clay and Chelsea leaned in closer expectantly.

“Madison.”  One word.  Whispered quietly but one word.

And that was all it took for Clay and Chelsea to be rolling on the floor from laughter yet again.

“MADISON?!  MADISON DUARTE?!?!”  Paula yelled out in her shocked state.  Such a nice girl…I’ll bet Ashley turned her gay getting her number.  What a terrible woman, going around ruining lives like that.  You have to wonder, just how many poor women she’s corrupted with her ways.

Glen’s voice came shouting desperately from the kitchen, “I didn’t even see her walk into the bar!!!” his voice cracking from the desperation.

Everyone heard a small clapping noise, assuming it was Morgan covering the boys’ mouth.

Glen’s voice softer now but just as desperate, “I could gotten her number first if I saw her first.  You know that!”  he said like a child convincing his parents that he did not kill the gold fish.

“I know baby.”  They heard a small kiss as the four giggled out in the living room.

Arthur came out with a tray of nine hot steaming cups of tea.

“Glen and Morgan will join us shortly.”  He said smiling to himself.  He always said to himself someday someone would put Glen in his place for the way he was with women.  He never guessed this would be how…

Spencer walked up to help her father, relieving him of the weight of the cups as she placed them on the coffee table.  She turned around offering Clay his cup of tea, then Chelsea.  While Arthur offered them to Paula and Taylor.  Paula was really hoping Spencer would give Taylor his tea.  Then grabbing her own cup and Ashley, Spencer turned to find Ashley settled comfortably in a once person arm chair.  Balancing the two cups she walked over handing one over to Ashley.

“For my stud.” The blonde stated happily, before squeezing in so her butt was on the space left to the right of Ashley’s leg while throwing her legs over the brunette’s leg.  Practically sitting on top of Ashley, using her legs to keep the brunette there.

“Thanks babe.”  Ashley moved forward and the two kissed happily before turning back to the Carlin clan.  As per usual.  Clay, Chelsea, and Arthur smiling happily at them.  And again Paula and Taylor looking at them in pure disgust.  Ignoring her mother’s very clear facial expression Spencer took a sip from the peppermint scented tea and laid her head down on Ashley’s shoulders.  Closing her eyes.  Listening to the sounds of Carlins at Christmas.  The flame’s crackling in the fire place, dishes clanging in the kitchen, the steady sound of Zak and Christina breathing as they slept through the baby monitor in Chelsea’s hands.  Inhaling the scent of her tea, the smell of her house, mixed with the slight tinge of Ashley’s hair.  Another year, another Christmas with the Carlins.  Only this time, she was happily curled up in Ashley’s lap.

Three words ran through the blonde’s mind.  The.  Perfect.  Christmas.