Hey all! So it's been a VERY long time since I updated, and I'm so glad there's still interest in this story. Seeing as the Christmas season is upon us yet again, I think it's time for this story to continue. Please enjoy...we'll be getting to the wedding soon enough.

"Don't you think that New Years Eve is a little too soon? It's only 7 days away if you count today!" Emma exclaimed, looking at the two couples in exasperation. It was Christmas Day, and the Columbia Inn was the busiest it had ever been, tending to the guests while trying to maintain the proper Christmas festivities as well.

"We know it's a little fast Emma, but New Year's Eve seems like the right time to get married. We can push it to New Year's Day if you'd like," Phil answered, fixing the housekeeper with a winning smile.

"Oh sure...an extra couple of hours is really going to make a difference," Emma spat out sarcastically, glancing at the General pleadingly.

"Oh Emma...let the kids do what they'd like," General Waverly chided. Emma sighed and rolled her eyes up to the heavens, muttering a silent prayer for sanity.

"Look Emma, it's not going to be a big thing. The girls have already called their parents, and they're on their way to Vermont as we speak. Their brother Bennie will be attending as well. Phil invited his parents and his sister, who are also on the way. I don't have any family, so there's no trouble there. All the army boys are already here, so we don't have to worry about that either. I've called the courthouse, and they're sending us the proper paperwork tomorrow, so we'll be all set by New Years. Our old army chaplain is going to conduct the ceremony. Besides, you've got a full squadron at your command to help set up for this deal. They're all at your disposal," Bob said comfortingly, getting the older woman to calm down.

"Well...alright. Phil, you'd better thank your lucky stars for Bob and his foresight, otherwise you wouldn't be getting married till sometime next Christmas," Emma muttered dramatically, before barking orders at a group of old army friends to start moving tables into the grand dining room.

"All she needs is a whistle and a bullhorn," General Waverly remarked humorously. Judy, Betty, and Bob all laughed, while Phil just crossed his arms and pouted. Bob noticed and clapped Phil's shoulder lightly, trying to convey a little sympathy.

"So New Year's it is. General, will you do me the honor of being our best man?" Bob asked earnestly. The General looked shocked while the girls just smiled, glancing up at their fiancé's.

"You really want me to do it?" General Waverly asked, his voice thick with emotion.

"Of course. Since Phil and I are both getting married, we couldn't think of a better person," Bob answered. Phil nodded his assent, glancing up at the general expectantly.

"I'd be honored," General Waverly responded, earning claps on the back from both men.

"Susan...we would like you to be maid of honor for us. Emma will have her hands full as a wedding planner, and you have been so sweet to us and so helpful throughout this entire ordeal," Betty said kindly, glancing at the General's granddaughter.

"Oh I would love to!" Susan gushed, giving both girls a hug. Her grandfather smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder, knowing how excited she was.

"Well boys, I'll see you in a while. Sounds like I have a few duties to attend to. Come on sweetheart," General Waverly announced, taking his leave. The four watched them go, fond smiles on their faces. Suddenly, Judy grabbed onto her sister, a startled look on her face.

"Betty, it's Christmas!" Judy exclaimed, glancing at her sister. Betty paused for a moment before starting as well, glancing at the boys hurriedly.

"Oh! Bob, I'll be right back...don't go anywhere," Betty said, running down the hallway. Judy followed suit, giving Phil a quick kiss on the cheek, leaving the boys to stare after them.

"What was that all about?" Phil asked, scratching his head.

"Beats me..." Bob asked, all the while fingering the box he was keeping in his jacket. He glanced over at the kitchen window, hoping that none of those army buffoons had seen the tray of sandwiches and buttermilk he had placed in a secluded spot on the counter.

"Did you get Betty anything? I mean after all, a ring can count as a Christmas present can't it?" Phil asked nervously. Bob shot him a withering look.

"You mean to tell me that you didn't get your fiancé a Christmas present?" He asked in disbelief. Phil could be tactless sometimes, but if that truly was the case then he could be in for some deep trouble.

"Well, we only did get engaged last night. And I...I didn't have a ring. So I pulled some tinsel off a tree and wrapped it around her finger. I went out last night and got a real ring...but, since I technically was supposed to give it to her yesterday, I'm not sure if it counts or not," Phil spat out nervously, showing Bob the beautiful diamond ring.

"No...that counts Phil. You're alright," Bob said soothingly. He had to admit, he was a little relieved himself that Phil wasn't a complete idiot, otherwise him and Betty would have had to do some matchmaking of their own.

"Good. So, Dog Face Haynes is coming to the wedding huh?" Phil asked lightly. Bob stifled a laugh and looked at his friend. He had forgotten about that particular detail.

"Yep. And for the sake of harmony and our girls' happiness, I think we should start calling him Bennie. After all, he is our brother in law now," Bob answered.

"Agreed," Phil responded, though he was sure the nickname would come up eventually. Too many army buddies were here to let that go completely.

"Bob! I'm back!" Betty called out, her voice ringing from down the hallway. She appeared a second later, a large box in her arms, with Judy close behind, also carrying a package. Bob shot Phil a knowing look, before smiling warmly at his fiancé.

"With all the excitement I had nearly forgotten myself! Merry Christmas Betty baby!" Bob called out, kissing her cheek when she approached him.

"Judy wants us to see her present to Phil, but I'd prefer to give you mine alone," Betty whispered shyly. Bob grinned and winked at her, raising his eyebrows suggestively. Betty turned a bright shade of red and slapped his arm, laughing all the same.

"Not like that you cad!" Betty whispered, getting a mock offended look from Bob. She smiled and kissed the tip of his nose, still balancing the package in her arms.

"I've got a little something for you too. After we see these two lovebirds, how about you and me head over to my room. We'll have a little lunch," Bob whispered back, getting a nod from Betty.

"Now open it Phil," Judy commanded, handing her present over to her fiancé. Phil did as he was told, ripping through the wrapping paper eagerly. Bob laughed at his friend's childishness; he knew that Christmas was Phil's favorite holiday.

Phil let out a happy shout when he saw what it was.

"A new set of tap shoes! Judy...how did you know?" Phil exclaimed joyfully, sweeping her up in his arms. Judy laughed and wrapped her arms around him, waiting for him to set her down.

"Phil darling...it's all you've been complaining about during rehearsals. You wore your old ones down to the nub, they barely made a sound," Judy answered fondly. Bob and Betty looked at each other with a grin; leave it to Judy to know Phil better than anyone. Phil kissed her soundly, before trying the shoes on.

"They fit perfectly!" He shouted, doing a small dance to test them out. Bob finally coaxed him out of the shoes, telling him to save it for the wedding dance. Phil reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small box.

"Judy...I think that tinsel looks real pretty on you, but I know it can't replace the real thing," Phil teased, opening up the box. Judy gasped and pulled out the diamond ring, her eyes instantly glistening with tears. Betty gasped as well and hung onto Bob, looking at her sister with sheer joy.

"Oh Phil..." Judy managed to spit out, before placing the ring on her finger. She kissed him soundly, holding onto him as tightly as she could manage.

"Good old Phil...hey, I think we should let the lovebirds alone now," Bob whispered to Betty. Betty nodded and headed off to Bob's room. Bob looked over at Phil and shot him a thumbs up, with Phil winking back. Bob quickly made his way to the kitchen, sighing in relief when he saw the tray of sandwiches and buttermilk still intact. Grabbing the tray, he headed to his room, opening the door to see Betty sitting on a chair waiting for him.

"Oh Bob..." Betty giggled, pointing to the sandwiches. Bob grinned back and set the tray down, handing Betty her glass of buttermilk and a Turkey sandwich. Betty looked pointedly at him, holding up the sandwich with raised eyebrows.

"Wasn't turkey a brunette?" Betty teased, looking at Bob's perfectly combed light brown hair. Bob ran a hand through his hair, mischief in his eyes.

"A little on the scat-back side...but still sexy," He quipped, getting a laugh from Betty. She winked at him and took a bite of the sandwich, watching as Bob picked up a roast beef sandwich and demolish it in 3 bites.

"I don't remember roast beef being on the list last time Bob," Betty said, looking at him quizzically. Bob walked over to her, kneeling in front of her chair and placing his head in her lap.

"Well Betty baby...roast beef just so happens to be my personal favorite. I never had any dreams associated with it, because no girl was ever deserving of that title. However, I made myself a sandwich last night, and you were the only thing I was dreaming about. So, roast beef is you Betty Haynes...the love of my life," Bob finished sweetly. Betty wasn't quite sure whether to laugh or cry at Bob's sentiment, so she settled on kissing his forehead.

"That has to be the strangest...yet most romantic thing I have ever heard Bob Wallace," she finally managed, getting a soft chuckle from her fiancé. Bob quickly stood up and pulled the small box from his pocket. He handed it to Betty, his hands shaking.

"Merry Christmas," he whispered, gesturing for her to open it. Betty clapped a hand over her mouth when she saw what it was. It was a silver charm bracelet, with three charms already attached to it. One was a small golden piano, the second one was a silver snowflake, and the last one was a golden knight on top of a horse. Betty glanced up at Bob, tears in her eyes as he helped her put it on.

"Bob...it's beautiful..." She choked out, unable to say much more. Bob nodded, obviously pleased that she liked it so much. Betty reached up and kissed Bob, who eagerly returned the gesture.

"It's my turn now," Betty finally said, wiping away the tears in her eyes. She handed the box to Bob, who eagerly ripped through it. The first thing he saw was a new black blazer, with B. Wallace in golden lettering over the right breast.

"Betty! It's absolutely lovely," he gushed sweetly, quickly trying the jacket on. It fit him perfectly, and he admired it for a minute, glancing into the mirror with flair.

"Check your left pocket," Betty chimed in. Bob did as he was told, and pulled out an envelope. Opening it, he discovered two first class train tickets to Miami. Whirling around to face Betty, he saw her grin widely at his shocked expression.

"I know we haven't discussed a honeymoon destination yet, but I wanted to surprise you. Take this as an apology for taking your train tickets in the first place," she explained. Bob strode over to her and gathered her in his arms, his blue eyes sparkling.

"That was the best thing to ever happen to me, don't you ever doubt that. Thank you Betty, this truly is wonderful," he said, his voice thick with emotion. Betty blushed and glanced down at her shoes. Bob suddenly smirked and whispered something in Betty's ear, causing her eyes to widen and her face to turn fire engine red. She pulled back from him and slapped his chest lightly, a small smile on her face.

"Bob Wallace! Well I never..." Betty stuttered out, her face still reddening. Bob grinned and wiggled his eyebrows wolfishly, before kissing Betty roughly, pulling her tightly to him. They finally broke apart for air, leaving the both of them breathless.

"What has gotten into you?" Betty gasped out, still clinging to Bob. Bob laughed, hugging her gently.

"I guess it's just you sweetheart, thanks to you I'm the happiest I've ever been," he answered sweetly, earning a gentle kiss from Betty.

"Well I'm not complaining..." She answered cheekily, getting a surprised bark of laughter from Bob. He stuck his hands in his pockets after setting the tickets on the nightstand, a puzzled expression on his face when he felt something cool and hard in his right pocket. He pulled out a golden Rolex watch, with the inscription "To my White Knight, Love Betty" engraved on the back. Bob was at a loss for words, he just stared at Betty for what seemed like forever.

"Oh Betty..." He whispered, holding her close.

"Merry Christmas Bob," Betty whispered back, kissing him before nestling her head on his shoulder.

As Bob held Betty close to him, he glanced down at the beautiful woman in his arms. Sighing in contentment, he kissed the top of her head before closing his eyes, enjoying the tender moment between the two of them. "Merry Christmas indeed," he thought. "Merry Christmas indeed."

Well there you have it. Just a fluffy little piece for Bob and Betty's Christmas. We will be introducing some new characters in the next chapter, namely Phil's family and Betty and Judy's family. Will Phil and Bob impress their soon to be father-in-law? Will the boys be able to hold their tongue around Bennie Haynes? And what will Phil's mother think of his bride? Read to find out.