Of course the presents were opened early, and there were way too many for Michal, but he didn't seem to care, not that there wasn't a decent hall for everyone involved. And certainly the hotels Christmas buffet had more than enough food for any three armies that happened to stop in.

Still it didn't feel like Christmas until late in the afternoon when everyone started appearing for the Christmas dinner. (All the food had already been ordered by Tommy and Grace and when it arrived it was Billy who insisted he pay for it.) Once everyone was there and drinks were in hand and Christmas music played, it finally felt like Christmas to me.

"Happy?" Amy asked, kissing me gently as we stood in the wide doorway surveying the room.

"Ecstatic," I assured her and snaked an arm around her waist as I sipped my wine.

"Dude, did you see the car he got?" Scud asked from across the room, lifting a remote control car that Michal had gotten for Christmas.

"Yes, we saw it," I nodded. "Santa does sort of check with us about these things."

"This is so cool," Scud showed it to Janet who knelt next to him and Michal.

"Watch," Michal took the control and started running the car around near them.

Dominique stepped in from the balcony where she had been having a cigarette and I swear I caught a small smile from her as she glanced at Michal and the others. By the time I thought to point it out to Amy it was gone. I could see Grace and Tommy setting the table in the other room and leaned to talk to Amy.

"Are you sure we shouldn't be helping?"

"If they tell us not to, then they mean it," she shrugged. "I guess there's nothing for us to do but actually relax."

"I'm not sure I know how to do that," I smiled. "Come on," I pulled her over to the couch and we sat together, my arm across her shoulders.

Michal handed Scud the controls and ran over to jump on us. "Look at him," Michal pointed as Scud expertly maneuvered the car through the room around chair legs and peoples feet.

"He's got some skills," I nodded. "But I am sure you will be able to drive it just as well once you practice."

"I hope there's one of these under our Christmas tree when we get home," Scud smiled at Janet who rolled her eyes but gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"There is plenty of stuff for you there without this." She teased.

"Oh my God," Amy slapped my arm practically jumping off the couch pointing in her excitement.

"Ow!" I rubbed my arm and looked where she was pointing. "Oh my god."

"What?" Michal asked.

"Jesus Christ," Dominique jaw almost dropped. Across the room under the mistletoe Max and Billy were in the middle of a pretty solid lip lock. As they pulled apart Max gave us all a somewhat guilty look.

"Alright man," Scud grinned widely.

"You feeling alright?" I raised an eyebrow at Max.

"Hey, we let you be gay don't we?" She asked defensivly.

"No argument here," I shook my head with a smile.

"Anyone in here ready for dinner?" Grace asked from the over room.

"Yes," Amy answered standing quickly and pulling Michal and I up after her.

"I suppose you and Billy will want to sit together," Scud said to Max with a grin, she punched him hard on the arm.

"Wow, that hurt," Scud winced. "Sit wherever you want."

"Come on kids," I called, standing and waiting for everyone else to sit.

"Everything all right?" Tommy asked as he sat at the end of the table.

"Everything's great," I smiled. "I just wanted to say this has really turned into a great Christmas." I smiled around at everyone, and everyone, even Dom smiled back at me. "I am really glad Faire took those dolls and made sure we would all be here together tonight. Now, before this gets too tacky, lets eat."

"Amen," Billy grinned, taking Max's hand on the table.

And food was served, and well enjoyed, it was long after Michal went to bed that anyone else started to leave. The next day we would al be heading back to our own homes and I don't think anyone was quite ready to leave. But as so many movies and cartoons have taught us Christmas must end. So as Grace and Tommy began to look half asleep we said our goodbyes to everyone and fell into bed, exhausted and happy. Just the way everyone should feel after Christmas.

Thanks for reading, if you are interested in reading my newer, original work please look me up on Amazon as Samantha Boyette