"Jeffery are you almost ready to leave? We needed to be at Mom's like a half hour ago sweetie" I called up the stairs just as Jeff came running down pulling his jacket on "I know, I know" I replied racing past me and towards the front door grabbing his car keys as he went. Climbing into the car I placed the bottle of wine o the back seat and fastened my seatbelt as I waited for him to finish locking up the house and jump in also "ok so now were ready to go…now you sure you have EVERYTHING that you need?" he asked looking at me as he waited for the car to warm up "yes I have EVERYTHING that I need…lets get to driving shall we Mr. I don't know what to wear?" I replied laughing as he rolled his eyes and backed out of the drive way.

"Bout time you guys got here, mom was getting a little worried that you both forgot about dinner tonight" Amy stated as we walked through the front door "no we didn't forget…anyways where here now has mom started serving yet?" I asked walking into the dining room and placing the wine bottle down on the table "yup you want to give her a hand?" Amy replied as I shook my head and walked into to the kitchen breathing in the sweet smell of home cooked food "hi mom we made it…sorry where late" I said greeting her as she turned around a huge smile on her face "that's ok dear and don't listen to your sister I knew you wouldn't forget, can you take this out to the table for me" she replied as I smiled and kissed her cheek before taking the plate of food she was holding and heading back into the dining room where everyone had seated themselves down.

"This is delicious mom just like always" I commented as she smiled and silently thanked me for my praise as she glanced around the table at all of her children and there families "I don't know if I've ever told you kids just how proud I really am I love you all" she spoke up as we all sat watching her "awe mom we love you and you tell us everyday and we know how proud you are of us" Amy spoke up as both Darren and I nodded in agreement "well all the same…I'm very proud of who you are and how you've all turned out" our mother finished as she gave me a little wink and went back to eating her food. After dinner we all sat round having a few drinks and enjoying the wonderful family dinner "so you goys go back on the road tomorrow" Matt said as I refilled my glass of wine before sitting back down next to Jeff "no just me tomorrow, Hayley's taking some time off" Jeff replied as he slung his arm around my shoulders "oh really why aren't you going back Hayley?" Matt asked turning his attention back to me "just…don't want to? Plus I have time owing and whatever" I replied as he nodded and took the hint to drop the subject.

"Well we better get going Jeff has an early morning tomorrow" I spoke up over all the noise as I stood up and patted Jeff's shoulder "ok sweetheart…we'll I'll call you tomorrow and see if you would like to come Christmas shopping with Amy and I" Mom said giving me a hug and a kiss goodbye "yeah I would like that" I replied kissing her back before grabbing my coat and waving everyone goodbye. "well that was fun" Jeff spoke as we headed out to the car parked at the end of the long driveway "yeah sometimes it can just be a bit too overwhelming" I replied laughing slightly as he clicked the doors open and I climbed in out of the chilly wind "oh I ment to tell you to Vince called me later this afternoon while you were asleep and told me that were all taking a mandatory break over Christmas this year, meaning that I'll only be away for 2 weeks instead of a month like planned" Jeff informed as I turned in my seat smiling "that's great so you'll be home a week before Christmas perfect" I replied as he nodded and began to back out of the drive.