The next morning the basement door was thrown open and Benny let out a loud "Merry Christmas", before he plowed down the stairs sounding like a herd of buffalo. It was quiet for a moment before Kade let out a loud grunt. Lennon bolted up to see Benny on top of Kade's sleeping form.

Lennon rubbed her eyes. Kade let out another groan as Benny jumped up and down on his stomach. Lennon grabbed the pint sized body and attacked it with tickles. Benny let out a screech, that evicted the last remnants of sleep from Lennon, and wriggled out of her arms.

"Get up! It's Christmas Morning!" Benny said.

Lennon smiled and pulled her tired body off the couch. She moved to where Kade laid, unmoving. Taking his hand, she began to pull him off. He realized a second too late what she was doing. He crashed onto the floor, knocking Lennon's legs out from under her on his way. Her hip collided with something hard as her elbow dug into something soft, causing Kade to cry out.

"Oww," they said.

"Your elbow just impaled my stomach," he complained.

"You have abs, you're fine," Lennon said, sitting up. "On the other hand, your knee just bruised my hip."

"So this is my fault?" Kade asked.

He wrapped an arm around her and dragged her down. Before she could complain she heard the pattering of small feet and a small body landed hard on top of her. Kade and she both let out groans.

By the time they finally got to their feet, they were wide awake. Kade threw Benny over his shoulder like a sack of potato and charged for the stairs, the two of them chanting "presents".

The morning passed quickly in a jumble of presents and discarded wrapping paper. Julie and Lennon's dad were hosting an open house and by early afternoon people started to trickle in. Lennon stuck by Kade's side, tag teaming the annoyingly prying guests. Their joined hands seemed to build a small defense against the large population of teenage girls. As the sun finally set Lennon and Kade found a small haven in Benny's room surrounded by the kids.

By the time the last guest left, they both found themselves down in the basement. Lennon didn't give a reason for avoiding the guest room and Kade didn't ask. He simply dragged a large pile of blankets and pillows down into the basement. They had fallen asleep quickly, Lennon on the couch and Kade on the floor.

*******************

Their early morning flight to Boston zipped by and before Lennon knew it, Rue and Robbie were giving them a loud welcome at the airport. Rue's chatter didn't stop until they reached the house and she announced their arrival. Kade's mom was beaming as she rounded the corner of the dining room.

"Merry Christmas mom!" Kade said.

He stepped forward, wrapping himself around her.

"We're so happy you're here!" Margret said.

She gave Lennon a hug. The excitement was tripled when the rest of the family arrived. Cece and Sammy tackled Kade the moment they arrived, their excitement causing the other kids to join in.

"Lennon, help!" Kade cried out as he laid buried beneath a pile of kids.

"Sorry, you're on your own," she said.

She sat back and watched, cradling her mug of coffee. Robbie heard the uproar and jumped into the fray, pulling kids up by their ankles. For every child he pulled off, another jumped on. It took him more then ten minutes to pull Kade free.

"You deserted me in my time of need," Kade said once he was free.

He was out of breath and his hair stood up at various angles.

"Tough love," Lennon said.

A wicked grin spread across his face. Lennon knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Kade Matthews, I have hot coffee," she warned him.

She held her mug out in defense as he slowly crept towards her.

"Kade I'm serious," she said.

She tried to sound firm but a hint of laughter came through in her voice. He kept up his steady approach and she gave him a defiant look. A smirk spread across his face as someone snatched her mug out of her hands. He dragged her off the couch.

"Kade!" she screamed.

The kids found the whole thing highly entertaining and let out loud whoops before jumping on top of them. Kade and Lennon were buried under kids, until Rue and Robbie came to their rescue.

Lennon stood and ran her hands through her hair, straightening her clothes. She offered Kade a helping hand in smoothing out his messy hair as his grandparents, Teddy and Cecelia, came into the room. Kade's face lit up the moment he saw them and he rushed over to give them hugs. Lennon was happy to see Kade's grandpa was up and using a walker after his heart attack.

"Merry Christmas!" she said, giving Cecelia a hug first and then Teddy.

"We're so happy to see you again darling," Teddy said. "Care for a dance?"

Lennon beamed at his unhindered energy.

"How about I walk you to your seat," she suggested.

"I guess that will have to do for now," he said, giving his walker an unsatisfied look.

Kade wrapped his grandmother's arm through his and led the way to the two chairs that had been reserved for them.

It felt like a second Christmas as Kade and Lennon brought out their presents. Lennon had spent eight hours at the mall buying clothes and toys for everyone. She felt like Santa Clause as she passed out the presents, and watched as everyone tore into them.

"You did an awesome job with the presents," Kade said quietly.

He sat next to her on the couch, his arm around her. She turned to find him giving her an appreciative smile.

"Thanks," she said, looking back at the room filled with happy faces.

"Kade, what did you get Lennon?" Rue asked.

Lennon didn't give Kade a chance to answer.

"The most amazing present I have ever received!" she said. "Wes Keats is my favorite musician and Kade got me one of his old guitars with a personal letter! It was unreal!"

Lennon looked at Kade to see he looked slightly embarrassed.

"Thats so legit!" Rue said.

"Where's my guitar?" Robbie asked.

"Lennon, what did you get Kade?" Rue asked, in a knowing tone with a bright smile.

"She didn't get me anything," Kade said with mock hurt.

He pulled his arm from around her and crossed them. Lennon rolled her eyes.

"Yes, I did," she said.

He frowned.

"How come I don't remember this gift then?" he asked.

Rue laughed.

"Because I haven't given it to you yet," Lennon said.

Rue pulled a wrapped package out from behind her chair and Lennon took it.

"Merry Christmas babe," Lennon said, handing it to Kade.

He looked at her completely surprised.

"Open it!" Rue said, bouncing on the edge of her chair.

"Well, open it already," Robbie said.

Kade tore at the paper, revealing a soft, black leather. He held up a jacket. Lennon watched as shock and then amazement crossed his face.

"How did you know?" he asked, giving Lennon a baffled look.

"I suggested it!" Rue piped up.

"Rue came up with the idea," Lennon said, looking away.

There was something stronger then surprise beneath Kade's look.

"I was having a hard time thinking of something to get you. How do you get someone who has everything?" Lennon joked.

"Welcome to our world," Kade's dad said.

"I asked Rue for any ideas. She mentioned how you had always wanted a leather jacket, but never found any that you liked."

"That's because he's a girl," Ryan, Kade's cousin, joked.

"I love it," Kade said ignoring the jeer.

He took Lennon's hand and gave it a small squeeze.

"Thank you," he said sincerely, leaning in and kissing her cheek.

A blush rose into Lennon's cheeks at his look.

"Enough of the mushy stuff. You love her, whatever. Let's see it on already, hot stuff," Robbie said.

Lennon laughed and it helped break the intense feeling that had settled between her and Kade. Kade threw Robbie a glare as he stood and pulled the jacket on. It fit him perfectly and looked amazing. It was sleek with a high collar and subtle stitch work. Kade struck a pose and a few people let out wolf whistles, while Rue clapped. Kade turned around, the biggest grin on his face and pulled Lennon up. He hugged her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"It's an absolutely perfect fit. How did you manage it?" he asked.

Lennon gave a victorious smile and told her story about her long search and a help from a sales person who had Kade's similar build.

The rest of the day passed in a whirl of excitement. They played games and talked. Kade's parent's hosted dinner. Lennon felt like part of the family as she helped cut up rolls and set the table while joking with Robbie. She found it entertaining to watch how Kade's cousins ruffled his feathers, something she so rarely got to witness.

She found herself noticing more Kade's interactions with his family. She was even more amazed by how much love they showed for him, after she knew what they had all gone through the last couple of years. Watching him, she found herself appreciating the person Kade was, despite his previous struggles.

**********************************************************************

Hei! (That's hello in Finnish, or so google told me)

People the time has come to take a side. I know that what I'm about to ask you to take a side on might be difficult, but it must be done. So here it goes, zipper hoodies or pull over hoodies? Gosh! I know it's challenging, but dang it theses controversial questions have to be asked, like Uber or Lyft? Pancakes or waffles? Sunrise or sunset? Frozen yogurt or ice cream? (Haha I just reread that last one. Like there is ever a debate over that one.)

Vote, comment, follow. Go have a pointless, heated argument with someone over brownies or cookies? (I'm going to eat some ice cream, all this intense discussion has me tired.)