Frank left before the stag party and headed to the kitchen where he found his wife, working. "How you doing?"

Amanda startled at his voice. "Movie time was great. I sent the kids off with Keelee to bake Christmas cookies. Dinner is all prepped. I just need to start the roasts. Betty and I peeled all the potatoes yesterday, and they are sitting in cold water in the fridge. Veggies and bread are all ready to cook, salads are made, and desserts are going into the oven when we sit down. Besides clean up, I have just the last bit of wrapping to do tonight after dinner." She smiled and spun in his arms. "I'm so happy to have them all home at the same time."

"I couldn't tell." Frank deadpanned and was rewarded with a delicious kiss.

"Do you have enough breakfast and lunch for six more?" Frank knew she did, but he needed to tell her that Gabriel and Anna were coming in.

"Always, who's coming?"

"Gabriel, Anna, and the kids. They are stopping here overnight and then heading to their home in Colorado tomorrow afternoon."

"Why?" Amanda's brow furrowed. "That came out wrong. It is wonderful that they're stopping by, but why are they dropping in so close to Christmas?"

Frank shrugged. "If I had to guess, I'd figure it has something to do with Guardian."

"Oh, well… that makes sense." She blinked and put her hand on his arm. "You don't think it is something that will take one of them away before Christmas, do you?"

"Couldn't say, but I doubt it. If it were an emergency, he wouldn't be stopping over. They have secure coms for that type of thing."

"You're right. I'm making mountains out of molehills." Amanda kissed him again and sighed before pointing toward two, huge, prime rib roasts. "I could use your help putting those in the top oven."

Frank obliged and carried the heavy pans over to the oven, lifting them with ease. When the last slid into place, Amanda asked, "What time will Gabriel and Anna be here?"

"He said about eight or nine, depending on the weather. There is a system between D.C. and us they may have to fly around." Frank wrapped his arms around her waist and sat his chin on her shoulder, watching as she uncovered a casserole to put in one of the other three ovens. They'd expanded the kitchen to make room for the size of the family as it grew. Best damn thing he'd ever done. He could convert this house into a hotel in less time than it took to hog-tie a calf, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

Amanda sat down at the table, tired, but happy her family was all here, under one roof. Frank stood, and a hush fell over the table. A quiet 'shhh' from Faith and Tori stilled the children's chatter.

"I know you're as hungry as I am, but you'll need to wait until I say my bit. Amanda and I are proud of each of you. The lives you lead are… exceptional, but it is the type of people you are that is important. There isn't a way to describe knowing the force of good under this roof, and at this time of year we count each and every blessing we have." He reached his hand out to Amanda, and she took it, trying hard not to tear up. "We consider each of you a gift from the Maker, and we thank you for taking the time to come home when there are so many other demands on you. You've made us both very happy. I'd ask that you remember those who aren't here tonight—Dixon, Chief, and Tatyana, and keep them in your prayers." He cleared his throat and nodded to the food. "Well, go on then, don't let it get cold."

Frank squeezed her hand, and she smiled at him. "That's more words than you've said all month." He grunted at her and then winked.

She turned to look down the table. "So, what did everyone do while I entertained my beautiful grandchildren?"

"We had a drink with Frank," Jacob said as he grabbed the potatoes being passed his way.

"We went to Jasmine's and visited." Faith's quiet voice added over the clanking of the silverware and quiet murmurs of please pass this and that.

"I readied the kitchen for Christmas cookie decorations." Keelee passed the veggies to Adam and grabbed the bread that Ember was passing to her.

"We had fun, Gramma!" Reece piped up.

"Yeah, we made reindeers," Talon added.

"Reindeer." Tori corrected.

"Right. Reece did one, and I did one, so they were two. Reindeers." Talon acknowledged.

"What's on the agenda for tomorrow?" Jason asked as he stabbed a slice of prime rib from the platter going around.

"Well, tomorrow morning the kids are coming with me to Jasmine's house." Amanda looked down the table at her grandchildren. Angelic faces turned her way in anticipation. "We are going to go sledding down the big hill by her house." The table erupted with cheers. Amanda waited until it quieted some. "I figured the gentlemen could accompany us since, as Jasmine pointed out, they'd make it a competition." Amanda watched Jared and Jacob exchange looks and then glance at Nic. "Okay, what was that? That look right there."

Jacob blinked as he realized she was pointing at him and Jared. He cleared his throat and glanced down the table. "Well, the gentlemen, as you put it, had planned on an evening of ... gentlemanly pursuits tonight." He pointed his fork and made a swirl of the table. "The gentlemen may want to sleep in."

Amanda chuckled. Well, okay, those were her boys. They got together and cut loose. They were safe here, not on call, for the most part, and able to let their hair down. "The gentlemen can sleep in until eight thirty. We sled at nine." She looked pointedly at each of her sons by birth, Joseph, Justin, Jason, Jacob, and Jared, and then each of her sons by choice, Drake, Nic, Chad, Christian and Zane. A soft murmur of 'yes, ma'ams' got a chuckle from Frank.

Tori cleared her throat and stood up. "I've been asked to give this to you, Amanda. I know you've noticed there has been a secretive… something… going on. Someone in this room had an idea, and we all decided to jump on the bandwagon. So..." She handed the card to Jacob, who passed it down the line.

Amanda glanced at Frank, and he shrugged. "It ain't going to open itself." He stabbed a piece of prime rib and waited for her to open it.

Amanda read the card and glanced down the table to a sea of upturned, expectant faces. "At the church? At noon on Christmas Eve?" She read the card again. "And you're not going to tell me what this celebration entails?" She searched the faces at the table. The expressions ranged from blank: Joseph and Jason—to guilty: Jacob and Jared's permanent expression—to hopeful: Jewell, Tori, Jade, Jasmine, and Faith. Zane lifted an eyebrow at her and smiled. Nic seemed consumed with putting spoonfuls of sugar into his already sweetened tea and Christian blushed, shrugged and turned to butter a piece of bread. She had no idea what to do with that. She couldn't read Dani and Justin. Drake wasn't looking at her. Instead, he was whispering to Jillian. Her look of growing shock told Amanda more than anything else. She glanced at Keelee and Adam and then at Chad. Chad smiled back at her. "You know I love you, but I will not be the weakest link. I'm not saying diddly squat." The table erupted with laughter.

Amanda smiled and glanced at the card. The church at noon. Interesting.