December 25th

"Daddy, Phillip, wake up!" Franny's insistent voice called through the closed door. "Daisy says we can't open anything until you're awake."

Groaning and rolling over, Phillip gave Gareth's asscheek a quick squeeze while kissing his husband on the cheek, avoiding morning breath. "At least they waited until after 7 am this year," Phillip said, sitting up and stretching, effectively pulling the comforter off Gareth who was still trying to sleep. "Come on, Gare, it's Christmas. You know you aren't getting any more sleep."

"Okay, fine. I'm getting," Gareth groaned, rolling off the other side of the bed, his hair sticking up haphazardly and an imprint of his hand on his cheek. Gareth's back cracked a bit as he reached up and pulled down both a cardigan for himself and sweatshirt for Phillip to put on over the t-shirts and pyjama pants they'd slept in. Both had a late night last night, up until 1 am wrapping gifts for under the tree.

When their door was opened, Franny was pacing back and forth in the hall, her wavy curls contained to a ponytail that Daisy obviously had a hand in. "Took you long enough! Look, we have coffee and everything," she said, dragging the men to the living room where two mugs of steaming coffee were waiting at the table. "All you have to do is sit and watch, I'll hand out the presents!"

"Merry Christmas to you, too, Franny," Gareth snickered as he sat down. Honestly, at eleven years of age, he'd kind of hoped she'd calm down a bit and be interested in sleeping later. Maybe in a few more years.

Daisy gave a big yawn from where she was curled up under a blanket on the settee, sipping on a cafe au lait, the closest thing to coffee her fathers would let her have. "I tried to give the two of you as much time as possible, but once it was past seven, I didn't have a chance of holding her back."

"Thanks, Day, it was nice of you to try. It doesn't matter, we'd have to be up soon anyway. Guests coming over and all," Gareth took a seat on the sofa and Phillip sat right next to him in front of their beverages.

"Presents won't open themselves! Come on!" Gabe called from his spot on the floor in front of the tree. His voice cracked a bit and his face went red in embarrassment. It was a bit of a common occurrence for the twelve year old, but still mortifying. Fortunately both his sisters had already been heavily warned about teasing him.

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An hour later, there was a pile of gift wrap in the recycling bin, neatly stacked new things on the coffee table, some presents for others still under the tree, and five Lewis-Camerons making plans in the kitchen while eating french toast and bacon.

"Okay, so we're going to have a buffet set up in here, with turkey, salads, and sides. Gabe, you and Fran are on baby duty, and Daisy, you're going to make sure the food doesn't burn," Gareth rhymed off, so that Phillip knew what to expect. He was so much more social than he'd been in the past, but he still did a great deal better when there was a schedule and plan. Not that Phillip couldn't deal with change, but it was always easier to keep his stress levels lower, and today was bound to be stressful. "Phillip and I will make sure everyone has drinks and make conversation."

Phillip nodded and tamped down his slight feeling of discomfort. He could do this, he knew all these people and liked most of them. "What's the timeline?"

"The grandparents are arriving first, right around one o'clock to help get ready, then everyone else will be here by two. Food will be out and people can eat as they see fit," Gareth responded. His parents didn't have far to drive, since they'd purchased a senior's condo in town a few years ago and moved to be closer to their grandchildren. "Oh, and they're bringing Marjorie with them."

It still felt weird for Phillip to refer to Mrs. Bentman by her first name, but since Mr. Bentman passed away, she'd moved into the same complex as the older Lewises and they'd become close friends. In fact the three Lewis-Cameron children often referred to her as Granny Marge. Besides, she was essentially a partner in Phillip and Mel's business. "Okay, then. I suppose we'd better shower and everything."

"Dibs on the basement shower!" Gabe shovelled his last bit of food in his mouth and stood, still chewing. He was getting so tall, that he was the same height as Daisy and only a few inches from Phillip.

"Fine, just no one takes longer than fifteen minutes. We have a lot to do."

"Gareth and I will get the dishes, while you all get dressed. While we're showering, you all need to tidy up. New presents away, and the living room ready." Phillip was pleased that they'd gotten one of those hot water on demand systems, since they were to be last in the shower. With Franny and Gabe approaching the daily shower age, and Daisy firmly in the middle of it, hot water couldn't be in short supply.

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By one o'clock everything was in good order when the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!" Franny yelled as she dashed to the front hall to let in the elder visitors. Gabe followed hot on her heels.

"Grandma, Grandpa! Granny Marge!" Franny threw open the door to the three older people, all with beaming smiles. Gabe and Franny helped take their parcels while they hung their winter coats in the hall closet.

Daisy put the wooden spoon down on the counter from the pot she'd been stirring and came to greet their guests, while the two fathers emerged from the basement where they'd been babyproofing. Everyone exchanged hugs and kisses, and the guests were taken to the living room to have a seat and open presents.

The two youngest children got a few small items and large monetary injections to their post-secondary savings accounts, while Daisy got something else altogether.

"Car keys!" she exclaimed upon opening the little box passed over to her.

"Your grandparents paid to have the car certified and completely fixed up, and I've covered a year's worth of insurance for you. I know it's not a new car, it was my Arthur's before he passed, but it's in great shape and has low milage," Marjorie explained. "Plus we checked with your dads to make sure it was okay."

"You can pick the car up with one of your parents tomorrow," Jack Lewis told Daisy, pleased that she was so excited with her present. They'd also put money into her savings account, too, but she didn't need to know that now.

"And we've also gotten you driving lessons," Phillip added, "since I'm not sure either of us has the nerve to do it." He patted Gareth on the knee and they grinned knowingly at each other. Both of them had already had Daisy out in the store parking lot after closing, and it was an experience neither man wanted to repeat.

"Dads! I'm not that bad!" Daisy retorted with a pout.

"Oh, and no driving Tyler around until you have your full license, either," Gareth further added. "I'm sure your dad and Mel don't want to have to replace employees."

"No he's certainly needed at the store," Marjorie agreed. "He's a star with the customers."

Shortly before Mr. Bentman passed away, the couple had been approached by Brian to ask if they wanted to buy back their business. He'd all but run it into the ground, and creditors were calling. They knew that operating the store themselves was an almost impossible task, they'd retired for a reason, but decided to approach Mel and Phillip to see if they were interested in helping out. While the gardening company was doing well, operating a greenhouse and having access to stock at any time was something the business partners had been ready to jump at. Vernon was brought on board, too, as he was already managing a business and had experience. Bentman's Garden Centre was re-opened under old management, with Vern and Mel at the helm of the business operations, while Phillip headed the greenhouse and gardening service. Arthur and Marjorie Bentman were 'silent' partners although after Arthur died, Marjorie spent more time in the store helping out and acting as a grandmother to many of the younger employees.

Having the store provided a lot of opportunities. Phillip was able to use a section of the greenhouse for specialty plants for his clients, the local gardening clubs, and internet sales, which brought in more sources of revenues. He was thrilled to be able to dabble in rare plants, and use it to bolster sales, too. Because the old owners were so well respected, the store was able to bring back a lot of their long time customers, and retain a lot of knowledgeable staff. Also, they were able to hire co-op students in horticulture from the local schools in a mentorship program, which is where Daisy met Tyler, her boyfriend of four months.

"Is he coming today?" Jack Lewis asked his eldest grandchild. While they liked Tyler, Jack enjoyed teasing the boy and making him a bit uncomfortable, he had Daisy's best interests at heart, after all.

"Yes, Grandpa, but not until later. Please be nice."

"I'm always nice," Jack said with a smirk.

"Whatever! I hope when I have a girlfriend her grandfather isn't as mean to me as you are to him!" Gabe interjected. Gabe loved Tyler and thought of him kind of like the older brother he'd never have. Sometimes it was a bit much having two sisters with strong personalities.

Phillip glanced at his watch and decided that everyone had to get a move on to keep on track with the schedule. Non-family guests would be popping in soon. "Time to get tidied up," he reminded everyone.

"Ah, yes, you're right Phillip," Beverly agreed. She stood and started picking up the wrapping paper for the recycling bin.

"I'll help you in the kitchen, dear." Marjorie said to Daisy, while Jack was content to sit and put the television on the fireplace channel, making the room look even more festive before shutting his eyes for a little nap.

The quiet was short lived because shortly after Jack fell asleep, the doorbell chimed. "I'll get it," he grumbled, struggling to rise from the couch. He could hear a flurry of activity from outside the front door, and he could see a flash of colour and spikes. "Mel and fam are here!" he called as he opened the door.

Mel and Vernon were standing on the porch, Vernon carrying a cake in one hand and their two year old in the other, while Mel had the diaper bag and a very round belly. "Let us in before I pop!" she called, rubbing her very pregnant stomach. She looked somewhat tired to the point that even her spiky hair was subdued.

"Santa came!" little Oliver said to Jack as they came in the house.

"That he did, and I think Franny has something else from Santa for you downstairs," Jack said as he took Oliver from his father. "Why don't you take a load off, Mel?" He gestured towards the couch.

"Thanks, Jack," she said as she waddled to the offered seat. "I feel like I'm ready to pop. I can't wait until Samantha makes her debut in the next few weeks." Not having the patience for a surprise, Mel insisted on finding out the gender of their second child so that everything could be ready. She even had a crib set up in the office at Bentman's.

It really was fantastic that Mel and Vern were able to finally have a family, and they were taking full advantage. The success of the business, acquisition of the greenhouse, and changes to health care funding for IVF made childbearing within financial reach of the couple. Mel was thrilled to be able to have Oliver at work with her at the greenhouse and she was hoping to take a bit of time off when Samantha came along, but knew when she returned to work, Marjorie and Beverly were willing help out whenever possible.

"So Vern, did you have a good morning?" Gareth inquired as he came in the room, passing his father who was playing with Oliver as he took the toddler down to the basement to play. "I was just making sure everything was baby-proofed downstairs."

"It was good. Oliver's not totally understanding of the whole Christmas thing, so he slept normally. Right now it's Mel's bladder that has us up all hours," he said with a chuckle.

"Meh, you might as well be used to getting up anyway. Soon enough, sleep will be a precious commodity." She rubbed her belly for emphasis.

"Don't remind me. I was never happier when the kids started sleeping through the night," Gareth stated.

"Now the biggest problem is making sure Daisy's not reading all night. The other night I got up at 2 am and she still had her reading light on," Phillip added.

"What were you doing up at 2, Phillip?" Mel teased, poking him with her elbow. "Was Gareth up, too?"

Phillip's face coloured. "Would anyone care for a beverage?"

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The house was packed. A little while after Mel and Vern arrived, Bill and Abby dropped by, and so did Tyler, Daisy's boyfriend. Everyone had plates of food, and were content to just sit and converse. It was getting a little too loud for Phillip, so he went and sat in the bedroom for a little while just to have some quiet. As he walked down the hall to the back of the house, he smiled as he passed the wall of photos they'd installed. Pictures of their life together over the past five years. There was the first day of Franny's grade one year, all three children with large smiles and new back to school clothes. Bill and Phillip dancing at Abby and Bill's wedding. A picture of the grand re-opening of Bentman's with the Lewis-Camerons, Mel and Vern, and Mrs and Mr Bentman cutting a big red ribbon. The family photo from their beach vacation. And Phillip's favourite picture of them all; he and Gareth embracing following the exchanging of vows at their wedding ceremony on New Year's Eve four years ago.

The choice of date was to make sure that both men would have time off work, as the summer was far too busy for Phillip. Also, this way, as Franny put it, "Everyone could celebrate her Daddies' wedding." And celebrate they did. The girls both wore red and silver dresses, while the men, Gabe, Gareth, and Phillip, wore sleek black suits with red shirts and silver ties. It was also a celebration of Phillip's official adoption of the children. The wedding was a small affair with just close friends and family, but it was everything Phillip had ever dreamed of. He and Gareth were so blessed and happy with how things had worked out. Although they opened presents this morning, Phillip had another present for Gareth that he hadn't given him yet. For their anniversary, he'd booked a weekend getaway at Bill's friend's ski chalet. Not that he or Gareth skied, but he was sure they could find something to do at the resort without having any children around.

But first they would have to survive today. And it was going to be a trial. After years of no contact, Leeann had called a few months ago wanting to see the children. She'd been clean of drugs and alcohol since her arrest when it was discovered she was pregnant. Although she'd willingly given up her parental rights so that Phillip could adopt the children, she had said at the time that she wanted to try again someday. Now she wanted her four and a half year old son, Xavier, to meet his siblings. It had been a difficult decision, and in the end, Gareth and Phillip left it to the kids to choose. They had discussed it, and in the end, they decided that it was important for them to know their youngest brother, and they had chosen today as the day.

The kids had argued that seeing Leeann when there was so much family around would be easier because they wouldn't have to be forced into any conversation with her. They also thought that maybe it would be easier to keep everything light. Leeann was still a point of anger for the children, but a few years of counselling had made them a bit more open. Gareth just worried that she might hurt the children somehow, but was assured by Kyle that all her conditions of probation had made her a much different person.

Either way, Phillip needed a bit of a recharge before facing everyone again, so laying on the bed with earphones on was calming. He'd rather be in the greenhouse with some plants, but his mini greenhouse in the basement was where the little ones were being housed, and he knew Gareth and the kids would be upset it he went out to the store. And the store was the last bit of his life that he needed to feel complete. He had his family, his husband, his business, and then, after Brian's epic failure, and the Bentman's more than generous offer, his long-time home was restored to him, too. There were so many wonderful things in his life, he just hoped the addition of little Xavier wouldn't cause too many problems. Well, not Xavier, because it couldn't be the child's fault, but his mother could certainly cause drama, no matter what Kyle said.

After thirty minutes of his playlist, Phillip knew he needed to return to the fray. Taking a breath, he got up from the bed, straightened his clothes, and walked out of the bedroom. Across the hall, Daisy was sitting on her bed, Tyler in her desk chair across from her.

"The door stays open, right Daisy?"

She rolled her eyes at him, "Of course. And hands off each other, and I'll come out as soon as Leeann arrives."

"Thank you, honey," Phillip rolled his eyes back, and smiled at Tyler.

"No problem, Daddy P," Daisy responded.

Stopping in the kitchen, Phillip got himself another cup of tea, then restarted the kettle. Gareth slipped in behind him and gave him a quick peck on the back of the neck with a little embrace.

"Feeling better, Phil?"

"Ask me in a few more hours."

"Bill and Abby had to go, but he said he'll see you at the office next week, something about wanting a red flowering thing for the wall? I don't know, but Mel told him that she wasn't doing a damn thing for him until after the baby was out," Gareth chuckled. Mel was about ready to do whatever she could to induce labour at this point, even though her due date was still a few weeks away. They took a few more stolen second together with little kisses and touches, enjoying each other on this stressful day.

A/N: This was so long, I ended up having to cut it into 2 parts. This is part one, and the second part will follow in an hour or so. I hope you all like seeing how everyone is doing. Thanks again for sticking with me and my men! :)

<3 JJ