This was for a Christmas Special I ended up not writing but as  a thank you for all the reads I decided to share it as a bonus chapter!!

I hope you like!!

December 2013

Serene Heights, Vermont

"Alright, so we got the diaper bag, the snacks, your giant purse, extra toys, a change of clothes for the baby, and blankets," Rocco rattled off.

He surveyed their large oak table, covered in enough stuff for a week-long trip when they were only going for an afternoon. "Anything else?"

"Sandwiches, I think I better make some..." Rocco glanced up to find his gorgeous wife Dani with her head in the fridge as she trailed off. She was dressed in a cozy red sweater dress with black leggings, her rich chestnut hair in a messy bun.

"We have snacks..." Rocco reminded her.

"I know, but goldfish crackers and fruit snacks aren't much. I think I should make some just in case." Dani fretted as she set the bread and lunchmeat down on the well-used and slightly cluttered center island. She bit her plump lip in that adorable way she always did as a thoughtful look shined through her deep brown eyes. "What if Gavi gets hungry?"

"We're going to the mall. There is a food court there," Rocco pointed out. This was the first time they'd taken their newborn baby on an outing, and Dani was understandably nervous.

"If we're packing up the car anyway. I'd just feel better if we had food," Dani said as she began spreading the mayo on the bread.

"Gavi, can you bring this stuff to the car while your mom makes emergency sandwiches?" Rocco asked, biting back a snicker as Dani shot him a look.

Gavin looked up from the table where he was sitting and coloring. His thick brown hair was cut into a short, boyish style, showing off his bright green eyes. He flashed a big gap-toothed smile as he bobbed his head. "Sure, Dad!"

Gavin was so excited to see Santa. He was already up and dressed in his Frosty the Snowman sweater, ready to go before Rocco made coffee. He was six this year and in first grade, and it could be one of the last years, he believed. Rocco and Dani wanted to treasure every moment of it.

Christmas meant everything to his wife. The first year the three of them spent together as a family was magic for Dani. She said seeing everything through Gavin's eyes was like seeing it herself in a new light. She didn't have an easy upbringing, and she was fiercely adamant that their children have lives full of beautiful memories and traditions that they would carry on with their kids. A sentiment Rocco couldn't agree with more.

"Oh, good. I was going to suggest emergency ham," Rocco teased as we walked over, an easy smile spreading over his face.

"You poke fun now!" Dani mock scolded as she pointed a piece of bread at him. "You never know what might happen. You may thank me for these later."

"Just make the sandwiches we'll throw away later, Valentine," Rocco teased.

"Humor me, Babe." She lined up the bread and started assembling the sandwiches. "Can you get the baby while I finish these?"

"On it," he kissed her cheek, then snaked a piece of ham before he left, munching on it as he headed up the stairs.

Rocco and Dani's room was at the end of the hall, and it was a little messy, with random clothes strewn about and a bunch of Gavin's toys. A laundry basket in the corner overflowed with clean clothes they'd yet to put away. It was hard keeping up with stuff with a new baby, but neither Dani nor Rocco minded it. It was welcoming to Rocco after the nightmare of the sterile and cold house from his old life.

None of that here. This house was alive and full of their family and the love they shared. The walls, painted a calm blue, were decorated with art that Rocco and Dani picked out together.

His favorite was a side-by-side wooden photo frame in the center of the biggest wall. On one side was a family photo of Rocco, Dani, and Gavin in front of the Christmas tree. On the other slide were the adoption papers filed last year, which officially made Dani Gavin's mom. It was doubly special because this photo was also taken shortly after finding out they had a baby on the way.

He headed into the small nursery, which Rocco had built by extending the master closet in their room. The walls changed from blue to light lavender, and a small pink and purple crib filled the space with a matching dresser and changing table.

In block letters above the crib, hung her name, Jill Rosa

Jill in honor of Dani's aunt and mother figure Jillian, whom she lost as a very young adult, and Rosa for Rocco's mother, Rosaline, who passed away when Rocco was a child.

Rocco leaned over the crib where the three-month-old baby slept soundly. Her pink teddy bear, Posie, named by Gavin, sat in the corner as if watching over the baby.

Jill started to wake some, her little lips opening as she made her gurgling baby sounds. She was a perfect little mix of both he and Dani but also had features that looked so much like Gavin. It was incredible just gazing down at her and watching her grow every day.

"Well, hello there, Jilly Bean," Rocco cooed softly, and she kicked her tiny legs in response. "Did you have a good nap?"

He gently lifted her from the crib and cuddled her into his arms. The changing station, painted to match the crib, was already set out with her outfit for the day. Dani had picked out a red sweater that would match what she was wearing, along with some black velvet tights. Rocco reminded himself to take lots of pictures today. The candid ones he'd snap when Dani wasn't looking were his favorites.

***

"Are you ready to go to the mall, baby girl? You're going to see all kinds of new sights." Rocco spoke softly as he cradled her in his arms.

As he left the room Rocco heard the sound of the front door bursting open from downstairs.

"Mommy! Look who's here!" Gavin yelled cheerfully.

"What? Nana!?" he heard Dani's voice. "How in the world did you get here?"

"Oh, mio cara. It was that last photo you sent me of the little angels, and I could not wait for another moment to meet that little one, and Gavin! He looked so mature and handsome. I needed to hug and kiss them. I asked Maria to book me an immediate flight. I hope this is okay. Should I have called?"

"Oh, Nana, don't worry about that for a second. I am so happy you are here!" Dani said warmly. "Anytime you want to come, you are welcome, and we'll make the arrangements next time, so you just let us know."

Which is exactly what Rocco would tell her or any family that came to their door.

Rocco stood momentarily and looked down as his wife happily embraced his grandmother, Sofia Romano, Rocco's late father's mother. She lived In Italy where she oversaw the family vineyard. Rocco's nana has always been full of energy and even still in her older years she hasn't changed. However, she did need some help managing that large estate herself, so she had a caretaker named Maria.

Impulsively flying in to see them are the types of things Rocco's nana had always wanted to do, but Rocco's ex-wife never made her feel welcome. On the other hand, Dani fell in love with her the moment she met her and considered Sofia her own nana.

Nana was dressed warm in a thick tweed coat with winter boots and a hat covering most of her curly, stark white hair. She looked good and healthy with rosy cheeks and a big smile. Rocco was happy she was here, he and Dani often worried that she got lonely in Italy.

"I hoped I could help with the baby and the holidays. I know how busy you must be."

"I will not turn down help," Dani laughed as she gestured to their lived-in home. "As you can see, I need it."

"Oh please, you should have seen the cottage after Carlos was born."

"Nana, what a great surprise." Rocco finally made his presence known as he stepped down the stairs. He met Dani's eyes, and she smiled brightly.

"Here she comes," Dani said to Nana, who was already tearing up a hand placed over her heart.

"Oh, Rocco. I love you to pieces but bring me that child, please," Nana urged, and Rocco laughed, but a tear of happiness leaked from the corner of his eye.

"Nana, that's my sister, Jilly!" Gavin told her as Rocco drew closer. "You met her on the phone."

"Yes, I most surely did, and I am so excited to meet her," Nana smiled warmly at him and held her arms out towards Rocco.

"You have to hold her very careful," Gavin said, ever the protector of his little sister, he watched closely as Rocco started to hand her over.

"Thank you, sweet boy, and I promise I have held some babies in my day, she is in good hands."

Gavin relaxed then as Nana took the baby from Rocco and cradled her in her arms. "Oh my, what a beautiful treasure you are," Nana whispered, her eyes welled up with tears.

"She loves it when you talk to her," Gavin informed her. "I always read her my James and Kiki books."

The books he was referring to are a series of five children's books Dani wrote about Gavin, as a tiger of course, his treasured teddy bear Kiki; and their adventures as they protect the zoo, they live in. She opted to use Gavin's middle name James for the book itself since she decided to list Gavin as her co-author on the cover. Gavin was the one Dani told the stories to long before Rocco encouraged her to write them down, so she had him help her as she developed them into real stories. It was a big bonding thing for the two of them, and they are both fiercely proud of the books.

"Maybe later you can read some to me and little Jilly together?" Nana said as she smiled warmly at Gavin.

Rocco walked over to his wife and wrapped his arms around her shoulders from behind. There wasn't a day when his heart didn't surge with love for her and their beautiful little family.

"I can, but we have to see Santa right now," Gavin said urgently. "At the mall."

"Nana just got done traveling, Gavi," Dani said softly. "She may want to settle in here a bit."

"But, Mommy," he said quietly. "What if we miss Santa?"

"We won't miss him, Tiger," Dani assured him quickly. "Nana are you okay with settling in here while we go? I can make you something to eat first if you're hungry."

Rocco was just about to mention the sandwiches when Nana spoke up.

"Oh nonsense, I would love to go along," Nana said.

"Yay!" Gavin cheered and did a little happy jump, making them all chuckle.

"Are you sure, Nana?" Rocco asked. "You must be tired?"

"I slept the flight away, and after all that sitting, a walk around the mall sounds wonderful."

"Alright then, let's all go see Santa!" Rocco declared. 

**I may continue this next year for the holidays, it would be like 3 or so more chaps just a fun little glimpse of the family during the holidays. 

Flip to the next page for a peek at the future in images!!