Things couldn't be better. Marc and I are doing wonderful. He is so amazing. I don't think I could love him anymore than I do. We are always together these days. There are some days that he has business to tend to for Damian. I never ask what he is doing. Sometimes I just don't want to know. Cas is doing great with her pregnancy and the baby is growing bigger every day. She has about another month before we get to meet baby Russo. She is ready to have this baby. I can tell she is getting miserable. I feel bad for her, but I know it will soon be over for her.

It is a few weeks till Christmas and we haven't even put up Christmas decorations yet. Maybe I can get the guys to agree with it.

"Babe, can we decorate for Christmas? It's almost here."

"I think we can. We usually don't, but since we have you two, I don't think Damian will mind."

"What will I not mind?" Damian says as he walks into the room.

"The girls want to decorate for Christmas."

"Sure, no problem. We need some holiday cheer around here after the year we've had."

"Yeah, can we go get stuff today?" Cas asks excitedly.

"Absolutely."

We all head out to the tree farm to get a tree and all the decorations, since the guys had none. I was so excited to be able to do this. We used to do this when I was a kid but after mom and dad died, I never felt like it anymore. After we got everything we headed home to decorate. The gys set up the tree in the living room and we started with the decorations. We had fun decorating and the tree looked great.

This was my favorite time of year. Tomorrow Cas and I were going Christmas shopping and I couldn't wait. Today was great and it was some new memories we were creating as a new family and so many more to find. The guys had to head into the club this evening to work so Cas and I were left to ourselves. They had a couple of Damian's men come watch over us. There were several patrolling the grounds as Jake sat inside with us. It was nice to get to know Jake. We haven't had much time because he was always doing work for Damian. We found out he was single and had just got out of a long relationship with a girl and was looking for a place to live.

"Hey. I was looking to rent out my old house. How about you rent it from me. I know you so I would feel better about it." I say with a smile.

"Are you sure? That would be great!" He says happily.

"Absolutely, we could go over there tomorrow to look at it if you want."

"Yes, I would."

Great, then tomorrow we go over there."

"It's a plan."

We decide to order pizza and watch a movie. We all decide on an action movie and soon the food is delivered. We dig into the pizza and start the movie. After we finish off the pizza, we finish the movie. Cas starts getting sleepy so she heads up to bed and Jake and I put in another movie. I eventually fall asleep before the movie is halfway over. I soon feel someone picking me up and I open my eyes.

"It's okay princess, I got you. Go back to sleep."

"I can walk, you know."

"You're sleeping so I'm going to carry you."

I curl into him and go back to sleep. He puts me onto the bed and undresses, eventually climbing into bed and pulling me onto him and I cuddle into him. I quickly fall asleep in my safe place.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It is Christmas eve and Damian's parents were coming in and Cassandra's parents would be here Christmas day. I had all my presents for everyone and wrapped under the tree. I was so excited for Christmas day, and to have the families here. I haven't seen Cas' family in a long time.

"I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas! I'm so excited! It's my favorite holiday." I say as I bounce around.

"You are too cute. I love to see that smile on your face." Marc says laughing.

"Aren't you excited?"

"Actually I am. I hope you like what I got you."

"I'm sure I will."

We were all sitting in the kitchen and we heard the door go and heard Damian's parents call out.

"Hey guys, it's just us." Angelo calls out as he shuts the door.

"Where's my favorites?" Lucia calls from the foyer.

The guys get up and help them with their luggage and packages.

"Oh my dears, how have you been doing?"

"We are fine mom. No problems since." I answer.

"Ready to get this little boy out." Cas adds.

"Are my boys treating you right?" She asks as she comes over to hug us.

"Yes, they are the best." I say hugging her back.

"Good, I would hate to have to beat one or both of them."

"Mom, really?" Damian says as he picks up their luggage and takes it to their room. Marc grabs the packages and goes to put them under the tree.

"The house is beautiful, girls. I am so glad there is a feminine touch around here. It doesn't look like a bachelor pad anymore." Lucia says as she walks around the house.

All the boys roll their eyes as we all sit down to talk.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" I ask.

"Do you have any eggnog? I haven't had any this year, and I have been craving it." Lucia asks.

"I'll take a whiskey?" Angelo adds.

"I"ll get that for you dad." Marc offers.

We actually have some, Lucia. I'll go get you some."

Marc and I head off into the kitchen to get the drinks. Once in the kitchen Marc pulls me into him and kisses me with so much passion, my toes curl. I pull back to breathe and look him in the eyes. I see all the love in them.

"Wow, what was that for?"

"I just love you so damn much!"

I love you too. We better get those drinks back to them before they come looking for them."

We carry the drinks out and hand them out. As we were walking in we heard Damian's parents say they were taking us all out for Christmas eve dinner. They take us to a nice steak restaurant. As we are sitting talking and eating, I again think about how happy I am to be a part of this family. Once we are all finished eating we head back to the house and relax. The guys head into the game room to play some pool and drink. We girls sit down in the living room to talk.

"So how is my grandson and his mommy?" Lucia asks.

"He is growing every day and I don't think there is much more room for him. I can't get comfortable, I can't breathe most of the time. My back hurts, my hips hurt and my feet are always swollen. I can't see them, but I can feel it. Damian is so wonderful. He will rub my back or my feet whenever they hurt without me asking him. I am so ready to have this baby. We can't wait to meet him."

"I'm glad to know that I raised him right. You are his queen and you should be treated as such. If he ever gets out of line, you just let me know and I'll come straighten him out." Lucia says.

We all laugh at that, because we know it's true. And how are you, Riley? Any plans for children?"

"No, we have no plans at the moment. I would love to have children with Marc if he wanted them, but I would like to be married first. Just call me old fashioned. No offense Cas."

"No offense taken, girl. I would have liked that too, but sometimes you're not as careful as you would like. I wouldn't change this for the world though, and come springtime we will be husband and wife." Cas says with a smile.

"I'm so happy too. I will have a wonderful daughter-in-law and maybe soon after that I will add another." Lucia says as she looks at me hopefully. I smile back.

If he were to ever ash, I would say yes. I don't think I could ever be without him now. He is my everything."

"Aw, sweetheart." Lucia says as she comes over to me and gives me a big hug.

"Ouch, crap." Cas says holding her stomach.

"Are you okay, Cas?" I ask.

"Yeah, he just moves around alot and kicks me everywhere. It's about that time that he looks for his dad. He won't settle down until Damian comes and talks to him."

"Hang on, I'll go get him." I walk down to the game room to go grab Damian. I let him know that the baby is kicking for him and he goes upstairs to help Cas. I stay downstairs for a bit.

"How are you doing, princess?"

"I am fine, just getting a little sleepy, excited for tomorrow."

You're like a little kid when it comes to Christmas. I love how excited you get." he pulls me into him, wrapping his arms around me and nuzzles into my neck inhaling my perfume. "I love the way you smell. It's my favorite scent."

"What is?"
"You, and you always smell different, but my favorite is the coconut and pineapple lotion."

"I'll have to remember that." After a bit, Damian comes back.

"Is little Russo settled?"

"Yeah, I love that he recognizes my voice and he calms down for me. She was getting tired so I took her to our room and she fell asleep quickly." he returns.

"I better go up then, your mom is up by herself."

"We probably won't be too much longer. We all probably will be up early tomorrow. You won't let me sleep in." Marc says with a smirk.

"Yeah, probably not. It will be time to open presents." I smile and bounce on my toes. I just love Christmas morning, watching everyone open presents, seeing their eyes light up and the smiles on their faces. It's the best. I kiss Marc on the lips and head back to his mom. We sit and talk for a long time and I get to know more about the family and the boys. After a while Marc, Damian, Alex and Angelo come upstairs and we all head upstairs to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. We change into our pajamas and climb into bed, curling up to each other and quickly fall asleep.