Without A Trace

Seventy-Three.

Christmas morning Thomas and I are rudely awoken by the blinding light searing into our faces. I groan and peel my eyes open to find an incredibly excited little girl jumping up and down in our room. She looks like shes about to burst.

"Pippin," Thomas says rubbing his eyes as he slowly sits up. His voice groggy and raspy from the morning, it sends a sensational shiver down my spine.

"Santa came! We have to go see what he brought!" She says clutching her hands into her chest in anticipation waiting for us to get up.

"Alright alright, we'll meet you down there," Thomas says groggily as the little girl shrieks in excitement before running out. Thomas turns to Michael who is standing in the doorway, sending him a glare.

"Merry Christmas," Michael says chuckling before walking out of the room leaving the door open.

Thomas groans as he lays back against the cool sheets before turning his head and meeting my eyes, they beam as soon as he locks them on mine. I love him with every ounce of my being but Christmas has always been a special day for me. I loved the holiday itself but it was the first night Thomas told me he loved me. We were just kids back then, but I still get butterflies when he is around me. Even when he pisses me the fuck off.

We lay there in silence for a few moments basking in each others space. Sometimes this is all we need, just a few moments of peace and really taking each other in. Any more it seems all we do is fight, especially over the last 4-5 years. So moments like this I hold deathly close to my heart.

Unfortunately, not everyone in this family has a great memory of Christmas Day.

"We better get out of this bed before Pip comes in here again," I finally say breaking the silence and pulling myself out of bed and putting my robe on. He follows close behind as we make our way downstairs, meeting a VERY sleepy Lewis and Anna at the top of the stairs.

Thomas exchanges a glance with his brother, which seems like they're having a silent conversation. Thomas chuckles and shakes his head before putting his hand in the small of my back and leading me down the stairs.

"Fuck Anna, if you're that tired im surprised I didnt hear you screaming Lews name last night," I say with a smile before she shoots a glare at me causing me to laugh before going downstairs.

Michael makes his way into the family room as Ivy stands there with a coffee in her hand watching Pippin prep the livingroom so everyone has a special place to sit. Its her thing shes done every year since she was little and it's tradition at this point.

Michael snakes his hand around his wifes waist and leans down into her ear, "Good morning Mama," he says before leaning down more and placing a gentle kiss on her jaw.

Ivys cheeks grow warm as she meets her husbands eyes and she places a deep kiss on his lips, "Morning Daddy," she says biting her lip softly.

"Alright that's quite enough yeah? Its 6am for fuck sakes," John says rubbing his eyes as he makes his way into the livingroom.

As Pippin calls all the boys in and instructs them where to sit Ivy and I give Anna a small hug each. She flashes a small smile at us before gripping her coffee cup softly.

"You doing okay?" Ivy whispers softly meeting Annas gaze. She nods her head confidently in return as a single tear rolls down her face. I wipe it away with my thumb and rest my head on hers.

A few years ago Anna suffered a horrible miscarriage on Christmas morning. After that happened her episodes around Lewis being bloody really skyrocketed. She hemorrhaged and we almost lost her. Lewis was absolutely covered in her blood trying to stop the bleeding before we were able to get her to the hospital.