Kids, thanks for choosing us to be your moms.

VII. She's with him

A/N: Hello all! As we are now in the thick of the last part I hope many of you have picked up on the fact that the time jump from one chapter to another is several months. As sad as it is it helps get a lifetime into 40 chapters. With that being said, I am working on being more detailed in my chapters which means they will probably start to be much longer (3000-4000 words) I will start uploading on Wednesdays instead of twice a week

Thank you to everyone who has held on this long and I hope to see many of you in my next project!

This chapter is 2031 into 2032

It was Christmas morning Lizzie was sitting on the couch with Chase cuddled into her while Jo was cross-legged on the floor in front of her. Lizzie had one hand around Chase absentmindly messing with his shoulder while the other held a coffee mug. Jo's coffee was long forgotten on the coffee table as her job now consisted of grabbing five-year-old Lily Kay before she had the chance to open her gifts before her time. The twins were sitting on the floor close to Jo equally buzzing but being more "chill now that they are nearly 10" or so they say. Christmas was a strange time in the Olsen household. The home was filled with love and excitement but there was still the ghost of the worst day of their lives nine years ago. Lizzie looked down at the floor towards the kitchen shuddering as the image of her wife's lifeless and bloodied body flashed across her face. Lizzie was pulled out of her thoughts by Jo's hand gently running up the back of her calf. She looked down at her, "What's that?"

"Which present next?"

Lizzie looked under the tree, "Uhmm let's do that thick rectangle one for Chase."

Jo leaned forward to grab it, "You want the heavier one right?"

"Yeah," Lizzie nodded, growing up Lizzie never understood how her parents understood one another when they discussed presents but after 16 Christmas' together they had it down. Lizzie watched as Jo handed the box to Chase. They opened presents in a circle everyone opening one gift at a time. This kept everyone engaged and made them feel the gift opening went longer. The order differed every year but one thing remained true whatever order they did for presents they did the opposite for stockings. This year gifts went yungest-oldest so Lizzie would get to do her stocking first. Lizzie squeezed Chase's shoulder as his eyes widened at the weight of his gift. This was his first Christmas with them so they went a little overboard. They try to keep the budget/number of gifts even for all the children but he did get a few extras. Lizzie and Jo discussed it with the other three who were surprisingly mature saying it was okay since they were making up for missed time.

Lizzie smiled at Chase excitedly saying, "Go on! Open it!"

Chase started ripping into the paper with vigor as the rest of the family looked on with equal excitement. "No way!: he exclaimed as he turned the box towards himself his eyes wildly read over the words and pictures.

"What did you get?" Bettan asked,

Chase turned the box around to show them his brand new microscope, "It's a microscope!" he said proudly,

"Oh cool!" the twins said simultaneously.

"What are you going to look at first?" Lizzie asked,

"Probably the pool water,"

Jo turned her nose up looking up and over her shoulder, "Thats probably gross since I haven't cleaned the pool in months."

"I know!" he said enthusiastically, "Thats why I want to look at it!"

Addie grimaced her nose scrunching like Lizzies does, "Thats gross," her face straightened back up, "But cool."

Chase leaned down hugging Jo, "Thank you Mama!" he sat back up wrapping his arms firmly around Lizzie, "Thank you, Mom!"