Breaking Ice

Chapter 59

-Flashback -
Amelia's POV:

"Mommy mommy" Hayden screamed jumping on my bed

"Mom wake up! Santa came" Isaac laughed jumping too

It was finally Christmas morning! Isaac was nearly seven and Hayden two and a half. My sweet little angels.

"Oh did he" I laughed tickling them both

"Come on" they said pulling my arms

"Is Uncle Steve and Luke up?" I asked

"No" Hayden frowned

"Go get them and I'll meet you at the tree" I grinned sitting up

The two small children darted up the room and to the stairs. Momma needed some tea. Christmas was a very hectic but also my favorite day. Every year the kids wake up at the break of dawn waking me up and then Steve and Luke. By the time those two get up, I have hot drinks made for everybody.

"Merry Christmas Princess" Steve said groggily kissing my forehead

"Merry Christmas Stevo" I smiled handing him coffee

"You are a blessing to this world" he smiled

"Merry Christmas Lucious" I smiled handing him coffee

"Merry Christmas Earhart" he laughed

Together we sat around the tree exchanging gifts. Hayden freaking out over the stuffed animals and toys as usual, while Isaac squealed over LEGO's and his dream Easy Bake.

"Mommy we got you something too" they smiled handing me a messily wrapped gift

"You didn't have to aw, thank you" I beamed

Slowly I managed to get through all the tape, wrapping paper, and of course stickers. Inside was a box with a resin pendant with their initials on it.

"It's beautiful guys" I grinned tears welling up "Come here"

I squeezed my little babies and cried. The pendant reminded me so much of the one Ronnie had gotten for me years ago. After helping clean up the kids dispersed to play with their new toys while us "adults" started setting up for Christmas breakfast. Ronnie, Skylar, Hogan, Eleanor, and Anthony were all in town this year. This will be interesting. Thankfully Momma Dun was cool with the extra people, even Sky.

"Sunshine" Hogan yelled coming through the door

"Dad" I squealed running from the kitchen, nearly tackling him

"Jeez kid why don't you just kill me" he laughed

"I've missed you" I grinned

"Kids! Come down here" Steve yelled

"Grandma Ellie" Hayden laughed nearly face planting down the stairs, wouldn't be Christmas without it

"Hades chill" Isaac laughed

Everyone finally made it to the house and took a seat at the table. I was exhausted and Christmas hadn't even really started. The kids devoured their pancakes and veggie bacon, quicker than I put it down. Ronnie was in deep conversation with Isaac while Eleanor occupied Hayden. She'd always wanted grandkids but her son wasn't married nor planned on having kids.

Hogan kept me awake by putting a Cheerio up my nose when I nodded off at the table.

"What the hell dad!" I squealed trying to get the Cheerio out.

"It was Anthony's idea" He said pointing

"Bullshit I'm all the way over here" he chuckled

"Oooo you said a bad word" Hayden said shaking her finger at him

"Imma eat that finger Hades" he threatened making chomping noises

    After breakfast I took Hayden up to get dressed for church. I myself wasn't a religious person but, it's what Momma Dun wants so we shall do it. Her little corduroy overalls and Christmas sweater made me melt. Isaac wore his matching sweater with thick dress pants. I put on my burgundy, long sleeved dress with tights underneath it with some Docs.

"Family picture" Steve said grabbing my camera

"No Stevo" I said putting my hand out to grab the camera

"You'll want this in the future Ahme" He said glaring at me

Reluctantly I agreed and picked up Hayden. Luke picked up Isaac and everyone jumped in to get the picture. We took another one with just Luke, Steve, the kids and I. The guys were wearing the same sweaters as the kids which was extremely cute. Our little five piece family.

"Amelia I'm gonna burn, it's church on Christmas" Steve said

"Steven why are you like this" I smiled shaking my head

  Service went the same as every Christmas service and then it was time to go to Momma Dun's. There were people everywhere. Abby and Ashley with their husbands and kids, Jordan, then the mess of idiots I brought with me.

"Isaac stop pushing your sister" I yelled from the kitchen, helping Momma Dun.

"But Mommy she took my cookie" Isaac complained

"Hayden stop stealing Isaac's cookies and Ice no cookies till after dinner" I scolded

    We finished dinner not long after and sat down together. The table was full of fun conversation and humiliating stories. Jordan sadly being the butt of all the stories.

"Can you guys back off" Jordan said getting frustrated

"Sorry Jor" Skylar said mid laugh

     The table was cleared off and Momma pulled me into the back room. Every year since that night, she's done this. Knowing this was one of my favorite days to spend with Josh. One year I even flew from Florida to London to be with him.

"How are you doing" She asked

"It sucks, honestly, my entire pregnancy I imagined Hayden and Ice running into our room Christmas morning and waking us both up and every year my heart aches even more for that moment" I sighed, tears forming

"Honey" she said hugging me

"Having Hoges and Ronnie here has distracted me from thinking about it but it's not getting much better" I said "how are you"

"It's hard, having everyone here but him is hard. Time just makes it harder. Every morning I wake up I listen to that last voicemail, I miss his voice" she sighed

"Me too Momma" I sighed back

   We talked a bit more before going out into the living room with the rest of the family. It felt nice to have everyone back together for the weekend. It's not the same but it's good.

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A/N

Holy Crap it's been a month, I hope everyone's holiday season is magical. Thank you so much for reading I hope you enjoyed this little flashback. I've had a lot of trouble writing recently due to the fact finals are next week and I'm not doing so great in some of my classes. I hope everyone's finals are going as smoothly as possible.

-Izzy