When Hate Turns to Love- Part 2

Ch. 22

"Are you ready Ricky?" Nini called up the stairs, "Christmas Eve service is starting in a half-hour! What on earth is taking you so long!"

Nini straightened Connor's tie and ran a hand through Charlotte's hair. Nini had gone to church on Christmas Eve for as long as she could remember. She wasn't exactly religious but there was just something about attending church on Christmas that felt right. It's really the only time she attended church.

Ricky scrambled down the stairs in black slacks, a pressed white shirt with a green tie. His curls were perfection and he looked just plain yummy. Nini turned red. Noticing the flush, he grinned at her roguishly. Her face went darker.

"We are going to church." she hissed, shuffling the twins out the door.

Her husband just kissed her flaming cheek.

"We're not there yet." he teased.

She shoved him out the door. They arrived at the church soon after, Nini giving her annual 'You better behave or Santa won't come' speech to Charlotte and Connor. Well, mostly to Connor. He nearly set the church on fire last time, bumping into the person next to him during the candle lighting moment. She spotted her mom's and waved. She was slightly annoyed at all the stares. She could tell all the girls were itching to swarm her husband. It was only by the fact that it was Christmas that they seemed to be holding back.

"Relax, hun." Ricky murmured in her ear as the opening music began to play.

"They are practically undressing you with their eyes." she hissed, her hormonal irritability shining through, then blushed when she noticed her father overheard her, raising his eyebrow in amusement.

Luckily the lead singer asked everyone to join in on Hark the Herald before Nini could further embarrass herself.

They got through the service without incident and headed home to where Kourtney and Red were waiting. They had retrieved Charlotte's and Connor's gifts and hid them at the house so Nini and Ricky could put them under the tree after the twins fell asleep. They enjoyed the evening together. Brookelynn stopped by for a few minutes just to say hi and drop off the twins' gifts. Nini spotted her son trying to hide his yawns.

"Bed time!" she exclaimed.

"But mom..." Connor whined.

"You gotta be asleep for Santa to come." Ricky said.

After setting out the milk and cookies and some urging, the twins went to bed. Kourtney and Red said goodbye and after making sure the kids were asleep, Nini and Ricky started putting out the presents.

"They won't know what to do with themselves." Nini whispered, "This is the most presents they've ever had."

"I can't wait till they open them." Ricky whispered from behind a giant box, "Can we wake them up now? Tell them Santa came early?"

Nini giggled at her overly excited husband.

"No dear. Now's the part where you drink the milk, eat the cookies and try to get a few hours of sleep before your two children shake you to death screaming 'He came! He came!'" Nini said, taking him by the arm.

"I don't think I can sleep." he said, grabbing a cookie.

"I couldn't the first Christmas they were old enough to open the presents on their own." Nini said as they climbed the stairs.

Ricky was able to settle down enough to go to sleep and as his wife predicted soon his eardrums were being blasted.

"Mommy! Daddy! Get up! Get up! Santa came!" Connor shouted, bouncing on the end of their bed.