Only The Goode Spy Forever

Chapter 96: THE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

("Today in the city of David there has been born to you a savior who is Christ the Lord." -Luke 2:11)

"Cam we've been home from Gallagher for 2 weeks and now we have to go back," Zach whined. I turned to him with my black shades and saw his matching pair. Jaycee and Riley were playing behind us.
"Cheer up, daddy, it's Christmas Eve!" Jaycee giggled.
"And we're going to spend Christmas as a family," I added. Zach was piloting the plane that we were taking to pick up the kids. Zach insisted we do it in style. Zach looked unamused by my comment.
"Besides," I said as I lowered my voice. "Chase is 18 now. This could be one of our last family Christmases." Zach sighed and I knew I got him.
Zach and I were silent for the rest of the trip. We enjoyed the sound of Jaycee and Riley giggling and playing with their toys. When our plane finally touched down at the Academy we were greeted by the open arms of my mother.
"Hey kiddo!" She hollered as she gave me a firm embrace. The kids ran and jumped into her and Joe's arms.
Chase and Anna emerged from the school. I smiled at them. Then, I realized the beautiful blonde girl trailing behind Chase in a fur coat. I hugged my kids and turned to the girl.
"Hello, Bree," I smiled. She returned my smile.
"Hi Cammie. Listen, I feel awful about this, but I have nowhere to go for the break. Morgan isn't my bodyguard anymore, my sister is awful, my parents are too busy to see me, and my grandfather is dead. I didn't know who else to turn to," Bree said apologetically.
"Of course you can spend the break with us honey, we wouldn't have it any other way," I said as I hugged her. She gave me a relieved smile and we boarded our plane.
Chase copiloted, so I enjoyed getting to chat with the girls.
"Oh mom this semester has been wild. Caroline has been crazy about getting us to study, but Diana just wants to give us makeovers. My finals were so hard this year! Of course Caroline says if I'd studied harder it would be a breeze," Anna rambled. I smiled and nodded to what she said. I was more focused on Bree. She was looking at the boarded up window.
"You okay Bree?" I asked.
"I'm fine," she replied. I gave her a look.
"I'm a highly trained operative, Bree. I know when you're lying," I reminded her.
"It's just..." she began. She seemed to be looking for words. "This is my first Christmas without my grandpa. All of our traditions died with him."
"Well that's what new traditions are for," Anna smiled. She put a hand on Bree's shoulder.
"You're pretty," Jaycee said in awe. Bree smiled her beautiful, radiant smile at Jaycee.
"You're prettier," she said as she gave Jaycee a wink. It was clear that Jaycee adored Bree.

Pros and Cons of flying to pick up your children by Cameron Anne (Morgan) Goode:
Pro: the trip is WAY shorter
Con: you can get air sick
Pro: there are barf bags on the plane
Con: it's very hard to hold in vomit while trying to look good for your sons possible girlfriend who is stunning
Pro: it makes for good bonding
Con: when the girl has been abused in every way and is still grieving she may not be the best company

I was relieved when we finally finished our flight and hopped in the car. Zach used every possible turn for losing a tail and we finally made it home late.
"Alright, everyone get to bed. We don't want Santa to pass up our house just because you kids are awake," Zach said with a wink to the older kids.
"Daddy, Riley and I don't think we believe in Santa very much anymore," Jaycee said sadly.
"Jaycee!" Chase exclaimed. He put a finger to his lips and raised his eyebrows at her. "He can hear you."
"It just doesn't seem logical," Riley sighed.
"Well, whenever I was in Kansas people would stay up for hours trying to catch Santa. My best friend did one time!" Bree said. She had her old energy back and was smiling her perfect smile at the kids. If I wasn't a trained operative myself, I never would have known that she was lying.
"Really?" Jaycee asked wide eyed.
"Jaycee," Riley elbowed her. "Remember what we talked about." Jaycee frowned.
"It was probably fake," she said softly. I sighed. I didn't want my youngest kids to grow up in that way.
"Get to bed, you'll feel different after he brings you your presents," Zach told them. The kids sighed and moped up to bed.