Snowflakes and Shopping Bags

"Abbey? She seems to have inherited Kate's incredible patience or her granfather's calm personality. She certainly didn't get her father's impulsiveness. We won't know if she has Khaat's spirit of adventure, but if her desire to get into everything while she is crawling is any clue, then she's going to be just like her mother."

"Heaven forbid," Khaat muttered. Brian just laughed. Abbey began patting his cheek and calling him DaDa. It made Khaat smile. There were few things that made her happier than seeing Abbey with Brian. "Seriously, though. I really do want to go back out shopping tomorrow, Brian."

"Tomorrow?" he frowned. "That really is pushing a bit. You need to rest. If you do go, we're going to tighten security. I dont see that we have a choice." He looked at Jack and Jess. "Would you two agree with that?"

jess looked at them and smiled "thats fine I need some things for the kids and jack could use a nice shirt for the holidays "she said but you Khaat go no where with out me and the softly wolf here " she said and patted Jacks chest as he pulled a face at her "hey you know where kids are concerned your a big soft teddy bear" she sid and kissed him lightly.

Jack chuckled "ok so I am you do realise you told them my secret " he said grining at them both as Abby said dada to Brian "shes right though we'll be with you Brian " he looked down at Jess "now I will be ribbed buy the men worst of all my boss" he said to her just smiling at her smiling face .

"We're not telling them," Angus said. "Khaat, maybe you'd better see how you feel in the morning before you make shopping plans. We do still have a few days until Christmas, you know. And I doubt the stores will run out of merchandise. Why don't you just be a little patient?"

"That is an excellent idea," Brian said. "Khaat, we can't just ignore that your father had some very strong concerns that won't just go away overnight. We have to take care of those things. I don't like you going out without me."

"I want you with the girls. Nothing is more important than the babies. I don't want any of those idiots getting their hands on them again," she said.

"And I refuse to lose any of you,' he said.

Jess broke free from jack and walked over to Khaat "Hey they will be fine jack and I will be here tonight " she said and smiled "I will not let anything hapen to them , besides there still to play date with my two yet " she said and geined as sher saw jack roll his eyes and groan at the sujestion of a play day.

"you sure thats a good idea to ut abby and dacota threw our two? " he said smiling at jess and Khaat .

"Hey there not that bad , ok thinking more maybe they are, but they could learn from abby and Dakota " she said "they got good perants " she said and smiled at them both "if your not up to shopping tomorrow i could bring the twins and they could play together instead" she sujested "if not I'll bring my two and we could shop anyway" she smiled at her.

"Those are great, Jess," Brian said. "I'm probably being over protective, but..."

"Brian," Khaat began. "They know the truth. They know how worried Daddy is. Its no secret. Its not like I tried to do this."

"No one is saying you did, Baby. What Barker did is unconscionable. Despicable. He's the cause of this, and we all know it. Well, look at it this way. You can indulge in all the Christmas sweets you like. I have to go into the ministry in the morning. We know that. Can you wait to go shopping until I can join you? Sleep in perhaps? Just let me go with you. Please."

"I can't buy gifts for you if...."

"We'll work that out. Jack and Jess and Steven will make sure you have time without me looking over your shoulder. I promise. Won't you?" He looked at Jack and Jess.

Jess had moved back to jack and sat with him "yes we'll make him stay away for a bit or jack here will pin him to the wall to make sure" jack looked shocked at her "me.. him.. no way he'd probably pin me instead "he said and chuckled holding jess closer to him.

"humm there is that i guess" she said and kissed his cheek gently before wiping off some lipstick from his cheek and sm,iling "don't worry Khaat we'll not let anything happen and you will get your time alone besides I still have to get some one theres " she said pointing to jack as she grined.

"I already have yours," Brian grinned at Khaat.

"Mine? You bought for me? When?" she asked.

"Did you think I wouldn't buy for you? Nobody else is more importnat to me than you. Of course I bought for you," He said. "And I am not telling yhou how I managed to buy for you or where, what I bought, or where its hidden. But I promise there will be a present or two under that tree for you." He brushed her nose playfully.

"I have all I need," she said softly. "I have you." She kissed him softly and slowly. Somehow, the more she kissed him, the more he took her breath away.

Jess smiled as she watched Khaat kissing Brian feeling jack hold her closer "its good to see her happy " she whispered to him softly as she held his hand "yeah same with brian hes more settled now, the men have noticed too they like it hes not so mean but more there for them " he smiled at jess 2so what you getting me ?" he asked jess slapped his arm "nope not telling but got something in mind" she said seing teh teasing look in his eyes "ow no your not tickling me " she said feeling his fingers now move on her.

He moved to hold her tight and started to tickle her his mind on finding out what she ahd got for him as she laughed wrigaling on his knee as he tickled her "what did you get spill " he said lauhing himself as she turned and said she would not and he would have to wait till christmas to find out "aww ok" he said with a boyish pout and still kissed her on her cheek , he still got that warm feeling everytime he kissed her that he had that first day he had in the forest .

Angus came back in and said, "Your little princesses are falling asleep, Khaat. I think I'll take them upstairs and put them to bed if you don't mind." She appreciated his help. She wanted to do that herself, enjoying tucking them into bed, but carrying them with one hand was not possible, and the pain in her back was starting to get to her. She hadn't said much since it had happened, but she did hurt now.

"Yes, thank you," Khaat said. "I do appreciate that."

"My pleasure," he smiled. "You might soon want to get some rest yourself, Khaat. You're looking tired."

"Am I? I didn't know I did. I'm sorry."

"He's right, Babe," Brian said. "Why don't you go up with Angus, spend some time with the girls and turn in?"

"You wouldn't mind?"

"Not at all."

"Then maybe I will. Goodnight, All," she said. She went upstairs with Angus, who was carrying both babies. She loved helping to tuck them in, and then, she went into her own room. Angus made a safety check to be sure her room was secure before leaving her to go to sleep.

jessica wtched as Khaat moved up stairs with Angus "its been along day for every one including Khaat " she said softly "we should head home or rather I wil you dear stay here " she said "I have to get back the baby sister will be heading home " she smiled and kissed jack looking at Brian "if you don't need me any more?" she asked facing him "jack will stay but i have to get back."