[RACHEL02189]

It was six in the morning in Las Vegas and Criss was woking up to his cat Hammie licking him on his face. "Go away Hammie" pushing him to the side but Hammie kept licking him. Criss opened his eyes and sat up as Hammie sat there waiting for his master or 'father' to get out of bed. MEOW. Criss got up and grabbed his robe but before he went downstairs to find out what his 'son' wanted Criss had to answer the call of nature first. Criss slammed the door in Hammie's face. As Criss did his bussiness Hammie kept meowing and putting his paws underneath the door. What does that cat want Criss wondered as he flushed the toilet. When he came out he followed Hammie downstairs. When he got downstairs Criss turned to the window and couldn't believe it. It seems snow had fallen during the night which is amazing sometimes.

"I guess you wanted me to see this before it melted thanks Hammie". Criss picked him up and gave him a kiss. As Criss put Hammie down he heard something at the back door. Criss walked over and saw a cat pawing at the door. "You got a friend Hammie"Criss remarked as he went over. Criss opened the door as a chilled wind went up his robe. He patted the cat who felt like it just came out of the freezer. "Come here you must of been out all night". Criss picked her up and brought her inside. Criss brought her near the fre place and thanks to modern technology he started up the fire. "Here you go you warm up". Criss put the cat down. The cat walked over to the fire place and sat next to the fire. After a while the cat went back to the door and pawed at it. Criss went over to the door. "You sure"he asked. Meow. "All right but you're always welcomed here". He opened the door and cat left.

[RACHEL02189]

That afternoon Criss was wrapping some gifts for his family. Criss was excited as a child on Christmas Day he was going home to have Christmas at his childhood home in Green Meadows with his brothers, his niece, his sister-in-law, and especially his mother who he missed from time to time. Criss turned and started to laugh as he watched Hammie having a blast in some ribbbon. The door bell rang so Criss got up and went to the door. He opened the door and standing there is his brother JD with some gifts. "Mind moving"he inquired. Criss moved as JD put down the presents and took off his coat. "Thanks for letting me stash these present here. Lynn and Dimi are looking for gifts like six and seven year old"he replied. "Kind of reminds you of us as kids looking anywahere for where mom and dad put our gifts"Criss reminded him as JD snickered.

JD came into the living room that looked like the living room after everyone had open their gifts. "Doing your impression of santa barf"JD asked as Criss rolled his eyes. "Just wrapping up some gifts I didn't get a chance to wrap before we leave"Criss stated. JD saw Hammie who looked like a wrapped gift. "So who gets Hammie for Christmas". Criss looked Hamme and laughed as Hammie walked away with a piece of ribbon still entangled on his tail. After Criss cleaned up with some help from JD another knock came to the door. He opened the door and a woman who was pregnant stood there. "Can I help you?"he asked. "Yes I'm Mary my uncle Matthew is your neighbor. It seems he forgot I was coming today so do you mind if I use your phone to call him". "Sure come on in". She came in as Criss closed the door. "This is my brother JD" and they shook hands. Criss let her used the phone in his office and left the room for privacy.

[RACHEL02189]

As Mary made her phone call JD and Criss sat down. "So you all ready for the trip". "Just got to get one more gift for mom"Criss replied. "What her own house here in Las Vegas". "Don't temp me JD"Criss remarked. "Well I'll see you later I get home". JD got up and left as Mary came out. "Thank for the use of the phone". "No problem my name is Criss Mary"he stated. "Yea the magician my-wow". "Kid kicking yea"Criss said with a bit of a smile to his face. "He's he's an active little SOB"she replied. "Would you like to sit down"Criss offered. "Thanks". She sat down carefully as Criss went into the kitchen. "So where's your husband if you don't mind me asking?". "Overseas he's a marine stationed over in Iraq. He really wants to be here when the baby comes" she replied.

"When you due" as Criss gave her a bottle of water. "Day after Christmas believe it or not Joe, my husband hopes he can get home in time"she replied. "I hope he does"Criss stated. "Haven't found that someone to start a family with"she said. "Am I that readable"Criss remarked with a bit of snicker. "Yes". "I've got a girlfriend but she's not ready to be a mom but considering I'm half near fifty I'm getting that eagerness to be a father"Criss admitted. Mary got up with a little help from Criss. "Believe me Criss you'll be a father some day I can feel it". Criss smiled as Mary left.

[RACHEL02189]

The next day Criss went to find that one last gift for his mom. Criss passed a jewelary store and saw a necklace that Criss could see his mom in. He was about to go in when a guy slipped falling to the ground. Criss came over and helped him up. "Thank you" as Criss gathered up some of his gifts. "No problem" giving him his gift. The guy thanked Criss one last time and left as Criss went into the store. "Nice necklace for your girlfriend" the lady asked. "My mother"Criss replied. She wrapped the gift and told Criss how much but when Criss went for his wallet it was gone. "I don't believe it I gotr pick pocketed"Criss remarked. The lady felt sorry for Criss. "I'll hold this for you untill closing if you want to come back"the lady offered. "No" and Criss left. As Criss walked to his car he felt a angry that he got pick pocketed but it was holiday and robbery doesn't take a day off because of it.

When he got to the car he saw an officer writing him a ticket. "Wait please don't" Criss stated. "Sorry". She gave the ticket to Criss. A hundred and twenty five dollars for an expired registeration dam it. Criss drove back to the house and saw Costa ready to knock on the door. "Hey Costa" he called out. "Hey I was just about to knock we've got a problem". "What now" Criss asked as they went in. "Winter storm warning in New York mom sayes if the storm hits the airports will be closed"Costa remarked. "Don't worry Costa it will probably blow over and miss New York"Criss stated. "All right" and Costa left. After Costa left Criss put his gifts away and grab a sandwich when he saw the cat from yesterday was back. Criss opened the door and she came in. "Hello there again decided to warm up" as he patted the cat. With out warning the cat wanted Criss to follow her which Criss decided to do. He followed her next door and what he saw shocked him. Underneath the house in a little hole were six baby kittens.

Criss couldn't believe it. "I need to get you guys inside before you freeze out here"Criss said. He took off his coat and put the babies in it one by one. After that he put the mother in it to keep her warm as well. In the house Mary was relaxing when a knock came to the door. She got up and at the door was Criss. "Christopher what do you need?". "A little help". He showed what he had in his coat. "OH MY GOD little kittens come in Criss". Criss brought them in and put them on the couch. "I hope your uncle isn't allergic to cats"Criss stated. "Wow six baby kittens and a mother where did you find them?"she asked. "Underneath your house in a small hole. Look at them". The kitten meowed as mommy layed down to feed them. "Now I understand why she came to my house she needed warmth to keep her babies alive and herself" Criss replied. "Criss if you want I can keep them here and I'll call an animal shelter to see if they can take them". "All right and Mary if that little kid decides to come early just come over all right and I'll give you a ride to the hsopital" Criss offered. "Thanks Criss". She gave Criss a kiss and he left.

[RACHEL02189]

That night as Criss got ready for the holiday party he made sure everything was packed and ready to go tomorrow since he and his brothers were leaving for New York. Criss took a look at his cat who was playing with some ribbon that Criss gave and smiled as he remembered finding those kittens and the mom cat. It brought a good feeling to Criss's heart knowing that the mother cat trusted her enough to help her save her children. Now only if they can find the person who took my wallet I'll be thrilled. The door bell rang so Criss trotted down the stairs and opened the door to see Costa standing there. "You ready?"he asked. "Just let me grab my coat and we'll go". They were about to leave when the phone rang so Criss answered it.

"Hello oh hey Mark yea sure I'll make sure I have it on. Have fun" and hung up. "What did your neighbor wanted?"Costa inquired as Criss put his phone in his pocket. "He got called into work so he wanted to make sure it was all right if he gave my cell phone numnber to his niece just in case she goes into labor" Criss replied. "Why does he be on call if her child decides it's time to join the world?"Costa said in a grumpy way. "Because he's a blackjack dealer at The Hard Rock and youshould known since you've dated every female dealer at The Luxor that they can't have cell phone on them when they're working unless they're volunteer firemen or paramedics like you"Criss stated.

"Well you'll love this to cheer up the holiday we maybe spending Christmas here in Las Vegas with out mom. That storm I told yo about welll it's heading towards New York"Costa replied as they got into the car. "Well just pray that it passes us and goes into Canada instead"Criss replied and they left. At the party everyone was having fun. "So Criss you ready to go back to New York for a while"Gerard asked. "If I pack anymore I mayneed a U-haul truck to meet me at the airport"Criss joked. "Probably safe on cab fare"JD said as Criss rolled his eyes. "Very funn mister I can wear my socks for three days straight with out washing them"Criss remarked. "Please Criss you think if a shirt doesn't have a stain on it and doesn't smell that bad you can wear again before you wash it"JD stated Criss decided to leave his brother be and went to get a drink.

[RACHEL02189]

After the party Criss came home and wondered how Mary was doing considering that kid inside of her maybe on its way out so to make sure she was all right Criss walked over to the house and knocked on the door. The door opened and Mary came out. "Did I wake you?" he asked. "No junior here is playing soccer with my bladder so what can I help you with?". "Nothing I just wanted to make sure you didn't fall down the stairs and couldn't reach the phone"he replied. "Thanks Criss that's so thoughtful of you" and gave him a kiss on the check which made Criss blushed. "I f I don't see you tomorrow have a good holiday"Criss stated. "Thanks and I'll give you a call if this little guys comes before you come home"Mary remarked. "Criss said good-night and left.

The next morning Criss woke up to the sound of his phone going off. He looked at the time and it was three in the morning. He rolled over and grabbed the phone. "Someone better be hurt or dieing"Criss replied. "Bad news Criss I got a call from mom the storm hit and all the airports from New York and New Jersey are closed untill farther noticed"JD replied. ""Criss stated. "I'll call you tomorrow morning" and JD hung up. Criss sat up and turned on the weather channel. He couldn't believe all the snow that had fallen a foot and a half since two in the morning (New York Time). Criss turned off the television and tried to go back to the sleep but the sadness of not spending Christmas in New York made Criss very depressed.

[RACHEL02189]

When Criss finally rolled out of bed the same feeling he had when JD called to tell Criss they weren't going to New York was still with him. Even Hammie knew and tried to make his master happy but Criss just looked out the window at a beautiful Christmas Eve morning. Criss sighed wanting to spend the rest of the day hiding under the sheets when he saw Mary outside. Criss watched Mary and saw the happiness on her face. In few days or less she's bringing a new life into this world. Why am I feeling sorry for myself happens. You know what I'm going to have the family over for dinner and I'll ask Mary and Mark if they want to join us Criss thought. After Criss got dressed he put on his coat and went over to his neighbor's house.

He rang the door bell and Mary answered it. "Criss what are you doing here I thought you'd be in the sky going home"she replied. "Flight got cancelled because of a snow storm in New York". "Same with my husband he just got in as they cancelled his flight to Neveda and the others" she stated. "Not the way I wanted to spend Christmas Eve in an airport"Criss remarked. "But would you believe this lady was there meeting her family but their flight was cancelled too because of the storm so she offered to house my husband and few other people untill they could get a flight out"she said with a smile. "That sound so nice". Then her phone beeped and it was a text from her husband. "It's a text from my husband. He sayes The lady who took us in is wonderful she reminds me so much of my mom. She told us that her sons live in Las Vegas but because of the storm they couldn't come home which made herblue but seeing us stranded she decided to help out like the inn did to Mary and Joseph that night He even sent a picture of the lady who took them in."

She showed Criss the picture and couldn't believe it. "What's wrong Criss you look like your jaw is on the floor"Mary stated. "That's my mother who took in those people," showing her the picture of Dimitra on his phone. Mary started to laugh and Criss joined in. "Let me catch my breath for a second. Ok the reason I'm here is that I'm having a Christmas Eve dinner and I'd like you and Mark to come over". "I don't know Criss-". "If you're wondering about the baby coming my sister-in-law is an ER and Maternity nurse so if you go into quick labor Lynn can deliver junior". Mary chuckled a little as the baby kicked her. "This kid doesn't like to be called junior everytime someone sayes that he kicks me in the ribs. I would love to come and I'll tell Mark too". "All right and that offer is still on about me driving you to the hospital if Mark can't"Criss reminded her. "Thanks Criss". Criss was about to leave when she asked if she could take a picture of him and her together to send to her husband.

"Won't hubby get jealous"Criss joked with a chuckle. Mary chuckled a little herself. They got into position and she took it. "I swear Criss the camera loves you". "That's what everyone tells me when my picture is taking. See yea" and Criss went back to the house. In New York Dimitra was offering everyone sandwiches and a hot drink as Joseph came into the kitchen. "Can I help with anything?" he asked. "No your my guest Joseph so just relax"she replied. "It hard to my wife Mary she's due to have our first child soon"he stated with a smile on his face. "That's wonderful do you know what you're having?" as Joseph drank a cup of coffee. "We both think it's boy. She been texting me now and again she says that her uncle's neighbor has been very kind to her and even offered to drive her to the hospital if Mark has to work". "Sounds like their parents raised a good child,"Dimitra replied.

Then the phone beeped and Joseph took it out of his pocket. When he read it he started to chuckle. "What's so funny?". "Is one of your sons named Christopher?"he asked. "Why yes". He showed Dimitra the picture and she gasped. "That's my Christopher. Is that your wife next to him" looking at the picture. "Yup we met in college right when I saw her I knew in my heart that I was going to marry her. After we finished college we got married but I always wanted to be a marine like my dad and with Mary's blessing I enrolled"he said as they sat down. "So how long have you guys been married?". "We just celebrated our tenth anniversary in July. We got married on July 4TH our favorite holiday a friend of mine even had a friend of his shoot off fireworks at our reception". "Now that's wedding I wouldn't of mind going to". Joseph snickered.

"Have you picked out a nme for your child?". "Marcus if it's boy and Rosa if it's a girl. I just hope I can see my child come into this world". "Well my husband god rest his sould came close to delivering Christopher in the back our car when he decided to come four weeks early during a snow storm"Dimitra remarked as Joseph snickered.

[Veritas]

Mary? Joseph? Hmmmm.....

[RACHEL02189]

After Criss told the guys what he had planned they decided to help in any way they could. At JD's house Lynn was cooking a turkey for the party while her daughter Dimitra is baking cookies for desert. "This is fun" as she decorated a cookie to look like a snowman. "I'm just hoping your father can find that ingredent I need for gray. The door opened and JD came in with a bag. "You swear it's the end of world today that grocery store reminds me of when Believe opened"JD remarked hanging up his coat. Dimi laughed as her father gave his wife the bag. "Joseph you are amazing". "I almost got into a rumble with eighty-two year for it"he replied. "I talked to Costa he's bringing the green beans and the drinks"she stated.

"Probably can beans"JD mumbled as Lynn playfully laughed. At his house Criss was setting the table making sure he had enough of every thing. A knock came to the door so Criss opened it and saw Mary. "Mary what are you doing here don't tell me that kid wants to join the party". Mary playfully laughed. "No I thought I'd come over and help you and to tell you Mark made other plans with some friends at work so it's just going to me and this little guy". "Well come on in". Mary looked around and saw how festive the place is. The smell of the tree hung which she loved. "This place makes me feel like I'm home"she stated. "Where is home exactlly?". "Bethlehem Pennsylvania"she remarked. Criss snickerede under his breath. The phone rang so Criss went to get it as Mary put the centerpiece on the table. "Hey Dave I know can you believe it a snow storm in New York. Yea I am if you want come on down. Bye" and hung up. "You inviting half of Las Vegas to this?"she inquired as Criss snickered.

"No that's my manager Dave he just wanted to wish me happy holiday" Criss replied. "Criss which way to the bathroom the kid is kicking my bladder like it's nobody's business"she stated. "Next to the stairs to your right". A few hours later people started to arrive. "Everything smells so good" Mary stated sitting down. "My wife can make anything out of nothing sometimes"JD remarked. "This coming from a guy who didn't know how to boil an egg before he got married"Costa joked. "Let's not go there I have take-out every night"JD remarked. "Enough of the fighting guy I'm not in the mood to spend Christmas Eve in the ER"Criss said. "So Mary how you doing considering you got kid coming any day now"Lynn asked. "Tired and I'm ready to live in the bathroom if this kid doesn't stop kicking my bladder". "Dimi was the same way every ten minutes Lynn needed to use the bathroom I was ready to hook up a port a potty to the car"JD stated as Criss tried not to laugh.

"At least we didn't come close to be born on the side of road like Criss" Costa stated. "So I decided to come early to the party"Criss said. "Criss you were a month early during a snow storm JD and I had a bet going you were either going to be a home birth or the side of the road birth "Costa stated. "Yea but instead mom had me in the ER of the hospital". "With this family every kid has been early mind you"JD stated. "In my family it's fifty fifty"Mary said. "Well dinner is ready so let's sit down". Everyone sat down and JD said a blessing in greek . Criss started to bring the food around when Mary looked down. "Something wrong Mary?"Lynn said. "I think my water just broke"she stated. "Are you sure?"Lynn remarked. Mary nodded as she squeezed Lynn's hand. "Costa go to Mark's house her bag should be beside the door, JD make sure your car isn't blocked. Lynn help Mary to the car"Criss said getting up. "Sorry about ruining dinner" Mary aplogized. "Just be thankful you're not having the kid in a manager"Criss remarked grabbing Mary's coat.

[RACHEL02189]

As they drove Mary was hoping she wasn't having this kid on the side of the road. "JD take a left at the next light"Costa remarked. "And will you please stop back seat driving Costa before I throw you out of a moving vechile"JD replied. "Just hurry JD or you're going to be delivering this kid"Lynn replied with some force which made Criss and Costa look at her funny since they had never seen this side of her. "Oh god"Mary remarked. "Just breath Mary we're almost there"Criss assured her. "Here we go Saint Matthew". Criss helped Mary out as Lynn grabbed a wheelchair. "Let's get you checked in JD park the car or get towed" Lynn said. After the guys parked the car Criss called his mom. "Hello". "Mom it's Criss is Joseph there". She handed the phone to him. "This is Joseph you must be Criss". "I thought you should know that your wife went into labor but don't worry she's in good hands"Criss replied. "Just do me a favor Christopher stay with her I don't want her to go through this alone" he asked. "All right just relax and we'll call when your child comes" and Criss hung up as he walked in.

"Well she's upstairs gettng situated". "I guess we waited untill the little kid comes"JD stated. The guys went up and sat in the waiting room than Lynn came in. "Is the baby here?"Costa inquired. "No not yet but Mary want to talk to Criss". Criss went with Lynn to her room. In her room Mary was scared and wished her husband was with her. "Mary"Criss said as he walked in. "Hey thanks for coming in". Criss sat in the chair next to her bed. "You look more relaxed than when we were in the car". "I got an epidural I wasn't going to go natural for the life of me" as they both chuckled. "I called my mom to Joe the kid was coming he asked me to do something but I'm letting you make the choice". "What's that Criss?"she asked. "He wanted me to help you through this he doesn't want you to do this alone". "That's why I asked Lynn to get you for some reason Criss whenever I'm near you you make the stress I've been under float away so do you mind staying untill this kid make its entrance into the world". Criss smiled and gave her a kiss on the forehead.