#halax commission

42 seconds.

That's how long it took for the calm to turn to chaos.

42 seconds,

to go from "let's take a quick photo before heading to Aunt Rachel's" to... well... this...

"I want to be a reindeer!" Felicity shouted with glee. She dug through the box of Christmas hats and headbands, throwing one after another out of the box onto the floor until she found a pair of tan antlers that she held up, a giant smile filling her face.

"Ooo," Vincent marveled, diving in after his twin. He grabbed the red Santa hat from the box and plopped it on his head. "I'll be Santa!" He held his stomach and let out his best "ho, ho, ho!"

"We need lights!" Felicty bounced in place. She pulled her brother to her and whispered in his ear.

He nodded in agreement. "Lots of lights!"

"Uh," Alex tiptoed through the growing mess on the floor. "Lights are fun, but I think we're okay," she offered, trying to calm the growing chaos. "It's just a quick picture.

"I'll get Bogart!" Vincent decided, chasing after the black lab.

"I'll be the director, just like daddy! Ready, set, action!" Felicity exclaimed proudly before running out of the room.

His lips turned up in the corners at her words.

"Did you hear that?" Alex's brow rose as she turned to her husband.

He leaned against the doorframe. "I did."

"Should we be worried?" She teased.

"I've been worrying about them both since the moment we knew you were expecting," he admitted, offering his hand to her. She accepted, and he pulled her closer. "But about this?" he gestured around them. "Never."

"If she's anything like her father, I have no doubt she'll be extraordinary."

He brushed a soft, tender kiss on her lips. "And if she's anything like her mother, which she is, she'll light the world with a love it's never seen before."

"'scuse me," Felicity offered, pushing between their legs.

"Need any help with that?" Thomas chuckled.

"No. I got it!" She dropped them next to the sea of headbands. Wiping her brow, she turned her attention to her brother. "Vincent!"

He rolled on the floor, laughing as Bogart dragged him, the pair playing tug-of-war with his Santa hat.

"Vincent! Bogart! This is not right at all!" Her eyes widened as she stomped toward them. "We need Bogart by the lights! He's s'posed to be our Christmas tree!"

"Oh yeah!" Vincent popped up and wrapped an arm around the black lab. "This is mine." He took the slightly damp hat and put it back on his head. He pressed a kiss to the top of the dog's head, "You get lights! LOTS of lights!"

"How about I help you?" Alex suggested, settling next to her son and dog. She grabbed a red pair of antlers with jingle bells. She shook it gently, letting the bells' song fill the room. "What do you think about these? Maybe Bogart can be a reindeer instead of a Christmas tree."  

Vincent grabbed the antlers and put them on the black lab's head. "Reindeer Christmas tree!"

Alex laughed despite herself. She gave Bogart a sympathetic look as Vincent draped some lights over Bogart's antlers. Thankfully, he was about the gentlest dog to ever live and had enough practice with getting dressed up even before the twins were born.

"Quiet on the set!" Felicty declared, grabbing her father's hands and dragging him forward. "Go sit next to mommy!"

"I wouldn't dream of arguing with the director," he complied, holding back his laughter. "She's quite good, don't you think?" He whispered to Alex.

"Mmhmm," she hummed. "I guess all those set visits are rubbing off."

"Can I help it if our daughter knows what she wants? Besides, you know where she gets that from, right?"

"I can't argue with that." She nudged him gently. Her smile illuminated her face. She had never been so sure of anything as she was when she met him. Her family was her world, and despite the chaos, she loved every moment of it.

What took 42 seconds might take another 42 minutes at this pace (or with Felicity in charge, maybe 42 takes) to get right, but that'd be okay. This was them, her family, and this was everything. There was nothing more she could ever wish for. Her Christmas wish had come true long ago, and she'd treasure every second loving them all, even the chaotic ones.