Christmas with the Brooks'

"And he loves to give you gifts." she chuckled.

-

He nodded. "It's normal to worry about her more. Hell, you know I was worried about Lacy more than I was myself, but just remember to take care of yourself too, you know?"

"Sometimes I feel bad that he spends so much money on me." She said.

--

"I think I'm okay." He said. "I'm not mistreating myself or anything."

"That's how I get with Scott." she chuckled. "He works hard and I don't want him wasting his money on me. Punk is like a gazillionaire though." she joked.

-

"Well good." he nodded. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay." he told him and stuffed two cookies in his mouth, lol.

"Last I heard, Scott wasn't doing too terribly either."

--

"I see the obvious concern." He snorted.

"He steals from Punk." she joked.

-

"You know I'm concerned." he nodded as he finished chewing, lol. "But...I don't wanna make this a depressing conversation or anything. It's Crimmus....even though you don't really celebrate." he chuckled.

"Yeah okay." She snorted.

--

"Looks like I don't have a choice." He chuckled.

She laughed. "I joke. So school for Brandon and Ally in January huh?"

-

"...just turn Christian, dude." he joked.

"Ugh, don't remind me." She frowned.

--

"Says the atheist." He chuckled.

"It'll be good for them." she nodded. "I still worry too, but they're doing great."

-

"Leave me be."

"Brandon and Ally haven't even shown an interest in going back to school. I don't want them to hate me if I send them back."

-

"Then leave me be." He chuckled.

"I say just see how it is for a while and if anything, maybe try home schooling them?"

-

"Fine. So bossy." he snorted.

"I don't think Punk would go for that." She shrugged.

--

"Well since your wife wasn't here I did it for her." He snorted.

"You never know." she shrugged.

-

"Mean."

"I don't know.. I think he really wants them to go back to school." Lacy said.

--

"You love me."

"It'd be good for them, but...it's really up to them and seeing how they do."

-

"Unfortunately." he joked.

"I'm just... being Mommy." she chuckled.

--

"Yes." he chuckled. "Go bully Lacy into presents time."

"I know." she chuckled.

-

"Fineeee." he said as he went to where Lacy and Ellie were. "Lace, can we open gifts now?"

She chuckled and decided to be nice. "Yes."

"Guh yes, I'll get the kiddies." he said as he ran up to get the kids from the playroom.

"..he's more excited than the kids, I think." Ellie laughed.

"He's a big baby." she laughed a little.

"Of course, nothing new."

"GIFTSSSS" Brandon ran down the stairs and launched himself at the tree, lol.

Scott chuckled at Brandon and grabbed Ellie's hand. "Can I talk to you alone for a sec?"

Punk followed as he carried the twins down and Maddie and Ajay followed him too. "We're ready." Punk said as he sat with the kids on the floor.

-

Ellie looked over at Colt and nodded. "Yeah, sure." she said as she stood up from the couch.

"Gifts, Mommy." Ajay said.

"Mhm, go open one and I'll be there in a second."

"Kay." he shrugged.

Lacy started giving out the gifts while Scott pulled Ellie away for a second.

"Well... I know you said don't get buy you anything for Christmas and technically... I didn't." Scott said as he reached into his pocket and handed her a small velvet box with this inside of it. "I didn't know when the right time was to give this to you but..." he shrugged. "It was my mom's. She wanted you to have it, and I'd like for you to wear it as your wedding band... if you want, that is. It compliments the engagement ring really nice."

She rose a brow as he gave her the box and she opened it, definitely surprised that it was his Mom's and that she wanted Ellie to have it. "This is--this is really beautiful." she chuckled a bit. "And you're right, it does compliment my engagement ring, so it's perfect for a wedding band. I'll gladly wear it."