Chapter 273:

The remainder of the week flew by with preparations for their early Christmas with the family and their trip to Paris the following day.

The gifts that would go under the tree Christmas morning in Paris had already been shipped and received by Maman. She had said not to worry about a tree. It would be taken care of before they arrived. Seb and Lisa didn't want their trip to disrupt the children's Christmas. Especially for Holly and Jeremy who would be enjoying the first happy Christmas they'd ever experienced in their lives.

Jim and Debbie had borrowed some space in a locked closet to hide their children's gifts, to keep snooping eyes from seeing anything they shouldn't. So Lisa added all of their gifts to the Fletchers to the closet so they could be put under their tree. In some ways, Lisa was going to miss them all sharing Christmas together but on the other hand, she also felt that it would be good for the Fletchers to have this first Christmas as a family alone where they could reminisce about Christmases past as well as build new memories to remember in the future. Next year they would have a new additon that would bring them even more joy.

It was so great to see Jim and Debbie rebuilding their lives after so much time apart. The children were definitely thriving having a complete family again. The boys were pretty indifferent to the news of their new brother or sister. They were surrounded by babies here, what was one more.

Hannah on the other hand knew where babies came from and had initially been embarrassed to think of her parents doing "That". Now that the newness had worn off and she didn't think of that part anymore, she was getting really excited about the new baby and was really hoping it was a girl so the family would be even and she wanted to be able to dress the baby up in pretty girls clothes.

The Fletchers and Izambards had shared an early lunch together today since the Izambards would be leaving before daylight in the morning. The children requested to be able to play in the snow again, as they had every day since the machine had arrived.

After some play time, the Fletchers headed home and the Izambards went upstairs to get baths early so they would be ready for the big family dinner and an early bedtime. Although Lisa knew they could sleep on the plane, she feared that some of them might be too excited to sleep on the plane and she didn't want any overtired cranky children if she could help it. It was going to be a long flight with so many children to keep occupied.

Sammy had been so excited when he was told they were going to France and to see Grandmere. The rest of the children were excited too but Sammy was ready to get in the car and head to the airport the minute he'd found out. They all got to the point that they wished they hadn't said anything to the children until it was closer to being time to leave.

As had become the norm for when the whole family gathered, the gathering took place at Seb and Lisa's, mostly because they had the most space.

Carlos, Vicki and the children were also joining them so that Amelia would be part of the evening. Then she would return to the condo with them until Seb and Lisa got back from Paris.

They fixed a simple meal with plenty of good things to eat and Mom came with her usual supply of a variety holiday treats. The children were helped with fixing their plates and they were told that if they wanted to open any gifts they would have to eat their dinner first. They would have happily gone hungry that evening just to open gifts instead.

"Presents Mama." Kayti said holding up her empty plate for Lisa to see that she had finished eating. Normally, Kayti and the rest of the children would have asked for a second helping, but not tonight. She was disappointed for a bit when she was told that she would have to wait until everyone else was finished too. She sat in her booster seat watching everyone and it was plain to see that she was willing them to hurry up and finish.

The table was cleared and the guys got the dishes put into the dishwasher to start running while Lisa, Mom and Alex got the children changed into their pajamas so they would be ready for bed after their gifts were opened.

Dad took the short trip out with Seb as he took the dogs out for a walk so they wouldn't be interupted later.

"So, are you all ready to go?"

"I think we are. We packed a minimum of clothes. We can wash them while we're there. Besides what they'll get on Christmas morning, we aren't bringing too many toys. Everyone there said they would make sure there were things for the children to play with. We've got the two babies things packed together, Jeremy and Sammy's together and Holly and Kayti's together. Even so, the amount of luggage is staggering." Seb laughed.

"It is a big undertaking to travel with so many children, but they are so excited. I think they'll be fine."

"Are you sure that Mom was alright with me planning this? I know how she loves the holidays."

"This is fine, Seb. Today or Christmas day to open gifts. It doesn't matter. We know how much this meant to you to take your family home for Christmas."

"Thank you, Dad. I am really excited. Lisa is too. When we were there last year, we didn't spend much time at the house and she's looking forward to that this time."

"I can tell she's excited. Don't worry about the house or the dogs. Between us and Urs, Alex and the Fletchers everything will be taken care of here."

"I'm sure it will. I'm not concerned. You don't really even have to worry about it. Jim and Debbie will be here. I even gave Blake and Brandon a job for while we are away. They'll be responsible for feeding and excersizing the dogs. I thought that it would give them something to do and a chance to earn some money. They were very excited about it."

"That was a great idea. It'll help to keep them out of trouble. I'm sure they'll miss the other children while you're away."

*

Everyone gathered in the ballroom. The children were crowded around the tree which had miraculously grown a good sized pile of gifts underneath it sometime since the last time they'd been by it a couple of hours ago.

That pile quickly disappeared as the gifts were passed out to everyone. They took turns opening a gift so that everyone could see what the other's had gotten. Although they had said that they wouldn't do adult gifts this year, everyone had disregarded that and bought at least some small thing that the recipient would like.

Of all of the gifts that the children received, the one they were most excited about was the new backpacks they all got from Grandma and Grandpa. Each one had their initials embroidered on the front and was filled with all sorts of fun things to do on the plane trip.

Each bag held slightly different items, but they each had crayons and coloring books, an age appropriate paperback book to read, as well as a couple of different handheld video games. They also had an MP3 player that was already loaded with their favorite music and the best thing was their own individual DVD player with headphones. They would be able to bring their favorite movies to watch on the plane and while they were in Paris.

Kayti's bag only had one of the video games but that left room for her new little baby doll, complete with three different outfits that Auntie Alex had given her.

Mom handed Lisa a good sized bag of batteries that would fit the different units. The last item that they all had was several packs of chewing gum. Mom added that to help them avoid any inner ear trouble while they were in the air. She told Lisa to make sure that Lauren had her pacifier and that feeding Jessica would help to pop any bubbles in their ears. The sucking action for both of the babies would help them with this.

She had told Lisa of this idea of the bags once she knew Lisa had been told of the trip and Lisa thought it was a wonderful idea to give the kids their own travel bag to help keep them occupied.

It wasn't easy to get the older children settled. Sammy said he wasn't tired but after reading an extra chapter in their latest Little House book, the children were kissed goodnight and told to try to get to sleep so they would have a good day tomorrow.

The adults visited for a short time and then Mom and Dad left wishing them a Merry Christmas. Shortly after Carlos and Vicki said they should get going too. After getting Carlito and Amelia's things all packed up, hugs were given all around. Lisa tried unsuccessfully to hide the tears that fell as she said goodbye to Amelia.

"We'll be back in a couple of weeks, Sweetheart. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too but Mama and Papa said we would have fun."

"I know you will. Be a good girl and help take good care of Carlito."

"I always help. Carlito likes me. He smiles at me."

Before they left, Lisa hugged Carlos and Vicki. They looked into the car at the children buckled into their seats.

"She's already yours. She's very happy with all of you."

"Is this really okay Lisa. I can see how hard it is for you to go without her."

"It's fine Carlos. I know this is the best situation for her. You both love her and she obviously loves all of you. We'll settle into the new dynamic in time. I knew it wouldn't be easy to keep her here and then let her go but it could have ended a lot worse. I still feel as if she'll be part of our family, just like the three of you already are."

"Thank you. You know this has made us very happy. She adds so much joy into our lives."

"Have a great trip. We'll be right here when you get back."

"Thanks Vicki. I'm so excited about this trip. The plane ride I'm not so sure about. I hope the children do well. It's a long time for them to be cooped up."

"It looks like they'll have a lot to keep them busy. Just take them for walks up and down the aisle if they get too fidgety."

Lisa kept trying to figure out how just she and Seb would be able to properly care for all six children on a plane. Oh well, she'd sure find out tomorrow. He didn't seem worried about it at all.

*

"Is it time to go to Paris now Mommy?" Sammy asked sleepily when Lisa woke him up and he forgot to use his new name for her.

"Yes Sweetheart, we are finally going to go to see Grandmere."

Morning had come quickly and as organised as Lisa thought they had gotten before bed last night, right down to having each child and themselves an outfit laid out to wear, it still seemed as if they were running behind schedule, to Lisa at least.

Jessica was acting fussy and therefore was struggling against the breast that Lisa was offering to her. So she abandoned that for the time being thinking that maybe once Jessica woke up a bit more, they could try again. She would feed her again at the airport once they were through customs.

Then Lauren somehow got the lid off of her sippy cup and the milk soaked her clothes so she had to be taken, cleaned up and re dressed in a clean outfit. The rest of the children were very excited so they were having a hard time focusing on what they were told to do but eventually did get dressed and down to the table where Debbie was already waiting with their breakfast. Lisa had told her that she didn't have to come this morning but now she was glad that Debbie had insisted in coming to help. Just helping to get breakfast out of the way was wonderful.

Finally everyone was clean, dressed and had eaten their breakfast. The bags were waiting outside on the front porch for the hired van from the airport to arrive to take them. It would have taken two vehicles to transport all of them and their luggage.

Lisa counted the bags to be sure they were all there and each of the older children was responsible for carrying their own back pack and were glad to do it. A bag as large as Lisa dared to take as a carryon was packed with snacks and tiny drink boxes for the children as well as all of the things she would need for the babies on the flight.They were each allowed two carryons so she had an extra bag with some of their personal items, their video camera and regualar digital camera she didn't want to put in the checked baggage, just in case it got lost. Seb was carrying his laptop so she didn't bother bringing hers.

The horn sounded from the fifteen passenger van that had arrived right on time. Jim hurried over to help Seb get everything loaded. Then they had to buckle three car seats and a booster seat in before loading the children.

When Seb said they were ready, Lisa took one last look around to make sure that they hadn't forgotten anything.

"Come on. Anything we've missed we can get in Paris." Seb said rounding her shoulder with his arm.

"I know you're right. I just had a terrible thought this morning. Remember we saw that Home Alone movie the other night."

"Well, I just got each of the children buckled in except for Jessica." he said smiling down at his daughter in Lisa's arms. "So, there's no worry about forgetting one of the children."

"Do they all have their back packs?"

"We'll go ask them. Let's go."

Sure enough each child had their bags safely in their laps, not even wanting to set them on the floor.

Holly was playing with Lauren making her laugh. Kayti was still looking rather drowsy so she was resting against the edge of her carseat with her thumb in her mouth. Lisa had been trying to gently break her of that but ever since Jessica was born, Kayti had decided she wanted to suck her thumb. Dr. Jessica told Lisa not to make too big of a deal about that right now. She said that Kayti would probably do it herself before too long. The boys were talking amongst themselves, both obviously very excited to get going.

With it still being so early, everyone was quiet on the thirty minute ride to the airport. Seb was glad that someone else was driving that knew the way. For several years the area around the airport had been under construction. It looked to be just about completed now but the exits were all changed and there was even a whole new road going straight into the airport. It was going to make it a lot easier for people to get in and out of the airport with this exit and road that was completely dedicated to airport traffic.

Seb stepped out of the van as soon as they pulled along side of the departure doors. He told the children to stay in their seats until he came back. When he returned he helped Lisa to get them all out. The driver and a porter were already unloading their luggage onto a large cart. When they stepped inside the doorway, Lisa was very happy to see the two large golf cart looking transports that would get them all to the checkpoints.

They made it all the way through the checkpoints finding that the terminal employees were very willing to help the large family. It was with great relief that Lisa sat down at their gate with all of the children gathered around them. Seb kept looking around like he was looking for something or someone and Lisa couldn't believe it when she saw him.