Family Ties Christmas 2003 (Multi Participation)

[Crimson]

Everyone interested nis welcome to add to the story as that is the point of it.

Day turned into night as the wise looking Steven Keaton stood looking out the window at the falling snow. Tonight was a night he had anticipated for a long time. Tonight he would have all of his children home at the same time....

[Crimson]

"Well Andy is riding with Alex, since his truck in at the mechanics. Alex called on his cell and said that they wanted to stop at the new republican national museum. I have a feeling that's all Alex's idea." Steven said as Mallory laughed.

"And Jennifer is on her way. She'll probably need a nap after her drive from Oklahoma." Steven finished.

"Hello sir, how are you doing?" Skippy said with his usual genuine smile.

"Skip, you can call me Steven now, and Dad for that matter. We're family." Steven said.

"Yes sir..sir." Skippy said.

Malory smiled at her husband and kissed him on the cheek.

Mallorys son Steven and daughter Jessica chased one another around the living room as their parents settled in.

[Crimson]

As the family walked into the living room, Elise walked through the front door.

"It is a blizzard out there Steven, but I found the cheesecake that we talked about! I told you I could find it." Elise said

She looked at the arrived and smiled warmly.

"I am so happy you are here." She said hugging Malory.

"You had me worried Elise. Is a cheesecake worth all of that?" Steven said.

"This cheesecake is! I want everything to be right." Elise answered as she walked into the kitchen.

"Who wants hot cocoa?" She asked.

"I do!" Little Steven answered.
"Me too!" Jessica added.
"Um...so would I." Skippy answered as well.

[Crimson]

Good to have you in on this Jen1989.

"Why don't we watch some television while the boys make their way here." Steven says.

Steven flips on the television and the news is on.

(This just in, too sudden for our weather radar, it appears the worst snow storm in Ohio history is about to pass over Columbus today. The skies are cobald blue and the flakes will be as big as mittens! Okay, not mittens, but real big. If any of your loved ones are out and about, try and call them on the cell phone. Make sure you have plenty of supplies as well. What? Okay, my weather assistant Barbie has just informed me that it is now officially a blizzard headed that way. There will be snow ins. The storm will not reach columbus untill around 9 pm, but if you must go out to get groceries and supplies, or heavan forbid, last minute christmas gifts, be careful, be quick and be back home. This is Phil Silvers, your most trusted Ohio weather reporter. Isn't that right Barbie?)

Barbie? Skippy comments.

"Oh no, Alex and Andy. How long did they say they had left to get here?" Elyse asked.

"A little over an hour." Malory answered.

"They should make it then." Steven added.

[Crimson]

In the car

"Man was that an excellent museum or what?" Alex asked.

"Yes, it was so great seeing Richard Nixons nose cream under protective glass." Andy said with sarcasm.

"Yeah I know...Hey wait, sarcasm not necessary. If you didn't want to go, you should have spoken up." Alex replied.

"No really it's cool. I am just glad to be able to spend time with my older brother. It's been awhile." Andy said in earnest.

"Yes, yes it has. Hey look, a Dannys Burger Stop! Man I haven't seen one of those in so long, it's such a small chain. If only the owner would have taken my advice when I was 15." Alex said.

"I'm hungry too but I am sure mom and dad have prepared something, and besides, the snow storm." Andy answered.

"Aw, c'mon now. It won't hurt to have one Danny Dog will it? Trust me, we'll beat the storm." Alex answered.

"Alright man, let's do the Danny Dog thing." Andy replied.

"That's the spirit." Alex answered

Alex pulled off of the exit to the corner fast food chain and drove around to the drive up menu.

(Welcome to Dannys Burger Stop where we still do it Dannys way, how can I help you?)

"Where we still do it Dannys way, that's great." Alex says with a smile .

"Alex.." Andy says rushing

"Alright alright, we'd like two Danny Dogs, one with extra kecthup and one with extra chili. And uh, two Choclate Island Malts."
Alex says.

(Would you like any fries with that?)

"No."

(How about our new happy dan cupckakes?)

"No."

(We also have the new collectors glasses featuring Dan on chocolate island, dan playing baseball with the happy flap jack and dan..)

"Look, okay..we're good. Just the dogs and the malts please." Alex said politely frustrated.

"Collectors glasses?" Andy asked.

"Um..sorry, we'll take a collectors glass too." Alex added.

"Thanks." Andy said

"You're such a nostalgia freak Andy." Alex said smniling.

"Hey, you're the one who had to stop here Andy countered.

20 minutes later, they were back on the main highway as a light snow bagan to fall.

[Crimson]

At the Keaton residence the whole family sat staring out the window at the falling snow.

"Usually around this time of year, I love to see snow fall. Now it only worries me." Elyse said.
"It'll be alright Elyse, we can still enjoy it for it's beauty. Alex and Andy are smart. They'll be fine. There's no need to worry yourself into a frenzy." Steven said.

Just then Mallory and Skippys son Steven walked up and tugged on Elyses shirt.
"They will be okay Grandma. It's Christmas, you got to belive." Little Steven said.
Elyse picked her grandson up and hugged him and said,
"I believe Stevey. They'll make it home just fine."

As the family watched out the window, Skip walked to the light switch and dimmed the lights very low. Then he lit a large Green Candle which smelled like Cedar, and he started singing.....

"Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm, all is bright"

Slowly the rest of the family joined in....

"Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born.


Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth."

After they sang that sat in peaceful silence a sthe watched the candlelight.

[Crimson]

The television is still on and updates on the weather condition come in.

(So far there have been 5 reported accidents due to the snow. No information on if there have been any inuries or fatalities, we will get that information to you as soon as we can.....)

Elyse stops and just sits with deep concern on her face. Everyone is silent, for lack of knowing what to say. Suddenly the front door flyes open and two snow covered men walk in.

"Geez louise, if I would have known it were going top snow this hard, I would have brought along my snow mobile!" Alex shouts.

"The fact that we're here is a miracle with the way you drive Alex." Andy replies.

"Could you have done better?" Alex asked

"Alex and Andy made it! Alright!" Steven shouted.
Elyse ran over to hug her two sons.

[Crimson]

As they all gather in the kicthen some lean against the counter for lack of space at the table.

Alex begins to smile after sipping his cocoa. He begins to recollect over past Christmas's.

"Remember that one year, when we worked at the Mall as Santa and his two elves?" Alex asked his two sisters with a grin. (*See Miracle In Columbus*)

[Crimson]

They all gathered round the living room, but they did not see Santa standing there behind the tree with a bag of gifts.

They all gathered in front of the tree, and without detection, Santa slipped out from behind them to make it in the picture. He smiled with them and then the flash went off.

The family laughed and talked, as Santa snuck back behind the tree.

"Mommy, it stopped snowing, can we see?" Jessica asked Mallory.

"Sure honey, I don't see why not. Bundle up."

Soon the whole famiily trudged there way through the knee high snow into the front yard.

Santa walked out from behind the tree, and opened his bag of gifts. He placed them carefully under the tree, and then walked into the kicthen. There he ate a cookie and drank a glass of milk. He also set a rolled and sealed parchment on the kitchen table by the cookies.

As he heard the Keaton family make their way back inside to the living room, he gracefully made his exit through the back door.

In the living room,

"Look mommy, all these presents weren't here before!" Jessica shouted

The adults looked at each other with confusion.

"That's so weird." Andy said.

Then from the kicthen they heard little steven.

"Look here." Little Steven shouted.

They all went back into the kitchen and the elder Steven Keaton unrolled the parchment.

Steven started to read.

Dear Keaton Family,

I have never been more proud of any other family as I have been of you over the years. Your values, your love, and your dedication to one another as well to what is right in the world is, to my long experience, unequaled. It has been an honor to serve you around this, the most Holiest of times.

Some say I am a myth, but God has many many Angels on earth that are in his service. I just happen to be the one who gets to fly in the sky with eight tiny reindeer. The kids love it. But just know, that you are watched over and adored by the the most loving eyes above and around you.

Sincerely,
They call me Santa Clause.

Ps: Please don't mind the sled tracks on your roof.

Just then, the family heard a large brushing noise on their roof, and a happy laughing of an elderly man.

They all ran back out and saw the sled tracks on the roof of their home.

Credits start to flash in cursive font as sleigh bells are heard.

But before the show ends, the cast and crew all sit in front of the tree to wish each and every one of us a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. And we are reminded by Michael J Fox, to be generous to those less fortunate.

[Crimson]

Thank you Jen1989, I think we made a good story together. It is one that I plan on copying to word file and saving. You and I both made the story endearing. It will be nice to read it around Christmas time. Thank you again.

[Crimson]

Any time. Maybe we'll work together again sometime. Take care.