(Thanks to Kelly for the beautiful banner)
Author's Notes: 1) Zack is still alive in this story, but was injured in the car accident. And he was able to donate part of his liver for Claire. 2) Also, I couldn't remember if the character of Nick is Alice's great-grandson, or her great great-grandson. For this chapter he's her great-grandson. Hopefully, I got it correct.
Chapter 2
The Black family arrived at the Horton house, and the house was already buzzing with holiday fun. Christmas carols were being sung, and people were laughing and talking.
John, Marlena, and Belle walked in and was greeted by Mickey and Maggie Horton. They walked in, put the gifts under the tree, and went to mingle with the crowd.
“Isabella Black. You look very lovely tonight. Hoping to impress that great-grandson of mine?” Came the voice of Alice Horton, who had a twinkle in her eye. Belle just blushed and went over to give Alice a hug.
Just then the door opened, and everyone turned to see who it was.
“HoHoHo!!” Came the jolly voice of Bo Brady.
Everyone smiled has they saw Bo, Hope, Zack, Shawn, and even Claire all in Santa hats.
After taking their coats off, the Brady’s came in and joined the party. Belle smiled as she saw Zack walk shyly over to her.
“Merry Christmas, Belle.” Zack said, as he gave her a hug. Belle had a special place in her heart for the Shawn’s younger brother. After all, it was because of Zack that her little girl was alive today.
Soon after Claire was admitted into the hospital, Zack was hit by a car that was being driven by Chelsea. He pulled through, and it was at that time that it was revealed that Shawn was the same blood type. After being given the reassurance that the liver would grow back, Bo and Hope gave the okay for Zack to give Claire part of his liver. And for that, Belle would always be grateful.
“Merry Christmas, Zack.” Belle said, and she bent down and give him a hug.
“This is for you, but you can’t open it until later. Promise?” Zack said, as he handed Belle a small wrapped box.
“I promise.” Belle said, smiling as Zack took her hand and led her over to where Bo, Hope, and Shawn were.
“Well, hi there Belle. Merry Christmas. I see that you received your present from the family.” Bo said, as he gave Belle a hug.
“Yes, I did. But I promised Zack that I wouldn’t open it until later.” She said, as she then gave Hope and Shawn a hug as well. “Where’s Claire?”
“Don’t worry sweetie, she’s fine.” Hope said, as she pointed over at Doug and Julie as they entertained Claire.
~~An Hour Later~~
Now that all of the guest have arrived, Alice announced that it was time to hang the ornaments.
Alice, of course, went first as she hung both her’s and her beloved Tom’s ornaments. Mickey and Maggie soon followed with the hanging of their ornaments.
Bo, Hope, and Zack soon followed with their ornaments. And Alice had given Hope a special ornament to hang that said ‘Baby Girl Brady’, and Zack wanted to hang his soon-to-be baby sister’s ornament.
“And we have two new names to add to the tree.” Alice said, as she handed Shawn a pink ornament with Claire’s name on it.
“Belle, would you like to help hang this with me?” Shawn asked, as he held out his free hand to Belle.
Belle smiled and nodded, as she took his hand and walked over to the tree. As Shawn stood holding Claire in one arm, together he and Belle hung Claire’s ornament on the Horton tree for the first time.
Alice then handed Belle Shawn’s ornament for him to hang, and she watched has he put his right next to Claire’s.
Jack, Jennifer, and Jack Jr. came back from London to attend the Horton Christmas celebration. And they were next to hang their ornaments. Abby followed and put her ornament next to Jack Jr.’s, and then returned to her seat next to her date Max Brady.
Soon the rest of the Horton family ornaments were hung, including the other addition to the tree, Alice’s great-grandson Nick.
After a few hours of singing, talking, laughing, and eating. The crowds started to die down, as families wanted some time together before meeting up again to go to midnight mass.
“Are you even going to give me a clue what this is?” Belle asked Shawn, as she tried to get him to tell her what her present is.
“Nope, you’re going to have to wait a little while longer before you can open it.” He said, and he kissed her nose.
Shawn and Belle were standing by the tree, and they looked at Claire’s ornament.
“You know I have a perdition that next year, you will have an ornament to hang right next to our daughter’s.” Shawn said with a grin.
“Oh really! You seem pretty sure of that Brady.” Belle said, as she gave him a loving hug.
“As much as I would love to hold you all night, I’ve got something to take care of. So, I’m going to leave Claire here with you, and don’t go anywhere. I’ll be coming back for the two of you.” He said as he gave both Claire and Belle a quick kiss on the cheek, and then headed out the door.
“What is your daddy up to?” Belle said, and Claire gave her a big smile.
TBC....
Thanks to Belle for the Christmas, Brandon Beemer, Days/GH/Charmed, Scrubs, the Chelle "Our Beautiful Baby Girl", Classic, Modern, and NuShelle banners
Thanks to Jessica for the Jarlena, Shelle, Bope, and the Martha and Jason Fan sigarts
Thanks to Chantal for the Kirsten Storms and NuShelle banner
Thanks to Heatherlea for the Brady Family Fan banner
Thanks to CRene for the slideshow(Shelle, Bope, Lumi, and Jack & Jennifer), and "Charmed" banners
Thanks to Kelly for the Jason and Martha banner(with blue background)
Thanks to AW for the "Always Shelle" sigart
Thanks to DeeCee for the Classic Shelle flashback and proposal banners
Thanks to Kim for the modern Shelle(black & white), and Martha/Brandon banners
Thanks to Tracey for the 'Shelle Timeless' banner
Thanks to Snoenk for the Bo & Hope, and the Bo, Hope, & Claire banners
