It was already December first, which meant Benji and Joel had been with us for a month in total. And I was now four months pregnant. I really couldn't wait until the baby was born.

"Hey baby," Benji smiled, sitting down beside me on the sofa and wrapping an arm around my shoulders, "How are you?"

"I'm good," I smiled, leaning into his embrace, "And how are you?"

"Good," Benji smiled, "I was helping Chester and Joel dig around the basement for the Christmas decorations. We're gonna start decorating sometime this century."

I laughed softly and leaned my head on his shoulder, kissing his neck just as softly as his rubbed my bulging belly. "You're getting big," Benji smiled, rubbing my stomach a bit more, "And I think it's adorable."

"Well of course you do," I nodded, "It's your job to say that you think it's adorable."

"Oh really," Benji chuckled, "If it's my job, then am I getting paid for it?"

"What do you think the sex is?" I giggled, kissing his cheek.

"Hmm... good point..." Benji trailed off thoughtfully, "Can we have sex now?"

I opened my mouth to say something, but was cut off when Chester and Joel came up from the basement, each of them carrying two huge boxes.

"Ugh, god man," Joel groaned as he set the box down on the floor, "Do you guys have Christmas decorations that weigh a ton or two?"

"Sure we do," Chester smiled, putting the box he was holding down onto the floor as well, "Benji my man! You need to come help us. We have at least ten more boxes. AND the tree itself."

"But I don't wanna," Benji pouted, "I have to take care of Mike."

"Oh, but it's okay Benji," I smiled, "If you help them, then just remember what you asked me earlier," I winked at him, "Besides, Cash can take care of me when you're gone."

Benji grinned and nodded, kissing me gently. "Okay then. Cash! Get up here and watch Mike for me."

I laughed as Benji got up and immedietly Cash was curled up beside me, his paws in my lap and his head resting on his paws. I stroked his brown fur slightly as I listened to the others downstairs in the basement, making all kinds of noise.

"So, what do you think Cash? Think they're busy making a mess down there instead?" I giggled slightly as Cash looked at me and did a little nod thing with his head.

*~*~*~*

*Benji*

"I think the house is starting to look nice," Joel grinned as he hung up some gold garland around the staircase banister. I nodded, holding the ladder steady while Chester hung up some lights along the bend where the wall and the ceiling meet.

"Uhm, Benji?" Mike asked from the sofa, "Can you tell Cash to let me up now? Everytime I try to get up he just gives me this look and growls."

I laughed and said, "Cash! You can let Mike go now." He looked at me and I nodded my head, smiling as he jumped off the sofa, letting Mike stand up.

"Thank you, so much," Mike smiled, coming over and kissing me softly, "Wow... it's really starting to look cool around here."

"Ah, finished with the lights, in the WHOLE house," Chester grinned proudly as he climbed off the ladder, "How's the stairs coming Joel?"

"Just about finished," Joel replied, taping the end of the garland to the top of the banister, "And it's done. So we've finished almost every room in the house. Now we have to do the outside of the house, and the tree itself."

"We should wait and go buy a real tree," Mike suggested, "Since this Christmas is a special one."

*~*~*~*

*Joel*

"Hey Joel?" Benji asked softly, while we walked down the street and to the corner store where we had ordered dinner from a Japanese place that Mike said was really good, "I have to ask you something."

I nodded, shoving my glove covered hands into my coat pockets. I didn't realize how cold it could get here. I guess it makes sense... since it IS close to a desert, and deserts are cold at night...

"What's on your mind?" I asked Benji, noticing how he sucked his middle lipring into his mouth, something he did whenever he was nervous or deep in thought.

"I wanna ask Mike to marry me," Benji said softly, "I mean, I know we could never marry legally, but I've heard of Indian Spiritualists or whatever they're called who do marry people no matter what. I was thinking that we could do that... if Mike says yes."

"Benj..." I breathed, stopping and hugging him, "That's so... awesome! I'm sure Mike will say yes. He's crazy over you."

"You really think so?" Benji asked me softly, "I was planning to ask him on Christmas Eve."

I nodded, smiling widely. "Yes. That's so... romantic. I didn't know you had it in you."

"Well now you do," Benji smiled, slightly nervously, "I hope he says yes.."

"He will," I nodded confidently, "I just know he will."

*~*~*~*

*Chester*

"So when do you and Benji find out what you're having?" I asked Mike, plopping down beside him on the sofa.

"In a month," Mike smiled, his hand resting on his stomach, "And what about you and Joel? Eager for kids anytime soon?"

"I don't know," I admitted, "I mean, I do want to have kids, but it's still like... I don't know... I just don't want to rush anything, y'know?"

Mike nodded. "I know how you feel," he replied, "I think it would be cute to see you all pregnant."

"I'm gonna remember you said that," I chuckled, "And just think. You're gonna get to be biiig. Maybe you'll have triplets."

I laughed at the look of horror that washed over Mike's face. "No way," he shook his head, "No triplets for me. One is fine, thank you."

I grinned. "Oh well. I won't be the one getting pregnant. It'll be Joel. Not me. I don't think I'd survive it."

"It's not so bad," Mike smiled, "And you have nine months to get used to it."

"Even so," I replied, "I'm making Joel get pregnant. Not me."

*~*~*~*