Twas the night before Christmas

and all through the Quartermaine manse

Everyone was dreaming

including one Ms Brenda Barrett.....

"Brenda!" Sonny yelled, "Are you almost ready? What is taking you so long?" Sonny came stomping through the penthouse with the twins, Michael 1 and Michael 2 following close behind. "We have guests arriving shortly and Michael 1 and Michael 2 are following me around the kitchen and I can't cook. Can you please help me out here?"

Brenda looked up from her dressing table. Her black hair was all teased out and she was dressed in lounging pajamas. It was Christmas Day and they were having the Christmas meal for all their friends and family. And some enemies that Sonny had insisted on inviting. She had just applied her makeup and was getting up. She looked down at her burgeoning belly, she was eight months pregnant with her fourth child. She and Sonny had been married ten years. "Come with Mama boys. Where is your sister Michalea?"

Sonny strode out of the room and Michael 1 jumped on the bed. The twins were eight years old and were identical. They were the spitting image of Sonny. "Mama, Michaela is with Lily. Lily is dressing her and making sure she eats her breakfast."

Brenda grabbed Michael 1's hand and guided him off the bed, "Let's go find Lily then, ok?" She and the twins went off in search of Lily, their maid of several years now and Michaela, aged four and a half. They found the two of them in the playroom. "Lily, how is my little girl today?"

"Mama!" Michaela raced forward and soundly kissed her mother on the cheek. "Lily and I have been reading a story."

"Excellent" Brenda kissed Michaela and pushed back her blonde hair. "Lily, is the living room all set up for our guests? Are the hor doeurves ready? I expect people to be arriving shortly and want to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch. Do you understand that? Where is Jasper, do you know?

"Jasper is doing some last minute dusting. The house is immaculate and the children will stay up here with me while you and the guests dine. Jasper will be serving the meal and making sure everything runs smoothly. Can I do anything for you Mrs Corinthos?" Lily asked.

Brenda kissed her children and walked out of the room, "That will be all Lily." She walked down the stairs and ran into Jasper Jax, former tycoon who lost all his money in bad investments. Sonny hired him to be his butler and personal driver. "Jasper, how does the house look?"

"Mrs Corinthos, everything is immaculate. I even took a white glove to it. What else can I do for you?" Jax asked.

Brenda surveyed the rooms in front of her and walked slowly around. She eyed Jax up and down. It was no coincidence that Michaela was a blonde. "Nothing at this time. Just stand at the door and escort our guests in when they arrive." Brenda then headed towards the kitchen where she found her husband of ten years leaning over the stove inspecting everything. Brenda wrapped her arms around him and kissed him, "Honey, everything will go off without a hitch. You never did tell me what we were having."

Sonny walked her out of the kitchen and kissed her passionately, "We have a spiral ham" He kissed her again, "A turkey," He kissed her again, "Mashed potatoes," kissing her again, "stuffing of course, " he kissed her neck this time causing Brenda to giggle, "salad" he kissed her forehead, "corn and a green bean casserole," he kissed each eye, "homemade cranberry sauce," he kissed her nose, "gravy" he lightly kissed her lips, "sweet potatoes," kissing her again, "homemade rolls" and kissed her soundly.

Brenda looked deeply into his eyes, "What's for dessert?" she whispered.

"You." They were interrupted by a discreet clearing of the throat by Jax. "Mr and Mrs Corinthos, Mr and Mrs Ashton are here." Brenda waddled forward as fast as she could to hug Lois. "Lois, it has been way too long, how have you been?"

"Oh my Gawd Brenda you are so big! I can't believe you are pregnant again. Sonny kept his promise to keep you barefoot and pregnant!" Lois shreiked, hugging Brenda.

Brenda looked her best friend up and down. Only Lois could pull off a red leather jumpsuit on Christmas. "True! How is L&B?"

"L&B has been doing just fabulous. We have been touring with Miguel. He is just so hot these days. Now where are Michael 1 and 2 and Michaela? Are they upstairs?" Lois said, talking animately, her long Santa Claus nails catching the light.

"Yes they are. Ned it is so good to see you back in Port Charles." Brenda leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

"It's good to be here. Thank you Sonny for having us. God knows what we will be having at the Quartermaines later." Ned answered. "Usually we do end up eating turkey on Christmas, it's just Thanksgiving we have pizza."

"Oh Nedly," Lois laid her hand on his arm, "You know, I never figured out how Michaela turned out so blond when you and Sonny are so dark."

Brenda was saved by saying anything by the arrival of Jax, "Mrs Corinthos, Mr Morgan and Ms Benson are here."

Brenda quickly turned to Lois, "My sister was a blonde." Jason walked over to Sonny and the two of them began talking about business. They sat down as Jax brought out some hor doeurves for everyone. Brenda hugged Carly and said, "I am so glad you and Jason could make it. I am glad you two made up. You two are perfect for each other."

Carly hugged Brenda back, "He is my soulmate, just like Sonny is yours. Now, how far along are you?"

Brenda rubbed her stomach and turned to their guests, "Sonny and I have an announcement. Sonny, I hope you don't mind me saying anything, but Carly just asked and my best friends are here."

Sonny waved his hand and said, "Go ahead, tell them sweetie." Brenda was going to speak when Jax came in and said, "Mr Morez and Miss Scorpio are here."

Carly and Brenda looked at each other, their contempt for Robin Scorpio well known. Ever since she told AJ Quartermaine that he was the father of Carly's baby, not Jason she was not their friend. She was only there because she and Miguel Morez were now an item. He was the top act for L&B Records and Miguel was touring. Robin was touring with him along with Lois and Ned. "Hi Miguel." Brenda said sweetly, "Robin." Brenda swept past her and sat down next to Sonny. "As I was about to say, we found out we are going to have twins!"

Lois and Carly jumped up and hugged Brenda, "Oh. My. Gawd. When did you find out?" Lois asked, waving her hands in excitement.

"A week ago. One of the babies is behind the other so they couldn't see him or her and they couldn't detect the heartbeat. But they are definetly two heartbeats." Brenda announced.

Jax walked in, "Excuse me Mr Corinthos. Dinner is served." The group followed Sonny into the dining room and sat down.

Sonny was at the head of the table and started the conversation, "So Miguel, how is the tour going?"

"It is going very well thank you. I love seeing all of the country. Especially with Robin coming with me." He leaned over and grasped her hand. "She makes everything more beautifu

"Oh please." muttered Carly. She grabbed a roll and glanced at Brenda. "Miguel, where are you off to next?"

"Miami for a New Year's Eve concert." Miguel said politely.

Carly broke open the roll and said, "Watch your back around Robin. She may stab it in your sleep. You do know Miguel that she is the reason that I lost my child. She had to go and open her big mouth and tell AJ that he was the father when it was none of her damn business."

Jason leaned over and patted Carly's hand, "Carly, that's enough."

Lois broke in and waved her fork around, "Gawd, it is going to be the biggest concert with the most exposure for Miguel. His album is selling millions and he is so awesome on the stage." Lois said in her heavy New York accent. "I wish you alls could come down for it."

Sonny looked at Brenda with amusement, "Honey could you see us with our brood in Miami? Miguel, when Michael 1 and 2 are a little older, I will take them to one of your concerts."

Robin looked over at Lois, "Where's Brook Lynn?"

"She decided to stay in New York with her grandparents for the holidays then she will join us for New Years." Answered Ned.

"So Robin, ruin any lives lately?" Carly broke in. "Or was it just mine and Jason's that you decided to ruin since you can't have any kids, you decided that you needed to make someone else as miserable as you."

"Carly, stop it." warned Jason.

"If it wasn't for Robin you and I would be raising our son. Now AJ has full custody of him and I barely see him. Thanks Robin. Thanks a lot." Carly snapped.

Robin glared at Carly and at Brenda, "That's not true and you know it. You are always lying about something Carly. My God, how many years did you lie to Bobbie about not being her daughter? How can you live with yourself?"

Miguel put his arm around Robin, "Carly, Robin had to do what she thought was right."

Brenda spoke up, "And ruin the life of a little boy and Carly and Jason's as well. Nice work. She does that and then takes off and doesn't face the consequences." Brenda threw down her fork and turned to Sonny, "I told you Sonny that we shouldn't have invited her. I didn't want to upset Carly and she is. Robin is a constant reminder that she can't spend the day with her son."

"Exactly Brenda. I have to look at Robin's face and see my beautiful boy and know I can't see him on Christmas. Thanks you b!tch!" With that Carly threw her roll at Robin. Robin retaliated by throwing a forkful of mashed potatoes at Carly, missing and hit Jason. Carly got angrier and dug her hands into the cranberry sauce and threw it at Robin, hitting Robin, Miguel and Lois.

"STOP IT!" yelled Sonny. "You two are acting like children. My twins act better than you at times Carly. This is Christmas and we are all adults. Can't we all get along? Don't you agree with me Brenda? Brenda?"

"Um, Sonny, my water broke. I'm in labor." Brenda clutched her back as Ned and Sonny raced to get her up. Sonny was screaming to Jax to get the car and soon thereafter, Brenda was at the hospital. In the delivery room, Sonny clutched her hand while the cranberry clad group of Robin, Miguel and Lois were on one side, Jason, Carly and Ned on the other. They all were there when Micheal 3 and Michael 4 were born an hour after she got there.

Brenda looked up at Sonny who leaned down and kissed her, "This is the best Christmas ever." she cried out.

Tossing and turning in her bed at the mansion, Brenda woke up and screamed.