In this extra special episode, we are celebrating Christmas at the house of Josette Benali Armstrong…
Without further ado, I welcome you to a magical Christmas with the Armstrongs…
It’s Christmas morning and Josette is getting her house ready for a wonderful Christmas. She gets the rest of the decorations ready, waiting to decorate it with her siblings like in Christmases gone by…
Meanwhile her boyfriend, Moses, is setting up a second kids table for Christmas lunch
And just in time, too, as the families have arrived! The Muse family – Harry, Leia, Armstrong and Soleil, are first to arrive outside The Old Salt House, excited for their first Christmas as a family
Outside the bump into the Armstrong clan – Mateo, Hope and Katherine. The families greet each other happily before knocking on the door
To be greeted by Josette and Moses. Hugs, kind words and Christmas wishes are exchanged as the family catch up
Then it’s all hands on deck to prepare the perfect Christmas meal – Leia and chef Hope are in the kitchen helping to prepare the dinner
While the boys are playing video games in the living room, and pretending not to mind that Armstrong is beating them all at party frenzy!
Upstairs in the newly decorated nursery, Mum-to-be Josette is spending some time with her nieces, watching them play and listening to their excited babbling about the snow outside – she’s excited to become a Mother and have one of these cute little toddlers herself!
With the turkey roasting and the snow falling, the tree is begging to be decorated. Leia, Mateo, Josette and Armstrong decorate it, while the siblings tell Armstrong the tradition of tree decorating and the way they’d always decorate the tree as a family on Christmas eve
Meanwhile, Soleil is listening to a Christmas story with her Father – she loves Christmas and hopes to see some reindeer tonight!
What a good-looking tree! The family appreciate their work before all splitting off to grab their presents to place underneath it
Mateo places his gifts under the tree first
Followed by Leia
And finally, Josette
As the last present is placed under the Christmas tree, a faint knock at the door echoes through the house
“Are you expecting anyone else?” Leia asks Josette, confused at who could possibly be popping by on Christmas day
“No” she responds, a look of confusion on her face too
She crosses the room to see who’s outside
When she sees the silhouette of the mystery knocker through the icy door, she lets out a scream
Mateo and Leia quickly rush to the front door to find the source of the scream and let out shocked squeals themselves, hardly believing their eyes…
Leia is shocked, asking how their mystery guest could possibly be here today! Trying her best not to faint in shock, she exclaims…
“MUM! DAD! HOW ARE YOU HERE?!”
As the shock is replaced by overwhelming happiness, the children greet their parents with long hugs, still confused as to how they’re here but not caring – they’re here, and how is irrelevant!
Josette is excited to be able to share her news with her parents…
Josette smiles happily as she shares the big news, excitedly inviting her father to feel his grandchild kick in her belly
News of the miraculous arrival of Kate and Salim is buzzing through the house, and Harry heads upstairs to find Armstrong, playing happily in the nursery with the girls.
He pulls him outside to tell him that there is someone downstairs who wants to meet him, and he rushes downstairs wondering who it could be
He recognises the faces instantly from photos around his house, but stands cautiously, sure it couldn’t possibly be who he thought
But it is! He rushes over and is pulled into a strong hug by his grandmother
Before also meeting his grandfather!
The girls are brought down afterwards, and Katherine meets her namesake!
Kate is totally elated to be meeting the grandchildren she’s been watching grow up from the other side
Leia excuses herself from the emotional reunion and sees to the food, using it as an excuse to compose herself – seeing her parents back is a big thing to process
And we know nothing has changed for our Kate as she pulls out a book – Reeling Her In! The book she read when she decided to open herself to love! Oh, the memories! Some things never change!
Before long the Turkey is ready, and two extra places set at the table for her parents, Josette calls the family to dinner
Kate and Salim tuck into their dinner, listening as their children recap their lives – the pregnancies, the engagements, the weddings…
But they didn’t miss a thing. They were there for it all.
Over at the kids table, Harry decides to sit with his children and niece, and listens to them chatter excitedly about meeting their grandparents
Dinner over and a few people enjoying seconds (I see you with that second plate, Mateo!), Josette takes some time to talk to her Mother. She recaps everything that’s happened – meeting her baby brother, Jolene’s marriage, finding out she was pregnant…
Then she takes her parents upstairs, to show them the nursery!
She shares some photos of her with AJ and Jolene, as well as some baby scan photos and some pieces of artwork she sold for good money
Then it’s Leia’s turn for some quality time – Salim talks to her about her clinic, the one he helped her open! She enthusiastically tells him how well it’s doing, and how she’s even hired an assistant so she can spend more time at home with her family
She shares some photos with her father, including baby photos of the kids and some photos from her wedding
Meanwhile, Kate is hearing all about Katherine from Mateo – she’s thrilled that her name lives on in her granddaughter!
Josette, ever the gift fiend, can’t help but head over to the tree and ask if they can open gifts yet!
Armstrong encourages her, and they manage to convince the family to break off their conversations, so they can exchange gifts!
Josette gets some new clothes, some baby items, and some new art supplies
Mateo’s next – he receives some new fishing supplies so he can take Katherine out to fish when she’s older!
Next up is Leia, who loves the nick knacks and collectables she receives
Armstrong is thrilled with some new toys and books
Soleil loves her new teddy and a doctor teddy play set – now she can be a vet just like her Mum!
And Katherine adores her toddler art station!
What an amazing Christmas it’s been! While their family open their gifts and talk excitedly, Kate and Salim take a moment to appreciate the wonderful family they created
The night is growing darker and soon it’ll be daylight – Kate and Salim decide to begin their goodbyes.
As they hug their children and grandchildren, they give each a message
Leia – we are proud of the beautiful family you’re raising, and the way you run your business so well to provide for them
Mateo – thank you for naming your daughter after me. She is beautiful. I hope you enjoy every minute of raising her the way we did with you.
Josette – you have two families who love you eternally. Your baby is so lucky to have a mother like you, and to be born into both families who will love them just as much as we’ve always loved you. Keep painting – you’re amazing.
Armstrong – our first grandchild. We love you. We have watched you grow and watched as you became a big brother. Look after your sister the way your Mother always looked after her siblings. We’re so proud of you.
Soleil –You remind us so much of your Mother. We hope you continue to grow into an amazing young woman.
Katherine – you were named after your grandmother, and she is the love of my life. She never failed to make everyone around her happy, and no doubt you will take after her in more than just your name. We can’t wait to watch you grow.
After the emotional messages are given and hugs exchanged, the family head outside to enjoy one final tradition with their parents
They each build a snowman and enjoy the cold snow as a new morning slowly begins
Each pair are proud of their creations, and each show their personalities in some way
Armstrong thoroughly enjoys his first snow man build!
As Leia, Mateo, Josette and Armstrong begin a snowball fight, laughing and joking as they pelt each other with the snow
Kate and Salim slowly slip away, listening to their children’s voices laughing and shouting behind them
The couple share a final kiss in the snow of the mortal realm before the sun rises over the horizon and it’s time to go
In the distance, a group are waiting to greet them as they too prepare to return to the beyond
They walk towards the gazebo, feeling the morning sun on their faces
Where they are greeted by old friends
And fade back into the beyond together, grateful for their Christmas miracle
And that’s all for this special episode! It was an emotional one, and one I was so excited to write up. I hope you all enjoyed the return of Kate and Salim and their reunion with their family. Our special part 100 is now at an end, and tomorrow we return to normalcy with the Christmas miracle little more than a memory, a dream… Did it really happen? Or was it just that? A dream? We may never know. But we know this: Kate and Salim love their children, and as long as there is an Armstrong descendant this world, they live on, as does our story.
