“Hi John.”

John Ross didn't turn around, but he offered a quiet greeting. “Hey.”

“Why don't you come downstairs? I know it's hard, but maybe it'll get your mind off of everything.” Jillian's tone showed the compassion of a young mother.

“Don't feel like it.”

“I know you don't now, but you might feel better if you wouldn't shut yourself up in this dark room. I was in the same boat last Christmas, remember? My Mom had just died. Knowing I had a family here at Southfork really helped me get through that and I think that's what you need—your family.”

“Melissa and T.J. were my family.”

“You have Dad…and Sue Ellen. Miss Ellie's really worried about you too. Even your Aunt Kaitlin called this afternoon to see how you were doing.”

“I might come down for a while later…but I don't want to right now.”

Jillian smiled. “I'll count that as a victory. See you later.”

What was even more difficult was seeing J.R. He had his eyes on her the whole night. The only reason she noticed was because hers were on him. She was so angry with herself---she learned long ago that the one thing that she had in life was control over her feelings, and now that was the last thing she had any semblance of mastery over. If she did, she would not be looking at J.R., thinking about him, about his touch or their kiss….

“Stop it,” Sue Ellen whispered to herself. She felt so out of control. She felt herself getting very anxious. She tried to take a long, deep breath but it didn't help. Finally, she left the room, her pace brisk.

From across the room, J.R. saw her leave. He knew that she was upset. He wanted to go to her, to see her, to touch her again. He put down his drink.

“Well, J.R. Long time no see,” Todd smirked, a young woman by his side.

“What the hell do you want Foster?”

“Just to say Merry Christmas, what else?” Todd looked at Elayne. “This is Elayne Bennett. Elayne, J.R. Ewing.”

Elayne stuck out her hand. “Nice to meet you. I work with your brother Bobby.”

J.R. didn't extend his; he continued glaring at Todd. “You 're with a loser honey. Comes from a long line of them.”

“You're no prize,” Todd shot back. He turned to Elayne. “Can you excuse us for one second?” Elayne nodded, sensing the tension, and went to refill her drink.

“Go tend to your girlfriend. She's the only one in here that likes you. Probably not even that much.”

Todd grabbed J.R.'s arm. “Don't think for one second I've forgotten about that little game you pulled with Janice.”

“What drugs are you on boy?”

“Don't even try to play stupid with me. I told you that I'd get you; so don't think for one minute I've forgotten. Watch your back.”

With that Todd walked away, and J.R. was determined to find out what the hell he “supposedly” did to Todd Foster.

“Hi Grandma!” Justin screamed from the other end.

“Justin! How are you?”

“I'm good. Merry Christmas!”

“To you too! I miss you.”

“I miss you, but this place is so cool. It's really warm and they've got really good food. There's not really good TV though.”

“Where are you?”

“Guam. Can I talk to my dad?”

Ellie smiled. Children were so honest. Justin didn't bother with pleasantries. “Sure, but can I speak to your mother for a minute. I promise I'll put your dad on right after.”

“OK,” Justin said. Ellie could hear the receiver slam down. “MOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!” she heard screamed in the distance.

A moment later, Cally was on the phone. “Hey Miss Ellie. Merry Christmas.”

“To you too Cally. How are you?”

“I reckon I'm pretty hot. How're things at Southfork?”

“Oh dear, you know this place. There's never a moment's rest.” Ellie decided she wouldn't get into all the events with Rex. “Bobby and Pam are expecting twins, but I think you received my letter.”

“We did, and that's wonderful! I'm so excited for them!”

“Cally,” Ellie said, hesitating for a moment. “I want to apologize. For what happened while you were in Dallas….with…with Clayton.”

Cally quickly replied, a somber tone to her voice. “You don't gotta say I'm sorry.” She hesitated for another minute. “Miss Ellie, I made you a gift.”

“Oh you didn't have to do that.”

“I wanted to. It's a painting. I've been workin' on it for a while, but I just finished when we got here, to Gum or whatever this place is.”

“That's very sweet.”

“It's a painting of Clayton. Sorta like the one you have of Jock in the living room.”

Miss Ellie was silent for a moment. Her eyes welled with tears. She missed him. God, she missed him. “Thank you Cally. I know I'll love it.”

“He's always with you Miss Ellie. He's with all of us. I know it.”

“I know dear,” Ellie said after a moment. “I know.”

“Same crap, different day” Todd replied, a smile across his face. “God, I haven't seen you two forever!”

Christopher smiled, “I know, and that is going to change. You've got to come see the new place. It's amazing.”

“My God, you two are like the Waltons. All you need is the mountain.”

“So who's that you're with?” Karen asked in a mischievous tone.

“Her name is Elayne. She works with your father,” Todd directed his comment toward Christopher. “In fact, I think he tried to set us up.”

“It seems like it worked,” Christopher replied.

Todd looked over at Elayne, who was chatting with Pam. “Yeah. I like her. A lot actually.”

Karen rubbed his shoulder. “You deserve it.”

Todd retorted back. “Like you two don't? After all that's happened since I first met you?”

“We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you,” Christopher said. There was a twinge of regret in his voice, talking about the lies that Eric Stone had devised to keep Christopher and Karen apart.

“It was nothing. It needed to happen. You guys are like the Luke and Laura of Dallas!”

“Oh my God I love General Hospital!” Karen replied.

“Somehow I knew that,” Todd said, a bit quizzically. “But anyway, I can't believe you two…three kids already. You work fast.”

“Yeah, well we haven't had our own…yet.” Karen's smile was mysterious.

“Whoa, are you…”

“No! Not yet…and not anytime soon. Good grief, four kids would be the death of me!”

“I could imagine. How's Cole doing? Or did you bring him home yet?”

“No…we couldn't get him this soon. I wanted to, God, did I ever. That was his Christmas wish…to spend Christmas at home with a family.”

“Poor kid.”

“But Christopher, Austin, Megan, and I are going to the hospital tomorrow to spend time with him…since we can't bring him home with us yet, we can at least be there for him.”

Val stopped dead in her tracks and looked through the small crowd for the person who had called her name—Ellie. She smiled upon seeing her. “Hey Miss Ellie.”

“Sorry I haven't had a chance to talk to you yet tonight, but now I can give you your Christmas gift.”

“Gift? Miss Ellie, you didn't have to get me a thing…you know that.”

“Oh, but I think you'll be proud to get this one…or these three. They're right here in the entry hall.”

Puzzled, Val reluctantly followed Ellie into the foyer and she stopped when she saw that it was Gary. Miss Ellie beamed, proud of her arranging for Gary and the kids to fly out to Dallas to be with Valene for Christmas.

“I knew you wanted to be here in Dallas with Lucy with all she was going through, but I didn't see any reason why you couldn't spend it with Gary and the kids too.”

Gary hugged his wife and Val embraced him stiffly. “Gary…I'm glad you came out. Where are the kids?” There was an almost undetectable coldness in Val's voice.

“Out in the car bringing in the gifts.”

Miss Ellie watched on until the oven timer drew her back to the kitchen.

“So you weren't going to come back to Knots Landing for Christmas?” Gary asked.

“Lucy needs me here. She's going through hell right now.”

“I'm not taking anything away from what Lucy's going through, but Betsy and Bobby needed you too.”

“And they also needed you all those days and nights you spent at the office, working late.”

“Whoa! Is that what this is all about? Is that why you left Knots Landing so fast, because you were upset about my working so much?”

“I told you why I left…I left to come help Lucy.”

“And I'm sure that's one reason. You know I've never questioned your love for our daughter, but I think you used it as an excuse to get out of town for a while.”

“How dare you say I'd use Lucy's problems as an excuse to get away.”

The door opened behind them and Betsy and Bobby walked in. Val quickly gave them both a hug, causing them to drop gifts all over the floor. “I'm so glad you guys came to Southfork for Christmas!” Val exclaimed…but Gary wasn't so sure she was…at least not glad he came.

“It's quite a gathering. Do you know lots of people here?”

“I know most of the Ewings and some business people.”

“Who's that blond over there?” Elayne asked, pointing to Valene.

“That's Valene Ewing. She's Bobby's sister-in-law. She's married to Gary Ewing. She's talking with Cliff Barnes. J.R. hates him. He's nice I guess. Pam's brother. Runs the Clifford Group.”

Elyane turned her attention back to Todd and smiled. “I must have good karma.”

“Why?”

“Because I met you.”

“Don't get sappy here.”

“Trust me, I'm not that kind of girl. But I really enjoyed the other night.”

“Well it was hard not too. Although I didn't get a wink of sleep.”

“We were preoccupied, but that's not really what I'm talking about.”

“Really?”

“Oh, it WAS great, don't get me wrong. But it was after that I loved. The talking. God, I feel like a Lifetime movie.”

Todd laughed. It reminded him of Janice. “I can see that. I had fun too.”

“You need to quit smoking.”

“I mostly have, but it's a rule you have one after sex.”

“Oh really? I've never followed that rule.”

“Well maybe tonight that'll change,” Todd said with a twinkle in his eye.

Elayne began to laugh flirtatiously, putting her hand on Todd's arm. Todd smiled too. Before he knew it, Lucy was standing next to them.

“Lucy….hi.” Todd said, taken off guard.

“Hi,” Lucy said. She didn't want to play an avoidance game with him.

“Elayne Bennett, this is Lucy Ewing.”

“Hi,” Elayne stuck out her hand, sensing the tension between Todd and Lucy.

“Hello,” Lucy said quietly.

“Oh, I think I see someone from work,” Elayne said. “I'll be back in a minute.” She didn't leave without touching Todd's arm again.

“She seems nice,” Lucy said after she left.

“She is.”

“Todd, look, I'm sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“It's been so long since we talked.”

“The phone rings both ways. I'm just as guilty.”

“But I feel like I pushed you away. I miss you.”

“Lucy…”

“No, I miss talking to you. Things between Neil and I…they're getting better. But I miss you as a friend.”

“So what are you saying?”

“I don't regret what I did.”

“Or how you felt?”

“I'm married. What I feel doesn't matter.”

“Your marriage doesn't seem to be based on much, if you ask me.”

“Todd, I don't want to fight about this. I just want us to be friends. To talk again, like we used too.”

Todd was silent for a moment. He missed her. He missed being with her. He wanted something more, but there was Neil. He could see Lucy's words were true, just by looking at her. And there was Elayne. Todd found that she was growing on him. It scared him a little. “I miss you too.”

“Please, can we just try to get things to the way they used to be?”

“I don't know if they'll ever be like that, but we can try.” He paused. “God, I sound like a John Hughes movie, but I want to try.”

Lucy smiled. “You're too special to not be in my life.” Todd smiled back. “Plus,” Lucy said, “I haven't reneged on that deal to pin J.R.'s ass to the wall.”

That made Todd smile even more.

All around them were depressing sights. In one alley there were several homeless people, each doing the best they possibly could to stay warm in the freezing cold. One shabbily clothed woman held two dirty and shivering children close to her. The little boy coughed and the girl wiped a running nose.

“I don't know…but it sure helps put everything into perspective doesn't it Afton?”

Afton clung to her brother's arm as they watched on. “And I thought I had a crappy life.”

“Here we are…I'm a successful doctor and you host a talk show and live with one of the richest men in the world. But right here are people that can't even imagine having what we have.”

“God Mitch, you really know how to make a woman feel good.”

“Sorry. I'm not trying to make you feel bad…but I want you to know how good you really have it.”

The little girl with the runny nose finally looked up and saw Afton and Mitch and her face brightened. “Are you angels?” she asked. The little girl's mother and brother looked up when she spoke.

Afton almost laughed, not quite able to fathom someone thinking of her as an angel. “No sweetheart,” she answered.

“You're so clean though…your coat is so pretty. I've never seen nobody like you around here.”

Afton walked over to them and kneeled down. Both the woman and the boy looked at her mistrusting, but the girl's look was different. “Hi…I'm Afton.”

“Afton's a pretty name, I like it.”

“What do you want?” The girl's mother asked.

Afton wasn't sure what to say. Mitch touched her on her shoulder and tried to pull her back, but Afton didn't move. “I…I want to help you.”

The woman seemed surprised. She'd been fending for herself and her two children on the street for almost a year now without any offer of help from anyone.

Afton fished through her purse and pulled out a wad of money, which she handed to the lady. “Go find yourself a hotel room…you shouldn't have to sleep out here…not on Christmas Eve. That should buy food for a while too…and new clothes and things for the children.”

The woman unrolled the roll of bills and her eyes widened, but her pride left over from a former life was still mostly intact. “I…I couldn't take this. It's too…it's too much.”

Afton shook her head. It was Rex's money anyway, but she knew that if she'd had it with her right now, she wouldn't have minded giving her money away at all. “I don't need it. You do.”

From behind, Mitch Cooper watched his sister and he smiled.

“God Bless you,” the woman said. “You are an angel.”

Both of the children hugged Afton and the woman led them away, leaving Afton and Mitch to stand alone in the alley amongst the homeless. “I can't believe you just did that Afton.”

“Are you saying I shouldn't have?”

“No! Not at all…that was the most unselfish thing you've ever done. I'm proud of you.”

Afton smiled. It had felt good to help someone like that. “C'mon.”

“Where?” Mitch asked.

“I've got Rex's ATM card. There's bound to be a machine around here somewhere…and there are a lot of cold and hungry people in Dallas.”

“You're kidding me?”

“No I'm not. What else have I got to do? I lost Cliff and I lost my daughter because I was selfish…only worried about my own needs. I've hit rock bottom and the only way to go is up.”

“J.R…warm welcome as usual. But if you must know, your mother invited me.”

“Door's that way,” J.R. said, pointing.

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“Means that you're gonna leave.”

Miss Ellie walked into the room just in time to hear the last line. “He'll be doing no such of a thing J.R. I invited him to stay for the party.”

J.R. stared at them both coldly and then he took a sip of his drink. “I can't believe this.” J.R. spied Wade across the room, staring at McKay and he brushed past McKay and walked up to him. “You're absolutely right. That man's up to something…strange that he reappeared in Dallas right about the time all this started goin' on at the ranch.”

Wade nodded. “Yep, he's definitely up to somethin'.”

“You nail him Wade…nail him and I'll pay you good for it.”

“Heck J.R., I'd do it for free. Anything to wipe that smug look off his face.”

Sly walked up with a glass of eggnog in one hand and she looped her arm around Wade's. “Men…it's always about business. Can't you two have just a moment of fun?” Sly didn't wait for an answer. “C'mon Wade, let's go find something to get into.”

She pulled him over to a less-crowded corner of the room.

“I really enjoyed your mom's dinner today…and I enjoyed being there with you.”

“I'm glad you came with me.”

“We've known each other for a while now…well, not a long time, but a while anyway. You've been a good friend to me…listening to my problems, taking me out to dinner and footing the bill, not to mention everything else.”

Wade shrugged, not sure what she was getting at. “Hey, you've listened to a pretty good many of my problems too.”

“That's what friends or for…but Wade…”

“Yeah?”

“I want us to be more than just friends.” Wade was silent, so Sly continued. “I've been lonely for so long and I've never met a man who would spend time with me like you do…and when we are together it's not tense.”

“I like you too Sly…” Wade couldn't believe how dumb that had come off sounding, but he meant it.

Sly smiled. “And you do realize it's no coincidence that I dragged you over to this particular corner to tell you this don't you Wade?”

Wade looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“Look up above us.”

Wade looked up and saw a small bunch of mistletoe hanging above them and then he looked down at Sly, to see that a small grin had spread across her face. “They don't call you Sly for nothin' I guess.”

He wrapped his arms around her and they kissed for the first time.

“Don't do it Sue Ellen.” It was J.R.

She turned around. He was in the doorway. He moved towards her, closing the door a bit, a small crack still open. “J.R.”

“Please. Don't do this. Whatever it is isn't worth it.”

Sue Ellen looked away. “It's certainly been worth it before,” she said, a tone of sarcasm mixed with pain.

“Don't do this. You've come so far.”

She looked straight at him. Tears were almost welling up in her eyes. She felt like she wanted to fight him, but she couldn't. “Do you mean that?”

J.R. didn't even speak. He didn't need to. She knew, deep down, that he meant it. He was being truthful. They looked into each other's eyes, but she couldn't hold the gaze.

“I love you Sue Ellen.”

She shifted uncomfortably, trying to hold back the tears. “This room isn't very decorated,” she tried to say lightly.

“We don't need mistletoe darlin'” J.R. said as he pulled her into a kiss.

And for the first time in a long time, Sue Ellen truly let herself go. She was on fire. J.R. was on fire. She wrapped her arms around his head, and let herself fall into his kiss.

They were oblivious to the world around them, including Jillian and John Ross, who spied their kiss from the open door.

Pam pulled Bobby down the stairs. “Come on, Pam. It's the middle of the night.” He complained.

“I know, that's the point. It's the only time we can have any privacy around here.”

They got to the bottom of the stairs and Bobby yawned. “All right, I'm down here, now what?”

Pam smiled mischievously. “You'll see, come on.”

The only light in the room was from the Christmas tree and the fire in the fireplace. They threw some pillows on the floor and settled down in front of the fire. As Bobby helped her sit down, he said, “Now that you're down there, how are we ever going to get you up?”

“Very funny. I didn't get this way by myself, you know. I had a little help.”

Bobby sat down next to her. “If I remember those nights right, I'd say I gave you a lot of help.”

Pam blushed slightly and smiled. “Your memory is impeccable.”

Bobby leaned over and kissed her. The fire was warm on their skin and for a few minutes, they forgot that they came downstairs for a reason. After their kiss ended, Bobby kept her in his embrace. “Now are you going to tell me why you dragged me down here? Or can we go back upstairs?”

Pam smiled softly, “I'd like to… but first, I have a Christmas present for us.” She reached under the couch and pulled out a long, thin, red box, which she handed to Bobby.”

“Isn't this cheating? I thought present opening was strictly off limits until Christmas morning.”

“Well, if you look at the clock you'll see that technically, it is Christmas day. Besides, I'm starting a very old… new tradition that we get to open one present on Christmas Eve.”

Pam sat back as Bobby shook the box. It made no noise. “Well, they're definitely not legos. It's very light; are you sure there's something in here?”

“Go ahead and open it.”

Bobby quickly opened the box and inside he found tissue paper, yellow tissue paper and green tissue paper. “I knew it, it's empty.”

Pam was amused, “Men can never find anything. Keep looking.”

Bobby finally held up an envelope. “Nothing in here except an old envelope.”

Pamela smiled, “That's it! That's the surprise.”

Bobby started to rip it open.

“No, wait! Don't you recognize it? Look at the return address printed on it.”

Bobby turned it over and read, “Dallas Memorial Hospital, another bill? I paid them off weeks ago.”

“Bobby!”

“I'm only teasing, I remember what it is. The technician who did your sonogram wrote the babies' sexes on a piece of paper and sealed it in an envelope.” Bobby said triumphantly.

Pam smiled, “I'm impressed. Now there are a couple of things that we have to decide before we can open it.” Pam took the envelope from his hand. “I remember how awful it was to just call Gracie 'baby girl, Ewing' for days after she was born… so… before we can open the envelope, we have to come up with two sets of names. Two boys names and two girls names.”

Bobby leaned back against the corner of the couch. “I'd better put some more wood on the fire, it's going to be a long night.”

“Come on Bobby, surely we can agree on four names. I'll pick one girl's name and one boy's name and you do the same. Then if they're both girls, or both boys, we can use both of the names.”

“And what if it's a girl and a boy? Do we fight it out?”

“We'll deal with that if it happens. So, do you have a boy's name?”

“Sure, we'll just pretend he's English Royalty and name him, Jock Clayton Digger Barnes Farlow Ewing. That should cover everyone.”

Pam hit him with a pillow. “Bobby, that's awful! You're right; we are going to be here all night. I'll go first then, maybe you'll be inspired. My name for a boy is no surprise. Bobby James Ewing.”

“Are you sure? The last thing we need is another jr. around here.”

“I thought about that and he couldn't be a junior because Gary and Valene named their little boy after you, Bobby James Ewing II. So he'd have to be a III. Problem solved. It's your turn, and don't even think about any name from Sesame Street, like Grover or Elmo…like last time.”

“Okay, I've got one for real. How about Michael Clayton Ewing?”

Pam thought about it for a moment. “I love it. So now lets move on to girls names.”

“Let's see, a girl's name… My two favorites are Pamela Jean and Eleanor Grace.” Pam made a face of exasperation. Bobby winked at her. “Why don't you go first.”

“All right. I was thinking about some thing like Elizabeth. But I'm having a hard time finding a middle name that I like.”

“That's because that's not a first name, it is a middle name. I've always liked the name Ashley.”

“Hmm… I like the sound of that. Okay, Ashley Elizabeth Ewing it is. Your turn.”

“ I don't know Pam. I helped you, why don't you help me?”

“What do you like besides Pamela and Grace?”

Bobby sighed. “I don't know. What do you like?”

“Actually, there is one other name that I really like… what about Savannah?”

“Savannah Ewing. That would be pretty with the right middle name… But I like it, let's use that one and come up with the middle name later.”

“Okay, I'm agreeing to skip the middle name only because I'm sleepy.”

Bobby took the envelope back from Pam. “Are you sure you want to know? Might be fun to be surprised at their births”

“Bobby! Open it.” He took her hand and they opened it together. They pulled out the piece of paper and each stared at what was written there. Neither could speak for a moment. Learning the babies sexes made it all the more real to them… almost as if each child now had a personality all it's own.

Pam spoke first. “Bobby? Are you happy?”

A huge smile spread across his face. “Are you kidding? Pamela it's perfect. We have the perfect family, two boys and two girls.”

Pam smiled in relief. “I was just worried because you looked, well, shocked.”

Bobby took her in his arms and she laid her head against his chest. “In a way I was. It's hard to explain. I always thought of them as babies, but now it's like they have an identity all their own. Well, they each have two names, anyway.”

Pam, who was quickly drifting off to sleep, lifted her head slightly off of his chest and said, “Bobby and Savannah.” Then she cuddled back up in his arms. She could have asked for the moon right now and Bobby would have gotten for her.

“Okay, Bobby and Savannah, it is. I can't wait until they're born Pam. We're going to have the big family we always wanted.” She didn't answer and Bobby could tell by her breathing that she was asleep. He sat there by the glowing embers in the waning fire and held her for a little while longer thinking about the future and the two new little lives they were bringing into the world. As he looked at that bright future, raising Gracie, Bobby and Savannah, worries about Wentworth Tool and Die seemed far away.

“Dad, you look awful.”

“Yeah, well I feel awful.”

“I'm cooking breakfast downstairs and I bought a tree yesterday for us to decorate, so go get a shower and meet me downstairs in fifteen minutes.”

“I don't want to… I want to sleep.”

Eric gritted his teeth. “I think I've been pretty patient about your little drinking binge, but it's over now. I spent most of my life without a father and the least you can do is spend Christmas with me! So go clean up.”

Cliff was now fully awake, and though he was still a little hung over, he knew that what Eric said was true. He wasn't around when he was growing up and he hadn't been around for Eric much lately, either. He nodded his head and went to shower.

Eric went downstairs to find breakfast burning. He shoved it down the garbage disposal and went to look at the tree. He'd never gotten a real tree before and looking at it now, he thought he might have over done it just a little. It was at least nine feet high and he had an awful time wrestling it into the tree stand. It still looked a little crooked, but hey, he'd done his best.

Cliff came down the stairs with two minutes to spare. “Wow, you got a tree. I didn't even think about it with the house so empty.”

Eric bristled. “Thanks Dad.” He said sarcastically.

“Eric, I didn't mean that the way it sounded. You know I like you living here. And by the way, I wanted to talk to you about what you said up stairs.”

“That's okay dad, I'm over it.”

“No, it's not okay. Everything you said was true… and I'm sorry. I haven't spent much time with you lately either, but that's going to change. Especially since I won't have a company once the installment is due on the Petrol contract.”

Eric put his arm around Cliff's shoulders, “Don't worry about that, Dad. Things always have a way of working out. You need to get your mind off of it. Here, help me with the decorations.”

He handed Cliff a box of ornaments. Cliff mumbled, It'll take us all day to do this.”

“Haven't got anywhere else to go.” Eric started hanging the decorative globes on the tree.

“Where's that breakfast you were fixing?”

Eric pointed to a plate of doughnuts on the table.

“I didn't know you could make doughnuts!” They both laughed and things began to feel more comfortable. “You know what I miss most this year?”

Eric stopped hanging ornaments and looked at Cliff. “No, what?”

“I miss us all being here together, little Megan and your sister. No one loved getting gifts more than Pamela Rebecca.”

Eric quickly walked out of the room and came back holding a post card. “It's from Pamela Rebecca. I got it yesterday. I tried to tell you about it… but you weren't in any condition to read it.”

Cliff hurriedly read the postcard.

Dear Eric,

I'm sorry I haven't written to you sooner, but things have been a little hectic for me. Just wanted you to know that I'm okay. My love to you and Dad.

Pamela Rebecca

P.S. Please give Megan a big hug and kiss for me and tell her I love her.

“Come on Dad, let's get this tree decorated.”

Cliff watched Eric and tried to hang the decorations just as he did. But Cliff had never decorated a tree. Soon he had all of his ornaments hanging on the tree, but they were all on the same four branches, weighing the tree to that side. Eric, who was decorating on the other side of the tree, went to put on an ornament and felt the tree shake. Before he could reach out and grab it, it came crashing to the floor.

Both Cliff and Eric stared dumbfounded at the tree lying there with broken ornaments lying all around. Suddenly, Eric began to laugh. Cliff yelled, “What's so funny?”

“Our Christmas tree fell over! That's funny on it's own, but I just keep seeing this picture of Santa Clause trying to put things under the tree and having to lift it up off the ground to do it! You know… little tiny elves trying to heave it upright!”

Cliff chuckled and before long, he too was genuinely laughing.

Eric finally stopped and with a smile still on his face, said, “Who needs Christmas trees, let's get the presents.” He took off to find the ones he had gotten for Cliff.

Cliff was glad he had at least remembered to buy gifts. He tried not to think of Christmas' past when the house was full of people. It reminded him how thankful he should be to have his son here with him; even if he didn't know how to put a tree in a stand.

Bobby picked her up and carried her through the chaos and up the stairs. Pam followed close behind. Gracie was so tired that she was asleep before they got to the top of the steps. Together they quietly tucked her into her bed and stood there for a moment watching her sleep. Pamela whispered, “She's the best Christmas present I've ever gotten.”

Bobby took her hand and they left the room. Once in the hallway Bobby said, “You didn't have her on Christmas.”

“I know, but she was born around this time of year, and she's just such a miracle that I think of her that way.”

Pam started to walk towards the stairs, but Bobby pulled her back. “I have something to show you first.”

He led her into their bedroom and directed her to sit on the bed. He quickly disappeared into the closet and came out holding a little box wrapped in White and gold paper. He presented it to her. “Here you are, my love. Merry Christmas.”

Pam smiled slyly. “Hold on, I have something too.” Pamela also disappeared into the closet and emerged with a box wrapped in Christmas paper. She handed it to him.

“So much for our deal.”

“It's an unusual Christmas present… I didn't want to give it to you with everyone around.”

“Hmm… Sounds like a gift I'll like. Maybe I'll go down stairs and tell everyone you have a headache.”

Pam sat back down on the bed next to him. “Just open it.”

They both opened their gifts at the same time and both smiled when they saw what was in their box. They said 'thank you' and then they both sat back to study their gifts; for there was something peculiar about both of them.

Bobby spoke up first. His gift from Pamela had been a solid gold nameplate for his desk at the office. It read, 'Bobby Ewing, President, Wentworth Tool and Die'. “Pam, I love the name plate, but I'm curious about why you got it. I mean, I'm not president of the Tool and Die, in fact, I'm only filling in for you.”

Pam looked in the box that he had pulled the nameplate out of. She pulled out some papers out of the bottom that were folded and sealed with a gold wax seal. “You missed the rest of it.”

Bobby took the papers and quickly read over them. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Pam was giving him half of all of Wentworth Industries. They were to be partners, 50-50. When he was done reading, he asked, “Pam…I don't know what to say. Are you sure you want to do this? This is a huge gift and it was your mother's company.”

Pamela smiled, happy that he obviously liked her gift. “I think it's the exact right thing to do. It seems silly for me to hold Wentworth separately. I've seen how well you are taking care of it. Now it belongs to both of us. Do you like the gift?”

“Yes! I like the idea of us being partners. But most of all, I like the idea that you trust me… us… enough to do this. Thank you. Now you haven't said anything about your gift.”

Pam looked down at the shining ring, still in the box. Without a doubt it was one of the most beautiful she had ever seen. It was a mother's ring. In the center were two stones larger than the others. They were birthstones representing Bobby and Pam. Around the two in the middle, there was one birthstone representing Christopher, one for Gracie and one for each of the twins. What had Pamela confused was the fifth stone.

“I love it, it's beautiful.”

Bobby took it out of the box and slipped it on her finger. “There.” He looked into her eyes and noticed the confused look on her face. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing, I was just wondering… why are there five stones? You and I are in the center and then all of our children are supposed to be around us. And these are the last two babies I'm having, so why the fifth stone?”

Bobby swallowed, he had known he might have to explain this and he dreaded it. But he felt it was only right to put the stone there. “That stone is for Alexander.” Bobby heard a small gasp and then the tears began to fall slowly down Pam's cheeks. She hadn't thought of him in so long. “I just didn't feel right not putting him on the ring. He was your baby, and even though I know he didn't belong to us, I couldn't leave him out.”

They sat together and Bobby held her while she dried her tears. She looked at the ring once more, “Bobby, I love it. It's the second best Christmas present I've ever gotten.”

Bobby wiped the remaining tears from her eyes, gave her a quick kiss and stood up. “I think we'd better get back down stairs before they send a search party after us.”

Pam stood and quickly checked her makeup in the mirror. She turned and Bobby put his arm around her as they walked out the door. “Bobby, one more thing, what if the twins aren't born in the month you picked for their birthstones?”

“I guess in that case, we'll be buying two new stones and you'll have a new set of earrings!”

Manny shut the door and turned around to face her. “Hey…”

Jillian wasn't paying any attention to Manny…her attention was focused on the two duffle bags on the bed. Clothes were strewn out across the room. “Manny…what's going on?”

“I'm out of a job, remember? And unfortunately, this bunkhouse goes with it.”

“But you can't leave…you don't have anywhere to go.”

“I'll find a place.”

Jillian shook her head. “My Dad can't fire you…he doesn't own the ranch, Grandma Ellie does!”

“I think it'd be better if I just go…your Dad obviously doesn't want you anywhere near me. He already thinks we're sneaking around behind his back.”

“He'll get over it!” Jillian grabbed the duffel bag and furiously ripped open the zipper before dumping the contents back into the drawer. “I'll talk to Grandma today…I'll tell her exactly what happened and she'll understand. You're not going anywhere Manny.” She grabbed the next duffel bag and unzipped it, repeating the process.

“I don't want to be the cause of a rift between you and your family Jill…I care about you too much to let that happen.” Manny walked over to the dresser and began to stuff clothes back into the duffel bag.

Jillian grabbed it back from him, threw the few clothes back into the drawer, and zipped it up before stuffing it under her arm. “You're not going anywhere.”

“Look…why are you so deadest against me going? What's it to you?”

Jillian hesitated, floundering for words. “Because I…I like spending time with you and I don't want you just to disappear from my life…”

“We've only known each other for a little over two months now…”

“Yeah. I know…but that's all the time it's taking for me to know I like you Manny. You're a great guy.”

“And I don't want to screw up your life by staying here.”

“You won't be screwing up my life…we'll be screwing up Isabel's, remember? We've gotta think of a way to get her sent packing back home…or have you already forgotten what she did to us both?”

“No, I haven't forgotten.”

“Then stay…do it for me.”

Manny wadded up the second duffel bag and stuffed it into the drawer. “Ok.”

Jill smiled and then remembered her original reason for coming here. “I've got something for you…a gift.” Jill pulled a small wrapped box out of her coat pocket and handed it to Manny.

“You shouldn't have done this Jill…”

“Go ahead. Open it.”

Manny sighed and opened the box to reveal another small box, only this one wasn't wrapped. He took off the top and nearly did a double take when he saw the watch inside. “Good God Jill…I can't take this from you.”

He tried to hand it back to her, but Jill pushed it back and stuffed her hands in her pockets. “Sorry…the store I bought it from has an awful return policy, so you're stuck with it.”

Manny carefully took the gold watch out of the box and held it up. The sunlight streaming through the windows made it sparkle radiantly. “I've…I've never had anything this nice before. Are you sure you want me to have it?”

“Of course I'm sure, silly! I braved the Christmas Eve crowds in Dallas just to get it for you.”

Manny clasped it in his hand and finally smiled. “I love it…” His voice broke off into a choke and he coughed to try and cover it up.

Jillian watched him and she felt a small bit of pity, but also happiness from what she'd done. She knew she was looking at a man who had struggled for most of his life and she knew that her father or someone like him might have brushed a gift like that aside; but Manny would cherish it always.

Rex sat down near the roaring fire, that Kaitlin had built… he was definitely going to learn to do that some day. Kaitlin sat down next to him and handed him a glass of champagne.

Rex smiled. “No hot chocolate?”

Kaitlin threw her long hair over her shoulder. “I thought it was fitting since tonight is a special night.”

Rex pretended to be thinking… “Now let's see… what night could that be?”

Kaitlin picked up the nearest pillow and lobbed it at him, just barely missing him.

“Oh, wait, I remember now… it's Christmas.”

“And? Why else is it special?”

“Hmm…” Kaitlin picked up another pillow and got into throwing position. “I know! It's our first Christmas together.”

Kaitlin smiled and put down the pillow. “You're lucky, I wouldn't have missed that time.”

“Let's see, I get a pillow in the face for not remembering. So what do I get for remembering?”

Kaitlin jumped up. “I know…” she walked to her bedroom and returned seconds later with a beautifully wrapped present. She sat back down and handed it to Rex. “Here. Merry Christmas.”

Rex looked at the box for a moment before setting it down. Presents didn't excite him; he already had everything he wanted, with one exception. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little jewelry box. Kaitlin's eyes immediately lit up. He handed it to her. “I believe the saying is, ladies first.”

Kaitlin took the box from him and slowly opened it. She expected to find earrings or maybe even a beautiful pin. But what she saw made her both excited and scared. “Rex” she said breathlessly, “this is an engagement ring.”

He smiled as he took it out of the box. “I know. I bought it; remember. Now there is only one question to be answered, Kaitlin Ryan, I would be honored if you would agree to become my wife.”

With every fiber in her being Kaitlin wanted to say yes. But there was something holding her back. “Rex, I don't know. I love you, but marriage… marriage is forever.”

“Yes it is, and that's exactly how long I want to be with you.”

Their eyes met and Kaitlin felt her resistance melting away.” She picked up her present for him. “Here, this is for you.”

Rex glanced at it and then looked back into her eyes and gently took her hand. Kaitlin didn't pull away. “Kaitlin, all I want for Christmas is for you to say that you'll be my wife.” They came together slowly and sank into a passionate kiss. After a few minutes, Rex pulled away slightly. He looked deeply into her eyes and said, “Kaitlin, I love you.”

Kaitlin pulled him back into the kiss and as she did, she said. “Yes, Rex. I'll marry you.”