"Well, it doesn't show any signs of stopping," said Karen, pacing by the large glass windows. Just two days ago it had been warm but the storm had come in unexpectedly.

Ironically, "Let It Snow" played softly on the airport's speaker system. "No, it doesn't," said Christopher, putting his arm around Karen.

The two had enjoyed their stay at Alan's and Christopher had gotten along nicely with his father-in-law as well as Karen's new stepmother Laura. However, Christopher had not gotten along with her stepbrother Scott. Karen and Scott fought as well, though Karen had accepted her stepmother. Other than that, the trip was pleasant and Scott really wasn't there that much.

Karen had received a message from her father saying that John Ross had called to inform them that Pamela Rebecca had given birth to a little girl and Christopher and Karen had stopped by a gift store in Pennsylvania to buy something for her. A part of Karen still loved John Ross, but she had given him up and was now committed to Christopher, who she loved more than life itself.

They continued to watch the snow fall while meanwhile, back in Dallas…

…John Ross stared across the room at Pamela Rebecca playing with Megan near the Christmas tree. Christmas was in two days and he was excited to have a child to share it with, though she was definitely too young to understand it. Things at Southfork had gone great the past few days and John Ross hadn't been back to the office yet, though he had a meeting today with Akbar. That deal with Akbar wouldn't wait around for him forever so he knew he couldn't miss it, though he would have liked to have stayed home with Pamela Rebecca and his baby.

John Ross stood and walked over to where the two sat. "Pamela, I've got a meeting that I can't miss. Think you'll be okay without me?"

Pamela Rebecca had given Ana a few days off to be with her family so she now had Megan all to herself. "I'll be fine. If I need anything, then Lucy and Jane are both here and they can help me."

"Ok Pamela," said John Ross, kissing her, "I'll be back as soon as I can." He kissed Megan, grabbed his coat, and went outside into the howling Texas wind.

Lucy was still shaken by overhearing Afton talk about her mother. She had tossed and turned all night. She picked up the phone and put in the expected call to Cliff. Lucy blurted out the details of the conversation, not waiting for Cliff to respond.

"Are you finished Lucy?"

"What?"

"Lucy we agreed not to discuss this, especially on the phone, My God, what if someone picked up an extension."

"Cliff, didn't you hear me, Afton is trying to get in touch with her mother!"

"I heard you, but that was inevitable, we knew it was going to happen sooner or later."

"My vote was for later."

"Mine too, but I can't think of anyway we can be connected to her disappearance. Lucy remember we did not kill her, she did that to herself, we only gave her a peaceful burial."

"Hmmm, peaceful, and wet."

"Lucy, we have got to concentrate on acting as normal as possible…"

"That is going to be impossible, my family never thought I was normal before this!"

"We have to go on, like this never happened, concentrate on the future, think about Christmas."

"Christmas! Cliff that is the last thing on my mind right now."

"I know, but we have to start, and I know just how. I want you to invite me to Southfork for the holidays."

Despite the stress, Lucy laughed. "Your kidding right?"

"I am serious, deadly serious, we have to be the loving couple, like we have nothing else on our minds except being together."

"Well, J.R's gonna shit, but….ok. I guess it does make sense you would be here, with not only me, but Pam, and your grand daughter."

"My what?"

"Cliff, I am so sorry, with everything else that was going on I completely forgot to tell you, Pamela Rebecca had a beautiful girl. She is healthy and happy."

"Lucy, I'm coming over."

Ellie and Clayton were in awe as they entered the Southfork Living room. "Clayton, it is so beautiful. Southfork has never looked so glorious."

"It does look lovely Ellie."

"I am so glad we are home, especially now. I wonder where everyone is?"

"Probably out doing last minute shopping."

"Well, I want to go up and freshen up, then, I want to look in on my new great grand daughter. There is so much to do, Jane might be put out, but this year, I want to make the turkey, like I used to."

"Are you sure you are up to that Ellie?"

"Of course I am, but Clayton, you are looking a little tired, why don't we go upstairs, you can nap before we are overrun with Ewings."

"I think I will Ellie, I am a little tired."

Kaitlin Ryan walked into the Oil Baron's Club where she and Wendell had arranged a meeting. She noticed a few people staring that must have known Kristin, but the attention was good, just what she needed. A stranger who she did not know suddenly stood and walked over to her, wide eyed.

"Kristin? Kristin Sheperd? It couldn't be," she said. It was Marilee Stone.

Kaitlin did not know Marilee Stone from Adam and hadn't come across her picture in all of her research about Kristin. Surely the woman and Kristin were not close. Nevertheless, she played along.

"Hi, yes, it's me," she said, trying to pretend as if she knew Marilee. She saw Wendell sitting at a table and motioned to him to join her.

"Well hello Marilee," said Wendell, "I didn't see you here."

"Good to see you again Wendell."

"Kristin, you remember Marilee Stone don't you?" said Wendell, smiling.

"Yes I do. It's been a while Marilee."

"But how…"

"Remind me to explain that to you over lunch one day Marilee," said Wendell. "It's been a pleasure." Wendell took Kaitlin's arm and led her to the table he had previously occupied.

"Fast thinking Daddy," said Kaitlin. "I assume you know what you're risking if you don't continue to help me out."

"Yes, you've made that clear to me before," he replied."

"Good. How is the plan coming?"

"Very slowly. Everything should be ready by the New Year."

"What?!"

"I said it should be ready by the New Year."

"That is not good enough. I need my new identity now. People are beginning to recognize me. I also need a detailed list of everyone that Kristin was in contact with or was acquainted with. I don't want another Marilee repeat performance. I can't risk that."

"You know. I might be more willing to help you if I knew what it was you were gaining from impersonating your sister."

"Information. I'll leave it at that."

"Clayton, are you asleep?" Ellie leaned over her sleeping husband.

Clayton smiled as he woke. "Not any more."

"I'm sorry Clayton, but I am anxious to begin preparations for the dinner, I'm going downstairs to start on the deserts, can I get you anything?"

"No thanks Ellie, I think I might take a shower and go out."

"Go out? Where on earth are you going, we just got here."

"To see Muriel."

"Of course. Would you like me to go with you?"

"Ellie, I think I would like to see her on my own if that is ok with you."

"It is fine Clayton, but be sure to send her my love."

John Ross entered the lobby of the Akbar Industries building. It was decorated in artifacts and paintings of the Mid East. Akbar's secretary, a pretty blonde, showed John Ross into the office. Akbar sat behind his desk, dressed in a loose gray suit and wearing a turban-like piece on his head. He shook John Ross' hand and told him to have a seat.

Lucy met Cliff at the door, and after a brief look of stress, no other indication of the events of the past few days presented itself. Lucy took Cliff to the nursery, and then left to give him some bonding time with his new grand daughter. She headed downstairs to get them both a drink when Pamela Rebecca rounded the corner of the dining room.

"Pamela, your father is upstairs visiting Megan."

"He's what! Who the hell let him in here, you?"

"Yes, chill out, what is the problem."

"You're the problem Lucy, why would invite him here without letting me know?"

"I didn't think it would be such a big deal."

"Well it is, you and he are the reason Mom lost the baby, I don't plan on forgiving either of you for that…ever."

"Well, I could care less if you forgive me, but Cliff is your father, he deserves to see his grand daughter."

"Don't you even try to give me advice about father/daughter relationships Lucy, you spent years hating your father."

"Who told you that."

"John Ross of course!"

Lucy Ewing headed towards Pamela Rebecca and stood directly in front of the younger woman. "Don't you dare bring up my father, or my mother ever again, do you hear me!"

Sarcastically Pamela responded. "Yeah I hear you."

"Good, you make damn sure you remember this little conversation, you are just like your mother, a lying bitch, and don't forget who the real Ewings are, you are not one of them, and John Ross loves me very much, and respects what I have to say. You watch yourself girl, or I will make it my mission to get you the hell out this house, and John Ross and Megan will not be following!"

"Lucy, you are full of it."

"Really! Just keep pushing Pamela, you will see what I am full of. Look at the history here, Sue Ellen, Pam, Donna, Mitch, all the spouses of the Ewings leave, faster if they can't find a way to get along with the rest of us. I think you will be the quickest and the fastest to depart."

"You forgot to mention Valene in your little list there Lucy!"

Lucy Ewing raised her hand and slapped Pamela Rebecca hard across the face. The younger woman was shaken.

"I told you never to mention my parents. I meant it, I trust it will never happen again!"

Lucy brushed past the girl, leaving her standing with her hand on her reddened cheek.

" I am not going anywhere Lucy Ewing. You think you had a hard time with my mother, you just wait until you tangle again with me. I think the first step is to make things right with Daddy, yeah, You think you have influence with your family, Dad's guilt over not raising me has been easy to manipulate in the past, and It will be again. Lucy, you will pay for that, and pay hard!"

John Ross shook Akbar's hand once more and thanked him for his time. He stood to leave and something in the corner of the room caught his eye. It was a large aquarium, filled with sand and wood chips, as well as a few branches, a large dish of water, and some dwarf palms. A movement was what had caught John Ross' eye. He moved closer to the aquarium and peered in. John Ross fell backwards upon seeing a large, hooded snake strike at the glass. It was a cobra, a huge cobra, swaying back and forth, flicking its tongue at him.

"I see you've met my little pet Esmerelda," said Akbar smiling.

"Yes," said John Ross nervously backing away, "but I don't think she likes me. What do you keep a cobra for?"

"She helps me take care of my associates who doublecross me," said Akbar, standing. "She's really tame, if you know how to handle her."

"I…I'm sure she is. I'll call you when I've had a chance to talk to my partner in this."

"Yes, please do."

John Ross left the door standing open and was very glad to be out of the office. Snakes were something he was never fond of, especially ones that could kill you within minutes.

She sashayed into the Southfork entrance, arms full of packages, behind her were the rest of her luggage, being carried by the taxi driver.

"My God, I was hoping you would make it home!"

Ellie walked up to Sue Ellen Ewing and the two women embraced. "Miss Ellie, it is so wonderful to see you here, where you belong."

"You as well Sue Ellen, John Ross will be so thrilled."

"Speaking of him, where is he, I want him to introduce me to my grand daughter."

"He will be home soon. Is Dusty on his way in?"

"No, actually Dusty is on his way out!"

Ellie had a puzzled look on her face. "Sue Ellen, is everything ok?"

"It is now that I am home, I left Dusty in Paris, it is a long story Miss Ellie."

Afton had tried her mother at least a dozen times, but still could not reach her. She tried Mitch as well, but he too had not heard from Arliss since he spoke with her before Halloween. "She must have gone to one of her friends for the holidays! I can't believe she didn't call, she knew the baby had been due. Maybe she went south. It was not unlike her mother to fly away on a moments notice, but she usually called one of her children, well, I will get her after the holidays. I want her to be here to be apart of Megan's life. Or, else she will be pure Ewing. Something I will not allow."

Afton picked up the phone and made another call. "Pamela Rebecca, I know you are not pleased with me these days, but I want to spend some of Christmas with you and Megan."

"I was actually thinking the same thing mom. Why don't you come here for Christmas."

"Here…being Southfork?"

"Where else?"

"Pamela, do you think that is such a good idea, I mean Lucy will have a fit."

"Exactly!"

"Pamela are you not getting along well with that step cousin of yours?" Afton smiled, she was hoping Pamela would continue her cause with Lucy Ewing.

"Lets just say that together Mom, the little stump doesn't stand a chance."

Donna Dowling stood by the grave of her recently departed husband. Tears slowly streamed down her face. Her sadness was not for his death, that was a blessing, he was in so much pain. Her tears were for his life, so filled with loneliness and sorrow. He had been through hell as a child, worked his way through school…through life, only to end up marrying a woman who loved another. The wind blew fiercely and the snow that had started awhile ago was beginning to cover her feet. The funeral had ended hours ago, but she could not pull herself away.

"Donna!"

Donna turned and saw the man who for years was standing between herself and Andrew walking slowly up the hill, trying hard not to slip on the wet snow. "Ray, my God! What on earth are you doing here? I thought there was no way you were coming to Washington."

"Donna my God, that was before. When I heard about Andrew's death, I took the next plane. How are you doing?"

Ray made it to Donna, and the two embraced. "I am ok Ray. Sad, very sad for what Andrew went through, but I am going to be ok. Ray, thanks so much for coming here, it means the world to me."

"I am where I want to be. Donna…..Can we spend Christmas together?"

"Ray, I would like nothing better, but I am not sure I am up to a Southfork Christmas. Unless you would consider a Washington Christmas?"

"Well, I don't think I would be comfortable spending the holiday's in your home here, your home with Andrew."

"Of course, I understand, and besides, the family will want you there."

"Screw the family Donna, Lucas will have the rest of the family, and with the exception of him, I won't be missed."

"Ray….. if not my home, what about my cabin."

"Your cabin."

"Oh Ray please, it would be perfect, Andrew used it for hunting, and I occasionally went up there to do some writing, it is deep in the woods, just you and I, it would be perfect."

"Well….I can't argue with perfect."

The hello's, hugs and welcome homes were done, the family was together, sharing pre-dinner drinks in the Southfork living room--Ellie, Clayton, J.R, Bobby, Pam, Sue Ellen, Lucy, Pamela Rebecca, John Ross, Lucas and Megan.

Ellie looked around at her family smiling. "I spoke to Ray earlier, he will not be joining us for Christmas."

"What a shame." J.R Ewing said sarcastically.

"He will be back right after though, to give me my presents." Lucas sat near his favorite Aunt, Sue Ellen, he had always thought she was special, and the huge gift from her under the tree had held his eye all night."

Ellie continued, "We as Ewing's have a lot to be grateful for this Christmas. Gary and Valene made it safely through the earthquake. John Ross and his new wife have brought the first great granddaughter into the family, and for the most part, we are all here under the same roof together."

Lucy glared at Pamela Rebecca and whispered so only she could hear…"Some maybe not for long."

Pamela Rebecca took that opportunity to snuggle closer to John Ross.

"And the most important miracle of the past year, and the one I am mostly truly grateful, and surprised about, J.R and Pam are getting along, after 20 long years."

The entire grouped began to laugh.

"Ok," Ellie continued, "We are all getting along well tonight, and I don't want to push it, but…It is just not going to be us over the next day or so, there will be other friends and family with us, Afton and Cliff spring to mind. And….." Ellie glared at Lucy and J.R. "I expect this good will towards men to continue.

"Lucy, you never had any difficulty sharing good will with men, did you." J.R cracked.

Pamela Rebecca let out a big smile.

"J.R, what are you gonna do if Cliff and I marry, and he moves here permanently?"

"Shoot myself!"

"Well…" Sue Ellen spoke up. "The rest of Dallas has taken a shot, maybe you will have better luck.

"I'm sorry Miss Ellie, but I need to say something."

Ellie turned towards her new step grand daughter. " Pamela Rebecca, go ahead."

"I know you want us all to get along, but would you please ask Lucy not to talk about her and daddy marrying. My parents are not divorced yet. I find it very upsetting." Pamela Rebecca had the most honest expression of grief on her face. It was bought by the whole room, except for Lucy, J.R and surprisingly her aunt Pam."

"Listen, this is my family and I will say what I want!" Lucy Ewing was not happy at having to share this time of year with Pamela Rebecca Cooper soon to be Ewing.

"Lucy enough." Ellie again addressed the group. "This is exactly what I meant. I want none of this bickering over Christmas. If you can't get along with someone, stay away from them, this is going to be a wonderful Christmas come hell or high water!"

The group began to separate, J.R was talking with John Ross and Pamela Rebecca, Lucas went into the den to watch some television. Bobby and Pam sat with Sue Ellen on the couch .

Clayton and Ellie walked to where the three were sitting. "Sue Ellen, I was hoping Steven might have come home to see his old man for the holiday."

"I'm sorry Clayton, I just couldn't tear him away from France."

"Any particular reason?"

"Clayton, I am afraid that is a question only Dusty can answer."

Sue Ellen and Pam began to discuss the New Year's wedding, and Clayton and Ellie headed out of the living room.

"Clayton, you never told me how things went with Muriel, how is she."

"I couldn't find her Ellie, I looked everywhere, according to the people at the hospice, she hasn't been around for weeks."

"Well, we talked to her not that long ago, I wonder where on earth she could be."

"I have no idea Ellie, but I will find out."

"Well, Clayton, it will keep, it is Christmas, you can look for Muriel after the holiday's are over. The whole family is together, and I want it to be perfect. With Christmas, and Pam and Bobby's wedding, this is going to be a special couple of weeks, I don't want anything to spoil it, or get in the way."

Pam suddenly stood and went into the hallway where she produced the box she had been hiding. Ellie and Clayton watched as she opened it.

"What do you have there Pam?" said Ellie.

"It's just a little something I picked up. I think you'll like it." Pam reached into the tissue paper filled box and pulled out two red, green, blue, gold, and silver hand-painted Christmas tree ornaments. Two of them looked as if they were quite old, the rest—new. The two older ones were lettered with the names Jock and Ellie.

"Oh my," said Ellie removing her glasses. "I haven't seen these in years! I didn't even know I still had them."

"What are they Ellie?" asked Clayton.

"A friend had these made for Jock and I on our first Christmas together. We used them for a few years, but they were lost—that is until now." Ellie hugged Pam and asked her what else was in the box.

"Well Miss Ellie, since you and Jock had one each, I thought the rest of the family should as well. That way, we can always hang them on the tree and it will help us to remember those of us that aren't here."

"Who all did you get one for?" asked Bobby, standing up.

"Oh everybody. Let's hang them on the tree now."

The family gathered around Pam and the box. Pam watched as Ellie placed the "Ellie" and "Jock" ornaments high upon the tree. Clayton placed his next to Ellie's. Pam handed four ornaments to J.R. After looking at them for a second, J.R. stepped up to the tree and hung the "J.R.", "James", "Debra Lynn", and "Jimmy" ornaments. J.R. thought for a moment about the child that he shared with Cally, then one that he did not even know.

Together, Pam and Bobby hung the "Pam", "Bobby", "Christopher", and "Karen" ornaments on the tree. "I just hope they'll be returned safely to us before Christmas," said Pam.

John Ross hung the "Megan", "John Ross", and "Pamela Rebecca" ornaments while everyone watched.

Pam handed Lucy five ornaments, more than anyone else had had to hang. She hung the "Gary", "Valene", "Betsy", "Bobby Jr.", and "Lucy" ornaments. "Next year I'll be hanging Cliff's here too," thought Lucy.

Pam carefully handed three more ornaments to Lucas. He hung the "Ray" and "Lucas" ornaments, and held the one that said Jenna in his hands for a moment. Everyone watched, uneasily, as Lucas hung that ornament next to his and Ray's.

"Miss Ellie," said Pam, "you'll need to do the rest since they aren't here with us now."

Miss Ellie stepped up to the tree and hung the remaining ornaments—"Jamie", "Jack", and…"Abby". J.R. rolled his eyes at the thought of Abby's name on an ornament that hung on a EWING Christmas tree. "Pam, you are too thoughtful," said J.R.

The Ewings stood together with the lights off and stared at the Christmas tree. Some smiled nostalgically, some just stared, and a few cried.

The Dallas Marriott was not exactly where most couples would chose to spend Christmas, but this couple was far from normal. The woman was nervous about being seen, she was trying to hurry her husband up.

"Relax, no one is going to see us."

"Well what if they do, if it gets back to the Ewings it could spoil everything."

"What exactly are we trying to spoil? I thought we were just going to surprise the happy couple at the wedding, and wish them the best."

The woman smiled at her husband innocently. "Of course darling, that is why we are here. Bobby and Pam will be so…thrilled."

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