Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.

Please read and review. Thanks, Ciara

Emily Quartermaine pulled her light brown hair back into a pony tail and starred absent mindedly into the mirror. She saw a black smudge on the side her face. She shook her head and sighed as she wiped it away. Earlier her independence had back fired and embarrassed her. Opening a flue is never a good idea, she thought making a mental note. There was a knock on her door and she pulled her silk robe tighter as she opened the door to see who it was. When she didn't see anyone she felt a pull on her robe. She smiled and bent down to Morgan's height.

"What is it, sweetie?" she asked.

"I- I couldn't sweep," he whispered.

She smiled gently. "Hmmm… I wonder what we could do about that." She picked him up and placed the small boy on her hip and walked back towards him room. He had on his soccer pajama bottoms that Michael had picked out especially for him. She sat down on the window seat with Morgan situated peacefully against her chest. She picked up the Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

"Now where should we start?" she asked him. He opened the book to his favorite chapter. "Of course. Now wait a minute mister how'd you know I was here tonight." He grinned devilishly with those same dimples that his father had. She tickled him as he squirmed and laugh. "Someone snuck down to the kitchen to get cookies again. Didn't they!"

Sonny had just finished pouring himself a glass of brandy when he heard Morgan and Emily's laughter. He smiled to himself taking a sip. He'd go up in a minute to see what's going on.

Emily read slowly to Morgan and stroked his hair softly as he drifted off into a sleep that only a child can have full of fairy tales and innocence. She sat looking out at the stars just holding him.

Sonny watched from the doorway gazing at his little boy and Emily. They looked so comfortable at peace. He strode in and sat down.

"He couldn't sleep?" he asked.

"No I think he's still excited about Christmas. I don't think he's worked his way through all the toys he's gotten yet," she said half kidding. Her expression also insinuated to Sonny that she thought maybe he had spoiled the two too much.

Sonny just smiled. "They had a rough year. I just wanted to do something to make up for it."

Emily nodded. "I'm sure. Christina's coming over tomorrow for Christmas right."

Sonny sighed. "Yea Alexis finally agreed to let me have her for the day a little late, but-."

"It doesn't matter Christina will be happy just to spend they day with you and the boys. Oh and the presents won't hurt either."

Sonny laughed and scratched his face. "Yea well- what can I say. I'm sucker for brunettes," he said holding her gaze for a moment.

Emily looked down nervously suppressing a blush. They looked out at the stars and the falling snow neither needing to say anything more.