Jenny's worked hard during the run up to Christmas. There have been so many orders that she's barely had time to eat. Kara has been a big help, coming over during her free evenings and weekends and Nick has done what he could, packaging the finished articles, keeping the books straight, making coffee, giving her back rubs and helping her to forget about all the stress late at night. Thankfully Kara and Nick hit it off when they finally met. Although he isn't outgoing, Kara talks enough that, a few nods here and there, are all that's required. These past three weeks, as they've spent more time together, Nick has loosened up around her and they are getting on well. Kara likes him and is very jealous, and loves how happy Nick makes her. Their relationship is going very well and they rarely spend time apart when they are free. Sometimes it all still feels like a dream that Nick has chosen her to give his affections too.

Nick takes the mail out of the box and scans it. He puts the bills on his desk in his office but one is of a personal nature. He removes his Jacket and hangs it over a chair at the table and opens the envelope. As he guessed, it's his annual invitation to the Christmas Ball held by Senator Baldwin Frost, at his mansion. Senator Baldwin is an old friend of his Dad's as they grew up in the same neighbourhood. These things are not of his taste but he feels obligated to attend every year to appease his Dad. He usually ducks out as soon as is polite. His eyes are drawn to the part that mentions a guest and he wonders if Jenny would like to go. He smiles as he thinks of walking in with her and how much better the evening will be with her by his side. At the thought of Jenny, he reaches down and takes his phone out of his pocket to give her a call to see if everything went to plan and then bounded up the stairs to get ready to meet her for dinner to celebrate the delivery of her final Christmas order.

Over dinner they talked about her plans for the new year. The orders are too many for her to handle and she needs to expand. Nick will help her find a small place to use as a workshop and all the legal hoops she needs to go through, while Jenny looks into the supplies and hiring. Now that the orders are finished she will work on a business plan that Nick will then look over before taking it to the bank for a loan.

"I'm sorry Nick my work's monopolized the conversation, how was your day?"

"It was good, I even won a case."

"The one with the little boy, you were concerned about."

"Yes the judge approved the placement and he's now out of the psychic ward. I hate it when they put children in there, they should have other alternatives."

Nick remembers the joy of Joseph's face when he told him he wasn't going back but that he was going home with Mrs Stanton. When Joseph had come into his life he'd immediately thought of Mrs Stanton, a past foster parent who, after losing a child in her care, hadn't accepted a child in nine months, and has he'd hoped she had not been able to resist Joseph's story and agreed to meet with him. That was all that was needed, Joseph did the rest.

Jenny reaches over and places her hand on top of Nicks and gives it a squeeze

"I'm glad, he was very lucky to get you as his lawyer. Did you see Lulu today?"

"Yes, we talked about arrangements over Christmas. She will have Anne Christmas Eve and then bring her over Christmas morning. We will open her presents and have breakfast then Lulu is driving to spend Christmas in the snow with her new boyfriend. So I have Anne until after the weekend."

"That's fantastic Nick."

"Yes and I'm glad you're coming too."

"I'll spend the morning with Kara as she's not going home until just before lunch and then I will come over to your place."

Nick flashes her a big smile. Christmas has always been difficult time for him. It brings back too many memories of his mother and how difficult they were after she died and his Dad's house, when they barely seemed to talk to one another. Nick being angry at him for sending him to boarding school and Burton being to busy to even notice his son's distress. They have been a little easier since Anne came along but he still spent most of it alone, but this year is turning out a lot differently. He's taken the days off work in preparation, after Lulu mentioned the ski-ing trip. He suddenly realises that he will need some different Christmas decorations, more suitable for a child. Jenny notices the look of panic that crosses Nick's face. She gives his hand a squeeze.

"What's wrong Nick?"

"I'm going to need some Christmas decorations."

Jenny smiles.

"You don't have any?"

She teases.

Nick looks a little embarrassed.

"I have a little, a wreath for the door, and some follage, Sandra made me buy them. She said, she refuses to work in a house without Christmas decorations."

Jenny laughs.

"I love Christmas decorations. We can go together on Saturday and I will help you choose some."

Nick looked dismayed

"I thought I would go online, there should be a place where you can buy a whole decoration package."

"I didn't know I was dating Scrooge. Come on it'll be fun."

Nick wasn't sure about that, the only good thing will be having Jenny along and he loves the way she's glowing with excitement.

"Okay, Thank you I would love your help. And as a thank you I would like to take you with me to Senator Baldwin's Christmas Ball."

This time it's Jenny's turn to look dismayed.

"I..I..I would feel so out of place.."

She leans forward across the table.

"...You get invited to the Senator's Christmas Ball!?

"Yes, he's an old friend of the family. Come on I usually have to endure it on my own, while, Dad catches up with his old buddies. If you like decorations, these ones will blow you away."

"I don't have anything to wear."

"Then we will shop for a dress on Saturday, as well as decorations, my treat."

"I couldn't possibly let you..."

"Of course you can. You can buy the trimmings, you girls seem to think need to come with it."

Nick turns serious and looks intently at her.

"I would love to have you there, please come."

Jenny lets out a big sigh, and tells herself, at least she'll be with Nick.

"Promise never to leave my side."

Nick laughs

"That's the easiest promise I've ever been asked to make."