This story will be a constant work in progress. In reading the many reviews of the stories here that I love, people want different things from them. Some like sweet love stories, some like a bit more "saucy" chapters, some like angst and some sure don't.

So what I will do as the story progresses is to tell you to skip a chapter or stop reading totally. In this way, you can form the story to the way you like it. About the middle of the story will be the first cue.

Along with that, if you as a reader would like to see anything happen that is not being covered, PM me. I can't guarantee anything, but I will give it my best shot.

Now the disclaimers. No I don't own the characters, although I could borrow Corny for a while. That being said, you will not see a few things.

First, there will be some angst but, no major characters deaths. I may be able to write a stand alone chapter for you personally but it will not be posted.

Second, in my mind Amber is not evil, Corny is not an ass. I can't write them that way so don't expect it. I won't even be able to write you a stand alone. I'm not that talented.

Third, this is drawn from my own history in working Psych. I try very hard to make facts just that, facts. The cases are drawn from real life. The treatments and therapies are as close as I could get to real life in the 70's but they may not be perfect. Please try not to over analyze it.

Fourth, please understand that we can do with them what we like. There is no right or wrong. Sorry to fans of all other pairings, but in my world Amber ends up with Corny, always. Again, I won't be able to do any other pair. Velma needs to be nice too. I made her evil for long enough

And most important, this is probably going to be my last story for a while. Thanks to Writergirl2003 I started writing again. (she is amazing) But all in all, sadly I have to get back to real life. Laundry is taking over my house.

So enjoy!

1.

"….In a one horse, Open, Sleighhhhhhhh."

They all ended on the same extended note then laughed. This was his favorite time of year. Santa would visit soon. This year Rosalinda wasn't even afraid of the Jolly Old Elf. She sat on his lap with that huge smile and deep blue eyes sparkling. She told Santa, in all seriousness that he need not bring anymore Barbies. She had enough but really wanted that Easy Bake Oven that Mommy and Daddy wouldn't let her have. He made a mental note to reconsider that decision.

They went on to buy a Christmas Tree. None of those fake ones in their house. Only the smell of pine and dropping needles would do. They had gotten the sled out of the back of the station wagon and pulled Rosie along until they found the perfect one. She was patient and sang as they trudged through the snow. She was always singing and his heart sang with her. She was the absolute joy of his life and he couldn't ask for anything more. Sometimes he wondered how he was so blessed. Beautiful loving wife, wonderful daughter, a second baby on the way. Life couldn't get much better.

They found a tree that was symmetrical. The needles were short, but he didn't mind. He got out a hatchet and began to chop at the trunk. It was work but worth it. He yelled for Maria to hold Rosie while he gave it a final whack. The six foot tree fell to the ground with a puff of new fallen snow. Rosie laughed when she saw it. He carried Rosie and pulled the tree ladened sled back to the car. He struggled to stuff the tree into the car and waved Maria away when she tried to help. Not this time, not at eight months. She nearly lost Rosie early in her pregnancy. They weren't going through that again. He asked for hot chocolate and Rosie squealed. Mommy always thought to bring a thermos full for these trips and this was no different. As he strong armed the tree into the back, she brought him a cup and kissed his cheek. Her dark curls tumbled from under her hat as she tilted her head. He picked up the hat returned the kiss. She brushed it off. Too much snow to put it back on. She stuffed it into her pocket as he tied the tree in. Maria actually hated the live trees, but it was something that he adored and as with most things, she gave in. He looked at his wife. Lord, she was amazing and she loved him, that was the best part.

He looked at Rosie in the rearview mirror as they drove the tree home. "You start Babydoll. You pick the next one."

"Daddy, you sing" she said as she bounced around the backseat. "Sing Mommy's song."

He looked at his wife and she smiled, "O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining. It is the night of our dear Savior's birth……" he began. Maria glowed. She confessed long before they were married that this was her favorite Christmas song, when a good singer sang it. Of course, she felt she was not one of them. When he gave her the engagement ring the next year for Christmas, he got a few friends to play the melody and sang it for all he was worth. She actually cried. The next Christmas, and every one after, it became her song. As long as he was singing it.

His eyes closed as he sang, "O night divine. O-oh night when Christ was born….." He snapped them back open but continued to sing. He needed to watch those roads. Even with the salt trucks they were pretty slippery. The hill coming up always made him nervous. He slowed down as he saw the light turn to yellow at the bottom, but continued to sing.

"O Night Divine." He held the last note and Maria smiled. He returned that smile.

"Okay Rosie, this one is yours." He said as he glanced back. "What's up next?"

"Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are…." She began.

They looked at each other. Not quite a Christmas song but, well okay. He hit the brakes slowly and they came to a stop behind another station wagon with a tree in the back. Guess this was the night for trees. The Nova behind them skidded a little but stopped at a safe distance. The wind picked up as they waited for the light.

"…twinkle, twinkle little star." Rosie continued, "How I wonder what you arrrrreeee." She extended the last note, she little voice trailing higher. He laughed as he looked at her in the rearview mirror. He saw the lights coming over the top of the hill. The Semi truck was barreling at top speed. How odd, he thought, doesn't he see the cars at the light? The truck weaved from side to side, as the driver laid on the horn. The back cars began to move to the side, but the Nova behind his was too close.

"Rosie!" he yelled, "Get down on the….."

The Semi hit the back car and the cab went flying through the air. His hand reached out for Rosie and yanked her down behind her mother's seat as the wheel crashed through their windshield. The roof caved, his head was smashed down and he felt his back snap.

It was all a dream when he looked to Maria. He saw the huge tire where her face once was, her dark curls streaming from beneath it. He struggled to pull his left arm over to her. With all his might he reached for her wrist. There was a weak pulse. Then his mind recognized Rosie's screams.

"Rosie, are you okay?" he yelled, "Rosie!!!"

She peeped her head up as far as she could. He had pulled her down just in time, basic cuts and bruises but she was fine. He felt a wave of relief.

"Mommy!!!!" the child reached for her mother. Her hand touched her hair. He tried to say no, but it was too late. She pulled her tiny hand away, covered with blood. She looked at her Daddy with horror in her eyes, then they glazed over. The last sound he heard from his baby was a final groan.