This is in response to the LJLS Christmas Challenge. The lyrics are to Better Days by the Goo Goo Dolls. Thanks to Snarky for betaing.

Martha stood at the sink, her hands deep in the soapy water washing the breakfast dishes. She stopped her work momentarily as she returned her attention to the conversation at hand. "Jonathan, aren't you going to give me a hint of what to get you for Christmas?"

It was a Christmas tradition. A game of sorts. Guess what Dad wants for Christmas. He wouldn't ever actually come out and say it, but Mom somehow always figured it out. Maybe that was her "gift" to be able to always know what someone wanted or needed.

Jonathan leaned against the counter, drinking his coffee while Clark sat on a stool nearby. He looked over his cup at her as he answered, "Nope."

Martha had a twinkle in her eye as she tried to counter his stubbornness. "You know if you don't tell me anything, I'll have to go with the old standby of socks."

Clark decided to tag team, "Yeah, dad you don't want to have her resort to that."

Jonathan ignored their prodding, putting his coffee cup down. "I've got to go see about the cows. You know…"

"They don't feed themselves." Clark gave his father a wry grin at the often stated line.

Jonathan couldn't help but grin back. "That's right." He turned and walked out the screen door.

Later that night….

Martha walked into her bedroom and found a letter resting upon her pillow. She thought that was a little unusual since she had just been by a few minutes earlier and she knew it had not been there. She turned the envelope over and saw her husband's familiar hand writing.

"Just what are you up to?" She wondered out loud as she opened it revealing the letter inside.

You've asked me what I want this year,

I'll try to make this kind and clear

I don't need boxes wrapped in string

Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days.

This past year has been rough on everyone. It scares me to the core to think about what could have happened and how close I came to losing what means everything to me. I thank God everyday that I still have my family here with me.

My dear Martha you don't know how much joy and strength I draw from you. I don't how I would make it without you. I'm so happy we have Clark with us. Being a father to him has been a great source of joy and pride for me.

So, I don't need anything for Christmas. I already have all I need.

Martha looked up, her vision blurred with tears and saw Jonathan standing casually against the door frame. He walked over to her, gently taking the letter from her placing it on the bedside table. Jonathan sat down next to her, reached out and wiped away the tears that had formed. "I meant every word of it." He then got a twinkle in his eye. "I could use a new saw, though"