Forty-eight hours before……

"Up on the rooftop, quick, quick quick….down the chimney came old Saint Nick"…

Rick grinned as he listened to twenty-four teenagers singing about Santa Claus. One of the best parts of "semi" retirement was being able to attend the junior high Christmas program, and see his youngest niece perform with her class.

As the song ended, Melly Simon stepped forward to enthusiastic applause from the nearly full auditorium and a loud whistle from her uncle.

"Rick…shhhh…." A.J. elbowed Rick, then simmered down as his daughter flashed a smile at her family.

"Thank you, all of you for coming to our celebration." She announced importantly. "The students, staff and teachers of Pine Cone Junior High would like to wish all of you a Happy Holiday, and a great New Years…and…."

Turning with a flourish, she signaled the kids behind her, and they broke into "We wish you a Merry Christmas…"

"Aren't you proud of her!" Linda Simon whispered, as the audience joined in the song. Laurie Simon beamed back at her, paper-wrapped flowers under her arm.

"Yes, she's the most confident of all the kids, Sis.." she murmured back, then applauded as the music ended and everyone cheered. "It's just hard to realize she's a teenager.."

"Uh…hold that thought, Laurie.." A.J. laughed, as the family got up from their seats and went to join the excited throng of 7th and 8th graders. "She's been sneaking makeup from her sister all year."

"I bet Ceci must have loved that…but now I know what "Santa" needs to put in her stocking!" Laurie smiled, then took her turn embracing her niece.

"You were fantastic, Melly…these are for you.." she told Melly, and saw the happy expression on the girl's face.

"Auntie..they're beautiful…Thank you and Uncle Rick so much….I almost lost it when he whistled…" she giggled, then hugged her mother as Linda pinned a corsage of snowdrops on her blouse.

"I am so proud of you, honey….you did a great job. Can we take you and your friends to lunch?" she asked, then blinked with surprise when Melly shook her head, red-faced.

"None of them will want to go, Mom….can it just be us?" she blurted.

Instantly A.J. covered the moment. "Sure, Melly….We'll go to Two's if you like….I know you love the burgers there…"

"Yeah, you and your Auntie can have Root Beer Floats with double cherries, too." Rick hastened to add, and his niece brightened up.

"Thanks, Dad. Uncle Rick…can we get rings too?"

"All you can eat!" he quipped, then exchanged a worried glance with his wife as Melly went to get her coat.

"I wonder what happened, Melly always has lots of friends over, Sis.." Linda whispered to Laurie, who shook her head in puzzlement.

"I don't know, but hopefully we can find out if someone is bullying her, or …" she replied, pausing as Rick added loudly "There's our girl, come on before your brothers and sister's stomachs start growling.." Melly laughed, then joined her family as they left the auditorium.

As the Simons arrived at the restaurant, Rick was glad to see A.J. had called ahead as the popular hangout was full. A smiling hostess directed them to a separate dining area, where the rest of A.J.'s children were already seated. Cecilia and Oscar Goldman had joined them at the head of the table, with Robbie and Ramona Simon and their children perched next to them.

"Hah, beat you!" Robin Simon teased his younger sister as she slid in next to him. "I already had two plates of rings!"

"Don't listen to this fibber!" Ceci told Melly tolerantly. "He was too busy making eyes at some senior girl to order yet!"

"Ceci!" Robin yelled, then was shushed sternly by A.J..

"Robin, take it down a notch or you'll get lima beans.." he started, only for Rick to do a spit take with his water at the fake threat.

"Lima beans? Is that the worst you can do?" he half-choked, and Linda stifled a grin as she nodded.

"That is the food Robin dislikes the most…but Ceci…don't push buttons…."

"Yes, Mom…" the older girl sighed. Rick shook his head, snickering.

"Sounds like someone I know at that age…"

"Not me, Pop…" Robbie grinned, nudging his cousin Ricky. A.J. laughed as the older boy shrugged. "Well, it was fun for a while..".

"Son, Robbie has you pegged…and it wasn't so much fun when someone did it to you." A.J. teased.

"Hmmm, I wonder who taught you about that.." Cecilia smiled at her sons. Laurie giggled as Rick swiped an onion ring off his brother's plate.

"Not me."

Amid the laughter and joking, Rick caught a glance at his wife's face, and saw sadness in her eyes as she leaned in to hear one of the kids tell a joke.

"Rick, I thought this would cheer her up…."

Startled, he turned to see Oscar glance worriedly at Laurie.

"It's helping, Dad….I think it just hit her that Robin's never been away for Christmas, one way or the other she and Ian and the kids have always been here." Rick explained soberly. "Plus she's worried about Melly….we think someone's been bullying her…."

"Well, maybe after the holidays Cecilia and I can sit down with her and find out…" Oscar volunteered. Rick smiled broadly.

"Thanks, Dad….I know she'll spill to you…" he replied, grateful that his father-in-law was so caring with all the kids. As if to prove his point, Melly came over and hugged him, saying, "Thank you, Grandpa Oscar, for the candy….I promise to share it.."

"Well, you did such a good job, I thought maybe Santa wouldn't mind if I slipped you an early present." He answered, beaming. At once the younger kids chimed in, asking if Santa would be coming to the ranch this year.

"Why, why wouldn't he…a little cold weather wouldn't keep him away…" Oscar explained, then laughed as Robbie's son Davey shook his head dolefully.

"I know, but what about Petey and Katey….it won't be the same without them this year…I hope Santa knows they're in Chicago."

"Of course he know, son….remember, Santa knows where everyone is and what they've done this year." Rudy hastened to add from his place next to Linda.

"That's right, and we'll make sure to call your cousins on Christmas Eve, so it'll be just like having them here……" Laurie finished, trying to smile at the kids. Rick slipped his arm around her and felt her relax as Davey cheered up.

As the group finished eating and started to head for home, Robbie caught his eye and hung back to let Ramona and the kids go ahead of him.

"Pop…is Mom all right…she seemed really down after dinner.." he said in a low voice, as Laurie stopped to thank their waiter.

"She's missing your sister…but I might have something in the works that will make her feel better." Rick explained, keeping an eye on his wife. Just then she joined them, saying, "I so appreciate Ramon staying late tonight to help out…I want to drop a little gift off to him before Christmas, Rick."

"That's a nice idea, darlin'….I'll make sure we come by the restaurant." Rick agreed, draping her coat around her. "You wait with Robbie, and I'll bring the truck around."

"You are so thoughtful, I think Santa will be extra good to you.." she smiled, then hugged Robbie as he made his good nights.

"You and Pop drive careful, Mama….it's icy out.."

"We will, honey….you too…See you at breakfast?" Laurie asked, then beamed as Robbie told them "And miss Pop's waffles…not a chance."

"Just for that I'll make extra for your lunch, Son." Rick smirked, then went outside the restaurant, as A.J. rolled his eyes.

"Robbie…don't give him a big head..they're good but not that good…"

"Sorry Uncle A.J….next to…I mean….Pop does get them just right." Robbie covered his words, only for Laurie to put a hand on his arm.

"It's all right, honey…Robin has always made the best breakfasts…I'm okay if you mention her…and she and Ian and the kids are coming for New Years…Ian promised." She assured him gently. "I know you miss your sister, but they'll settle into a new city better this way if they celebrate the holidays there."

Overhearing his daughter, Oscar smiled as Cecilia whispered, "Not if our son has anything to do about it."

"You've got that right, Cecilia." he quipped, opening the restaurant door for her.