The den was a throw back to the worst of 70's décor, oak paneling on the walls and the hunter green carpet made the room dark even in the daytime, the RCA console T.V. that still worked to everyone's amazement was tuned to a football game, a yellow and brown plaid sofa in front of it.

The worn brown leather easy chair that flanked the sofa was where Jed Stone sat in almost the same position Jake left him three months ago, and the smell of alcohol filled the room. One hand nursed a glass of whiskey the other held the bottle. An empty one lay at his feet. The light from the door opening made him squint as he watched a figure come through. He scoffed when he recognized him.

"Jakey, you're back. Want a drink?" He offered. Jake shook his head no. "What are you now? Some kind of city slicker too good to drink with your old man?"

Jake went over to the bar and got the cleanest glass he could find. He sat down while his father poured, took a small sip and put it on the dark walnut coffee table.

"Now that's more like it. Never trust a man who won't drink with you, I say." He gave him long look. "So how are you son?"

"Ok, Dad, ok. Hey have you been out of this room yet? It's Christmas Day."

"It is? Well Merry Christmas then. I'll be out in awhile." He tossed back the shot with one quick gulp, grimacing as it burned down his throat then refilled his glass.

"Come on Dad, your grandkids want to see you, and dinner is almost ready. You need to get cleaned up." He took him by his arm to help him up. Jed jerked it back.

"I said I'd be out soon boy. I am still the head of this home you hear, just because your mother thought you had some smarts doesn't give you the right to tell me what to do." He snapped then turned his attention to the TV and took another sip.

Jake left him to his drink and turned to leave, anger in his face as he slammed the door. Everyone was startled by the noise, little Elizabeth who was sound asleep in the living room cried at the sound.

"Sorry, sorry." He ran over to her, picked her up and cuddled her until she went back to sleep then put her back in the crib before her parents could yell at him.

"Is everything all right Jake?" Cassandra asked when he sat down beside her.

"Yeah, I shouldn't have expected much from him."

"So will I get to meet him?"

"He'll come out at some point today, it just would be nice if he spent more than a few minutes with his family. Speaking of which, how is my family treating you?" He asked changing the subject.

"Well, I've been looking at the Stone family albums and I must say you have had quite a few interesting hairstyles."

"Ah man, Josh you showed her that one, I'm gonna kill you!" He threw a pillow at him and laughed forgetting about his father for the moment and they reminisced about some of Jake's less than flattering haircuts. "A red Mohawk, really?" Cassandra asked.

"Go Sooners!" He replied giving his brothers a high five.

"And Emma showed me her book. Nice choice by the way the Tales of King Arthur." She elbowed him in the ribs.

"I thought so." He chuckled at their private joke.

Dinner was ready and the family settled down to eat. Jake said the blessing for the meal and soon they were jostling for the plates as they were being passed around. Everyone was in a happy mood, talking and laughing and Cassandra leaned back to watch them, enjoying her first Christmas with more than three people at a table. She could feel the gift that Santa delivered just one night ago descend on this family. Even with their troubles, they had hope that good things would come.

Libby, Amy and Billy cleared the table, and started to bring out the desserts when the door to the den opened. Jed had managed to clean up, even changed his shirt. He walked slowly to the table and looked around.

"Am I too late for dinner?" he asked.

"No Daddy you are just in time." Libby gave him a hug and Jake got up to give him his seat at the head.

"Merry Christmas kids."

"Merry Christmas Grandpa." They answered respectfully.

He looked at Cassandra and tilted his head. "I don't remember having another daughter. You must be one of Josh's girlfriends. A pretty one too." He winked at his son. Cassandra blushed as she introduced herself.

"No dad she's not with me, Cassandra is Jake's friend." Josh said and gave him the cliff notes version of why she was spending Christmas with them.

"Hmm, doesn't seem your type Jake. Too good for you." Jake bit his lip, Libby brought him his plate and their father busied himself with eating saying no more.

After dinner, everyone found a spot in the living room to sit and digest the big meal they just enjoyed rubbing their bellies in various stages of satisfaction or indigestion.

Jake fell asleep on the couch with the other men as the football game on the T.V. watched them, Libby and Amy finished cleaning up and Jed slunk back into the den, his job finished for the day while the children quietly played with their toys and games.

Cassandra decided to go outside hoping to walk off the extreme meal she ate. In her whole life she never thought she could eat so much at one time. Emma followed her to the door.

"Can I come with you?" the little girl asked.

"Sure, you can show me around if it's ok with your mom." Amy nodded and the two took off down the street. Christmas lights were coming on as the day faded into evening and the two giggled as they took turns pointing at a house like they had magic wands pretending the lights came on as if caused by their actions.

"Uncle Jake likes you." Emma said in a matter of fact voice.

"Of course he does, we're friends." Cassandra replied.

"Not like just friends, his eyes crinkle up when he looks at you the same way my daddy's eyes do when he looks at my mom."

"Now Emma, I don't think…"

"There's another reason why I know he likes you." The little girl interrupted her.

"Oh…" Cassandra squeaked, twirling her hair in slight embarrassment.

"Yeah. You're wearing his necklace."