On Monday, Howard tried to talking to his ten-year-old, but she gave him a silent treatment while she left for the bus stop with her friends. They knew what her father did: lying to her. They were very angry about that. They were with their families out of town during Thanksgiving vacation, which is why they didn't know about it until now.

"I can not believe that your father did that to you," said Trixie.

"Linda was angry, too," said Stephanie.

"I bet," agreed Stingy.

"That wasn't right," said Pixel. "At least Robbie was ordered to leave after he ruined the holiday."

"I gave Michelle credit for that," said the ten-year-old as her friends agreed. "Even Linda was angry with my father and left with her kids."

"Good," said Trixie.

"Is there love in the air yet for them?" asked Ziggy.

"I'm not sure, but I hope it doesn't happen. Don't get me wrong, I like Linda, but I don't want Robbie in my life," said Stephanie.

"I know. I'm sure your father doesn't get the message," said Trixie.

Stephanie didn't think about it during school and was glad her that grades stayed up. She didn't bring up the subject either and her friends didn't blame her. Patrick already knew about it. He felt bad for her.

After school, she heard her father is ready to ask Linda out on the date. She must have forgotten about what Howard did because she accepted to be his girlfriend. Uncle Milford told her it was true.

"What!?" asked Stephanie. "How did you know about that?"

"Your father told me," said Uncle Milford.

"I thought he was going to wait for awhile," said Stephanie, who looked puzzled.

"He did, but he felt ready to date again," said Uncle Milford.

Stephanie looked worried that there is a chance that she would have Robbie as her evil step uncle.

"I pray that they do not get married," said the ten-year-old.

"Don't get your hopes up in case it does happen. Also, you'll never know if their relationship might not last long," said her uncle.

She's still not sure if he would be right.

"Thank god I do like Linda. That's all I care about," said Stephanie.

"That part is true. You could think happy thoughts in case they do get married," said Uncle Milford.

"I hope if Linda gets invited to spend Christmas, Robbie wouldn't get invited again," said Stephanie. "If I have to, I'll talk to his mother or Linda since Dad lied to me last time."

"That would be a good idea to do," commented the mayor.

A week later, Stephanie helped decorating the house for Christmas. She had a decorating the tree party in the time. She figured that would be a fun thing to do. She had her friends and Sportacus over. Linda and her kids were at the house, too. Three of her kids were decorating the tree.

"This is a great idea you came up with to get together to decorate the tree," said Linda.

"My mother used to let me pick the tree and do a little decoration party every year," said Stephanie. "Uncle Milford said I still should, no matter what, although Dad almost wouldn't let me for some reason. My uncle was the one who persuade Dad to still let me do so."

"I agree. Maybe because it's your first Christmas without your mother. It must be bothering him," said Linda.

Stephanie almost didn't realize that Linda could be right.

"That's true, but he should know that my mother would look down on us and pretend she's still with us. There's no excuse not to let anyone to have a good time like this," said Stephanie.

"You have a good point," said Linda.

Stephanie noticed Lisa wasn't having any fun.

"Do you want to help decorating the tree with me and my friends?" asked Stephanie.

"No thanks," said Lisa.

"If you change your mind, you're welcome to join in," said Stephanie.

She was worried about Lisa. She got up and left to the kitchen.

"My husband died on Christmas Eve two years ago in a car accident. She took it hard. She didn't like that holiday every since," said Linda.

"Oh. I get it now," said Stephanie. "I'm sure she'll come around when she's ready."

"I know," said Linda.

"I know what she's feeling, too, since my own mother was killed after a car accident," said Stephanie. "I'll talk to her when the time is right."

"Good idea," said Linda. "I think she'll be happy to talk to someone who went through the same thing."

After they had the party, everyone went home except for Stephanie's friends who were sleeping over.

"I can't wait until Christmas in a few weeks," said Trixie.

"Same here. What do you want for Christmas this year?" Stingy asked the ten-year-old.

"I'm not sure yet," she replied.

"You should make a list about what you want for gifts," said Trixie.

"True. I always did that every year and I would get them on Christmas Day," said Stephanie.

"You have time to think about it," said Ziggy.

"I sure do," said Stephanie.

"I know Robbie should get coal," said Trixie.

"I agree," said Stephanie as she giggled.

Then, they overheard that Howard already knows what to get for Linda for her birthday in a few months, but he didn't say what it was.

"I got butterflies in my stomach," said Stephanie.

"But I doubt that would happen since they just started dating. It's too soon to tell," said Stingy.

"Yeah, why would he want to rush it for?" asked Trixie.

"I guess I'll wait and see what happens," said Stephanie.

Stephanie always knows when her friends are correct. A few weeks later, it was five days before Christmas and Stephanie already made a list for what she wanted the week before.

"I'm counting down days for Christmas," said Stephanie.

"Oh, yes, it's almost here," said her uncle.

"I want this to be the best year ever. I always love Christmas. Mother did, too," said Stephanie.

"I believe it," agreed Uncle Milford.

"I would like to do something to dedicate it to her," said Stephanie.

"That's nice idea. It can be a gift for your father," said the mayor.

"How should I do that?" asked Stephanie.

"I can help you with that," said Uncle Milford.

"Okay, great," said Stephanie with a grin.

"Remember how you guys made a scrapbook?" asked Uncle Milford.

"Yes," replied the ten-year-old.

"Well, you can make any pictures you have leftover into a movie like a slideshow," said Uncle Milford.

"I like that idea," said Stephanie.

"That can be for Sally, too," said her uncle.

"Alright," said Stephanie.

Stephanie collected any extra pictures that had her mother in it and she & the mayor went to a photo shoot so they can turn those into videos for a slideshow.

"I know what song I would put," said Stephanie as she recorded the song she did for her piano recital that was dedicated to her mother.

"That should be ready tonight, but we'll be closed by six, so you can pick it up tomorrow," said the guy.

"Okay, good idea," said Stephanie.

They left and they both agreed to keep that as a secret so it won't get ruined for both Howard and Sally. They want to pick it up first in the morning. So, that's what they did the following day. A few days later, it was Christmas Eve.

"One more day until Christmas," said the ten-year-old excitedly. "I can't wait for Sally to come tonight. She had her two last finals yesterday."

That evening, at five, Sally arrived and Stephanie was so excited to see her older sister.

"Hi, Sally!" exclaimed Stephanie.

"Hi, Steph," said Sally.

"I can't believe Christmas is finally here," said Stephanie.

"I know," agreed her sister.

"Linda and the kids are coming over tomorrow afternoon for lunch," said Stephanie.

"I pray you-know-who will not show up," said Sally.

"So do I. This time, I talked to her because you know how Daddy would be," said Stephanie. "Otherwise, he would lie like he did last time."

"I don't blame you for talking to her," said Sally.

"Uncle Milford was glad that I did," said Stephanie. "Daddy doesn't know it. I don't care. I don't need Robbie to ruin another holiday."

"Me either," said Sally.

"It's time for dinner, girls," said Uncle Milford from the kitchen.

"Okay," said the sisters as they went to join the others.

"Where's Dad?" asked Sally.

"He was on the phone. He'll be right out," said the mayor.

"Here I am," said Howard as he came out. "Hi, Sally."'

"Hi, Dad," said Sally as they hugged.

Then, they sat down to have supper. Stephanie looked out and noticed it was snowing.

"Look! It's snowing," said Stephanie.

"Wow. First one of the season," said Sally.

After dinner, they did some Christmas songs at the piano. Stephanie remembered those days that her mother used to be the part of it, too.

When they got up the next morning, Stephanie couldn't believe that Christmas Day arrived.

"Merry Christmas, everyone," said the ten-year-old.

"Merry Christmas, hon," said Uncle Milford.

"Same to you," said Sally and Howard.

"We can have breakfast first before we open our presents," said the mayor.

"Sounds good to me," said Stephanie.

"What time Linda is coming?" asked Sally.

"Not before lunch," replied her father. "She told me that her kids can't make it. They're going to a Christmas party."

"Oh," said Stephanie. "At least Linda would be coming. I don't mind."

After they had breakfast, they started to open gifts. Stephanie saved the special one to the end. She loved the gifts that she got for Christmas. She had some new clothes and other things. After Howard opened the last gift, Stephanie decided it was time for the final one.

"There is one more gift, it's for you and Sally," said Stephanie giving the present to them. "I don't care who gets to open it."

When Sally did, she noticed it was a CD.

"It's a special one," said the ten-year-old.

She put it in the DVD player and turned it on. Howard and Sally were surprised it was pictures of Ruth.

"Wow," said Sally after the slideshow was over.

"I wanted to dedicated it to Mom to keep her in our memories. She would want us to be happy," said Stephanie.

"Thank you so much," said her father as they hugged.

"Yes, thanks," added Sally.

"This is the best day ever," said Stephanie.

Then, they got dressed up. Stephanie was wearing a new dress that she just got and it fits perfectly. It was all pink. At 11:00 am, Linda arrived while lunch was cooking. They were having ham, carrots, and mashed potatoes with gravy.

"Merry Christmas, dear," said Linda.

"Same to you," said Howard. "Girls, Linda's here with some gifts for you."

That was when they came.

"Here's one for you, Sally and the other for you, Stephanie," said Linda.

"Thanks," said the girls.

They went to the living room and opened them. Stephanie had a new pink headband that was knitted by Linda.

"Wow. I love it," said Stephanie putting it on. "It matches my new dress."

"And, I love this knitted scarf, mittens, and hat," said Sally.

"I'm glad you do. Knitting is my favorite hobby," said Linda. "I'll show you both how to do knit sometime if you want me to."

"Sure. I would love that," said Stephanie.

"Same here," added her sister.

"Okay, great," said Linda with a grin.

An hour later, Uncle Milford said, "Time for lunch, everyone."

That when they appeared in the kitchen to eat lunch. They said their prayers before they started eating. After that, they did some games and watched movies. Stephanie invited her friends, including Sportacus, for supper later on. They all accepted it. The dinner would be just sandwiches. They will be there before 5:00 pm so they can spend the day with their families.

That night, at 5:00 pm, everyone arrived.

"Sportacus will be here shortly," said Stephanie.

He arrived almost 10 minutes later.

"Merry Christmas," said Sportacus.

Then, they decided to have sandwiches right away. They added chips to that. It was ham sandwiches with cheese. Everyone loved Stephanie's new dress and headband.

"Linda made the headband," said Stephanie.

"Really? She did a wonderful job," said Trixie.

"Thanks. It was from knitting," said Linda.

"Cool," said Pixel.

"She's going to show me and Sally how to do it one day," said Stephanie.

"Good idea. I love to knit, too," said Trixie. "I would help my mom, who taught me on how to do it a few years. I was an expert ever since."

They stayed until around 8:00 pm when their parents came for them. Sportacus left 30 minutes later. Linda was the only one who planned to stay until tomorrow.

"Thanks for a great day," said Stephanie.

"I'm glad you had fun," said the mayor.

"I'm getting tired, so I think I'll head off to bed now. Night, everyone," said Stephanie as she headed off to her room for bed.

She was writing in her diary with her nightgown in bed and put it away before she went to bed happily.