A/N: Thanks to all those of you who read and reviewed for chapter six. I really appreciate it! I hope you'll like this next chapter just as much.

Disclaimer: I own no one in this chapter.


It was the last day of November and when Jack woke up that morning, he had a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. Thinking it was probably nothing, he got out of bed and stood in front of his closet, trying to figure out what to wear. Finally after a few moments, he decided on a pair of dark blue jeans, a green tee shirt with a blue sweater that had several of his favorite superheroes on it and a pair of black and green high top shoes.

After getting dressed, he glanced at the clock on his nightstand and saw that it read, 8:15 am. He went downstairs to the kitchen where he was met by Aaron and Beth. The two of them were cooking breakfast. They both greeted Jack with a smile and a "Good morning."

"Good morning," Jack replied back with a smile. "What's for breakfast?" He took a seat in one of the chairs at the small table.

"Chocolate chip pancakes, sausage and scrambled eggs," Beth sat a plate down in front of Jack. "Now what would you like to drink?" She walked towards the fridge, waiting for an answer from Jack.

"Can I please have some strawberry milk," Jack politely asked. He thanked Beth when she handed him a glass of his preferred beverage.

Aaron and Beth each fixed themselves a plate, poured themselves each a cup of coffee and sat down with Jack. The three of them talked as they enjoyed their meals.

"So Jack, what do you think of going Christmas tree shopping with us today," asked Aaron. He took a bite of his scrambled eggs as he waited for his son to answer.

Jack's eyes lit up with excitement. "I think it's a great idea, but…" His voice suddenly became concern. "isn't it too early for Christmas tree shopping. I mean it's only the last day of November."

"And tomorrow is the first day of December. So, no it isn't too early," said Aaron. "And besides, it's best to get one early before all the good ones are gone."
"I guess you're right, daddy," Jack admitted.

"I'm always right," Aaron smirked, getting a laugh from both his fiancée and son.

"But I think we all know Jack is the smartest one at this table," Beth playfully teased Aaron.

Jack loved watching his father and soon to be step mom tease each other. It always made him feel like they were more of a family than ever. Sure, he missed his biological mom Haley and wished she were still alive, but he always had room in his heart for Beth. He was sure Haley would be alright with Beth stepping up as a second mother for him. He counted down the days to when Aaron and Beth would get married. It was eighty seven days to be exact.

Later that day when they had all came home from the Christmas tree lot with the perfect tree, one that was about a foot taller than Aaron, they sat it up in the corner of the living room. Aaron soon brought a box of Christmas ornaments down from the attic and together, the three of them went about decorating the tree. As a tradition, Jack was the one to place the star up at the top of the tree. It was something he always looked forward to.

After the tree was decorated, Beth offered to make Christmas cookies and mugs of hot chocolate, to which both Aaron and Jack happily accepted the offer.

"Can I go outside and play for a little while," asked Jack. Waiting for the hot chocolate and cookies was making him very restless. He had to do something to keep his mind off them. "until the cookies and hot chocolate get done, please?"

"It's getting late, Jack. It'll be dark soon," said Aaron. He always felt uncomfortable with Jack playing outside by himself when it was nearly dark.

Jack frowned.

"Please daddy," he begged. "I promise I'll be back inside before it gets dark. Please just let me play for fifteen minutes"

"I don't see any harm in it," said Beth. She smiled at Jack to show that she was on his side. "And besides, it seems so beautiful outside this evening."

Knowing he wouldn't win this argument, Aaron sighed in defeat. Beth had a point. There really was no harm in allowing Jack to play outside for just fifteen minutes. Aaron finally gave Jack the answer he wanted to hear.

"Okay, you can go outside, but for just fifteen minutes. Alright?"

"Thanks daddy," said Jack. He was now racing up the stairs. "I'm gonna go get my soccer ball from my bedroom first and then I'll go outside" He called back to his father and Beth.

There was a cool and crisp feeling to the atmosphere that evening. Jack happily kicked his soccer ball through all the colorful leaves that were scattered among the front yard. Soon it was starting to get dark and Jack figured he should be going back inside, but he decided to kick his soccer ball just a few minutes more. And then he accidentally kicked it out into the middle of the street.

Thinking he had time to go out a retrieve it before any vehicles drove by, Jack raced out into the street and picked up his soccer ball. He thought he had time to get out of the way, but when he looked up, the last thing he was were two bright lights coming towards him. There was no time for him to move.

Aaron was helping himself to a fourth cookie, when Beth playfully slapped his hand.

"You better make sure you leave some for Jack," she said as she smiled.

Aaron smiled back. "He doesn't like cookies anyway. He said he'd rather have carrots instead."

"That's a lie. Jack loves cookies," said Beth. She was putting icing on a batch of cookies that she had taken out of the oven a few moments earlier. She then looked at the clock. "Hasn't it been fifteen minutes already? Shouldn't Jack be back by now?" There was a concerned look on her face. "Maybe I should go check on him?" She was heading towards the front door.

"Okay and I'll make sure nothing happens to the cookies," Aaron jokingly called out.

"No more cookies for you! At least not until Jack has had some," Beth called back.

While Beth was out checking on Jack, Aaron decided to look through the stack of mail that was sitting on the counter. He knew there were probably some unpaid bills that he should be paying soon.

"Aaron."

He looked up and saw Beth. She was pale and frightened and in her arms was Jack. He was all bloodied and bruised. There appeared to be no sign of life to him, but he was breathing, just barely though. The stack of mail fell to the floor as Aaron rushed over to them. He took his son from his fiancée's arms.

"What happened," asked Aaron. There was fear in his eyes.

"Call an ambulance, now," said Beth. Her voice was shaky.


End of chapter seven. I'd love to know what you all thought. So please leave me some reviews. I'd really appreciate it. Chapter eight will be up soon.