Card chatted with her old friend. Geoffrey offered condolences on her tragic visit to Las Vegas. Card saw the opening to the gates of the Bracken Estate. She was instantly transported back 10 or even 15 years in the past when she last saw these massive gates and her Grand Father had killed a man in their house. The image came to her as clear as day. She gasped at the sight.

The Bracken Estate was founded in 1700's by Charles Bracken a Shipwright and Owner of many ships bearing the Bracken Crest. It was situated on 50 Acres of Prime timber land at least 5 miles outside the City of New York. The City grew up around it and now it was the largest track of undeveloped land in all of Manhattan. The timbers were long gone but the land was still undeveloped. Not that there was not a developer in town who would not want a slice of this virgin territory. BI had maintained the 54 room mansion and 24 room servant areas.

Geoffrey drove the limo toward the back. This was where the massive garage sat. Most of its bays empty. Card got out and was escorted into the servant's area. It was warm and very festive.

Geoffrey took her coat. Card had never stepped foot in this area. It was all new to her. Geoffrey led her to the sleeping area. They stopped in front of one door.

"Geoffrey…Are you sure this is Carmine's room?" Card said as she opened the door then gazed at the simple arrangement and tidiness.

However, her heart broke when she saw displayed proudly her picture which was obviously cut out of a Newspaper but beautifully framed. It was from a few years ago when she accompanied her Famous Father to a Gala. Kate begged off since she was under the weather. She had a wonderful time at that Gala and that was one of the resulting photographs. She was laughing and the photo really captured her carefree spirit. Card left the room and continued the tour.

As she neared the kitchen she froze. She heard Carmine's distinctive voice. However, it was not the voice of the woman who had systematically tortured her. No it was one of a woman relaxed and chatting with friends. Card was having a hard time separating her memories from the present.

Geoffrey cleared his throat that was the break she needed to return from those painful memories. He bade her to enter. Card stood in the door way. She was amazed to see not the woman in designer clothes and never once saying anything nice. No before her was a woman who was elbow deep in washing the pans used for the mid morning meal. She was even singing. Card had never seen Carmine sing before. She did have a lovely voice. It reminded her of Erica her best friend. She had the same type of singing voice.

Card stood there as Carmine finished the cleaning then turned around to face her direction. Carmine was awestruck how poised her Daughter was. She stood there for a moment not trusting her sight. Card was nudged by Geoffrey to speak.

"Hello Carmine." Card began.

"Hello Card" She replied then she ran to Card and enveloped her in her arms.

Card was a bit surprised but adapted quickly since she was a Castle and hugging was something they did constantly. So Card wrapped her arms around her birth Mother. The older woman was much smaller than Card remembered. Geoffrey stood to the side with a smile on his face.

Carmine reveled in the warmth of her Daughter and the happiness she exuded.

Once she had once again composed herself she invited Card to sit in the pantry area away from the kitchen. There was a long wooden bench as Carmine sat down to gaze at her Daughter. Card had not rejected her hugs and Carmine was overjoyed.

"So I take it you are happy to see me?" Card asked as if she was still joking around with one of her siblings or Rick.

"You have no idea how good it is for me to see you again Card." Carmine said with her eyes still wet and shining. "I was afraid you would not come. Or that I was ever going to see you again."

"Carmine it is Christmas…It is a time of New Beginnings and Charity toward all." Card said.

"Yes I suppose it is…I am surprised where did you learn that? I know I never taught you those valuable lessons. I was a total failure when it came to you. I bought in to my Father's delusions and made them my own as if that was the way to earn his love, silly me. You can not earn love. I found out later that love is given and received. You can not earn it like it is some sort of prize." Carmine said. "I want to apologize for my blindness. I am happy you have a great family. You always deserved the best. Though, I was not the best for you."

'No you were not the best at all for me… However, that is in the past. I would like to create something new with you if you would like. The past is dead and gone the future is only we have to create." Card said.

"You are right Card the future is all we have to create. I would like to have a future including you. I know I do not deserve it. I have to ask anyway." Carmine said looking away right now craving a cigarette to calm her nerves.

"Carmine I must be blunt…There is a package somewhere in this house with your name on it. It was going to be my gift to you. It was written before your transformation. I wrote it in a lack of knowledge. Please forgive my poor attitude toward you. However, the letter would have the following the deed to the Bracken Estate. I never needed this place but perhaps you do. Second was 80 million it was your share of Grand Father's will. Also in this letter I asked for you not to contact me. However, Carmine I want to rescind that part. I would be happy if you would accompany me to our loft. I want you to meet my family." Card said as she hugged the older person.

"Card…I can not say what wonderful gift this is…Having this place would be a boon to what I want to accomplish." Carmine said.

"What do you want to accomplish? Maybe I can set up funding from BI. We do much charity work." Card said.

"Yes I read about it in the prospectus when I was at the board meeting. Your Father is a formidable opponent. I'm glad I was not elected. It would have brought back the old Carmine. I never want to be her again! What I have planned is to create a sanctuary for the battered women in New York. I want to develop the land and create a safe place for women without any choice. The strong walls and security would keep these women safe from their abusers." Carmine said.

"That sounds wonderful I think you should give a presentation to my Uncle Chris. He is in charge of our finances. I am sure you and he could work something out." Card said.

"I would like to start opening the doors to women and children as soon as the first. I mean the mansion is 54 rooms that just need dusting. It would be good if people in need occupied them." Carmine said.

"I know just the person you need to talk to. My best Friend's Mother Naomi Davidson at my church knows the battered women network. She would be the one you need to talk to. She will be at the loft later if you will come. Please tell me you would!" Card said.

"Yes Card I would come." Carmine said hugging her again.

Card got out her phone then called Jackson and told him what she had planned. Jackson said he would relay the info and call her back. Card got off the phone and a few minutes later Jackson called back. He said only one word.

"Go!" Jackson said.

Jackson was known for economy of words but this was a new one for her. GO? He must have meant go for it. Or the idea was a go. Either way it meant that Card was to bring her.

Card told Carmine and Geoffrey got the car out. The two women were taken back to the loft.

\\\\\

Johanna and David had finished with the decorations when Jackson appeared. He whispered something in Alexis' ear. Alexis shook her head then spoke.

"I trust Card's intuition. If she said Carmine was changed. I would believe her. She is welcomed to bring her to the celebration." Alexis said.

Martha nodded he agreement with Alexis. Then Jackson asked the twins. They seemed excited that Geoffrey would be back that was all they were concerned. They would not mind Card bringing a guest along as Geoffrey was there.

Carmine examined the festivities going on outside the window of the town car. Card had not seen this childlike quality in her before. She was intrigued what her Family would think of her.

The loft was decorated as Lanie came in with the cake. She was bringing her child too. Later after their shifts Espo and Kevin appeared and Jenny brought their three kids. Then Card appeared with Carmine.

She immediately recognized the two detectives who had arrested her and gave her to the transport to the airport for her flight back to Las Vegas.

Esposito was at once wary. Card saw that and to ease his mind he dragged him over to Carmine.

"Uncle Tio I want you to meet my birth Mother Carmine Bracken." Card said.

"We have already met…" Espo said coldly. "You should be still in jail!"

"Yes I suppose it is true but I am not because I was not guilty. The DA set me free." Carmine said.

Kevin noticed Espo getting upset and moved to flank him.

"Hello I do not think I got properly introduced I am Kevin Ryan Card's Uncle." Kevin said being always the diplomat.

"Oh Hello Kevin Ryan I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Carmine…I suppose I deserve the treatment Mr. Esposito is giving me. However, I want to dispel anyone's doubts. I am not the wicked witch I once was. I have changed I hope for the better." Carmine said as she shook his hand. "You have a lovely Family "

Kevin beamed on the mentioning of his Family and soon he was regaling her with tales of all his kids. The Kids were having a good time running around and getting into trouble. Then Rick came in with Eric Sr. in tow. The Man of the Hour was perched on his Grand Father's shoulder.

"Here he is the birthday Boy!" Rick's booming voice rang out.

Only person missing was Kate and she was present in the hospital via Skype. So she could watch the festivities.

They all gathered around the table and sang happy birthday to Eric Jr.. He got to blow out the candles they a great hurrah was heard. Then he tore into his many presents.

Card moved over then placed baby Jackson in her birth mother's arms. Lanie watched as Card interacted with Carmine and Baby Jackson.

Carmine felt so much love for her only Grand child. It was if the universe had given her a second chance to get it right. Jackson looked so much like his name sake. There was not a firm Bracken line to him. Carmine thought that was ok. She liked the idea of him being a Castle. From what she had observed they were a loud and boisterous group who faced death and survived. She was surprised to learn the matriarch of the groups was still in the hospital having just given birth to a baby girl. Emily was gorgeous as her picture was passed around. Naomi appeared and was immediately introduced to Carmine by Card.

"Naomi I want you to meet my birth Mother Carmine Bracken. She has an idea which she would like to discuss with you." Card said.

Rick stepped by to greet Naomi then spoke.

"If you need a bit of privacy my office is available." He said as he was pulled away by an insistent Eric Jr. to read to the kids after all it was Christmas Eve.

Rick's booming laugh was heard as Card, Naomi and Carmine took his suggestion.

"So Card it is wonderful to see you…I am so sorry I have not come by sooner. Your baby is marvelous." Naomi said.

"Thank You Naomi…how is Erica doing? I heard she got 1st violin chair at the met?" Card asked.

"No it is only 4th but yeah she is excited. She is matriculating at New York school of music. She wants to teach after she gets her degree also congrats on your accomplishment. The Youngest PHD in your dept and with tenure at that. Columbia is lucky to have you Dr. Castle." Naomi said.

Card blushed. "Yeah it was a surprise to me when my advisor told me. Now I have to suffer one more month then it is official." Card said.

"Well again congrats so what do you need me for Card?" Naomi asked.

"Well Carmine it is your idea why don't you tell Naomi about your plan." Card urged.

"Well Naomi I have inherited the Bracken Estate. It is basically empty it has 54 rooms and I want to put out to the community that a new shelter for battered women with children or not it available on the 1st." Carmine said.

"So let me get this correct…You want to become an angel?" Naomi said.

"An Angel…? What is that?" Carmine was confused.

"Oh I see you know nothing about this procedure. Let me explain an Angel is someone who would care and help batter women to get away from their abusive situations." Naomi said. "Angels are never identified but are given women in a word of mouth only. It is not a general shelter. This is long term for the betterment of all."

"Yes I guess that is exactly what I want to be." Carmine said.

"Ok well I will set it up with the pastor of my church. You could come to Christmas Mass and meet with him yourself." Naomi said.

"Please come with us Carmine" Card said. "It is a Castle Tradition to go to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. We would be happy if you came."

Carmine did not have to think at all but said.

"Yes I would be pleased to accompany the Castle's to your Midnight Mass." Carmine said.

"Great it is settled you are to meet Father Brown. He happens to be Eric's Father and Eric's junior Grand Father. He would have been here but for the getting ready for the Mass takes time but he will see Eric Jr. at Mass." Naomi said with Card nodding.

The Kids were in rapt attention when Rick was reading the Night before Christmas. Both Johanna and David were curled at his side while Eric Jr. sat in his lap trying to turn the page. The rest of the kids were spread out around him and the parents and friends in a circle around them. Rick was in his element. The kids were very attentive. Even Kate on Skype was participating. It was a glorious Christmas Eve.