Disclaimer- I don't own The Outsiders

Darry's Pov- Ponyboy was fast asleep on the sofa, Sodapop kept a constant vigil. Me, I was cleaning our house from top to bottom. I didn't want Ponyboy getting sick, he was already sick enough. Besides unbeknown to Ponyboy, Soda and I were inviting the guys and, Cherry, Evie, Marcia and Randy for a Christmas get together tomorrow night, the night before Christmas Eve.

We figured he'd enjoy having his friends around him and even though we asked them not too all our friends wanted to bring gifts for Ponyboy. They felt bad probably because he was so sick. Cherry Valance had cried when she heard the news about my brother. I was thankful he had a friend like that.

Sodapop's Pov- Ponyboy stirred a bit and his eyes opened, they focused on me and a smile curled around my brothers lips. His breathing was slightly labored but he didn't ask for oxygen he just smiled like he was at peace.

"Hey honey, sleep good."

"Umhum.. Soda…"

"Yeha Ponyboy?"

"I love you." Three words were all he said, all he needed to say. My brothers and I love each other so much but we so rarely say those words. It meant a lot to here them.

"I love you too. Are you hungry."

"Starving, can you make me a grilled cheese on top of the stove like dad used to?"

I nodded laughing. Grilled cheese sandwiches were about the only thing our dad could ever cook properly. Mom hated to let him near a stove just like Darry hates letting me near one except it's not because I can't cook, it's because of the things that I choose to cook.

"Do you want anything else?"

"Some Pepsi if we got it and maybe a small slice of cake."

I ruffled my brother's hair. "Anything you say buddy."

Pony's Pov- Sodapop made enough for all of us and we sat at the table. It was so good to sit at the table with my brothers again. I missed that so much and would miss that after I was gone but I hated thinking about that even if Darry and Soda were endlessly searching for a way out.

"Mmm Soda you actually made something normal this time and it's good." Darry joked.

I smiled. "I don't know be cool if it were red and green like Christmas colors."

Soda's eyes flashed with the brilliant light that comes from a great idea. "Lets make Christmas cookies!" he yelped.

I smiled. "Yeha reindeers and snowman and trees and a Santa like we'd make with mom. We could maybe even decorate them, we do have sprinkles right?" I had gotten too excited. I had to gasp for air. Darry got up and rubbed my back.

"Easy little buddy. We'll do all that just don't over exhaust yourself; you know what the doctor said." I nodded knowing very well what Doctor Wallace had said.

"Now lets finishing eating and get to work on some cookies. I want cookies! Cookie, Cookie. Yeha Cookies!"

It was just like Soda to say that. He has more energy and gets wound up more then a kid in a four-story candy shop where everything is free. Still you've got to love him. He makes things so much easier.

It took about an hour to make the fifty-eight Christmas Cookies and another hour to decorate them. By the time they were all done I was too tired to even touch one. I could barely breath or keep my eyes open. I leaned on Darry as he helped me to the sofa and hooked me to the oxygen tank.

He sat beside me and gently pushed my hair back. "Did you have fun kiddo?"

"Lots." I said in barley a whisper. I was so tired that I could barley stay awake and fell asleep before I could say anything else.