Miss You Most At Christmas Time

He made his way towards the study, desperate for a short break from the typical Quartermaine madness. He stopped just outside the door when he heard a voice coming from inside.

"Oh Alan, how I wish you could be here with us tonight. It's a miracle, a real Christmas miracle. My baby's back, Emily is back and I can hardly believe it. And Jason, we almost lost him again but he came back too and believe it or not he's here tonight voluntarily and he actually seems to be enjoying himself. Can you even remember the last time he enjoyed himself in this house? I suspect a lot of that has to do with his sister being here but I'll take it. The only thing that would make this night even better would be having you here with us."

"He is here,"Jason said startling her a little.

"Oh Jason, I didn't see you there. How long have you been here?" she asked slightly embarrassed at being caught talking to her dead husband as if he were right there in the room with her.

"I didn't mean to interrupt, I didn't realize anyone would be in here. I, uh just needed a little break."

"Things are getting a little crazy out there aren't they?"

"No more than usual I guess." He laughed a little thinking to himself that crazy and Quartermaines seemed to go hand in hand.

"You know it's been such a long time since this house was this full on Christmas. It almost feels like old times..." her voice trailed off slightly knowing that the past was a touchy subject with Jason.

She was so glad to have him here tonight and she wasn't about to risk alienating him by bringing up old memories that he no longer had.

"I guess it has been a while, I mean with everything that's happened..."

"Yes, well that's all in the past now. Emily's here, you're here, everyone is here and we are going to have a wonderful Christmas together."

He just nodded, unsure what he should say. He knew how much this meant to his mother and how much she loved having him here but it was still a little difficult for him to tell her how much she meant to him.

Luckily for him, his mother seemed to know exactly what he was thinking and feeling like only a mother could. So instead of pressuring him to express what she knew was in his heart she simply gave him a hug, allowing him to let his actions say what words couldn't.