A/N: I know it is weird to post a Christmas chapter in February but the episode this chapter is based on is a holiday episode. So let's just go with it

Chapter 12: Second Chance

Jess inhaled the cold air and smiled as a snowflake landed on her nose. There was nothing like Christmas in New York. "Jess, what about this one?" Don called.

Jess walked over to the tree Don was standing next to and examined it, "I don't know if it's big enough."

"You do realize how big our apartment is right?" Don stated, "And that it's cold and this is the third tree lot we've been to."

"Yes, I realize all that," Jess retorted. "But, you're the one that wanted a real tree: I was fine with my artificial one."

"That's not a Christmas tree," Don pointed out. "Let's keep looking."

"Good idea," Jess smiled slipping her arm around his as they started to explore the lot again.

"Jess, Don," they heard their names being called and turned around to see Mac and Stella standing there.

"Hey, guys," Jess said as they approached them. "What are you two doing here?"

"Tree shopping," Mac replied.

"We promised Beth that we'd a tree for the Children's Family Benefit tomorrow night," Stella clarified.

"Beth was Detective Harris's daughter," Mac said. "I think he was before both of your time."

"He was," Jess confirmed. "But I've heard of him."

"So you two out looking for a tree too?" Stella asked.

"No," Don smirked. "We're out freezing our butts off."

Jess rolled her eyes as the group of four started to walk around the lot. "He's being a Scrooge because I've been dragging him around looking for the perfect tree. I don't really know what I'm looking for," Jess explained. "I'm used to having an artificial one."

"That's not a Christmas tree," Mac, Stella, and Don said at the same time.

"It was in the Angell household," Jess laughed.

"Come on," Mac said. "In the Taylor household, we always had the biggest tree on the block."

Don and Mac stepped ahead of Jess and Stella. "So let me see it," Stella smiled.

"See what?" Jess pretended not to know what Stella was talking about.

"The rock he gave you. That everyone but me has seen," Stella replied.

"Not my fault you don't visit," Jess laughed.

Stella gave her a pleading look, "Lindsay said it's beautiful…"

Jess pulled of her glove and put out her left hand granting Stella's wish and showing her the hand engraved ring featuring a 1.5 carat princess cut center diamond surrounded by a halo of pave diamonds that included a matching princess cut; the shank was adorned with a princess cut channel set and round pave diamonds on all three sides. The snow landed on the ring making in sparkle even more. "Wow!" Stella exclaimed. "Someone has great taste."

"Wait until I tell you this part then," Jess grinned. "It is the exact replica of my mom's."

"Oh, wow," Stella said completely moved beyond words. "That makes up for the sucky proposal."

"Hey, don't dis my proposal. I happen to like the stinking locker room proposal," Jess smiled.

"If you two are done," Mac called, "I think we found two great ones."

Jess and Stella rounded the corner to find Mac standing next to a fir and Don next to a spruce. "What do you think?" Don asked.

Jess and Stella looked at each other and back at the trees. "Perfect," they agreed.

Jess sighed; she was sat at her desk, bored. She looked at her watch: only 11:00am. This is going to be a long day, she thought to herself. Then again all her work days had been long since she started desk duty. Jess caught a glimpse of Don walking out of interrogation and decided to head over to his desk. She got up from hers and wandered over. "So what do you have?" she asked leaning against his desk.

"Am I going to have to tell you about every case from now until the baby arrives?" Don grinned. He didn't mind telling her; it was the least he could do. He knew she was having a hard time with desk duty.

"Yep," Jess replied.

"Okay," Don replied. He opened the folder and passed her the autopsy photos on the John Doe they found in an ally that morning, "Right now he's a John Doe, but Hawkes is working on identifying him. We found him in an ally off 74th and Amsterdam."

"Someone beat the crap out of him," Jess inferred from the photos.

"And torched him," Don said. "We didn't find anything on him so I'm thinking it's a…"

"Robbery gone wrong," Jess finished his thought. "I guess his wallet and jewelry were on someone's Christmas list."

"That's what I said," Don laughed.

"So what does the kid you were interviewing have to do with it?" Jess asked.

"Joe Koss. A record the length of my arm. His DNA was found on a cigarette in the ally. He admits to being there to rob a corner Santa, but denies having anything to do with the murder. Claims he was lurking in the ally to make his move when a car came out of nowhere and ran over his foot. Danny took his boots off to confirm his story." Don explained the details, "He's a criminal but I don't believe he is a murderer."

"Alright, I'll let you get back to work," Jess said.

"You really that bored?" Don asked.

"Yes. But today is not too bad. I'm going to have lunch with my dad and then I have a meeting with Morgan: he wants to start preparing for the Cade trial. I'm off at three," Jess replied. "Preparations for the trial will take a lot of my time in the next couple of weeks and O'Bryan swears he will have something figured out for me by then."

"Are you going to tell your dad about?" he started to ask.

"The tiny person growing inside me…yes," Jess said.

"What about the engagement?" Don asked.

"Yeah, I'm going to tell him about everything. Why?" she asked.

"I should go with you," Don said. "I just don't know if I can get away."

"You can't get away. You have a case," Jess said. "Plus I'd rather tell him alone."

"I should be there when you tell him," Don went on.

"Why? He's my dad," Jess retorted.

"Because I didn't ask him for his blessing or his permission before I proposed so I should be there when you tell him out of respect," Don reasoned.

"You mean, the two of you didn't get to discuss how many goats I'm worth," Jess responded.

"Right, I'm losing out. You're worth at least five," Don joked. "Look, I know you think it's a Neanderthalish tradition and you are not property his or mine. It isn't about that, it's about respect for your dad. You're his little girl and if this…" he said resting his hand on her stomach, "is a girl, I would want any guy who wanted to marry her to come to me first. And I didn't give your dad that."

"Alright, you can come," Jess agreed. "Lunch is at twelve at the Blue Green Café, but if you can't make it due to work, I have to go ahead and tell him today. Dad has always kept tabs on me through his connections from when he was a cop and he's been doing it more lately since I've been freezing him out and everyone knows now. Dad cannot hear from anyone else I'm pregnant and engaged. This has to come from me."

Don nodded in understanding as his phone went off. "I'll make it," he said to her before picking the phone up, "Flack. Hey Mac. Yeah I got it, our vic is James Manning."

Jess pushed off the desk and waved to Don as he finished up the conversation. "Right, fiancée, Grace Chandler. I'll track her down," Don waved back to Jess as he scribbled down the information.

Jess read through the menu while she waited for her dad to join her, unfortunately Don had called a few minutes before; he and Stella had a lead that needed to be checked out, so he wouldn't be able to make lunch. Jess didn't mind, but she could tell Don was disappointed. "Hey Jessie," Cliff greeted coming up to the table.

Jess looked up, "Hey, Dad."

They chit-chatted about the weather, nieces and nephews, the Devils' season; once they ordered the conversation turned serious. "Are you going to tell me the reason for this lunch?" Cliff asked.

"Do I need a reason to have lunch with my dad?" Jess asked back.

"Normally, no," Cliff reasoned. "But things have been off between us lately. I haven't seen you since Kaitlyn's christening and you've barely call the last few months."

"I know and I'm sorry about all that," Jess said. "I was going through a lot and it was easier to freeze everyone out then to deal with my problems." Cliff nodded: he understood from his own personal experience what it was like to lose a partner. "But I've dealt and grieved," Jess went on. "I want things to get back to normal… and its Christmas."

"What things?" Cliff smiled and Jess knew that he would pretend that the last few months hadn't happened and nothing about their relationship would change. "So," Cliff went on, "Does that ring on your finger have something to do with this lunch too?"

"A little," Jess admitted. "Don was coming to lunch, but he got caught up with the case he's working on. We're engaged. He proposed last week."

"Congratulations, Sweetie," Cliff said taking her hand and examining the ring. "It's identical to the one I gave your mother."

"He saw pictures. I told him how much the ring meant to her and how she wanted to give it to me someday, but when she died we had it buried with her," Jess said.

Cliff smiled and squeezed her hand; the topic soon changed like it always did when the subject of her mother came up. No one in the Angell clan liked to talk about Lillian Angell, even after all the years that had passed. "I'm surprised you were able to make time for lunch," Cliff said. "Something about this time of year seems to create a lot of work for homicide detectives."

"It's all the forced family time," Jess joked and quickly added, "I'm kidding, Dad."

"Ha-ha," Cliff laughed.

Jess took a sip of her water. "There's a reason why I'm able to sit here without interruptions. It's because I'm not working any cases, I've been taken off active duty," she took a deep breath, "because I'm pregnant."

"Come again?" Cliff asked shocked.

"Pregnant, you know having a baby," Jess stated. "You disappointed?" she asked when Cliff didn't responded

"Why would I be disappointed?" he asked.

"I don't know. Because I'm not married and I haven't progressed as far in my career."

"You happy?" Cliff asked.

"Yeah," Jess smiled.

"Then you know my motto. As long as you're happy, I'm happy," Cliff said. "And kid, you could never disappoint me."

Jess smiled as Cliff got up so he could give her a hug. "I wish your mom could see this," he whispered; the last time he said that she was graduating from the academy.

"She can," Jess replied sweetly.

Jess walked down the hall in the lab until she reached Mac's office. "What's Santa doing here?" she asked entering and passing Cooper from the 11th precinct in his Santa suit.

"We're on the way down town to that Children's Benefit," Don said as Stella tossed her the elf costume.

"To deliver the toys the NYPD collected," Mac explained. "The other Santa and elves broke down on the freeway forty-five minutes ago."

"So we're filling in," Stella laughed.

"Cooper has another party in like an hour," Don said. "And I promised him dinner at Mortins."

Mac just smiled and nodded his head.

"Alright let's roll," Lindsay stated.

Don and Jess walked out together. "How was your case?" Jess asked.

"How was your lunch?" Don countered.

"Tell you later," they both said smiling.

Jess grinned as she passed another toy out and made the Christmas of another deserving child. She looked over at Don as he passed a gift to a little girl; she had to admit he looked adorable in his elf suit, but ridiculous at the same time.

It didn't take long for all the toys to be passed out. Jess headed over to where the group was standing once she passed her last gift out. "You make one cute elf," Don joked hitting the jingle bells on the back of her hat.

"I look stupid," Jess replied. "But it was for a good cause."

"It really was," Lindsay smiled. Danny wrapped his arms around her waist and everyone watched the kids enjoying the good they had done.

Jess walked out of the bathroom and headed towards the couch and let herself fall onto it. Don turned from the tree where he was stringing the lights onto the brunches, "You feeling better?"

"I don't know why they call it morning sickness; it's night time," Jess stated.

"I have no idea either," he chuckled. Don finished placing the set of lights he was working on and came over to the couch to join Jess. "You didn't tell me about lunch," he pointed out.

"You didn't tell me about your case," Jess replied.

"We had two killers. Grace Chandler, the vic's fiancée and a lady by the name of Debbie Fallon. Grace and Debbie were running a scam: they "rescued" homeless addicts, took out hefty life insurance policies on them, and killed them two years later when the policies matured," Don explained. "Your turn."

"Lunch was fine," Jess said. "My dad is happy for us. I think he is really excited about this one. I mean he's been excited for all his grandchildren but this one is different."

"Yeah, it's yours," Don said understanding what she was trying to explain. "I wish I could have made it to lunch."

"I know, but it's alright," Jess said. "You can ask him permission, or for his blessing, or whatever it is you want when we go up for Christmas dinner."

Don nodded. "Oh, I almost forgot," he said getting up from the couch and headed towards the bedroom. "I got something for you."

"It's not Christmas yet," Jess called after him.

"I know," Don said returning. "But you're allowed to open one gift early." He passed her the neatly wrapped gift. "Go ahead," he encouraged with a big silly grin on his face as he sat back down next to her.

Jess sat up and torn the paper of the box. She slit the sides and lifted the cover. "Oh Don," she whispered pulling out a dark navy and red diaper shirt with a bib and little booties attached. Jess laughed when she read the text on the corner of the diaper shirt. "A Rangers diaper shirt."

"And bib," Don said smiling at her.

Jess shook her head, "And what if it's a girl?"

"Girl or boy, my kid is going to be a Ranger fan," he stated.

"So you decided to start early," Jess laughed as Don nodded. "This is so sweet," Jess continued. "But our child is going to be a Devils' fan."

"No," Don said. "Don't think so."

"You better run that by my dad. He might be fine with you knocking up his only daughter and proposing without asking for his blessing, he will not be fine with his grandchild being a Ranger's fan," she joked.

"Ha-ha," Don laughed; he leaned back pulling Jess with him.

"This is awfully cute even though it is for the wrong team," Jess said turning to place her lips on his.

They pulled apart and Don wrapped his arms around her holding her close. They lay like that in silence watching the snow fall for a long time and slowly drifting off until Jess spoke, "You know what?"

"What?" Don asked groggily.

"I'm starting to think a real tree is prettier than an artificial one," she said.

Don smiled against her hair, "If I can convince you of that, then there is hope for the Rangers." That earned him a playful elbow in the ribs.

A/n: The results for the poll are now up on my profile so if you want to know what Jess is having you can check it. Also if anyone has any idea what I can have Jess do besides desk duty please PM me with your suggestion. I googled it and I couldn't find anything on what a pregnant cop does and I can't just have her sit around for nine months even if it is a fictional nine months. Oh and I have the links to the ring and the ranger babysuit up on my profile, if anyone wants to see what I was trying to describe.