Christmas still hasn't changed a whole lot since Jem and Scout were little; we still went to the landing for old times sake for Christmas dinner and presents. It was the one place where I could say it still felt like home to all of us. My childhood home was still standing despite itself, the sweet humid air felt the same in the dead of winter as it does during the dog days of summer and of course my sweet Jean's ashes will forever flow with the tide of the lazy river.

I think that Zandra misses the Landing more than I ever did. She was the one who stayed behind to help take care of the land all those years and I think she is often homesick over it. Christmas Eve morning she would always pack up the presents she had already wrapped and the ingredients for the dinner she was going to make and shipped out to spend the day with herself. I've often offered to go with her to help her but she had always refused. Now I just figure Christmas must be her time so let her have it. Though I have to say, she gives "Silent Night" a whole new meaning.

Jem and Sara arrived home at around eight that evening. When I first saw him I could have swore that he came home ten years younger than when he left us. I hope someone looks at me and thinks the same but I doubt it.

"Merry Christmas," he said as he bear-hugged me.

"Merry Christmas, son," I reply, a little annoyed at the fact he never gives my arthritis a second thought sometimes.

"Merry Christmas, Atticus," Sara said. I looked at her and only one thought crossed through my mind: she was pregnant. I know that glow because Jean had it twice in her life and both times she didn't even have to go to the doctor for me to know.

"Merry Christmas, Sara," I say, going over and hugging my daughter-in-law.

"You're back!" Scout screamed as she flew down the stairs and into the arms of her brother.

"Yup, I'm home, sis," he said as he pulled Scout away from him. "Where's Dill?"

"Taking a walk around town. Don't ask me why."

"Okay," Jem shrugged and then smiled at Sara as he took her hand. "Well, sorry we can't stay but we got Sara's parents' party to go to."

"That's alright," I say, giving him another hug. "We have plenty of time tomorrow at the Landing to catch up."

"Sure," he said, patting my back hard. "Well, see you all tomorrow."

"Bye," Scout and I say at the same time. We watched them get into their car and drive off in silence. I looked back at Scout and I noticed she sort of had a melancholy look on her face.

"What's the matter?"

"I'm just tired," she said as she plopped down on the sofa.

"Well go to bed, then."

"No. I think I'll wait for Dill to come back. Crazy fool walking the streets by himself on Christmas."

"You said it, not me."

"Ha ha," she said sarcastically as she got up and gave me a hug. "Merry Christmas, Atticus."

"Merry Christmas, baby," I say as I give her cheek a kiss.

The Next Day

The Landing was ready for the Finch comeback as it was every Christmas. I drove with Dill and Scout, Jem and Sara arrived in their own car and so didn't Jack. Zandra greeted us all with a very pleasant attitude for a welcomed change. She got out the decorations she keeps in the house and hung them up like she does every year. I think it's silly of her to go through all that trouble for one day but I of course bite my tongue. There were two bowls of eggnog waiting for us: one with brandy and one without brandy along with a cookie tray. The day was chilly but sunny and we spent a good part of the morning having our eggnog and cookies outdoors. The only thing more inviting than the Christmas sun was the prime rib cooking in the oven.

Around noon was when we gathered around to open our presents. Jem and Sara had done all their Christmas shopping in New Orleans so we thought them to be extra special. Jack had gotten bottles of brandy and wine because why wouldn't he? Zandra got a cookbook and a necklace. I had gotten a few books about my favorite subject: the law. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when Scout got me a new and improved copy of The Federalist Papers.

"Everyone," Dill spoke up out of nowhere. "I have a present for both Atticus and Scout but I want Atticus to see it first."

We all just kind of looked at him shell shocked; we didn't know what to think. He handed me a pink gift bag and I dug through the tissue paper to see nothing expcept another piece of paper. On it, he had written that he wanted to ask my daughter something: could he or couldn't he? I didn't follow on his idea.

"Yes, Dill," I said, confused as hell.

"Okay," he said as he pulled a box out of his pocket. We all gasped when we saw him get down on his knee because we now knew what this meant. Scout put her hand to her heart and began to cry.

"Will you marry me, Scout?"

"Say yes, Scout!" Sara gleefully shrieked.

"Do it!" Jem encouraged her.

That was when she nodded her head, "yes". My poor baby was too choked up to say it. It was a beautiful ring: it was actually a sapphire stone and I had to smile because it was one of Scout's favorite pieces of jewelery. He kissed her softly on the mouth and twirled her around in his arms.

"I think I need more brandy eggnog," Jack whispered to me.

"Me too," I agreed.

"Me three," Zandra said.

"You don't drink," Jack retorted.

"I do now."