Sam couldn't believe he was getting dressed up for drinks with friends in his own home. But all he'd got out of Andy when he'd asked what she was wearing so he knew what to wear was a 'you'll see' and 'semi-casual'. So, here he was - black dress pants and a midnight blue dress shirt, sleeves rolled up and the top buttons undone.

Usually they dressed together, but tonight Andy sat on the bed and waited as he got dressed, then to his surprise, she kicked his ass out! Saying she would see him downstairs in 20 minutes.

Sam paced the hallway for 20 minutes dyin' to see what she was going to come down the stairs in. Sam heard her heels on the stairs and turned to see her begin her descent. She had on a pair of navy dress pants but that wasn't what caught his attention. What caught his attention was the shimmering midnight blue top. He thought it was beautiful til she stepped off the last step and he pulled her into his arms and he came in contact with bare skin. He forgot about the kiss he'd been about to give her and turned her around to find the only 'back' the top had was the wide ribbing at her waist. A scooped neck in the front, the only way he could describe the sleeves was 'batwing' and backless. She took his breath away.

Turning her back around to face him, he dropped a light kiss on her lips as he said, "You're beautiful."

Andy wrapped her arms around him as she said, "You clean up pretty nicely, yourself."

"Just so we're clear, no one and I mean no one else would ever get me this dressed up in my own home, occasion be damned."

"Well, if you'd rather put on something a little more casual, I can go change …" Andy turned for the stairs.

"Get back here woman! As amazing as you look, there is no way I'm lettin' you change. I can survive the dress pants and shirt if it means you look like that."

Andy laughed. "Does that mean you approve?"

"You could say that."

Sam turned her around to study her back. "Exactly how is that gonna stay on?"

Andy laughed. "Strategically placed tape."

Sam groaned. "I knew I shouldn't've asked …"

Andy laughed.

"Ok, I'm gonna go put stuff in the oven so everything's warm when everybody gets here."

"Ok. Need help?"

Just then the doorbell rang.

"Yeah, you can get the door … and keep everybody entertained until I can join you."

Sam laughed. "Ok."

Andy went to the kitchen while Sam went to the door.

Sam opened the door and wasn't surprised to find the first to arrive were Oliver and Zoe, followed by Frank and Noelle, then Nick and Gail, Chris and Dov arrived just before Traci and Leo.

Everybody gathered in the living room and Sam asked about drinks. Everybody but Noelle was having a rum and eggnog. Noelle was pissed because she couldn't drink. So she was surprised when Sam handed her what looked like the same drink everyone else was drinking.

"Sam, I can't …"

"Yeah, ya can, this one was made special for you," he whispered for her ears only.

Noelle smiled. "Thank you."

"Hey Sammy, where's that pretty girl of yours, brother?" Oliver asked after everybody had their drinks.

"Kitchen. She'll join us in a few minutes."

Andy stepped out of the kitchen a few minutes later.

"Merry Christmas, guys … uh, babe, can I borrow you for a minute?"

Sam got up and followed Andy into the kitchen.

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah, everything's ready. Just not sure what you wanna do. Put everything out in here or set it out in the living room?"

"Let's put it out in here, they can carry their plates to the living room."

"Ok. Just let me get everything put out and you can tell everybody."

Sam put his arms around her. "You're not hiding in here, McNally. Lemme help and we'll tell everybody together."

Andy laughed as she put her arms around his waist and kissed him. "Not hiding. Just want everything done so I can enjoy everybody's company."

"What do you want to drink? Rum and eggnog like everybody else?"

"Yeah, ok."

While Sam and Andy were in the kitchen, Nick and Traci met at the Christmas tree.

"His?"

"Hers?"

Both nodded.

"At least we didn't have to sneak them in," Nick said standing up.

"No kidding. This makes it so much easier. I was afraid I'd have to get Leo involved.

Nick laughed.

As Traci stood up something caught her eye.

"Nick, look."

Nick followed Traci's finger and chuckled when he saw what caught her attention.

"Guys, check it out," Nick said directing their attention to a pair of stockings.

On one of their shopping trips they'd seen two navy blue stockings almost the color of the uniform, Andy had dragged Sam into the store insisting that they get them. When the store owner found out why they wanted the blue she insisted that she be allowed to embroider their names and the Toronto Police Services' crest on them - free of charge. Both Sam and Andy had been shocked and humbled by her kindness and generosity. When they brought them home they had immediately put them on the mantle.

His hand on Andy's back, they walked into the living room. She hadn't really went in the living room the first time, more like a greeting from the kitchen, so no one actually saw her until now. Dov and Chris sat up straighter.

"WOW! Andy, you look amazing. That color suits you perfectly," Traci said as she walked up to hug her.

"Thanks Trac."

"Epstein! Diaz! Quit drooling over my girlfriend," Sam said with a smirk. Andy blushed.

There was a joint "Sorry Sam," from the two single officers.

"There's food in the kitchen, anybody wants it better get there before Shaw."

"Funny, brother, real funny."

"Own it brother."

All of a sudden Traci jumped up.

"Camera. Where's your camera? You have to take pictures."

That gave Sam an idea. He had a verse for Andy's card, but as they stood there surrounded by their friends, their family, he had no idea what to put on the cover … til Nash insisted on pictures.

Sam motioned for Oliver and Nick to meet him outside. Placing a kiss on Andy's lips, Sam told Andy he'd be back in a minute. She wasn't sure where he was going but that was ok.

Outside, Nick and Oliver looked at Sam.

"What the hell are we doin' out here? It's freezing!" Oliver commented.

"I need your help."

"Sam, her gifts are already under the tree."

"I need your help to get her Christmas card …"

"You don't have it yet?! Brother, that's a little last minute …"

"Ollie, I have the verse, I just didn't have a cover … til Nash grabbed the camera. I'm gonna get her to take one of the two of us and then Ollie, I need you to distract her while I upload it, Nick I need you to run to Walmart and pick it up after they print it."

"And just what the hell am I supposed to tell Gail?"

"Let us worry about Peck."

"Ok, fine."

They went back inside to see Traci snap happy with the camera. It should be easy to get the 'perfect' picture of them.

Sam whispered in Traci's ear what he wanted. She smiled. When Andy asked why she needed pictures Traci said they needed to remember their first Christmas Eve together … she took one of Andy on Sam's lap; but her favorite was Sam leaning against the wall, with Andy in his arms, her back showing slightly. Sam's dimples were showing, they were both smiling smiles that they only smiled for each other. She showed it to Sam.

"It's perfect. Thanks, Trac."

"I'm happy to … how're you gonna upload it?"

"Oliver's gonna distract her."

"Need some help?"

"That'd be great. I want this perfect."

"It's from you. It will be."

They got the photo uploaded and placed the order for the card. Nick left to pick it up, returning 10 minutes later. He wasn't sure whether to be relieved or disappointed to know Gail hadn't even noticed.

Everybody was engrossed in conversation when Gail whispered in Nick's ear, "Where'd you go?"

Nick looked at her.

"You, Shaw and Swarek had your heads together, it had to be something for Andy so where did you go?"

"Thought you didn't know I was gone?"

"Yeah, right, of course I did, but if Swarek's got surprises for her I am not gonna be the one to ruin them."

Nick laughed before he surprised her by kissing her in front of everyone.

They were alone in the hall after Traci took their picture. Andy got an idea and whispered to Sam.

"I thought you wrapped it already?"

"It's in a gift box, we can open it …"

Sam smiled. "Let's do it."

Andy went to find Traci while Sam went to find Oliver.

Traci had two of the island stools side-by-side when Sam and Oliver walked in the kitchen.

"Ok boys, connect those asses with those stools. Jerry would kill me if I didn't get some pics of you guys together."

She took a couple shots of the boys, including one with an empty stool between them before she told Andy to get in the picture. Andy stood behind them, putting an arm around both Sam and Oliver's shoulders before Oliver grabbed her hand and brought her around in front of them.

"Now McNally, you are not gonna stand back there when Sammy's arms look empty without you in them … you gotta fix that so my brother's got a smile in this next picture."

When Andy looked at Sam he just shrugged and reached for her hand. Instead of sitting in Sam's lap, she stood between his legs the way she did during parade. Traci laughed as she took the picture. "You do realize with the exception of the clothes, that's exactly how you look during parade."

Andy nodded at Traci to print that picture. Sam snuck a golden gift box upstairs.

Suddenly Oliver stood up, heading for their CDs.

"Shaw, what the hell are you up to?" Frank asked

"Checkin' to see if Sammy has any Christmas music stashed here somewhere."

Sam and Andy looked at each other and laughed.

"Have another eggnog, brother."

Oliver looked at Andy.

"Sorry Oliver. I'm sure there's a station on the radio or TV though …"

They spent the rest of the night gathered around the living room, talking and laughing and listening to Christmas music Oliver found.

At about 10:30 Andy excused herself to go clean up the kitchen. The moment she was gone Sam got up. Oliver looked from the kitchen to Sam, not sure which one he should check on first. He decided on McNally. Walking into the kitchen, he wasn't sure what he'd find. He certainly wasn't expecting her to be sitting at the island staring off into space.

Oliver did his best not to startle her, he knew if he did it would piss Sammy off and he didn't want him pissed at Christmas. "Hey, Andy, you ok?"

"Oliver, I need your help …" was her panicked whisper.

"Of course. Anything for you and Sammy, you know that, Andy."

"I need you to put something in his stocking … she handed him a small silver gift box.

"Nope, sorry Oliver, you wanna know what it is, you'll have to ask Sam after Christmas!"

Oliver laughed. They were just too damn cute!

"And how am I supposed to put this in his stocking without him knowing?!"

"Oliver, you're a dad, stockings are not a new concept. If you wanna fill it, go for it."

Oliver kissed her head as he put the box in his pocket. "Ok, ok."

He was coming out of the kitchen when Sam caught his attention. "What's up, brother? Everything ok? Your girl goes one direction, you go another?"

"That's because I don't want her to see this," Sam held out a small silver gift box.

"Gimme that. She's already given me stocking detail."

Sam laughed. "She beat me to it."

"Yeah, brother, she did. You guys are ok?"

"Yeah, man, we're good. Listen, I'm gonna go help her while you … I don't want her missin' out on this when it was her idea to have everybody over."

"Alright, just as long as everything's ok. I mean you went in separate directions, you two never do that!"

"We do when we're trying to surprise each other it seems."

Oliver made quick work of the stockings, making sure to put the gift boxes in first.

Sam and Andy cleaned up the kitchen. Sam freshened up their drinks on their way back to the living room.

"Anybody want a refill?"

Frank and Noelle stood up. "No thanks, man, we gotta head out. This has been fun."

Sam and Andy walked them to the door. 'Merry Christmas's and hugs were exchanged.

Sam closed the door and they walked back into the living room. Traci was trying to get a sleeping Leo ready to go.

"Don't wake him, I'll carry him out."

"Sam, are you sure?"

Sam's response was to pick Leo up and carry him out to the car.

"Can you get him out or do you want me to grab my keys and follow you?"

"Sam, you don't have to, I'll manage somehow …"

Andy was standing at the door and tossed him his keys.

"Be back."

Andy smiled. "I'll be here."

"You better be." He winked at her as he climbed in the truck. Andy was laughing as she closed the door.

Dov and Chris waited til Sam got back to say their goodbyes. Nick and Gail were next. Nick hugged Andy.

"Collins, watch where you put those hands!"

Andy and Nick looked at each other and burst out laughing. Nick held out his hand to Sam.

"Merry Christmas, guys, thanks for including us."

"Of course," Sam and Andy replied, making Nick and Gail laugh. Gail gave Andy a quick hug before hurrying out to the car. Nick hugged Andy one more time before shaking Sam's hand. "Merry Christmas, guys," and he followed Gail out the door. Nick didn't even make it to the car before Sam had the door closed to keep out the now falling snow.

His hand on her back, Sam turned Andy back toward the living room.

Sam sat on the couch and pulled Andy into his lap.

"So what're you two doin' tomorrow?"

"Absolutely nothin', brother … what's goin' on at the Shaw's?"

"Same ol', same."

Andy twisted in Sam's lap to look at him, he nodded and removed his hands, allowing her to get up.

Andy went to the Christmas tree and picked up the envelopes with the Shaw girls names on them as well as a golden gift box with Oliver's name on it.

"Sorry Zoe," Andy said as she handed the box to Oliver before Sam wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back into his lap.

"It's ok," was Zoe's response as she handed them a green gift box.

"What's this?" Oliver asked taking the box.

"Open it and find out, brother," Sam replied with a laugh.

Oliver lifted the lid and peeled back the tissue paper to find their three smiling faces from earlier that evening in the kitchen looking back at him.

"This your idea, McNally?"

Then something on the frame caught his attention. Inscribed on the bottom were the words -

"It is by chance that we met, by choice that we became friends."

Thanks for always being there for us. Sam & Andy

When he looked up there was a tear in his eye. Clearing his throat, he looked at Sam. "Always, brother, always. Thank you."

Sam cleared his own throat. "Goes both ways, brother."

Smiling at Andy, he said, "McNally, I know I may not always say it or show it, but that goes for you too. You were always the rookie who brought out the dad in me. You still bring it out because of how important you are to my brother, here. As long as I'm on the streets, I will be there to watch over you, to protect you, to do my damndest to bring you safely back to Sammy. As for spending time together like tonight and poker night, I'm the one that needs to thank you for letting me. It does this sucker for happy endings good to know Sammy finally gets his … and I promise, I will remind him of that when he forgets."

There were tears in Andy's eyes when Oliver finished. Her "thank you" was little more than a whisper because of the emotion choking her.

Sam and Oliver cleared their throats again before Oliver said, "Ok, enough with the sappy, sentimental stuff, you guys got a gift of your own to open."

"It was bound to happen with you drinkin' the hard stuff, brother," Sam chuckled.

Andy turned a little so she could look at Sam. "Do you …"

"Go ahead."

"Ok …"

Andy lifted the lid on the green box in her hands and peeled back the tissue paper to find two individual gifts. One addressed to her, the other to Sam. She lifted them out of the outer box and Sam set it aside. She handed him the one that had his name on it.

"Sammy, you're gonna have to let her go long enough to open it, man. I want you to open them together."

Sam sighed and raised an eyebrow at his friend but shifted Andy so they could do as he asked and open them together. They peeled the paper off and looked at him.

"You bought us cell phone cases? The ones we have aren't good enough?" Sam asked.

"Open 'em and see."

So they did … they looked like your run of the mill cell cases until they pulled them out and looked at them - they were personalized. Seeing the personalization, they looked at each other and laughed.

"Really, brother?"

"It fits, don't it?"

Andy couldn't stop smiling. It wasn't their first names or even their individual last names, instead, both cases were personalized with McSwarek.

"It's perfect, Oliver. Thank you."

She got up and hugged him before grabbing their cell phones and putting hers in its new case. Oliver smiled when Andy sat back down and Sam handed her the case.

They talked and laughed a little longer with Sam and Oliver each recalling a Christmas past with Jerry. They had intentionally avoided any talk of Jerry while Traci had been there, trying not to make the holiday any harder than they knew it already was.

Soon Sam and Andy were standing arms around each other's waist at the door.

"Merry Christmas, brother."

"Merry Christmas, brother. Give the girls a hug for me. We'll call tomorrow."

"Alright, man. Now, let go of her so I can give her a hug and leave you two alone," Oliver nodded towards Andy, making Sam laugh. He held up both hands. "Alright brother." Andy laughed as Oliver gave her a hug and wished her Merry Christmas.

"Merry Christmas, Oliver. Thank you … for everything."

"Anytime. Enjoy tomorrow. Say hi to Dad for me when you see him and I'll see you both in a couple days. Better go before the wife leaves without me."

Sam and Andy laughed as they watched Oliver run to the car.

Sam closed the door. As they walked back to the living room he could hear the radio still playing. He had no idea what station Shaw had put it on, didn't really care, it had just been background noise more or less all night.

The kitchen was clean, the living room on the hand, showed signs of their friends presence. Sam gathered the glasses and carried them to the sink. Andy walked up behind Sam and put her arms around him. Kissing the back of his shirt, she asked, "Need help?"

Sam touched her hand as he said, "Nah, there's not enough to bother tonight, just everybody's glasses. We'll do 'em tomorrow."

"If there isn't that many, let's do it now, so we don't have to do them tomorrow."

"Haven't you done enough cleaning up for one night?"

"But once they're done, that's it, there's nothin' left. And we get to just relax and not think about it."

Sam sighed. "Alright. But I'm doing the dishes, you did enough tonight!"

Andy laughed as she kissed his back again and said, "Ok."

Sam turned around and dropped a kiss on her lips before pointing to the closest island stool. Andy shook her head and laughed as she sat down. Less than 10 minutes after filling the sink, Sam let the water out, the glasses washed. Andy jumped off the stool and put them away as Sam dried them. Once they were all put away Sam turned out the kitchen lights and led Andy back to the living room. Sitting on the couch, he pulled her into his lap.

"Hi."

Andy kissed him. "Hi."

"In case I didn't say it earlier, thank you. Tonight was incredible. Those guys are my best friends, my family, but excluding Oliver, not including the Penny, I don't spend much time with them outside the barn. Tonight made me realize we need to change that."

"Yeah, we do."

Sam didn't even realize it til that moment, that sometime over the course of the night somebody had started a fire in the fireplace. He laughed to himself, most likely Oliver. Between the fire and the tree, they didn't need all the lights on, Sam wondered where she was going when Andy got up and flipped the switch turning them off.

Walking back to the couch, Andy slipped off her heels before curling up on the couch beside Sam. Sam wrapped his arms around her as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Tired?"

"Hmmm? No, not really. Just glad everybody's gone."

Sam pushed Andy away to look at him. "What? Baby, why didn't you say somethin'? I thought you enjoyed tonight?"

"I did, babe. But that doesn't mean I'm not glad it's over and we're alone."

Sam visibly relaxed. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

Sam wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against him.

The gentle sounds of a piano and fiddle caught Sam's attention and he got to his feet. Andy was about to ask where he was going when he held out his hand. Sam pulled her into his arms as the song on the radio filled the air -

Turn out the lights
We just need the lights from the tree
The kids are in bed
Baby it's just you and me
Side by side, the fire is bright, on this oh so blessed night

The gifts lyin' there
Cannot compare with the love you give
Sealed with a kiss
For as long as I live
Ribbons and bows, could never show, all that I want you know

I want to take you in my arms tonight
And keep the fire burnin' bright
'Cause if the best things in life are free
There's nothin' you could buy for me
Your presence is enough
Wrap me in your love

Look into the night
There's a star in the sky that I see
It's come so far
To shine its light for you and me
As if it knows, I'm holding you close, underneath the mistletoe

I want to take you in my arms tonight
And keep the fire burnin' bright
'Cause if the best things in life are free
There's nothin' you could buy for me
Your presence is enough
Wrap me in your love

Your presence is enough
Wrap me in your love

As the final notes faded Sam kissed Andy and whispered, "I love you."

"I love you."

They stood there in the soft twinkling lights of the Christmas tree mixed with the warm glow of the fireplace, content in each other's arms.

Sam reached for the stereo remote and shut it off before taking Andy's hand and leading her upstairs.

Once upstairs, Sam wrapped his arms around her and rested his forehead against hers.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you are, tonight?"

Andy laughed softly. "Once or twice."

"Well I'm telling you again."

Andy laughed again and kissed him. "Thank you."

"Now, exactly how do I get you out of this …" he touched her top.

Andy laughed as she took his hands and helped him. Sam peeled the top off her as gently as he could. He grabbed a t-shirt as Andy finished getting undressed. Raising her arms, she laughed as Sam pulled his shirt over her head before pulling her hair into a ponytail and leading her to the bathroom.

"Sam?"

"Yeah?"

"What're you doing?"

"Getting you ready for bed," he replied as he ran water in the sink.

Andy couldn't help but smile as she took her makeup off while Sam got undressed. Sam flipped off the light and led her to bed.

They crawled in bed and fell asleep - as the song said - wrapped in each other's love.