Hey, everyone. I could really use some reviews. We've been getting lots of hits, but very few (but much loved and read compulsively) reviews. I'm at a crossroads, and I need your feedback in your review. Question at the end...

The cold of winter settled in as Christmas quickly approached. Cody's little play group had a Christmas social that was held at River Bend. Sam, sensing the impending arrival of tens of toddlers who would be hopped up on sugar, fled to the refuge of the Three Ponies. Greeting Gal, she spoke to the lovable dog and Siger, Gal's coydog companion for a few moments.

She was just playing with the dogs when Jake came over to her, heading from the barn. "Brat."

"Jake." They smiled. "Any work needs doing now?"

"For once, nothing that can't wait. Want to do something fun?" His tone was light.

As if she needed to be asked. "Always."

"Let's go for a ride."

"Oh, where?"

"No place, really. Haven't really gotten to give Witch a good time out, thought maybe you wanted to come."

"Sure." She ran inside to see if she could take Digger out. She loved to ride Digger, as keeping him focused kept her focused, but didn't often have the chance.

They headed out to War Drum Flats. The ride was exhilarating. Because they could predict the other's actions, they simply opened up underneath the December sky and let the horses feet, following the path of their ancient ancestors, fly. It was, nice, too, just to slow down and talk. There was no great project to complete, or mystery to solve in that moment. In that moment, they were creating the future they wanted too see, one of laughter and joy.

They clattered out of the yard and cared for their horses. There was much discussion. Sam had found over the years, that if Jake cared about something, he didn't let the topic go, not really. He might brood or stew silently, but he stuck to topics he cared about like glue. He simply loathed small talk, much like both did. He just wasn't expected to get over it much in the same way a girl might have been, though she tried not to be too bitter about gender roles. Besides, one of them had to start things off, she supposed.

He also didn't much like other people, but he opened up around her. Often, his emotions, hard as they were to read, poured out in torrents when they were together, reserved as he was. He relied on actions to say what his words could not, even though he communicated very well with Sam. In a way, it was one of the things that made her so committed to their marriage, knowing that through everything, there was this abiding trust that underwove who they were.

When there was a moment of calm, Sam asked, "What are we doing for Christmas?"

"Hm? What d'you mean, Brat?"

"I mean, where are we spending it? Three Ponies, or River Bend?" Sam tried to explain.

"I hadn't thought of that."

"Me either. But...no matter what we do, someone's going to get angry. Your family or mine."

"Well...we could...Thanksgiving was at Three Ponies, so Christmas... Isn't that what most people do?" Jake thought aloud.

"I guess. Brynna's parents are coming in, too. It'll be a full house."

"Damn."

"Exactly."

"But, Brat. Would you father even want us around?" Jake tried to be gentle.

"I've thought about that. I mean, they shouldn't want the...reminder of the blended family around, should they?" Sam was bitter.

"Sam, I didn't mean that at all." Jake felt like a horrible person.

"I know. But it's true. Much as I love my family, in some ways, it's hard." She was resigned.

"They do love you, though." He tried to soothe her hurt.

"Yes, but Brynna shouldn't have to deal with me and her parents. They'll want to see Cody. We'll go to Three Ponies." She had decided.

"If you're sure...Remember, Gina is coming. And she's bringing that sister of hers. Her plans to go to St. Bart's got postponed." Jake was rueful.

"Again?" Sam laughed.

Jake blew out a breath.

"What if...what if we went to see my Aunt Sue? She was just in. Could that fly?"

"Don't see why not. Nothing wrong with wanting to see her before you go."

"I see." And she did. "But...we'll be away soon. What about spending Christmas with Mac?"

"Brat, Christmas isn't a big deal to him, you know, since Grandma died. And...I think he's coming to our house." Jake confided.

"Oh. This stuff is hard."

"Hm. We have to decide, though."

"San Fran, then?"

"Sounds good."

It did not sound good to Wyatt, though. He, naturally, thought that Sam should be home for Christmas. He could not understand her hesitation. When she'd tried to broach the subject of Brynna's family, he was firm. "Family is family. They don't see you any differently than Cody, Sam."

"They should. I just...think we should go to see Aunt Sue. She said her door's always open." Sam hastened.

"Look, Sam. Marty and Tess are your family too."

"Yeah, but not like Sue is. Dad, she's my mother's sister..."

"You don't need to tell me things I know." He sounded bitter.

"Dad, Tess and Marty are nice people, but they're not my people. I feel like a guest here when they're here." She hadn't meant to say that.

"Sam, the fact that they are a part of this family is not open for discussion. This is your home until you say otherwise. I'm sorry...you feel put out, but..."

"I want to avoid conflict. I'm trying to be adult about it." Sam confessed.

Wyatt looked sullen. "Don't you dare say you're being adult about anything. You've not acted like an adult through this entire situation. Do as you please." The conversation halted as Wyatt exited the room for parts unknown.

So, they did as they pleased, though Wyatt refused to say goodbye when they left. Jake just patted Siger and Gal awkwardly until Sam and Jake packed up for a visit to Aunt Sue's. The visit was enjoyable, though Sue's pointed discussions were sometimes awkward. Once over the breakfast table, she'd inquired about their sexual habits in a very matter of fact way. While they weren't prudes with each other in terms of talking about things privately, the idea of talking about things with anyone else was repulsive. Sue didn't share in that conviction, and neither did her latest lover was an interesting fellow, the sort of man that tried to be on what he thought was a teenage level but ended up being foolish most of the time. Both Jake and Sam bristled at being told they were so young, as Holden insisted. He acted as though they were novelties, something like the sideshow freaks of old. They were married, for God's sake, not playing house. Sam knew, however, that his reactions were the least of what they might face in the future.

Jake disagreed one night, saying, "Brat, what possible impact does our personal life have on anybody?"

Sam spat the toothpaste in the sink. "None, but what I'm saying is that people..." here she rinsed "are going to treat us differently. At school."

"So you say." He disagreed. They exited the bathroom and headed to Sam's room, Sue having gone to sleep.

"So I know. God, use your head. We're sort of freaks" she nodded as she moved the pillows on their bed "married like we are."

"You might be a freak. I'm just smart."

"Hey!" His head met with a pillow she'd been fluffing. Sam looked about vacantly as if to say someone else threw it. She settled down and rolled to look at him again, "Smart, huh?"

"Married you, didn't I?" He grinned before he flipped out the light. Sam didn't sleep well. She knew Jake wasn't as worried as he should have been about going back to school with a wife in tow.

Do you guys want to see a sequel or would you rather I ended this when they graduate college? I'm pretty set on a sequel, because...Well, I can't give that away, now can I? PLEASE let me know or I shall be very sad indeed. Very sad. Indeed.

I should also add that the next upload is pretty full of my experiments. I'm trying flashbacks of Jake's time at college... So enjoy this fluff while you can, and that's all I'm saying about that.