Taking time to read any fanfiction is a personal choice. To those readers who continue to read and follow each chapter in this story, I can't say it enough - Thank You.

Also, Thank You to ALL those who've taken the time to leave a review.

Trigger Warnings:

All wordsmithing errors are mine alone — notes at the end.

Chapter Title: At This Table: Christmas, Album: Christmas - A Season of Love, Artist: Idina Mendez

Everyone Is Seen

Mercedes drove back to Brittany's. All three needed a drink after hearing Brett's confession, sat at her kitchen table. Brittany had broken out the Jack for her and Dani. Mercedes, as the driver, stayed with water.

Dani, with her drink in hand, watched as LT waddled into the kitchen, rubbed up against his mom's leg, then disappeared under the table only to jump up on it from the other side. He then centered himself, licked a paw, then let out a feeble 'meow.'

Mercedes reached over to scratch between LT ears. "For such a big cat, that's a pretty weak meow, big guy. I would've expected a nice deep bass from you." She laughed.

Astonished by LT's size and rude behavior, Dani looked over at Brittany, "You let your cat on the table?" she asked.

"Jumping is good exercise," Brittany replied, as she scribbled notes on a pad of paper. "OK, so what we learned tonight was Brett did vandalize the car. Amph paid him. Amph could be a pilot."

"Or he could just have knowledge of weather. Like a tornado chaser. Weatherman. Farmer." Mercedes replied.

"Yeah, but would a farmer know about flying above rain clouds?" Dani asked

"Good point," Mercedes said, "I hadn't thought about that."

"Moving on, He's from out of town."

"How do you figure that, Brittany?" Mercedes asked.

"He got lost trying to find San's house. San mentioned that when the house was being built, people from town would drive by it."

"And locals wouldn't ask questions about KEI." Dani said as she swirled the brown liquid in her glass, "Brett said he looked like the high school quarterback."

"But which quarterback. And what year did the QB play? This year or when Brett went to McKinley? Or did he even play at McKinley? Lima has a Catholic high school too." Mercedes replied.

"Amph? That's unusual." Brittany rubbed her finger on her lips. "I can't think of a surname that starts with 'A M P H,' unless it would be like Amphill, maybe. Or a first name."

"The Greek god Zeus had a son called Amphion." Mercedes lifted an eyebrow at Dani, "Yeah, I forget whether it's magic or music he's known for, I just remember the name."

"Or it could 'A M F,' not 'A M P H,' different spelling same sound," Mercedes said to Brittany.

"I thought that too, Mercedes. But it could also be an acronym." Brittany scribbled on her paper, "Let me think about that."

"What are the chances of getting a hold of the tenant's list at the apartment complex? Is that like confidential information?" Mercedes directing her question at Dani. "Are you friends at all with the staff?"

Dani inhaled as she thought over Mercedes's question, with an exhale, "Hank came over to fix a leaky faucet. My rent's setup through autopay. Really no reason for me to talk to Beatrice now that my neighbor has a garage for his car."

"OK, but how did he find out where you lived?" Brittany thought out loud as she tapped her fingers on the table. "Unless he happened to see Santana that day."

"You know, writing this all down is fine, but I think the bigger issue is that we need to take this to the police. Aren't we obligated to inform them of crimes?" Mercedes asked. "I mean, if he is following Santana, he probably knows where she lives. And she hasn't left that house much since the funeral."

"That might be an advantage, with her home security system." Brittany replied, "And yes, we should be talking to the police. I'd just like more information before we do."

"There could be repercussions too." Dani suggested, with a sigh, "Uh…according to Mack and Sheila, Salazar and Motta have some working arrangement to bring drugs into town. Within that structure are some of northwest Ohio's finest officers that turn the other cheek, so to speak." Dani shrugged, "Brett could be part of that distribution network, along with his uncle, who runs the strip club."

"So, our paperwork could get lost, Dani. Is that what you're saying?" Mercedes asked

"Mack likes to talk, Sheila keeps it close to the vest, but I could tell Sheila knew something when Mack brought it up. And I don't think Ronnie's a 911 operator cos it pays well."

"What about Jesse? Is he somebody we could trust, Dani?" Brittany asked.

Mercedes snorted, "Jesse thinks the world of himself."

"I'd have to ask Ronnie, but he was the one who pulled San over in the Porsche after she moved here." Getting up walking to the frig, she added water from the dispenser to her glass. "Supposedly for speeding. She said he was flat out rude to her. Treated her like she had stolen the car." Dani smiled as she sat back down "That was until he talked to Dave. Then he changed his tune." She replied as she added Jack to her glass.

With a smirk, Mercedes shook her head, "Yeah, I hear a lot about that from the young people at my church. Except a call won't change anything for them." Slapping her hand, the table, "Where do we go from her girls? I need to get home. My plane for Dallas leaves early tomorrow out of Columbus. And I'm still not packed."

"Mercedes call Rachel, see if she could help us narrow down the quarterback, at least through the yearbooks. Dani, you have a talk with Ronnie, query her about Jesse." Shooting down the last of the whiskey from her glass, followed by a grimace, "Wow! That burned. Anyway, I'm going to try to find out about the tenants at the complex." Brittany tapped her pencil on the pad "I wonder if Ryder can access the HR database? That might contain a list of recent job candidates. Or find out who quit within the last year." She said as she thought out loud.

There's No Place I'd Rather Be

Santana watched as the snow-covered fields crept closer out the window. The plane was in its descent. Strange, she really had never cared to watch the process, not since her first trip to Ohio. Then it was a land of green, now it was white with specks of brown. When she left on Saturday, it had been a trip she looked forward too. Christmas in New York. Back home with her parents. Her childhood home was one holiday that her mother went overboard with decorations, food, music, and family. Listening as her father teased her mother that she forgot the reason behind the season. Her mother would dutifully ignore him, knowing he would thank her later. Then the hustle and bustle of shopping. Even the rudeness of shoppers she welcomed. The city lit up excited her. As cliché as it sounded, it all seemed magical. Memorable. A wonderment of fantasy, tradition, reverence, and family brought her a feeling of new hope.

As hard as she tried this year, Christmas seemed more like a burden. The city felt strange. Shopping a hassle. A guest in her childhood home. The fantasy a lie. It felt like rote motions. An emptiness. A piece was missing. Zee had become her proxy to feel anything during their short stay. Her father said it was to be expected a death so close to Christmas. Her mother reassuring her to give it time. Abuela, expressing sympathy, the holidays were always complicated when you lose someone you love.

Now, as the earth got closer, Santana heard the hum of landing gear dropped beneath her, the sound of the pilot voice, the squeal of Zee next to her looking out that same window. She felt home. Where she belonged. Soon she'd be dropping Beth off at Quinn and Rachel's home. They would welcome her with hugs. Elle would be in her arms, giving her kisses, as she listened to her baby giggles. Then she'd go home, where she'd try to convince Zee to wiggle out of the small green hospital scrubs that her father had given him and into the bath. Dress them both in the new outfits she'd purchased in New York. Ready herself. Load everyone into the SUV for their traditional Christmas eve with Meme and Papa.

If only Brittany wasn't home with her family and here with her too.

We're All Sons and Daughters

Zee crawled up into the king-size bed, hopping like a rabbit sinking down in the soft mattress, over to his mother. Finding her hidden behind a pillow, it took his little hands two tries before he could move the obstruction, he screamed "Mami!" as he scooted his knees to her side. "Mami!" slapping her ear, "Santa! Get up!" His mother's hand fending away his, "Mami!" he straddled her, hearing an "umph" escape from her lips, "I got toys!" In the room, Elle on wobbly legs, giggled, watching the show from the end of her crib, only to fall with a thump to the mattress. "Wake up! Santa!"

"Enough, mijo!" Her stern mother voice failing as she giggled.

"Mami Santa! Get up!"

"Mijo, Papa gave you toys last night, remember?"

"Santa came. He left toys." Springing from his knee down onto her waist "for meeee!" he squealed.

Santana took him by the waist, to settle him down, thinking one more pounce would cause bruises. "You didn't go downstairs? Leave the gate open?" he shook his head. Santana chuckled, seeing the excitement in his face as strands of hair cascaded from his bun. "Good for you, but don't you think we should get dressed first? Have breakfast before we see what Santa brought?"

"Noooo! Now! Please, Mami!"

"OK, but you need to wait while I get Elle up."

"Nooooo!" he screamed. "No toys for Elle. My toys!"

"Zavier. Be nice." Santana said as Elle called out 'Mama.' "See she, heard you." A gentle pat to his leg, "Come on, you need to move, so I can get up." Zee obeyed, dragging his knee across her abdomen, eliciting one more 'umph" from her lips.

When she checked her phone, she found a message, "Merry Christmas! Send me a pic of the kids. And you. - B"

Zee had made out like the proverbial bandit for Christmas. His face disappointed when he'd open a present only to find clothes. Zee grew impatient at Elle, who wouldn't rip open her gifts would tap or crawl over them. Without asking, he helped unwrap her presents, holding back the urge to rip the paper as he did his own. Santana had put out the 'Bat Cave' that he'd received from Papa and Meme the previous night. Adding the 'Star War' figurines her parents had sent home with her from Santa plus the car eating dinosaur and the book Karen had sent 'I'm NOT just a Scribble.' As she thumbed through the book, it felt like Karen was asking her daughter-in-law for kindness and inclusion for her differences. All Zee seemed interested in where the stickers that came with the book.

Santa had brought Elle her first baby doll. It was a soft plush doll with brown pigtails, the body made from beige fabric. Her parents gave their grand-daughter a Balance Bike that Santana had managed to assemble without much swearing. From Meme and Papa, an activity center, that she sat in now, bouncing with her doll. Karen had sent her a navy colored hoodie that read on the back 'Be Who You Really Are.' Santana wasn't sure if that had double meaning or not. Whatever Elle looked adorable after Santana matched it with a pair of leggings. Elle's hair was now long enough for a clip to hold it back off her forehead.

After cleaning up the wrapping, she FaceTimed with her parents and Abuela. Her parents got a chuckle out of Zee, still wanting to wear his scrub outfit. Then Abuela accidental hitting the red X, Santana called back using audio-only. Santana asking her if she'd tried out her new iPad, Abuela responding, 'I'm too old for such things.' Her uncle, called on FaceTime, handing his iPad to each of her cousins. The palm trees in the background made her miss warm weather. Paul and April stopped on there a way to have dinner with one of April's siblings in Wapakoneta. Paul took a photo of her and the kids in front of the tree. Dottie sent a text wishing her 'Merry Christmas.' As did Quinn, who invited her again to spend Christmas day with her family.

For lunch, Santana had given the children the leftover turkey she'd brought home from Christmas Eve dinner. Zee had a side of sour cream and onion chips with his sandwich. Elle had to settle for peas and mashed yams with her bits of turkey. She felt a pang of guilt that she hadn't cooked for them. While Elle napped, she played 'Hoot Owl Hoot' with Zee.

After Elle's nap, Karen called to talk to Zee, asking him how he liked his book. Zee raved about the stickers. Santana sent Karen a picture of Elle in her hoodie.

She put in DVDs of 'The Polar Express' and Disney's 'A Christmas Carol' to round out their day.

No One Falls Between

Settled on the couch, a fire in the fireplace, with a glass of wine and the book that she'd received from Paul, Michelle Obama's 'Becoming.' Which had raised an eyebrow when she opened it. Paul shrugged, "I know you're a fan." Zee played on the floor, as he managed to include all his new toys in a save the world fantasy. Occasionally, shouting, "Look, Mami." Santana nodding her acknowledgment or voicing a "good job, mijo." Or the opposite when Elle tried to play with him. Yelling at her "Nooooo." Santana bringing out her stern mom voice, "Mijo, let her play with you." On TV, she'd turned on 'Christmas With the Kranks.' Still not able to bring herself to watch, 'Home Alone' 'A Christmas Story' or 'Elf' like Dave, had every year. Santana startled from her book when her phone dinged, checking the screen, it was a message from Quinn.

'Where are you?'

'home.'

'Great, I'm freezing open the door.'

What the fuck she thought as she went to the door. Peeking out the window next to the front door, stood Quinn with a basket, Rachel next to her with a department store sack. Behind them, Beth, Marley, Kitty, Puck, Lauren, Sam, Ryder, Mike, Jake, Kurt, Blaine, Burt, Carol, Finn, and Kristie with their children, plus Rory. Opening the door, "A little late for Christmas caroling, isn't it?" she asked.

Quinn entered, "We've brought food."

Rachel, beside her, "And presents for the children."

'Are you going to let us in or not?" Lauren shouted from the back, "Cos if not…"

"Uh… yeah, sure come on in." Santana replied, confused as to why her friends had come to her home. "Shouldn't you all be home? It's Christmas night."

Mike came through next, "We heard you were looking for a new Christmas tradition."

"This is what happens when you don't show for the KEI holiday party, it comes back to bite you." Kitty jeered.

"Yeah, we brought presents. Like LOTS of presents. Do you know, Santana, when you go to the Dollar Store, nothing is just a dollar? That's like false advertising or something."

"Dude, quit talking and get your butt into the house. I'm freezing my ass off here!" Lauren yelled at Sam.

"Merry Christmas, Santana! We actually had a price limit on the toys." Marley informed Santana as she stepped in, "Five dollars."

"Just so you know, Puck, Rachel, and I are Jewish, but we still wanted to be here, and we all kicked in on the presents," Jake told her as he stepped in behind Marley.

"Sam, me, Jake, and Mike upgraded, we all chipped in for one present." Ryder added, "Boy and girl."

"Uh, just so you know, I tried talking Kurt out of Elle's present. It's not age-appropriate. You might want to shelve it for a few years." Blaine whispered to her.

"We were all over at Burt and Moms. We didn't see any reason why they couldn't tag along," Finn said with Leia in his arm as he pointed back to his parents. "Yo, Christopher, no running in the house!" he shouted as the mini Finn raced passed his parents to the tree. Looking down at Kristie, "Didn't you have hold of his hand?"

Carole, overhearing her son, laughed it off with a wave of her hand "Finn, you did the same darn thing at his age."

"Come on, Finn, it's Christmas night, let the boy enjoy it." Burt replied.

"Oh, Tina and Mercedes couldn't be here, but they said they'd call later." Kurt leaned over to embrace Santana. "Merry Christmas," he whispered.

Puck entered with a small squared-off right triangle box. "Your kid will love this! I promise he'll forget about being a drummer."

"They'll have to wait, but I think they'll like it," Rory said as he handed Santana an envelope "Certificates for their first drink when they turn 18."

Finally, Dani stood at the door. Holding two presents, one wrapped in red with unicorns, the other a blue pattern of Santa riding a unicorn, a rainbow above, "Brittany asked that I bring these. She couldn't make it tonight." She said. "You know she went back home."

Santana closed the door, in the living room, the Hudson family were in the living room, taking off their winter coats, tossing them at Sam to find a place for them. Chatting with Zee on his gifts from Santa. As she walked down the hallway, she ran into Rachel in the dining room, counting the chairs. In the kitchen, Quinn was instructing Marley, Kitty, Lauren, and Kurt on laying out the leftovers they'd brought from their own family or friends gatherings earlier. Mike had turned on the TV in the family room, to the 76ers – Celtics game. Puck bumped into her as he made his way to the wine room. From behind her, she heard the melody to 'Frosty the Snowman' coming from the baby grand. Rachel came back, waking her from her daze, "We're short chairs, Santana. Can we move the chairs from the breakfast nook into the dining room? And we'll also need to move Zee's little table into the dining room. It will be a tight fit, but if we put Elle's chair on the opposite side, I think we'll be ok."

"Uh, yeah, sure, that's fine." She replied as Rachel started to leave. "Wait.. uh, Rachel, who told you about the new tradition?"

Rachel tossed her hair off her shoulders. "Well, I'm not at liberty to say, but you know word gets around between friends and co-workers. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get the guys to help with the furniture we'll need in the dining room."

"Santana, there you are," Kurt addressed her from the kitchen island where he stood. "I hope you don't mind, but we thought we'd make dinner into a buffet, and paper plates would be easier. I know not Christmas chic, but more efficient for you in the long run. And us." He said, followed by a nervous laugh.

"No, I'm good with that, Kurt." She replied as she stepped toward Quinn, "So Q, mind telling me who told you about the new tradition?"

Quinn shrugged, "What makes you think it was me?"

"Oh, I don't know… our long history as friends. My Mexican third-eye. A blonde birdie?"

Quinn snickered at the last suggestion, "No, it wasn't Brittany."

"Then, who?"

"Does it really matter?" she said as she turned, "It was a spur of the moment thing."

"Bullshit! You seriously want me to buy that?" Santana spat.

Creating a ball from the aluminum foil, she'd removed from a pan "Santana, my first Christmas after Beth was born, I went through the motions. The same thing on her first birthday, stoic Quinn just suffered through it." With a sigh. "We didn't want you to feel like you were alone this Christmas." Quinn looked around the work in the kitchen had stopped as her friends looked at her and Santana. The NBA game the only noise now that the friendly chatter had ceased in the family room. "Look, if this is too much for you we can leave." tossing the wadded foil into the sink,

"They say Christmas is the happiest time of the year, it's also the loneliest," Kurt added.

"Santana, you're part of our family. So was Dave. But if you want us to leave, we can." Blaine said as he stood in the hallway entrance.

Santana felt her wall crumble. She had felt left out today. Had Dave been her, so would have Paul and April. They'd done the whole Christmas gift thing together. Watch movies and basketball games. This Christmas had turned out like last Christmas isolated and alone. "Uh… No, you can stay. Uh… I saw Christmas Ale in the man cave. Uh… It was Dave's Christmas tradition. I won't drink it."

"Don't have to ask me twice." Puck shouted, heading down to the basement.

Quinn stepped closer to Santana, "You OK?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Wiping at the corner of her eye. "Better than fine." She smiled, embracing Quinn, "Merry Christmas." She mumbled into Quinn's shoulder.

Kitty cleared her throat, "Alright, guys. Our leftover Christmas potluck. You'll have a choice of ham, pork roast, sorry to the Jews among us, prime rib roast, and vegan lasagna. Assorted casseroles, cornbread dressing, both mashed potatoes, and yams. Deviled eggs, rolls, a cheese ball, plus pickles rolled in sour cream and wrapped in pastrami. Why anyone would do that, I haven't a clue. An abundance of cookies, homemade candies, and my favorite pecan pie." Kitty said as she looked around, "Well, what are you waiting for?"

"No gravy?" Sam asked, "Ryder, didn't you grab the tub off the counter?"

"No, I thought Rory had it?" Ryder replied. "I picked up the potatoes."

"Darn, I knew I forgot somethin'. It's in the car. I'll be right back."

The Perfect Gift That You Can Bring Is Your Heart

The gifts were for Zee and Elle. Simple toys. Gifts for Zee's bathtime came from Rachel and Quinn, Kitty and Marley, and Finn and Kristie. The four guys bought him a set of four monster trucks, Puck and Lauren, a beginner's Ukulele, and the Hudson-Hummel-Anderson's went in on a pretend cooking set. Kurt stunned that Zee showed no interest, preferring the trucks and uke. Elle received puzzles from Rachel and Quinn and Kitty and Marley. The guys gave her a light-up flower garden, Sam showing her how to push with her hand to light up the flowers. She seemed more interested in the baby bongos that Puck and Lauren gave her. Finn and Kristie gave her a small plush elephant that she could easily hold in her hand. Blaine was right about the Hudson-Hummel-Anderson's gift, the accessories that went with the purse were too small, they had to be taken away. When it came to opening the presents that Dani brought, Dani said Brittany wanted to watch. They'd be left for later, much to Zee's disappointment. Mercedes also let on that she and Tina had bought Play-Doh for Zee and a teething toy for Elle. Those would have to wait, but since Zee had toys to play with, he soon forgot. Other than a minor skirmish between Zee and Christopher over the placement of a Bat Cave accessory, the two boys played nice with each other.

Finn laid on the floor, nibbling on a peanut cluster, "Hey Puck, remember that time in fourth grade, and you gave Dave that chocolate?"

Puck grinned, chuckling, "Hell, yes! He hated me for a month!"

"Why what was wrong with the chocolate?" Kristie said.

Finn laughed as he stammered out, between laughs, "it was Ex-Lax."

"Or his school picture in first grade, that hat his mom made him wear," Kurt said

"Oh yeah, what was it? It wasn't a cowboy hat." Finn chuckling at the memory asked.

"It was a fireman's helmet." Puck replied, "What was it? He'd cut his hair, got scared. Didn't tell his mom until it was too late or something? It looked like a reverse mohawk."

"I remember right after he got his Focus. It had snowed all day. He drove me home after the basketball game. He spun out on the highway, and we ended up in the ditch across from the school." Quinn laughed, "We did a 360 on that highway. Scared me to death." Quinn said.

Burt smiled. "Yeah, if I hadn't come along in my truck, towed it out, you two would've had a long night. Neither of you had cell phones."

"No, we didn't. Dave left his phone at home. And the battery in mine was dead." Quinn shook her head as she remembered the incident, "He was afraid his dad would find out and take the keys from him." Quinn remembered, "So he never told Paul."

"Oh, Paul knew." Burt replied with a wink.

"I think Dave was the first kid in middle school to have a phone." Kurt said, "I had to wait until high school."

"That was just economics, Kurt. Wasn't that I didn't want you to have one. Just couldn't afford one at the time."

"I remember when I first started at KEI, he'd have his phone in that stupid case on his belt," Kitty said. "Looked like a huge brick on his belt."

Santana snickered, "That's because he'd broken the screen on a couple of phones. Or he'd forget it someplace. Like the boat. The beach. Restaurants. We always had to go back to get it or find it."

Kurt glanced at Santana, her lips pursed, eyebrows drawn. Aware that the stroll down memory lane could be a sensitive topic for Santana, he apologized, "I'm sorry, Santana, we didn't mean to start a conversation about Dave."

"No, you're fine." Shaking her head, "He was your friend." Clearing her throat, "His first-grade picture is upstairs in his closet. Pictures of the car are hanging in his man cave. I didn't know about Ex-Lax, though." She said with a nervous laugh.

"I'm going to miss him." Sam sniffed, "He was something different to all of us, but he always had my back at work."

Dani felt the sting in Sam's comment. The bonus money still hurt. That night still hurt, it was the last time with Santana. And the night the pictures were taken. Part of some crazy person's plan to stalk Dave and eventually end his life. The fact that she was involved angered her. Yet, tonight, she found herself in his home. Amongst his children and his closes friends. She'd spent more time with his children than she'd ever done before. She'd shared a meal with them. A celebration that in the past, she'd never been allowed to be part of. "Yeah, he always had our backs at the plant. Even if we were in the wrong, he went to bat for us." She said. At least tonight, she could turn the other cheek.

It wasn't long after that her guest started to leave. Finn and Kristie needed to put their own children to bed. Puck, Lauren, along with Hummel-Anderson clan, followed. Marley having to go to work the next morning, left with Kitty and Dani next. Soon after, the guys, along with what remained of the leftovers cookies and candies, said their good-byes, with wishes of Merry Christmas. Quinn and Rachel offered to help with putting Zee and Elle to bed. Santana waving them off, she'd be fine.

Both children were overtired and overexcited from their long day. Elle only fussed when put down, crying herself to sleep. Zee didn't want to leave his toys. Fought with her as only a tired 4-year-old could. Jumping up and down, complaining that he didn't want to go to bed. Santana started to put his toys in the study, talking to him in an even tone, turning off the lights. Things she'd done before. In the end, she held him in her arms as they took the elevator upstairs while he continued to cry. He fought to change into pajamas and brush his teeth, drawing out a typically easy ritual. By the time she made it halfway through reading a story to him, Zee had cried himself out, falling into a heavy sleep.

Santana mumbled to herself, "baby drama," thinking as she did, 'Dave would have helped.' Downstairs, Santana refilled her wine glass, stoked the fire, taking a seat on the couch, threw the throw over her, and opened her book. Relaxing as she thumbed through the book, the doorbell rang 'fuck, now what?'

A smile crossed her face when she saw who was at the door she heard "Merry Christmas." As she opened it.

"I thought you were staying with your parents."

Brittany stood there, biting on her bottom lip as she smiled, "They're on a plane to Santa Fe." Followed by a shrug, "Ash and me, it was our Christmas present to them. Ash went to her future in-laws. Terrell proposed." With a shrug, "She's moving to Hungary since that's where he plays basketball."

"Sounds exciting. Never been there." Santana said as she took Brittany by the hand, leading her into the foyer. "Merry Christmas," embracing the blonde woman.

Brittany glanced up at the ceiling, "No, mistletoe? Guess that means I can't kiss you."

"Isn't Christmas a magical time?" Santana purred

Brittany not bothering to respond. With tender hands, she stroked Santana's face, she brought their mouths within the same breathing space, grazed her lips across Santana's. Meeting as they meshed together. Their tongues met dancing laps with each other. Seconds seemed like minutes as they savored the intimacy, tasted each other, inhaled the other's fragrance, the feel of hair tickling their faces. Perceived their whimpered sighs of pleasure. The mansion, the foyer, became just two women joined together, sharing the magic that defied time and space.

Notes:

"I'm NOT just a Scribble" Author: Diane Alber (Author, Illustrator)

"Becoming" Author: Michelle Obama

"At This Table" written by Idina Mendez and Jonas Myran

Great Lakes Brewing Co - Christmas Ale – actually is a real brew.

There are like 5000 former NCAA basketball players (i.e., ex-pats) on international teams.

In case you didn't catch on from the last chapter DFW is the airport identifier for Dallas Fort Worth Airport.