With a peaceful Christmas Day a welcome change of pace for the two detectives the small family sat together in the livingroom, and watched as Hannah squealed happily and played about with her new stuffed animals, scraps of colorful wrapping paper and empty boxes all over the floor. The five-month-old was laughing loudly as she picked up her new toys one at a time and threw bits of the torn up wrapping paper into the air all around her. The large empty cardboard boxes were also a new adventure as the boxes made simple play forts, and the largest box had been too inviting for Sumo to pass up on as he laid in the box with his new rawhide bone in his mouth, his tail wagging and his eyes watching over Hannah protectively.

"I think you may have overdone it with the toys, son." Laughing a little Hank counted the numerous stuffed animals from where he sat in the recliner and sipped at his mug of warm coffee. "Looks like you got her at least twenty different animals."

"...Twenty-two." Connor confirmed as he sat on the couch and watched his daughter having a blast with the colorful and fluffy mess around her. "I was merely trying to make sure Hannah's first Christmas was enjoyable, and I don't have any previous experience with the holiday myself."

"I get it, son. For Cole's first Christmas I was more focused on getting him the biggest toy I could find and less concerned with the impracticality of the toy itself."

"Why were you focused on the size?"

"Because I wanted Cole to have the giant box to play with. Kids and animals love boxes." Pointing at Hannah as she crawled into the large box alongside Sumo the proud grandfather just smirked. "See?"

"I see. Is that why you insisted on me placing Hannah's gifts altogether in the single large box after wrapping them up individually?"

"Yup! She loves it!"

Noting that Hannah was smiling and laughing as she playfully climbed all over Sumo and her pile of stuffed animals Connor began to smile himself. "You're right. She is truly enjoying herself." Looking back at Hank sitting a few feet away Connor nodded at the small pile of gifts on the end table beside the recliner. "Did you like your gifts?"

"Hell, yeah." Picking up the debut vinyl album of 'Knights of the Black Death' from the small pile Hank grinned at the flawless cover. "I have no idea how you found this, and I don't want to know, but thanks, son." The other gifts; a new phone, a plain navy blue dress shirt, the framed photograph of Hannah meeting Santa at the mall and the complete Sherlock Holmes novels were beyond generous, and very thoughtful. "I think you figured out Christmas pretty damn fast."

"I hope so. I want to be able to give Hannah as normal a childhood-"

"Connor?"

"Yes?"

"Stop worrying about 'normalcy', okay? There is no textbook or routine childhood for kids to have. Each child is going to grow up with different experiences, memories and dreams. Don't think you need to play a particular role in order to be a good dad. Just keep doing what you're doing and Hannah will be a happy, healthy little girl."

"I hope so."

Nodding at the small gifts beside Connor on the couch Hank asked his son about his own Christmas experience. "I wasn't quite sure what to get ya', but I hope you do like your gifts."

"I do." The young father confirmed as he eyed his gifts and his eyes lit up as he answered honestly. He had been given a large selection of C.D.'s to listen to so he could experience new forms of music, a brand new light blue hoodie, a small box of rare coins from other countries and a large blank photo album for him to fill up with photographs of himself and Hannah as she grows up. "I appreciate how much thought you put into everything."

"Good. Because I have one more gift to give ya'."

"...Another?"

"Yup." Standing up from the recliner Hank walked over to the nearby bookshelf and pulled out a small yellow envelope and passed it over to Connor to view for himself. "I saved the best for last. I had to use a contact to get that, too."

"Thank you." Accepting the envelope Connor opened it up and peered at the contents within. There were a few court documents, a newspaper clipping and a handwritten letter inside. Picking up the court documents first Connor read over the details and his brow furrowed a little. "This is the restraining order the judge placed against Debra Wemilat."

"Yup."

"It's been extended for an additional... eighteen years."

"Yup. Hannah won't have to worry about that crazy witch coming after her anymore."

"I doubt a piece of paper will stop someone like her, but I'm glad the courts are still on my side."

"Uh-huh. Check out the newspaper clipping."

Doing as instructed Connor read over the story and his brow smoothed out. "...Debra Wemilat has been arrested."

"Jeffrey wasn't just humoring you when he said he'd get the warrant. She's been arrested and her reputation stained black." Nodding at the letter that needed to be read next Hank urged Connor to keep checking through the documents. "What's in the letter? I never read it."

Unfolding the letter Connor read over the handwritten message quickly and he slumped back against the couch cushions. "It's a letter from Diane and from Colin."

"What's going on? Is everything going okay?"

"They confirmed that they are pressing charges against Debra for her 'intervention' that caused the situation with Hannah to even begin. And Robert Wemilat is going to testify on his daughter's behalf, and is going to divorce Debra due to her behavior." Neatly folding up the letter, the newspaper clipping and the court document Connor put everything neatly back into the envelope for safekeeping. "Diane also states that she is going to have her mother sent to a psychiatric ward for an analysis and diagnosis. She won't go to prison, but she will be locked up for a minimum of ten years."

"I knew that letter had some good news."

"Is that why you gave this to me last?"

"Yup. I wanted your big gift to be a peace of mind and sense of security. You're free to be Hannah's dad, and no one can get in the way. Think of that gift as a big finale for yours and Hannah's first Christmas as father and daughter."

Looking down at Hannah as the baby crawled over to him from her box fort of Christmas magic Connor bent down and scooped her up to hold on his lap and up against his chest as the good news sunk in. "Thank you... dad."

"You're welcome, son."

Smiling as Hannah smiled back at him Connor truly felt like he was going to be just fine as Hannah's daddy, and he couldn't wait to watch her grow up and become a happy little girl, and eventually a happy young lady. "...Merry Christmas, Hannah." Kissing her cheek Connor looked over at Hank and gave him a respectful nod. "Merry Christmas, dad."

"Merry Christmas, you two." Using his new phone Hank snapped a photo of Connor and Hannah smiling together and promptly saved the image under 'never delete'. Copying the photo Hank centered on Hannah's happy little face and set her bright gummy smile as his new wallpaper. "Hopefully this will be the first of a thousand more."

-next chapter-