"A Greater Love Part 3- Growing Up"

2 Years Later

It was just a few weeks before Christmas. Jake was in the library preparing for a big test in his Junior Chemistry class at Amber Beach high school when he saw the school counselor, Mr. Collins, come in and talk to the librarian who pointed in his direction. Mr. Collins approached him.

"Hey, Jake. Can we go out in the hall for a minute?"

Jake followed him outside. "What's going on, Mr. C?"

"Jake, I need you to grab your books. Your aunt is going to be coming to pick you up soon. Your parents were in a serious car accident."

The next few minutes were like a blur. "What? Are they okay? How did it happen?"

"Your aunt will explain everything. Let's go grab your stuff."

Jake went in and grabbed his books and stuffed them in his backpack, then followed Mr. Collins into the hospital.

"I will talk to the principal and get you excused for the rest of the day."

A few minutes later, his aunt Kathryn arrived and took him to the grade school to pick up Kasey. They rushed to the hospital so quickly that they barely had time to explain to the little guy what was going on. Soon they arrived and rushed to the ER waiting room. After what seemed like forever, a doctor arrived and ushered them into a private waiting room.

"There's no easy way of telling you this, so I'll just tell it to you straight out. We lost them both. Tanya was dead on arrival and Sam died about 20 minutes ago. Their injuries were too severe."

Kathryn's hand flew to her chest. Jake felt like he had just been punched in the gut. The doctor took Kathryn's hand.

"I will get a counselor up here as soon as possible."

Jake nodded. "Thank you, doctor."

Kasey looked up at his brother. "Are mommy and daddy... gone?"

Jake nodded. "Yep. They are."

Kasey jumped into his big brother's arms and wept openly into his big shoulder. Jake let the tears flow as well as their aunt hugged them both.

"It's going to be okay, boys. It's going to be okay."

Later that night, Jake walked into his little brother's bedroom. Kasey was still sobbing openly into his pillow.

Jake put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Talk to me Kase."

Kasey continued sobbing into his pillow... hiding his tears.

"Kasey, come on. I know you're hurting really bad right now. So am I. But the only way we're going to get through this is to work together."

Kasey finally looked up at his big brother. "But what's going to happen to us? We can't take care of ourselves."

Jake knew his little brother was right. They were still both minors. But he knew their aunt wouldn't let anything happen to them. He looked over on the nightstand and saw a photo of him holding baby Kasey. The frame said "Me and my big brother."

"It's okay, Kase. Nothing's going to split us up."

For the rest of the week, Katherine had arranged for Kasey to stay home from school. His homeroom teacher stopped by once a week to tutor him privately and also to check on him. It had been decided that, per their parents' will, Jake and Kasey would stay in the house. Since they were still minors, however, Katherine was named their guardian and stayed with them as needed.

Jake however, had decided to return to school to try and stay distracted. One day he went to the indoor football stadium to think. Christmas was just a couple weeks away, but he was dreading it.

"Mind if we join you?"

Jake looked up and saw one of his best friends Tyler, who worked at the Amber Beach Museum cafe, as well as his friend Ivan, another guy who worked at the museum. Jake and Tyler had become such good friends that Tyler had decided to tell him the truth about the fact that he was a Power Ranger and that Ivan was a knight from hundreds of years ago.

Jake smiled. "Please."

Tyler and Ivan sat on either side of their friend. Tyler put his hand on Jake's shoulder.

"How are you doing, Jake?"

"I'm doing okay. Just still shook up. I can't believe this happened to both of them."

Ivan nodded. "It is tragic. But you must be strong for Kasey. He shall look to you now."

"But how? This Christmas is going to be absolutely terrible for him."

Tyler smiled. "We're going to make sure it's a great one for both of you."

Ivan nodded. "Indeed. Even in the midst of this tragedy, you and Kasey will have the best Christmas ever. Even without your parents."

"Thanks, guys."

A couple weeks later, it was the day before Christmas eve. Kathryn and the boys arrived at the museum. Tyler escorted the group into the cafe, where 7 other rangers were waiting: Kendall, Shelby, Chase, Riley, Koda, Ivan, and Prince Phillip.

Jake looked up. "What's going on?"

Kendall smiled. "We know this Christmas is a hard one for you without your parents. But we decided to do something extra special for you."

Kathryn brought in a bag and inside were the presents their parents had bought for them for Christmas.

Jake looked at his aunt. "How?"

"I helped your mom wrap them."

The rangers stepped back and watched the two brothers open their presents. The experience was a mix of emotions, especially when Jake opened a package that contained a photo of the family when Kasey was born. He pulled his little brother in for a tight hug. After they were done with the presents from their parents, each ranger came forward with presents for the two brothers. After the two were finished opening their presents, they thanked everyone there. Tyler smiled.

"We're not done yet."

Kendall brought out some gingerbread cookies and candy canes. Suddenly, the sound of bells filled the air. Jake looked up

"What's going on?"

Suddenly a jolly laugh filled the air as none other than Santa Claus entered the cafe. Kasey's eyes filled with tears.

"Santa?"

"Hello, Kasey." Santa opened his arms open.

Kasey finally let his emotions out and rushed into Santa's arms burying his face into the jolly guy's red velvet shoulder and let the tears flow. Santa hugged him tight and rubbed the little guy's back.

"It's okay, Kasey. You'll be just fine."

Jake stood back in disbelief. He had stopped believing in Santa three years ago. He leaned over and whispered to Tyler.

"Who is this guy? He can't be Santa."

Tyler smiled "That's Santa all right. He's a good friend of ours since we've helped him out on so many occasions. We told him that we needed a little extra Christmas magic for you two this year so he was more than happy to oblige"

Jake looked at his little brother still sobbing in Santa's arms, then slowly walked up.

"Santa?"

Santa sat Kasey down and looked at the teenager. "Yeah, Jake, it's me."

Jake fought back tears himself. Santa smiled.

Finally Jake cracked and hugged the special visitor tight, sobbing into his shoulder just like his little brother had done. Santa rubbed his back as well.

"It's okay, Jake. Let it out. I'm here for you."

While Jake was in the tight embrace with Santa, Shelby was comforting Kasey.

After what seemed like forever, the two separated. Santa gestured to Kasey to come back over and the three sat at a table.

"I know you're both hurting, and the pain from this loss is a lot to bear. As much as I'd like to, I can't bring them back for you. However, I do have a couple presents for you."

He reached into his sack and pulled out a box.

"This is for both of you." he slid the box across the table. Jake slowly opened it and pulled out a statue of an angel sitting on a rock. "I had this made especially for you as soon as I got word of the accident."

Jake fought back tears as he set the statue on the table. Kasey read the inscription on the rock:

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal."

He set the statue on the table as Jake rubbed his little brother's back and looked at Santa.

Jake looked at the man sitting across from him. "Thank you, Santa. This means so much."

Santa nodded. "Now, how would you boys like to go for a ride in my sleigh?"

Kasey's eyes went wide... "Could we?" he looked at his brother who smiled.

"Sure, why not?" Santa smiled as the two brothers jumped up, then he looked at the rangers.

"Chase, would you like to join us? Surprise your family with an early arrival?"

Chase's eyes went wide. "Works for me!" He grabbed his suitcase and followed Santa and the two brothers outside. As they flew off, Tyler smiled and looked at his friends.

"I think they will definitely remember this Christmas for a long time."