"Rafe I am not crippled, you can out me down," was the protests you could hear all through the house Christmas morning.

"Izzy-bell is mommy really coming down today?" Danny asked his eyes wide as her voice got closer and closer. At her nod he continued, "can I give her a big hug today?" he questioned his voice wobbling.

Her heart melting she kneeled down to his level before answering, "Mommy is still not better yet, so you can give her a hug, only you have to be careful." She stood up stifling a laugh as Rafe carried a very mad Evelyn into the room and placed her on the couch.

Once all the adults were comfortable they watched as Jimmy and Danny tore through their presents, each oooing and ahhing with each package. Neither one was spoiled but with the joys of Christmas each gift was seen tenfold. The each got a handmade flight jacket and some toys. Their biggest gift was a puppy for each of them. Rafe received mostly clothes but he happier playing with the paper and pretending to fly in one the cardboard boxes lying around. Santa did not forget the adults, Iz, got a deed to the land next to the farm from David, and some new pictures. She also got something to make the house more like a home. Evelyn and Rafe surprised each other with watches and Iz gave them a handmade quilt for the baby.

"I'll finish Danny's in time for his birthday," she told them as they watched the kids play.

After dinner the kids were still playing only this time upstairs and the adults were sitting around talking.

"What did you end up telling Jimmy Iz?" Evelyn asked as she sipped her tea.

"That Santa doesn't have a pilot license for carrying people in his sled."

Rafe chocked on the coffee he was drinking, "that is a good one. Where did you get that?"

"Danny, when I told him I was going to ask Santa to bring you home from training that first year."

"Didn't we end up coming back for that break anyway?"

"No it was the year after, you made it home for Easter your first year away."

"Do you need any help in the kitchen?" Evelyn asked stifling a yawn.

"You are going to bed, I am going to help," Rafe told her picking her up once again. Before she could protest he told her, "I have a feeling the kids are asleep up there with those puppies and I know you don't want to wake them." With that Rafe continued up the stairs as Evelyn began to fall asleep in his arms.

"So do you need any help?" Rafe asked coming back into the kitchen.

"No, I'm almost do--," a noise from outside startled them. Crossing to the window she saw a man getting out of a car. "Who could be visiting at this time of night on Christmas?"

"Sheriff Johnson," Rafe answered her moving to open the door. "I don't know what he could want though. Hello Sheriff," Rafe said opening the door.

"Rafe, Mrs. Stone, I'm sorry to bother you tonight but I figured you would want to hear this. Walker has been arrested in town this morning.

"What?!" Rafe exclaimed as Iz sank into a nearby chair shaking from the news.

"Yeah got off the train yesterday and managed to rack up some debts. He got really mad and started a fight. He is aiming to find you Mrs. Walker," he told them as a strangled sob rose from Iz's throat.
Rafe gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze letting her know he was there for her. "How long will he be in there for?"

"Another day or so," he informed them as he opened the door to let himself out.

"Santa sure has an ironic side," Rafe spat out sarcastically as the car left the drive.

"What do you mean?" Iz asked tears filling in her eyes.

"Well twice now I asked for Walker to stay away, twice now I didn't get it. Jimmy asks for his father and look who comes."
At Iz's sob, he knelt down in front of her pulling her into his arms. "It will be ok, I won't let him hurt any of you," he vowed as she cried into him.