Meanwhile, Tad walked out of the kitchen. Brooke had just taken her coat off as Tad approached her.

"You look a lot better," Brooke said to him.

"Me and Jake had a nice conversation, settled some things."

"How is he?"

"So far, everything seems to be OK. He's in there with Greenlee now."

"He told her then?" Brooke asked.

"I think so. I haven't had a minute alone to talk to her." Tad paused. "Brooke, I just want to say thanks."

"For what?" Brooke asked.

"The other day at Tempo. Things have been... bad... with Christmas and..."

"Dixie. I know you miss her, Tad."

"More than anything," Tad said as the doorbell rang. He made his way to the door. "I got it," he called as he pulled the door inward. "Jamie, JR." Tad moved aside, letting them enter.

"You guys didn't start yet, did you?" Jamie asked.

"Not yet," Tad said. "You know how long it takes your grandfather to get everything ready. Christmas is a big holiday in the Martin house."

JR didn't say a word, but just turned around and walked back out the front door.

"JR," Jamie said, turning to go after him. Tad gently grabbed his shoulder.

"Stay in her," tad said as he went to the door, picked up his coat and left the house after JR.

JR hadn't gone very far. He was sitting on the front porch, his arms folded across his chest, just staring out at the horizon. Tad quietly walked over to him. After a moment, Tad spoke.

"You want to talk?" he asked. JR shook his head. Tad sat down beside him. "I know you're probably tired of people telling you that they know how you feel." Tad paused. "But take it from me, JR. I know how you feel."

JR wiped his eyes with his sleeve. "I didn't think it would be this hard." JR kept a forward stare. Tad could just barely see JR's lips begin to quiver. "It's not fair." Tears began to well up in JR's eyes. "She should still be here."

"Yeah," Tad said, the pain dreadfully obvious in his voice.

"And... if she was here right now, she would know how to keep it from hurting so much."

"She always did have a way to brighten up the whole world." Tad put his arm around JR's shoulder. "And that's why I just know that when I stare out there every night, just like tonight, that she's there... among the stars." Tad went into his pocket. "I was going to wait to give you this," Tad said, looking at the contents in his hand. "This was really special to your mom. I was going to... give it back to her once I got to Switzerland." Tad paused, finding it hard to get the words out. "I think you should have it."

Tad placed his hand in JR's, passing him the object. JR opened his hand. "Mom's star. Tad, I can't take this." JR tried to give it back to him, but Tad shook his head and pushed JR's hand back.

"She would have wanted you to have it," Tad said. "Your mom put a lot of faith in the stars, JR."

"I know... you guys... used to wish on your star at Christmas. Sometimes... me and Jamie, we used to watch you two through the window." He paused. "You and Mom were meant for eachother."

"She loved you so much, JR. More than anything in the world. She wouldn't want to see you unhappy," Tad paused. "So I want you to take your mother's star. Know she's with you wherever you go."

"She's always with me," JR said.

"I know," Tad said, as he went back to staring out at the star lit sky. "I just think every now and then it helps to have a little reminder."