Elizabeth and Conner McDermott where sitting in a darken gym. A group of small children were putting on the Christmas story. They smiled and held hands as a little girl of age five stood in her angel costume and sang a Christmas carol. She had long blonde hair like her mother's and shining green eyes like her father. Elizabeth and Conner were so proud because they never even thought they would live to see this day. Conner had married Elizabeth their sophomore year, and immediately after Liz had had a baby girl. It was hard to raise her but they had managed and now had good jobs, a beautiful home, and a sweet daughter. The play ended and Liz and Conner went backstage.
Mommy, daddy! Did you see me?" Samantha yelled as she ran up and hugged her parents.
"Yes, sweetie we did," her mother said kissing her cheek. "You were wonderful."
Conner lifted her up on his back and they walked out to their car together. They rode home talking about how great this Christmas was going to be. Samantha was excited because it was cold and it would be her first California Christmas where it was cold.

* * * * *

That Christmas morning, Elizabeth felt her bed shake she held onto Conner and they both sat up. Samantha was jumping on the bed shouting, "It's Christmas!"
Liz and Conner got up and they all walked into the family room. The tree was piled with presents. Samantha happily opened her many presents. Soon there were only four left. Samantha grabbed them and handed two to her mom and two to her dad. They both opened their wrinkled ones and it had a picture of Samantha framed with Popsicle sticks. Then the other two were from them. Conner opened tickets to a rock concert and Liz opened a beautiful gold bracelet. They both smiled and hugged each other. They spent the rest of the day playing with Samantha and her toys. One of her presents was a new sled.
"Daddy, can I go sledding in our yard?"
"No, Sammie. Our backyard does have a nice hill but the creek is at the bottom. I'll take you to the park tomorrow."
Samantha seemed happy with that answer and a little while later she went to bed. Elizabeth and Conner snuggled together on the couch in front of the fireplace. She leaned over and kissed him softly on his lips. "This was the best Christmas."
Conner began to run his fingers though her hair. "I know. Samantha was happy and so were you."
"You don't regret not having another child?"
"No. You know the doctor said it wasn't safe for you to have another one and we've been careful not to do anything when you might become pregnant."
"Are you sure? Because I know you wanted a boy."
"A boy? Whoever wanted a boy? You were the one who wanted one, honey. Plus who needs a boy when I got two beautiful girls?"
"I don't know? Why don't you tell me?" Liz said seductively. She was so glad her and Conner had decided to spend the rest of their lives together. Even though they were now 25 she thought Conner was still the sexiest man she knew.
Conner grinned and and scooped her up in his arms and carried her to their bedroom. "Conner, I'm so happy. I want nothing to change." Liz whispered to him.

* * * * *

The next morning Elizabeth woke up feeling like her life was perfect. She leaned over and started kissing Conner until he woke up. He looked up and smiled at her. After they had showered and dressed they walked to the kitchen. They both knew Samantha was up because they had heard her moving around. They looked all over the first floor but didn't see her. They figured then that she had gone to her room. Conner glanced outside and saw that they had had a heavy frost. He then saw a little figure pulling something. He looked closer and saw that it was Samantha pulling her sled she sat on it and went down the hill. "Oh God." Conner said and he grabbed Liz. They ran outside. They ran down the quarter mile hill until they came to the creek. The sled had hit a rock and Samantha had gone into the cold creek. Conner waded in and found her and pulled her out. They carried her back to the house and immediately drove to the hospital.

* * * * *

Elizabeth sat stone faced two days later in her living room. Conner sat in the chair across from her looking into the fire. It had been like this ever since Samantha had died. There was nothing they could have done. She was so little and the water was just too cold. He blames me for this! Liz thought bitterly. They had hardly spoken to each other. Conner kept disappearing every night saying he needed to get away from the house.
Suddenly Conner stood up and walked back to their room. He came back about ten minutes later with his suitcase. "I have to go Liz. I need to get away from everything that reminds me of her. And that means you too."
Liz sat numb and started to cry as Conner left. Nothing, not even their love, could save them now.