Emily hadn't had reason to wake up early on Christmas morning since she was about nine years old and she hadn't anticipated this one being any different – afterall, it wasn't as if she were essential to the whole affair.

She assumed wrong, though.

Because, at approximately ten to six, Ethan came flying into her room, scrambled onto her bed, and crawled up to hover about an inch from her face...then, hollered, "MISS EMILY! WAKE UP!"

The abrupt greeting quite effectively scared her half to death. She attempted to sit up, but in doing so, cracked her skull against Ethan's, leaving them both writhing in pain.

Alex, having heard the commotion, came running into the room. "Ethan!" she scolded. "I told you a million times that you have to sleep in until at least six-thirty."

"But..."

"I also told you to let Emily sleep in," she reminded.

He pouted a little. "But it's Christmas..."

Alex barely managed to resist rolling her eyes. "I'm aware. But I'm fairly certain Emily doesn't want to wake up before the sun even if it is Christmas."

Ethan seemed to want to argue that point, but Emily didn't give him a chance to attempt to use his child brand of logic on his mother. "How about you stay here with me until a more decent hour?" she suggested.

"Really?" Ethan asked eagerly.

"Only if you're quiet," she quickly added. "I'm pretty sure the presents will all still be there at, say...noon."

"Noon!?" he repeated shrilly.

With a dramatic and theatrical sigh, Emily bargained, "Okay, nine..."

He thought on that for a moment, then quickly nodded. He glanced over at his mother and plastered on a pleading smile. "You hafta come lie with us too!"

Silently, Alex asked Emily if that would be okay. And, judging by the soft smile she returned, it was. So, without further delay, Alex climbed into bed beside her, letting Emily curl her limbs around her. The entire thing – them, together, like a family on Christmas morning – felt achingly normal and in spite of herself, Alex couldn't help but wish that they could have this every year. She didn't say that aloud though, fearing that if she did, the moment would shatter completely.

It didn't take long for Ethan to drift off again, considering that he'd been awake long past his bedtime the night before. And, judging by the way Emily's breathing had evened out, Alex assumed she was asleep as well...which is why she felt safe in nuzzling into her neck and pressing a kiss there before she whispered, "I love you, Em."

Before Emily could consider whether it was a good idea, she whispered back, "I love you too."

Alex stiffened, alarmed, worried that in a split second, Emily would realize what she'd just said and panic. Only...that never happened. Nothing happened. Just sleepy silence.

Once the presents had all been unwrapped and everyone was punch drunk on Christmas cheer, Alex realized that, at some point during the revelry, Emily had managed to slip away unseen. She couldn't help but worry that this was it...this was how it ended: not with a goodbye, but with silence.

Upon searching, she found Emily outside, seated on the front steps, wrapped in a blanket, hands folded around her mug of coffee. Letting out a little sigh of relief, Alex settled next to her on the steps and said nothing at first, trying to decide how to start the conversation.

She was saved the trouble when Emily broke the silence first, saying, "You thought I'd left without saying anything, didn't you?"

Alex shrugged sheepishly. "I wasn't sure what to expect," she admitted. "To be fair, by your own admission, you aren't the best at goodbyes."

Emily had to concede that that was true, but she didn't say so, hating that Alex saw her so clearly.

"I suppose, though," Alex continued, "That you'll be off to the airport tomorrow?"

Then, Emily said the last thing she was expecting... "I thought you didn't want to leave the ranch."

Alex furrowed her brow in confusion. "What?"

"Well, I'm not going anywhere without you," Emily said with a shrug, like she were commenting on the weather and not a life altering decision.

"But..." Alex sputtered. "But you said..." She huffed at her sudden lack of eloquence. "You said you couldn't wait to get back to London. Kind of a lot. From the moment you arrived, more or less."

Emily winced, but supposed it was a fair hit. "Yes, well...you were exceedingly convincing," she said softly.

"Convincing?" Alex repeated dumbly.

She nodded, sighed. She knew she was going to have to lay all her cards on the table here and let the chips fall where they may. "I don't want to leave this all behind. Not the ranch, not Ethan...not you. The time I've spent here has, in a way, highlighted all of the ways I've been unhappy in London and I can't go back there and be unhappy while knowing how much more joy I could have in my life..." She trailed off, cleared her throat. "Besides, now that Rossi is sponsoring the ranch, I suppose I should be here to..."

Alex interrupted to repeat incredulously, "Rossi is sponsoring the ranch?"

Emily realized she'd forgotten to share that news then. She nodded. "He says he realized it would be a shame to develop the land when this place brings joy to the community. He's going to help with the expenses of running the place so we can stay open."

Alex didn't seem to know which part of their conversation to react to first. A laugh bubbled up past her lips and she flung herself at Emily, wrapping her in an overzealous embrace.

"Does this mean you're happy?" Emily asked nervously.

"Happy?" Alex repeated. "I'm thrilled!" She pulled back to hold Emily at arm's length. "You're really going to stay?"

She nodded. "If you'll have me..."

Laughing again, Alex leaned in to kiss her...but was interrupted by Hank flinging the door open. Over his shoulder, he hollered, "Daaaaaaad! I found 'em! And they're kissing..."