Chapter Eighteen

"I don't think there is any more room under this thing." Natalie grumbled to Jessica as they tried to fit their gifts under Llanfair's Christmas tree.

Jessica laughed. "It's mom's fault you know, she invites everyone to come celebrate Christmas here." Jessica passed Natalie another wrapped present. "Rex and Roxy are coming right?"

Natalie nodded as she took the gift from her sister's hand. "Next year I am suggesting we do a Secret Santa, this is just ridiculous."

"Well that was the last one." Jessica said getting up from the floor and brushing herself off. "I still can't believe it's already Christmas Eve. So much has happened this past year."

"Yeah," Natalie replied as she started to get up from the floor, but stopped when something caught her eye. Laughing, Natalie reached under the tree and grabbed one of the largest fruitcakes she'd ever seen.

"What are you laughing at?"

Natalie shook her head still smiling. "Nothing."

"Lieutenant?" The police department receptionist called out as she knocked on the office door.

"Yeah?"

"This was just dropped off for you sir," she said as she handed him a large bag.

"Thanks Shelia," John said as he took the bag from her. Once the receptionist had left the office, John carefully examined the bag, worrying that it could be from the stalker, until he noticed the familiar writing on the envelope.

Smiling slightly, John opened the card and began to read,

John

Try not to let this case ruin your Christmas,

Natalie

After putting down the card, John reached into the bag and laughed as he pulled out a large fruitcake his mind flashing back to his first Christmas in Llanview.

John: Ho, ho, ho.

Natalie: What are you, Santa Claus?

John: Yeah, I'm Santa Claus, and I bought you a present.

Natalie: Fruitcake. Gee, just what I always wanted.

John: Yeah? You always wanted fruitcake? Good because I brought you a whole bunch.

Natalie: Where in the world did you get all of those?

John: Down at the station. Every cop gets at least three he doesn't really want. I don't know. All this time, I thought there was just this one fruitcake in the world that everybody was passing around.

Still smiling John grabbed his coat and stood up. Pulling out his cell phone he began to dial.

"Hey Mikey, what are you doing for Christmas Eve?"

O' Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth

Natalie smiled as she watched the entire Buchanan family gathered together celebrating the holidays. This is what Christmas was all about. Despite all the hard times this year had brought her for a little while Natalie felt at peace. In that instant she wasn't thinking about John and Cristian, or worrying about the stalker, she was just thankful for what she did have – a loving family.

Long lay the world
In sin and error pining

Hearing the low ring of her cell phone, Jessica went over and picked up her purse, worrying it could be the Banner with some emergency. Motioning to Nash she would be back in a second Jessica made her way out to the foyer and dug through the mess. Pulling out her small, silver phone, Jessica flipped it opened and caught it just in time.

"Hello?"

'Til He appeared and the soul felt His worth

Mitch Lawrence smiled to himself as he heard his daughter's voice. Leaning over he held the phone up to the tape recorder and began to play the tune he had recorded just for her. Once it finished playing, Mitch leaned back in his chair and brought the phone back to his ear.

"Michelle, is it safe?"

The thrill of hope,
The weary world rejoices
For yonder brings a new and glorious morn

Suddenly Jessica snapped to attention and began to walk toward the quiet of the Kitchen. Quickly, her eyes never wavering she answered, "Yes father?"

Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel's voices
O' night divine
O' night when Christ was born
O' night divine
O' night,
O' night divine

Mitch smiled to himself. "Phase two needs to be put into effect. Make sure you get those things I asked of you tonight when Jessica is asleep. Is this understood Michelle?"

O' Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Oh...

Jessica mechanically nodded. "I understand. I am to get those things from Natalie when Jessica is asleep."

Long lay the world
In sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt His worth

Leaning back over, Mitch began to play the same recoding until it finished. As he brought the phone back to his ears, he heard the click on the other end.

The thrill of hope,
The weary world rejoices
For yonder brings a new and glorious morn

Hearing the click, Jessica snapped out of it and closed her phone. Smiling to herself at how quickly the staff the Banner freaked out about small matters, Jessica let herself back into the living room and rejoined her family. Noticing her sister was all alone Jessica crossed the room and joined her.

Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel's voices

Mitch smiled to himself as he took a sip of Brandy. Everything was working out perfectly. The brain washing he had done on Jessica during his last time in Llanview was working perfectly, and no one was the wiser. Looking across the room at the framed photo of Natalie, Mitch grinned to himself, knowing that she would soon be his.

O' night divine
O' night when Christ was born
O' night divine
O' night,
O' night di...divine