Jack Jr. loved the Holidays. He especially loved Christmas. This year will be extra special. It will be the first Christmas in his new house. He will have a new father, brother and two sisters at the table with him this year.

Jack Jr. decided to go out for this Christmas. He bought the biggest tree in the lot. He bought a big ham for dinner. His presents to his family were going to be extra special. For his mother, he framed the plans that his father drew up with a nice picture of Jack Sr. in the frame. For Nathan, he bought him a whole new set of carving tools and some nice wood for him to start carving. For Colleen, he bought her a nice bag to put her nursing supplies in. He bought Allie a nice journal. He bought Nate a little toy horse. For his new brother, he bought him a compass. And for Sophie, he decided to get her a horse. They wouldn't pick up the horse until spring. He asked Nathan to carve a toy horse for her so she'd have something to open on Christmas.

Finally, for Katherine, he finished her sketch and painted it. Jack Jr. was proud of how it came out. The last time they both spoke to each other was when she visited Jack Jr. in the hospital. He was still madly in love with her but wanted to give her space. He decided to follow Andrew's advice and to love her. When she is ready, she'll come to him.

On Christmas Eve, Colleen and Jacob came and stayed in the extra rooms in Jack Jr.'s home. That night, they went to church. Joseph gave a nice sermon about the true meaning of Christmas. Jack Jr. looked around the church and saw Katherine. She saw him and smiled at him. He smiled back at her.

It was about 6:00 a.m. on Christmas morning. Jack Jr. was fast asleep in his bed. Suddenly, he felt someone on top of him.

"Merry Christmas, Daddy!" Sophie exclaimed

Jack Jr. groaned. "Merry Christmas. What time is it?" Jack Jr. asked

"6:00! Sophie exclaimed.

Jack Jr. rubbed his eyes "Okay. Shh. Be quiet, there are other people trying to sleep in this house" Jack Jr. said

"Don't worry about us Jack, she's 5 years old and its Christmas morning. We knew this would happen" Colleen said as she stood in his doorway.

"I'm sorry" Jack Jr. said

"Don't worry about it. Jacob is down stairs making coffee" Colleen said

"Thank goodness" Jack Jr. said

Sophie jumped off the bed and went with Colleen downstairs. Jack Jr. got out of bed and put on a robe. He looked outside. It snowed last night and his whole property was covered in snow. It was beautiful. He looked over the property. I did it Maggie, I'm giving our Daughter the future we talked about, Jack said to himself.

Jack Jr. smiled and went downstairs. There were a lot of presents under the tree. Sophie was jumping up and down trying to find which one was from Santa. Jack Jr. decided last night that Santa would be bringing Sophie the horse but the horse wouldn't be ready until spring.

"Can I open them now?" Sophie asked.

"We have to wait for grandma and Grandpa Nathan." Jack Jr. said. The day after his mother and Nathan were married she started calling Nathan, Grandpa Nathan. Nathan was honored. No one minded that he was Grandpa Nathan now.

Right on cue, Nathan and Elizabeth entered the house.

"Merry Christmas!" They both said in unison.

One by one, everyone hugged each other.

After everyone had poured their coffee, they sat in the living room.

"This one is from me, Daddy" Sophie said

"Thank you honey" Jack Jr. opened it. It was a Santa hat. Everyone laughed

"I love it! Thank you!" Jack Jr. said planting a kiss on her head.

Sophie passed the next gift out to Jacob.

Jacob opened the present. "Wow, Jack. Thank you so much. This is an excellent compass." Jacob said

"I have one that my father gave me. It always helped me find home" Jack Jr. said with a wink at his mother. She smiled.

Colleen opened up her present "This is beautiful. Thank you!"

Allie opened up her journal and Nate opened up the toy horse. They loved it.

Sophie passed the next present to Nathan. Nathan opened the present. "New tools and wood?! Jack, this is too much! I have a few ideas that I want to start carving. Thank you so much" Nathan said with happy tears in his eyes.

Nathan helped Sophie with the next present for his mother.

His mother opened the present. She gasped "Oh Jack, this is beautiful." His mother showed everyone the plans and the picture of Jack Sr.

"That's amazing Jack." Nathan said. "We can put that up in the dining room area where the table is at." Nathan suggested to his mother. His mother nodded. Jack Jr. looked at Nathan. There was no hint of jealously or anger to the gift. Unlike Lucas, Nathan embraced that Jack Sr. will always be part of his mother and his life. Jack Jr. knew that Nathan will always be a good man and Jack Jr. knew he did not have to worry about his mother any longer.

After all the gifts were opened, Sophie looked sad.

Jack Jr. knew that she hadn't opened any presents from Santa.

"What is wrong Sophie?" Jack Jr. asked

"Nothing. I just thought Santa would have brought me a present. But I guess he had other children who needed gifts more than me" Sophie said. She was trying to hold back tears. Jack Jr. nodded to Nathan.

Nathan stood up and went to the cabinet where they had hidden the gift. Nathan went to the door.

"Sophie, it looks like there was some presents left outside by mistake" Nathan shouted

Sophie looked over to the direction where Nathan was.

"To Sophie, from Santa" Nathan announced

Sophie ran over to the present with excitement

"He remembered me!" Sophie exclaimed

She opened the gift. She lifted the horse out of the box. The wood horse was beautiful. Nathan had painted the horse that looked like Prince.

"A toy horse" Sophie exclaimed

"I think there is a note at the bottom of the box. What does it say?" Jack Jr. asked Sophie.

Sophie took the note out of the box. "Dear Sophie, your father told me what a good girl you were this year. In the spring, you will be getting your own very horse! Love, Santa" Sophie said

Sophie's mouth opened "My own horse!" Sophie said jumping up and down.

"Wow. Thank you Santa!"

Sophie ran over to Jack Jr. and gave him a hug "Thank you for telling Sophie what a good girl I was."

"You're welcome sweetie." Jack Jr. said

Nathan walked over to Jack Jr. He handed the gift to him from behind his back.

"Looks like Santa left you a gift too. Looks like he thought you were a good boy this year" Nathan said with a wink. He pulled the present from behind his back.

Jack Jr. opened the box. It was a wooden horse. It looked like Sargent Jr.

"I think it's time for Sargent Jr. to come home" Nathan said

Jack Jr. had tears in his eyes. He stood up and hugged Nathan.

After the hug, Nathan went over to his mother.

"Now, I know you said no gifts but I couldn't resist" Nathan said handing Elizabeth a box

"Oh, you!" Elizabeth said. Elizabeth opened the small box. There was just a note.

"This coupon can be redeemed anytime. This coupon can be redeemed for 3 months of vacation time with your husband to any place in the world" Elizabeth read.

Elizabeth held the note to her chest.

"Nathan, this is wonderful" She stood up and kissed him.

"I love you" Elizabeth whispered to Nathan.

After the presents were opened, they had breakfast. After breakfast, they all decided to go out and play in the snow. They built snowmen and at one point there was a snowball fight of boys versus girls. This was everything Jack Jr. dreamed of.

Later in the afternoon, while dinner was being prepped. There was a knock on the door.

"I'll get it" Jack Jr. yelled. He opened the door. It was Katherine.

"Kate?!" Jack Jr. said confusingly

"Hi Jack. Your mother invited me last night after the service. I hope that way okay." Katherine said

"Of course come in" Jack Jr. said

Katherine came in. Jack Jr took her coat and bag.

"I brought wine" Katherine said

"That's great! Thank you much." Jack Jr. said

He directed Katherine to the kitchen and dining room where everyone was gathered. He introduced her to everyone. While they were waiting for dinner to be ready, they played charades. As they were playing, Jack Jr. noticed that Katherine's smile was infectious. You could not smile when she was smiling. Jack Jr. loved everything about Katherine but his favorite part was her laugh. She had three laughs. One that was for being polite. The second one was when she heard something funny. The third one was his favorite. This was the one she used when she found something extremely funny. All her teeth showed and you could help but laugh with her.

When dinner was ready, everyone sat at the table. Jack Jr. sat at the head of the table.

"Please bow your head for grace." Jack Jr. said. They all held hands. Katherine was sitting next to Jack Jr. She held his hand and felt the electricity that he had felt once before.

He smiled "Dear Lord, thank you for this meal and for the people who are about to enjoy this meal. We thank you lord for your blessings. And thank you for the new friends and family we have this year. Amen" Jack Jr. concluded.

"Amen" everyone said in unison. Jack Jr. sat down and Katherine smiled at him.

The dinner and the conversation was excellent. Katherine fit right in. After dinner, everyone retired to the living room. Nathan got on his guitar and they all sang Christmas carols. After an hour, Katherine excused herself to go home. Jack Jr. walked her out.

Jack Jr. put on a coat and brought his present outside with him. When he got outside, Katherine was holding a present out.

"I got you a little something I hope you like it" Katherine said

"As did I" Jack Jr. said

They exchanged gifts. Jack Jr. opened his gift first. It was a sketchpad and new pencils to sketch with.

Jack Jr. smiled "These are perfect for sketching. Thank you so much"

Katherine opened her gift. She gasped.

"Jack. This is beautiful." Katherine said

"It is beautiful but it doesn't compare to you in real life. You are much more beautiful in real life" Jack Jr. said

Katherine blushed. She wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Thank you" Katherine said. After a moment, Jack Jr. broke the silence.

"Looks like it might snow tonight" Jack Jr. said looking up.

Katherine looked up as well.

"Uh, Jack" Katherine said pointing up the porch roof.

Jack Jr. looked up. It was mistletoe.

Jack Jr. blushed. "Sophie must have put it up there." Jack Jr. said nervously. "Kate, I don't take the tradition seriously."

Katherine face came closer to Jack's. She didn't kiss him on the lips but gave him a kiss on the cheek. But it wasn't a short kiss on the cheek or a long one either. It was just right.

"Merry Christmas, Jack" Katherine said and walked to her car.

Jack Jr. watched as she drove off. Jack Jr. smiled and he touched his cheek. Christmas was still Jack Jr.'s favorite Holiday.