Author's Note: Epilogue coming

December 24th 1998.

Casey old beat up station wagon came to a screeching halt in front of Catherine Bombay's old house. All the other houses in the neighbourhood were decorated brightly with stings of lights and wreaths on every door. Except this house. A lonely 'For Sale' sign stood alone and no lights were on throughout the entire house. If Charlie did not see the blue hue of a television screen though the front window, he would have assumed that Bombay was staying elsewhere.

Charlie shifted uncomfortably in the front seat of the station wagon. He wanted this. More then anything. But a small part of him, perhaps the small meek child he used to be, was afraid. Charlie flipped over the manila envelope in his lap and looked at his mother.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" She asked. "We can come back tomorrow."

Charlie shook his head. It was now or never. "I want to do this. I have to."

Casey sighed. "I'll be right here if you need anything."

"Thanks Mom," Charlie said. He thought for a moment. "I might be awhile."

"I got my book," Casey said picking up the latest romance novel she had picked up at the supermarket grocery isle.

"Alright," Charlie said. He climbed out the car. "I'll be okay Mom. I promise."

Charlie shut the door behind him and carefully walked up the steps to the veranda. Charlie turned around one last time to look at his mother but she was already engrossed in a book. Charlie sighed and stared at the front door in front of him. Charlie knew that by knocking on that door, it would change his life forever. He thought of all the memories that he and Bombay had together. The loneliness of when they were apart. And that note in his right pocket that Hans penned five years ago.

Charlie stepped forward and knocked on the front door. "This is it Conway," Charlie thought to himself. "No turning back now."

Charlie stood for what felt like an eternity waiting for Bombay to answer. Charlie knocked again. A little louder this time. No answer. Just as he was about to give us and head back to the car, Bombay opened the front door.

"Charlie!" Bombay said opening the door. "What brings you hear?"

"I wanted to talk," Charlie said clutching the manila envelope as his life depended on it.

Bombay stood there for a minute. "Uh…yeah. Come in," Gordon said gesturing Charlie to come in.

Charlie came in and removed his boots and coat. He looked around. No tree. No garland. No lights. Just boxes. Everywhere.

"Sorry about the mess," Gordon apologized. "Been packing."

Charlie nodded. He saw the Delta airline ticket on the side table. Departure 17:55 Minneapolis to Los Angeles.

"You don't waste any time do you," Charlie remarked bitterly.

Bombay sighed. He wasn't in the mood for any lectures from Charlie of all people. "What did you want?"

Charlie couldn't speak. He tried but he couldn't. "Here. I'll get you a drink of water. Its the only thing I have."

Bombay went into the kitchen and returned with a bottle of water. Charlie smiled in appreciation and took a sip before placing it down on the end table beside the flight ticket.

"I bought you your Christmas present. " Charlie stopped and corrected himself."Our Christmas present."

Gordon raised an eyebrow at Charlie's odd speech. He took the envelope Charlie.

"You didn't have to.."Gordon stoped as soon as he saw what the paperwork was inside. He eyes met Charlie's. A rush of emotion ran though him. He felt a war within himself. Part of him wanted to run. Anywhere. The other part wanted to throw his arms around Charlie and hold him tight.

"I don't know Charlie," Gordon said glumly. "For one, your mother and step father would have to agree."

It was Charlie's turn to raise an eye brow." Jamie? What does he have to do with this?"

"You mean he didn't…" Gordon started to put the pieces together. "And your mother?"

"No. He didn't. Besides, he's long gone. Haven't seen in a year and a half. You'd know that if you were around. " Charlie instantly regretted the last part but it was the truth. "And Mom knows. She agreed to do whatever was necessary to make this happen."

Bombay was floored. He looked at the papers again to make sure it wasn't the paperwork from 1993. All of the paperwork had dates from December 1998. "You know, it won't be easy. I don't even officially live in Minnesota anymore."

"Frank Huddy said something along those line," Charlie replied.

"Frank Huddy said that?" Bombay asked astonished. "Wait, how do you know Frank Huddy?"

"I met him while at the Family Justice Center," Charlie said. He was going to say more but decided that could wait for another time.

Gordon didn't say anything. He struggled to find the words. "I don't know what to say," he said at last. "I'm honoured. I really am."

Charlie could see by the look in Bombay's eyes. Fear. Anguish. But he also saw something else. Charlie reached over to side table and picked up the plane ticket and ripped it in half.

Bombay was annoyed. "Why the hell did you do that for?" Bombay said.

"Getting your attention," Charlie said. "Nothing I say seems to get though to you anymore."

Charlie's eyes glassed over. He had almost given up hope. Bombay had gone down this long dark road of depression and he wasn't sure he could get him out of it. It was at that point that Charlie decided to lay it all on the line. Bare his soul.

"I love you."

Bombay was stunned. He couldn't move.

"I loved you like you were my father for years. I never realized before I met you that there was something missing in my life. If you don't want to sign the papers, then fine. But it won't change how I feel."

Tears began to flow down Charlie's face when he didn't see Gordon react. He crumbled to the floor and began to break. Gordon watched with anguish on his face. He felt a stab to the heart so forceful that he knew he had to act. He had to chose, right at that moment, what he was going to do. And for the for first time, Gordon chose not to run. He couldn't run. Not now. Not ever. Charlie needed him. His son needed him.

Gordon rushed to Charlie's side and pulled him into his arms. He could feel the warm tears on his face.

"I love you too."

Epilogue needs to be written to complete this story.