Chapter 3

They went downstairs and Storm set the cash registers up while Sam turned on the open sign and unlocked the front doors. He saw a truck pull into the parking lot and waited as Norm and Hank got out and headed for the doors.

"Hey guys," Sam greeted them when he opened the door to let them in. "How is it out there?"

"Not too bad, but I'd advice Storm to close early tonight," Hank told him.

"Did you hear Storm?" Sam called to her.

"Yes, and I was planning on it," Storm replied. "I really don't think there will be that many customers tonight."

"You know, I can handle the floor if you want to send them home," Sam offered.

"Norm, Hank, you want to start your holiday early?" Storm asked them.

"You sure? We don't mind staying."

"We got this," Dean added. "Merry Christmas."

"Here guys, a little something for Christmas," Storm said. She gave Hank and Norm an envelope each and a hug.

"Thanks Storm, Merry Christmas," Hank told her.

"Merry Christmas Storm and thanks. Tell your Dad hello," Norm told her.

"You all take care, and we'll see you on New Year's Eve Storm," Hank said.

"Drive safely," Sam told Hank as he shook his hand and then Norm's. He watched them trudge across the snowy lot and get back into the truck. Hank would drop Norm off at his house and then head to his daughter's a couple of towns over for the holiday.

"Well guys, it's just us tonight," Storm stated as she took her place behind the bar and wiped it down.

The guys took seats at the bar and it wasn't long before several patrons wandered in from the cold. They placed their orders and took their drinks to a table. Storm pulled out a radio and plugged it in. She found a station playing Christmas carols and turned it up, so the music filled the room.

When it began to snow again, about four hours later, Storm called it a night and sent everyone home. She wanted to be sure they could get home before the weather got worse. Sam locked the doors and turned off the open light. He hung a sign in the window of the door letting anyone know they would be closed until New Year's Eve.

"Why don't we go ahead and sweep and do a quick mop since it won't take long and that will be done?" Storm suggested.

"Sounds good to me," Sam replied and started setting the chairs on the tables. "It won't take long at all."

"I'll give the bathrooms a cleaning and then help you Sam." Storm went in the back and got the supplies she needed and cleaned the bathrooms.

"I'm going to take this garbage out before it gets worse out there." Sam got one trashcan and took it to the back.

"Here, I've got the other one," Dean told him grasping the can with his right hand and moving it into the back for Sam.

"Thanks, I'll take these out if you'll get the backdoor for me," Sam asked.

"Okay," Dean replied. He punched in the code for the alarm and unlocked the backdoor while Sam pulled the bags from the cans and tied them shut. He struggled into a jacket and zipped it up. When he was ready, Dean opened the door and let Sam out, watching him hurry to the dumpster and throw the trash in. He scoffed a laugh as Sam slid in the snow and danced across the ground, barely keeping on his feet. "Very graceful there Sammy."

"At least I didn't fall down," Sam huffed brushing the snow from his hair and shoulders as he shivered from the cold.

"Alright guys; let's close up and head upstairs," Storm announced as she came from the bar. She had two money bags under her arm to put in the safe in her bedroom closet.

"I hear you Babe, Sammy needs something warm to drink. You should have seen his footwork coming back across the lot," Dean snickered setting the alarm and opening the door for the stairs. He let Sam and Storm go first and locked the door behind him. Once they were all in the apartment, Dean locked that door also.

"I'll make some hot chocolate if you like or do you want coffee?" Storm asked.

"What the hell, let's do hot chocolate," Dean shrugged thinking they didn't need coffee to keep them awake.

"How about some soup to eat and I made a loaf of bread we could toast some slices to go with it?"

"I think that would hit the spot on a cold winter night like it is."

"It won't take me long to heat the soup, Sam you want to slice the bread and butter it?"

"Sure," Sam replied. He got the bread out of the bread drawer and the butter from the fridge.

"The bread knife is in that far drawer Sam."

"Thanks." Sam found the knife and cut slices of bread. When he had it ready, Storm slipped the pan into the oven to toast. She had a pot of soup on the stove heating.

"Here you go Babe," Dean told her sitting three bowls beside the stove so she could fill them with soup when it was ready.

"Thanks hon," Storm answered as she stirred the soup and checked the bread. "It's almost ready guys."

"Smells good, my mouth is already watering," Dean replied.

Storm pulled the bread from the oven and put it on a plate before sitting it in the middle of the table. She filled the bowls with soup and let Sam help her take them to the table.

"Alright guys, dig in," Storm told the brothers.

They ate their soup and toast and talked about the weather, the upcoming holiday, and what Storm was going to fix for Christmas lunch. She was going to cook part of it on tomorrow, Christmas Eve, so there wouldn't be so much to do Christmas day. They finished their meal and watched some television before retiring to the bedrooms. Sam looked out the window in his room and could tell it was still snowing hard. He got ready for bed and snuggled down under the blankets as he shut his mind down to drift to sleep.

Spn

Dean checked the doors to be sure everything was locked up before taking his turn in the bathroom. Storm was already in their bedroom and he couldn't wait to join her. He finished his bathroom routine and joined her. He slipped his sling off and stripped down to his briefs before getting under the covers.

"Hi there," he mumbled as he nuzzled Storm's neck.

"You seem to be feeling better," she cooed to him, arching her neck so he could have better access.

"How 'bout I give you an early Christmas gift?"

"And what might that be?"

"Oh, I think something will rise to the occasion." He pulled her on top of him and found her lips and kissed her deeply and passionately. He could feel her responding to his touch and pulled his T-shirt up her body and over her head. "Now that's better," he mumbled running his hands over her naked body.

"Yes, it is," she mumbled feeling the heat building inside of her as their skin touched, sending little shiver down her spine. She let her hands roam over his body, wanting to touch every inch of him. "This time, it's going to be a quickie, because I can't wait to feel you in me," she whispered to Dean as she slid down his legs and slipped her fingers into the waist of his briefs quickly pulling them down and tossing the aside. She didn't wait for Dean to respond as she slipped off her panties and straddled him so she could guide him into her wet folds.

Dean gasped as Storm took control and could feel his erection growing. His breathing quickened as she sat down taking him into her and began to rocl steadily drawing him deeper with each movement. He arched his hips upward to meet her pace and watched her throw back her head and cry out his name. Dean could feel her passion growing and let himself go with her. It had been too long since they had been together, and neither wanted to take it slow. They climaxed together, both panting hard as the aftershocks raced through their bodies making them shiver.

Storm collapsed onto Dean's chest and sighed contently before raising her head to kiss him.

"Guess we didn't forget how to do that after all," Dean teased brushing her hair back from her face.

"Nope, I'd say we still have that down pat," she giggled. "I've got to remember Sam's here and to hold down the noises."

"I wouldn't worry about Sammy. It's not the first time he's heard me having sex."

"Oh, really, and how often has that happened?"

"That was when I was younger Babe. Ever since I met you, there's been no one else I want to be with but you. No one else could ever take your place," Dean assured her kissing her as he rolled them to their sides and snuggled with her. He grunted softly when he moved his left arm the wrong way.

"Shoulder still bothering you?"

"A little but it's getting better."

"Don't be doing anything to strain it," she told him as she turned over and let him spoon her. She laced her fingers through his and sighed happily. "We better get some sleep, it'll be a busy day tomorrow," she mumbled.

"Alright Babe, sweet dreams," Dean replied curving his body around Storm and settling.

They drifted to sleep with dreams of sunny days on a sandy beach and skinny dipping in the ocean.

Spn

Sam was up first the following morning and decided to get his shower before Dean and Storm got up. After getting dressed, he headed into the kitchen to start coffee and looked out the sliding glass door to see everything was covered in snow. It was a winter wonderland outside, and flakes were still falling slowly from the sky. Sam turned when he heard voices and waited but no one came into the kitchen. After a minute, the shower turned on and he knew they must be taking a shower. He got a yogurt from the fridge and sat at the bar to eat it and drink his coffee.

It wasn't long before Dean and Storm came into the kitchen whispering and laughing softly. They both had damp hair from their shower.

"Good morning Sam," Storm said cheerfully and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Morning," Sam replied and looked between the two guessing they had sex last night and maybe this morning too and both were still caught up in the high.

"Have you eaten yet?" Storm asked him as she heated water for hot tea.

"I had some yogurt, I'm good."

"So, what's on the agenda for today Babe? How can we help?" Dean asked as he poured coffee for himself.

"I'm going to get some of the food ready to cook today and cook the rest in the morning. I'm doing a turkey breast and small ham tomorrow."

"We're at your disposal, just tell us what you want," Sam offered.

"Thanks guys, I'll see what I can give you to do," Storm nodded. "I know there's one thing we have to do later today, maybe this evening."

"What is that?"

"We have to watch Die Hard One and Two," she said in a serious tone. "It's not Christmas without it."

Dean and Sam looked at each other not sure how to respond at first until Storm started laughing at their confused expressions. "You don't do that on Christmas Eve?"

"They are good movies," Dean agreed. "I wouldn't mind seeing it again."

"Me either. I've only seen them once," Sam added.

"You poor child," Storm sighed patting Sam's hand. "You don't know what you've missed."

"I guess," Sam shrugged.

"Dean, do you want breakfast?"

"Naw, I'll fix some toast. You go ahead and do what you need to."

"Dean, can I talk to you?" Sam asked as he got up.

"Sure, what is it?" he asked joining Sam in the living room.

"Why don't we get the gifts out of the car so that'll be done? It's not getting any better out there and I'd rather do it while it's light enough to see."

"Okay, let me go put my boots on and grab a jacket."

"Me too. I'll go the car and bring then to you at the door. No need for both of us getting cold."

"Okay, meet you at the door."

The brothers disappeared into their bedrooms and came back out dressed against the cold outside. Dean unlocked the door, and they went down the steps and to the backdoor. He turned off the alarm and opened the door for Sam.

"You ready bro?" Dean asked him with his hand on the doorknob and holding the keys out to him.

"Yeah, I'll be quick," Sam nodded as he zipped his coat and pulled a watch cap over his head before taking the keys. He waited for Dean to open the door and made his way down the steps, being careful not to fall. He snow was halfway up his calf as he trudged to the Impala. Sam fumbled with the keys for a moment before getting them into the lock and opening the trunk. He grabbed bags in both hands and headed back toward the door to pass the bags to Dean before turning and going back for the last ones. He closed the trunk and started back across the snow covered lot. Sam cried out as he lost his footing and almost went face first into a mound of snow. After getting his balance, he got to the door and got inside, as Dean closed the door behind him. "Man, it's getting deep out there."

"Are you okay?" Dean questioned grabbing Sam's arm to steady him.

"Yeah, it's getting icy and slick out there," Sam huffed shaking his body to rid it of snow and water.

"Hold on, you're making a mess," Dean fussed. He looked in the utility room and found a towel to throw on the floor and wipe up the puddles of water around Sam.

"Sorry, couldn't help it," Sam apologized. He took his coat off and hung it on a hook by the door to dry.

"C'mon, let's get these bags upstairs and get something hot to drink."

"Right behind you."

The brothers headed back upstairs, and Sam went to the tree to add their gifts to the gifts that were already there. Dean continued to the kitchen for his coffee. Sam figured Storm had put them there sometime after they had decorated the tree. He arranged their gifts around the bottom of the tree and folded the bags up to put in the laundry room.

"Sammy, we should do laundry today and get that out of the way. I'm almost out of clean clothes," Dean suggested.

"Okay, I can do that," Sam answered. He sipped his coffee to warm himself before heading back to the bedrooms for their dirty clothes. He took them to the laundry room to sort and started a load. When he came back out, Dean was peeling apples for Storm to make a pie. "Want me to finish that?"

"Naw, I got it," Dean replied. "Get you some more coffee and get warm."

"Alright," Sam nodded going to the coffee pot and pouring coffee into his cup. He added sugar and creamer to his liking and sipped on the hot liquid. He shivered a couple of times as the warmth spread through his body.

"You okay Sam?" Storm asked him when she saw him shaking.

"Yeah, it was cold outside is all."

"You be sure and get warmed up then. You can't be getting sick right before Christmas."

"I will. I'll go get a hoodie and put on; that should do the trick." Sam went back to his bedroom and dug out a hoodie and slipped it on before returning to the kitchen. He took a seat at the bar and watched Storm and Dean fix the food. Storm was going to make the pies, apple, and pecan, get the stuffing ready to cook, the green beans cooked, and the broccoli salad made. That would leave cooking the meats, stuffing, making gravy and mashed potatoes tomorrow.

"How about some music?" Storm asked.

"I'll get it," Sam offered since he wasn't really doing anything. He went into the living room and turned on the radio. He found a station playing Christmas music and left it there.

"That's more like it," Storm hummed as she swayed to the music and began to sing alone.

Dean and Sam watched her, smiling at each other over her cheery, happy attitude. These were memories they would keep, to replace all the ones from their childhood that were not so good. The food was prepared and stored in the fridge for the next day. Storm made some subs for a late lunch and they all settled on the couch to watch the first of the two Die Hard movies. When they were over, Storm shooed the brothers toward the bedroom, telling them they needed to head on to bed so Santa could come. The brothers didn't protest and did as they were told.

Spn

The snow had finally stopped the next morning and an eerie stillness settled across the land. Nothing was moving on the roads outside. It was early when Storm woke and snuggled in Dean's arms as the coolness in the air kept her in bed for a little longer.

"Guess I need to get up," she mumbled to Dean as he ran his hand up and down her body and kissed her parted lips.

"We could wait a little longer," he teased, cupping a breast, and finding it with his mouth.

"I'd like to, but I need to get things going for lunch and we'll have all next week to make up for lost time," she giggled pushing him away and slipping from the bed. "Crap! I need to turn the heat up a couple of degrees." Storm slipped on clothes and stuffed her feet into some bedroom shoes.

"I'm holding you to that," Dean pouted as he watched her put clothes on and heading from the bedroom. He lay there and wondered how he had gotten so lucky to have found Storm in the sea of people out there. It was like they were meant to meet and fall in love. He heard the heat kick on and sighed as he got up and looked around for his clothes. It wasn't any fun being in bed without her and wanted to spend as much time as he could with her before they had to leave again.

"Hey, Merry Christmas Dean," Sam greeted him as he stepped from his bedroom as Dean walked out of theirs. He yawned widely and rubbed his eyes trying to wake up.

"Merry Christmas Sammy," Dean replied giving him a brotherly pat on the shoulder thinking he looked like a kid with his hair messed up and that sleepy look on his face. "You know you could have slept in if you wanted to?"

"I can't do that it's Christmas," Sam rationalized. "Is Storm up?"

They both looked toward the living room when Christmas music filled the air, knowing Storm had turned it on.

"Guess that answers my question," Sam laughed.

"You know I could always give you a gift right now," Dean offered.

"What?" Sam questioned cautiously not liking the look in Dean's eyes.

"Five minutes Sammy, just five minutes and a pair of scissors…"

"You are not cutting my hair!" Sam cried out jerking back from him. "Dibs on bathroom first." Sam ducked into the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

Dean walked on into the kitchen laughing to himself.

"What did you do to your brother now Dean?" Storm questioned when she saw that mischief look in his eyes.

"Nothing," Dean shrugged. "Just offered to trim his hair."

"You are so mean and it's Christmas," Storm chastised him. "But honestly does he ever get it cut?"

Dean couldn't help but laugh at her remark and sighed.

"Once and a while and he goes to a beauty shop to have it 'trimmed'," Dean replied making finger quotes with trimmed. "It's like riding around with a sheepdog the way he sheds."

"It can't be that bad," Storm giggled. "Good morning Sam, Merry Christmas!" Storm greeted him as he wandered into the kitchen. She tried to keep the laughter from her voice when she noticed Sam patting his hair down and pushing it out of his face.

"Merry Christmas," Sam replied eyeing them, thinking he missed something.

"Let me get the turkey and ham in the oven and I have something for you guys that's really not a gift, so you can have it now."

"Can I help Babe?" Dean asked.

"No, it won't take me but a few minutes to get them cooking. Do you guys want a light breakfast, so you'll be able to eat a big lunch?"

"I'll just have an apple and coffee," Sam told her reaching into the fruit bowl for one.

"Coffee's fine and maybe I'll have a yogurt," Dean agreed. "Any word from your Dad?"

"He said he'd text me when he started our way. Dad usually likes to get here about an hour or so before we eat."

"Wow, look at the snow out there," Sam commented as he looked out the sliding glass door. "At least it's stopped for now."

"We should have a snowball fight," Dean suggested.

"Nothing doing Handsome. Your shoulder is still healing, and I don't want any injuries today. I know how you two are when you're competing against each other," Storm stated giving them both the do it and die stare.

"Guess she saved your ass," Dean mumbled slapping Sam on the back.

"More like yours dude. You know I can throw better than you."

"Don't think so, besides, you're a much bigger target so how could I miss."

"Boys, behave," Storm chastised them waving a wooden spoon at them. "Why don't you guys go on in the living room and I'll be in shortly?"

"Jerk," Sam whispered to his brother in passing.

"Bitch," Dean shot back as he followed.

"Give me strength," Storm sighed rolling her eyes at the two brothers.

Spn

Storm walked into the living room carrying to large bags and cleared her throat to get the brother's attention since they were trading punching and shoving each other. They froze and looked innocently at her.

"He started it," Dean announced giving Sam one final jab.

Sam huffed and glared at his brother for a moment and then looked back to Storm.

"Alright, I know with what you guys do, you don't take time to do things for yourselves, and well, I wanted to lend a hand. I have been checking out the thrift stores around the area and watching for sales and…Here," she said handing each brother a bag.

Dean and Sam accepted the bags and started pulling clothes out of them. There were T-shirts, button down shirts, jeans, and other things.

"Man, Storm this is great!" Sam told her as he pulled two hoodies from the bag and held them up to his chest. He got up and pulled Storm off the floor and wrapped her in a bear hug, lifting her as he spun her around.

"Hey! No manhandling my girl," Dean growled as Sam sat her back on her feet.

"I got your sizes when you were here before and knew you guys could use some clothes even if they aren't new."

"Babe, these are awesome!" Dean told her. "I love this," he said pulling a blue jean jacket from the bag. "Who needs new clothes when these are broken in and just as good."

"Dean's right. People get rid of clothes to buy new ones and these…They're in perfectly good shape," Sam added.

"I though you could leave some here if you like. You know sort of like this is a second home for you," she said shyly.

"Stormy, you surprise me every time I turn around," Dean whispered to her as he pulled her into his lap and kissed her. "I don't know what I ever did to deserve a woman like you."

"I'll take these to our bedroom," Sam offered packing the clothes back into the bags. "You guys want some alone time?"

"No, it's fine Sammy," Dean told him. "I'll give Stormy her gift tonight, just be sure your door's closed and do you have any ear plugs?"

"Right, okay…" Sam stammered knowing full well what Dean was talking about. He scurried from the room as Dean kissed Storm again and let his hand roam over her body.

"Will you quit teasing your brother," Storm giggled pushing his hand away and giving him a peck on the cheek before getting up. "We're not that loud."

"Really?" Dean asked arching his brows and pursing his lips.

"Really. I'm going to get the potatoes peeled, now behave." Storm strolled to the kitchen adding a little extra swing to her step and laughed when Dean whistled at her.

"You need to marry that girl," Sam told him when he came back and flopped on the couch beside Dean. "If you don't I will."

"I know," Dean mumbled absently. "Only if I'm dead and buried dude. I expect you to look after her if something happens to me." Dean looked to his brother, a serious expression on his face.

"Stop right there. We're not doing this, not today," Sam insisted in a quiet voice. "Today's a time of good cheer and happiness, so…Don't go there."

"Yeah, you're right," Dean sighed letting his facial features change before getting up to go sit at the bar and talk to Storm.

Sam watched his brother walk away and couldn't help the concern that flooded his mind. He didn't know what made Dean slip into that mood and hoped he let it drop. He knew what they did put them in danger each and every time they took a hunt. He just hoped neither one of them lost their lives any time soon. Sam pushed those thoughts from his mind and went to join Dean at the bar. He smiled as he watched Storm dance across the floor and twirl around to the music. This was a day for joy and family and peace, not for worry or stress or doubt.

"Sam, are you with us?" Storm asked touching his arm when he didn't answer her the first time.

"Yeah, sorry," Sam quickly replied looking up at her. "Did you want me to do something?"

"No dear, I asked would you like some eggnog?" Storm repeated herself.

"That's fine," he nodded, trying to cover his spacing out a moment ago.

"In that case, I need to doctor it just a little," Dean insisted getting up and heading for the door. "I'll be right back."

"Where is he going?" Storm questioned.

"If I know my brother, he's going to get something to spice it up a little," Sam chuckled. "I'll be sure he doesn't over do it."

"Here we go," Dean hummed sitting a bottle of whiskey on the bar and looking in the fridge for the eggnog. He pulled out the carton and shook it before opening it and looked around, finally grabbing a coffee cup to pour some out. "Knock yourself out," Dean told Sam sitting it in front of him.

"Go easy on the liquor, Dean," Sam cautioned him. "We all don't have the tolerance you do to the hard stuff."

"Wuss," Dean grunted as he poured whiskey into the carton and closed it to shake it up. He reached over to spike Sam's cup, but Sam put his hand over it and nodded no, he was fine. "Okay! Let's see what we've got." Dean poured some into another cup and took a tentative sip, smacking his lips.

"Let me try it," Storm asked opening her mouth for Dean to give her a sip.

"Sure," Dean said. He held the cup to her lips and tilted it letting her taste it.

Storm pursed her lips and let her taste buds revel with the liquid for a moment before coughing lightly.

"Well, it is different," she offered with a shrug.

"You don't like it?" Dean pouted.

"No, I didn't say that. It'll just take a little getting used it. I'm sure Dad will like it. It's fine Dean. I'm just not used to the taste is all."

"I should have left some out for you, I'm sorry."

"She can have this," Sam offered pushing the cup to Storm. "I haven't tasted it."

"Thanks Sam," Storm cooed taking the cup and sipping it. "I'm not that keen on it, but I have it for Dad."

"So, I didn't spoil it for you?" he asked hopefully sitting the carton back into the fridge to keep cold.

"No love, it's fine. Why don't we open one gift while we wait for Dad to get here?" she asked a hint of excitement in her voice. "We need to see what Santa brought last night."

"Sure Babe, why don't you go pick which ones you want us to open?"

"Okay!" Storm cried out rubbing her hands together. She wiped her hands and went into the other room and over to the tree. She studied all the gifts and found one for each of them.

"C'mon Sammy, can't keep my woman waiting, now can we?" Dean pulled Sam from the stool and guided him into the other room to see what she had picked out. He hoped she didn't pick the necklace yet, wanting to save that for later, but he guessed it didn't really matter. He just wanted her to like it.

"Here you go Sam," Storm said handing him a small box. "And for you my love," she told Dean holding out a box to him.

"What did you pick?" Dean asked glancing down at the gifts.

"This one," she said holding up a wrapped box. "Okay let's sit and see what we've got."

They sat on the couch and each began to open their gifts. Dean tore into his package, while Sam and Storm took their time trying to save the paper.

"Alright! My favorite snacks!" Dean cried out holding up two large bags of M&Ms and a bag of jerky.

"You're welcome," Sam laughed.

"I like those too," Storm hinted.

"Mine!" Dean growled holding them to his chest protectively.

"You know you should share," Sam snickered as Storm stuck her tongue out at him.

"I love them!" she exclaimed pulling out three pairs of fuzzy socks, all with different designs and colors. "They are perfect." Storm slipped her bedroom slippers off and put on a pair and held her feet out wiggling her toes.

"I'm glad you like them," Sam told her. "I saw you wearing a pair when we were here one time."

"I do, thank you Sam." Storm threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "Open yours Sam, what did you get?"

"Let's see," Sam smiled as he pulled the paper the rest of the way off and opened the box. "Wow!" he gushed pulling out five crossword puzzle books.

"Those are the hardest I could find. I know how you like to do them," Storm told him, smiling softly.

"I love them." It was Sam's turn to hug her for his gift. He looked at each one and flipped through a couple and looked around for a pen.

"Well, we've lost him for the rest of the day," Dean chuckled seeing the gleam in Sam's eyes. "He's geeking out now." Dean pulled Storm into his embrace and kissed the side of her face. "You're the only gift I need," he whispered into her ear making her coo and cuddle with him. They looked over at Sam who was lost in his own world now as he started working a puzzle. "We could do it right here and he wouldn't even notice."

"I think you're right," Storm agreed, laughing softly as she looked back at Sam. He was biting his lower lip and concentrating on the puzzle. "I need to go check the meats," she sighed pushing up from the couch and heading back to the kitchen.

"I'll help," Dean grunted getting up too. He moved hot pads for Storm so she could sit the pans with the turkey and ham onto them.

"Let's see," Storm mumbled getting a thermometer out to test the turkey. She poked it into the breast and watched the temperature register. "Okay, it needs maybe fifteen more minutes, but the ham is done."

"I'll put it back in the oven for you." Dean picked up the potholders and slipped the turkey breast back into the oven for Storm. He glanced at the clock to time the turkey so he could get it out when it was done.

Everything was coming together, and things were working out well. It was a Christmas they would remember.

A/N: One more chapter and this short story will be over. I hope you have enjoyed the read. I do like reviews. NC