Present Day:

"Now, don't think just because I love you I'm going to take it easy on you!"

Trixie Frayne grabbed the Wii remote from her husband and prepared to take her turn at the virtual bowling game the whole family had gathered in the living room to play.

"The only reason you beat me in the last tournament was because Isabella was on your team," Jim smirked at his wife.

"And, your point is?"

"She bowled on a professional women's bowling league in college! That's the point. I call that an unfair advantage!" The frown on Jim's face didn't last very long before Trixie reached out, grabbed him by the collar, and pressed her smiling lips to his.

"Oh Mom, come on!" Katie Frayne whined. "We don't need to see that!"

"Ew! Old folks making out!" Laura Belden covered her face dramatically.

Trixie and Jim pulled away from each other, laughing, and the Wii tournament continued on.

Helen Belden couldn't help but feel a satisfying warmth creep over her spirit as she watched the scene unfold before her. Her children and their families were gathered together in her daughter's home to celebrate the New Year and to congratulate her oldest granddaughter on her engagement; the atmosphere was immensely joyous.

I am blessed beyond measure, Helen thought happily.

She let her eyes drift over the family room, taking in the legacy of love that she and her husband could claim as their own. Apart from the competitive group seated around the television set, there were other clusters of cherished souls; happy little mixtures of adults and teenagers talking and laughing. It was the most beautiful thing Helen had ever seen.

Then, her eyes fell upon her great nephew Daniel Regan, who was sitting across the hall in the formal living room.

Taking in the serious way the boy's head was bent in conversation with her neighbor and friend, Matthew Wheeler, Helen immediately felt a surge of bitter sweet understanding.

He's giving him the ticket, she thought with a gasp.

She knew the silver box the teen was now holding contained a plane ticket that had been purchased long ago for Daniel's father, Dan Mangan. Unfortunately, Dan had died of cancer before Matthew could take the sick young man to Europe for a promised "chocolate trip."

"There's a new ticket to Paris in there," Madeleine Wheeler's voice surprised Helen from beside her. "Matthew bought it last week. He has business in France next month, so…he thought it would be the perfect time to…keep his promise. He had planned to give it to Daniel for Christmas, but he had to make sure Hallie and Bill were okay with his plans first." The frail looking old woman sat down carefully beside her friend, patting her wrinkled hand with her own arthritis riddled fingers.

"I think it's…perfect." Helen murmured, feeling a lump rise in her throat. She knew how much this trip was going to mean to Matt and to Daniel. "I'm sure they'll make themselves sick on sweets."

"Oh yes. We can count on that."

The two women laughed together comfortably. For a short time, they said nothing, but continued to watch the pair talking excitedly in the next room.

"I think this has all been very challenging for Daniel. His injury, learning the truth about his father… It will be good for him to get away and…think about something else for a while." Helen's happiness for the young man brought tears to her eyes.

"Yes. And, maybe, Matt will find the sense of closure he's been needing." Madeleine sighed. "You know, for years after Dan passed…Matt wouldn't let Marge change a thing in that room."

"Speaking of Marge, how is Ms. Trask doing these days?" Helen quickly changed the subject. She didn't want to let the sorrows of the past overshadow the happiness of the night's occasions.

"Well, she seemed as fit as ever when we met for lunch last Tuesday. Of course, you know she's been doing some traveling, herself."

"Really? No, I did not know that. Where has she been?"

"Her most recent trip was to Hawaii, actually. Had a marvelous time."

"I've always wanted to see Hawaii," Helen said dreamily.

"Then, what are you waiting for? Matthew and I find excellent rates on cruises all the time. We could invite the Lynches to come along and…"

"Oh, Maddie, Peter and I couldn't possibly…" Helen stammered.

"For Heaven's sake, why not? Helen, look around you. Your children are grown and self sufficient. Your grandchildren are almost all teenagers. And, you can't blame it on Peter's hip anymore. He's more active now than he was before the replacement surgery. What's to keep you from enjoying yourself?"

"I…I don't know, Maddie. There's Bobby and Isabella's baby on the way now and…and Katie's wedding…"

"And, if you keep making up excuses, you'll never take an opportunity to go." Maddie gave her old friend a smile. "That baby won't be here for another five months, you know. As for Katie, well, I think we can agree that our granddaughter is too indecisive to have an entire wedding planned out by summer. We could get a spring sail date and be back in time to help Trixie plan the shower."

Helen laughed. "As shocking as it may sound, I doubt Trixie will even need our help. She's turned out to be quite a success, domestically. Can you believe it? I sometimes have a hard time imagining that my stubborn little tomboy is the same person who lovingly runs a children's home and doles out detention and cookies to students at the academy."

"See there, now? With everyone left in Trixie's capable hands, we are free to travel."

The two older women laughed and shared another special smile together.

"If there's anything Dan's death taught us…" Madeleine continued quietly, "it's that…we aren't guaranteed tomorrow. We need to enjoy today to its fullest. And, even though it took me a long time to realize how important family is, I still believe that we also have to have some independent time for ourselves. I've made it up to Honey for all the years I put my own needs above hers. Now that she's a happy wife and mother, she's made it clear to me that it is my turn to focus on me again."

Helen looked around her and knew Madeleine's words were true.

Peter and I have never taken a vacation without the children. This could be a new adventure for us!

"Alright, then. How do we get started?" Helen asked confidently.

"You really mean it? You'd go with us?"

"You just talked me into it. Are you going to try and change my mind, now?"

"Oh no, of course not! I'm ecstatic! This is going to be such a wonderful trip! I can't wait to tell Matthew!"

"Perhaps, I should warn Peter first," Helen said with a laugh. "Before you bombard him with ideas and itineraries."

"I saw him going into the kitchen," Maddie said hopefully.

Helen felt herself growing giddy. She shook her head and sighed.

"Alright, Mrs. Pushy. I shall see if I can find him." She rose to make her way to her daughter's kitchen when she noticed a very nervous Bill Regan standing at the family room door wringing his hands and staring across the hall at Mr. Wheeler and Daniel.

Her heart immediately went out to her niece's husband.

This can't be easy for him, she thought tenderly.

"Well, hello there, Bill. Happy New Year," Helen pulled the large man into a warm embrace. She could feel him wilt against her for a brief moment.

"Happy New Year, Aunt Helen," he said softly. He gave her a forced smile, but she could see the uneasiness behind it. She knew he was emotional about Matthew's gift, and she wondered if there was also some tension still existing between Bill and Daniel over a misunderstanding that had occurred between them at Thanksgiving.

She was about to ask him if he wanted to talk about anything when her daughter interrupted them.

"Oh, Regan. There you are. I was hoping to find you not doing anything," Trixie said with a wag of her eyebrows.

"Uh Oh," Bill teased. "This sounds like an invitation to do some manual labor."

"Or to help her beat Jim at some crazy video game," Helen interjected.

"Moms! You're going to scare him off," Trixie laughed. She grabbed the older man's large forearm and began to pull him toward the other side of the room where his wife was standing with a curious look on her face.

"Uh…Trix…I'm sorry. I appreciate the offer and all, but…I don't play those…um…" Regan protested as he walked.

"Don't panic, Regan. I'm not asking you to play the Wii with us."

Helen could see the red head's upper body relax as he gave a sigh of relief.

"Actually, you were right the first time. I do have a sort of…job… I want to ask you to do for me. See, Moms let us borrow her large nativity set this year to decorate the courtyard for the Christmas Ball, and well…it won't fit in any of our storage areas, and it would be too troublesome for Dad to try and take it back to Crabapple Farm so…I was hoping that maybe you and Hallie would store it for me in your barn. If you have your truck, I'm sure you and Daniel could get it loaded up in no time…"

Oh Trixie, that's perfect! Helen thought to herself. It's exactly what Bill and Daniel need right now.

"Well…um…sure thing. I don't mind. But, if it's alright with you…I'll wait until daylight and get Will to help me load it sometime tomorrow. It's too dark out there now, and Daniel's leg has been giving him trouble…"

"Bill?" Hallie's soft voice interrupted him from the window where she had quietly slipped to stare out across the courtyard. "Come see what she's talking about."

Noticing the cryptic way his wife was speaking, Bill wasted no time in joining her at the window.

It's been a long time since he's taken a good look at that nativity, Helen considered. I wonder if he will even recognize it.

But, he did.

Helen knew the moment the realization hit him, because his eyes doubled in size and he drew in a quick breath.

Now, if he'll just get Daniel out there and help him to understand…

As if he read Helen's thoughts, Bill turned from the window, gave his wife a knowing glance, and then nodded to Trixie in understanding.

"I see. No problem, Trixie. Daniel and I will go get it."

"Thanks, Regan," Trixie said with a smile.

"No…thank you," Bill whispered. He started to walk out of the room when suddenly he turned back and hugged Trixie and Helen both.

"Wow! Two hugs in one year!" Trixie teased. "You keep this up and we'll have to revoke your caveman license. Did you see that Hallie? Your husband willingly hugged us of his own free will."

"And he didn't turn to dust, either," Hallie said good-naturedly.

"Ugh!" Bill teased back, pretending to drag his knuckles as he moved away from the women to go and fetch Daniel.

Everyone laughed, and Helen was once again struck by the wonderful woman her daughter had become.

"You saved the day once more, Trixie," she put her arm around the woman gently.

"Well…it had to be done. Besides, you didn't have time to take care of that problem. You were on your way to talk Dad into taking you on a romantic cruise to Hawaii."

"Why, Beatrice Belden Frayne, were you eavesdropping?"

"Of course!" Trixie and Hallie exclaimed at the same time.