Part 2

The airport was crowded as expected. Derek carried both his and Penelope's bags following her through the throngs of people. Behind him, Spencer carried his own bag ducking and dodging people as he attempted to keep up.

"It's too bad we couldn't have taken the jet," Spencer proclaimed loudly.

Derek chuckled. "Come on, Pretty Boy, this is half the fun of Christmas. Peace on Earth, Goodwill to men and all that."

Spencer huffed. "Seriously? If you think this is half the fun of Christmas you need some lessons about the Christmas spirit."

"Are you going to teach me?" Derek grinned over his shoulder.

"You can count on it," Spencer promised. "Just as soon as we get back from our holidays."

"Less yapping and more foot flapping," Penelope scolded. "We need to hurry to the gate."

"It's a good thing we can surpass the security checkpoint," Derek muttered as he took in the extremely long line of people waiting to get through security and to their planes.

JJ settled into the passenger seat and stifled a yawn. She smiled as Will reached over and patted her knee.

"We got everything, Ma Chere?"

She nodded. "And a whole bunch of stuff we probably won't need. Are you sure you don't want me to drive first?"

"I'm good," he nodded as he pulled the vehicle out of the driveway and headed down the rain slickened road. "I napped with Henry this afternoon. Why don't you lean back and close your eyes? I'll wake you in a few hours."

"I'm not going to argue with that," she agreed as she maneuvered her seat to a more comfortable position. "There are snacks and juice in the cooler, if Henry needs something."

"I've got this, mon amour. Relax."

"Yes dear," she replied playfully as she closed her eyes and relaxed.

Alex opened the door from the garage to the kitchen and stopped as she took in the sight before her. Her husband, wearing a red apron and matching Santa hat was singing Christmas carols and dancing by himself as he tended the many pots on the stove.

"Looks like someone is having a merry Christmas," she snickered.

He stopped singing and dancing to look at her. A slow smile spread across his face as he wiggled his hips at her then spun around to reveal he was only wearing a pair of red, silk boxers under that apron.

Alex giggled as she approached him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips. "Merry Christmas, Mr. Blake."

"Merry Christmas Baby," he replied.

Aaron parked the car in the garage and turned off the engine.

"You two wait here while I go and turn the lights on," he ordered. "Jack, you make sure she doesn't try to peek before we're ready."

"I will Daddy," Jack said with glee as he stood on his seat and wrapped his hands around Beth's head covering her cheeks and not her eyes.

Aaron rushed out of the car and into the house.

"I'm very excited," Beth whispered to Jack.

"You're not peeking are you?" Jack asked.

"I'm not," she smiled. "I promise."

Aaron returned shortly and opened Beth and Jack's doors. "Okay, we're ready."

"Cover her eyes Daddy," Jack suggested as he clambered out of the back of the car.

"I got them covered," Aaron assured his son. Aaron stood behind Beth and loosely covered her eyes. She grabbed his forearms and allowed him to lead her outside. They crossed the street together and stepped up on the curb.

"Are you ready Jack?" Aaron asked excitedly.

"Yep. Are you ready Daddy?"

"I'm ready," Aaron replied. He leaned close to Beth and whispered in her ear. "What about you, Beautiful, are you ready?"

She shivered and nodded. "You would not believe how ready I am."

"Okay then. Here we go." Aaron lowered his hands.

Beth opened her eyes and gasped at the display in front of her. The house, fence and trees were covered in lights. Wreaths hung in the windows and on the doors. But the thing that made her catch her breath was the banner on the roof that was lit with spotlights. It read: Merry Christmas Beth!

"It's beautiful," she whispered. She dabbed at the tears in the corner of her eyes.

"Does she like it Daddy?" Jack whispered loudly.

Aaron looked at Beth for a moment then smiled down at his son. "Yeah, Jack. I think she likes it very much."

David Rossi pulled to the side of the road and parked the car. He exited the warm exterior wrapping his coat tighter around his torso as a stiff breeze ruffled his hair. He popped the trunk open, reached inside and picked up the three wreaths. He closed the trunk and gingerly made his way across the soggy grass.

"Merry Christmas Haley," he said quietly as he placed the first wreath at the base of her grave stone. He spoke to her for several minutes before saying goodbye and moving deeper into the cemetery.

He walked through the trees and over a knoll to a clearing where he stopped at a pair grave stones. He knelt in the wet grass and settled the two wreaths carefully.

"Merry Christmas, Caroline," he whispered. "Merry Christmas, James."

End Part 2