A/N: Yeah I lied. I sort of want this over and done with, then my full efforts go into the next one. Welcome to the end: Part One. )

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Sitting on my bedroom floor on Christmas Eve night only did things begin to take effect after Tuesday afternoons events. Two whole weeks had passed since we put up and decorated our Christmas tree. It had been four days with a lack of news about what Mr. Matthews was up to. It was just us, our thoughts and Christmas floating around our gang in the past few days.

As I wrapped up my gifts for my friends, Mrs. Matthews and my brothers I couldn't help but wonder what Mrs. Matthews had written to her husband to make him come back. I thought she never wanted to see him again, but I suppose people surprise you. Must've been important though, but then again I can't help but think maybe it wasn't because she did look pretty angry to see him there. But I suppose looks are deceiving so you never know…I was caught up in arguing two different opinions in my head that I barely took note of when my bedroom door opened, Emily walked in and then closed it.

"You wrapping presents?" she finally drawled, myself jumping out of my skin.

"Dear God," I hissed with a hand over my heart as I shoved everything in reach under my bed, throwing her a dirty look. "What do you want?"

I tried my best not to sound totally peeved at her but she raised her brows at me all the same.

"Thought you'd like an update, but if you're busy I'll just see you tomorrow at lunch." Emily said, with a shrug like she couldn't care less.

"Ha de ha," I said dryly, placing the scissors under my bed and looking up at her, patting on my bed for her to sit down. "Now sit," I commanded her, gazing up at her from the floor. "What happened?"

Emily sat on my bed, her head resting in the palms of her hands as she looked at me and sighed. "Dad came back once more, but Two-Bit was out at least so don't tell him. Not until Ma does at least, please?"

"Of course," I complied. As if I would, I liked my head attached to my body, thank you very much.

"Well he came back, Ma still hasn't said what was in the letter but I've put it down to she wants him to pay up, you know, child support or whatever and wants a divorce." Emily informed me, rolling her eyes slightly. "When Dad came back he basically told her no, but he never said to what so that's what I think it is, and then said if she was having problems why couldn't he come back and well she obviously said no, of course."

"Well if she didn't I'd be getting her into a psych ward,"

"Agreed." Nodded Emily. "Well they had a bit of a shouting match and I'd had enough so I cam downstairs and pretty much said, in a summed up, non shouting version, that if he leaves it'll be for best. Whatever problems Ma has we'll sort out and if he leaves and never comes back we'll never tell anyone he was here, not even fuzz if he kills someone or what not."

I raised my brows but said nothing, allowing her to plow on.

"Well I thought it was a good deal and he just told me to shut up and he hit me! Can you believe it? He's trying to prove Ma wrong and he hits me across the arm, flipping idiot. That was why Ma kicked him out!" she said indignantly, sounding thoroughly scandalized. "Then Mom said take that or leave it, either way he had to go. And well, he left."

My brows disappeared way past my fringe at that point in time I'm sure but I recovered quick enough to cuss under my breath to an approving Emily before shaking my head and sighing.

"Well, he's gone for good then?" I asked her, patting her on the leg, closest bit of her I could reach from the floor.

Emily shrugged and looked ready to say no but she took a bit of a pause before mouthing 'yeah'. She gave me the saddest of smiles and she wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand before moaning slightly and shaking her head at me. "I'm so pathetic," she whispered. "He's been out of my life for three and a half years and now I'm crying over the thought he won't come back."

I knelt upwards on my knees and reached my arms around her, giving her a hug. Squeezing her tightly and not letting go. "Oh, Emily. No, no you're not pathetic. You're perfectly right to do this, he's a horrible old man, and he's not your father anymore. Its just you're just going to miss the memory of the father you did have, the one you had all those years ago when you were little." I leant a bit away from her, and wiped at her wet cheek. Her eyes shining. "You don't want this man, Emily. Just think of what he is now and know that what you used to know died, he ain't here and he ain't coming back."

Emily let out a gasping sob but clutched her free hand to her mouth before nodding quickly at me. She couldn't say much more after that. She dried her tears with the sleeve of her coat and gave me the faintest of smiles, giving me the tiniest bit of confidence that she'd be okay. I moved away from her and allowed her a moment to compose herself whilst I rummaged underneath my bed for her gift, I supposed that now was the right moment for it. Right enough as it'd ever be.

"Thank you, Pixie." Emily finally said as I reemerged, my brown hair sticking out in odd places now. Her face looking as natural as it did when I appeared on her doorstep three months ago in September, as if nothing at all had changed since that day. "Your hairs sticking up," she giggled, reaching forward to flatten it.

I smiled at her and held out my gift to her. "Thanks Emily. Now stop being nice to me and accept this." Emily's eyes widened in surprise as she reached forward and took it from me. "It's an early Christmas present."

Emily mouthed her thanks to me, her blue eyes bright and hopeful again. A smile escaping her lips from her to me and I felt everything go warm inside me again. After everything started since two weeks ago. I regained a much nicer, calmer warmth. And now I watched Emily as she ripped open her present, and as her eyes lit up and she gave a squeal of laughter before throwing her arms around my neck and toppling off my bed onto me, causing us both to erupt in giggles.

"Oh my gosh, Pixie, you are just wonderful!" she gushed, hugging me again, beaming. "I love you, girl!"

I laughed at her and watched as she grabbed the photo album I'd put together for her. "Merry Christmas, Emily Michelle Matthews."

Emily smiled wryly at me and opened onto the first page, and glanced to me. "Merry Christmas, Pixie Elizabeth Curtis. Don't we look cute?"

I looked down at the first two pictures I'd stuck there and grinned at her, throwing an arm around her shoulder casually. "I'd say that's the girls of the gang evolving, wouldn't you?"

"Yeah," she whispered gazing at our young faces a few years ago and at a photograph from a month ago. "Yeah, I'd say it is. Thanks."

"No, thank you." I said, kissing her cheek in a sisterly manner. "You're perfect, don't let anyone, not even your dad, tell you anything else."

Emily just beamed at me.