Prologue - Home ward bound.

"Well good bye Sister Agnes", Matt shook the nuns hand firmly. "It actually turned out to be quite nice to meet you", the nun replied with a sile as she moved in an hugged the millionaire. "Have a good Christmas. Matt told her. "Oh I intend to,fFor the first time in years I'm going home to my family", she told him.

"You're not staying here with Hope and Alena", Honey was shocked. Simon was packing things into the car and trying hard not to grin ,none of the others expect for Dan knew about the adoption yet.

"They both got adopted, so will be spending Christmas with their new family", sister Agnes replied.

"Both of them got adopted" Trixie remarked. "Yes by the same person", Sister Agnes was smiling widely.

The two girls came out seconds later clutching small suitcases in their hands. Trixie raced over, "now I'm actually happy to say goodbye, she said as she hugged them.

"Oh it's not goodbye Trix", Dan told her as he opened the rear doors of his fathers car wide, "since they've just become my sisters, you'll see them around."

Trixie and all the others stared at Simon who just smiled and told them ,"I always wanted daughters".

Simon finished packing the car then said his last good bye. Sister Agnes gripped him hard in her arms hugging with all her strength.

"I know you haven't forgotten what I can do", Simon whispered in her ear. Which is why I was kind of surprised that you lied when you said you didn't know who gave that donation". Of course that did not stop me coming to see what you were up to", he reflected

Sister Agnes squeezed his hand, "I actually met Jonathan Harris on that day he visited with the mother superior. He really has changed over the years," she whispered. "Why do I get this feeling you also know who he really is", Simon whispered back as he nodded over toward his father.

She touched his face, "a father never gives up on the love he has for his son Simon. What he did today, he did only for one person and that was you"'

"Give him a chance to prove to you that he has changed', she insisted. Simon kissed her on the cheek, "I never did thank you for stopping me killing Tim Mangan that time", he reflected.

Sister Agnes remembered the horror of seeing the older, larger Tim bowl Simon over and pummel him with his fists then pull out a long knife. She had thought in that moment Simon was going to die and she would not be able to stop it happening. Then something curious happened, Simon just ordered the teen to stop and he did. Tim got up on Simon's command and had walked down the alley to the end of a jetty that jutted out into the long dead river. "If I tell him to jump then he's going to do it", Simon had told her. In that instance she had held the gang members life in her hands. He had hurt many people including Simon and he had every right to feel mad enough to kill him. But instead she found herself begging Simon to let him go.

Later of course Tim had taken off with Patty and caused Simon a lot of pain. But she did not regret that choice. "You were never meant to be like him Simon", she told him with a smile.

Simon nodded, "I know", he replied. "Thank you".

He moved aside to let Bill hug the sister, "why do I have the feeling he was the one you wanted all along", Bill told her. Sisetr Agnes stroked his face and smiled, "I always loves you Billy and wished for you to be part of a big happy family. You came on this visit so I could make that wish come true."

Enjoy your Christmas Bill because the presents are not over yet", she smiled mysteriously as she kissed him goodbye not bothering to explain what she meant.

One day Later Bill stood stunned staring at the farm in front of them. Coloured fairy lights hung off almost every available tree, throwing tiny circles of light all over the white ground.

Hope and Alena ran out of the car and darted in and out of the trees their eyes shining. Even Dan had the urge to jump out and run around laughing but restrained himself with effort. "Welcome to our home Bill", Simon invited as he held his hand out toward his parents home.

Bill found himself walking slowly, this was the first Christmas he felt like celebrating in a very long time.

Harriet and Greg Saunders came and greeted them then and set about hugging everybody in sight. Greg quickly scooped up his little granddaughter and carried her into the house while Harriet walked with the awe struck Alena. Bill did not feel excluded yet still found himself feeling wistful and wishing that he was coming home to his own parents.

Later by the fire side they all opened gifts. Bill looked at the slim envelope he received and thought, "gift vouchers". He thanked both Saunders and tore the envelope open. What he saw inside was most definitely not gift vouchers. He swallowed and knew that he big brave Bill Regan was going to cry. "We wanted to give you something that said what you've come to mean to all of us Bill. Simon thought of this. We know that at 24 you probably don't feel like you need parents but we missed the opportunity to do this once and have regretted that day ever since. So Bill Regan what do you say, would you officially like to join the Saunders family and be our son", Greg asked

Bill mouth had gone dry and all he could manage was a nod. "Good"
, Greg came over and gave him a hug, "now you've joined the family I guess you better meet our other surprise. Bill this is our other daughter Anabella".

Simons eyes widened at that and when the startling brunette came out to join them he was the first to give her a welcoming hug. Bill just stood there and stared, Anabella Saunders was stunning, one of the most beautiful woman he'd seen in a very long time. As she moved closer for a hug Simon leaned over and whispered in his ear, "don't forget she's your sister".

Bill restrained the sigh, sometimes his brother really knew how to throw cold water on a holiday.

As he gave Anabella a restrained brotherly hug he wondered how Sister Agnes had known what was going to happen. It seemed almost that somehow she'd been behind everything that had gone on in that home.

"You haven't met everyone yet", Simon was saying. He pointed over to where two rocking chairs moved slowly back and forth. "My grandmother and her sister are also joining us this holiday." This is Margaret Oconnell, my grandmother and her sister Agnes." Bill was staring right into the eyes of Sister Agnes, "I told you I was spending time with family", the nun smiled.

The end….

Dedicated to my beautiful adoptive God children… family not of blood but of my heart.