Moments of Christmas Epilogue (Christmas 2015)

Daniel paused in the doorway and took in the sight. The Meade mansion was full of Christmas cheer. A crackling fire was warming the living room where most of the crowd had gathered. The Christmas tree was large and decorated with handmade and store bought ornaments. Justin, Wilhelmina, Marc, and Cliff were singing Christmas carols as DJ played the piano. Connor sang along as he worked with Nico, Tyler, Amanda, Hilda, and Bobby to teach the little ones how to make Christmas ornaments. He and Willie were blessed to have twins, a boy and girl who were now almost four. The doctors had been wrong. Willie only needed to start eating properly and de-stress, and that was something Connor made sure she did. She was actually enjoying motherhood this time around, and Nico was enjoying being a big sister. The other two couples, Amanda and Tyler and Hilda and Bobby, each had a five year old daughter.

Connor looked up at Daniel in the doorway. Daniel knew that if it wasn't for Betty his relationship with Connor never would have healed. The respect that Wilhelmina and Betty had for each other helped to make things easier for the two men. Wilhelmina still owned part of the company and her husband was a part of the package that came along with her. Betty told Daniel that he had to get over the issues he had with Connor for the sake of the business. When Daniel was still being a baby about it, Betty reminded Daniel of where he went wrong with Molly and asked him point blank, "How would you feel if I broke our engagement because I had a thing going on with Becks on the side? Then how would you feel if Becks went on a stake out with you to find out who my new man was, never telling you that it was him?" Ouch! Leave it to Betty to call him out on what he did. Connor lashed out in the only way he could effectively get Daniel to stop and take notice. A punch couldn't solve the betrayal Connor had felt. He was a financial genius, so that's what route he took. But time passed. Molly was gone. Both men grieved in their own ways. And both men found greater loves than they ever could have imagined in two remarkable, stubborn, and determined women.

Ignacio, Elena, Claire, and her new boyfriend Enrique were in the kitchen making more snacks for everyone. Betty joined Daniel in the doorway, and they entered the room with trays containing cookies and mugs full of hot chocolate with marshmallows and candy canes. Trailing behind them was their four year old daughter Isabel Rose with an extra bag of marshmallows. She quickly found a spot near her Aunt Alexis who was sitting by the fire cooing over Daniel and Betty's baby boy, Peter Bradford Meade.

More guests rang the doorbell, so Daniel handed his tray to Cliff and made his way to the door. Becks and his new wife Lisa entered the foyer, shaking off the snow from their coats before removing them.

"Hey, I didn't think you guys were going to make it this year," Daniel said hugging each one individually. "Let me take your coats."

Betty walked into the foyer. "Merry Christmas, Becks. Lisa, I'm so glad you could make it." She and Lisa hugged each other. "I know you were trying to get things wrapped up for the next issue of MYW."

Lisa had been the editor-in-chief of MYW since Sophia Reyes almost tanked the magazine after Daniel and Betty got engaged. Lisa was gorgeous but in a fierce and exotic way, add to that she had a Somali accent and certain similar features and one could understand why she was often mistaken for the supermodel/actress Iman. When Daniel and Betty returned two years ago, Lisa and Betty hit it off right away and quickly became close friends, which was how Lisa ended up meeting Beckett Scott.

Becks and Lisa went into the living room to greet everyone. Lisa joined Alexis by the fire and Becks joined Connor and Bobby. The three men along with Daniel had gotten into two-on-two basketball games that helped them bond and relax away from the wives and work, except for when Alexis and Lisa wanted to join the game when Alexis was in town.

Betty and Daniel stood in the door way and watched as Ignacio's kitchen patrol came into the room with more food for everyone.

"Uncle Papi made flan! Watch out!" Amanda jumped up and made a run for the table.

Ignacio swatted her hand away for the dish he placed for everyone. "Amanda, I made a dish just for you. Leave that one for the others. I'll get yours," Ignacio said as the others laughed.

Meanwhile, Isabel Rose quietly went to her parents. "Mommy, Daddy," she whispered as she tugged on Daniel and Betty's shirts.

"Yes, honey," Daniel smiled down at his dark haired daughter whose warm brown eyes matched her mother's.

Isabel Rose giggled and pointed above their heads. "You're standing under the mistletoe!"

Daniel looked up. "Well, you're right, Isabel Rose." Daniel looked at Betty and his eyes turned the dark blue she loved to see. He slowly reached up and held her face in his hands. "I never get tired of this."

"Neither do I. Merry Christmas, Daniel," Betty whispered.

"Merry Christmas, Betty," Daniel softly said before capturing his wife's lips in his own.