Chapter 7.

Cate walked into the office as Four Leaf and the other got down out of the truck looking around the airfield discovering where they were. Cate looked around the office looking for any signs of life, she then spotted the bell on the counter. Ringing it once Cate stood and waited for someone to appear.

'Hi there!' A cheery female voice said, Cate turned to face it as a short round woman came out from the back room and sat up on the stool behind the counter.

'Hi.' Cate returned.

'You must be Wild Cat.' The lady smiled holding her hand out to Cate who gladly took it shaking the hand.

'I am, Spider phoned ahead then?' Cate questioned thinking that must be the only logical explanation.

'That he did sweetheart. I understand you all are trying to get back to L.A?'

'Are we ever!' Cate said enthusiastically. 'Is there any chance you can help?' Cate asked looking out to the clear airfield.

'Oh I think we might be able to do something for you. What's your name sweetheart?'

'It's Cate, Cate Fox.'

'Well it's lovely to meet you Cate my name is Joy.' Joy smiled again the smile practically reaching from ear to ear.

'Joy.' Cate repeated smiling at the irony of the name and the time of year it was.

'I know a handy name to have around this time of year right. So how many of you are there hun?' Joy asked pulling out some forms and a clipboard.

'There are eight of us in total, will that be ok?' Cate asked worried that they might not all be able to get a flight home in the smaller private jets.

'Oh I think we have a plane that can take you all, don't you worry. Spider said you were all good people and you and he go way back.'

'You could say that.' Cate smiled.

'Well have no fear, he said he owes you a couple and so here's the pay off.' Joy explained as she handed Cate the clipboard with papers and a pen. 'Just list the names and details hun and sign at the bottom, the rest we can sort.' Joy explained as she hopped down off of her stool and headed back into the office again. Cate started filling out the forms as Four Leaf and the rest of the band filtered in to the warmth of the office.

'Good timing guys.' Cate smiled to them as she explained what was going on passing the clipboard to them for each of them to fill in and sign.

'We all set then?' Joy asked as she reappeared.

'Yeah think so Joy, say have you got a phone here I could use quickly try and contact my sister.'

'Sure Cate hun, come round back here not a problem.' Joy beckoned Cate round and pointed her to the phone. Cate thanked Joy as she picked up the receiver and dialed Kelly's number the phone rang out for a while Cate stood impatient waiting for her sister to pick up after the phone continued to ring out Cate gave up and disconnected the call.

'No luck?' Four Leaf asked leaning across the counter to Cate.

'No but I'll try Kris and Jill.' Cate said as she picked up the receiver again and dialed their number, the phone was answered almost immediately.

'Hello?' Jill's voice came through.

'Jill!' Cate called through excitedly, finally she had got a hold of someone.

'Cate, where are you?' Jill asked her tone just as excited.

'I am at a small airfield about to get a flight back to L.A. is Kelly with you guys?'

'No Cate sorry, we had kind of a late last night together and I think Kel said something about going out early to clear her head before tonight. Are you going to make it tonight?' Jill asked all in one breath.

'I think we might, can you do me a favor and pick up my dress from my place for tonight. I don't know that I'll get back to my house and change in time for everything.'

'Yeah of course we will, we'll take it with us to the ball, you can get changed there. Be a pretty cool Christmas surprise for Kel.' Jill suggested.

'Yeah it would.' Cate agreed a smile growing across her face as she looked up to Four Leaf and the band. 'Jill hold on a minute.' Cate turned to Four Leaf as she covered the phone for a moment. 'Four Leaf you guys got your working clothes with you, your suits?' Four Leaf looked to Cate a little confused by the question but recognized the look in her eyes.

'Yeah of course we have darlin', why?' Cate turned back to Jill on the phone.

'Jill I've got an idea and I'm going to need yours and Kris's help to pull it off.'

'So what was the grand scheme?' Julie asked completely absorbed in the story.

'I'm getting to it; I'm getting to it. Patience Angel, patience.' Cate teased Julie.

'So what's the idea Catey?' Four Leaf asked as they all took seats on the private jet.

'We need to work on a couple of songs guys. Tom we'll need your guitar once we've leveled off on our flight back, shouldn't take long, the flight that is so we're going to have to get this little set locked quick.' Cate smiled with enthusiasm excite to finally be getting home to her family.

After speaking with Cate Jill hung up the phone and rushed through to Kris's room.

'Hey who was that on the phone?' Kris asked as she sat brushing her hair.

'It was Cate.' Jill said excitedly bursting to tell Cate's plan.

'Is she any closer to home?' Kris asked putting her brush down on her dressing table.

'Yeah she is, she's going to make it to the party tonight.'

'How?' Kris asked as she and Jill both sat down on the foot of Kris's bed.

'She bumped into an old friend, remember that under cover cop Spider?' Kris nodded. 'He put her in touch with some friends of his with a private airfield she should be starting her flight any moment now.'

'So what's the plan?' Kris asked knowing this was all heading towards something.

'Cate wants to surprise Kelly at the party so we're to go and collect Cate's dress from her house and take it to the hall for the party and she wants you to look over some music.' Jill smiled as she poked her sister in her shoulder.

'Music, why?'

'Cate's with Four Leaf and his band they're all coming back with her, Cate knows a couple of Kelly's favorite Christmas songs and wants you to take part in one with her.' Jill explained as Kris nodded smiling. 'So come on let's get going, lots to do!' Jill said excitedly as she bounced off of Kris's bed. Kris watched her sister and laughed, this had always been their favorite holiday together and now Jill had a mission it made it even more exciting for her. Within ten minutes the two sisters were heading out the door to their Cobra and driving off towards Cate's.

'And what about Kelly how did they keep this all secret from you?' Julie asked looking to Kelly.

'I was so busy being miserable Julie I missed all the signs that they were up to something.' Kelly smiled thinking back to Christmas Eve three years previous.

Kelly walked around the streets looking through the shop windows' not really wanting to buy anything just needing to get out of her house for a while; her head was still pounding from the previous night.

'Never again.' Kelly mumbled to herself as she adjusted her sunglasses. As she looked up Kelly noticed the perfect gift in a window, moving swiftly towards the store Kelly gazed at the acoustic guitar in the window. A gorgeous Gibson J200 with a rose enameled on the body of it. 'Perfect.' Kelly's smile broadened as she removed her sunglasses staring at the instrument before heading into the store. Moments after her entering hands appeared in the window display removing the guitar.

'Hey Four Leaf, how about we finish the one song here and pick up here for the following?' Cate suggested as they looked over the music for the chosen songs they would be performing.

'Looks alright Cate maybe a couple of bars more though just for the flow of it.' Four Leaf returned with. 'Tom play this through with me.' Four Leaf said to his guitarist as he picked up his mandolin. The pair played through the last few bars of the first song then leading into the second.

'Sounds good.' Tom nodded to Cate and Four Leaf. 'Should work fine guys, I'll go and share it with the rest.' Tom smiled as he went back to the rest of the band. Cate sat back watching Tom as he went over the music with the other band members, she sighed contentedly.

'We'll be back soon enough.' Four Leaf smiled down to his mandolin as he spoke.

'Yeah and I think it's actually going to work out for once.' Cate smiled looking out the small window to the skies they flew through.

A while later the cabin door opened the co-pilot stepping out.

'We're now circling to land everyone so please get your selves seated and prepared for landing, about fifteen minutes everyone.' The co-pilot smiled as he turned and went back to his position. Cate buckled her seat belt and tried her best to wait patiently as she drummed her fingers on her thighs. Four Leaf watched her as he packed away his mandolin and sat himself down buckling up. Fifteen minutes felt like fifteen hours when the plane finally touched down on the private air strip.

'Alright let's get out of here.' Cate said as she looked to her watch. 'We've got a couple of hours to get to the venue and get ready, let's go.' Cate smiled her excited wild smile. As the door to the plane opened the band all rushed out in an almost orderly cue heading straight for the cabs Cate had Jill order for them waiting by the strip.

'You think of everything!' Four Leaf called out as they ran across to the cars.

'I try to.' Cate called back laughing as she ran to the taxi cab. With the entire band and all their instruments loaded they left the airstrip heading straight to town and the party.

'Kris you nearly ready to go?' Jill called to her younger sister's bedroom.

'I'm ready now Jill, I'm ready.' Kris replied as she walked in to the lounge finishing putting on her earrings.

'Kris you look gorgeous!' Jill exclaimed holding her hands out to her sister who happily took them as she beamed looking at her older sister's dress.

'So do you Jill!' Kris was dressed in a long red strapless dress wearing a simple diamond necklace and bracelet to match. Jill wore a long white dress to match with a dusting of clear sequins across the chest which shimmered when Jill moved.

'Come on Cate should be arriving at the hall soon we'd better get over there.' Jill snatched up her purse, wrap and car keys heading for the door with Kris not far behind her.

Kelly looked at herself in the full length mirror in her bedroom then looked to her phone, still no word from Cate it looked to Kelly that her sister wasn't going to make it, another Christmas alone. Kelly smoothed her hands down her dress again, she wore a royal blue full length dress, like Kris she wore a diamond necklace and bracelet to go with it.

'Well better go and schmooze the clientele.' Kelly mused as she picked up her wrap to match her dress, took her purse from the foot of her bed and headed out the door.

Jill and Kris headed through the grand hall where the ball was being held, the band was already setting up Kris and Jill recognized some of the faces and nodded their hello's to them. Tommy pointed to the door heading to the back rooms as he set up and tuned his guitar, understanding him the two sisters headed through finding dressing rooms they looked through a few when they heard Cate calling out.

'Four Leaf what time is it now?'

'About ten minutes after you last asked me darlin' Four Leaf called back as he walked across the corridor to Cate's room. Kris and Jill looked to one another smiling as they headed quickly for the room.

'Well it's about time you got here!' Kris called out as she entered the room.

'Kris, Jill!' Cate jumped up from the arm chair she was in to greet her friends hugging them both. 'You both look great, wow, so gorgeous.'

'As will you when you put this on.' Jill said handing Cate her dress. Cate took it from her gratefully.

'Thank you so much for this, really.' Cate said as she stepped into the en-suite to change. 'Kris you get a chance to look over the music?' Cate asked as she changed.

'Yeah I did but uh…'

'Why don't you come with me Kris we can look over it quickly with the fellas.' Four Leaf suggested, Kris nodded leaving Jill and Cate to carry on getting Cate ready.

'So when did you get here?' Jill called out to Cate.

'About an hour ago maybe, enough time to get here utilize the en-suite's here and showers and get ready. You mind helping me with the zip here?' Cate came out of the bathroom wearing an emerald green long fitted dress. Jill got up to help her friend. As she went to zip the back of the dress Jill noticed the bruising Cate had collected on her journey.

'Cate what happened to you?' Jill asked concerned the tips of her fingers lightly touching the visible bruises.

'Bumped into my Prince Charming.' Cate explained which had Jill spin her around to face her.

'You what?' Jill blurted out.

'Mack. He tried to steal our rig we were travelling in, almost succeeded until we ran into Spider.'

'Are you ok?' Jill asked as Cate turned around again lifting her hair so Jill could run the zip straight up without catching Cate's hair in it.

'I'm fine Jill.' Cate said as she winced slightly once the dress was zipped. 'This dress is a little tighter than I remembered. I'm fine Jill honestly I am.' Cate smiled reassuringly. 'Have you heard anything from Kelly today?'

'No not yet, not after last night.'

'What happened last night?' Cate asked as she sat down in the armchair again putting on her shoes to go with the dress.

'We maybe drank and partied a little too much.' Jill admitted grinning as she did trying not to laugh.

'By a little you mean a lot, what happened?'

'The cops were called out on us.' Jill said hanging her head almost in shame.

'The cops!' Cate exclaimed before falling back in to the chair laughing. 'I would have loved to have been there for that, oh this tripi back has been a nightmare, look at what I've missed already!' Cate continued to laugh as she stood to go the dressing table where Jill had laid out jewelry and Cate's purse.

'Kelly is going to be so thrilled that you're back and then she probably kill you for not telling her all calling her sooner.' Jill said as she sat in the armchair Cate had just vacated.

'Maybe but I think I'll get away with it this time.' Cate smiled to Jill through her reflection in the mirror as she put on her earrings and necklace. A light knock at the door interrupting them.

'You two ready?' Four Leaf asked. 'The band are waiting for you Cate.'

'Ok let's go. What time is it any way?' Jill looked to her watch.

'We've got about five minutes so the guests have probably already started to arrive.' Jill explained as they headed to the ball room and the stage where the band was set up.

'Wow.' Tom said as Cate took to the stage. Kris turned to see her friend and sister walk out on to the stage.

'Thanks Tom.' Cate grinned to the guitarist.

'Cate you look stunning.' Kris said as she walked up to her taking her hand.

'Thank you. So you got the music all sorted, know what's going on?' Cate asked as they walked to the piano.

'Yeah I think so, Four Leaf and Tom got me up to speed.'

'Great because I think we'll be going on soon.' Cate smiled her devilish grin.

'We'd better go out there and meet Kelly help her with the guests or she really will be after our blood!' Jill warned Kris as she left the stage heading out of the ball room.

'Jill has a point we'll see you in a bit.' Kris smiled rushing after Jill.

'We'll be here.' Cate called after them before turning back to the band. 'Ok shall we just make sure one last time we know what we're doing.' The band all nodded as they closed ranks around the piano and ran through the running order again.

It didn't take long for Jill to spot Kelly amongst the crowd of guests that had already arrived. Rushing towards her Jill managed to get her attention.

'Kelly you look amazing.' Jill gushed as she reached her friend. Kelly gave Jill a warm smile before embracing her.

'Jill you look pretty amazing yourself, your dance card will be full within the first five minutes no doubt.' Kelly teased as the two friends stood apart slightly again. 'Where's Kris?'

'Right here.' Kris said as she tapped Kelly on her shoulder. 'Hi!' Kris waved to Kelly as she turned to see her.

'You Munroe sister's, both gorgeous.' Kelly laughed as she hugged Kris also. 'Look at this place isn't it gorgeous. I wish Cate were here to see it as well.' Kelly sadly said as she looked around the grand entrance room to all the people in their fine clothes the ladies in their grand evening gowns and the men in the evening suits.

'Cate would love it.' Jill said smiling as she put a comforting arm around Kelly's waist. 'Looks like it's time to head in to the ball room.' Jill indicated to the doors opening and people going in.

'Have either of you seen Bosley yet?' Kris asked.

'Not yet but I think he's bringing a date.' Kelly answered.

'There he is.' Jill pointed to their friend who did indeed have a date on his arm. Bosley waved to the Angels as he headed into the ball room. 'I guess we'll see him in there.' Jill giggled with her friends. As they all entered in to the room taking seats at the tables set out to the sides of the large dance floor Bosley took to the stage to welcome everybody.

'Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to our annual Christmas ball. As you are all very well aware Charlie will not be here with us in person to join us in our festivities but he sends his love and warmest regards to you one and all and asks that you all enjoy this evening and hopes that you all have a wonderful Christmas. So, on with the ball.' Bosley indicated for the band to start as he made his way off the stage whilst the guests including the Angels all applauded him and the ever elusive man they called their boss.

As the band began to play Kelly sat down again pouring herself a glass of water her mind drifting back to her little sister who was not there to join in the party with them all.

'Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight

Asthe song began Kelly looked up slowly to the stage recognizing the voice, a look of disbelief on her face as she slowly stood up. Jill watched her friend as she looked to the stage watching Cate sing with the band.

'Jill, look…' Kelly said as she pointed to the stage.

'Merry Christmas Kelly.' Jill giggled as she stood beside her friend putting her arm around her. Kelly brought her hands up to her face as she continued to look on in shock. Kris left the two older sisters to the table as she headed towards the stage.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.

Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.'

As Cate finished singing the music slowly began to change its melody leading into their next song for which Kris picked up the lyrics stepping out of the shadows next to the piano.

'Greeting cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you

Merry Christmas darling
We're apart that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams
I'm Christmas-ing with you

Whilst Kris continued to sing Cate slowly stepped aside allowing Kris to take the centre of the stage.

Holidays are joyful
There's always something new
But every day's a holiday
When I'm near to you
The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it every day
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say

Cate next took lead for the song with Kris joining the rest of the band as Cate had done beforehand singing the backing and harmony lines.

That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too
I've just one wish
On this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you

Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too
I've just one wish
On this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
I wish I were with you

Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas – Darling'

As the song ended the couples that had taken to the dance floor stopped their dances to applaud the band and its singers as they took their bows Kris and Cate then left the stage making their way to their sisters.

'Kel, have you been crying?' Cate asked as she approached her sister her threw her arms around her.

'Maybe a little, it's an emotional time.' Kelly admitted as she held her little sister tightly.

'Merry Christmas Kelly.' Cate giggled.

'So what did you do when you found out that Jill and Kris both knew and kept you in the dark?' Scotty asked as he stretched his legs out in front of him where he sat on the floor.

'Oh I made them pay for that a few weeks later but that's another story. For that evening on Christmas Eve I was just happy to have my sister home with me and that was enough.' Kelly smiled to the young man when the phone rang. Cate got up to answer the phone.

'Cate!' Danny yelled down the phone. 'I'm a dad again, I'm a dad!'

Cate held the phone away from her ear as her eldest brother shouted down the phone at her.

'Danny's a dad again.' Cate explained to the rest of the room.

'A boy! We have a little boy!' Danny continued to shout. 'All of you get down here now!' Danny excitedly cried before hanging up the phone.

'Alright everyone, jackets and shoes on we're headed to the hospital.' Cate announced.

'What about Becca?' Kris asked as she got up.

'I'll get her.' Cate smiled heading into the room her niece slept in. Gently waking her niece, Rebeccea turned to face her aunt. 'Hey there little one, ready to go and meet your new little brother?' Cate smiled to her niece who jumped up quickly rushing out of the room. 'I'll take that as a yes.' Cate laughed to herself as she got up and headed out of the room after her finding Kelly getting Rebecca into her coat and boots.

The group all arrived at the hospital and headed towards Tessa's room. Cate entered first.

'Hi, ready for the gang?' Cate asked as she headed to Tessa first kissing her forehead and hugging her.

'Bring in the troupe.' Tessa beamed with tired eyes. Cate nodded and went back to the door beckoning the rest in. Danny stood beside his wife holding his new little boy in his arms handing him over to Tessa as Rebecca came in and was lifted by her uncle up on to the bed to meet her baby brother. Cate stood by her mother who sat opposite Tessa's bed watching over her children.

'Everybody,' Danny began. 'I'd like you to meet the newest member of the Carter family. Garrett Jacob Carter.' Danny introduced. The group of Angels all cooed as they heard the name of the gorgeous little boy that Tessa cradled in her arms. Kelly stood stunned for a moment before walking back standing the other side of Bette.

'Kelly honey are you ok?' Bette asked smiling to Cate then to Kelly.

'I…did I just hear what I thought I heard?' Kelly asked stunned. Both Cate and Bette nodded to her. 'Did you know about this?' Kelly asked looking at Cate.

'Tessa and Danny spoke to me about it.' Cate admitted.

'Kelly, you're a part of our family now and this way well, we thought it would make it even more I don't know, official.' Danny said trying to explain their decision to name their son after Kelly.

'This way our families share the same name.' Tessa added.

'Exactly.' Danny chipped in as he picked up Rebecca.

'Thank you, I really don't know what else to say.'

'You don't have to say anything sweetheart, we're family.' Bette concluded.

'Merry Christmas everybody.' Scotty spoke up looking to the clock on the wall, it was now past midnight, officially Christmas day. Everyone in the room cheered with merry Christmases to everyone.

'And that little Garrett was your first Christmas with us all.' Cate explained to the baby boy she held in her arms as they stood at her mother's graveside, it was Christmas Eve again but a couple of years after Garrett's first and a lot of things had already changed. 'Your grandmother loved you so much, with all her heart like she did all of us and still does from where ever she is now watching over all of us.' Cate felt a hand on her shoulder turning to see Kelly.

'You ready to head back?' Kelly asked sadly as she weakly smiled to Cate gently stroking her index finger on her little nephew's cheek.

'Yeah I'm ready let's get back before Rebecca sends out a search party for us all.' Cate smiled to her sister as they both turned and headed down to the car, the stars shining brightly above them as they headed back to the family home and their family Christmas. 'Besides we've got some music to be singing.'

'Did you let Kris use your guitar?' Kelly asked smirking as Cate put Garrett securely into his car seat.

'Well as it is Christmas I let her.' Cate laughed. 'But if she breaks it, she buys it.' The two sisters laughed as they drove off.

Well it took a year but it's all finished now as promised and I decided at the end to bring it up to date with my other fics!

Merry Christmas everybody, I hope you have a safe and happy Christmas with your loved ones and a very happy and healthy new year in which I'll continue my other CA fic - 'Hell Hath No Fury' until then, happy holidays! AJ5 xxx

'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' - Judy Garland

'Merry Christmas Darling' - The Carpenters