A/N: This has been a fun ride. I really appreciate everyone coming along with me. Happy and Healthy Holidays!

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

O'Connor Family Home
Formerly Reagan Family Home
December 24, 2071

Patrick sat in his robe, face lit only by the dim firelight and the lights on the tree. He and Jenna had used his Mom's candle lights this year making a beautiful old fashioned tree. In his hand he held the old snowman ornament that his father had made as a little boy in this very house.

Eddie was restless that early morning, and slowly got out of bed. Leaning heavily on her cane she was now dependent on for walking she slowly walked to the long staircase. One by one she descended the steps pausing when...no it couldn't be. Sitting in Jamie's old chair, in front of the fire was...no, no it couldn't be.

She thought back to a time long ago, a time when every morning would all but guarantee the same sight as she descended down the stairs. Jamie would be wearing his robe and sitting in that chair, sometimes reading the paper, sometimes deeply lost in thought, but always sitting in that chair. Patrick looked so much like his father had at that age, so much like him. For those fleeting moments, Eddie would've sworn it was her beloved husband, once again in his chair.

Patrick heard his mother's soft footfalls and turned to see her at the edge of the staircase. When the firelight hit his amazing blue eyes, she covered her mouth to stifle a heart breaking sob.

Patrick rose and quickly went to his mother's side, "Mom, Mom, it's okay, I'm here," he said softly, gently, taking his 82 year old mother into his strong arms.

"I miss him," she whispered very softly.

"I know, Mom. I know, I miss him too. Come sit down," he said gently and just as gently led her to his father's chair. Eddie refused to sit in it.

"I can't," she cried, shaking her head. "Not yet, I just can't."

"Okay, okay," he said and eased her onto the sofa, automatically moving to get a pillow for her back. He eased her back and covered her thin legs with a blanket. "There you go. How's that?"

"Good," she said, her tears beginning to slow. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. You just, you looked so much like him sitting there like that, you know? You've always been the picture of your dad and your Uncle Joe."

"Two strong men," Patrick sighed. "I can't ask for more. I'm glad you kepy his chair even if none of us sat in it for the last year until I did just now. It still smells like him."

She nodded. "I loved that cologne he always wore. Something about it, I just loved it." Her chin began to quiver again.

Patrick reached out and touched his mother's tears, "Dad wouldn't want us to be sad, Mom. He'd hate it if he saw you crying on Christmas."

"What makes you think that?" asked Eddie, raising her voice a bit. "He knew this year, this Christmas would be sad. He knew!"

Patrick began to rub her back gently, "Mom, Mom, ssh...Ssh, this is not good for your health. Remember what the doctors said," he soothed. "Calm down...Its all right."

She sobbed a few times, and then took a deep breath. "I don't know what I'd do without you, you and the others. I just miss your dad so much."

"Mom, Dad...he...that last year or so...He wasn't happy. He didn't want to live like that," Patrick tried to soothe. "He didn't want you to live like that."

"I know," she said quietly, reaching out for her son's hand. "He did so well for so long, though. He had a really good long life, 87."

Patrick nodded, "He did. He did so well, but once his heart really started to fail so did the rest of his body. But he was stubborn right up until the end. Remember?"

She smiled just a touch. "He was so many things; a quitter was never among them."

"He loved Christmas," Patrick sighed.

"He didn't want it to be sad for the kids, or for me," Eddie sighed. "I still can't believe it. He hadn't been up for days but Christmas morning, when I woke him up he wanted to come downstairs and open presents. So you and Noelle's boys helped him down and we had such a happy Christmas. He was smiling and laughing, he didn't seem to be so sick."

"No he didn't," Patrick smiled. "You going to be okay, Mom. It's really later. We should go back up to bed."

"You go on, son," Eddie said. 'I'm going to sit and look at the lights a little longer."

Patrick kissed his mother's head and head upstairs. The Reagan house was filled to the rim that holiday, the first holiday without Jamie. Everyone was there sleeping in any room they could fit into. They had added onto the house over the years, leaving plenty of bedrooms and dens for the family to sprawl out in.

As Eddie looked at the tree she thought about Jamie. They had so many years together, this last one just didn't seem right with him gone. In 22 hours, he'd be gone one entire year. He held on until the Christmas day and birthday celebrations were over, then went peacefully in his sleep with her in his arms. It was the most precious moment of her life being at his side and in his arms literally until death did them part.

Eddie was just about to go to bed when she heard footsteps, she turned to see Noelle working her way down the steps. "Mom, it's after 2 am. You should be in bed, the kids are going to have us all up very early."

Eddie sighed, "I know. I was just thinking about Dad." She patted the sofa beside her and Noelle sat down. "Yeah, me too. I couldn't' sleep. It wasn't the same this year without him recanting and increasingly dramatizing the details of my birth."

Eddie laughed, "I think that scarred him for life. You were overdue and all of a sudden I went from water breaks to ten centimeters in the middle of Fifth Avenue. I think if Dad had to catch you, he could have dropped you."

Noelle laughed at the memory, "You two never made it seem like my birthday was hidden inside of Christmas you know? You always made it so special."

Eddie smiled at her, "It is special. You are so special Noelle. You know something, Dad, he loved Christmas since I met him, but after you came…" Eddie beamed. "He loved you so much, his last baby. Don't tell your brother and sisters but you were his pride and joy. He was so proud of you and I know he was smiling last month when you became Commissioner."

"You know I didn't think I could miss him more than I did that day but today…I think I do. When I heard you down here almost though…"

"I know I did too. Your brother was in Dad's old chair earlier. I came down and it was like he was here again. I feel him all around me today, especially here." Eddie stood up and looked at the candle lights on the tree. "Are you gonna be okay sweetie?" Noelle was always a sensitive little girl and just like Jamie in her career as a police officer.

"Yeah," Noelle replied. "You look pretty tired, Mom. Come on up to bed."

"I am comfortable down here honey," Eddie replied softly. She sat back down on the couch and put her feet up. Noelle joined her mother. "I think I'll sit with you a while longer okay?" Noelle slid her arms around Eddie and hugged her mom tight.

"Eddie…" came a soft distant voice. "Hey, Eddie come on…." Eddie stirred and opened her eyes. She must have fallen asleep on the couch. Noelle was still asleep her head resting on Eddie's lap like she used to do when she was little.

"Eddie!" she heard the voice again as clear as day.

"Jamie…" Eddie said her husband's name on a sigh and stood quickly. "Jamie, I can't see you…"

"Oh sorry, I'm still learning how to do this," he replied. She heard the soft sound of a ringing bell then Jamie appeared, not old and sick like she remembered him, but young and vital, the man she married.

Eddie's eyes filled with tears, "Oh, Jamie…Is this a dream? It has to be a beautiful dream!"

"It's not a dream, my love. I'm here, I'm here with you always." He reached out and touched her cheeks. The last time she felt his touch it had been so cold. Now it was warm and strong like she remembered.

"Jamie, I miss you so much. I was thinking of trying to get through today without you here and I…"

"Ssh, you're not without me, Eddie. Never. I am always in your heart and we will to together again soon, sweetheart. I know things…"

Eddie smiled, "How soon?"

"I can't say, but know that I speak the truth when I promise you that we will never spend a Christmas apart. I'm here now and by next year we'll get together." He kissed her lips softly.

"Jamie are you allowed to kiss in Heaven?"

Jamie laughed and blinked at the ceiling. A mistletoe appeared suspended in the air above his head, "I think considering it's the rules and all I'll be forgiven." He pulled her close again and held her tight. "Never a Christmas apart. I promised you that once and I meant it." Jamie pecked a kiss on her nose then kissed her lips. Eddie sighed, feeling happy, safe, and warm for the first time in a year. "Soon my love," Jamie whispered again. "Very soon we can hold each other forever. You'll meet Joe, Joe loves you already. He can't wait to tell you himself."

Eddie laid her head on Jamie's chest. "Do you have to go?"

"Yes, but I promise you, there' won't be another Christmas apart. I promise…" He kissed her once last time. "I love you, Mrs. Reagan. Merry Christmas."

"I love you too, Jamie. Merry Christmas."

Noelle though she heard her mother whisper something, "Are you okay, Mom?" She looked to her side and found Eddie still fast asleep, a smile on her face. Noelle sat up and gently moved Eddie so she was lying on the sofa. She layered a blanket over her and kissed her cheek leaving Eddie to sleep peacefully.

As Noelle left Eddie sleeping she headed upstairs passing the picture of her parents taken at the 55th wedding anniversary. They were so happy, all of their lives. She only hoped to be as in love with her husband then as she was now. She started up the steps, looking back at the image of her father. "Merry Christmas, Daddy."

She could have sworn she heard him whisper, "Merry Christmas, Baby. Happy Birthday to you."