CHAPTER 18

The rest of the week was hectic as the squints worked diligently to find Agent Daley's killer. Over the three days the body was examined the anguish grew with each fresh wound they found.

"She was tortured for weeks," Tempe stated as she found yet another burn mark on the victim's right foot.

It was challenging not to let this case become personal for all those involved. Seeley kept busy at his office, calling the lab instead of going in person. The FBI had some good ideas as to who the killer was but needed concrete evidence to make an arrest. It wasn't until Friday after afternoon when that evidence surfaced and the FBI started their nation wide manhunt for a Drug Dealer named, Richard Sanchez.

Seeley and his colleagues felt a sense of relief amongst their sorrow for now Agent Daley could be buried next to her mother, father, and rest in peace. It would be a private funeral with only her family attending.

The weekend was welcomed with excitement as Tempe and Seeley would tell Parker their good news when he came on Sunday.

After Parker was settled in on Sunday, Seeley asked him to come downstairs so he could talk to him. He and Tempe sat on the couch waiting with anticipation to tell him.

"Tempe and I have something to tell you." He looked at Tempe and then at Parker. I really am the luckiest guy in the world

"Tempe and I are getting married."

Parker was quiet for a moment as he knew what it kind of meant but needed a few seconds to piece it together.

"So, Tempe is going to be my real second mommy?"

They looked at each other and nodded.

"Yes Parker, I will be your step-mother."

"Cool. When Bobby's mom got married, he had to wear a tie and funny shoes. Do I have to wear funny shoes?"

They laughed at his precious innocence.

"No you don't have to wear funny shoes," Seeley answered.

Getting antsy on the couch, Parker asked, "Can I go play now?"

"Sure," his dad replied.

"Well that was easy," Tempe said laughing at the funny shoes comment and how lightly he took the news.

"Do you know that May is six months from now?" Seeley questioned her.

"Yes."

"I know you don't want a big wedding but we do need to start making some plans soon, like after Christmas."

"Christmas?" Tempe asked.

"This will be a Christmas you will WANT to remember, I promise you that Temperance." His voice was soft and convincing as he kissed her lips every so gently.

They decided they would have a small open house two weeks before Christmas and it worked out well as Parker was with them that Saturday. As the first guests arrived the wine bottles started emptying, festive songs filled the air and kisses were making sparks under the mistletoe. Dr. Goodman dressed up as Santa and the festivities wandered into the wee hours of the morning. Jack, Angela and Zack stayed over as their alcohol consumption rendered them unable to venture out on their own.

As Tempe and Seeley climbed into bed, she leaned over and whispered in his ear, "You are my knight in shining armor."

He smiled, "I love you too."

Parker would be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with Seeley and then he would go with Rebecca and Drew as they were having their families over for dinner.

Seeley and Rebecca hadn't done the Santa Clause thing with him in a 'magic sled and bringing gifts to children all over the world way' but they still made Santa a part of their holiday which everyone liked.

Tempe, Seeley and Parker spent a Saturday afternoon picking out a tree and decorating it with Seeley hoisting up Parker to top it off with a star.

On Christmas Eve, the snow fell lightly as the three of them made their way around Washington Park in an old fashioned sled with two stunning white horses pulling them.

"This is fun," Tempe said aloud as she and Parker tried to catch snowflakes on their tongues.

Seeley stared at them in amazement. Two years ago, he couldn't even comprehend having a night like this with his son and Tempe. While he was off in reminiscent land, Parker started yelling to him.

"Daddy! You are missing the snowflakes, they taste so good. Come on, try them."

Seeley joined in and soon the three of them were laughing and catching snowflakes on their tongues at the same time.

As the horses came to a stop, Seeley jumped out and helped Parker and Tempe out. Parker petted the horses before they trotted off to pick up the group of people waiting.

"That was awesome," Tempe announced as she kissed her two favorite boys on their cheeks, then bent down, formed a small snowball and tossed it at Seeley.

"What the.. That means war. Every guy for themselves!"

Tempe coughed, "Every person."

"Bad me. Every person for themselves." He threw a snowball at Tempe's head.

Before they realized it, an hour had passed and Seeley decided it was time to head for home.

"OK, everyone into the car. Time to go home for hot chocolate and, hmmmmm, what else are we going to do?"

"Open presents!" yelled Parker from the back seat.

"Oh, that's right, open presents," Seeley said as he buckled up.

"I'll start the fire, you go help your dad with the hot chocolate," Tempe instructed Parker.

"Daddy, do we have any marshmallows to go with the hot chocolate?"

"Let's look." He put his son up on his shoulders and let him open the cupboards.

"Found them!"

As they made their way to the living room, they were expecting a roaring fire or even flames of some sort. But it wasn't happening. Tempe was not having any luck keeping the fire going.

The boys stood there wondering when she was going to give up but she was relentless.

Seeley put down the tray down, walked over to hear, knelt down and gently took the fire poker out of her hands.

"I think you put about four trees worth of paper in there. Let me try."

As she relinquished the task of fire starting to him, she backed up, took a cup of hot chocolate and settled on the couch beside Parker.

"Daddy is a good fire maker. He should give you some lessons Tempe."

Seeley got up and grabbed a cup as the fire started to roar behind him.

"Now what else are we supposed to do?" he teasingly said aloud not looking at anyone in particular.

"Daddy, you forgot so soon. Presents. We get to open presents!"

"Go for it but remember to read the tags first," his dad reminded him.

"To Parker from Angela and Jack."

He ripped open the paper and his eyes widened.

"It's a bug set! Cool."

"With real bugs?" Seeley asked jokingly.

"Don't be silly dad, the bugs would die in the box, they need air to breath. I have to get my own bugs and then use this set to look at them, just like Jack does."

"To Parker, Love Daddy and Tempe."

As he tore the paper off, Tempe's face was smiling and Seeley leaned over kissed her, causing her to smile even more.

Parker looked over and out of nowhere said, " Tempe, you have to kiss him back, 'member, he likes when you kiss him."

She didn't say a word as she pressed her lips against his and let her tongue slide over his momentarily.

"Magnets! Thanks daddy, Thanks Tempe!" and he ran over and gave them a big hug.

"Your welcome," they both said at the same time.

"Tempe, this is for you. I made it at school."

He handed it to Tempe and she noticed it was wrapped in a lot of tissue paper so she took extra care. Under several layers of paper lay a handmade painted clay vase with the names, Daddy, Tempe and Parker, 2007 etched into it.

"It is beautiful Parker," Tempe said as tears started to form in her eyes. "I will treasure this forever."

Parker then handed her a small square box, "Tempe, this one is also for you."

"Go ahead, open it," Seeley said.

To Tempe, Love Seeley

Her mind was racing as to what it could be but still took her time unwrapping it.

The box said 'Alsten Jewelers.'

She flipped open the box and there before her were sapphire earrings that matched her engagement ring and right below it was another ring which she looked at with hesitance.

"It's a family ring," Seeley said quietly as he sat down beside her. "It has my birthstone, yours and Parker's. And this spot is for our child's birthstone. That is IF we decide to have a child in the future."

She looked into eyes and could swear she heard them speaking to her. She loved Parker but wasn't sure she wanted to bear a child. But she knew this wasn't something that had to be decided right now and Seeley was aware of her feelings. She loved him; everything about him and a part of her would like to create a life with him. But the other part was scared about the prospect.

"I love them. I love you. Thank you."

"Your welcome. I love you," he replied and took her into his arms.

"Come on over here Parker, family hug," Tempe said as she picked him up, wrapped her arms him; Seeley then wrapping his arms around them both.

"Now it's time to give your dad his gift," Tempe said looking at Parker.

"Daddy, I did the best secret keeping ever. I didn't tell you what your present is, aren't I great?"

Seeley laughed and looked at Tempe, "When did you tell him?"

"Yesterday."

"Yes, you did great secret keeping bud."

Tempe walked over to the tree, pulled a small red box out of the back of the tree, and handed it to Seeley.

The box wasn't wrapped it just had the FORD logo on it. He hesitated for a moment but saw that Parker was about to burst so he pulled off the lid.

A Key on a Mustang Key Chain

"There should be something in the garage that that key will fit into," Tempe said as she stood and took his hand in hers.

He was in a daze but followed them to the garage. When he flicked the light on his mouth fell open and his eyes widened like they were going to pop out.

"Merry Christmas Seeley."

"Merry Christmas Daddy."

He stood in awe in front of a brand new 2007 Red Ford Mustang Convertible.

"Tempe, this is …"

She turned him around and put her hands on his face.

"Enjoy." She placed a kiss on his lips and whispered into his mouth, "I will take you for a drive soon."

"I love it. Thank you." He held up his key and then looked upwards, "Hey, can you stop the snow so I can drive this car? It really doesn't like the snow."