"What do you mean, you don't have any money? You just gave Nick fifty grand!"

"That was most of what I had."

Tony's jaw dropped open.

"No, you're a Wolenczak! I thought your folks were loaded."

"They were. Then my father became obsessed with the World Power Project. He invested everything in it. He borrowed against everything we owned. Wolenczak Industries went bankrupt five years ago. We were the only ones still dumb enough to have anything invested in it, so it didn't really make the news, it just quietly disappeared. As far as I know, my mother's living on credit and is up to her ears in debt."

"But you invented stuff, right? I mean, the Vocorder, you get money for that, don't you?"

"Everything I did before Hyperion was invented when I was a minor. My parents managed all my finances. All I ever got was a small paycheck from the UEO. When we disappeared, my mother had me declared legally dead, and took what savings I had. When we got back, I discovered I was penniless."

"But the money you just gave Nick..."

"I got some compensation from the UEO for wrongful imprisonment. You remember, when we got back they arrested me up? Technically, I was a civilian. They had no right." There was a small tremor in his voice.

"How much did they give you?"

"Sixty thousand dollars."

Alarm bells started to ring in Tony's head. "Seems like a lot for a couple of days of wrongful imprisonment."

Lucas shrugged, and looked down at his hands. Tony saw that they were shaking. Funny, he thought, they had never talked about that. So much was happening at that time, he had never asked Lucas what it had been like to be locked up in jail, and whether he had been alright.

"Lucas?"

Lucas broke out of his reverie and quickly changed the subject.

"So that's all I had. I'm just like everybody else now."

Except you're not, thought Tony. You're nineteen years old and stuck in a wheelchair with no family and no money and the worst luck of anyone he had ever known.

"That settles it then, I'm getting that check back, you can't give us everything you've got."

"Why? Nothing's changed. I still don't want to see Angie and Gina living in a slum, and the boys joining the military because they have to find somewhere to go."

"But Lucas...you'll have nothing!"

"I've got a place to live, and a job, and that's all because of you. And I've got good friends..." He looked worried for a moment. "I think?"

Tony could see his insecurities rising to the surface again.

"You have really good friends. What, you think I won't be your friend anymore now that you've given us your last 50k?"

Lucas answered honestly, "It did cross my mind once or twice."

"Then stop it. I don't care how much money you have - although I should probably stop making you pay for all the cabs and the clubs! We're friends, Lucas, it's never been about the money, okay?"

"Okay."

Lucas suddenly felt drained.

"Tony, did Perry leave me anything for a headache?"

"Yeah, sure, let me grab 'em!"

Lucas nodded and went into the bathroom for a few minutes, coming back with a glass of water. Tony handed him the pills, which he swallowed quickly.

"Thanks."

"You ready for bed? You want the rest of your meds?"

Lucas nodded, moved over to the bed and quickly changed while Tony found the rest of his pills.

"Here ya go. Need anything else?"

"No, I'm fine now. Today was great, will you tell everyone I said thanks? You really do have a great family. I love your Aunt Angie. And it was really nice of your mother to make that cake. Does everyone in your family know how to cook like that?"

Tony grinned. "Yeah, it's a requirement! You know, you're part of this family too now, whether you like it or not. Angie loves you too, you were always going to be welcome here, whatever happened. But after what you did today..."

"Tony..."

"Don't 'Tony' me, I haven't said thank you yet, not properly. You did a really great thing today. I love my family. I love Angie and Gina and the boys, and I would have hated it if they woulda had to move because of my father. And if you tell anyone, I'll deck you, but I love my father too, and I woulda hated it if he'd have turned up at the bottom of a river somewhere for messin' with the wrong people."

"Tony, it's okay, you don't have to keep saying thank you..."

"No, you're right, I don't. That's the last time I'm gonna say it. Because helping each other is what families do, and you're family now. So swallow your meds and go to sleep, little brother, before big brother here has to make you!"

Lucas grinned. "Like to see you try!"

"Kidding me? You weigh like thirty pounds! It would be like wrestling a chicken nugget!"

"Yeah, but I've got Angie and Gina on my side..."

"You're right, they can be pretty scary!"

And smiling at the thought of it, he fell asleep.

The next day was Christmas Eve, and he once again woke up with a fever and a cough. Although he was ordered to stay in bed, Gina begged for him to be allowed to rest on the sofa, and he dozed and watched movies all day while everyone else bustled about him. Preparations for the next day's lunch were in full swing, and even Tony's beloved Aunt Rose and Uncle Paulie were expected. An extra table had to be brought in, chairs were hunted out from other rooms, the turkey was brined and the vegetables prepared, pasta dishes that could be made ahead were organized and platters of antipasto were arranged for when they returned from Mass that evening.

When Lucas started to worry about his idleness, Angie threatened to send him back into his room, but in truth, his returning fever left him exhausted.

When the bustle died down, they started to discuss going to Mass. Lucas was far too sick to be allowed to go, but also far too sick for anyone to be comfortable with him staying behind on his own.

Angie was singing with the choir, so she had to go, and would not dream of leaving any of the children with the responsibility of looking after their guest. Marie had been looking forward to attending Mass with her husband and son. Dagwood could have stayed behind with no problems, but Angie thought that he would enjoy going with them, and wanted him to have the experience.

In a moment of inspiration, she called Doc Jacobson. He happily agreed, and was invited to join them for their traditional Christmas Eve dinner of Seafood Pasta.

"Thank you so much for coming! I was sorry to bother you on Christmas Eve, but I didn't like to leave him alone."

"Don't worry about it, I was pleased to get a dinner invitation, even if there are strings attached!" he teased.

He saw Lucas asleep on the sofa.

"How is he?"

"Still quite warm, he's been mostly sleeping today."

"Best thing for him! I have always believed that the best medicines we have are food and sleep!"

Lucas woke up later, to soft lights and a quiet house. Confused, he saw that he was still on the sofa. Across the room he saw someone reading a book by a table lamp, and squinted for a moment to make out who it was.

"Doctor Jacobson?"

"Ah, Lucas, you're awake!"

He walked over and pressed his hand to the boys forehead, then pulled out a thermometer.

"Your temperature is lower, how are you feeling?"

"Okay...is everyone at Mass?"

"Yes, they left a little early to visit with everyone, you know how that is."

The doctor knew that Lucas wouldn't like to think that someone had to watch him. "I chose to stick around after dinner, and wait for some of those delicious looking platters to make their appearance. Angelina certainly knows how to feed people!"

Lucas smiled, but it turned into a yawn. "I'm sorry, I've done nothing but sleep all day, I don't know why I'm so tired."

"Right now, I imagine a little food will help. She made her famous pasta, and kept some warm for you. I'll go and fetch it for you, you'll think you're in heaven!"

He reached for his sweater and started to eat. The doctor was right, it was delicious.

"If you'll indulge me, I have a favorite film that I try to watch every Christmas Eve - are you familiar with 'A Christmas Carol'?"

"It's one of my favorites!"

They sat together in companionable silence and lost themselves in the film. After a little while, the doctor went into the kitchen and brought out some hot chocolate and cookies. As the movie ended, they heard the sounds of people outside.

The doctor stood up and stretched. "Perfect timing!"

They came in with in a bustle of cold air, noise and excitement. The service had been beautiful, it was snowing again, there had been a great turnout, everyone was there.

Lucas moved to make room for others on the sofa, and Tony and Dagwood sat beside him.

"Hey, how ya feelin'?"

"Better, thanks."

"Merry Christmas, Lucas!"

"Merry Christmas, Dagwood!"

He shivered slightly, and Marie grabbed a throw and wrapped it around his shoulders.

"Lucas, you want some hot chocolate?"

"Oh, thank you, I've just had some."

"Doesn't mean you can't have more!"

"Then, yes, please!"

Angie, Marie and Gina bustled around with food and drink for everyone, as they talked and laughed into the early hours. Lucas fell asleep against Dagwood's shoulder, and was gently carried to bed, where he slept peacefully until morning.