CHAPTER SIX

Annie sat staring out of her bedroom window. It was Christmas day and Silver would be arriving very soon. How was she going to tell the slightly older girl whom was her best friend in the entire world – that she had failed to grant her; her Christmas Wish. That she may have even caused even more and bigger rift between Silver's parents than ever before. How was she going to tell Silver that she knew too much about her parents lives and what Silver had gone through – information that Silver herself had never shared with her – if she had ever planned too?

Silver pushed the ajar door open and found Annie sitting on her widow seat. Her head tilted to the right as she just simply silently watched her best friend. She could tell that Annie wasn't peaceful today – of all days to be peaceful – Christmas – the day that honored the birth of their Savior – would be the day to be at peace.

"I failed." Annie whispered.

"Failed how, honey?" Silver whispered as she wrapped her arms around her best friend and rested her head on her right shoulder. She had walked quietly across the room finally unable to stand the sight of her best friend feeling so miserably.

"I failed to grant you your Christmas Wish." Annie said as she leaned her head against Silver's neck. "I'm so sorry, Silver – I tried my best. But, I couldn't grant you your Christmas Wish."

Silver blinked. "You didn't fail, Annie." She tighten her arms.

"Yes I did, I coudn't get your mom or your dad here today, I also count get them to forgive one another and agree to be friends. I couldn't agree …." Annie whispered.

Silver squeezed one last time before pulling away. Standing up she held out her right hand for Annie to take. Annie silently took it automatically, "Come on everyone is properly wondering where we are." Silver helped Annie to her feet and led her from the bedroom.

Soft music could be heard in the speakers that had been installed all over the mansion.

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Silver slipped her arm around Annie's shoulder and they slowly walked down the hallway that would lead to the staircase. "I love this song." She began to hum softly.

Annie's spirit began to calm itself. She leaned her head to rest against her best friend's shoulder as they began to walk down the stairs too join her family – Silver's family – and the Walsh's. Well at least Jim and Cindy. She wasn't even surprised to see Mister Ryan Matthews at her her home – she knew that he didn't have any family so she happy too see him part of hers.

Silver led Annie into the living room and smiled and waved to the people who were talking, laughing around the living room. She saw that Dixon was at the Christmas tree with Harry, Sammy, Ryan, Jim. Cindy and Kelly were on the smaller couch with Debbie and Tabitha on the couch across from them.

David and Donna arrived with the new baby. All the oohing and aahing took place.

The afternoon passed into early evening, the Christmas feast had been eaten, Christmas Carols had been song – more to follow after the gifts were open. Each person had a gift in their hands and slowly began to unwrap them.

Silver leaned into Annie, who was sitting close to her on the couch, Dixon was on the otherside of her. "You didn't fail me, Annie, you have granted me my Christmas Wish. You have given me my family back." She kissed her check.

Annie turned her shinning eyes on her best friend and shook her head.

"My family," Silver contiuned, she turned her head and was pleased that Annie followed suit, "Kelly my sister, Sammy my nephew, David my brother, Donna my sister in law, my new niece. Ryan whom hopefully may become my brother in law in the near furtur. Jim and Cindy whom are like Kelly and David's second parents, and whom I care about deeply." She turned and looked over at Harry and Debbie who were leaning into each other under the holly and ivy. "You mom and dad; whom have quickly had become like second parents to me." She laughed gently, "Your grandmother," she nodded her head at a watching Tabitha, "Who is like a grandmother to me." She wrapped her arms tighter around Annie's waist, "You and Dixon are my family." She felt Dixon's hand on her shoulder and she looked sideways at him and smiled. He leaned forward and kissed her on the forhead – before he got up and walked away.

Annie bowed her head.

Silver gently lifted her best friend's chin so she could meet sparkling brown eyes with her own sparkling blue ones, "The people in this are my family. The only family that I want or need." She leaned in the few inches that were left between them, and she gently kissed Annie's right cheek - just slightly getting the edge of her lips also. She pulled back, "Thank you for coming into my life Annie Wilson – and thank you for granting my Christmas Wish."

Annie simply leaned into her best friend and snuggled into the warmth and comfort that was offered. She cried happy tears as she felt Silver's truth over wash her.

THE END

Author's Note: Sorry for such a sappy ending to this fic. Not one of my best. But this was my first ever holiday fic and I made myself finish it the day before Christmas Eve. I am planning on writing a sequel to this fic at a later date: so everything that Annie has learned will be dealt with in depth – and Silver WILL finally learn what Annie went through for her sake.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Christmas 2008