December 23rd

After just a day in the infirmary Evan was bored. He'd asked Jennifer for his computer, thinking he could catch up on a few administrative tasks, but she'd scoffed before telling him very firmly, no. She knew him too well, enough to anticipate that he'd get absorbed and take it too far. It rankled to admit that he needed so much sleep. He'd be awake for an hour and then start yawning, ready for another nap. Sure, he'd put his body through a lot, he knew it would take time, but that didn't stop him from feeling the impatience to be done with this early phase of recovery.

"You can have a book," Jennifer offered, "or your sketch pad. That's it – and even then you have to promise to rest every hour or so."

"Fine," Evan knew better than to dig his heels in. He was at a disadvantage and she wasn't above making him feel it, all driven by love and concern of course.

"I'll go and get you something during my break," she promised.

When she returned she had not only a book and his sketch stuff, but the day's advent message too. "We might as well read this one now," she said, smiling. This time she read the message aloud, her voice soft and low enough that only he could hear.

"My Mom loves you too … she'd be proud to be a Mom to you, not to replace your own but just because every girl needs motherly advice sometimes (or so my Mom tells me). You'll get a sister too – admittedly she'd a bit of a pain but she comes with a husband who's pretty cool and two very cute nephews who could be yours too. Who could say No to that?"

"Can I give you my answer now?" she asked, clutching the paper to her chest as she looked at him.

"One more day," he insisted. Maybe it was little more than a formality now but one they'd both gone through a lot to continue.

"Fine," she said irritably, smoothing out the message and reading it again. "It's a good one," she admitted, tracing a finger over the words.

"I thought so," he shrugged. "Elaine can't wait to get that email telling her we're tying the knot. She's been after me about it since the first day you two met."

"I like your sister," Jennifer said. "And you don't only tolerate her like you pretend. She knows that you love her."

"The sibling roles have to be maintained," he joked. "Otherwise the entire order of the universe could be under threat."

"Oh!" Jennifer straightened. "I forgot …. wait here." She jumped up, hurrying to her office and quickly returning with a couple of envelopes. "Letters from home," she said simply. "They were delivered when the Daedalus first arrived. I've already read the letter from my Dad but I kept these safe for when you were back."

Evan took them, looking at the handwriting before opening the one from his sister first.

"Dear Evan,

Mom let us know that you won't be able to make it home for Christmas. I know the decision isn't yours but still I can't help being disappointed. It seems like forever since we had a true family Christmas. Maybe next year you'll be able to get leave … you and Jennifer. She needs to see our family traditions first hand. I know you haven't said anything about when you two will get married but you can't fool your sister – I know it's what you want and I'm sure it'll be soon. Just promise me you won't run off and elope before telling me. I want to be there!

The boys are doing well. Jon misses you but he loves the monthly video you do just for him. Tell Jennifer he giggled for days over that joke she told last time. Matt's verbal skills are really starting to develop now – its every second word clearly understandable now, instead of every third or fourth. I'll record something for you from both of them next time, okay. I've included a drawing from each of them – I think you'll be impressed.

Stay safe … can't wait to hear from you soon.

Love Elaine."

"Jon loved that joke," Evan shared as he looked at both drawings. They were the works of children but clearly ones who'd had some instruction – probably from their grandmother. Evan smiled, handing Jenn the letter and pictures so she could see for herself.

"Oh, I wish I could have seen that," Jennifer said wistfully when she got to the part about Jon's giggles. She continued to read the letter while he opened the second one, from his Mom.

"Dear Evan,

I hope this letter finds you well. I know you said I could just email but the act of sitting down with a blank page and actually writing something is more satisfying. It brings back memories too – of when your father was overseas. I used to write to him every day – he'd come home with a such a stack of envelopes, tied neatly together. I don't think he threw any of them away, even the silly ones.

I know you can't come home for the holidays this year so I've included a few gifts for you and Jennifer. I spoke to a very nice lady at your base in Colorado and she assured me they'd be delivered to you before Christmas day. It's not the same as you being here but still – it will be nice to imagine you and Jennifer opening them together on Christmas morning. I received the packages you sent for Elaine's family – and hid them away as instructed. Don't think I didn't notice there was more than one with my name on it too. I told you not to spend your money on me … of course I knew you wouldn't listen! I don't know how you found time where you are – but thank you. Having something personal from you will make the absence just a little bit easier to bear.

Pass on my love to Jennifer and my wishes for you to have a wonderful Christmas together. The best gift will be seeing you both back home again soon.

Look after yourself and Jennifer too.

Love Mom."

"We have gifts," he grinned, handing Jennifer the second letter too. "I guess they're still in storage along with the rest of the deliveries from the Daedalus."

"By now they would be," Jennifer laughed. "Colonel Caldwell didn't take the time to unload beyond the essentials before we left to come after you. Whatever your Mom sent has been to Olessia and back as well as travelling all the way from Earth."

"She'd get a kick out of that," Evan pushed back the familiar feeling of remorse that he couldn't tell his family what he and Jennifer really did every day.

"I can't believe it's Christmas Eve tomorrow," Jennifer said once she'd finished reading Grace's letter.

"It's seemed like a long time coming," Evan agreed. The days on Olessa had dragged, skewing his perception of how much time had passed. "So Doc," he took her hand and tugged to bring her closer. "What's a guy got to do to get a pass out of here – just for one night?"

"I don't know – what do you have to offer?" Jennifer said seductively.

"Not as much as I'd like," Evan admitted ruefully, running his thumb over the top of her hand as he regarded her intently. "My Doctor has me on a short leash. Maybe if we appealed to her romantic side she'd let me escort you to the party tomorrow night."

"Would you promise to return as soon as she said?" Jennifer quizzed.

"Of course, especially if she agreed to come back here to keep me company," Evan replied.

"And will you do what she says during the party too – there and back in a wheel chair, no alcohol, and nothing strenuous?"

"I can do that," Evan promised, mentally screwing his nose up at the mention of wheel chairs.

"Then assuming your checks for the rest of the day and tomorrow continue to be as positive as they have been so far, I think we can arrange that." Evan was recovering faster than she'd hoped for and already she was revising just how long he'd have to stay in the infirmary. He was still weak though, and got tired easily – the last thing he needed was to push himself too hard.

"Great," Evan grinned, tugging on her hand again until she relented and leaned down to kiss him. "It's a date."

"It's a date," Jennifer repeated with a soft smile.