Four years had passed. Randy Jr. was four. She had had another baby. His name was Elliott. He was two. His middle name was John. That was Randy's idea. Sam was six months pregnant with her third child. It was also a boy. His name was going to be Nick. It was Christmas Eve. John was coming to spend Christmas with Sam, Randy and the kids. The house was all decorated with Christmas decorations. The boys were in the kitchen making Christmas cookies. Randy came downstairs and into the kitchen.

"It smells good in here." Randy said. "What's baking?"

"Ginger bread men." Sam said.

"Ooh." "Chocolate chips." He said picking up the bag.

"No daddy those are for the cookies." Randy Jr. said.

"I was only gonna have a couple."

"Mommy said no."

"Bad daddy." Elliot said.

"Daddy when is uncle John gonna get here?" Randy Jr. asked.

"Soon." The doorbell rang. "That's probably him." Randy went to the door and opened it. John was standing there. "Hey."

"Hey." John said. He went in.

"The boys are waiting for you."

"I can't wait to see them." John and Randy went into the kitchen. "Hi guys." They both ran to him. He hugged them. "Did you guys miss me?"

"Yeah we haven't seen you in forever." Little Randy said.

"I know but I'm really busy protecting people in Massachusetts."

"Well you should leave that place and move here."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"My job is in Massachusetts."

"Hi uncle Ohn." Elliott said.

"Hi buddy."

"Missed you."

"I missed you" He put them down and went over to Sam. "Hi Sammy."

"Hi John." She said. They hugged

"I've never seen you pregnant before." "You look fabulous."

"Thanks."

"Another boy huh?"

"Yep." "The last one." "No more after this."

"You mean you're not gonna keep trying until you get a girl?"

"Given the track record with my last three pregnancies I think that would be pretty pointless."

"I guess you just meant to make boys."

"Yeah I guess so."

Later that night the kids were in bed. Sam, Randy and John were sitting in the living room wrapping presents.

"So anything new with you John?" Sam asked.

"I got promoted."

"That's great to what?"

"Detective."

"Why didn't you call and tell us?" Randy asked.

"I just got promoted last week." "I figured I'd wait till now to tell you guys."

"Did you get a raise to?"

"Yeah and with that raise I can finally afford to move out of the studio and in to an apartment that has more then one room." "So what's the big gift for the kids?"

"We're getting them a puppy." Sam said.

"A puppy?"

"Yeah." "One of the doctors I with dogs just had puppies and she asked me if we wanted one."

"What kind?"

"A black lab." "I already picked it out." "She's so cute." "Randy's gonna get her at five in the morning so she'll be here when the kids wake up."

"The kids are gonna be so excited."

The next morning Randy woke up to go get the puppy. Sam got up when he did. She took her anti-depressant. Today of all days was one of the roughest for her. As she did every Christmas she put on a happy smile and hid the pain. Two hours later the kids woke up. They were very excited about the new puppy and there other toys. Sam opened her present from Randy. It was a mink stole.

"Oh my god Randy." Sam said. "This is beautiful."

"Do you like it?"

"I love it."

"Ok." Randy said looking at John. "Time for your present."

"You didn't have to buy me a present." John said.

"Come on it's outside."

They all went outside. Randy opened the garage. Inside was a brand-new sliver Lexus.

"Merry Christmas John." Randy said.

"You bought me a car?" John said shocked.

"I know you've been having trouble with yours." "So I thought why not?"

"Thanks."

"No problem."

A few hours later Sam got a text from AJ. She went up to the bedroom and locked the door. It read.

Merry Christmas. – AJ

Merry Christmas. – Sam

I know today's always rough for you. :( – AJ

Yeah. :( Having John here makes me feel even more guilty. – Sam

I know. – AJ

How are the girls and Todd? – Sam

They're fine. – AJ

Tell the girls I love and miss them. – Sam

I will. – AJ

I gotta go. – Sam

Ok bye. – AJ

Bye. – Sam

Sam went to the closet. She bent down and removed a piece of the wall inside the closet. She pulled out her locked box. She sat on the bed and unlocked it. She took out the picture of her and Isabelle. As she looked at it she couldn't believe it had been eight years since it was taken.

"Happy birthday Isabelle." Sam whispered. "I love you." She kissed the picture.