Sara rolled over onto her back and felt the morning sun blanket her face. The sun was already making its way high in the sky. They'd been up late last night watching movies. Remembering, she smiled to herself. She hadn't done something like that in well…she didn't know if she'd ever done something like that. When she was little, she remembered sitting down to watch a Christmas movie as a kid but nothing to match what they did yesterday.

They'd made it through five movies although somewhere during the last one she'd fallen asleep. Reaching up to stretch, her smile from a minute before returned in full bloom. Cuddling with Michael on the couch last night had been just as she'd imagined and she'd fallen asleep with her head on his chest and her feet tucked up beside her. She vaguely remembered him pulling the blanket off the back of the couch and tucking it around her as she drifted off. With no memory of coming to bed, she realized he must have carried her in.

Turning to her side, she reached over to him but his space was empty and cold. Had he not come to bed last night? Growing concerned, she threw the covers off her still fully clothed body and hurried from the room to find him.

Michael had been so engrossed in his work, he didn't hear her get up and he'd been trying to listen. He'd not wanted her to wake up alone this morning, but seeing her walk into the living room and take a seat on the couch beside him, he realized that's exactly what had happened. A frown creased his brow in disappointment.

Sara wasn't sure what the cause of the sudden frown was to his features but leaning in she placed a reverent kiss on his lips. "Morning." She smiled, hoping to see a smile reflected back at her. Instead she got just a hint of a smile as Michael turned back to his work and hurried to put everything away.

"What are you working on?"

Michael paused at what he was doing and then continued as he answered her. "Just a few things I needed to get done this week for work. Nothing that can't wait till the weekend though." Putting the last piece of paper back into his briefcase, he set it on the floor and turned back to her. Giving her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, "So are you ready to start the day?"

His question surprised her. "Do we have somewhere to be today?"

Her comment only increased his smile. Bringing a hand up to caress her cheek, "We have lots of places to be today, Miss Tancredi." Mimicking her earlier actions, he placed a soft kiss on her slightly parted lips. "Why don't you go get changed and I'll put some coffee on." With that, he got up and began heading toward the kitchen leaving Sara alone on the couch. Turning he said, "Oh and Sara, dress warm," and then he disappeared into the kitchen.

Several hours later Sara realized the meaning of his words. First, he'd taken her to a beautiful restaurant to have brunch. The food was wonderful and the atmosphere was filled with the holiday. Next they'd strolled down Michigan Avenue, hand in hand, and took in all the window displays. And about an hour ago, they'd arrived at Millennium Park where they'd rented some skates for the ice rink and had been trying to stay on their feet.

Sara hadn't skated for years and Michael admitted this was a first for him. They were having so much fun when they made their way over to get some hot chocolate from a street vendor. Suddenly Michael stopped. Sara looked up at him and then followed his eyes to the vendor's cart they'd been heading towards. It took only a moment for her to realize what was going on. One of the guards from the prison, Jimmy she thought his name was. He and is family were all now staring directly at them, apprehension in their eyes.

After several more moments, Jimmy quickly moved his family in the opposite direction. Sara could see the children protesting the decision and for a moment felt bad that their day of fun had been ruined due to their parent's reaction. Michael still hadn't moved. Turning to face him she reached up to cup his cold face.

It took a moment for his eyes to refocus on her and the present but eventually he came back to her. She saw the words forming and stopped him before he spoke them. "Don't be sorry Michael. You have just as much right to be here as they do." When his tortured eyes didn't soften she added, "Do you wish you wouldn't have brought me here? Skated together for the last hour?"

Michael closed his eyes. He knew what she was trying to do, he did. And on many levels he was grateful, however that didn't change the guilt he was feeling. He was the reason why that family was leaving, why those kids weren't getting to do what they'd come here to do. Opening his eyes he looked back down at her. More than anything he wanted to see her happy and he'd wanted this to be a special day for them. Leaning down, Michael pulled her to him and kissed her with all the emotion that was built up inside him. Sara matched his aggressive kiss with one of her own, slipping her hands around his neck.

By the time they pulled apart, Sara's head was spinning and both she and Michael were breathing hard. Michael remained close and took her face in his hands. "No," was all he said and it took her a moment to remember her question. As soon as she did, a smile appeared. "Good." Taking a step back out of his embrace, "Think we can get the hot chocolate you promised me now?" Sara didn't wait for him to answer; instead she turned and headed back toward the vendor cart.

After the hot chocolate, they headed back to the main strip. They'd stopped at a small coffee shop and gotten a bite since it had been hours since their brunch that morning. Sara thought their day would soon be over. Michael however had other ideas. He'd spent the last few weeks planning this day and he had a few more surprises in store.

She'd been daydreaming a little as they walked hand in hand down the street. Taking in the Christmas decorations, she was a little startled when Michael stopped abruptly. At first she thought they'd stopped in front of a large hotel, but then she realized he was looking out toward the street. Her eyes fell on a small horse drawn carriage.

Beside the carriage was an older gentleman dressed in a warm black coat. The smile on his face was warm and open. With her hand still in his, Michael walked toward the man. As they approached the smile on the man's face got bigger. "This must be Sara."

He knew who she was. But who was he? She'd never met him before but it was obvious by Michael's next words that he was indeed familiar with the man. "Sara I'd like you to meet Harry. Harry this is my fiancé, Sara."

Harry bent deep at the waist in a formal bow. "It's very nice to meet you Sara." As he straightened, he addressed Michael. "Everything's ready." Michael nodded and Harry motioned for them to climb up.

Following Harry's lead, Michael raised their joined hands to his lips, "After you."

A little blown away by what was going on, Sara stepped up into the carriage and took a seat. Michael followed. Harry handed the couple a blanket to lay across their lap and a thermos of coffee. As Michael tucked the blanket around them, she caught his eye and brought her hand up to skim his face. He leaned into her caress and smiled. Feeling the carriage begin to move, she dropped her hand and he pulled her against his warm body as they headed down the street.

Sara was vaguely aware they were heading out of downtown but she'd been enjoying the feel of Michael beside her and relishing the wonderful day they'd had together that when they stopped moving, it took a moment to register. When she looked at where they'd stopped a small frown crossed her face. They were at a cemetery. Not something one would associate with Christmas.

Looking up at Michael and seeing his mixed expression made her realize exactly where they were. This was where his mother was buried. Christina Rose Scofield. They'd talked about her of course. Lincoln had told her they'd used to come to their mother's grave on Christmas so Sara assumed they'd be visiting her tomorrow now that the family was all together again. She was a little confused as to why they were here now. Before she could ask, however, Michael was stepping down out of the carriage and reaching out for her hand.

Once her feet were firmly planted on the ground, Michael began to walk them through the graveyard. Finally Michael stopped and released her hand. He walked silently to the gravestone and knelt down. Reaching out his hand, he traced the letters forming the words Christina Rose Scofield.

Sara just stood watching him. He remained unmoving, just staring at the stone in front of him. Then she heard it. It was barely audible, but it was there. He was speaking. Speaking but not to her, to his mom. She'd been huddling against the cold but seeing this warmed her from the inside out. Michael had loved his mother and he still did. She would love to have met the woman who'd help to make this incredible man.

She saw him shift his weight and then he held out his hand to her. Moving forward and lacing her fingers in his, she knelt beside him. The next words out of his mouth nearly brought her to tears. "Mom. This is Sara."

They stayed like that for several more minutes but no other words were spoken. Eventually Michael stood and Sara followed. They walked back to the carriage in silence and got in. Harry started the carriage moving again and Sara moved in close to Michael. Looking up, she caught his eye. There was sadness there but also another emotion Sara couldn't quite read. "Thank you for introducing me to your mother."

He must have been waiting for her reaction, because as soon as the words left her mouth she saw the muscles in his face relax and the clouded expression in his eyes disappeared. Michael placed a small kiss on her lips and pulled her head to rest against his shoulder. Night was falling and the temperature was dropping. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she delighted in his warmth and the warm feeling that spread from the inside out knowing the gift Michael had just given to her by sharing his mother.