Michael and Sara arrived at Lincoln's just after one. They'd knocked twice but there was still no answer. Pulling out his key, Michael let them in. As he closed the door behind them, they heard noise coming from the kitchen. Looking at each other with raised eyebrows, they silently headed towards the commotion.

They walked in and saw Lincoln fighting with several pans of what appeared to be food at different stages of creation. As soon as he saw them, he breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad your hear. Mikey can you grab that spoon behind you?" Grabbing the spoon, he passed it to Lincoln while trying to suppress a smile. "Thanks." Lincoln said as he quickly turned to stir some water that was boiling.

Sara was not a cook and she knew it, but Lincoln looked like he was in desperate need of some assistance. "Can I help?" She asked.

Pausing with the spoon in mid air, Lincoln looked at her considering. Turning back to the stove he said, "Michael can help me in here with dinner. Could you talk to LJ?"

The lighthearted nature of the day left her, "What's wrong with LJ?"

"I don't know. He was fine this morning when he first got up, but about two hours ago I went to his room to have him help me with dinner and he refused to come out." Turning to her again he sighed. "He won't talk to me. Maybe he'll talk to you."

Sara walked over and put her hand on Lincoln's arm. "I'll see what I can do." Sara reached up on tiptoes and gave him a small kiss on the cheek before turning and leaving the room.

Making her way down the hall to LJ's bedroom, she paused outside the door. Taking a deep breath, she knocked twice. After hearing a muffled sound from inside, she opened the door and walked in.

LJ was sitting on his bed with a headset over his ears and a comic book in his lap. Seeing it was her, he removed the headset and place it along with his comic beside him. Sara took a look around. She'd never been in here. It was very much a young man's room. There was no sign of a female anywhere in site. Finally turning back to look at him, she made her way over to the bed. LJ sat up and moved his legs out of the way so she could sit down.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Sara looked at LJ's depressed features and instinctively reached out. There was no hesitation on his part. He fell into her arms and held her tight. Sara just held him and felt his breathing change like he was trying to hold back tears.

Feeling him start to calm down, she pulled back and he followed pressing his back against the headboard. He didn't look much better than when she'd walked in. "Want to talk?" she asked. When he didn't saying anything she added, "Is it Jessica?" His eyes met hers and she knew she'd found her mark. "Did something happen? Is she alright?"

He didn't say anything at first, just shook his head. Then she heard him whisper, "It's my fault."

"What's your fault?" When he didn't say anything more, she reached out and touched his hand. "I might be able to help. Tell me what's your fault LJ?"

It was obvious he was fighting tears again but he started to speak. "She told her family about me." He grew silent again and averted his eyes, but she was familiar how the men in this family were. He'd get it out eventually. She just had to be patient. Luckily he didn't make her wait too long. Taking a deep breath he let it all spill out. "She told them who I was. Who dad was, and Uncle Mike. They got…angry. Told her she wasn't to see me again." He met her eyes. "She stood up to them and they had a huge fight. She said they haven't spoken to her since." Averting his eyes again to the bedspread he added, "She said they wouldn't even let her have the phone to call me. She snuck the phone out of the house and was in the barn when she called me today, freezing."

Sara pulled him into her for another hug. "I'm sorry LJ. It will be ok. I promise. Things will work out, you'll see."

"How?"

Pulling back again so he could see her face, "I don't know. Look and me and your uncle though. All that we've been through and we've survived. So will you and Jessica if that's what you both want."

She thought she saw doubt on his face but then he said, "I don't want her to have to go through what you did Sara. I can't ask her to do that."

Sara reached up and lovingly brushed the hair away from his face. "Oh LJ. When love is involved, you don't have to ask."

After a few more minutes, she was able to convince him to come out and say hi to his uncle. As they walked into the main living area, Michael was busy setting the table but looked up catching her eye. Before anything could be said, Lincoln walked out of the kitchen carrying the first of what was to be their Christmas dinner. Sara whispered, "Looks like your dad might need some help." She thought she heard him mumble a yea sure and then he was following his father into the kitchen.

Sara came up beside Michael. Stopping what he was doing, he pulled her in for a hug. "Everything ok?"

Hugging him back, she brushed her lips across his cheek, "I'll tell you later."

Michael didn't get a chance to press her for more information as Lincoln and LJ came out carrying more food. Sara pulled away from him and went into the kitchen to see if she could carry anything.

Throughout dinner, when they'd gone to visit the gravesite and into the evening, LJ remained quite. He participated, but only just. Every now and then, Michael noticed Sara would catch LJ's eye and give him and encouraging smile. After the small gesture, his nephew would try just a little harder.

As they were leaving, Sara pulled LJ aside and gave him a hug goodbye. "When does she come back?"

"Wednesday. I'm supposed to pick her up at the airport at noon."

Sara had an idea. "Do you two have plans for New Years Eve?"

LJ shook his head. "No. She was going to come back on the third but bumped up her flight since everything…since everything happened with her family."

"Why don't you both come over then? It won't be anything fancy, but we have some friends coming and we can make pizzas, play some games maybe, and watch the ball drop."
"I don't know…"

Sara stepped back and put her coat on. "Just think about it LJ. It's up to you and Jessica but the offer is there if your interested."

Sara moved to say her goodbyes to Lincoln, giving him a hug and wishing him Merry Christmas. As they were moving to the door, "Sara?" LJ said. She turned back to face him. "Thanks." With that he turned heading toward his room and Michael and Sara left.

When the door closed, Lincoln took a seat on the couch and counted all the blessings he had in his life now. Only one thing was missing. He'd been thinking about her a lot lately with Michael and Sara getting ready for their wedding; she'd always be part of him. Forcing himself up, he made his way down the hall to check on his son.

~

Sara was quite the entire ride home. He'd seen her pulling at her coat sleeves and even touch the necklace he'd gotten her a few times. Her brow was wrinkled in concentration. As they stepped out of the car and headed up to their apartment, he wrapped his arms around her and she leaned in accepting his show of support. She didn't break her silence until they were up in their apartment and seated on the couch.

She was currently snuggled up to him with her head on his shoulder. Running his hands through her hair, he placed a kiss on the top of her head. "Want to talk about it?"
Sighing she said, "I invited LJ and Jessica over for New Years Eve."

Michael smiled against her hair, "I heard." When she was quite again he asked, "Is everything alright with LJ?"

"It will be. At least I hope it will be." Although he didn't think it was possible, she snuggled closer. "Jessica told her parents about everything and they…they didn't take it well. They haven't spoken to her since. LJ of course is blaming himself." She must have felt him stiffen because she added. "I wonder where he gets that from."

Michael placed another kiss in her hair. "I wouldn't know."

This got a small laugh out of Sara. "I'm sure you wouldn't." After a short pause she said, "She's coming back early because of everything. I think things will be alright once they see each other again."

Michael didn't say anything. Hoping she was right, he just held her.