Author's Note: A short two chapter fic about what could have happened after "For Christmas." The characters belong to the very talented Martha Williamson.

The lights and candles flickered joyously in the DLO and Shane felt a deep contentment dancing in Oliver's arms. She knew they had made the right decision to cancel their plans and come back to spend Christmas Eve with him.

Earlier in the evening, she had settled herself in the car with Rita and Norman outside of the hospital and they had started driving away. She had looked back at Oliver standing there all alone and her heart had felt heavy. She knew how hard it was to spend Christmas all alone and his heartbreak over his wife would make it even harder. She had considered telling Rita to turn around, but she felt like she couldn't delay them any longer, Rita and Norman had already given up time with their families to put on the Christmas play.

Rita pulled the car up to the airport drop off lane and Norman and Rita got out of the car to say goodbye and help her with her luggage. Shane had noticed the look on Rita's face. "Rita, what's wrong?"

Rita sighed. "I just keep picturing Oliver standing there all by himself."

Shane shot a sympathetic look to her friend, "I can't get that out of my head either."

"Let's go back," said Norman with a determined look on his face.

"But what about your families, won't they miss you?" inquired Shane.

"My folks will understand, when I explain it to them," said Rita.

"So will mine," Norman agreed. "They know Oliver is my best friend."

"I don't mind postponing my trip a few more days, I bought cancellation insurance." said Shane as they all piled back into the car.

Norman turned around to look at Shane. "I think we should try the DLO first, Oliver always goes there when he's upset."

"Good idea Norman," Shane had agreed.

Shane glanced over at Norman and Rita dancing together for the first time. It felt so right being here, she was certain that coming back had been the right decision for everyone.

After a few more songs, they took a break and gathered around the table with the glasses of Yoohoo that Norman had poured. Shane looked over at Oliver. "Mr O'Toole, I think we need a Christmas toast."

Oliver thought for a moment and decided that the message Jordan had shared with him would be fitting. "Christmas is an opportunity to remember that love came down to find us, right where we are, despite our imperfections, and it happens year after year; in a hospital lobby, or a post office, in the woods or on a mountaintop, or on a rock by a tree at the beach. Christmas is a gift and it is our choice whether to accept it. To God's greatest gift, and to amazing friends who have surprised and blessed me more than I can express."

They all touched their glasses together and took a sip of Yoohoo. Shane looked around at the Christmas tree, lights, candles and stockings. "Okay Oliver," she asked pointedly, "how did you manage to decorate the DLO like this in the hour since we saw you last?"

Oliver smiled with a hint of mischief. "It was not my doing."

Shane looked at him in confusion. "Then who did this?"

Oliver hesitated, wondering if they were going to believe the story he had to tell. He handed them the card from the tree. "I believe it was Jordan."

"Jordan?" asked Norman, "what does he have to do with this?"

"I am not sure what you are going to think of this," Oliver began with hesitation in his voice. "Norman, remember when you came into the chapel and Jordan and I were talking?"

"Yes," replied Norman, "I felt like I had interrupted something."

Oliver took a deep breath and decided to fully share his experience. He couldn't keep God's miracles to himself. "When I was a boy, my family went to an island in Washington for Christmas to spend time with my grandfather, who was dying. On Christmas Eve, everyone was crying and I ran down to the shore, very upset. When I got there, I found a man decorating a Christmas tree that was growing out of a rock. He saw that I was upset, so he let me help him. There was something about him that was so comforting to me that day that when I got back, I told my dad that I thought he was an angel. When Jordan and I were sitting in the chapel, he was reminding me that God's love could find you anywhere, in any circumstance, even by a tree growing out of a rock, down by the shore. When he said that I realized that there was no way he could have known about my experience and that he was the man that was down by the shore that day. I have come to believe that Jordan is an angel. He decorated the DLO and this tree was to remind me of that day and of how much God loves me."

Oliver looked at his coworkers and wondered if they would think he was crazy.

"Wow," Rita exclaimed softly.

Shane's natural skepticism crept in.. and yet hadn't she felt like there was something special about Jordan? "I have a hard time believing there really are angels, but Jordan got me to talk about things I never talk about with anyone and I don't know how he did that."

Norman walked over to the mantle. "Someone wrote our names on the stockings."

"Shane, you danced with an angel!" said Rita with a grin.

Shane shook her head, partly in disbelief, partly in wonder. She wanted to hang on to her skepticism. She had spent so much of her life not believing in God or Christmas or miracles, but with the events of the last few days it was pretty hard to discount that so many amazing events had been merely coincidence. She wasn't ready yet to say she fully believed or to pray or anything like that, but her heart felt more open to the possibility of God than it had in a really long time. The anger and bitterness she had been carrying about her father leaving them at Christmas was starting to be replaced by the peace and hope Oliver had talked about. It had felt so good today to participate in the Christmas play and actually enjoy something related to Christmas. And this night, spending time with friends celebrating Christmas Eve together, this felt right too.

"Well angels or not this has been a great day and the DLO looks beautiful," said Shane as she smiled at all of them. "What do you guys usually do for Christmas?"

Rita took a sip of her Yoohoo before answering. "For the last few years my folks have been spending their winters in an RV park in Albuquerque. On Christmas Day there's a potluck dinner and they have all kinds of fun Christmas activities between Christmas and New Years. It's a lovely community, the people are really nice. I really enjoy spending my holidays there."

"Are you still going to go?" asked Shane.

"Yes, I will leave first thing tomorrow morning, if it's still alright to use your car Oliver."

Oliver nodded. "Of course."

"Are you still going on your trip, Shane?" asked Rita.

"Yes, I am still looking forward to enjoying some warm weather. I rebooked my flight on the way back from the airport; I got a flight for the day after tomorrow. I couldn't find anything for Christmas Day. I'll just come back a few days later than I was planning."

Rita looked at Shane with a worried look. "So, you're not going to see your family afterwards?"

"Not this year," Shane replied. When they all kept looking at her and waiting, she finally continued. "Since my dad left us right before Christmas, the holiday has never quite felt the same. I still go visit my mom sometimes, but this year, well… there was some other.. uh.. family tensions and I would just rather not go." She didn't tell them about her sister Alex and her gambling addiction. She wasn't sure if she could talk about Alex without getting angry.

Oliver furrowed his brow and looked at her with understanding, but he didn't press. Shane was relieved. "What about you Norman?" she asked.

"My parents host a big dinner with my aunts and uncles and cousins, just the Dorman ones of course, not all of them. Actually, Shane and Oliver, if you aren't doing anything you are welcome to come. Everyone brings food and friends are always welcome."

Shane looked over at Oliver. "Are you doing anything with your family for Christmas?"

"No, I would be happy to accept your invitation Norman, if you are willing to accompany me, Ms. McInerney."

"That sounds nice Norman, thank you. You can text me the address and time." She wanted to ask Oliver about his family. She had never heard him talk about them other than his grandfather who had died. It was odd, Oliver took such pride in being an O'Toole, but Shane couldn't remember him talking about his mother or father. She decided to let it go for now.

Rita yawned and they all realized how late it was. Shane stood up. "It's getting late. I want to thank you guys, this is the best Christmas Eve I've had in a really long time."

Norman grinned at her. "You look good in a halo."

Shane laughed and held up the halo she still had with her. "Maybe I'll have to put it on Bearthazar when he gets back," she said. "I just had an idea, Rita why don't you take my car? It's parked here and I'm leaving soon so I won't need it. I can take a cab to the airport."

"I will drive you to the airport Ms. McInerney, no need for a cab," offered Oliver.

Shane smiled at him. "Thank you Oliver."

"Are you sure, Shane?" asked Rita.

"Yes, it's no problem," she said as she handed Rita her car keys.

"Thank you!" exclaimed Rita and gave Shane a hug. "Merry Christmas!"

Shane returned the embrace. "Merry Christmas Rita. Have fun with your parents and we'll see you next week."

Rita put her coat on. "Norman, I can drop you off on my way home."

Oliver took Shane's coat from the coat rack and held it out for her. "And I will take you home, Ms. McInerney."

He helped her on with her coat and they walked out to his car. Oliver saw her shiver in the cold as she stepped outside. "I suspect you wish you were is Tuscon at the moment."

Shane stopped and turned to look at him "No, Oliver. I wish I was warm, but I am still very glad that I stayed."

He gazed at her for a few moments, but thought it best not to answer. He couldn't express to her how thankful he was that she had stayed without saying more than he should.

As they were driving to Cherry Hills, Oliver was thinking over the events of the day. "Ms. McInerney, the cabdriver who had your necklace told me you traded it for his sheepskin?"

"Yes," Shane admitted. "Hannah looked at Rita and I with those big eyes and asked where the sheep was, about ten minutes before we were about to start. I thought maybe a cabdriver would have a sheepskin we could use, but when I found one he wouldn't wait for me to get my purse so I asked if he would take a trade. I hoped I could find him later and buy my necklace back or trade it back for the sheepskin."

"You traded away the necklace that means so much to you just so Hannah could have a sheep for the play?"

"Hannah is such a sweet girl and when she hugged me I…" she trailed off as she realized telling him it had awoken in her a desire for her own children probably wouldn't be appropriate.

They pulled up in front of her house and Oliver turned to smile at her in admiration. "I will be here tomorrow to pick you up for dinner."

"Thank you Oliver, I forgot I wouldn't have a way to get there. Umm, do you think we could make a stop on the way?"

"Where would you like to go?" he inquired, looking at her hesitantly, wondering what he was getting himself into.

"I was wondering if we could go to the hospital and visit the Casey's. I have a gift at my house that would be perfect for Hannah and I thought I could make them some cookies. Having to spend Christmas in the hospital wouldn't be very fun and I'm sure they will have to keep the baby under observation for a few days to make sure he's alright."

"That is a wonderful idea, shall I pick you up at 4:00?" asked Oliver.

"Yes, that's perfect, good night Mr O'Toole."

"Good night, Ms. McInerney."

As Oliver drove home, he prayed silently in thanksgiving. God had sent an angel to tangibly show him how much he was loved and caring friends to help him through a difficult time.