Milton's first Christmas without his parents was difficult.

Philip's parents were equally fair between the two boys in their eyes and in the eyes of most adults.. but Rose had noticed a hint of jealousy in Philip. She believed she was paying just as much attention to him as she had been paying to Milton, but she could see how Philip would feel like he had been placed on the back burner. Milton had fallen into a deep depression brought on by the holidays. Holidays called for family activities.. gatherings.. the works.

Rose and Ed kept an especially close eye on him after he had talked to the school counselor about suicidal thoughts. Milton missed his mother terribly, and felt out of place in the world around him. Rose knew that Milton was an exceptionally bright child, and would eventually pull out of this.. but she needed him to get through the holidays. Philip didn't seem so keen on the concept of the two of them being brothers anymore, in fact, he often acted out to get additional attention from his parents. They hadn't told Philip about Milton's depression, and so to a young boy, of course it would appear that he was their favorite.

Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play?

They decided to make Milton's first Christmas the best yet, for both of the boys. They had a friend over to keep an eye on them while they did shopping one day a week for three weeks prior to the holiday. The night before Christmas, Rose and Ed curled up on the couch with Philip during a movie while Milton sat snuggled up in a blanket in a nearby chair. They had offered him a spot on the couch with him, but he politely refused.

There had been rumors of a white Christmas, but Rose and Ed tried not to get the boys' hopes up, simply because it hadn't happened in a few years, regardless of the news saying that it would. Milton seemed particularly excited about the possible chance that he could see snow on Christmas day.. and Rose prayed very hard that it would snow. She knew he so desperately needed a lift.

After the credits rolled, Rose smiled at the slumbering child in her lap, and looked over to see Milton sleeping peacefully too, with his little hand curled around the neck of the stuffed bunny she had given him. Mr. Jubbs was even quiet in his little carrier on the floor.

The living room flickered; it's only light was coming from the Christmas tree in the corner and the fireplace over by the door.

Rose and Ed carefully crept out of the living room and began to clean up the kitchen, deciding to leave the boys there to sleep until morning.

"Ed.. Do you think he'll ever heal?" Rose whispered into her husband's chest as he embraced her, he shrugged, "The kid's been through Hell.. if he does.. it won't happen overnight."

Rose nodded and continued cleaning, starting with the remaining dishes in the sink. Ed walked toward the front door to lock it for the night, and he peered out of the window.

A few moments later he burst into the kitchen and tugged on Rose's arm, pulling her to the front door.

Rose pulled back the little curtain and her eyes lit up as she saw the white flakes falling; they seemed to light up the darkness as they fell to the porch and to the ground, which already had a nice layer of snow on it by this time.

Rose turned to her husband with a big smile on her face and he almost thought she would cry, she chuckled lightly and walked toward the living room,

"Let's wake the boys."

Ed nodded and knelt down by Milton, gently shaking him until he stirred.

He suddenly heard Philip scream "SNOW? SNOW!" as he jumped off of the couch and ran to put his boots and jacket on. Rose laughed and began to fold the blanket, watching Milton stumble around in search of his own boots. He rubbed his eyes as he stepped into his boots.. Philip had already ran out the door screaming with excitement. Rose put on her own jacket and helped Milton into his. Milton started out the door, but turned back to face Rose and Ed before going any further:

"Can we put Mr. Jubbs up on the table, so he can see the snow?"

Ed smiled and went back to do as the boy asked. The bug wasn't the type of pet he would have chosen for Milton, but he was a companion no less, and Milton needed that more than anything in the world.

Milton ran down the steps of the porch and kicked at the snow reluctantly,

"Go on honey, just don't get too cold, okay?" Rose called after him,

and for the first time in too long, she saw the boy smile. A genuine, happy smile. He jumped into the snow and giggled, running over to Philip.

Philip had begun to make a little snowman. Milton wasn't entirely familiar with it, as he hadn't ever really made one before. Philip showed him the basics, and before long, Milton had mastered the art completely.

Within an hour or two, there were countless snow angels in the yard, and Milton had proudly finished his 'snow people', as he called them. He anxiously called after the others and rubbed his cold, sore hands together as he waited.

Rose felt an icy tear slide down her cheek as she walked up on the 'snow people'.

Four simple, yet detailed people. A woman, a man, and two little boys.

It wasn't the four people that brought a tear to her eyes so much as what he had written with a stick in front of them all.

In his messy scrawl, he had written one simple word.

"Family."

Rose hugged the boy tightly, and ushered them all inside when she noticed how cold he had gotten.

"Let's go on in, we don't want to sleep through Christmas, do we?"

The boys fell asleep almost as soon as their heads hit their pillows. Milton slept so much easier knowing Mr. Jubbs had experienced the wonderful snow without actually having to freeze outside in it.

Where are you Christmas
Do you remember
The one you used to know
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go

The next morning, it was Rose and Ed who were woken up by the boys. Philip ran into their bedroom and jumped on top of the both of them, screaming to the top of his lungs, "Wake up, wake up! It's Christmas!"

Milton stood awkwardly by their door clutching Mr. Jubbs' carrier in both hands with a small smile on his face.

It took a few moments to get them up, but Philip succeeded, and he immediately ran like a streak of lightning back into the living room, sliding on his knees over to the tree to shake the presents.

Milton went over and sat down by him, waiting patiently for what came next.

Rose and Ed joined the boys, both with coffee cups in their hands; their hair an absolute mess.

"Okay boys... let's see what you got!" Rose chirped,

Milton reached for a small present while Philip dug for the biggest one he could find.

Rose was slightly impatient as she waited for Milton to carefully unwrap the gift as properly as he could manage. "Milton honey, it's okay to tear it" she laughed, and he bit his lower lip before ripping into it anxiously.

He unwrapped a big slingshot, and blinked as he held it out in front of him, lifting it out of the box and examining it. He knew what it was, he just never really thought he'd own one. It sent both a chill of terror and excitement through him.

"Oh wow!" Philip gasped, he had gotten a Batman costume, and he didn't hesitate to rip into it in an effort to become Batman as quickly as he could.

Ed pointed to a large present over by Milton, "There's one for you too, buddy."

Within a few moments, Milton had torn into it to reveal another Batman costume, and surprisingly, Philip did not approve. In fact, he looked incredibly disappointed.

"But mom.. he's the side kick. He's Robin. We got a Robin costume. Why is there two Batmans?"

Rose shook her head at her son, "Milton likes Batman too.. we thought you could both be Batman."

Philip frowned and laid his costume on the floor, seemingly losing all interest in it.

He turned his back to it and sighed, "Batman's stupid anyway."

Milton seemed instantly sad.

After all of the presents were unwrapped, and the wrapping paper put in the trash (Milton volunteered to do this service), Philip and Milton had plenty of time to play with their toys.

Mostly, they got the same things. Ed and Rose had been so afraid of causing jealousy, they didn't dare change things up too much.

Rose was filling up her cup when she saw something that touched her heart.

Milton scooted over to Philip and handed him his Batman mask, it had meant so much more to have Philip be happy than to have what he wanted. He just wanted to play with his friend.. it didn't matter who wore what, or what they were even doing.

"You be Batman," he smiled at his friend lovingly, "I'm on your side."

If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time

I feel you Christmas
I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of Christmas
Stays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love

I'd like to thank you all for reading this fanfic so far (there's more coming!), and to the person who's even drawn such amazing fanart for this story. I never dreamed anyone would read anything I've written, much less that I would get such lovely, heart-warming responses. I am as always grateful for your views and reviews. You are amazing people. I am truly touched. You all keep me inspired to be a better writer, and a better person.

Thank you so much.

xoxoxo