This is a short chapter, but it felt right to have it to itself. The next chapter will be the last. Thanks to all those who have given me feedback and encouragement on my first Emergency tale.

Part XIX

As Thanksgiving Day arrived, Joanne stressed herself by trying to do too much, but Roy captured her from behind in a hug.

"Jo - if you're doing all of this because you want to, great. You know we all love your cooking and Johnny can always stand to gain a few pounds. But you aren't competing with anybody. If you decide that turkey sandwiches are the meal of the day, we'll eat that. It's the being together part that's important to me, honey - not the food. And for that matter, how about letting the kids and me have a go in here? You can delegate the peeling to Chris and chopping to me. And you know Kim will take a ruler to the table to get all the place settings just right."

Joanne started to laugh and relaxed, following the suggestion and pulling everyone else into the preparations. Even Johnny got into the act when they parked him at one end of the kitchen table and surrounded him with ingredients for the salad. They were all talking and joking while working. To her surprise, Joanne found that, for the first time, preparing the meal was as enjoyable as the sitting down and eating of it. And for once, the day was the kind of Thanksgiving that Roy had always imagined having with his family.

When Christmas rolled around, the DeSotos were planning to celebrate it at home with Johnny, Cathy and Jack all present. They were going to get together on Christmas Eve since Roy and Johnny had to work on Christmas Day. Johnny would be sleeping over and Kim had requested and been given permission to make Uncle Johnny's room festive. Joanne's mother had been invited, but turned down the invitation and tried to switch it to her home. Joanne kept to her new policy of not arguing.

"I'm so sorry you won't be able to come, Mom. But we're expecting guests, so we couldn't possibly make it. The kids and I will come by on the 22nd to visit and drop off your presents."

The visit started out well enough, but before an hour had passed, Joanne's mother began to push for having the Christmas celebration at her house again.

"It's nice of you to offer, Mom, but Roy has to work on Christmas Day."

"You and the children could always come over here. Honestly, how many Christmas in a row will that be that have been ruined?"

Kim and Chris both immediately stopped what they were doing and turned their faces toward their mother. She noticed and gave them a smile back.

"Time to head home, kids. Give your grandmother hugs and kisses."

"Joanne, you can't be serious. You just got here!"

"I'm very serious, Mom. We already talked about this. If you want visits to be longer, you already know what needs to be done."

Chris gave a quick kiss and hug, then went to wait by the door. When Kim went to hug their grandmother, she spoke to her very softly.

"Grandma? Do you like my eyes?"

For all her faults, she genuinely adored her two grandchildren and smiled as she reached out to stroke Kim's hair.

"Yes I do, darling. You have beautiful eyes, Kim."

The young girl fixed the bright blue eyes - slightly brighter than usual because of held-back tears - on her grandmother.

"Can't you at least like Daddy a little for giving them to me?"

"Oh, baby . . ."

Wrapping her granddaughter in a hug, she looked up at her daughter. Joanne's words about her actions affecting her relationship to her grandchildren suddenly made sense. She knew with sudden bright clarity that if she made the children feel that they had to choose between her and their father? Their father would be the one they would choose. With a heavy heart, she realized that Chris had already made that choice.

Joanne just gave her mother a slightly sad smile when she saw the troubled look in her eyes.

"I told you that you'd figure out what I meant, Mom."