"How do you work this dog gone camera?" Joe grumbled as he twirled the said object in his hand. Ramona snickered as she stepped in through the back door. It was an old camera, the kind that Ramona was used to using when she was out on a job.

"What are you going to do with that?" Ramona asked when he hit the zoom button and caused the lens to pop out. "Besides break it and/or hurt yourself," she laughed.

Joseph rolled his eyes and looked at her. "And I suppose you can do better?"

She smirked and reached over, messing with a few buttons and it went back into its original form. Joe snorted at her with a smile. "Okay, miss smarty pants, then you are in charge of photography."

"I can do that," she smiled. "What all do you want pictures of?"

"Everything," Katherine walked in and put her hands on Joseph's shoulders. "We keep photographs of all the family on every family get together we have."

"You would end up growing old by the time you went through every photo album this woman has," Joe nodded toward Katherine. Ramona giggled when Katherine elbowed him and he grunted with a smile.

"You can count on me," Ramona winked and turned toward the family. The men were gathered together in the living room with the children sitting in the floor watching cartoons. Ramona flipped the camera open and snapped a few pictures of the family together. She looked through the lens and moved around the room, playing with the zoom button. She whirled around to take a shot of Katherine and Joseph and then she paused when she saw out the window behind them. Michael and Lisa were arguing. She could see Lisa waving her hands around and Michael shrugging, and moving his hands around when he spoke. She sighed and looked down.

"Everything okay, sugar?" Joe asked Ramona. She looked away and nodded and Joseph followed her gaze and saw the two outside arguing and he sighed. "They're at it again," he shook his head. "Alright, kids! Time to go out to play!" he yelled. The kids jumped up and ran outside, and Ramona followed. She saw Michael and Lisa look at the children and then they calmed things down a bit, but continued to argue quietly.

Ramona glanced back at Joe as she walked out the door. "I like the way you think."

Joseph tipped his hat toward her and winked. "It aint my first time breaking up a fight."

Ramona chuckled and followed the kids outside. Luke and the guys stayed inside to watch football and she took the opportunity to enjoy the weather. She followed the kids out to a playground a little ways away and snapped a few pictures. She also snapped a few of some of the animals nearby and finally found herself within earshot of Mike and Lisa.

"Lisa, would you please just try to understand? I was only joking!" Michael begged.

"Were you, Mike? Were you? Is that why your family smiles and loves on her and not me? Honestly why are you even with me and not her?" Lisa snapped.

"Because I love you, Lisa. Ramona is my best friend, you are my fiancé," he tried to reason with her.

"Are you sure that's what you want? I mean, why would you make jokes like that if you love me so much?" she mocked him. "Is that the way you talk about me to everyone or is Ramona just special?"

Michael sighed. "I told you it was only a joke. What more do you want me to say?"

"You are a cold man, you know that?" Lisa snapped suddenly. Michael's eyes narrowed and Ramona's mouth dropped open. "I feel sorry for your sea of female fans who think you are just the sweetest man in the world. Wouldn't they be surprised to find out how cold you really are. You were right about one thing," she looked away as she spoke and Michael stood frozen. "You are a completely different person on stage. Where's that man, Mike? Where's that man that I fell in love with? He isn't cold like you are now…" she gritted her teeth.

Michael's eyes glazed over with tears and he looked down at his feet. For once in his life, he had no idea what to say to fix things. He blamed himself. He turned slowly, opened his mouth a few times and then closed it, and finally walked away. Lisa sighed and Ramona leaned against the tree she was hiding behind. She placed a hand over her heart and took a deep breath. Her heart was hurting for Michael. It was almost as if she was feeling his pain.

"I know you're there, you might as well come out," Lisa said. Ramona bit her lip and then stepped out, slowly walking over to Lisa. "I suppose you were taking pictures of the fight? Going to turn them in to the media and ruin what little we have left?"

Ramona didn't know what came over her just then, but she felt something inside of her snap. "How dare you," she said. Lisa's head snapped up and looked at her. "Why are you putting the blame on everyone but yourself? What little relationship you have with him, you are going to destroy on your own," she shook her head. "How could you say those things to Michael? It seems to me you are the only cold one in this mix," she snorted. Lisa began to argue but Ramona stopped her. "Let me finish. I'm not here to fight with you. I am here to stop you from ruining what you have with Mike. You have something most girls only dream of!"

"Like you?" she replied.

Ramona froze for a moment. "Me? No…" she said without hesitation. "Michael and I are best friends, nothing more, nothing less. You need to stop being so threatened by me. I know there have been some weird moments since we've all met, but I promise you have nothing to worry about," Ramona paused and let Lisa chew on that for a moment. "If you and Michael fall apart, I guarantee you will be the one at fault. I have watched the both of you for a while and all I can see is Michael trying to keep everything put together as well as keep working on his career, and you continue to take everything around you as a threat. You are putting more pressure on him than you should be. A relationship is 50/50 and you're making it 80/20. How is that even fair? I'm surprised Michael didn't leave a long time ago," Ramona said. She hated belittling anyone, especially if they deserved it, but her heart was screaming at her to defend Michael, so she did. She was pointing out everything she saw for herself, and it was the honest truth.

"What do you know about relationships?" she retorted.

"Hey, everything okay out here, sweetie?" Luke came up behind Ramona and wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek.

"Yeah, everything's fine. Go back to your game, I'll be in shortly," she said.

He nodded and kissed her before jogging off toward the house. Ramona looked back at Lisa and Lisa was standing there with a strange look on her face. "You…you're dating Luke? When did this happen?"

"A few weeks ago. Like I said, I am not a threat," she spoke slowly as if she were hammering every word into Lisa's head.

Lisa sighed. "Maybe you're right," she paused for a long moment. "I'm…"

"Don't apologize to me," Ramona interrupted. "Apologize to your fiancé. He is the one you hurt, not me." Lisa looked down and tapped her fingers against the railing of the bridge. "I suggest you stand here for a bit and try to sort through what you plan to say to him. I wouldn't go up to him and hesitate. You have to speak from your heart if you want to apologize effectively."

Lisa raised a brow at Ramona and nodded. Ramona took that as a thank you and left. She wandered around the ranch and snapped a few pictures. She watched through her lens as she moved around, looking for great photo opportunities. Suddenly, a spot of red caught her eye. She zoomed in and found it was Michael, in his bright red shirt, sitting up on a branch of a large tree. She sighed and approached him. She studied him for a moment. He had his back against the trunk of the tree and his legs out in front of him. He looked pretty comfortable on that branch. He was staring at the sun as it began to set. She snapped a quick picture and his head turned at the sound.

"Oh, you startled me," he said quietly.

"I'm sorry. What are you doing up there all by yourself?" she asked. He wasn't even cracking a smile at her and she hated that. "Did you lose a bet with Bubbles?"

Michael finally smirked. "Not this time. Just watching the sunset, that's all."

Ramona chewed on the inside of her cheek. "Am I missing it again?"

Michael swung his legs over the branch and reached his hand down toward her. "You want to join me?"

Ramona studied the tree branch and then shook her head and walked away. Michael cocked his head to the side and jumped down to follow her. Ramona walked near the house and placed the camera down on the porch. She glanced back behind her and saw Michael following her from a distance and she smirked and took off running. Michael raised a brow and then smiled and chased her. She ran to the Giving Tree and climbed up to the platform near the top. She looked down when he reached the tree and giggled.

"It's about time. Come on, you're missing it!"

Michael rolled his eyes and climbed the tree. He plopped himself on the platform and Ramona patted the spot against the branch where he sat once before with her. He smiled and took his spot and held his arms out for her. She scooted herself between his legs and rested her back against his chest. He rested his chin on her head and wrapped his arms around her as they watched the sun set from their favorite spot.

"I love moments like this. We need more of them," Ramona sighed.

"Yes, we do. Not many people know about this spot. Perhaps it should be our spot?" Michael suggested.

Ramona nodded slowly and closed her eyes. She could feel his heart beating against her back and it relaxed her. Michael tilted his head and rested his cheek on her head and closed his eyes. Both began to doze off as the sun finally set when a loud voice startled them awake.

"Ramona! Phone for you!" Luke's voice echoed through the ranch.

Ramona groaned and Michael chuckled and hugged her. "We'd better go…" he stopped when he heard Lisa's voice calling for him. "Okay, you go back to the house. I'll go talk to Cruella," he cringed.

Ramona giggled. "Be nice, Mike. Maybe she just wants to apologize," she stretched as she began her descend down the tree.

Michael followed her and jumped down, helping her down the rest of the way. "Did you say something to her?" he asked.

Ramona looked away innocently. "I might have."

"Ramona…"

"I was only following my instinct and protecting my best friend. Don't you take that tone with me," Ramona warned.

Michael smirked and raised his voice an octave. "Ramona…"

"Michael!"

"Ramona!" their names were called at the same time. Both rolled their eyes and headed in separate directions. "There you are, Ramona. The boss is on the phone for you," Luke said as he held out her cell phone.

"On Thanksgiving? That's strange," she said. "Hello?"

"Greene, I need you to come into the office," he said.

"Now? But it's Thanksgiving," she said.

"And?" he asked coldly.

Ramona sighed. "And…I'll be right in."

"Good," he hung up and she groaned.

"Are you serious? He wants you to come in on Thanksgiving?" Luke asked her as he followed her into the house. By that time, Michael and Lisa had returned, walking hand in hand. Everyone looked at Ramona when Luke started questioning her.

"It's not a big deal…" she said quietly.

"It's a family holiday! How can he make you come in? You need to step up to that guy Ramona!" Luke said angrily.

Ramona sighed. Michael stepped forward and put his hand on Luke's shoulder. "Ease up man. Sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do," he said.

"I'm sorry everyone. Thanks for having me," she hugged everyone and handed her house key to Luke. "You're things are at my house. Lock up for me?" she asked.

He sighed. "Sure. I'll walk you out."

They gathered their things and headed to the door. Ramona turned to hug Michael when Luke walked out to unlock her car for her. He hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. "Thank you for…you know," he smiled shyly.

"Anything for my tomcat," she winked.

He gave her a quick peck on the lips and hugged her again. "I love you babygirl. Don't work too hard, okay? Text me when you can," he said.

"I will. I love you more, tomcat," she winked and he nudged her lightly.

"I love you most," he smiled widely when she wrinkled her nose at him.

She headed out the door and opened her door. Lisa ran out and gave Ramona a very awkward hug. "What was that for?" Ramona asked.

"For your advice," she said quietly. "You were right, he forgave me."

Ramona smiled. "I knew he would. Good luck, Lisa…and be nice," she gave her a look and then jumped into her car and headed to the office.

At the office…

"I need 3 new stories from you, Greene, ASAP," the boss said when she walked into his office.

"Happy Thanksgiving to you too," she said sarcastically.

"Yeah," he grumbled.

Ramona rolled her eyes and headed to her office. She opened her computer and searched the web a bit. She paused for a moment to post a few things on Facebook before she got back to work. About 2 hours later, she was pacing by the window. She had ideas for 2 stories and was now working on the 3rd when her boss came in and announced he was going home.

"Lock up when you're done," he tossed her the keys.

"Pardon? You're leaving me here alone?" she asked nervously.

"As soon as you get my stories on my desk, you're free to go home," he said and then left her alone. She bit her lip nervously. She was used to being alone, but not in a big building at night, in the middle of the city. Her mind began playing the "what if" game and she shook her head. She looked over at her stereo in the corner of the room and she slapped it to life. A dance CD that Tasha burned for her was in the stereo and Ramona smiled instantly.

She danced around her office and after the first song, she came up with her 3rd story. She paused in between each song to write down her new ideas, and another 2 hours later, she was done. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and organized her 3 stories and threw them on her boss's desk. She grabbed her jacket and locked up the building and walked outside. She smiled brightly when she noticed it had started snowing.

She pulled out her phone and began to send a message to Michael, but then she noticed the time. It was already 3 in the morning. She sighed and climbed into her car and went home. She collapsed into her bed once she got there. It seemed she only slept about 4 hours before her alarm went off and she had to get up and get ready for work, again.

By the time the week had finished, Ramona was exhausted. Her boss was working her to the bone and she needed a break. She didn't dare to complain on the fear of her losing her job. It was the best job she ever had. She lay back on her bed and stared at Michael's picture when she heard someone knock on the door. She groaned and dragged her feet to the door and opened it.

"Hey!" Saph and Jaz said the moment she opened the door. "Woa, you look awful!" Jaz said.

"What happened to you?" Saph asked.

Ramona let them in and they sat on the couch. "I am just a little overworked, that's all," she said tiredly. Saph pulled her feet into her lap.

"Well, how would you like to have a girls day?" Jaz asked.

Ramona cracked one eye open when her front door swung open. Tasha walked in and smiled. "Whose car are we taking?"

Ramona sat up and smiled. "I don't know girls, I'm pretty tired."

"Oh come on, you will like what we have in store. Go get dressed and dress warm. It's snowing out there!" Tasha said.

Ramona dragged herself into her room and changed clothes as she was told. The girls piled into Tasha's SUV and took Ramona to a spa where they all got massages, manicures and pedicures. Ramona spent a little extra time in the sauna and felt completely energized. The girls even stopped to eat and have some coffee before they took her home.

"Thanks girls, I needed that." Ramona hugged them all at the door.

"We would have done more, but you should go to sleep a while. You have a date with your bestie in the morning and we are keeping Luke and Lisa away for you, so go get some rest while you can," Tasha smiled and pushed her toward her room.

Too tired to argue, Ramona stretched and yawned and the girls locked the door for her and left. Ramona finally caught up on her sleep. She went to bed at 7 in the evening and woke up around 11 the next morning. Her doorbell was ringing and she stood up and stretched and answered her door.

"Its about time! It's freezing out there!" Michael pushed by her with snow in his long hair and on his shoulders and hat. Ramona giggled and brushed the snow off on the rug he was standing on. "Were you asleep?" he asked her, touching the bags under her eyes.

"Yea, but it's okay. I needed to get up anyway," she smiled. He pulled off his giant coat and took his boots off at the door. He hung his hat on the hook by the door and flipped his hair, finally moving into the living room. Ramona giggled. "Make yourself at home."

"I always do," he winked. "You want some coffee or something?"

Ramona shook her head. "I prefer hot chocolate," she smiled.

"Agreed," he grinned and pushed her on the couch and walked into the kitchen. Moments later, he came back with 2 mugs full of hot chocolate and mini marshmallows.

"Thank you," she smiled and brought the cup to her lips.

"Be careful, it's pretty…"

"OW! Son of a nutcracker!" she yelped and pushed the mug away, spilling some on her pajama pants and burning her tongue. She placed the mug on the table and stood up.

"Hot…" Michael finished and placed his mug down and stood back up. "Are you okay?"

"I can't feel my tongue…and my pants," she was talking funny and Michael smirked. He froze when she peeled her pants off, leaving her in her large shirt and shorty shorts. Michael grabbed a cold rag from the kitchen and a small cup of ice.

"Here, keep this rag on your legs," he lay the rag across the red spots on her legs and placed his hand over it. Then he picked up an ice cube with his other hand and put it to her lips. "Open," he said. She opened her mouth and he placed it on her tongue. She closed her eyes in relief and moaned a bit. Michael watched her lips as she sucked on the ice cube. He licked his own lips and looked down at her legs, checking the burns. "How does that feel?"

"Much better. Thanks, tomcat," she smiled and placed her hand on his as he raised another ice cube to her lips. He pursed his lips and then kissed her. "If you're kissing me, sorry but I can't feel a thing," she mumbled against his lips.

He backed away and laughed and shook his head. "What a way to ruin the moment," he teased. "Now go get dressed. We need to do some special shopping."

"Shopping?" she asked as her eyes lit up.

"Yep. I had a few stores close down just for us. We need to get our houses decorated for Christmas. What do you say?" he asked.

She practically squealed with joy and hugged him, knocking him backward and falling on top of him. She kissed him out of excitement and jumped up and ran to her room. "Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock!" she sang and Michael laughed.

Christmas was always the best holiday to turn grown men and women into little kids. He couldn't wait to get these decorations and get to work on their houses. He loved doing it ever since Elizabeth showed him how. His workers decorated the entire ranch and he wanted to decorate the house on his own, and doing it with Ramona would make it ten times better.