The Storm: Redemption

Chapter Twenty-Six

By Gayforkurt

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Summary: Famous countertenor Kurt Hummel and billionaire entrepreneur Dave Karofsky must come to terms with the past but bitter feelings make a future for these two headstrong men highly unlikely. This is rated M.

Disclaimer: Messrs. Ryan, Falchuk, et al are the owners of my favorite boys. Only the OCs belong to me, alas.

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KHDK

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"Oh, Kurt, you shouldn't have!" Carole's eyes were large as she stared at what rested on the flat square velvet-lined box in her hands. She was almost overwhelmed by the beauty of the string of large lavender pearls gleaming up at her. "Oh, sweetie, they're gorgeous!"

She set the pearls down to fling her arms around Kurt, hugging and kissing him as he laughed happily. Her reaction to her gift was exactly what he loved about Christmas; it would never get old for him. He turned to his dad who was staring down at the photograph in his hands.

"Dad?" He was a little more subdued about his dad's reaction, not knowing which way it would go. "You okay?"

Burt looked up at his son and then over at Dave, the two men watching a little anxiously as he stared at the picture of a fishing boat – a beautiful 38-footer that Burt had been wanting for so long he'd almost forgotten about it.

"Come here!" Kurt launched himself at his dad and was enveloped in a big bear hug, his dad lifting him slightly off his feet in his exuberance.

Kurt was flushed and happy, his eyes moist as his father set him back down. "Dad, careful, you're not as young as you used to be, you know!" But the words were soft and loving and Burt moved to shake Dave's hand but instead found himself enveloped in Dave's arms.

"Happy Christmas, Burt, I think you'll love fishing even more now." They laughed, settling back down again to continue with the opening of their gifts.

Kurt ripped into the large box whose tag said it was from Carole and exclaimed happily when he finally opened it. "Oh, wow, Carole, this is beautiful, where'd you get it?" He held up a sinfully soft cashmere sweater in blue and turquoise stripes and rubbed it against his face, almost purring at the luxurious feel of it.

Carole chuckled, "I didn't buy it – I knitted that myself!"

Kurt gaped at her and looked back at the sweater. It looked almost exactly like the fuchsia and orange one he'd owned years ago and that he loved to death. He realized she must have known it was a favorite and knitted him a matching one. "That's fantastic! You're really good; it's so professionally finished, I'd never have guessed. Thank you, sweetie!"

She blushed at his obvious pleasure and she knew from past experience that she'd soon see him wearing it. She glanced over at her husband who was still staring down at the picture of his new boat, probably picturing himself going fishing with the boys, she thought to herself.

Dave had been looking around under the tree for his gifts but hadn't seen anything with his name on it. He shuffled around a couple of the gifts and then sat back on his knees, looking puzzled. He glanced up at Kurt who was studiously looking elsewhere and then he looked back under the tree again.

Finally, as he was about to give up, he saw two boxes he'd apparently overlooked, one significantly larger than the other. He pounced on them and held them up triumphantly.

Burt and Carole looked on indulgently as Dave tore off the wrapping paper happily. Christmas brought out the kid in everyone and Dave may have been wealthy all his life but he wasn't so jaded that he couldn't get into the spirit of the season. In the first box, a gift from Kurt's parents, was a pair of antique black, enameled oval cuff-links in a cross-hatch design and with a tiny diamond stud in each face. It had also a matching tie pin and Dave thought it was a beautiful gift.

Carole got a big hug from Dave this time and then he turned to the other box, knowing from the shape that it wasn't exactly jewelry. He unwrapped it, noted the stellar name embossed on the lid and looked up at Burt who nodded. The TAG Heuer Men's FT6015 Aquaracer sport watch was masculine and sexy, just beautiful in its own way and a huge grin spread across his face as he showed it to Kurt.

Of course, Burt was in for another hug, though this one was a manlier, one-armed affair ending with a clap on the shoulder kind of thing. Only Kurt could get away with the 'being lifted and spun' type of hug. Dave showed off the watch by immediately strapping it to his wrist, his face beaming in pleasure.

Kurt watched him for a second and then reached behind the tree, pulling out another box and handing it to David. His lover smiled happily as he took it, grabbing Kurt to come up on the sofa to sit with him. He tore off the paper and laughed as he took out another watch. "Oh, shoot, is this a hint, guys?"

Everyone chuckled but Kurt shook his head teasingly. "No, sweetie, I didn't even know dad was getting you a watch. I saw this going on auction and I had to snaffle it. Like it?"

Dave held up the watch, examining it closely by turning it every which way. It was a vintage Patek Philippe Twenty~4, ultra-thin movement with quartz and a case set with 34 diamonds. Best of all, in Dave's mind… "Hey, it's water resistant, too! Beautiful and practical, kind of like you, huh?"

Kurt looked at his lover, all his emotions in his expressive aquamarine eyes and they moved together again, kissing deeply. Dave, sensing Kurt's emotions were running deeper than expected, looked at him enquiringly, one eyebrow rising as he waited for his lover to speak.

Kurt had unwrapped a gift while Dave had been drooling over the Patek Phillipe and now he looked over at his parents, his eyes moist and then looked down at what he held in his hands. For a second, Dave didn't know what was going through his lover's mind so he waited. Kurt turned to his dad and smiled, his expression an odd mix of sad and affectionate.

"Thank you, daddy. I didn't know you had this." He sniffed as he looked at an old photograph now mounted in a lovely antique silver frame. Elizabeth Hummel had been a beautiful woman and Kurt hadn't had many pictures of her though he had fleeting memories of her face as she would sing to him.

Carole squeezed Burt's hand comfortingly as he cleared his throat. "I found that just recently when I was going through some stuff from the old house. I didn't even remember that I'd packed it away. I knew you'd want to have it."

Dave hugged Kurt to him who continued to stare at the photo of his mom, his fingertips brushing the glass lightly. He eventually got up, wiping away a couple of stray tears and moved over to the mantelshelf, placing the picture carefully amongst the knickknacks already there.

"I think this is a great spot, right?" He said to no one in particular. The soft murmurs of agreement came and he turned to them, a happy smile once again gracing his face. "I'm going to get some more coffee, anyone like anything?"

After getting their orders, he left for the kitchen, needing a little more time to compose himself. He wasn't really sad as such but he was feeling a little shaky emotionally. It was the season for sentiment so he didn't beat himself up too much for the few tears that had escaped. He hoped he hadn't brought the mood down.

He came back minutes later with a tray laden with mugs of hot chocolate, tea and coffee, and a plate of frosted Christmas biscuits Eddy had made the day before. They munched happily and drank before the second round of gift opening, Carole exclaiming that she still hadn't received her gift from Burt as yet.

Dave, who was the official hander-outer of the gifts, Santa's woefully underpaid elf, Kurt had teased, passed over a large rectangular box to her. She clapped her hands when she saw the size of it but unwrapped the paper slowly so as to tease her husband.

When her hands reached in among the folds of tissue paper and withdrew, a soft gasp went through the room. She held up what was one of the most beautiful pashminas she'd ever seen, all soft fuchsias and gold with touches of jewel-bright greens and blues. It really was a lovely shawl and she turned to Burt with a huge smile full of affection and surprise.

"Oh, honey, you chose this?" Burt blushed at the awe on her face, happy that he'd impressed her with his selection. He nodded as he threw a quick, grateful glance over at Dave who'd seen it first and suggested it would be perfect for Carole.

She hugged him tightly while peppering his face with little kisses. She turned back to the sumptuous material and ran her hands all over its silky folds. Oh my, she'd look like the Queen of Sheba in this, she thought, her eyes gleaming as they devoured the work of art.

Kurt's chuckles sounded before he started teasing his dad. "Hmmm, someone has picked up some of my flair for fashion, it seems. I'm proud, dad!" He smirked at the little dirty look his dad threw at him and then he turned to David, his face sobering slightly.

A small silence descended as Dave looked back at Kurt, wondering at his sudden seriousness. He was confused when Kurt got up to stand almost in the center of the room and directly in front of Dave. Kurt closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again, a soft expression in their sea-green depths.

"David, these past few months have been the happiest of my life." He held his hands up to forestall anything his lover was going to interject. "Yes, I know we got off to a rocky start but this is me we're talking about here."

He paused for the little ripple of laughter to pass and he looked at his parents briefly before turning back to David. He slipped his hands into the deep pockets of his soft bulky blue cardigan as if he were settling in for a long speech.

"David, I was told almost from the start how much you loved me and though at first I didn't understand what it meant to be loved like that, I can honestly say that I am on the same page now."

Dave's face was red, he felt his heart rate speed up and a fine tremor had started in his hands. His hazel eyes were wide as he stared at Kurt, not believing what he was hearing but astoundingly happy that he was.

Kurt came over to him slowly, pulling something from the right-hand pocket of his sweater and then he stopped in front of him.

"I don't know if this is too soon to do this but I wanted to do it while my parents are here… David, the gift in this box is representative of me … giving myself to you. It's a promise and a token that I will always love you… and that I want to spend all my life… with you."

A tiny sob from Carole broke the ensuing silence as Dave stared up at Kurt's pale face; the singer looked as if he were going to pass out at any minute if Dave didn't do something. Dave did something.

He leapt to his feet and gathered Kurt into a huge hug just as tears started streaming down the pale cheeks. He spoke softly as he rocked his lover in his arms and felt strong, slender arms go around his waist.

"Oh, my god, Kurt, you are everything I've wanted since the first time I saw you all those years ago. Kurt, you are my world. There's nothing I want, nothing I wouldn't give to spend the rest of my life with you."

Kurt burst into soft laughter though drops of tears still stood on his cheeks and pulled back from Dave's embrace. "Well, take this box then and open it!"

Carole had her hands over her mouth, her cheeks damp, and Burt's eyes were wide at the unfolding little drama. They watched with bated breath as Dave took the box from Kurt's hand and opened it. He reached in and took out a pair of slender white gold bands, each with a single diamond glittering up at him.

Kurt took the slightly larger band and slid it onto David's ring finger, caressing it slightly as he admired its fit. "These are engagement rings; I didn't even know they designed engagement rings for men but I was so happy to find that they do!"

He clapped his hands, giddy at the emotions swirling through him and the thought that he'd just proposed to the love of his life. He stopped as David took his hand and slid the other, slimmer ring onto his finger. Before he could continue to congratulate himself on his wonderful taste in engagement rings, his mouth was taken in a soft, deep kiss and he moaned at the feel of his fiancé's lips on his.

Carole sighed as she watched the two young men before her and turned to say something softly to Burt – who had vanished. She glanced around the room, wondering where her husband had suddenly disappeared to and then relaxed when she saw him returning with a silver tray complete with a bottle of champagne and four flutes.

Burt opened the bottle with very little fumbling and poured the four glasses almost full with the sparkling pale gold liquid and cleared his throat loudly. The two younger men, totally wrapped up in exploring each other's mouth, startled apart, Kurt's eyes wide as he stared at his dad.

Dave chuckled softly at the look on his soon-to-be father-in-law's face. He couldn't help it that he couldn't keep his hands and mouth off of his sexy son! Who was going to marry him soon anyway, he thought smugly as he moved to take one of the champagne flutes.

Kurt took his glass and waited as his dad raised his. The older Hummel looked from his son's glowing pink face to Dave's and shook his head. "I can't say this is a complete surprise and yet, it's a complete surprise!"

Everybody broke out laughing and Carole flushed as she looked at her husband, shaking her head. "What I think your dad means, Kurt, is that the love you two have for each other is like a beacon. No one can spend time with you two and not see it immediately. What he also means, I think, is that he didn't expect you to propose, Kurt!"

Kurt blushed as he laughed softly. "Yeah, I know, everyone sees me as the 'girl' in all this but I figured, since Dave has had to put up with my tantrums for so long, I thought I'd step up and put him out of his misery."

More laughter greeted this and Dave leaned down to drop a quick kiss on one smooth cheek. He whispered so only Kurt would hear: "I'm in need of a little of that 'misery' like soon!" and laughed as more color flooded his lover's face.

Kurt's blush and the mildly embarrassed expression in his wide eyes gave his parents a good idea of what Dave had said and Kurt closed his eyes, mortified. When he heard everyone chuckling at his discomfort he whapped Dave lightly on his arm before taking a fortifying sip of the champagne.

Carole laughed at them and then flapped her hand at Kurt in a 'lemme see' gesture. She oohed and aahed in a properly appreciative manner at the matching rings, Kurt informing her that when they were ready to get the wedding bands that he and David would choose them together. She agreed that this was a good idea and then she hugged and kissed them again, tears standing in her eyes.

Soon everyone was seated again and the conversation moved around to when he and Dave had first met. The boys carefully edited their versions of the summer's events and Carole 'awwwed' a bit as Dave confessed to falling in love with Kurt years ago when he'd first seen him perform. Burt, waxing philosophical, commented on how odd it was that one never knew who was out there just waiting to be a part of one's life.

They sat and chatted and nibbled as the early evening drew in, Dave getting up at one point to turn on a few lamps and the Christmas tree lights. Eventually they separated to go have a 'nap', Carole quirked a naughty eyebrow at Kurt when he said it, and made plans to meet in a few hours to have Christmas dinner.

Kurt and Carole were in charge of setting that up; Mrs. L and Eddy had left huge amounts of Christmas fare in the pantry and coolers for them as the staff had both Christmas Day and Boxing Day off and would return the following day. Kurt assured Carole that a Christmas goose, ham, roast beef, scads of potato salad, a tossed salad and the plum pudding to finish off would be good enough to be going on with and waved his dad and Carole off to their cottage.

The two younger men strolled slowly up the stairs, arms around each other and, at the top they kissed again. The heat building between them was slow and sure; the slight feel of the rings on their fingers reminded them somehow of the future they had assured for themselves. Making love now had a strangely deeper resonance to it, a feeling they could not have guessed would be so prominent.

Dave straightened up to look at his beautiful lover, taking in every flawless feature, from the high smooth forehead to the softly glowing blue-green eyes to the pointy nose and the sweetly curved lips smiling up at him. He leaned down as if to taste them again but whispered, "I love you, Kurt Hummel."

Kurt stared into the golden eyes looking down at him so lovingly and his lips parted as he sighed, his breath feathering Dave's lips. "I love you, David Karofsky," and closed the small gap between them, humming softly.

They moved slowly toward their suite, their arms still tight around each other, wrapped in the love that had not come as easily as one would wish but was all the stronger for it. Dave knew they would need to hold on to that thought because the world wasn't always an easy place for lovers but they were both fighters. Love was always worth fighting for and Dave for one was ready to take on anyone who would interfere with it. Fair warning, Emma, he thought, fair warning.

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KHDK

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Christmas morning was a tiring one for Elliot who had stayed the night with Emma, sleeping on her couch while she sprawled drunkenly on her bed. He rose around 10 o'clock and decided to put the living room to rights as he hated the very visual evidence that things were not right with her.

His mind whirled around what he was going to do as he gathered up all the bits of torn newsprint that he could find and put them in a plastic bin bag. Throughout the night he had slept in fits and starts, getting up one or two times to look in on Emma. He wouldn't have called himself a kind person but he thought no one with an ounce of humanity could have walked away from the clearly distraught woman.

Finally finished, he looked around and then realized he was hungry and figured Emma might be too when she woke up. Looking through things in the pantry, he realized she had nothing fresh or even remotely edible and decided to go out and get some coffee and pastries. He left a note by her bed, took a look in at her to see if she was alright, and left the flat, taking a key with him.

When Emma woke she at first didn't see the note and spent a few minutes berating herself for trusting that Elliot would have remained with her during the night. As she got up to use the bathroom, however, her eyes fell on the scrap of paper leaning against the base of the bedside lamp and a huge gust of relief flowed through her.

She had no idea why he would want to stay or even be around her but somewhere in her wizened soul she realized that that was a good thing. She had awakened with a feeling as if she had been about to step off of a curb and she had been dragged back to safety. It was an odd feeling and it left her feeling a little unsettled.

Now she glanced down at the note and a little smile came back to her face. Elliot was a true friend and she suspected that she had been less of one to him. She decided to have a shower, maybe wash her hair, before he got back. Suddenly Christmas Day didn't seem like such a black hole anymore.

When Elliot let himself back into the flat it was to the pleasant sight of a clean, composed and well-dressed Emma waiting for him. The difference between her appearance now and last night was so great, he couldn't help the huge grin that spread across his face. He covered his reaction by holding out the two sacks of goodies to her.

"Not many places were open but I was able to find a feast, nevertheless," and she laughed as she took the bags from him, grateful for his attempt at normality. She unpacked them and chuckled at the treats, both savoury and sweet, that he had been able to scrounge up.

Emma had been brought up in a privileged lifestyle and had always expected that she would live that way for the rest of her life. When her father had lost most of his money, she had had a rude awakening and had been forced to cut back on her lavish lifestyle. Even the food that she had always taken for granted, the caviar and champagne diet that was as normal for her as sausage and beans or fish and chips were to others, had had to change.

Now she felt a tiny bud of happiness unfurl as she took the modest repast Elliot had found though most of the shops were closed for the holiday and she was grateful for it. She arranged the food on a tray, grabbed a bottle of champagne (one of the very few remaining) from the refrigerator and took everything out to Elliot.

For the next several hours they chatted and noshed on their private little feast, catching up on what they had been doing but skirting the topic of Dave and his new lover. Elliot watched her closely the whole time, trying to gauge if she had really gone through a sea-change in the time he'd popped out for food or if she was just putting up a brave front. He still couldn't be certain but she looked almost like the old Emma he'd known and always liked very much.

Emma had not felt so relaxed in a long time, almost from the time she'd seen her Davey talking to that singer outside the Palladium and a funny feeling had gone through her. Now, though, as she watched Elliot's handsome face and the way the lines at the corner of his eyes tightened when he laughed, she knew she didn't want a life without him in it. She hid her feelings, of course, because he didn't return them, but if she hadn't needed money so badly, she felt she could have continued seeing him, being with him, for quite a long time.

Night fell, the flat grew quiet, and once again, Elliot and Emma found themselves in bed together, taking pleasure and comfort in the familiarity of each other's body. The sex had always been fantastic between them and when her orgasm hit and she felt him swell and come deep inside her, regret mingled with the ecstasy and brought unwelcome tears as well.

She clung to him, burying her face in his shoulder and pretended, just for the moment, that Elliot was all she needed. Just for that short time, as he pulled back slightly and smiled in fulfillment at her, she could show him a face devoid of calculation and reflecting only fading arousal and soft repletion.

Just for a moment…

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KHDK

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Christmas night for Kurt and his family was filled with love and laughter and gratitude. He was so thankful that he'd got his father to agree to come for Christmas, the first time ever, and he gazed lovingly across the dining table at him. Burt Hummel was a stubborn man but Kurt had always known how to get around him and this time had been no different.

Carole had been reluctant at first to come because of the new grandbaby but when Kurt had hinted at his romantic situation she had added her pleas to Kurt's and Burt had caved. Now she smiled softly at her husband who was arguing sports with her son's fiancé and knew a deep happiness.

Dave had not known he'd longed for family though he'd grieved the death of his parents for a long time. Now, watching Kurt interact with his dad and stepmom and how they returned his love and affection without holding back, made him more grateful than ever for this amazing man he'd come to love. Along with Kurt came not only the parents but a stepbrother, his wife and three young sons, the last a newborn. Dave felt as if he were the richest man in the world – he finally had family.

Burt scoffed at Dave's opinion on the state of sports and the overinflated salaries of the so-called 'stars', though he secretly agreed with him. It was a game they played and both privately enjoyed, playing devil's advocate, and they got a chance to bond beyond just both of them loving Kurt. Burt thoroughly approved of Dave, though he hadn't actually told Kurt this, and he knew his son was in good hands. He had a feeling if anything were to go wrong, god forbid, he knew his son well enough to lay most of the blame squarely at his feet. Burt had no illusions about Kurt's temper and he prayed his boy would not screw things up, as Dave was a good man and obviously worshiped the ground Kurt walked on.

The four of them moved to the family room and continued to enjoy each other's company, Kurt every now and then singing along to the Christmas music playing on the stereo and forcing the others to accompany him. The house was warm, quiet and redolent with love and as Kurt and Dave cuddled together while Burt and Carole lounged across from them, they watched the snow drift down against the windows.

Kurt had confessed earlier that he was somewhat glad that London seemed to be getting snow more regularly these past few years, despite the fact that changes in global weather patterns were the culprit. He thought a white Christmas was more romantic and he smiled in triumph as the light drifts puffed around the house in swirls. It wouldn't be enough for them to go out and play in it but it added a certain something to the silent night and he just loved it.

Later that night as Kurt sank down on his fiancé's thick shaft, he rode him slowly, knowing he was torturing the panting man beneath him, and smiled wickedly. He leaned back against David's bent legs behind him, grateful for the support because his thighs were getting a workout with the slow going but he wanted to drag their lovemaking out.

He grabbed both of Dave's hands in his and closed his eyes, throwing his head back, reveling in the feeling of a slow fuck, his hips writhing and dancing slowly in David's lap. He slitted his eyes open to watch his lover watching him and he flushed more at the predatory look on David's face as he watched his body working on him.

"Jesus, Kurt, you're so fucking sexy!" Dave could barely pant out the words as his stomach muscles clenched; he was trying not to thrust up too hard into his lover's hot, lush body but it was tough going. "Fuck, fuck, you're killing me!"

Kurt chuckled breathlessly as he ground down onto David's cock. "Uh, urghhh, I… don't… think so… ungh," he stuttered, gasping as the cock in him brushed repeatedly against his prostate. He absolutely loved David's cock and riding it like this and making it last was a serious challenge. Sometimes he just wanted David to throw him down and fuck him through the mattress. Other times, like now, he wanted to see how long they could last before they lost it and just rutted to completion.

"Please, baby, please, you've got to let me come!"

One particular thrust had Kurt crying out and he let go of David's hands to fall forward, his palms flat against the heaving, sweaty chest. He gasped out a harsh 'yes!' as David's long fingers clutched his plunging hips, speeding up his thrusts and Kurt could only hang on for the ride.

Dave grasped Kurt's hips tightly and lunged up into his ass, throwing back his head and groaning aloud at the feeling. Their bodies worked frantically against each other as Kurt relinquished all effort to drag things out; the goal now was to go out in a satisfying blaze.

By this time they weren't making love, they were fucking and it was good! Kurt slammed his ass down as Dave thrust up, both of them trying to wring the orgasm from the other and Kurt leaned forward, licked a long, hot stripe up David's throat to his ear and bit down.

With a strangled cry, Dave plunged up as he grabbed Kurt's ass and held him in place as his cock exploded, sending pulses of hot cream up into his lover's clenching channel and nailing his prostate over and over again. Kurt, unable to hold off, cried out as his cock shot come between their writhing bodies, his eyes shut tight and his head thrown back.

For long moments the only sound in the bedroom was of them trying to catch their breath and Kurt's satisfied hums. Finally, Dave found the strength to lift just his head and stare down at the top of Kurt's, the sweaty strands flopping onto his chin.

"Oh Jesus, Kurt, I think you finally broke me…" he whined, his mouth dry and his chest still heaving, Kurt's weight growing heavier as the singer rested on him. He felt Kurt's chuckles echo through his chest and he stroked the damp skin of his lover's back soothingly.

Kurt raised his head slightly to look at him out of one weary eye. "All I can say is – best Christmas ever!"

The sound of their laughter wafted out of the bedroom, unheard by anyone but them and that was all to the good. The house was empty except for them as their security team was supposed to return at the end of Boxing Day. Puck had retained the services of the guard company that had supplied the extra security for the party so that he and his team would have the two days off. Dave had approved it as he knew his men really needed the break.

Now because they had the house to themselves for the night – Burt and Carole were over in their cottage – they could pretend for a while that they were just a regular couple. For a few precious hours they were just Kurt Hummel, countertenor extraordinaire and David Karofsky, one of the world's youngest billionaires. None of that mattered right now, they were just Kurt and Dave, recovering from the latest round of mind-blowing sex and trying to find the energy to get cleaned up.

Life was good, so far and, God willing, it would continue that way for a long time.

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TBC

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A/N: Kind of a sappy close to this chapter but, hey, it's a Christmas episode so I think I'm allowed. Coming up, of course, Emma makes a decision. Keep reading and reviewing, lovely people; believe me, it helps.