Together they sat at breakfast. The kids turned on very skillfully. For 2 days they hid professionally a puppy.

"I would be grateful if you could clean up the living room." Jay said.

"I thought we are hosting the BBQ outside." Zach mumbled with his mouth full.

"First of all we don't talk with a full mouth. Secondly, we are hosting it outside. Third, the living room should be cleaned up anyway."

"Sure thing." Zach grinned.

A yelp disturbed the peaceful conversation.

"I'm pretty sure Zoey didn't cough this time." Jay said.

"I think the neighbors have a new dog." Zach explained.

"You don't mean the neighbors who are allergic, huh?" Jay questioned suspiciously.

"There are dogs for allergy sufferers." Zach explained.

"I'm still pretty sure that sound came from our basement." Jay wondered.

"In old age, hearing is diminishing rapidly."

"Yeah. I already understood the first time that I am old." Jay said, getting up to look. Zoey scurried in front of her dad and blocked his way to the cellar, "Stop it, please!" she said in the cute voice of a 5-year-old.

Jay laughed and started a tickle attack. Zoey shrieked and even Zach did not stand a chance against his father. The moment Jay opened the door to the cellar, a small dog jumped towards them. Jay took a deep breath, running a hand through his face, studying his two children. "Can I get an explanation?"

"Wow. Thank you daddy for the dog!" Zach exclaimed beaming

"Thanks Daddy." Zoey grinned and stroked the puppy, "You're really the best. I've always wanted a puppy."

"Zachary. Out with it." Jay said.

"He has no home." Zoey explained.

"And now you bring dogs with you? Maybe the next time you bring a cat or a squirrel and we open a zoo." Jay said.

"Oh yeah! We're going to buy a zoo!" Zoey shouted, happily.

"Please, daddy. You promised us a dog." Zach said, "And we have your signature under the claim."

"The fact is that somebody certainly misses this dog. The dog comes to the shelter."

"And if nobody really misses the dog?" Zach asked

"The shelter is looking for the owners and if there is none ..."

"Then the dog stays here!" Zoey squealed enthusiastically

"Let's see." Jay winked.

"Oh please daddy. You can't say no to such a cute dog," begged Zoey and Jay nodded.

There was so much life in Halstead Garden as it hadn't been for a long time. It really came all who were invited. Antonio with Sylvie, Ruzek and Kim with their little daughter, Al, Atwater, Trudy and Mouch, Will with Natalie and the 2 sons and of course Hank.

The children played, the adults chatted and Hank Voight stand on the grill. That was his condition to come. He personally wanted to grill the BBQ. Everyone brought a snack to eat or drink, so there was something for everyone. There was steak, pretzels, fanta, beer, potato salad and cheese sandwiches.

To escape the stressful Christmas rush in Chicago, Jay took his children to the family cabin in North Wisconsin. The powder-white snow was high enough to build a snowman or an igloo. The children enjoyed the quiet nature, made snowball fights or warmed up by a hot chocolate in front of the fireplace.

Zoey sat on the kitchen counter and helped her dad mix the dough for the cookies. She remembered the funny flour battle 2 years ago. It was her last Christmas with Mommy. She took a handful of flour and clapped it her dad directly in the face.

"You think that's funny, huh?" Jay grinned, opening an egg over her head. Zoey giggled and threw her dad off with a fresh load of flour. Shortly thereafter, a wild flour battle had broken out. Zach hurried to help his sister and jumped on Jay's back.

"Let's go, Zoey!" He demanded while keeping his hands in front of his father's eyes. Jay tried to fight back with a tickle attack against his son's grasp. Zoey grinned and smeared the butter in Jay's face.

"Honey. Your brother looks very clean, don't you think?" Jay grinned and immediately Zach was targeted. In the end they all lay exhausted on the white kitchen floor. Zoey sat victoriously on Jay's stomach and beamed, "We won, Zach."

"The winners are allowed to clean." Jay grinned and poked Zoey to the side. She squeaks for a moment before lying on her father and resting her head on his chest. Gently, Jay ruffled her through her long hair.

"You're comfortable," she muttered. Jay laughed, "As a baby, you could sleep best if Mommy or I put you on our chest."

"Really?"

"Yeah, otherwise you always howled."

"I never want to grow up. I don't want to get older than ... 10 years." Zoey muttered.

"But Zoey. Think about it well. That would mean that you are only allowed to celebrate your birthday 5 times." Zach said, patting the dog.

"Or not." Zoey said quickly.

"Zachary, did you have to destroy the beautiful moment?" Jay asked with a grin.

Very early the next morning the siblings were awake, after all it was Christmas Day. Highly motivated, they opened their gifts in record time. Santa Claus brought them everything they wished. A dollhouse for Zoey, a Lego set for Zach, even the dog got a toy.

"Daddy. We also have a present for you." Zoey grinned proudly while Zach handed his father a very thin gift. Curiously, Jay opened the envelope. He was greeted by a family portrait, on which back stood...

Dear daddy,

Thank you for every day you helped us get up again.

Thank you for being completely honest with us and for always to give courage to us.

Thank you for showing us again and again what really matters in life and reminding us not to let us get trivialized.

Thank you for making us laugh with your sayings again and again.

YOU ARE OUR SUPERHERO!

Zoey & Zach

Overwhelmed, Jay read the last line several times before looking at his children. A small tear stole from his eyes.

"Don't you like it?" Zoey asked disappointed.

"It's awesome." Jay stuttered. He was speechless with the beautiful gift. Zach first picked himself up from his place on the ground and jumped on the couch next to his father to cuddle up to him. Zoey grinned joyfully and jumped to the other side.

"I love you kiddos." Jay whispered, hugging both lovingly.

"We love you more." they smiled.

Their life changed slowly. Erin is no longer the first thing they think about. And when they remember the time together, they are no longer feeling that stinging pain in their hearts, reminding them of what they have lost. In the brightest moments they are even happy. Happy with all the little things that show them that they have not lost the joy of life. The pain of parting is slowly being replaced by the feeling of having known and loved someone who has never quite left them. They are happy to have met such a wonderful person. They are a family and Erin will always be a part of them - a living memory in each one.

The End.