The air was crisp and cold as Maddie started out of the house to begin her chores, the teen breathing in deep the morning air. It was Christmas Eve and after the week she'd gone through, she was glad the holidays had finally arrived. The nightmare with Bel had finally been resolved and the mare wasn't in danger of being put to sleep anymore. With the video, they had firm evidence that Bel's attack had been provoked and that it had been Rick to blame for what had happened.

When Rick's parents had been shown the video, they had some apologies to make. After the fuss that his father had put up it had been rather embarrassing for Mark to learn that it was actually his son that had been in the wrong. After apologizing profusely and promising that Rick would be dealt with, they had left and hadn't bothered them since.

Maddie was just beyond relieved that it was all over.

Cordell had had a talk with her about what had happened and told her that she should have rung up to let someone know what Stella and August were planning but he hadn't given her any punishments. He did, however, give her a stern warning that if she got into a fistfight again, he wouldn't be so easy on her. Stella and August on the other hand, they had been in deep, deep trouble. In addition to doing all of her work until she was well enough again and Abeline giving them a month of shoveling the stables, they had lost their allowance for three months and were grounded for a month with the exception of the Christmas concert at Sacred Heart.

With everything that had happened over the last two weeks, Maddie hadn't had a chance to give the Mustang Makeover a second thought. The entry deadline was still a couple weeks away so she still had time to make up her mind and she'd decided that once Christmas was over, she'd give that her attention.

Christmas. It was going to be the first Christmas she'd gotten to celebrate since her mother died. The Walkers were going all out for Christmas this year, Abeline and Bonham having been putting up lights and decorations with her help for most of the week. In the back of her mind she hoped that they weren't going to all this trouble just to make this Christmas special for her and a nagging worry accompanied it; that she didn't have anything good enough to give them. She wanted to do something special, something meaningful to thank them all for what they'd done for her since they had welcomed her into their family.

Oh, her present shopping was already done and dusted but she wanted something extra. Something more that she could give all of them. It had been bothering her for days yet she still hadn't been able to think of anything she felt was special enough and so, while doing her morning chores, she thought it over again.

Just as she had finished, it came to her. A song. That's what she could do. She could write a song for them all. With Bel fed and watered, she headed back into the main barn and scurried up the ladder into the loft. Surely she could think of something...

Minutes ticked by as she tried to think of something, anything, but nothing came to mind. With a sigh she tore off another page out of her notebook and tossed it over to the bin but missed, the paper ball heading over the edge of the loft.

'Hey! You up there Maddie?'

At the shout she giggled and went over to the edge. Lying down on her stomach she looked down at Bonham and waved, a mischievous grin on her face. 'Hey.'

He held up the paper ball that had hit him in the head. 'I'd assume this belongs to you?'

'Mmmhmmm. It kinda missed the bin. Sorry.' He threw it back up to her and she caught it with a laugh.

'What are you still doing out here anyway? Haven't you finished with your chores yet?'

'No, I have but I'm trying to come up with a song...' An idea came to mind. 'Hey, maybe you could help me?'

'I don't know-'

'Please? It's Christmas. Time to be festive and giving and all that. I just need some ideas. Please?'

Bonham sighed as he gave in. 'Alright, alright.'

Maddie grinned as he climbed up the ladder into the loft, joining her in her space. 'You mustn't tell anyone about this though-' She said as she sat down in her spot again. 'I want it to be a surprise. I want it to be a present for everyone.'

'Your secret is safe with me.' He agreed, taking a seat on the hay bale across from her. 'Alright, what have you got so far?'

'Slow down, Augie-' Stella pleaded as they wrested the Christmas tree through the doorway. 'Wait for me.'

'Let's set it down. Come on, it hurts-'

Maddie hurried over and picked up August's end of the tree from him. 'That shoulder is still giving you trouble?'

'Yeah.' He was holding it as she and Stella stood the tree up. 'Is it bad that I can't rotate it that way, or like, hell, any way, anymore?'

'Uh... Yeah, I'd say so.' She replied.

'Maybe Dad should take you to the doctors.' Stella suggested. 'It should have stopped hurting by now, it's been over a week.'

'Smart, Stel. Then he finds out we were trespassing at the Davidson's and we'll be in even more trouble.'

'Not if you come up with an alternate cause of injury.'

'Yeah, because we're all as fluent in lying to Dad as you are?' August pointed out.'

'You're right.' Stella agreed. 'He always somehow knows with you.'

'Can I just point out that if you don't get it seen to by a doctor, it's probably only going to get worse.' Maddie interjected as they picked up the tree again and started across the living room to where it was to be placed. 'I mean, you could hardly play the piano yesterday while we were practicing.'

'It'll be fine.' He tried to brush off their concern. 'I've got to play piano tonight and Faye's gonna be at the Sacred Heart holiday thing.'

'One text from a girl and this guy is willing to risk bodily harm.' Stella teased.

'Okay, woah, woah, woah.' Cordell called out as he entered the living room with another giant box filled with decorations. 'One text from a girl? Alright, I heard that. And who is this girl we speak of?'

'Augie's new crush.' Maddie replied with a mischievous grin. 'The one he hasn't stopped talking about.'

'Just you wait until you're interested in a guy-' August pointed out to her. 'Then it's gonna be payback time.'

She rolled her eyes. 'Yeah, yeah.'

'Hey, Lothario, you check that thing for sap before you dragged it in here?' Bonham questioned.

August frowned as he started looking the tree over. 'Is that a thing?'

'Send a boy to do a man's job...'

'Alright, Daddy.' Cordell pulled a record from its cover and placed it into the player. 'Pop quiz. You, uh, remember this record?'

Stella chuckled as the record started to play. 'Someone found their Christmas spirit early.'

'Yeah, and what's with the elf hat?' Maddie asked, pointing to the hat he was wearing. 'Trying out for Santa's little helper?'

'Well-'

'Does anyone else hear it skipping?' Stella questioned, interrupting what her father was about to say.

'Please,' Bonham started. 'hide that vinyl before Mawline has it on repeat until New Years.'

August looked back over to his grandfather. 'What's up with Bah-Humbug Bonham, eh?'

'Maybe it's the sap son.'

Cordell pointed to Bonham, mouthing the word 'Grinch.'

Maddie and Stella both giggled.

'Cordell-' He looked back at his son. 'could you go in there and see if you can convince your railroad baron brother to go out and rustle up a proper Douglas fir? I don't know what the hell that thing is.'

'Yeah, yeah, I'm on it Daddy.' Cordell agreed as he returned the record to its cover. 'We got this.'

'Guess I might get started with my cooking then in that case.' Maddie started after Bonham had left the room. 'You still okay to come bake those cookies with me Cordell?'

'Yeah, yeah sure.' He replied. 'You go get the ingredients out and I'll come join you soon.'

Leaving Cordell and his kids to finish fixing up the rest of the decorations she headed into the kitchen. Liam was setting up a Christmas train scene on the dining room table when she walked past and she stopped for a moment to take a look before continuing on into the kitchen. After getting her favorite Christmas carol playlist up on the iPad to play, she started gathering what she needed to cook.

Cordell went to speak with Liam but was interrupted by the arrival of Denise Davidson-Millar. From her spot in the kitchen she could hear a little of their conversation and from what she could gather, something big had happened with a case Cordell, Liam and she had been working on. After Denise had left Cordell came into the kitchen as she placed the mixing bowls onto the bench.

'Maddie, I-I'm sorry but I've-I've got to go-'

'It's okay.' She interrupted with a smile. 'We'll do this another time.'

'You-you sure?' He questioned.

'Positive. Just don't forget to come get your hug before you go.' Maddie said, continuing to gather the items she needed as he headed to go change into his uniform in his house. Liam was ready before Cordell returned and came over to see what she was doing. They spoke for a little while then Cordell joined them in the house once more.

'Ready to go Liam?' He questioned as he walked into the kitchen again, having already said goodbye to Stella and August.

Liam nodded. 'Ready.'

Cordell turned back to Maddie and gave her a hug. 'You better save me some of your cookies.'

She giggled as he tweaked her nose. 'Promise. You'll be at the carols tonight at the school though, right?'

'We-we'll see... I'll try to get there but we'll just see... okay?'

Maddie nodded. 'Well, if you miss it, we'll be doing carols here anyway when we get back-'

'And we're gonna camp out in the living room too, right?'

'Yep. You better not snore.'

'I don't snore.'

'Cordell-'

'Coming...' He placed a kiss on Maddie's forehead. 'Have a good day.'

'You too. Bye Liam.'

'See you Maddie.' Liam replied as they started to the door.

After they had left silence fell in the kitchen except for the sound of her cooking and the Christmas carols playing in the background. Maddie sighed softly as she started mixing up the butter, sugar and vanilla together by hand. They had planned on making the cookies together to start a new Christmas tradition but she understood his work came first. Still though, she couldn't help but be a little disappointed.

'I thought Cordell was going to do these with you.' Abeline remarked as she came into the kitchen, taking off her beanie and mittens as she walked in. 'Where is he?'

'He had to go, he had something to do with work. Liam went too-' She replied as she mixed the flour into the bowl. 'so I guess I'll just do them by myself.'

'Well I've got some free time on my hands.' Slipping out of her jacket she placed it on the back of a chair to dry. 'So what do you say we do them together?'

The auditorium was filling up with teenagers as Maddie, Stella and August headed in to help set up for the party. Abeline had dropped them off at the school since Stella still wasn't allowed to drive her car. Both Stella and August went over to talk to their friends and after speaking with one of the teachers, she was directed to the table where they were placing the food to add her plates too.

'Hey Maddie.'

Maddie smiled as Colton came over to speak to her. 'Hey.'

'How's things been?'

'Better, kinda. Now that the whole thing with Rick and his parents and Bel is over.' She replied as she set her cookies out from their containers onto a plate. 'And you? How'd your trip away go?'

He shrugged. 'It was alright, I guess. Mom and Dad still aren't getting along...' He drifted off then shook his head. 'But you don't need to listen to my problems. What are these?'

'Angel cookies. Well, angel, snowman, Santa, reindeer, Christmas tree, star, sleigh-' She chuckled as she handed him one to try. 'So I guess you could just call them Christmas themed cookies?'

Colton took a bite then nodded his head. 'They're good.'

'Glad you like them. It's a family tradition these.' The rest of the cookies went onto the plate and she helped herself to an angel shaped one. 'My great great grandma started these back in the eighteen-hundreds and the recipe has been passed down since. My Mom taught me to make these, I did tweak the recipe just a little though. Added some extra spices to the cookies and the frosting.'

'Don't tell my grandma-' He reached for another cookie from the plate. 'But these come close to beating her chocolate chip cookies.'

Maddie started to laugh. 'Uh ah, no way. Her chocolate chip cookies are the best I have ever tasted. It's just a shame she won't share the recipe with me though.'

'You'll just have to come over and visit Rocky when she's baking some again.'

'I might do that if I get a heads-up.' She replied as they started walking over to the chairs to sit down. 'How is Rocky going?'

'Good, all three of them are good.'

'That's good to hear, I sent Edna some photos and an update when I was over there looking after them. She's relieved that they're being well taken care of. Abeline or Cordell are going to take me by the nursing home tomorrow to drop her off some cookies. I thought it might be nice for her to have a visitor for Christmas. You could come along too if you wanted, she'd be happy to get an update on Rocky from you.'

'Yeah... I'll think about it, okay?'

She nodded, about to reply when a teacher came over to ask if they would be able to help set up the stage with the musical instruments. They both agreed and got up to lend a hand making small talk as they did so. Finally, they were just about finished as August came over to them.

'Hey man, you sing or play?' He questioned, motioning to the keyboard.

'Oh no, not yet, no.' Colton exclaimed, placing the sheet music onto the keyboard's music stand. 'My Grandma says I have an ear, but I don't know. Always thought it could be cool. You?'

'I usually do the keys for carols. It's actually kind of cool.' August replied as he took a seat at the other keyboard.

'Oh, so-so you're kind of like, a big deal around here?' He asked

'I'll let the keys speak for themselves.'

Maddie glanced up at him from what she was doing as he started the intro to Rockin Around The Christmas Tree. He started out well for the first few moments but then had to stop. She shook her head as he clutched his shoulder. He really needed to tell his father what had happened and get taken to the doctors.

'What-' Colton started. 'was that supposed to be impressive?'

'I may have had a slight mishap involving a hard fall and a bum shoulder and ah... a girl named Faye.'

'Yeah, and someone who doesn't want to go to the hospital.' Maddie added as she joined them. 'At this rate there's no way you're gonna be up to playing with me in the Eisteddfod next month.'

'Wait-' Colton looked over at her. 'You play too?'

She nodded. 'Started learning to play before I could walk.'

August turned back to his keyboard. 'I uh, I'm gonna try this again.' He started off once more, Colton getting up to join him at the keyboard. He looked up at him as he started playing the right hand of the song. 'Wait, you can read sheet music?'

'No, But I can read a room. How about I help you out and you teach me a little? I get a free piano lesson, and you don't, like, face-plant in front of the whole school?'

'Uh, all right.' He agreed. 'Though Maddie would probably be a better teacher then I would be right now.'

'Move over Augie, let the professional have a go.' She teased with a grin. Rolling his eyes he got off the stool and let her at the keyboard. 'Alright, any requests?' They both shook their heads and she thought about what she could play for a moment. As it came to her, a smile crept across her lips. 'This is one Mom taught me.'

Taking a deep breath she placed her fingers on the keys and began to play You Can't Take Me from Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. As she played, the smile on her face grew. Even though she didn't have the sheet music in front of her, her fingers and mind remembered how to play the song easily. It was one of her favorites, the first song she'd gotten her mom to teach her from the movie. If she really concentrated, she could almost hear her in her mind instructing her on how to position her hands to play the chords...

As she came into the climax of the song she noticed that a few of the teachers and students in the building had stopped what they were doing to watch her play. Forcing her anxiety back she kept on playing and finally ended the song with a flourish. A little applause followed from those who had been watching her and she stood to give a mock bow.

'You might have competition here August.' Colton remarked as Maddie turned her attention to them once more. 'That was great.'

'Thanks, glad you think so.'

'Maybe you should help out tonight instead of me-'

She shook her head. 'Haven't really gotten the whole 'play in front of a crowd' thing together yet. Besides, I wouldn't want to outplay Sacred Hearts star carol player.'

'I might go find myself something to drink.' August said as he spied Faye around the drink table. 'See you around man.'

'Yeah, see you.' Colton looked back to Maddie after August had left. 'You don't want to play for carols but you're gonna compete in an Eisteddfod?'

Maddie chuckled. 'Yeah, doesn't make much sense, hey?' They stepped off the stage and made their way back to where they'd been sitting before they'd been interrupted. 'The last time I played in front of a crowd didn't go so well...' She said as she sat down again, turning to Colton. 'After my mom died I entered a talent show thing a few months later. I um... I kinda froze and panicked and got laughed off the stage and I haven't played for anyone since. Took me ages to feel like I could play in front of the Walkers, I was worried they were gonna laugh and tease me too.'

'What made you want to enter the Eisteddfod then?'

She shrugged. 'It's a bucket list thing.' Seeing the look of confusion on his face she continued with an explanation. 'When my Mom got sick, we wrote up a bucket list of things we wanted to do together. One of them was to perform my favorite song from Spirit with her as a duet. We um...' She paused for a moment. 'We never got to do it together though.'

'I'm sorry, that's rough Maddie. Losing both your Mom and your Dad... Do you have any family?'

Her answer was a shake of her head. 'Mama was an only child, her parents were killed in a car accident when I was little. My father didn't speak to his family and when he passed, CPS couldn't find any relatives. I'd have been sent to foster care again if the Walker's hadn't taken me in.' She looked down at her hands. 'What about your birth parents? Are they still alive?'

'I don't know.' He lent back in his chair. 'I've never thought about finding them. I mean, they gave me up for a reason. I'm happy though with the family I have now.' He looked back at Maddie. 'This bucket list thing though, August was going to do it with you?'

Maddie nodded. 'They all chose something off the list to do with me but with August hurting his shoulder, looks like we'll have to do it next year.'

'I could give it a go-'

'I'll think about it. Hopefully August will stop being so stubborn and go get it checked out.'

Colton nodded, silence falling between the two of them for a moment. 'So... You haven't mentioned that mustang training thing you were invited to. Have you made up your mind yet?'

'Still thinking about it for now. Once Christmas is over I'll give it some thought and come to a decision. I've still got a couple weeks anyway before entries need to be in.' Looking over at the table she decided she'd go grab something else to eat. Besides, after speaking about her mom she needed a moment to catch her breath. 'I'll be back in a moment...'

The afternoon slipped by in a whirlwind of activity and by the time carols finally started, Maddie was exhausted. She had caught up with quite a few people, spending a good part of her time speaking with Micki since she hadn't seen her since she'd been back from being undercover. They'd had a pleasant conversation and afterwards she'd excused herself to find a quiet corner to rest in.

Colton came to check on her a couple of times, bringing with him a drink and some food for her. She was appreciative of the gesture too for with her headache she hadn't wanted to be waiting in line for ages.

As August and Colton started playing Jingle Bells, she brought her fingers to her temples again and began to rub them. Another damn headache. They were starting to get really annoying... Not able to handle the noise much longer she slipped out of the room to a quiet corridor and sat down on the carpet against a wall.

Resting her head back against the wall she took a deep breath. The last Christmas party she had gone to had been with her Mom, a couple weeks before her health had rapidly spiraled downward. Being in the crowd singing carols reminded her of being with her Mom. In her mind she could still see them together, sharing a candle as they sang along to the carols.

God she missed her...

'There you are-' Stella exclaimed with relief as she finally found Maddie. 'Carols are over, they're about to light the tree.' She frowned once she'd stopped beside the younger teen. 'You okay?'

'Yeah, yeah, no, I'm fine...' Maddie quickly assured her. 'Just needed a break for a moment, crowd and everything.'

She nodded in understanding. 'You gonna come watch the tree lighting though?'

'Yeah, if you give me a hand up.' She replied with a chuckle. 'My leg has gone numb.'

Stella gave her a hand up and the two of them made their way back into the auditorium as people started making their way out to the front. Spying her father amongst the crowd she hurried over to him. 'Dad, you made it. Come on. They're about to light the tree.

'Hey, yeah, yeah, of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Maddie girl-' She chuckled as he placed his arm around her, his other around Stella. 'Having fun?'

'Yeah, it's been alright.' She replied with a smile as they followed the crowd outside. 'Glad you could make it.' August came over to join them to watch the tree lighting and at the sound of a truck horn playing Jingle Bells, Maddie looked over then began to laugh.

Dressed up as Santa and Mrs Claus were Bonham and Abeline.

'Merry Christmas, y'all!' Bonham shouted as he and Abeline stepped out of the truck.

August laughed. 'What?'

'Here comes Santa Claus!'

'Oh my God.' Stella exclaimed.

Maddie was too busy giggling to make any sensible comment.

'Who wants presents? I know y'all do. But first- and you ready? Are you ready? Light 'em up!'

The crowd shouted and cheered as the tree was lit up, the tree covered in hundreds and hundreds of twinkling Christmas lights.

'Dad-' Stella asked as she turned to him. 'did you know about this?'

'Did I... did I know about the Salty Santa bit?' He chuckled. 'Yeah, of course. Your grandparents, they knew that it was a hard semester and uh, you know, they and I wanted to surprise you. And frankly, I wanted to see Dad in that wig.'

'I think it suits him.' Maddie replied with a giggle. Kids were crowded around both of them, waiting to receive their presents... Her expression sobered though after a moment.

Cordell noticed Maddie fall silent and glanced down at her. 'You okay Mads?'

'Yeah.' She forced a smile back onto her face. 'Just thinking about the last Christmas I had with my mom, you know. But I'm okay.'

August cleared his throat, catching Cordell's attention. 'Well, since you're, uh... your feeling real restive right now, maybe um... What I want for Christmas is a pass.'

'You want, you want a pass, for what?' He questioned as his son unbuttoned his collar and top two shirt buttons.

'I might,' He slipped his shirt aside to show the huge bruise over his collarbone. 'have fallen through the-the Davidson's barn...'

'Uh... the Davidson's barn?' Cordell repeated after a moment.

'Yeah.'

'Why did you go to the Davidson's barn?'

'Well, I had to see about a girl.

'Right. Yeah. Yeah, All right.' He wrapped his arms around his kids, drawing them in for a group hug. 'Yeah, we'll figure it out.'

'Okay.' August winched. 'okay that hurts.'

Maddie chuckled softly then a couple people came over to speak with Cordell and so she excused herself from the conversation and found herself a quiet place to sit outside the auditorium. A sad smile came to her lips as she watched the kids interact with Bonham, their squeals of delight as they opened their presents reaching her ears. While it was Christmas and it was the festive season, at the same time it all too painfully reminded her of what she had lost.

Her mom.

'Hey, we're about ready to go.'

She looked up at Stella as she came over to her, having been so deep in thought she hadn't noticed that everyone was leaving.

'Dad's taking August to the ER to get looked at-' She continued as Maddie stood. 'So Grampa is driving us and Liam home. Hope you don't mind it being a little crowded in the back seat.'

'I think I can handle that.' She said with a soft chuckle as they walked to where the family was gathered. 'So, Santa Claus, hey?' She teased Bonham with a grin. 'Finally found your Christmas spirit?'

Bonham tousled her hair, the girl giggling as she ducked away from him. 'There's still time to put you on my naughty list little one.'

She giggled again. 'Hey, I've been a good girl.'

'Yes, you have.' Abeline agreed. 'Hop in the truck. We'll go change then we'll be heading home.'

'Shouldn't we get a photo with you guys before that? Might be the only time Bonham wears that Santa suit and we need photographic evidence it happened.'

With a grumble and good natured complaining, he obliged and the family gathered around for a photo after Cordell had asked a passer-by to take it for them.

When they'd finished, Cordell and August left to head to the hospital, Bonham and Abeline heading into the auditorium to go change in the bathrooms. Stella and Liam climbed in the backseat of the car first then Maddie hopped in beside Liam. Stella pulled out her phone and started scrolling through Facebook as they waited for them to return.

Closing her eyes Maddie rested her head back against the headrest then began rubbing her temples again. Though her headache had eased a bit since being away from the noise it was still causing enough pain to be bothersome...

'You alright Maddie?'

'Yeah, it was just a bit too loud for me in there...' She replied to Liam's concern. 'Got a bit of a headache. I want to take a nap but I haven't got anything to use as a pillow.'

Liam placed an arm around her, the teen gratefully resting her head against him. 'It's been a big day.'

'Mmmhmmm.' She had her eyes closed as she replied. 'That it has been.'

After a nap on the way home and a couple of painkillers, Maddie felt a lot better. While they waited for Cordell and August to get home they moved the furniture in the living room aside to make space for their camp-out and before long the room had been converted into their makeshift bedroom for the night

Once that had been finished they all changed into their 'Christmas' pajamas and gathered the rest of the things they needed for the night. Abeline and Stella were in charge of organizing the snacks, Bonham went to go find the family Bible and Liam brought in more wood for the fire.

Upon returning with her mother's guitar, Maddie placed it to the side then walked over to the Christmas tree. Cordell and Liam had brought home a tree before they'd gone to the party and it just needed to be decorated.

Tears welled in her eyes as she opened the box with her decorations, running her fingers over the glass baubles that held the pictures of her with her mother. Every year after her father had left they'd had a bauble made with their favorite photos from the year. They'd collected quite a few too though her favorite was the one of her and her mom together feeding the ducks. It had been for her eighth birthday, they'd had a picnic in a park then fed the ducks and fish.

Thinking back, she never would have thought back then that in only a short time, her life would be turned upside down.

'Oh, you found your decorations.' Abeline stated as she placed a plate of cookies onto the table in the center of the room.

'Yeah, I did. I'm so glad they didn't get broken...' After she had started living with the Walkers they'd been able to get in touch with her mothers friend who had been storing their belongings and had them shipped to her. 'I haven't opened this box since our last Christmas together.' She said softly. 'You don't mind if I put a couple up?'

'Not at all sweetheart.' She assured her. 'Go right ahead.'

Choosing her two favorite photo baubles she placed them aside to be put up on the tree. A few other decorations were set aside too, her horse Christmas ornaments and a couple others that she had made together with her mom.

A little while later Cordell and August came in to join them and they started the evening by decorating the tree together as a family. Maddie added her ornaments shyly then withdrew back from the others to sit by the fireside to watch. Stella and August were arguing good naturedly about what they should put on top of the tree and the room was filled with laughter when Bonham decided for them both that it would be the angel this year.

When the tree had finished being decorated they gathered around to sing carols, Bonham and Maddie playing their guitars while the rest of them sang. Everyone got to request their favorite carols, Maddie requesting they sing Silent Night as it had been her mothers favorite.

After they had finished with carols, Maddie snuggled up to Abeline beside the fireplace and toasted marshmallows while Bonham read the Christmas story from the family Bible. It was bittersweet for her to be celebrating her first Christmas since her mom had passed. On one hand, she was grateful that she had a new family to share the holiday with but on the other, she missed her so much.

With midnight approaching, one by one, the Walkers crawled into bed and drifted off to sleep until Maddie was the only one awake, staring at the dancing flames in the fireplace as she stroked her sleeping cat. Why could the happiest time of the year also be the saddest and loneliest?