Maddie was awake before anyone else, the teen staring at the flickering coals in the fireplace. Around her, the rest of the family slept on, Bonham and Abeline snuggled up together and Cordell with his kids. Liam though had decided against joining them for their little camp out in the living room and had headed to his own room.

Every year it got harder.

A tear finally spilled down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away. The holidays were hard enough at the best of times but it had been harder this year. Even though she'd never celebrated Christmas with her father, there was a part of her that wished he was still alive. A part of her wondered if he had been given a second chance, would he have been able to change?

And too at this time of year she wished that her mom was still with her.

Bubbles stirred, the cat standing up on her sleeping bag and stretched. She smiled a little as she came to nuzzle her cheek asking for pats. With one hand giving her cat a scratch under the chin she reached for her phone to check the time with the other. It was still early, the clock showing it was just after four thirty.

No sense trying to get back to sleep... She thought with a soft sigh. At least she'd managed to get a couple hours sleep before she'd been woken by her thoughts. Bubbles left after a moment and made her way over to Cordell's sleeping bag to curl up with him and his kids. There was no sense in lying there for another couple hours when she could get the morning chores done and surprise Bonham.

Quietly she rose and slipped out of the room into her bedroom to change. It was cold in her room and she changed quickly, bundling up warmly to head outside. When she walked back into the living room everyone else was still fast asleep and she carried on her way outside.

It had snowed during the night, a thick layer of snow crunching beneath her feet as she made her way by flashlight to the barn. Already a good six inches blanketed the ground and it was still snowing. This would make for a great snowball fight... She thought with a little chuckle. Being able to have snowball fights was her favorite part about winter, that and making snowmen.

Coming over to Bel's yard to take care of her first, Bel trotted over to the gate with a snort. 'Hey girl...' She chuckled as the mare shook the snow from her face. 'Why aren't you under your shelter and out of the snow?' A thick blanket of snow had collected on her winter rug and the mare shook her head again, shaking snow onto her. Maddie laughed softly and gave her a pat. 'Come on girl, let's get you fed...'

A little while later her mare had been tended too and she headed over to the main barn. With the ranch hands having time off over the holidays that meant there was more work for her and Bonham to do. Today though he'd get the day off since she was doing his chores as well as her own, kinda a little extra Christmas present for him.

Maddie was almost finished in the barn when the door opened, Bonham appearing quite surprised to see her at work. 'You're up early.' He remarked as he closed the door behind himself again.

'Yeah, I couldn't get back to sleep.' She replied as she closed up the last stall she had just finished mucking out. 'So I thought I'd get a head start on morning chores. I'm all done now, yours and mine. Merry Christmas.'

He looked around the barn and sure enough, everything appeared to be in order. The horses were all contentedly eating their breakfast and the stalls were all cleaned. He turned back to Maddie, the teen standing with a huge smile on her face at the door.

'What are you waiting for?' She questioned with a chuckle, motioning for him to come with her. 'I believe it's time for presents.'

Inside the house was a bustle of activity when Bonham and Maddie walked back in, the entire family up and dressed for the day. Abeline was in the kitchen getting breakfast on to cook with Stella's help and Cordell, Liam and August were putting the living room back in order after their camp out.

'Here, here-' She hurried over as August struggled with her blankets and quilt. 'I've got it.'

'Thanks.' He said as she took them from him.

'You know if you don't rest that shoulder it's only going to take longer to heal.' Maddie pointed out as she bundled all the blankets and the quilt into a heap. 'How long did they say you have to wear that sling for?'

'Ah... Six weeks.' He replied. 'So um...'

'We won't be able to do the Eisteddfod then I take it?'

August nodded. 'I'm so sorry Maddie, I know you were looking forward to it-'

'Augie, it's alright.' She assured him with a smile. 'There's always next year. Don't stress.'

'Say it.'

'Say what?'

'That I was an idiot for climbing the Davidson's barn.'

'We both know that already, I don't think I need to say it again.' She motioned to the box on one of the tables that the rest of her decorations were in. 'Would you mind bringing that to my room please? Forgot to take it back in last night.'

With two pairs of extra hands, the living room was soon back in order once more. After bringing in more wood for the fire Maddie took a seat on the couch with her kitten to wait. Bubbles purred happily as she stood on her legs, nudging her with her cold nose. 'Yeah yeah, you want a chin rub dontcha?'

'Alright-' Cordell exclaimed, clapping his hands together as he walked back into the living room. 'Mama will be here shortly but in the meantime, we need to decide how we're gonna do this-'

'Can't we go from youngest to oldest?' August interrupted.

Stella playfully elbowed her brother in his ribs. 'You ask for that every year.'

'I think we should do eldest to youngest.' Maddie suggested.

'But that means I go last then.' He complained.

Cordell looked over at Bonham. 'What do you think Dad?'

'I don't care what y'all decide.' He replied, reading a magazine with a coffee mug in hand.

'We-we could go tallest to shortest-'

'Yeah, cause we're all as tall as you Dad.' Stella said with a chuckle. 'No, I agree with Maddie. Grampa and Mawline should get their presents first.'

'Alright...' Cordell nodded as he took a seat on the couch. 'that's how we'll do it then. Maddie, you-you want to hand them out?'

'Yeah, sure. I guess. I can do that.' She agreed after a moment as Abeline and Liam came into the room. Handing her cat off to August beside her she went over and crouched down by the Christmas tree, looking at the wrapped parcels stacked beneath it. 'Alright... What have we got...' She finally located a couple presents and read out who it was from. 'To Grampa, from Stella...'

When it came to Maddie's turn to receive her presents she offered for August to get his before taking her turn. August was more than happy to take her up on the offer and so she returned to her spot beside the fireplace when she'd handed him his presents. Bubbles came over to her for a pat as she waited and she was more than happy to oblige the kitten.

'Alright, so...' Cordell started once August had unwrapped his last present. 'Maddie girl, your turn.'

She chuckled nervously. 'Looks like it.' The last presents underneath the tree were of varying sizes but the one that had caught her curiosity was the biggest wrapped box tucked away in the corner.

He looked over at his daughter. 'Stella, why don't you and August start with your present?'

'Sure.' Stella stood and found the two boxes that were from them. 'This one is kinda combined, from both Augie and I. Both separate but they go together.' She passed them to her. 'Hope you like it.'

Moving Bubbles from her lap she placed the boxes on her legs to open them, starting with the top one. As she tore the paper off a smile grew on her lips. It was a Breyer model of Spirit from the movie and still in its original packaging. 'How on earth did you find this?' She questioned with amazement, looking at both Stella and August. 'These are impossible to find, my mom was trying to get them for me for my birthday for years.'

'I had a friend who collects them, she's going away to college and needed the money so she was happy to sell them.' Stella replied. 'And that one is one of the first ones in the run.'

'Wow, thank you Stella.' She placed the box down to open August's present and she smiled again as she pulled back the paper to reveal Rain. 'These are going to have pride of place on my shelf in my room.' She said, looking back to the Walker kids. 'Thank you, both of you.'

'We couldn't think of anything else to get you.' August replied. 'But then when we remembered that Spirit is your favorite movie, that's how we thought of getting you these.'

'You think finding something for me was hard?' She chuckled. 'I'm the one who's never brought presents for anyone other than her mom her entire life.'

'And you did a pretty good job.' Abeline added. 'I still don't get how you managed to buy that skirt without me noticing it.'

Maddie grinned mischievously. 'Fly veil.' She stated simply. The penny dropped and the woman began to chuckle as Liam got up to hand her his present. It was the latest Apple watch and a proper camera stand for her phone for taking videos of her working with Bel.

'There's a function on there that notifies your emergency contacts if you take a fall.' He explained as she looked the watch over. 'With you riding on your own as much as you do, I thought it might come in handy.'

'Let's hope I don't need to use it but if I do, at least I've got this now.' She smiled. 'Thank you Liam.'

'I got you a couple other things but it goes along with Mom and Dad's present so we put it together.' He continued. 'Cordi, you want to go next or should Mom and Dad?'

'I-I'm happy to give mine last.' Cordell replied. 'Might take Maddie awhile to unwrap it anyway.'

Maddie raised an eyebrow curiously.

Bonham and Abeline brought over the largest box and placed it down on the carpet. 'This is from both of us.' He told her. 'But as Liam said, we included a couple things from him that went along with our gift.'

'Sure is a big box.' She chuckled as she began to unwrap it from the top. It was an unmarked cardboard box and as she opened it up, her jaw dropped. Inside was a beautiful western saddle complete with ornate leather carving and silver and purple decorations. Not only was there a saddle inside but there was a matching bridle with reins, breastplate and leather halter with Bel's registered name engraved in silver plates on the cheek straps. Beneath the saddle there appeared to be a purple saddle cloth and also a purple rug again with Bel's name embroidered into it.

'Do you like it honey?' Abeline questioned after a long moment of awkward silence.

'It-it's beautiful...' Maddie finally found her voice, fighting back tears. Taking the bridle from the box she ran her hands over the supple leather, looking up at Bonham. 'You made all this?'

'With Abby lending a hand.' Bonham replied, his arm around his wife and she chuckled softly. 'Except for the rug and saddle cloth obviously, Liam brought those.'

'We decided you needed your own gear for Bel.' Abeline explained as Maddie placed the bridle back in the box. 'And while you haven't gotten to the point of riding her yet, once she's ready you'll be able to use your own tack.'

'Thank you.' She replied to the three of them. 'The only thing I'm missing now are saddlebags. Maybe you could teach me how to make them sometime?'

'We'll see.' Bonham replied.

Cordell got up and picked up one of the last remaining presents beneath the tree. 'This-this one is something I've wanted to give you for a long time, Maddie girl.' He said as he brought it over to her. 'It only arrived a couple days ago. Merry Christmas.'

'Gosh... For a box this size it's light as a feather.' She remarked as she took it from him. 'What's in it?'

'You might find out if you open it.'

Tearing off the layer of paper, she frowned as she found another layer of paper beneath it. 'Is this pass the parcel?' She asked with a chuckle, tearing through the second layer.

'Yeah, kinda.'

After making it through the third layer, she finally came to a box. Inside that box though was another box, again wrapped in more paper. She began to laugh. 'How much wrapping paper did you go through wrapping this up?'

'A few rolls.' Stella interjected. 'Dad made me help him wrap it up.'

'Oh... come on.' She was down to her eighth layer of paper and second box but it didn't seem like she was getting any closer to actually getting to her present. 'How many more layers?'

Cordell wore a knowing smirk on his face. 'Well... Only a few more.'

'You are enjoying this way too much.' She chuckled while ripping off yet another layer. The paper was hastily crunched up into a ball that she promptly threw at him, laughter rippling through the room.

'Hey-'

Her eyes sparkled as she tossed another paper ball up and down in her hand. 'There's more of where that came from.'

'Are-aren't you going to open it?'

'Well, I would if I could actually get to it.' She replied as she came to another box. Upon opening it however she realized she had gotten to it, a yellow envelope contained inside. Raising an eyebrow she pulled it from the box, silence falling about the room as she opened it. There were papers inside and when she slipped them out from the envelope, her heart skipped a beat as her hand covered her mouth. Her eyes began to mist as the words written on the paper sank in. Oh... Oh... My... God...

'You... you...' Her voice broke with emotion as the tears started to run down her cheeks and she looked up at him. 'You... you adopted me?'

Cordell nodded, his own eyes watering. 'You-you're one of us now baby girl-' He didn't get to finish the sentence for Maddie threw her arms around him, the two of them holding each other tight as tears streamed down her face.

Adopted.

Maddie could hardly believe it but the paper said it was so. Cordell had adopted her, in the eyes of the law and everyone else, he was her father and she was his daughter.

'I-I don't know... what to say...' She said between sobs as she pulled back, looking up at him. 'Thank you.'

Cordell smiled, swallowing back the lump in his throat. 'You've been part of our family since the first time you stepped into our house. Family... Family isn't always blood. I promise you will be loved and accepted for who you are for the rest of your life. No matter what, you will always be my little girl. My little Madeline Walker.'

Maddie wiped the tears from her cheeks. 'Madeline Walker...' She repeated with emotion in her voice. 'I like the sound of that.'

'Good-' Bonham remarked, clearing his throat as he brought out a pair of saddlebags from behind his seat. 'Cause I'm not changing the initials on this.' She began to laugh as she took them, the initials M W clearly stamped on the front with the Walker family brand. 'But what Cordell said goes for all of us. We love you Maddie girl.'

'I love you all too.' She looked back at Cordell with a smile, placing the saddlebags in the box with the rest of her gear. 'Guess this means I get to call you Dad, if that'd be alright with you.'

'I-It's more than alright with me.' He assured her. 'If-if you feel comfortable calling me that, I-I don't have any objections.'

Maddie smiled. 'Then Dad it is then.'

After she had made sure with everyone that'd they would be okay with her addressing them as Grampa, Grandma, Uncle, Brother and Sister, August and Stella presented another box to her. As she pulled out the stuffed teddy bear inside, her eyes began to water again. 'You remembered what I said...' She started, looking over at Abeline.

Abeline nodded. 'We wanted to give you something special from all of us and I remembered what you said about the one your mom got you. This one is a little different-' She turned to Cordell.

'Each of us has done a separate recording for you Maddie.' He explained. 'So the paws have a recording from us and the one in her chest is your mom's song.'

'Thank you.' Maddie whispered as she looked down at the smiling bear. It was the exact same as her old one though it wore a different shirt. Instead of Happy Birthday, it read Happy Adoption Day. 'I'm going to treasure this.'

'I-I've got you something else too.' Cordell added after a moment. 'This is just from me.'

Her bear placed on her lap she opened the little box he handed to her. Inside was a little silver heart shaped locket with a capital M engraved in the front. 'Thank you, Dad.'

He smiled then motioned at the box. 'Look at the back.'

She turned the locket over and read the inscription on the back. Know that you will always be loved. She smiled up at him at a loss for words. Without knowing what else to say, she gave him another hug instead.

'Well, if that's all the presents done-' Maddie started, getting up to fetch her guitar. 'Then it's time for me to give you all a gift.' She sat down on the couch and placed her mom's guitar on her knee. 'Grampa helped me write this yesterday...'

Snow was falling gently as day turned to night, Maddie standing outside Bel's fence watching the mare eat her dinner. She hadn't felt such joy and happiness since before her mother had gotten sick. They actually wanted her, really wanted her. No longer was she just a girl they'd given a room to, now she was actually part of their family. She was a Walker now. She was one of them.

Though she had often wondered about adoption never in her wildest dreams had she actually dared to hope that one day she would actually have a family to call her family. While that piece of paper was just that, a piece of paper, it was also so much more. It meant that Cordell really loved her enough to go to the extent of officially making her his daughter. Even though they weren't related by blood she was just as much his child as Stella and August were.

'Thought you'd be finished with your chores by now.' Cordell remarked as he stopped beside her.

'I am. Just watching Bel.' She replied with a motion to the mare. 'And doing some thinking...' A small smile came to her lips. 'It sure has been a day.'

'That it has Maddie girl, that it has.'

'I didn't think I could feel so exhausted yet so happy at the same time. That snowball fight sure was a lot of fun.'

He chuckled. After breakfast the entire family had gone out to enjoy the snow, first making a giant snowman out in the front yard then a snowball fight had soon followed. It had been girls vs boys and since they were outnumbered each of them had taken turns going over to their side to make it even. Even though they lost track of how many hits each team got (and so couldn't say who won) it had been a pretty fun morning.

'Thank you again for taking me in to see Edna this afternoon.' Maddie continued. 'I'm glad she liked the drawing I did of Rocky, Biscuit and Blossom for her. It wasn't my best work-' She still had her stitches in from the wound Bel had given her the week earlier. 'but I'm glad she liked it all the same.'

'She seems quite smitten with you.' Cordell remarked with a grin. 'She didn't stop singing your praises when you walked out.'

'Oh please. I'm not anything special.'

'Well, she seems to think you are and I for one agree with her. You are special Maddie, don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.'

She sighed softly. 'Old habits take time to break. When you're told that you're worthless and won't amount to anything for years, you start to believe it. That's partly why I'm hesitant to enter this Mustang Makeover. What if I'm not good enough-'

'I-I'm gonna stop you right there Maddie girl.' He interrupted. 'Maddie, it's not a question of if you're good enough. I've seen you work with Bel.' He motioned over at the mustang. 'She was running wild just a month ago and look at her now. She's wearing a rug, she's handled and quiet and you're almost ready to start riding her. I believe you can do it, you need to believe in yourself.'

She looked away from him. 'I don't know how.'

'Start with I can instead of I can't. You can do the impossible if you believe in yourself. I know you can do it. Don't let your fear hold you back.'

'You really believe in me?' She questioned hesitantly, looking up at him once more.

Cordell nodded. 'I do Maddie. Even if you don't enter, I will respect that. I won't think any less of you for declining. However, if what's holding you back has to do with your father, you really need to decide if you're going to let him rule your decisions for the rest of your life.'

She digested what he said, nodding slowly. He had a point... 'I'm just... scared of being a failure. Of letting you all down if I don't win.'

'Maddie, it doesn't matter if you come last. It won't change how we think of you. You might have judged your worth by what ribbon you brought home but we don't. We love you for who you are. Not how many blue ribbons go on the wall.'

'I always thought if I could be good at something, anything, that maybe it would make my father proud of me.' She started after a moment.

'I know.'

'But I know that's not the case any more.' Maddie moved over closer to him, placing an arm around his waist. 'I know that you love me, really love me. I don't have to earn it but at the same time, I want to be someone you can be proud of.

Cordell placed his arm around her in return and pressed a kiss to her forehead. 'I already am proud of you baby girl.' After a moment he let her go and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. 'I um... I wrote something for you. Maddie-' His expression turned serious as he fiddled with the paper in his hand. 'I know... things with your father were hard, but I promise, I promise, that you will never be treated like that again. I promise you will always be treated with respect, if-if you have a problem with me, if I do or say something that upsets you, tell me so I can make it right.' A moment later he handed her the paper. 'This is my promise to you Maddie.'

Her hands shook slightly as she took the paper and opened it.

To My Maddie,

Adoption is a promise.

A promise to have and to hold from this day forward. I will always be on your team, in your corner cheering you on. Today I make a vow to you that I will try everyday to be the best parent I can before you.

For better or for worse, I will always be here for you. In rejection. In pain. In sleepless nights. In joyous mornings. In victories won and hard-fought battles lost, I will still be your Dad.

For richer or for poorer, we're in it together. Whether I lose my job or become a millionaire, I promise to always provide you with a safe home and everything you need.

In sickness and in health, I will be here. I will never walk away.

To love and cherish you forever. I promise to be present both physically and emotionally to you and give you as many hugs as you need, plus a few extra.

This commitment is for life, baby girl. Yours and mine. Whichever ends first, I am in it for the long haul. You will never be alone, I will always be here for you. My arms will provide you safety and comfort, my home a place where you know you are loved and wanted. A place you can always return to no matter where life takes you.

You are my daughter Maddie and I love you more than you could ever know.

Maddie quickly wiped away a tear that had spilled down her cheek once she had finished reading and looked up at Cordell. 'Dad...' Her voice broke as she hugged him tight and closed her eyes as he embraced her back. All her life she had longed to have her father love her, to know that he would always be there for her and that he wanted her. Though Cordell wasn't her father by blood, he had been more of a father to her then the one who had brought her into the world. 'Thank you...'

Hearing the emotion in her voice brought tears to his own eyes and he kissed her head, holding her tight. 'I mean every word of that promise Maddie.' He said softly after he'd found his voice. 'I mightn't always get it right... but I will try. I want to be a good father to you honey...'

She opened her eyes as his voice trailed off, looking up at him. 'You already have been. You make me feel safe. You make me feel loved. That's all I've ever wanted. I know it hasn't been easy and you have been so patient with me while I was learning I could trust you. You've been more of a father to me then Bruce and I will do my best to be a good daughter.' Snow began to fall again and she glanced up at the sky for a moment before turning back to him. 'I love you Dad.'

He held her tighter, his chin on her head. 'I love you too Maddie girl.'

The song that I chose here was This Feels Like Home. It's by Paul Logan and its an awesome song.