Meghan Elizabeth Jane was getting so big. At five years old, her blue eyes sometimes looked more green. Her wild curls remained a nearly platinum blonde. But the shape of her face and nose were all Lisbon (not to mention the healthy helping of freckles around her nose & cheeks that seemed to multiply exponentially on sunny summer days. A few faded ones could still be seen, on this chilly Austin Christmas). She seemed to have inherited Lisbon's toughness, but also her daddy's love of games and magic tricks (and some of his sharp discernment skills). She loved reporting all of the day's events, in great detail, to Jane and Lisbon at dinner each night. Her kindergarten teacher had mentioned at open house that Meghan was exceedingly curious to learn new things, and always seemed to have a handle on the pulse of the classroom - consistently aware of her surroundings and the interactions between classmates. One day this semester a child had gotten separated from the class on a field trip, and it was Meghan who had guessed correctly as to where he might be found.

At three, Brendan Peter (named in honor of Pete Barsocky, who'd been more of a father to Jane than Alex had ever been) definitely seemed to have Jane's eyes. But, his wavy hair was very dark like his mommy's. He was profoundly thoughtful for his age - always concerned with what was the right thing to do or say. So full of Lisbon-sized empathy that his daddy's heart seemed to break with pride daily, as he witnessed his son's tenderness. He could be heard singing random improvised melodies throughout the house day and night. His child-speak lyrics were usually about Mommy, Daddy, his toy dinosaurs or the pet dog he hoped they would get. Also, his beloved big sister Meghan.

Jane had fallen even more in love with Lisbon, as he watched her grow so naturally into motherhood. She had such an understanding, patient spirit, and was so wonderful at explaining things to their precious children - especially when they were being corrected for misbehavior. Likewise, he noticed that she seemed to look at him with an even greater level of adoration since the kids had been born. She was so incredibly beautiful. To this day, he couldn't believe that she was his and he was hers. It all seemed so improbable, but so serendipitous at the same time (if he believed in such things). He still worried for her safety when they were working in the field, and occasionally voiced his (often panicked) concerns regarding that. Otherwise, his heart had never been so consistently full and warm. His life right now far surpassed any imagined daydreams he might have enjoyed before his life with Teresa had become a reality.

Patrick had always been so amazing with children. It was as if there was an imaginary power button on him that was flipped 'on' when kids were around, lighting him up like a human carousel, starting the fun, games, and magic. Lisbon had always imagined that he would be an incredible father, and he had far exceeded all of her preconceived expectations. Watching him love their children - and seeing the absolute adoration they had for him - only served to amplify the love and devotion she had for her husband. More than that, Jane had somehow managed to make her feel more loved than ever, since the children had been born. It was as if he was compelled daily to prove his words to 'be deserving of her love and friendship' as promised at their wedding, or - and she felt this one acutely - that, though he adored their babies, it was she herself who was 'the gift' he most treasured in his life (as he'd told her in the moments after Meghan's birth). Even after years together, he was still capable of launching instant flutters in her heart with a brush of his hand, and igniting the deepest desires she'd ever felt with a single glance. He was the only man who had ever affected her so completely, and she felt more strongly now than ever that their partnership was a miracle. That they were absolutely meant for each other, in this space and time.

Jane had consulted from home on an as-needed basis when the children were babies, allowing them to be nurtured at home by their doting stay-at-home dad, while Mom was out saving the world. He had been the one to take them to storytimes at the library, and picnic lunches at the park, and long walks around town - one child in a stroller with the other in a baby-backpack, beaming his most joyous smile the whole way. But when he decided to enroll them in 'Mommy and me' music classes, he made sure to schedule those for Lisbon's day off, so the whole family could attend together. (And that decision had been so worth it. Seeing his true love moving, singing, and enjoying her love of music with their children was almost more than his heart could bear.)

Now that Meghan and Brendan were getting older, though, and attending school & preschool, Jane had begun filtering himself back into the office on a part time basis. He and Lisbon took turns with school drop-offs, and a trustworthy in-home childcare provider (who'd been more than thoroughly vetted, with both parents being FBI) took care of all the pickups and afterschool care. They worked it out with Supervisory Agent Cho, so that their schedules allowed them to (nearly always) be home in time for dinner with the children. They had both insisted that it was an absolute necessity to eat dinner together as a family, and that both parents be equally involved in bathtime and goodnight tuck-ins each evening. (Lisbon remembered both of those things being true during her happiest years of childhood - Her mother had stood firm on both points. Jane had never experienced either one, but despite that - or maybe because of it - he was extremely enthusiastic about the prospect.)

This Christmas was the first one where both children fully experienced the excitement leading up to Christmas morning. Meghan had been reminding Brendan of what to expect ever since Thanksgiving. She also instructed that, although they didn't believe in Santa Claus, they were not to ruin the myth for other children. (Jane and Lisbon had discussed the Santa thing at length. Finally agreeing that the children would be taught about the actual Saint Nicholas, and how the mythical Santa represented the Christmas spirit of giving. They also agreed that they would attend Christmas Eve Mass together, so long as Jane was never pressured by attendees or staff to convert. Every year, Lisbon helped the children light candles for Aunt Angela and their big sister Charlotte. Every year, Jane pretended to be unaffected by the gesture, knowing full well that Teresa saw right through his façade.)

Jane and Lisbon were downstairs, before the sun, waiting for the inevitable footsteps on the staircase. Each with their coffee and tea, they were cuddled together on the loveseat, enjoying the warmth of the fire and the stillness of the early morning.

"Thanks for breakfast, sweet Patrick. You really didn't need to do that, love - you were up at like four!" She smiled as she leaned into him.

"It was my pleasure, dearest Teresa. Plus, I admit to being awake with anticipation at that hour already. So, I figured the least I could do was use that time to nourish the woman I love." He hummed, kissing her cheek tenderly.

"Mmm… well I appreciated that delicious nourishment," she leaned closer, lowering her voice, "and also the nourishment you provided me last night, my passionate, gorgeous love." She glimmered, as she remembered their Christmas Eve lovemaking. They had never failed to satisfy each other physically, and last night had been no exception.

"I must admit that I was nourished by that as well, my dear." He smiled wide at the memory, pulling her closer and pressing a kiss onto the top of her head. After a long, slow breath, his ears perked. "I think someone is awake up there!" His eyes danced with anticipation.

Within minutes of the first 'sleepy-eyed child sighting' on the stairs, the livingroom exploded into a glittery, gift-wrapped mess of squeals and laughter. Both children were thrilled with every surprise waiting under the tree for them. Meghan's favorites included a magic set and a toy typewriter. Brendan's were his toy piano and an old-school tape recorder (a vintage item from Lisbon's childhood).

As the children played with their toys on a carpet of ribbons and discarded paper, Jane and Lisbon took a moment for their own gift exchange.

He was touched that she remembered his annual blueberry muffin basket, and his favorite specialty teas, but was nearly done-in by the framed photo of the two of them on the island. It had long been his favorite picture of them both and he glimmered like crazy at the sight of it being honored in a frame.

She was lovingly amused by his gifts. He always wrapped some humor into her Christmases. This year that meant: a spice girls CD with an empty dance card, an apple with a bow on top, and a single hydrangea with a card tied to the stem "I promise it doesn't shoot water, my dear." His more sincere gifts included a set of some of her favorite old movies (with an attached gift card for ice cream), and a set of keys. She nearly lost it when she looked in the driveway and realized the keys belonged to a shiny, new, fire-engine red Mustang. "Oh, Jane! It's too much!" She resisted.

"Nonsense my dear! You've wanted this car for years. But I knew that car seats wouldn't fit easily in the back, so have been saving up for when Brendan was old enough to graduate to a booster seat." He grinned triumphantly.

"Thank you, Patrick, I truly love it!" She couldn't deny the truth of that, and she couldn't deny him her joyful gratitude. Plus, she knew he would never let her talk him out of it. She nearly tackled him in a hug, kissing him all over as they fell to the couch together.

Not long after, the scene evolved into a girls' dance party - with Meghan and Teresa bounding around the room to Lisbon's new Spice Girls CD. Meanwhile, the boys were adding improvised melodies to those tunes on Brendan's new piano. As often happened, Jane and Lisbon caught each-other's eye, both smiling wide, sparkling in the joyful scene. Both so in love with each other, their family, and the life they'd built together.

Jane called out over the music, "I love you, Teresa!"

And she called back, "I love you, Jane!"

He knew the music was too loud when he saw his wife's mouth moving, but it sounded like Cho's voice was coming out of her mouth.

"Jane?"

He was looking intently at Lisbon but could still only hear Cho.

"Jane!"

As he snapped his attention to the insistent voice beside him (and snapped out of his daydream memory of last Christmas), he quickly remembered where he was. Which was in an FBI interrogation room. Waiting to help Cho with a suspect. A suspect who would hopefully help him get his family back.