"Nan-
Merriest of Christmases to you. This has been a hard and strange year, and I am praying that you'll find it in yourself to forgive me my part in our rift.
While the secret Santa tradition dictates I must wrap something for you, I can only help but reflect on the gift your friendship has been to me through the years. Truthfully, you have been, and are, my best friend (sorry, Joe), something that means more to me than I could ever put in a box.
I give you this gift in the hope that we find our way back to each other. It may be a corny symbol, but it was easier to wrap than an olive branch. I miss my partner in (solving) crime. I tell you truthfully, Nan, in all sincerity, I have no hard feelings against you, and I hope, in this New Year, we can come to a place where you have none against me either.
Frank"
Nan's heart was racing and her hands were trembling as she opened the box to reveal an antique compass. After momentarily appreciating the craftsmanship of the gift itself, Nan devoured the words on the thin page over and over until she fell asleep on the couch, where she was found the next morning by Carson. Carson immediately noticed the worry lines that had plagued her since June were smoothed in sleep.
Father of his mystery-solving daughter, Carson could not help but read the note tucked partially under his daughter's head and felt a strange sensation come over him as a father. Carson had always liked Ned just fine, but had always been very proud of the woman Nancy was when Frank was around. Frank had a way of making the best parts of Nancy shine and accelerating her growth in a way that was just not found in her relationship with Ned.
The last 6 months had been torturous on him, watching his girl agonize over something he could not fix for her. Reading the words lovingly noted on the paper that was clearly a balm to his sleeping daughter's heart, he felt a vulnerable joy and sorrow tug his heart. If Frank were to capture her heart, it would surely be permanent and she wouldn't be just his little girl anymore, Carson would have to share her for the rest of her life. It was bittersweet, both beautiful and painful.
Carson lovingly brushed Nancy's hair off her face and placed a kiss on the forehead of his daughter, who stirred and mumbled "morning, Daddy" in a way that she used to when she was a bit younger.
"Morning, Sweetie, do you want to have a coffee with your old man?"
Nancy smiled and cracked one eye open. "As long as there's cinnamon to go with the coffee. I'm feeling festive this morning."
"Anything for you, princess" and Carson wandered off to make a pot for themselves and Nancy's overnight guests.
The world had dawned to a clear sky after the night's storm, and the fresh snow glittered in the sun's morning salutation. A perfectly white Christmas morning.
Nancy got up in the best mode she had been in in months. Wrapping herself in a blanket and quickly tucking Frank's note into her pocket, Nancy stood by the window and surveyed the clean snow-covered world before her with a renewed sense of optimism. She stayed in that spot, beaming, until Carson pressed her coffee (with cinnamon) into her hand with another soft kiss to her cheek.
"Merry Christmas, Sweetheart"
"Merry Christmas, Dad"