The days strolled by as the winter slowly, but surely got its hold on Capitol City. October rolled into November and very soon November turned into December.

Ever since she was reunited with her sister, Grace loved Christmas and New Year holidays. Lillian always made their home warm just by being back in Grace's life. Two sisters were very close and during this time of the year, they made sure that the holiday spirit comes for all the children in New Hope orphanage, the children who had nobody else to bring them joy but Grace and Lillian.

During past two months ten more children were adopted, including May and Colin. Susan and Harry kept in touch with the sisters and kept them informed about the little ones.

Grace was hanging the decorations in the living room when there was a knock at the door.

"Lillian!", she called out from standing on the chair with decorations, ready to hang them.

"Can't, my hands are in flour!", Lillian yelled from the kitchen.

Grace stepped down from the chair.

"Fine", she let out a breath "I'll get it", she rushed to the doors and opened them to see a postman. After exchanged greetings Grace took mail from him and closed the doors.

She put down some bills and looked curiously at one letter, then quickly opened it.

Her face shone with happiness as she read it, but by the end of the letter, her smile faltered.

Lillian came into the living room, wiping her hands on apron.

"Who was at the door?", she watched her sister's face fall and asked, concerned "Gracie? What's wrong?"

Grace gave her a letter.

"Adoption papers are done and Maggie and Jimmy can finally go live with their new parents", she said quietly.

Lillian creased her eyebrows.

"But, that's good news. Why the long face?", asked Lillian.

Grace slightly creased her eyebrows.

"I have to take them", she silently said "To Union City".

—--

Lucas rubbed his temples, his eyes fixed on the letter at his desk when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in", Lucas called out and looked at the doors "Henry. Please, have a seat".

His friend sat down, taking in Lucas' facial expression, immediately picking up that something was off.

He pointed at the paper at his desk.

"Good letter?", he asked.

Lucas took a breath in, raising his eyebrows.

"So to speak. The project of saving little towns from getting drained by bigger ones is a big success and I need to give a press conference before holidays. It is supposed to be a huge event with many journalists attending", at Henry's confused look as to why did this sound like a problem, Lucas rubbed his forehead, feeling headache setting in "It's in Hope Valley", he took the letter and read from it "The town that inspired all of this", he tossed the letter on the table and put his face in hands.

Henry understood.

"And I guess you are not looking forward to going back there?", he asked, already knowing the answer.

Lucas gave him a sideglance and a weak smile.

"Not after everything that happened", he silently replied.

Henry nodded.

"Because of Elizabeth?", he asked, never the one to beat around the bush.

Lucas shook his head.

"Not just because of her…but because of everybody else there", he joined his palms and leaning his elbows on the table, he said "Nobody even called to see how am I after everything…well except for Ned and Joseph. And you and Bill. They all just expected I do this job for them", Lucas looked at his friend "It's not exactly how and with whom I wanted to spend the holiday month with".

Henry nodded.

"I know, Lucas. But, listen - you are a professional, you always were. Look at this as a challenge, a new task, another poker game. You play your cards right and you will be free and have closure once and for all", said Henry and gave his young friend a supportive smile "And you know you can rely on me there".

Lucas nodded, appreciating his friend's support.

"Thank you, Henry, you are a good friend. You always have been", he said.

Henry smiled, getting up.

"Don't mention it", he said and left the office.

Lucas sat for a few minutes longer, staring at the flames in the fireplace.

He took a deep breath in and took out his pocket watch.

10.40.

She is probably working on decorations right now, he thought as a fact about being away from her for several days hit him hard.

Getting up, Lucas put on his brown suit jacket and headed out.

—--

Grace was trying to untangle string lights, but failed miserably. She couldn't seem to be able to do anything right. Her mood was sour because of the upcoming trip to Union City.

She was glad for Maggie and Jimmy to be with their new family for the upcoming holidays, but she didn't want to go anywhere now. This was her favorite time of year and she wanted to share it with her sister, the kids, their friends…and Lucas.

There was a knock at the door and Bertha said that she'll get it as she was passing through the hallway anyway.

Grace spread her hands to see where was the beginning and where was the end of a string light, but only managed to get it tangled in her hair.

She huffed in frustration, despondently throwing the string lights down on her lap, pulling on her hair in process.

"Ow!", she yelped.

"Need some help?"

Her head snapped up at that voice.

"Lucas!", she smiled, getting up, grabbing at the annoying string lights that held her hair captured.

He quickly approached her and gently pried her fingers away.

"Here, let me", he said silently, his fingers gently releasing her silky hair from string lights.

"Thank you", she whispered, looking up in those dark eyes she loved so much "What are you doing here?", she asked as she put the string lights away on the table.

Lucas took a deep breath in and let it out slowly.

"Do you have time for a walk? I need to talk to you", he said.

Grace nodded.

"Sure. Let me get my coat", she went upstairs and came down after a few moments, already buttoning her coat.

She looked up at him and saw that something was off.

"Let me just say to Lillian that I will be gone a while", she quickly went to the backyard where Lillian and the children were having a blast decorating the area.

Lucas walked through living toom, his fingers absently playing with his beard.

In a minute Grace was back and placing a hand in the crook of his arm, she led him out from the orphanage.

He was so quiet.

The second the doors closed behind them she looked up at him.

"Lucas, what's wrong?", she asked, concern colouring her voice.

He let out a breath.

"I got a letter today from Prime Minister, informing me about success of the water project my cabinet worked on. Due to its success they want me to hold a press conference…", he let out another breath "In Hope Valley".

Grace stopped dead in her tracks.

"When?", she silently asked, watching him carefully.

Lucas shook his head.

"In seven days".

Grace let out a frustrated breath.

"And my trip is in two days", she rubbed her forehead.

Lucas looked at her.

"Trip? To where?", he asked.

Grace huffed.

"I just got a letter confirming that the adoption process for Maggie and Jimmy has been approved and I have to take them to their new family in Union City", she replied and then looked up at him "Can you come with us? Union City isn't far away from Hope Valley", she snuggled into his side "I hate the idea of you going all by yourself to Hope Valley after everything that's happened".

Lucas turned to look at her and kissed her hair.

"Me too. I wish I could go with you, but I can't leave before Friday. Prime minister wants to have a meeting with me and my staff at Thursday", he shook his head.

Grace thought hard about what could be done when suddenly her eyes widened and she pulled Lucas by his arm, causing him to stop and look at her, puzzled.

"Wait. I can take Maggie and Jimmy to Union City and then I'll just head out to Hope Valley and wait for you there", she smiled, her mood improving immediately.

Lucas stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening.

"Hey…that may actually work", he looked at her with a hesitant smile "Are you sure?"

Grace let out a disbelieving laugh.

"Am I sure that I don't want you to face the lions alone? Lucas, of course I am sure! I will be there when you come, don't you worry, and I'll be beside you all the time", she smiled warmly as she saw how relief washed over him.

Lucas let out a breath, smiling as he picked her up and twirled her for a few seconds. Grace squealed, holding onto him, laughing happily.

As he put her down Lucas leaned in and kissed her rosy lips.

"I love you, my angel", he whispered passionately "I love you so much", he picked her up in his arms once again and twirled her one more time. He didn't put her down when he stopped, just held her against him in his arms, kissing her.

She cupped his face, kissing him gently, her smile never wavering.

"I love you too, my Lucas", she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck and just hugged him tightly, his smile brightening her day.

—--

Take my hand

Tell me what you're feeling

Understand - this is just the beginning.

Although I have to go

It makes me feel like crying

I don't know when I'll see you again.

Darling, leave a light on for me

I'll be there before you close the door

To give you all the love that you need

Darling, leave a light on for me

'Cause when the world takes me away

You are still the air that I breathe.

I can't explain, I don't know

Just how far I have to go

But darling I'll keep the key

Just leave the light on for me.

("Leave a light on" - Belinda Carlisle)