Hello everyone! Wow! I was so bad with updating during all of 2022.

Now we're in 2023. And as every year, I'll start with updating all of my stories. Happy new year for everyone out there. I hope everyone will have a great 2023.

I actually started and worked on this chapter for months. So hopefully I came up with something nice.

Perhaps I should stop giving you updates and making some commercial about new stories in the AN's. No one ever said they liked it or not. But well…

Since latest update I have started two new multi-chapter stories. I was talking to my mum about it one day that when I started writing I never had a plan with what I was writing. Which is why I ended up with long, random stories that more often than not had storylines that made no sense. Nowadays when I start a story it's always got a plan and I can usually tell it won't have like fifty, sixty chapters before the end.

Anyway. Since I updated last I finished one story for Epilepsy awareness story. (Game on!) and started two new ones (I could hate it as much as I want (but that wouldn't make it go away) for Virgin River and leaving the past behind to make room for the future for Cobra Kai).

I have also written some Oneshots for Tracy Beaker, Harry Potter (In Swedish though), glee, the dumping ground and room.

I guess that's it… Anyway I haven't started writing it yet but whenever I do, I hope you like it.

Well, at least I thought that would be the last. During the last chapter before this I put Robbie Coltrane as a portrayer for the man outside the supermarket. He (Robbie) has since passed away. And I was in doubt some, but have decided to keep him there. Obviously, we're all going to be gone some day sooner or later. And I can't go back each and every time someone passes away.

Rest in peace Anthony Robert McMillan.

On Friday, December the sixth I had my next shift at the dumping ground after everything that had happened during the last, Mike had still promised it would be okay if I stayed home for the weekend but I wasn't about to do that.

"After everything that has happened the past week and stuff…" I found Mike in the stairs towards the attic where he was carrying down boxes with Christmas stuff. "…We've just forgotten about all of this. And… there's still just so quiet, yesterday they were all hiding in their rooms… But I just thought, that with getting all of these Christmas things out this weekend. At least we could get some Christmas spirit in the house. They should be home from school soon so maybe you could just help me some here…"

"Of course." I went to the attic and grabbed one last box that had "Christmas" written on it. Then carried it downstairs and to the living room where Mike already was setting up some things… As you probably remember I wasn't hear for Christmas. So are there any special traditions? Maybe something even special for this year?"

"I have a feeling…" Mike said after a bit of thinking. "This year's Christmas isn't going to be like any Christmas. With everything that have happened lately… Of course. Christmas is always a special time when it comes to being in care. There are so many kids out there, celebrating with their families and going at school talking about it… I know that it breaks their hearts… The only thing I… we can do is to try and make the best Christmas… breakfast, dinner, gifts, tree. You name it! And everyone wants like a TV or their own laptop for Christmas… But of course, we just simply don't have the money to do that… instead we try and spoil them on their birthdays so it's spread during the year. And give them a toy or some clothes for Christmas. Something they'll like of course. Sometimes, like on Marley's last birthday I can find something at home or something cheap at a second-hand store And they're usually just as grateful for those things than if we bought ones we knew we couldn't afford. What would we have left to buy for somebody's birthday? So you should probably know that now when everyone are going to wish for the most expensive things. They might be trying to trick you into that since you're the newest."

I couldn't help but smile slightly. I had never really thought about it before even though maybe I should have. Kids living like this people might think were some sort of different but really they were like all other kids. And Christmas and birthdays were the days no matter where!

Taking a box that had "Christmas kitchen" written on it the house of Elm Tree House was almost all quiet for almost an hour. I and Mike were the only ones here and it didn't seem any of us had anything to say.

It could be about Christmas gifts. I knew very well what I was like with thinking, thinking, thinking. And then all of a sudden I had the greatest ideas but now, all great ideas were long, long, long gone.

"I can't think of anything." I moaned to Mike. "But I was at the mall yesterday. And after breakfast I and Johnny just walked around looking in different stores. I did get some gits. And I did get some new ideas. I got a bath bomb of bright colors for Violet. But we both know I need two gifts for her and she's not going to be happy about anything I can get her anyway."

I actually did feel a bit bad about talking about a kid like that. Even though it was Violet or someone spoiled and rude like her, there was so much we couldn't see and anyone would know she was hurting way more than anyone knew.

"That actually sounds like something she would like… and why didn't I think of that? But don't worry Emma. Not everyone are happy with their gifts but all we can do is to choose, pay and hope for the best. Then some are a bit easier to get gifts for than others and are just happy with anything and everything. You could practically give them coal and they'd be happy with it."

I couldn't help but laugh when I saw in front of me someone like Emily or Ella getting coal. Maybe I could give Emily some instructions on how to make her own anyway…

"I found some shelves in the toy store that just had a load of Frozen Merch. And I found some robes that I really liked so I'll just check her size and then go back to the mall get them for her. It might not make the most fun gift. But perhaps, if I get those robes you can get a beanie and mittens, or some boots to keep her warm through this winter. Or Luce or George could get those… Or I could just get them all. I took one look over those shelves and wanted to just get everything. No- everything at the whole store!"

Mike had to laugh, and through his head was probably running the same ideas that were through my head. About who which kid was and what they would li

"Too bad I can't pay for everything Frozen at least. And too bad also that her birthday isn't until mid-May."

"Just remember one thing Emma. Look! I know what you're paid, and a trainee job isn't exactly millions. And you still need food and have got bills to pay…" I moaned. "Just, don't empty your bank accounts on Christmas gits…" I just sent Mike a glare, out of all old people who could remind me of how little money I had! "…But it was a good idea. Now believe me, George is hopeless when it comes to come up with anything for Christmas or birthdays, so tell him about your idea… you can take an hour or two, or the day off and go to that store together. Now, how was the rest? How was Johnny?"

"Only one more thing before I forget it. Speaking about money. The other day I could hear Nathan and Qwyn talking about how they needed more once they're on their way to move away. Which they seem to be about to do anyway. And I was thinking, at their age they really could be getting one of those… well. You know what I mean. I was at the mall yesterday and found a note from an old lady who needs help cleaning out her apartment until she's moving out in January,"

Mike had stopped his sorting out of Christmas things. And for a few moments I just thought, how stupid I could be? These boys were kids in care and already, Marley was pissed off since she couldn't just spent time with any of her new friends.

"Actually, that's not a bad idea… But of course I'll have to check with their social worker and everything. I'll try give her a call by the time the kids have come home from school… Of course, the twins want money… And they need it too. Since they'll be moving away."

"I know."

"I will sort it out with their social worker. But that was a good idea Emma."

I could suddenly hear the van, possibly driven by George coming up the driveway, and I knew he was coming home from school, having gotten the younger and middle kids for their weekend. So before she'd be here and could see me I went to check the size of Ella's winter coat. So that the next time I was off I could go back to the toy store and buy those winter robes for her. Then, just as I noted it in my phone the door opened and Peityn came rushing in.

"EMMA!" She yelped as if we hadn't met for years and days and she ran straight up to hug me. Then, just before she did in the corner of my eye I could see Marty passing by.

Marty- Jepson Emilio Todd Martinez was usually one for dancing more than what he walked through the hallways. But right away, only passing by I noticed his walking with heavy steps and hunched over. He didn't stop to talk to me but there was something distressed shining from all of him. Even before he turned towards me, and his brown eyes under the dark hair just spoke all about how he wanted me to follow him and come and talk to him.

"In school today…"

"Hey, Peityn…" I interrupted. "I need to go and talk to Marty for a bit. You can go and talk to George…" She looked disappointed, I knew her. "I'm sure they would like to hear about your day."

I was relieved when I turned Peityn didn't protest more, but before she'd had the time I went over and knocked on the door to Marty and Jim's room.

"Marty? Are you alright? Do you want to talk about anything?"

"Just a second, I have to change out of my school uniform."

I waited for just another few seconds and heard Marty inside the room before he came to open, now dressed in Gryffindor hoodie and sweatpants.

"Are you alright?"

Marty shrugged, then without a word, while I closed the door after me and sat down in the desk chair he went to half lay down in the hammock he used as a bed. And somehow when he laid there he just looked so small. Smaller than I had ever seen him look before.

"Mike told me you were meeting your mum tomorrow…" I said, mostly to break the silence. "Are you looking forward to it?"

"It's just… When I lived with her, when I was little." Marty spoke at last but his tone spoke of a feeling that he just couldn't care for it anymore. "Mum kept on telling me I was ill. She always told me that…Taking me to different doctors each time, we rode for hours- longer and longer for each time. She made up new names and went to new A&E's… I barely knew what was happening… I was only a baby… or maybe she started even before then…"

I had heard about this before. And I'd read through Marty's files just as well as everybody else's here. Something called Munchausen By Proxy…

…And something you just never expected to be real. I knew that parents loved their kids more than anything. Just like Marty's mum loved him. She wanted to keep him safe, I knew it, and maybe Marty knew it too. She would do anything and everything to keep him healthy and safe. Just like any other mother.

Except every other mother weren't ill like her.

"She did something… I don't know why… it went into my heart and I got way sicker than I had ever been before… I was only six years old… I thought I'd die. It hurt so bad and everything I knew was that I could see my mum only when I closed my eyes. But when I opened my eyes she wasn't there… There were Christmas ornaments hanging in every window and on very door. But she wasn't there. And that's when I was taken away from her… Believe me. I get that that that was for the best. That mum might have hurt me even worse if I stayed with her… And… who knows how bad that might have turned out?"

Something felt like it twisted in my stomach. I knew I was new to working in care, in difference from Mike, George, Luce or any of the social workers. And care was always just that- for children in care. And I couldn't help but wonder if this feeling ever went away when we were told about "our" children and one story more terrible than the other.

"We meet once every year." Marty kept telling me while I just couldn't figure a single word to say. "Usually, I'm here and my mum's in a mental hospital. But we meet some day right before Christmas, she gives me two wrapped gifts. One for Christmas and one for my birthday, in February… Then we say goodbye… And saying goodbye is always a relief. Knowing what I always worry about didn't happen this time… either…"

I couldn't help the storms that were going on in my brain. I needed something to say. But I had lost my family in an accident, there had never been anything wrong with them and I certainly had never met any case like Marty's before!

There must be something I could think, something I could do or say.

"Marty.." I could feel my heart beating hard but there must be something.. "If you don't want to meet your mum… at all then you don't have to. Just tell your social worker, or Mike, George, Luce or me about it. I promise we won't get mad. And no one's going to force you to."

Once again Marty was quiet for for certain two minutes. And I couldn't figure anything..

"Still. She's my mum…" He said at last. Almost in a whisper. "Until I was seven years old she was the only one I ever met and my dad never wanted anything to do with me… I can't help but remember… But I still know there are kids who live here wo would do anything to meet their parents… And I just don't want to be ungrateful."

"You're not being ungrateful Marty. Each of the kids here and in this world, they have their own stories and you have yours."

One more time Marty was completely silent for a long while.

"I want to meet her. But of course I have to bring someone… will you come with me?"

Random fact

I know this chapter is a whole lot of talking, but I've had it started for a while and now it's the second chapter I put up in the year. So well, in the future there'll be Marty meeting his mum and Emma buying all Christmas gifts.