Family night

Hearing the commotion outside, Carson quirks his eyebrow at Axel, wiping his hands on a towel. "Sounds like a herd of elephants."

"Nah." Axel shakes his head. "Prolly just more girls."

Laughing, Carson heads to the door, but Misty has it open before he gets there. Hearing Dalton's cry for help, he just stands there with his hands on his hips. "If you can't handle a couple of women, you got a problem."

A shriek is heard down the hallway and Carson whirls around just in time to see his sister, who had thought the coast was clear before dashing from the bathroom to her bedroom, in only a towel. She hadn't known anyone else had arrived yet, and thought her brother and Axel were still out of sight.

Carson's eyebrows rise. "Hello! Everybody close your eyes, my sister's not quite ready."

"Carson!"

He grins, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Come on, Dani," he calls. "Your boyfriend is here. You need help?"

"No!"

Carson laughs again and heads for Dalton. "How about I lend you a hand. I think you're easier to help than my sister." Taking some items from the big man, Carson glances at Misty to throw her a wink.

"Preening," Axel mumbles from the side. "Told ya. Preening." Spying Jess, a grin forms on his face. "Hey, Beautiful."

Dani grumbles in her bedroom as she hurriedly pulls on her form fitting jeans and peasant blouse. Running a brush through her hair, she tries to dry it out the best she can without taking time to blow dry it. Putting on just a little bit of pale lipstick, she gives herself a once-over in the mirror and rolls her eyes. It would have to do. Staying in her bare feet, she trots back down the hall, giving her brother's arm a good whack before offering a smile to the others, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Jess... Misty... hi, Dalton."


"Mm... sounds like a plan to me." Gage meant it. Right now, he really didn't care what they did. He was just happy to be with Sapphire and be free during the holidays for the first time. It was like starting fresh with new eyes and everything was interesting and exciting. The past couple days had been a little stressful, but after pushing it all aside, he felt good and he didn't want to let it go.

"I've got some popcorn in the cupboard, and I still got a couple cans of pop in the fridge. Not too festive, but it might tide us over 'til supper while we watch the movies."


Watching Ryan leave, Alec doesn't even move for the longest time. He just stares at the empty doorway as if watching to see someone come back through. But it remained empty, and the air remained quiet.

Reaching to his chest, he feels the chain under his shirt. Maybe his emotions were just dormant, waiting to be awoken again. Like a single drop of water plummeting from an icicle and crashing to the ground below, it was the first sign of spring.

Sighing, Alec straightens up and roots around on his cot until finding a comfortable position to look through the new magazines. It was the only thing he had to pass the time, and he'd rather think about fast cars than the date on the calendar. Would Ryan really come back tomorrow? He wondered.


Seeing the look of worry in his sister's eyes made Trent all the more concerned. This shouldn't be happening. Not now, not any time. Why couldn't he get any answers? Why couldn't he find any information? It wasn't fair. Not on Christmas Eve.

A bad feeling in his gut reminded him that if he kept digging, there might be news he didn't want to hear. Surely someone would have contacted them if something worse had happened... but not much time had passed. Maybe they just hadn't gotten to them yet. Trent knew if he found out bad news, he would wait to tell Rosetta until after tonight at least. He just hoped and prayed that there had been some horrid misunderstanding. There was still a chance he'd been wrong about the truck he'd seen on television. At the same time though, Eric still hadn't returned his call.


I guess we'll wait and see what happens. I know Reese doesn't have plans 'til tomorrow, so I'd bet you anything he's in the office today.

Jason squeezes Katie's hand, feeling the mix of emotions being drawn from him. He knew how she felt now and he felt the same. But they had to make the best of it.

At least we got each other.

A smile spreads on his face as they come back into the ranch yard from coming full circle. "I'm thinking hot chocolate... how about it?"


"Yeah, I've ridden a time or two." Ryder finds a spot the mare likes to be scratched and gives her some extra attention, smiling. "Maybe when we go back to Nevada, we can find a place that might let you get on a horse sometime, ay?"


So many thoughts and emotions, so many wishes and so many realities, but it's all the same day, the day that goes by more quickly than anybody would want. It's a special day on the calendar, but that doesn't seem to matter. The same amount of hours reside within it as any other day.

Jason and Katie spend most of the day together just relaxing away from their jobs and enjoying family. Ryder coaxes Thirteen to do a little "exploring" with him around the ranch so they can take a walk and enjoy the outdoors, later returning to the dining hall where most are gathering.

By the time it's usually time for supper, most everyone had made it back to the dining hall. Chores were done early tonight and a cold wind had picked up, making everyone all the more glad to be inside near the crackling fireplace...

Sparky strums the soothing chords on his guitar, leading the traditional Christmas singing. Some join in, while others busy themselves around the kitchen, making hot chocolate, pouring eggnog and getting out the snacks for the night. Jason had been conned into playing his guitar as well, as supposed, and he sits near Sparky, picking out the melody and singing harmony with him, creating a sound that soothed the soul.

Sparky's eyes find Faith and his singing seems to be directed at her most of the time, more than just a Christmas spirit in his gaze.
Trent stays back away from the group, coming and going as he continues to make phone calls, while trying not to worry anyone else, and keeping Rosetta updated on his lack of findings.
Jeff sits next to Katie, teasing her in between songs and thoroughly enjoying her presence. Behind them are Clint, Wendy and Chase, Clint making a spectacle out of himself at least twice.
Cindy sits off to the side with Wes, Kaylee on her lap, and her own head nestled against her husband's chest. This night meant more to her than just getting together. She was grasping for all the family time she could get before Wes left, and though it was a sweet time, it was also a reminder that soon, this warmth would fade until he returned.
Jim and Becky mingle with the others, part of the time alone in a corner just enjoying the scene, and part of the time right in the midst of the activity.
Ryder wanders around from the group to the kitchen, having more fun teasing the women in the kitchen than singing songs he didn't know. He made sure Thirteen was content and comfortable too though, not leaving her alone unless he saw she was okay.
JT makes sure that Bree at least sits in the dining room for a while. Even though this isn't their family, they are welcomed anyway, and the warmth can't help but descend on them as well. A few times, JT catches Amanda's eyes, feeling that there was more happening here than just a temporary shelter. They were growing closer... and he couldn't say he minded.

In between singing, there is chatting, laughter and gift-giving. Nothing is scheduled or planned and to some it might seem chaotic, but to this big family, nothing could be better. There was no official song time or gift time, it all just happened, overlapping and intertwined in all the joy and fun. Gifts are given and received, hugs and kisses are displayed and many are teased but it's all in good fun.

Amidst all the gift-giving, one little box winds up given to Thirteen, but there is no name showing who it is from. The tag only says "Thirteen," with no other explanation. When she would open it, she would find a dainty gold ring with her birthstone - an emerald, set between two tiny diamonds. Someone who had chosen to remain anonymous had good taste and a good guess at what size it should be.