Vincent Moore yawned and walked into the living room, where Michael Hanley was sitting on the couch drinking a glass of bourbon and reading over some paperwork from the high school he had to deal with before the school year was over. Vince was wearing a new sweater that Michael had bought him for Christmas, which he figured was the least he could do, even though the sweater was quite possibly one of ugliest things Vince had ever had the displeasure of wearing.

"Good afternoon, Vincent," Michael said.

"Michael," Vince said, greeting him. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you as well," Michael replied. "I got you another present, if you don't mind."

"Me? Mind something free?" Vince asked. "You're joking."

Michael grinned. "Of course I am. Your present is under the tree."

Vince stood and crossed over to the large Christmas tree resting near the window. Michael had the tree decorated while Vince had been in the hospital, and now it learned perfect for Christmas morning. As Vince leaned over to pick up his present, he could see that it was now snowing outside.

"It's snowing," Vince muttered.

"Yes, it is," Michael said, without glancing up from his paperwork.

"My favorite part of Christmas was getting into snowball fights with my mom, my sister, and…my dad," Vince said softly. "I know it sounds stupid."

"No, of course it doesn't," Michael said, closing the folder he was holding. "You have every right to miss Christmas with your father. My own father…he was a horrible man. I would have rejoiced at the prospect of spending Christmas alone."

"I'm sorry," Vince said.

"Open your present."

Vince picked up the box lying under the tree with his name on it, and walked back over to the couch to open it. As Vince opened the box, he found a picture frame inside. It was a picture of Vince's father, Sean Moore, when he was younger with his wife, Leslie.

"I hope you like it," Michael said.

Vince wiped away a tear from his face. "I love it. Thank you, Michael."

Vince leaned forward to give Michael a hug, as the doorbell rang. Vince broke away from Michael as Riley Schaefer led Vince's family, Leslie and Akilah, into the living room. Vince smiled and stood up to embrace his mother and sister.

"Merry Christmas," Leslie and Akilah both said in unison as they hugged Vince.

As he watched from his seat of the couch, Michael brought a smile to his face. He could put aside his personal feelings toward Vince's family for this one day if it meant that Vince would be happy. Then, at that moment, Michael realized how much he had actually grown to care about Vince over the past year. "Imagine that."


MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

"Can you tell me where Kelli Anderson's room is?"

The nurse behind the desk frowned. "I'm sorry, are you a relative?"

"What do you think? I'm her —"

"Morris?" Chris Server asked, approaching the receptionist's desk where Morris Anderson, Kelli's brother, was standing wearing a pair of sunglasses. Chris approached him and explained to the receptionist who Morris was. "He's Kelli's brother, he's okay."

"Yes, Dr. Anderson's son," Morris snapped, glaring at the receptionist. "How about you run along and do some paperwork?"

The woman behind the desk rolled her eyes at Morris and returned to the work she was doing. Morris turned back to Chris and removed his sunglasses before shaking Chris's hand and then pulling him into a hug.

"Hey bitch, what's up?" Morris asked. "Haven't seen you in like, twenty years."

"Two years, actually," Chris replied. "It's good to see you."

"You too, man," Morris said. "So who the hell did this to my sister? And have the police caught the bastard yet?"

Chris frowned. "No, not yet. But your parents are in there with her. Blake Thomas is in there too."

"Her boyfriend? I thought he was dead?" Morris demanded.

"No, it's his twin brother," Chris said. "You've met him."

Morris shrugged. "Whatever. Let's go see my parents…what a lousy goddamn Christmas this has turned out to be. I tell you, I oughta cut whoever did this to my sister."

"I feel the same way," Chris said softly. "I'll show you where her room is."


REYES HOME

Jessica Reyes unlocked the door to her house and stepped inside, leaving the door open so Stephanie Collins could come in behind her. Stephanie removed her jacket it and hung it in Jessica's closet, while surveying the living room.

"I'm sorry the living room is a mess," Jessica said.

"Oh, honey, don't worry about it," Stephanie said. "It's quaint."

"I keep telling my mom we need new furniture," Jessica insisted.

"You don't have to impress me," Stephanie replied. "I know my dad's the chief resident at the hospital, which is our excuse for the random expensive things cluttering our living room. I'd much prefer a place like this. To myself, of course…and maybe a hot gardener to water my plants every now and then."

"Ahem."

Jessica and Stephanie turned to find Jessica's mother, Natalie Reyes, standing in the doorway leading to the kitchen. She was carrying a large bowl in her hand, where she was apparently stirring cake mix.

"Hey mom," Jessica said. "This is my friend from work, Stephanie."

"Hello, Mrs. Reyes," Stephanie said, introducing herself. "You have a beautiful home here."

"Thank you, Stephanie," Natalie said. "Will you be staying for dinner?"

"If it's okay," Stephanie said. "Jessica invited me over, since my dad is working on Christmas, as usual. Leave it to me to be the one person who gets off early on Christmas."

"Of course," Natalie said. "I'll set an extra plate at the table. Jessica, offer your friend something to drink, por favor."

Natalie disappeared into the kitchen, while Jessica turned to Stephanie and grinned. "I'll get you some eggnog, with that special kick we had last night."

Stephanie smirked. "Sounds perfect."


BALE HOME

Felicia Bale sat on the couch in her living room, opening another Christmas present. Her son, Alec, and niece, Sara Reynolds, were sitting on the floor in front of the couch. Though Sara wasn't Felicia's biological niece, and only related to her by marriage, Sara had always felt as close to her aunt as she had to her uncle, Robert.

In fact, the only people missing from their current Christmas celebration was Robert, Sara's brother Darren, and her parents. But her brother was away at law school, and her parents were still on their tour of Europe for the holidays, so Sara was spending her time with her aunt and cousin.

"Is dad going to show up, mom?" Alec asked.

He regretted asking the question the moment the words left his mouth, especially once he saw his mother's face tear up at the mention of Robert. She forced a smile and set the box she was carrying back onto the couch.

"I don't know, honey," Felicia said. "He might be coming over later."

"I'm sure he's still at the hospital with Melissa," Sara suggested. "I heard about her accident, but Uncle Robert hasn't really told me much."

"I'm sure we'll find out about Melissa's condition when she's ready to divulge," Felicia said.

"What were you doing at the hospital, mom? Dad said you were brought in with Melissa," Alec continued.

"I found her at her house," Felicia lied. "She blacked out. I just hope nothing horrible happened to her child."

As Felicia prepared to continue opening her present, someone unlocked the front door and shoved it open. Robert stormed into the living room, dusting snow from his coat as he stared at Felicia intently.

"Robert…this is a surprise," Felicia said. "How's Melissa?"

"We need to talk," Robert said, glancing at Sara and Alec. "Alone."


HOLDEN HOME

"Can't I just stay home?" Matt Holden demanded, entering the foyer where his mother, Valerie Hanley-Holden, was standing in front of a mirror and fixing her hair. Matt rolled up the sleeves from his sweater and straightened the collar of the shirt he was wearing underneath while glaring at his mother. "I'm going to be bored out of my mind."

"It's Christmas, Matthew," Valerie said. "You're going to spend it with your family."

"Vince is not my family," Matt snapped.

"Yes, that's unfortunate," Valerie said, knowing full well that Vince was Matt's family, at least by adoption. But that was a piece of information she would hopefully be able to keep from her soon. "But you're going to act like a normal person at dinner. And not like a rambunctious teenager."

Simon Holden, Matt's father, walked into the foyer. "I'm sorry, I can't go to Michael's."

"Why not?" Valerie demanded.

"I just got called into work," Simon said. "I'm sorry, honey. I wish I could go."

Valerie sighed. "I wanted us to spend Christmas together. As a family."

As Matt watched his parents talk, he turned away from them in disgust. Their entire family was a joke, and they wanted to celebrate being together regardless. But Matt couldn't do that knowing that his father, Simon, wasn't even his real father. And not knowing whether or not his mother was lying to him made him sick to his stomach.

Then there was the Moores, his family by adoption, whom he would be spending Christmas with as well. Matt had no idea how much longer he could keep all of that in, but spilling everything at Christmas would do no one any good, so he preferred to keep his mouth shut.

"Fine, have fun at the hospital," Valerie said. "Matthew, hurry up. We don't want to be late."


BALE HOME

"I spent all night at the hospital with Melissa," Robert said. "She was only now released this morning."

"How is she?" Felicia asked.

"How dare you ask me that question?" Robert demanded, ready to lay into Felicia now that Sara and Alec had left the living room. "Do you have any idea what's happened?"

"No, because you're keeping it a secret," Felicia said.

"You bitch," Robert growled. "Melissa lost her child."

Felicia's face fell. "She what?"

"She was pregnant, and now she lost her child," Robert said. "Melissa and I are no longer having a child together."

"Oh my God, Robert," Felicia gasped. "I'm so sorry."

"Stop pretending, Felicia," Robert said. "You did this out of jealousy, didn't you? You couldn't stand the fact that you can't have children anymore, so you had to go and kill mine?"

"Robert!" Felicia cried. "How could you even think that?"

"I don't know, Felicia," Robert continued. "But you've been doing a lot of odd things lately. Drinking all the time, becoming a regular alcoholic. Why not kill a baby or two?"

"That's disgusting, Robert."

"You're disgusting," Robert insisted. "And you're going to pay for this. I promise you."

"Robert, will you stop acting erratic and let me explain?"

"Explain what? How you don't remember attacking my girlfriend and killing our child because you were too goddamn drunk?" Robert demanded. "Or maybe I should explain, about how I'm very much looking forward to our upcoming divorce. Because if you think I'm going to be giving you a damn thing in this divorce, then you've got another thing coming. The only thing you're going to get from me is the total destruction of life as you know it."

As Robert turned around and left the house, Felicia broke into tears and began crying. Meanwhile, Sara and Alec exchanged worried glances from the spot in the kitchen where they had been eavesdropping.

"So much for a happy holiday," Alec said.


MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

"Here she is," Chris said, opening the door for Morris to step inside.

Morris thanked Chris and walked toward the bed where Kelli was lying unconscious. He sighed and reached out to touch her hand. He took a moment with his sister, then turned around to find that his parents weren't in the room. Instead, Blake was sitting alone in the corner.

"Hey…um, Blake," Morris said.

"Morris?" Blake asked, surprised to see him. "Hey, it's good to see you! When did you get back?"

"Now, pretty much," Morris said. "Where are my —"

"Morris!"

Morris sighed when he heard someone call out his name. He would recognize his mother's shrill voice anywhere, and he knew instantly that it was her standing in the doorway. Morris forced a smile and turned around to see his parents had returned with coffee.

"Hey mom," Morris said, stepping forward to give his mother a hug. "It's good to be home."

"This is the best Christmas present ever, honey," Tina said, smiling. "I'm so glad you came home for Christmas."

"Or longer," Morris muttered.

"Longer?" Cyrus asked, glancing at his son. "You're staying through New Year's as well?"

"We can talk about that later, dad," Morris said. "I'm more interested in hearing about what's going on with Kelli. Moving back into my old room for a while. The whole nine yards."

"Well, I'm actually living there now," Blake said. "But I can move into the guest room…no problem."

Morris narrowed his eyes at Blake. "You're in my room?"

"His parents died last year," Chris explained. "He's been staying with your family until we can find his aunt and uncle to take him in."

"I see," Morris said. "Looks like I need to be filled in here. On a lot of things."

"There's time for that later," Tina said. "Have a seat. I want to hear everything about school and your new apartment."


HANLEY HOME

"I'm so glad you both could make it," Michael said, leading Leslie and Akilah into the dining room where places had been set. "It wouldn't be Christmas without Vincent's family here."

"I'm really glad you showed up," Vince said. "It means a lot that you all came here."

"Nothing's going to keep me from spending Christmas with my son," Leslie insisted, taking a seat at the table. Vince sat next to his mother, while Akilah sat on Leslie's opposite side. Michael remained standing as Riley entered the room with Valerie and Matt behind him.

"Merry Christmas everyone," Valerie said.

"Merry Christmas, Valerie," Michael said, stepping forward to embrace his sister. "Where's Simon?"

"He was called into work," Valerie explained. "He's terribly sorry he wasn't able to show."

"Maybe he'll stop by later," Michael said.

"What's the use?" Matt interjected, brushing past his uncle to take a seat across from Vince at the table. "Hey cousin."

Leslie dropped the glass she was carrying and turned to glance at Michael and Valerie, who also became attentive at Matt's comment.

"I mean, we might as well be cousins, right?" Matt continued. "My uncle has all but adopted you."

Valerie breathed a sigh of relief and started toward the table. "That's enough, Matthew. We're going to have a civil dinner for once."

"Riley, it appears we have an extra place set for dinner," Michael said, turning to Riley as he prepared to leave the room. "Why don't you join us?"

Riley smiled. "I'd love to, sir."

Riley joined everyone at the table as Michael took his own seat at the table's head. Leslie took Vince and Akilah's hands, prompting everyone else to join hands around the table. For once this year, they would be able to join together and celebrate as a normal family. If only for this one day.