"I think the tree looks particularly beautiful this year." said Rachel, entering the living room of the Cory Mansion.

"You look particularly beautiful yourself, Mom." said Matthew.

"Thank you, Darling."

Rachel wore a white dress, frosted with crystal beads that sparkled like ice chips, and there was also a sparkle in her eyes, and a spring in her step that hadn't been there since Mac died. It was the radiance of a fulfilled woman, though the Corys didn't realize it yet.

When Carl had been cleared of Grant's murder, Rachel had moved back to her old home, refusing to shack up with him before marriage. Carl had grumbled a bit, but agreed that they had to set an example for the grandchildren.

Rachel looked around the room, making sure that everything was ready for her annual Christmas party. The guests would be starting to arrive soon.

The buffet table, the two punchbowls full of eggnog ( one spiked with rum, the other not), the presents piled under the tree - all was in order. Good! Rachel wanted everything perfect, since this was the last Christmas party she would give in this house.

Rachel headed for the foyer, ready to receive her guests, just as the doorbell rang. By ones and twos and small groups, her friends and neighbours arrived: Paulina, Jake and Jake Jr, Iris, Lorna and Gabe, Felicia, Cass, Frankie, Charlie and Marcello - but where were the guests of honour?

"Merry Christmas, Grandma!" It was Carl and her grandchildren, at last.

"Merry Christmas!" said Rachel, "My, don't you look nice!"

Carl, Steven, Kirkland, Michael and Franklin all wore tuxedos, while Clara was dressed in a little Santa outfit.

"So do you, Grandma." said Steven.

"Indeed you do." said Carl, "Merry Christmas, My Love."

He fished in the diaper bag and came up with a flat package wrapped in gold paper, which he handed to Rachel.

"Oh! Thank you! Shall I open it now?"

"Please do."

It was a Japanese woodblock print: under a row of black, jagged branches, covered in snow, two slender figures leaned gracefully towards each other - he in a black kimono, she in a white one, standing together under an umbrella whose upper surface was covered with snow, so that it blended in with the white background.

"It's Lovers In The Snow by Suzuki Harunobu." said Carl, "I thought of you as soon as I saw it."

"It's exquisite!" said Rachel, "My present to you isn't as exotic, but I think you'll like it."

She plucked a rectangular package from under the tree and gave it to Carl. Inside the wrapping was a duotang binder, with the title How Grandpa Saved Christmas.

"I worked up the sketches I made while you were telling the boys the story into finished drawings." said Rachel, "I had to write the words from memory, so feel free to correct my mistakes."

"I'm certain you have made none." said Carl, "Thank you, Love. I shall cherish this."

"Actually, I was thinking we could submit it to the Cory Children's Book division."

The doorbell rang again. "Merry Christmas!" said a familiar voice as the door was opened.

"Loretta!" Carl flung his arms around her, and kissed her soundly.

"Boys, this is Loretta Delahanty, a very dear friend of Rachel and myself from New York." said Carl, "Loretta, allow me to introduce my grandsons: Steven, Kirkland, Michael and Franklin -"

"What fine boys! All as handsome as their grandfather." said Loretta.

"Oh, handsomer by far!" said Carl, "And this is my grand-daughter Clara."

"What a little angel!"

"She has her mother's beauty."

The doorbell rang again. This time it was Nick and Sophia.

"Welcome!" said Rachel, "I'm so glad you decided to accept my invitation!"

"We're not really in a party mood, but we'll try not to spoil things." said Nick.

(Between the fact that Nick had lost most of his family in a car crash, and the fact that Sophia's brother Joe was sitting in jail for murder, it was understandable that they would be lacking in Christmas spirit.)

"I understand." said Rachel, "But you're not alone."

Maybe being surrounded by sympathetic people would keep Nick and Sophia from brooding about their own troubles for a while.

All the guests were here. This was the moment Rachel had been bracing herself for; she took a deep breath.

"Everyone - I have an announcement."

All the guests turned their attention to her.

"Carl has made a proposal of marriage, and I have accepted it." she said, "We're engaged!"

"I knew it!" cried Loretta." I knew you two are meant to be together!"

"Mother, you - you can't be serious!" said Amanda.

"I'm perfectly serious, Darling." said Rachel.

"I think it's time for the ring." said Carl, taking a velvet box out of his pocket.

"Look how this ring encompasseth thy finger." he said, sliding the ring into place on Rachel's left hand. "Even so, thy breast encloseth my poor heart. Wear both of them, for both of them are thine." He kissed her hand.

(Note: Carl is quoting Shakespeare's Richard III, Act I, Scene II )

"That's some rock!" said Loretta, "Are you sure it's not a doorknob? Congratulations!"

"Matt, we've got to do something!" said Amanda, "Mother's had some sort of mental breakdown! I should have realised something was wrong with her when she suddenly resigned as CEO of Cory!"

"Mom seems quite sane to me." said Matthew. "Look Amanda, I'm not exactly thrilled by the idea of Carl Hutchins as a stepfather either, but making a scene in the middle of the Christmas party isn't going to help!"

As usual, Amanda didn't listen. "Mother, Please!" she cried, "Tell Carl you've changed your mind!"

"On the contrary, my mind is made up." said Rachel, "For the first time in years, I know what I want."

"You must be mad - or menopausal!"

"Neither, I assure you." said Rachel, "Try to understand: when Mac died, my whole world turned grey. I buried myself in work, because nothing else really seemed worth doing. Then Carl presented himself, in all his vividness - and all the colour came back into the world!"

"As long as I make Rachel happy, can you not find it in your heart to grit your teeth and endure my presence in her life?" said Carl.

"Never!" cried Amanda.

"Rachel, I'm happy for you." said Felicia, "But isn't this kind of sudden?"

"Not really." said Rachel, "We fell in love in New York, five years ago."

"When Rachel and I met again, we soon realised that the fire was still burning, on both sides."

"Any fire that can burn for five years is pretty hot." said Loretta, "So, when's the wedding?"

"I was all for eloping, and presenting everyone with a fait accompli, but Rachel wants a big wedding, with family participation, so -"

"We plan to marry early in the new year." said Rachel.

"So soon?" said Felicia.

"We've waited long enough." said Rachel, "Why waste more time?"

"Yes, I, at least, am not getting any younger." said Carl.

"Can I be flower girl?" said Loretta.

"Actually, I was hoping you'd give me away." said Carl.

"Honey, if you were mine to give, I'd keep you!"

"Congratu - OOOOH!"

"Paulina! What's wrong?" said Jake

"I - think I'm in labour!"

"But - the baby's not due for another two weeks!"

"You know that - and I know it - but - OOOHHH! - the baby doesn't know it!"

"Uh, Hospital!" said Jake, "Where's your coat? Rachel, will you look after Jake Jr?"

"Yes, of course! I just wish I could go with you." said Rachel.

"You can." said Loretta, "I'll take care of the little guy."

"Thank you!"

"Steven, Kirkland - will you and the Little Ones stay here with Loretta while Rachel and I go to the hospital?" said Carl.

"Sure, Grandpa."

"Good lads!" Carl put Clara into Loretta's arms.

"What's going on?" Iris had been taking a business call in the library, and had missed all the excitement.

"The children will fill you in." said Rachel, grabbing a coat, "I've got to go!"

The hospital confirmed that Paulina was in labour. Jake went with her into the Delivery Room - "Why did I think Natural Childbirth was a good idea?" he muttered - leaving Carl and Rachel in the waiting room.

"Your brood aren't exactly thrilled by our impending nuptials." said Carl.

"It was bound to be a shock, at first." said Rachel, "But they'll come around, when they realise that you've changed."

"What if they don't come around? What if they continue to oppose us?"

"If it comes down to it, I don't really care what anyone thinks - not even my children."

"You know, Rachel, I couldn't love you the way I do if I didn't know that, underneath your softness and graciousness, there's a core of steel."

"You mean, you can only love an equal." said Rachel.

"You are more than my equal," said Carl, "You are the other half of my soul - the better half."

Jake came out of the Delivery Room. "It's a girl!" he said.

"Can we see her?" asked Rachel. "How is Paulina?"

"They're both doing fine." said Jake, "Just give the nurses a few minutes to tidy them up."

When Carl and Rachel entered the recovery room, Paulina was sitting up, with the baby in her arms.

"Say hello to Vicky Jr." said Jake.

"Victoria Noelle McKinnon." said Paulina, "Here's Grandma and Grandpa, come to say hello!"

Carl was deeply touched. "Thank you, Paulina," he said, "I wasn't expecting that."

Church bells began to ring for midnight services.

"It's Christmas!" said Rachel.

"I've got my present!" said Paulina, "My beautiful Christmas baby."

"Yes, a child born on Christmas Eve is always very special." said Carl, remembering Ryan.

"Merry Christmas, My Darlings!" said Rachel, "God bless us, every one!"

"We are blessed." said Carl, taking her in his arms.