Esther looked out of the window to the snow that was falling silently. She enjoyed watching it, just standing there and enjoying the peace of the moment. She was thinking she should be getting ready now, but the look of the falling snow kept her in the living room.

"Mommy mommy look what I've found!!" Esther turned round to see what he was holding. She saw it was his sword, well, plastic sword that is! "Thought you were never going to find it anymore!" "Can I take it with me?" She nodded. Amazing how much Samuel looked like Kian. The same blue eyes, the same blonde hair. Everytime she saw Samuel she saw Kian as well.

"Ready Essie?" "In a minute, just grabbing my scarf." Behind her she heard Samuel’s ecstatic voice. "Daddy, I found my sword again! Look!" Kian picked him up and put him on his back as Es was still looking for her scarf. "See Samuel, it's always the same who keep us waiting!" "Hey, be careful with what you say Ki, it might come back to ya one day!" He only kissed her in reply.

Two years already... That was the time that had passed between the wedding and now. Kian was still doing great, and their little boy Samuel was now a year and a half already. He was just learning how to run, and today would be a great day to test how good he was at it.

A happy little family, Esther thought satisfied. She had everything she ever wanted in her life now. A house in Sligo where she lived with a great husband and a nice son... and yet there was something that cast a shadow over her happiness. Although they had made the agreement not to talk about it, she still found it difficult to cope with Kian’s illness. As if he could guess what she was thinking about, he put an arm around her and gave her a gentle squeeze.

They soon pulled up on the driveway of Shane’s old house. Bryan was already standing outside to greet them. "Hey you guys are late!" "Essie here kept us waiting." She gave him a push. "I told you already, watch it mister!" He grinned at her. "Uncle Bry, look!" Bryan came out and sat on his knees so that he was facing the little boy. "Haha!" With a hard stab Samuel planted the sword under Bryan’s arm. He immediately fell on the ground, pretending to be deadly injured, which caused Samuel to crack up into fits of laughter.

Esther and Kian both laughed at the sight. "You know Ki, I have a feeling that we won't have to worry about our boy for now." "No, I don't think we have to. He'll be spoilt again." It was true. No matter how hard the two of them tried to teach Sam that he couldn't have his way all the time, the others always managed to mess up. Everyone went inside. "You know Kian, I can't imagine anything better than this..."

Like two years ago, the group had teamed up to have their annual snow fight in the meadow. Although it seemed the same there had been enough changes. All the boys were now married or living together. Shane had married Nick two months ago, and already had a baby on the way. Mark actually lived in France now with his girlfriend Martine. The two of them were also making wedding plans but up to now they couldn't decide where the wedding was to be held. Bryan had met a friendly girl last summer and had just moved in with her.

But the biggest surprise came from Nicky. After the split with Georgina he had been devastated. He had sworn never to fall in love again. But you know how it goes... so when he met Mitzie on the promotion tour in Asia he didn't hesitate, especially since she was willing to move to Dublin. He was quite nervous these days as she was in the hospital. Their twins could be born any minute now...

Esther and Kian entered the living room of Shane’s parental house. Everyone had gone out to relatives so they had the house to themselves - which was just as well!! Everyone had already gatheed round on the big carpet in front of the fireplace and were talking before they all went outside. Esther noticed Kian’s hand was trembling a bit. She held on to it very tight.

Suddenly Shane turned on the switch. It was a magnificent sight. Outside were hundreds of little lamps that began to burn. It was as if the stars had come down from the sky... Esther felt Kian’s hand was trembling. She knew he was fighting his emotions now.

Shane turned round to look at them all. "Guys, now that we are all here I wanted to say... MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I love ya all. May it always be like this!!" Esther felt how Kian tightened his grip. They all began to sing. "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones we used to know..." Esther looked aside and saw Kian was crying now. She held him close. "Hey, love ya!" He looked at her. "Love ya too." She brushed the tears from his cheek.

"It's moments like these that make me realise how spoilt I am in life. I've got great friends, a son, you..." She knew exactly what he was going to say. "I am spoilt as well you know. I've got you to help me out with that wonderful son... and with the next." Kian turned round in amazement. He saw her smiling face and realised she wasn't joking. "Samuel is going to have a sister in six months..." Kian kissed her as sweet as he could. He knew he wouldn't be able to see his daughter anymore...