"Tell us a story, Grandpa." said Kirkland.

Carl sat on the couch, surrounded by children.

"Make it a Christmas story." said Steven.

"It will be Christmas soon, won't it?" said Carl, "Perhaps tomorrow we can look for a tree."

"If you guys are well enough to shop for a Christmas tree, then you've gotten over your colds, and there's no excuse for me to stay here any longer." said Rachel.

The boys protested, but Carl said: "Your grandmother has her own, very busy life, to live. She can't stay here forever."

"Now," he continued, "The story - did I ever tell you lads how I saved Christmas?"

"No."

"Once upon a time - some years ago - the CIA asked me to go undercover as Santa Claus." Steven and Kirkland giggled. "I was heavier then." said Carl, "Much heavier. It seems that Santa was being threatened by the Evil Gnome King, who wanted to steal Santa's greatest secret - the way he manages to visit every child in the world in the course of one single night. Can you guess what it is?"

"No, what?"

"Time travel!"

Rachel had found a pad of notepaper and a pencil, and as Carl spoke, she began making sketches. How long had it been since she had done any drawing or sculpting? Not since New York -

The memory flooded back of the day Rachel had been working on a small sculpture of a naked man - leaning back on his arms, one leg straight, the other flexed, his head tilted back so that his ponytail hung down - and had been quite pleased with it, until she suddenly realized that it looked exactly like Carl! Clearly, her subconscious had spoken.

"And as for the Evil Gnome King, he was a broken man. He ended his days running an ice cream stand at the North Pole, where, of course, business was terrible."

"Great story, Grandpa!" said Steven.

"Yeah!" said Kirkland.

Rachel agreed. She had found herself sketching illustrations to the story as Carl told it. Was it a coincidence that the Evil Gnome King looked like a caricature of Grant Harrison?

"You have quite an imagination." she remarked.

"Imagination?" said Carl, "You wound me, Rachel! Every word was unvarnished truth!"

"Really?" said Kirkland.

"Of course not, Dorkbrain!" said Steven.

****

"I'm glad you're home, Mom." said Matthew.

"Yes, now things can get back to normal." said Amanda.

Rachel smiled enigmatically as the doorbell rang. It was Paulina and Jake.

"How are you, Darling?" said Rachel, "You look wonderful."

"I feel like Moby Dick, the Great White Whale." said Paulina, "Excuse me, I have to use the bathroom."

By the time she got back to the living room, Iris had arrived.

"Well, Rachel, why have I been summoned?"

"What, a family dinner party isn't reason enough?" said Jake.

The doorbell rang again.

"Who could that be?" said Paulina, "Everyone's here."

"Cass! Frankie! Welcome." said Rachel.

"Family dinner, my foot!" Iris snorted, "What are you up to now, Rachel?"

"Let's eat." said Rachel, "We can talk later."

****

"More tiramisu anyone?" said Rachel.

"Don't tempt me!" moaned Paulina.

"We shall have coffee in the living room, Claudia." said Rachel, standing up and leading the way.

She waited for everyone to get comfortable.

"Well, Mother?" said Amanda, "What is this about?"

"Does it have to be 'about' something?" said Rachel. "Can I not just want to spend a pleasant evening with my family and friends?"

"Well, of course, but -"

"No offense, Mom, but you usually only call us all together when you have something to tell us." said Matthew.

"You're right." said Rachel, "I do." She paused a moment, gathering her thoughts. "When I went over to the cottage to see Steven and the other children, Michael and Franklin didn't even remember me. It was the first time I had been there since Clara was born."

"You've been busy." Matthew shrugged.

"Yes - too busy to spend time with my own grandchildren!"

"Vicky's children aren't really your grandchildren." Amanda pointed out, "Except Steven, of course."

"I've told you before, Amanda, they are all my grandchildren," said Rachel, "I love them all equally. When they got sick, and I stayed at the cottage to look after them, they ran me ragged. By ten o'clock at night, I had just enough strength left to fall into bed. But I was happier than I've been in years! When they got better, and it was time to get back to my 'normal' life, my heart just sank! I realised that I don't want to go on living the way I have been!"

"Mother -!" Amanda started to protest, but Rachel cut her off with a gesture.

"Ever since Mac died, but these last few years especially, I've buried myself in work. I've let my world narrow down to the office, this house, and hotel suites, when I travel on business - always on business, never for pleasure."

"I know you work too hard, Mom." said Matthew, placatingly.

"Aside from work, I hardly ever go anywhere, or see anyone." Rachel continued. "Do you have any idea how long it's been since I had lunch with a friend, or visited an art gallery, or even just saw a movie?"

"Well, you're CEO of Cory!" said Amanda, as though that ought to be enough for anyone.

"Not for much longer!" said Rachel, "I intend to announce my resignation at the Board meeting next week."

"WHAT?" said Iris.

"Mother, you can't!" cried Amanda.

"Good for you, Rachel!" said Paulina, "Do whatever will make you happy!"

Iris curled her lip superciliously. "So, you want to abandon your responsibilities to Daddy's company - to do what?"

"To start living again." said Rachel, "I've devoted years of my life to Cory Publishing, because I thought Mac would have wanted it that way, but now it's time for me to get back to my own career, as an artist."

"Oh, that!" said Iris.

"I don't know why you should object, Iris." said Rachel, "I plan to make you CEO in my place."

"But Mom!"/ "Mother!" As was to be expected, Matthew and Amanda protested as one.

"Iris is Mac's eldest child, and she's a shrewd businesswoman." Rachel pointed out, "And there are conditions attached. Cass?"

Cass opened his briefcase and started handing out papers.

"As you will see, Cass has drawn up an agreement which will keep Iris from making any major policy changes at Cory without the consent of the rest of the family. Copies have been faxed to Jamie in London and Sandy in California."

"I'm not signing anything." said Iris.

"Then, I shall see to it that you never become CEO." said Rachel, flatly, "It's up to you."

"Where do I sign?" said Iris.

****

As everyone was putting on their coats, Paulina said, "If the children are all better, I think I'll take Jake Jr over to play with the Twins on Saturday."

"Good idea." said Frankie, "I'll take Marcello and Charlie over there too."

"Maybe I'll join you." said Rachel.

To be continued