“Listen to the earth and it will speak to you.” She answered flatly. “Follow the wind and it will guide you.”

Then she went on rocking without further explanation. “What the hell does that mean?” I whispered to Allison.

“I have no idea.” Allison shrugged. “She has been saying that for as long as I can remember.”

“Finally the entire family is together.” Pauline beamed wiping the tears from her face as she held her son closely to her.

“Not yet.” Gaia smiled knowingly. “Not everyone has arrived. There will be many more to join the family. After I have gone on my way the first two will come. Window shopping can prove to be very inspiring.” She winked at Allison and myself and then went on with her rocking.

“Something you want to tell us?” Nicole teased her sister with a playful nudge.

“No.” Allison shot back firmly. “I don’t think I really need to explain the improbability of that to you Doctor.”

“Oh that’s not what you claimed in the ER last month.” Nicole laughed.

“What’s this?” Jefferson asked.

“When Ally was being treated for food poisoning she boldly announced to myself and everyone else in the room that she could too get Stephanie pregnant and then she threw up on my bosses’ shoes.” Nicole explained as the room erupted into laughter as Allison buried her face in my shoulder. I patted her gently as I laughed along with the rest of the family.

Gaia’s predictions aside the family settled in. David seemed timid at first and everyone approached him carefully. I stayed away since he seemed so overwhelmed by being here. I could wait to get to know him. The family gathered around the Christmas tree and began to sing carols. They were a gifted group vocally but recalling the exact words seemed to a problem. No one cared we just sang out and enjoyed the fire and the tree. Allison and I were seated on the floor next to the fireplace. I sat in front of her as she wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close to her. The tree was gorgeous trimmed with antique ornaments and simple white lights. In the middle of Deck the Halls, David began to sob. The singing ceased immediately. “Don’t stop.” He smiled as he wiped his eyes. “I’m just happy to home at last. You have no idea what it is like seeing all of you again. I was watching from the window afraid to come in. The people at the church had me believing that I was no longer welcomed here. Being here with all of you I can finally see clearly how they deceived me.”

“It’s good to have you home little brother.” Allison said gently.

“It’s good to be home.” He sighed heavily. “Everything is the same. Well almost Nikki you are sober. No drink in your hand and you seem so happy and full of life.”

“Clean and sober for over five years.” Nicole offered proudly.

“I’m proud of you Nikki.” David said with a smile and then turned his attention towards Allison and myself. “And you Tigger no cigarettes.” I could feel my lover hold me tighter when her brother called her by that name. “I can see that you may have found something better.” He smiled at me as I blushed.

“Time for the formal introduction.” Allison pulled me closer. “Stephanie Grant I would like you to meet my brother David Kendell.” Allison offered warmly.

“It’s nice to finally meet you.” I smiled up at David.

“The same here Stephanie.” David blushed. “How long have the two of you been together?” He asked with a genuine interest.

“Not long.” Allison answered for us. “Thanksgiving weekend was when we first …” Allison stopped hesitantly as the family erupted in laughter at her revelation. Allison buried her head in my neck as she whispered, “Kill me now.”

“Moi cheri.” Pauline laughed. “It’s not like this is news to us.”

“Yeah the two of you aren’t exactly quiet.” Nicole added. There was a collective groan from the rest of the family as I buried my face in my hands. “What?” Nicole teased.

“Too much information dear.” Pauline chastised her youngest child.

“So how did the two of you meet?” David offered changing the subject quickly.

“We work together.” Allison answered thankful for the diversion.

“Oh so you are a lawyer as well?” David asked.

I could feel my lover stiffen slightly behind me as I realized that David had been gone for a very long time. “David.” Allison began slowly. “I’m not a lawyer any longer. I quit years ago.” Allison explained. “I’m a history professor at Haven University. It is what makes me happy.”

David’s shoulders slumped sadly. “I feel as if my life has been going on without me.” His sorrow evident in his voice.

“You are home now son.” Jefferson said tenderly. “You are home aren’t you?” I could see the nervousness plainly written across Jefferson’s normally stoic features.

“Yes.” David reassured his father. “Yes Dad I’m home.” He straightened his body and looked around the room with a misty blue gaze. “I’m home.” He repeated confidently. “I’m not going to lie and tell you that this is going to easy. But I want my life back. I want my family back! My real family not those liars at the church.”

A tearful round of hugs followed David’s comments. “Speaking of being home where am I going to sleep?” He laughed.

“I’ll get a fire going in your room right now son.” Jefferson offered.

“Wait.” David held his hand up and everyone held a nervous breath. “There is something else I need to feel like I’ve truly come home.” He looked towards Allison and smiled and then cast a glance towards his father. Jefferson nodded his understanding and left the room without a word as the rest of the family settled in comfortably around the fire. Jefferson returned with a withered book and handed to Allison and then took a seat next to his wife. With the family gathered around Allison she opened the book and without looking at the words began to read. “Twas the night before Christmas …”

I was impressed by my lover’s narration of the familiar holiday classic. She never missed a word through out the entire telling of the story. I also quickly figured out by the tear stained faces that surrounded me that this holiday tradition had not been observed since David’s departure. I finally felt like a part of a real family and I knew then just how much I belonged with them. It was if they needed me as much as I needed them. After Allison finished reading Jefferson and David went upstairs to prepare a fire in his room. The rest of the family made their way into the kitchen to finish dinner preparations. I stood to join them when I felt Allison’s firm grasp pulling me back down. “We’ll join them in a second I need to hold you for a moment.” Allison offered softly as she pulled me back down towards her.

I snuggled against Allison’s body enjoying the warmth she offered me. “He’s home.” She sighed deeply as I pulled her closer to me. “A few hours ago things seemed so bleak. I was afraid that I had lost you and …”

“Ssh.” I whispered as I held her tightly.

“Thank you.” She said as she kissed the top of my head. “You have no idea how much you’re being here for this means to me. The family is all together finally and I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am that you are now a part of the family.” My breathing quicken at the implication that she had offered. “You are Stephanie.” She reassured me. “I know that you never had a real family but you do now. I want to thank you for not giving up on us. I have never loved anyone as deeply as I love you. It is like I spent my entire life looking for you. Does that make any sense?”

“Yes.” I answered firmly. “I feel like I’ve come home. All of this is a bit overwhelming at times but I know I belong with you.”

“You do and don’t you ever think about leaving me.” Allison held me tightly. “Besides if we ever broke up I think my family would go ballistic. I’m glad that I can give you this after what you went through with your own parents. I can’t even imagine the pain and confusion you had to endure.”

I reached up and pulled her closer to me and kissed her gently. I certainly hadn’t intended to start anything in the middle of her family’s house but I lost all sense of reason as I felt her tongue teasing my bottom lip. I parted my lips as Allison quickly accepted my invitation. My breathing grew ragged as she explored my mouth my hand began to caress her breast. “Ah hem!” I heard from the entryway. I looked up startled to find Jefferson waving a cautioning finger in our direction.

“Hey Pops.” Allison chuckled as we quickly jumped to our feet. Jefferson simply flashed us a knowing smirk and left the room.

Allison and I quickly retreated to join the rest of the family in the kitchen. After dinner everyone shared in the clean up and then everyone with the exception of Gaia who had been put to bed found themselves enjoying a snowball fight out on the front lawn. In between activities Allison and I stole kisses under the mistletoe. In many ways I felt as if I had entered a dream world. When the clock struck midnight Jefferson and Pauline sent everyone off to bed. Although David and Nicole protested Allison and I did not. As Allison and I climbed the staircase I caught a glimpse of Jefferson and Pauline necking under the mistletoe. It warmed my heart to be surrounded by so much love.

As we entered our bedroom my eyes never left Allison as she stoked the fire and pulled down the bedding. The sight of her warmed me to depths of my soul. I knew what I wanted for Christmas and she was standing right in front of me. I approached her slowly as a playful smile crept across my lips. She took me into her arms and we exchanged a tender kiss. I watched the firelight dance in passion filled eyes. Slowly Allison began to undress me. She caressed my body as she removed each article of clothing. “Opening our presents a little early.” I teased her in a sultry tone.