A Christmas Carol, Sydney to the Max style: A Sydney to the Max fan fiction

Max was placing ornaments on the Christmas tree, at times singing, whistling or humming Christmas carols while placing ornaments on the tree.

"You just love this time of year, don't you?" Judy asked.

"Yep, I sure do," Max said. "It's always been my wife's favorite holiday when she was alive. Ah, she would decorate this tree so beautifully and would put candy in my stocking, and Sydney's. She always puts those delicate chocolate candies in there. Mm, so good!"

"She put some in my stocking," Judy said. "I usually eat them all before Christmas because I would dig into the stocking every opportunity I had."

"Irresistible, am I right," Max asked.

"Yeah," Judy said. "So are the candy canes . . . I liked the minty ones. She could tell I ate some because my breath was fresh."

"Those were the days," Max said. "She was a blessing to this family."

"Yeah, she was," Judy said. "I still have that picture of you two in my wallet."

"Aw, that's nice," Max said.

"Where's Sydney?" Judy asked. "It's eleven o'clock and she isn't even downstairs yet. I hope she is okay."

"This has happened every Christmas since her mom passed away," Max said. "It's starting to worry me."

"Me, too and usually throughout the rest of the year, she is fine," Judy said. "It's just always during this holiday . . . but, it reminds me of a certain someone that used to have those feelings."

"Oh, yeah, me," Max said. "That was because Dad never came home for Christmas."

"Yeah and you wouldn't come out of your room, either," Judy said. "Leo had to drag you out of your room for you to get down here."

"Leo even helped you decorate this very tree with ornaments, too," Max said.

"Yeah, he was a big help when you two were kids," Judy said. "That reminds me, did you send him a Christmas card?"

"I sure did," Max said.

"Good, I don't want you to lose touch with him again," Judy said.

"Should I check on Sydney?" Max asked.

"Sure, I can cover for you until you get back," Judy said.

Max left Judy to finish decorating the tree and then went up to Sydney's bedroom. When he came in, he saw that Sydney was lying on her bed, depressed.

"Sydney, we're decorating the tree downstairs," Max said.

"How is that coming along?" Sydney asked.

"It's going great," Max said. "Your grandma and I would love for you to come down and help us out with that."

"I'm not really up to it," Sydney said.

"Are you sure, Sydney?" Max asked. "It's kind of fun."

"I'm sure, Dad," Sydney said.

"Okay, but you're missing out on all the fun," Max said.

"I know," Sydney said.

"Sydney, is everything okay?" Max asked. "Are you having a Blue Christmas?"

"I'm okay, Dad, I just don't want to come down right now," Sydney said.

"Okay, then, I'll come back later," Max said. "But, just so you know, your grandma and I are worried about you. You've been like this for the past few Christmases and it has gotten us concerned."

Max left Sydney alone on her bed and returned to the tree that he left Judy to decorate. While Max and Judy were yet decorating, they heard a knock on the door.

"I'll get it," Max said and went to the door and answered it. It was Olive.

"Hey, Olive, I am glad you're here," Max said. "Sydney won't come down. I think she's depressed."

"She's been like that the last couple of Christmases, has she?" Olive asked.

"She sure has," Max said. "It's had me worried."

"I'll try and talk to her," Olive said.

"Would you? That would be great," Max said.

"Absolutely," Olive said. "Do you think your mom can make some s'mores?"

"I'm on it," Judy said, leaving the tree behind to go to the kitchen.

"Well, there you go," Max said. "Let me know how it goes."

"I will," Olive said and then went upstairs to Sydney's bedroom, where Sydney was laying on her bed, still depressed.

"Hey, Sydney," Olive said.

"Hey, Olive," Sydney said.

"Don't you want to come downstairs and help your dad decorate the tree and enjoy your grandma's s'mores?" Olive asked.

"No, I don't," Sydney said. "I just want this holiday to come and go."

"That's not in the Christmas spirit," Olive said. "'Tis the season to be jolly . . . Peace on Earth, good will to men . . . Joy to the world, all the boys and girls now, joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and me."

"That's the wrong joy to the world song," Sydney said.

"Who cares?" Olive asked. "This is a joyous occasion. God bless us, every one."

"Did you just quote Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol?" Sydney asked.

"I did," Olive said. "I love that story . . . and the movie based on the story . . . I even kind of like The Flintstones' take on it. But, seriously, Sydney, you ought to come join us."

"No, I'm okay," Sydney said. "I just don't feel like Christmas."

"Why not," Olive asked.

"I just don't, okay, Olive?" Sydney asked.

"Oh, well, when you're ready to tell me, I'll be downstairs," Olive said. "But, I just want you to know I'm worried about you, Sydney."

Olive left Sydney alone and rejoined Max downstairs.

"Any luck?" Max asked while continuing to decorate the tree.

"No luck at all," Olive said. "Can I help you decorate the tree while your mom finishes the s'mores?"

"You sure can," Max said.

"Awesome," Olive said and then began to help Max decorate the tree . . .

Later that night, Sydney was still in his bedroom when she heard a voice. She sat up and saw young Max in her bedroom.

"Oh, hey, Dad," Sydney said. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I am," Max said. "You really like dreaming of seeing your dad as a kid, do you?"

"Yeah, I do," Sydney said. "I like talking to my dad as a kid. I think it's cool."

"Speaking of talking to your dad, why won't you tell me why you're depressed this time of year?" Max asked.

"I just don't want to," Sydney said.

"But, everybody's in the Christmas spirit except for you," Max said. "Future me is probably worried about you."

"He is and so is my best friend, Olive," Sydney said. "But, they seem to be in such good spirits and I don't want to ruin it with my problem."

"What if I told you that I can relate to how you feel?" Max asked.

"You do?" Sydney asked.

"Yeah, I do," Max said. "Do you want me to show you?"

"Sure," Sydney said.

"Follow me," Max said and then Sydney got out of the bed and followed Max to the living room . . . except, it was now 1992 and Judy was decorating the tree.

"What's going on here?" Sydney asked.

"This is my mom decorating the tree," Max said. "Know what's missing?"

"No you," Sydney said. "But why are you not in the living room?"

"I'm in my bedroom, lying on my bed, depressed, just like you were doing," Max said.

"You mean the bedroom and the bed that I'm in in my time period," Sydney said.

"Exactly," Max said. "Oh, and Leo's going to try to get me out of the bed."

"Oh, is he going to knock on the door or something?" Sydney asked.

"Yep, in three . . . two . . . one," Max said and then there was a knock on the door. Judy went to the door and answered it. It was Leo.

"Hey, Mrs. Reynolds," Leo said. "Is Max doing what he has been doing the last couple of Christmases?"

"He sure is," Judy said. "I have the feeling it has something to do with his dad not coming home for Christmas."

"Yeah, he's always like that when his dad disappoints him," Leo said. "One time his dad couldn't come to a basketball game and Max wouldn't come out of the locker room."

"I regret marrying him to start with, but I feel bad for Max. He's one of very few kids I know that actually wants his dad in his life," Judy said.

"I hate that he can't come home for Christmas, either," Leo said. "I know it devastates Max when his dad can't honor the commitments he makes to him."

"Yeah . . . it's like he can't even have a Merry Christmas without him," Judy said.

"Do you think I should try to go talk to him?" Leo asked.

"Well, good luck," Judy said. "Maybe he'll listen to you."

"Maybe so," Leo said and then went upstairs.

"So, he's going to see you in . . . our bedroom?" Sydney asked.

"He sure is," Max said. "Follow me and I'll show you."

Sydney and Max followed Leo into Max's bedroom. Sure enough, Max was lying down on his bed, depressed.

"Hey, Max," Leo said.

"Hey, Leo," Max said. "So, I take it you're going to try to get me to go downstairs to help decorate the tree."

"Yeah, you're missing out on quite the fun," Leo said.

"Well, good," Max said.

"Max, that's not in the Christmas season," Leo said. "Come on, Max! 'Tis the season to be jolly! God bless us, everyone!"

"I wish God would let my dad come home for Christmas," Max said. "I keep praying that He would, but I feel like I keep getting the busy signal."

"And I keep praying that you'd quit giving your mom a hard time, but you can't always get what you pray for," Leo said. "Come on, Max. We can have a Merry Christmas, you, your mom, her s'mores, A Charlie Brown Christmas . . . come on, be a Linus and not a Charlie Brown."

"Right now, I feel like the tree after he put the ornament on it," Max said. "Leo, just leave me be, okay?"

"Okay, Max, but just so you know, your mom and I are worried about you," Leo said. "I'm sorry your dad can't come home, but we can still have a Merry Christmas without him. I hope you will realize that."

Leo left Max alone in the bedroom while Sydney and Max were watching from the corner of the bedroom.

"Is that why you were devastated this time of year?" Sydney asked.

"Yep, Dad never came home for Christmas and I would do the same thing you would do, lay on your bed, hoping the holidays would just come and go," Max said.

"But, you seem so happy in my time period," Sydney said. "What happened?"

"Your mom happened," Max said.

"What do you mean?" Sydney asked.

"Follow me," Max said and then Sydney followed Max out of the bedroom and to the backyard of Leo's house where the pool was. The time changed to earlier in 1992 and Max lied on the float, wearing his Super Swimmer swimming suit.

"What's going on here?" Sydney asked.

"I met your mom at Leo's birthday party that he was having at his house," Max said. "After I did my Super Swimmer presentation at Leo's pool, I just relaxed on the float."

"Did she go to the same school . . . we go to?" Sydney asked.

"She sure did," Max said. "She went to classrooms in different halls. That's why our paths never crossed. However, Leo went to an elective she went to and they worked together on some projects. He invited her to this birthday party . . . and that's how we met."

A girl came out of the back door and started approaching the pool.

"Hey, Max," the girl said while going to the edge of the pool and sitting down.

"Sorry, the Super Swimmer . . ." Max started and then looked at the girl and added, "Really thinks you look beautiful."

"Aw, thanks," the girl said. "Leo told me you were out here."

"Yeah, I just wanted to relax for a little while," Max said.

"You stressed out or something?" the girl asked.

"Yeah, I am," Max said. "It's my dad. He's not in my life at all. He always brings my hopes up just to dash them. I try to call him and he won't pick up. I leave an answering machine message and he just won't call back. It's like he hates me."

"I'm sorry to hear that," the girl said. "Good thing you have Leo. He seems to let you relax and clear your head."

"Yeah, Leo's a great friend," Max said. "I'm thankful that I have him in my life."

"Yeah, he mentions you quite a bit in the class we go to together," the girl said. "He said that you're a great friend, too and he said that you both spend a lot of time together."

"Yeah, we do," Max said. "Well, thanks for coming out and talking with me."

"Of course, Leo told me you were out here and I wanted to meet you," the girl said. "I'm Alicia."

"Hey, Alicia," Max said. "Maybe I'll get to see you during school hours."

"Yeah, I'll have Leo take me to see you," Alicia said.

"I'd like that," Max said.

Alicia and Max continued to chat while Sydney and Max were watching from nearby benches.

"Wow, it seemed like you both became fast friends," Sydney said.

"We did," Max said.

"But, what does this have to do with you being happy for Christmas?" Sydney asked.

"Let's go back to . . . our bedroom," Max said and then he and Sydney went back to Max's house in Christmas of 1992. Leo and Judy were decorating the Christmas tree when Leo heard a knock on the door. Leo went to the door and answered it. It was Alicia.

"Hey, there," Leo said. "Come on in."

Alicia came on in and Leo closed the door behind her.

"Who is this?" Judy asked.

"This is my classmate from computer class," Leo said. "I had her go talk to Max during my birthday party and they have grown to be friends since."

"Aw, that's nice," Judy said. "I'm Max's mom, Judy."

"I came to give Max a Christmas present," Alicia said. "Where is he?"

"He's upstairs in his bedroom," Leo said. "He's depressed because his dad can't be home for Christmas, so this might be his only hope in having a Merry Christmas."

"So, I take it I should personally give him this?" Alicia asked.

"You probably should," Leo said. "Follow me."

Alicia, Leo, Sydney and Max went upstairs to Max's bedroom, where Max was still lying on the bed, depressed.

"Max, there's someone here to see you," Leo said.

Max tilted his head up and saw Alicia.

"Hey, there," Max said. "What brings you here?"

"I got you a Christmas gift," Alicia said and then handed the gift to Max. Max opened it and saw a Mario Bros. Game and Watch.

"That is so awesome," Max said. "I was just telling Leo a few days ago about how much I wanted this. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome," Alicia said.

"This really made my Christmas," Max said. "I was down because my dad couldn't come home for Christmas."

"Yeah, Leo told me," Alicia said. "I'm sorry he couldn't come home."

"Me, too," Max said.

"You want me to stay with you for a little while?" Alicia asked.

"I'd like that," Max said and then Alicia sat down on Max's bed.

Sydney and Max were watching all of this unfold from the corner of the bedroom.

"So, Mom's the reason why you had a Merry Christmas?" Sydney asked.

"Yeah . . . and I want you to have a Merry Christmas as well," Max said. "So, do you promise to tell future me why you're depressed?"

"Yeah, I do," Sydney said.

"Great, I'll see you in the future," Max said and then left the room.

"Wow, my mom's the reason why my dad is so happy during Christmas time," Sydney said. "That is so awesome."

"It sure is," Olive said, appearing out of nowhere.

"Olive, what are you doing here?" Sydney asked.

"I told you I'm worried about you," Olive said. "Now, that you see that your dad can relate to how you feel, let me show you all the fun you're missing."

"Okay, then," Sydney said and then followed Olive out of the bedroom into the living room, except now it is in Sydney's time period, where Olive and Max are decorating the tree and Judy had just came in with the s'mores.

"The s'mores are ready," Judy said. "Wow, that tree is looking great."

"Thanks . . . I'm pretty sure my wife would be proud," Max said.

"She sure would be," Judy said.

"You had a wife?" Olive asked while getting a s'more and started eating it.

"Yeah, but she passed away a few years ago," Max said. "A part of me wonders if having to spend another Christmas without her mom is the reason why Sydney is depressed this time of year."

"Well, we'll never know until she tells us why she feels this way," Olive said. "These s'mores are really good."

"Ooh, let me have one," Max said while taking one of the s'mores and started to eat it. "Wow, this is good. Thanks, Mom."

"Of course," Judy said.

"But, anyway, I really do hope Sydney enjoys the Christmas present I got for her," Max said. "I got her a keychain with a picture of her and her mom."

Max got the keychain with the picture and showed it to Olive.

"Wow, your wife is beautiful," Olive said.

"She really is," Max said. "She had that smile that would light up the city of Portland."

"It looks like it," Olive said. "Sydney would love that gift."

"I'm really sure she would," Max said.

Sydney and Olive were watching from the corner of the living room.

"Wait, Dad was going to get me a keychain with a picture of my mom and me?" Sydney asked.

"Yeah, I think they want you to admit that you miss your mom," Olive said.

"Well, if they figured it out, then why should I tell him?" Sydney asked.

"Because the Sydney they know and love is open and honest with them, even about her feelings," Olive said. "So, please open up to them."

"I just don't want to ruin their good spirits," Sydney said. "Mom was able to lift Dad's spirits and I don't want to be the one to bring them down."

"So, you're basically going to leave them trying to figure out what's wrong with you?" Olive asked.

"Who's it going to hurt?" Sydney asked.

"You . . . and your family if you don't tell them," Olive said. "They're worried about you, Sydney. You don't want to leave them worrying about you forever."

"I'm just going to go back upstairs, okay?" Sydney said and then went upstairs to her bedroom. In her bedroom, there was a beautiful girl around Sydney's age.

"Oh, hey, there," Sydney said. "Who might you be?"

"I'm your future daughter, Olive," the girl said.

"Aw, I named my daughter after my best friend," Sydney said.

"Yeah, I think it's sweet, too," Olive said.

"So, what brings you here?" Sydney asked.

"I'm going to show you what happens if you don't tell your family what's wrong with you," Olive said.

"Wait, you're in on this, too?" Sydney asked.

"I am," Olive said. "We care about you and we don't want you to be depressed every Christmas."

"So, I take it you're going to take me back to the living room," Sydney said.

"Yes, follow me," Olive said and then Sydney followed Olive to the living room. Now, it is 27 years in the future. Older Max is decorating the tree while Sydney's daughter, Olive is helping out with the decorations. Sydney is sitting on the couch, waiting for her husband to call.

"This tree is turning out to look so beautiful," Olive said.

"Yeah, now you know why I take such great joy in decorating this tree each and every year," Max said.

"Are you going to be making s'mores like you've done for the last few years?" Olive asked.

"I sure will," Max said. "I loved it when Mom made s'mores. I'm happy she passed the recipe down to me so that I can continue the tradition."

"Me, too," Olive said.

There then was a ring on Sydney's phone and Sydney picked up.

"Hello? Oh, hey . . . when are you coming home? You're not? Why not? Oh, the blizzard out there is making travel impossible? Oh, I understand. Well, stay safe. I'll make sure Dad saves you a s'more or two, okay? Okay, bye."

Sydney hangs up, sad.

"Everything okay," Max asked.

"No . . . my husband isn't coming home for Christmas," Sydney said.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Max said.

"It's okay," Sydney said. "Apparently, I won't be having a Merry Christmas this year."

Sydney runs upstairs, feeling like crying. Younger Sydney and Sydney's daughter, Olive were watching everything happen from the corner of the living room.

"That is so sad," Sydney said.

"You think that's sad, watch what happens next," Olive said.

Back at the scene at hand, Olive asks Max, "Can I try to talk to her?"

"You can, I can never seem to get Sydney to tell me anything," Max said.

Olive goes upstairs . . . but, ten minutes later, she comes back downstairs, crying.

"What's wrong?" Max asked.

"Mom won't tell me what's wrong," Olive said. "She even yelled at me and kept insisting she was fine."

"I'm sorry, sweetie," Max said. "If she won't tell us what's wrong, then we can't help her."

"Does Mom love me?" Olive asked.

"Of course she does," Max said. "It's just that Christmas has always been hard on her for some reason."

Olive hugged Max and cried on his shoulder. Max hugged back.

"It's okay, we'll have a Merry Christmas," Max said.

Younger Sydney and Olive continued to watch what was going on from the corner of the living room.

"Oh, no," Sydney said. "Now, she's wondering if I love her. I even yelled at her and told her I was okay even though I wasn't."

"See, this is why you need to tell your dad and best friend what's wrong," Olive said. "If you don't, you'll end up continuing to harbor those feelings every Christmas. You don't need to be depressed every Christmas. It's going to affect the whole family."

"But, my best friend and my dad have already figured out why I am depressed this time of year," Sydney said. "Why should I tell them?"

"Because the Sydney that they know and love and the Mom that I know and love are honest with me about everything," Olive said. "So, please tell your dad and best friend what's wrong."

"Yeah, Sydney, you promised me," Young Max said, appearing out of nowhere.

"Sydney, you don't want your dad and me to worry about you forever," Sydney's best friend, Olive said, also appearing out of nowhere.

"Wait, this didn't happen in A Christmas Carol," Sydney said.

"Sydney, you need to tell me and your best friend why you feel depressed this time of year," Max said.

"Yeah, Sydney," Sydney's best friend said. "I want to comfort you if you're feeling sad."

"And I don't want to doubt that you love me," Sydney's future daughter said.

Sydney backed away from her dad, her best friend and her future daughter. While trying to go up the stairs backwards, she fell back on the stairs and just remained seated. Young Max sat down beside Sydney. Sydney's best friend and Sydney's future daughter sat in front of her.

"Sydney, we all love you and care about you," Max said.

"I know, but I don't want to ruin your good Christmas with my problems," Sydney said.

"I don't want to worry about you forever," Sydney's best friend said.

"But, I don't know what to say," Sydney said, starting to cry.

"Yes, you do," Max said. "Just tell your best friend and me how you feel and why you feel the way that you feel."

"Yeah, Sydney, we want you to have a Merry Christmas again," Sydney's best friend said.

"And I want you to be happy," Sydney's future daughter said.

Sydney got up and went to her bedroom back in her time period. Sydney then lied down on her bed and cried. Young Max, Sydney's future daughter and Sydney's best friend all followed her there and sat down on her bed.

"So, are you going to tell me what you need to tell me?" Max asked.

"Are you sure it won't dampen your spirits?" Sydney asked.

"It won't," Max said.

"And I'm still going to be there, too, so you can tell me, too," Sydney's best friend said.

"And I want to have a Mom that is happy around Christmastime," Sydney's future daughter said.

"Plus, I can't have a Merry Christmas if you don't," Max said.

"I can't, either," Sydney's best friend said.

"And I can't, either," Sydney's future daughter said.

"Okay, I'll tell you," Sydney said.

"You won't regret your decision," Max said. "And you can cry on my shoulder."

"And mine, too," Sydney's best friend said.

"I love you, Sydney," Max said.

"I love you, too, Dad," Sydney said. "And I love both of my Olives."

"We love you, too," both of the Olives said.

"Well, since future me probably made you comfortable in real life, I'll do the same here," Max said.

Max got up, reached over to Sydney's feet, untied her shoes and then took her shoes and socks off and laid them on the floor. Max then got the blankets and placed them over Sydney before sitting back down on the bed.

"Thanks, Dad," Sydney said.

"Sure thing," Max said.

"Dad . . . please don't leave me," Sydney said.

"I won't," Max said. "I'll be right here."

Sydney turned around and cried on her pillow. Max started rubbing her back. The back rub calmed Sydney down and relaxed her to sleep . . .

Back in real life . . .

"Sydney, Sydney, wake up," Max said. "I made breakfast."

Sydney woke up, sat up and said, "Oh, hey, Dad. How does the tree look?"

"The tree looks fantastic," Max said. "I'd love for you to come down and see it."

"I will," Sydney said. "Sorry I've been a Scrooge this time of year."

"It's okay," Max said, sitting down on the bed. "I just wish you would tell me why you feel this way this time of year."

Sydney paused for a few moments and then burst into tears saying "I miss my mom so much" and hugged Max. Max hugged Sydney back.

"I figured that's what it was, but I wanted to make sure," Max said.

"I know this was her favorite holiday," Sydney said. "It just hasn't been the same without her."

"No, it hasn't," Max said. "She really knew how to give somebody a Merry Christmas."

"Yeah, she did," Sydney said. "She gave you one when you needed it."

"How did you know?" Max asked. "Did I tell you?"

"Well, ever since I've seen videos of you and Leo as kids, I've been dreaming of seeing you both as kids," Sydney said.

"Oh, nice . . . wasn't I adorable then?" Max asked.

"You sure were," Sydney said. "But, you were telling me that you knew how I felt."

"Yeah, I did," Max said. "My Christmases were depressing because my dad never came home for Christmas. Your mom came one year and made my Christmas special."

"Yeah, she revived your Christmas spirit when you needed it," Sydney said.

"She sure did," Max said. "I miss her, too, Sydney . . . but, I know she would want all of us to have a Merry Christmas."

"Yeah, she would," Sydney said. "I probably need to tell Olive, too."

"Yeah, you should," Max said. "She was worried about you, too."

"Did she go back home?" Sydney asked.

"No, she crashed with us last night," Max said. "She wanted to spend some of the Christmas Holiday with you."

"Well, I'm just as thankful for my best friend as you are for yours," Sydney said. "You did get him a card, right?"

"I sure did," Max said. "I plan on calling him to wish him a Merry Christmas as well."

"Good, you two don't need to lose touch again," Sydney said. "He tried to help you have a Merry Christmas, too."

"Yeah, he did," Max said. "Well, you better go talk to Olive."

"Alright, I will," Sydney said.

Sydney and Max got up, left the bedroom and went downstairs, where Olive was sitting on the couch.

"Hey, Olive, Dad told me you were staying here," Sydney said.

"Yeah, I wanted to spend some of my Christmas with you," Olive said. "I'm glad you decided to come down."

"Yeah, I figured you had a right to know why I've been down this time of year," Sydney said. "Christmas just hasn't been the same without my mom. I knew it was her favorite holiday and I feel like it just hasn't been a Merry Christmas without her."

"Aw, I'm sorry, Sydney . . . but, I am glad you finally told me," Olive said.

"Well, the Sydney you know and love is honest with you," Sydney said.

"Yeah, she is," Olive said. "It's good to have her back."

"It's good to be back," Sydney said and she and Olive briefly shared a hug.

"So, what convinced you to finally open up?" Olive asked.

"I had a dream much like Scrooge did in A Christmas Carol, except my dad as a kid represented the past, you represented the present and my future daughter represented the future," Sydney said. "All three of you were convincing me to tell my dad and you why I was feeling this way this time of year."

"Oh, wow," Olive said. "Wait, you had another dream of your dad as a kid? You've been having quite a few of them lately."

"Yeah . . . apparently, I like talking to my dad as a kid," Sydney said. "But, he was showing me that my mom helped him had a Merry Christmas."

"Maybe she can help you have a Merry Christmas, too," Olive said.

"What do you mean?" Sydney asked.

"Your dad's got a Christmas present for you that I think you'd really love," Olive said.

Max, hearing the whole conversation, said, "Oh, we're doing this now? Okay."

Max then got the keychain and gave it to Sydney. Sydney looked at the picture of her and her mom on the keychain and fell into crying again.

"How did you know this was my favorite picture of Mom and me?" Sydney asked.

"Well, a father knows these things . . . and apparently tells some of them to you in dreams," Max said.

"Thanks, Dad," Sydney said. "And thanks for listening to me, Olive."

"Hey, what are best friends for?" Olive asked.

Olive got up and the threesome shared a group hug.

"Alright, let's eat," Max said.

"I'll be there in a moment," Sydney said and then Max and Olive left Sydney alone to look at her new keychain. While Sydney was yet looking at the keychain, in her mind, she heard a voice that sounded like young Max say, "See, that wasn't so hard, was it?"

Sydney looked up and in her mind, young Max was sitting on the couch, looking at Sydney. Sydney then said, "No, it wasn't. Thanks for convincing me to open up."

"Thanks for opening up," Max said. "Now, you can have a Merry Christmas again."

"And I'm glad Mom gave you a Merry Christmas," Sydney said.

"Me, too," Max said and then got up. "Well, I'll see you in your dreams."

"Will you be wearing your Super Swimmer swimming suit?" Sydney asked.

"You bet," Max said. "Now, go spend time with my mom, myself and your best friend."

Max left Sydney alone in the living room. Sydney put her new keychain in her pocket and joined Max, Olive and Judy in the kitchen for breakfast.