Epilogue

* Three years later *

Lindsay opened the door and entered the silent house quietly. No one seemed to be about yet. She hauled her school bag upstairs and dropped it in front of her bedroom door. But she didn't stop there. She continued on as noiselessly as possible and opened the light yellow door a little further on.

Blue met blue as two pair of eyes stared at each other. Lindsay moved her whole body in after her head and gently shut the door. She smiled brightly and was greeted by an adorable smile in return.

"Hey, Vera," whispered Lindsay.

There were flailing hand gestures and sweet but incoherent cooing in reply.

Lindsay moved closer and looked down.

"It's the last day of school today. It's now officially Christmas season," said Lindsay.

Vera simply smiled her dimpled smiles and laughed at her.

"You're so cute," grinned Lindsay.

She put her hand into the crib for Vera to grip. Vera squealed and made cooing noises, continuing to smile contentedly as she reached for her sister's finger.

"It'll be a wonderful Christmas, your very first one. Aren't you glad?" asked Lindsay.

Vera simply laughed and played delightedly in her crib. Lindsay continued to talk and play with her new little sister.

Lindsay tells her all about the last day of school and about the decorations that have already been put up. She tells her about the other Christmas decorations to be put up and about the other preparations for the Yuletide season. They will be shopping, baking cookies and getting a tree. It will be busy but a lot of fun.

"And you're going to get lots of presents," concluded Lindsay.

Vera gurgles and smiles at her sister.

"Oh well, mom says you'll grow up soon and then we can open them together," said Lindsay.

"You're really lucky," continued Lindsay.

"You'll get lots of presents all the time. You already do," smiled Lindsay.

"It wasn't always like this for us, you know. Me and mommy, I mean. Not you," said Lindsay.

"I used to have another daddy, he wasn't my real daddy though," Lindsay gave a small sigh.

"He wasn't so nice to mommy," said Lindsay.

"They really used to fight a lot and I didn't get really nice presents or a nice house like this. I think mommy thought that I didn't know, but I could feel them fighting outside the room," recalled Lindsay.

"It was scary," she admitted.

"But you don't have to worry at all. Coz our daddy is really great now and mommy doesn't get hurt anymore. And now there are Grams, Uncle Warrick, Uncle Nick, Uncle Brass, Aunt Sara and Uncle Greg. They work with daddy. Mommy says that she will work with them too. After she finishes studying," said Lindsay.

"You're a pretty good listener, you know," said Lindsay to her smiling sister.

"I can't wait for you to grow up," smiled Lindsay.

The door to the room opened.

"Hey, mom. Hey, dad," greeted Lindsay.

Her parents greeted her with smiles and soon the whole family went down to have something to eat. Life still had its ups and downs. Some memories would take a little longer to erase. But it was okay. Their family was doing just fine.

CSI * CSI * CSI * CSI

Note : A great big thank you to everyone that has been following this story. Thank you very much for all the kind reviews. I really do appreciate them. This is now done. I'm sorry it's a bit too late for Christmas. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! And an amazing New Year!