Brighton and Allada shared the same hospital bed and Johnson sat in a nearby chair gazing at his children he hadn't seen in months. They munched on the hospital sandwiches and lime jello. Brighton's expression was filled with joy, but Allada watched her father, not knowing if he was staying or would disappear again as he had throughout her life.

Santa Hal returned quietly, "Excuse me but another gift has just arrived. I'm sorry it was delayed." He stepped aside and Marlein stepped forward.

"Mommy?" Allada gasped in a tiny voice. All the fear, uncertainty and loneliness she had carried in her 10 year old heart broke apart and tears ran down her cheeks.

"Yes Allada." Marlein's eyes filled with tears as she stepped forward and hugged both children and kissing their faces. She turned to Johnson, "I'm so very sorry..."

Johnson stood balancing on one foot and pulled his wife into a long hug. He too was sobbing, "It's OK Marlein, we are together again."

In the hall, Ranger pulled me close. "Merry Christmas, Babe." Tears ran down my cheeks, I'm a sucker for happy endings. I rang the jingle bell on Hal's Santa hat. Bobby broke into a big smile, "You were the angel this time, Stephanie. I'll have to examine your back for sprouting wings." Ranger made a disapproving sound.

As Ranger pulled the Cayenne into the underground parking at Rangeman I turned to him and asked, "Where did Tank to to college?"

Ranger blinked twice quickly at the seemingly from nowhere question. He thought a minute and asked, "Just between you and me?"

"Yes. "

"He was a merit scholar, graduated from Princeton Summa Cum Laud and then got his MBA from Harvard. I'm the boss, he's the brains. "

"So who is the pretty face?"

"That would be you, Babe."