Hey all, here it is… I knew it would be the middle of summer when I finished it I just knew it! Thank you for reading and sorry it took me so long to finish, I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of your reviews, even if I forgot to respond to some of them. Here it is, my last chapter.

Maddie walked back into the lobby where she saw almost everyone waiting in costumes, and looking slightly nervous. She went and sat down on a sofa, batting one of London's obnoxious clumps of mistletoe out of her way. Maddie took a deep breath to cool her nerves, and surveyed the scene around her.

Patrick, Kurt and Arwin were in long colorful robes, and standing behind the opposite couch, twisting their gold, frankincense, and myrrh in their hands looking apprehensive.

Carey was warming up her voice while she adjusted Zack's sandals and Cody's head covering.

London was redoing her make up, and kept straightening her wings. She turned too Maddie and looked her over. "They did a good job on making you look fat." She said.

Maddie gave her a sarcastic look. "Gee, thanks London."

"Your welcome!" London said happily, turning back to her pocket mirror.

Maddie clutched her stomach, which was fluttering from nerves. She really wasn't one to get nervous in front of crowds, but the prospect of performing the solo kept floating unbidden to the top of her mind.

She wondered where Esteban was, but she found herself really not wanting to ask. It's not like she needed him every second. And she'd hate for anyone to think that she was constantly hanging on him.

Instead she walked over to Carey who had just straightened up after fussing over the twins.

"How do I look?' She asked adjusting her fake stomach. 'And you put the baby up there behind the manger right? And you have a microphone where I can reach it right? And-"

Carey cut her off with a smile. "You look great, the baby's in place, and the microphone is up there too.' She reached up and adjusted Maddie's head covering. Then she pulled back and whispered. 'Don't worry, you'll do fine."

Maddie shivered slightly as she felt a hand on the small of her back, and a form she knew too well lean in closer to her.

"Mr. Moseby says it's time to start." Esteban said to Carey.

Maddie turned to look at him. And was surprised at how natural he looked in his costume… almost as if the real Joseph just decided to show up.

"Oh, right!" Carey said. She quickly grabbed her song folder, and scurried into the conference room.

Esteban turned and looked down at Maddie. She saw his eyes widen a little then he smiled. "Wow, you look very pretty miss Maddie." He said, his dark eyes twinkling at her. "London certainly could have pulled Mary off as well as you are."

Maddie laughed. "Um, thanks, I think." She was feeling very conscious of the way his arm was around her, and it was making her uncomfortable. She scolded herself mentally. Honestly she was acting like a complete goof. Esteban always put his arm around her. He was just an affectionate guy. He did that to everyone, like… like…"

Maddie was still struggling with an example when Mr. Moseby stuck his head out of the conference door and motioned for them.

She took a deep breath as Esteban steered her towards the door where everyone was waiting for Mr. Moseby's cue.

Maddie adjusted her outfit as she and Esteban paused outside of the door waiting for Mr. Moseby to wave them in. Maddie heard Carey start singing "Oh little town of Bethlehem" and saw Mr. Moseby motion to her and Esteban. Maddie placed her hands on her pillowed stomach, as she felt Esteban's arm move from her back, to more around her waist. With one huge final flutter in her stomach, she stepped into the conference room with Esteban. Tons of heads turned from Carey to watch "Mary and Joseph" walk up to the stable. Maddie looked ahead and tried her best to act, as Moseby would put it, "Mary-like". It wasn't very hard to do actually, with Esteban walking with his arm around her, looking and acting like any good husband should. She shook her head slightly and focused as they got to the stage. She let Esteban help her up, and then stood quietly behind the manger.

Carey sang her last verse then stopped. She looked at Maddie, and smiled. Maddie gulped. She could see Mr. Moseby holding his hand up to stop London from walking out, and looking confused. Maddie took a deep breath, walked out in front of the manger and picked up a microphone that was half hidden in straw. She closed her eyes, and tried to calm down as the light around Carey dimmed, and then focused on her. She could feel Esteban's questioning and confused eyes on her back, but didn't turn around. The music started to play and she opened her eyes. She lifted to microphone to her lips, and started to sing.

I am waiting

In a silent prayer

I am frightened

By the load I bear

In a world as cold as stone

Must I walk this path alone

Be with me now

As Maddie sang the song she closed her eyes and focused on the words. Right then and there she felt all the weight of her family troubles roll off of her. It would all be okay. It would all work out eventually. She just knew it.

Be with me now…

Breath of Heaven

Hold me together

Be forever near me

Breath of Heaven…

Breath of Heaven

Lighten my darkness

Pour over me your holiness

For you are holy…

Breath of Heaven

Maddie smiled and thanked the couple who had been congratulating her as they walked away. She grinned happily, as she tugged on the corner of the sleeve of her red sweater, and twisted the warm mug of hot chocolate in her hands. Once the nativity was over she had been flooded with people praising her performance, and had just managed to slip away and change out of her costume a few seconds ago.

Oh the weather outside is frightful. But the fire is so delightful. And since there's no place to go…

The nativity had gone wonderfully. After she had sang her song, she had walked back next to Esteban, who was grinning at her so big it made her blush more than any of the applause or praises since.

Kurt, Patrick and Arwin had pulled of wise men as best as could be expected… even though Ariwn's foot caught his robe and he almost shattered this frankincense.

Even London had done tolerably well. Tough she did make several poses, showing off her Dona Cabana, when Zack and Cody pointed to her.

Maddie smiled, to herself. It had been so much fun. Everything, had been so much fun. And she had Esteban to thank for it. She looked around, trying to see over the heads of everyone who was standing around, chatting happily, laughing, drinking hot chocolate and talking about the nativity. But she couldn't spot her own personal Santa Clause to thank him. She sighed, and then smiled as her eye caught the huge, now decorated Christmas tree, and traveled over the obnoxious bunches of pink, sequined mistletoe that London had practically covered the entire ceiling with. The site of all of their hats and gloves spread out to dry. Mr. Moseby in a Santa hat. Kurt, Arwin, and Patrick all laughing and comparing their costumes and performances. Arwin's "Terrifically Terrifying Toboggans" stacked up against the wall. She grinned, and took another sip of hot chocolate. Just then she felt the couch dip slightly as Esteban's familiar form and scent greeted her. She smiled at him. "Hey you."

Esteban had changed back into his jeans and t-shirt, and a warm, long sleeved, unbuttoned flannel overshirt. Maddie had a sudden unexplainable urge to demand his shirt and snuggle in it. She let out a giggle as the thought entered her mind.

Esteban cocked his head at her, and gave her a slightly confused, yet amused look. It was adorable. "What exactly is so funny, missy?"

She shook the ridiculous thoughts out of her head, and tried to act serious. "Oh nothing.' She looked into his warm, dark, chocolate eyes. "Thank you so much Esteban. For everything. I had great day." She said earnestly, smiling at him.

Esteban grinned. That real, beautiful grin that made her feel like she'd swallowed a huge, warm, gulp of hot chocolate, and- Maddie shook her head again.

"I'm glad you had fun Maddie. And thank you for singing tonight. You were amazing…" he said. Maddie's heart fluttered as she realized he was leaning closer to her. Her stomach jumped and her head started to buzz, until she realized he was just shifting to pull something out of his pocket. She blushed immensely glad he wasn't looking at her. She tried to shake all of the feelings away. Stop it Maddie! You're acting like a total idiot! She scolded herself mentally, as he turned back to her with a thin box in his hand.

"Here Maddie… Merry Christmas." He said with another smile, and handed her the box. Maddie took it slowly. "Oh Esteban, really you didn't need to- I haven't gotten any shopping done yet-"

Esteban grinned, nudged her and put his arm around her shoulders. "Just open it." He teased, in a fake annoyed tone.

Maddie shivered slightly, but warm spread through her, not cold. She carefully untied the red bow, and lifted the cover of the box. A small, sliver, snowflake charm was attached to a delicate sliver chain which sparkled as it lay against the dark velvet in the box. "Oh Esteban!' she breathed, and whipped around to face him- which caused her to blush, because he was only a few inches away. 'It's…. it's beautiful…' she whispered, looking back down at it, and fingering the chain. 'I love it." She grinned up at him.

Esteban smiled, apparently pleased with her response. "I saw it displayed in the jeweler's window, and it just made me think of you."

If she had been blushing before… Maddie tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, and tried not to grin to big while, He's thinking about me, he's thinking about me!!, pulsed through her mind.

"I love it… it's perfect.' She whispered again, looking at him. 'All of it's been perfect. This whole day." She added, her brain feeling fuzzy again as her eyes locked onto his mouth. He definitely hadn't been this close a second ago. She felt him shift slightly, and his grip around her shoulders tighten. She felt herself leaning closer, feeling the warm emanating from him, starting to warm her too. She looked up at his eyes, which were focused on her mouth now. She closed her eyes and-

"Whoa, Maddie did you notice how late it is?" Carey's voice cut across her fuzzy mind. Maddie's eyes flew open, and she could feel Esteban back away as she turned to look at Carey, a feeling of disappointment already forming in the pit of her stomach.

Carey was walking over to them, apparently totally oblivious that she was interrupting. "And it's starting to snow pretty heavy out there, so you better get moving. I can give you a ride if you want, since you walked…"

Maddie held back a sigh as she stood slowly. "Thanks Carey, but I think I'll just walk. It's not far, and I love the snow… you stay here and enjoy yourself."

"But it's really late…" Carey said, with a frown, a look of worry spreading across her face.

Maddie was about to reassure her, when she felt Esteban next to her, his hand on her back again. "I can walk her home."

Maddie quickly turned and looked up at him. He was looking down at her. "That is, if she doesn't mind."

"I don't mind." She said, her voice coming out a whole lot quieter than she would have liked. Esteban smiled.

Carey nodded. "Okay, sounds good! Just be careful, it's slippery out there."

Esteban chuckled. "Don't worry I'll catch her." He teased. Carey laughed.

Maddie blushed, and poked him. "Hey! You are the clumsy one, remember?" She said, with a fake would-be-miffed expression as they went to grab their stuff. Esteban just laughed as he pulled on his coat and helped her with her vest. He handed her, her gloves. "Yes, but not as clumsy as you Maddie." Maddie whacked him with her hat, before putting it on her head. "Yeah right, you and your delusions…." She retorted. He grinned, and pulled open the door for her. Maddie smiled, and was about to walk out, when she heard a loud squeal. She jumped, and turned quickly to find what the commotion was.

London was running towards them, pointing an accusing finger, with a look of a child who had just caught her first frog.

"Wha-?" Maddie was about to ask, when London stopped, beaming. She was pointing just above Maddie and Esteban's heads. They both looked up. Maddie felt herself blush. She didn't need London's loud exclamation of "MISTLETOE!" to realize what she was pointing at. And she certainly didn't need everyone in the lobby to turn and look at what London was shouting about. She glanced, totally embarrassed, at Esteban. He was looking at her with an odd look on his face.

"You have to." London said matter-of-factly.

"Oh, come on…"Arwin said.

"It's tradition!" Carey exclaimed.

Maddie felt her face flush beat red. She shook her head slightly.

"Come on!" London demanded.

Maddie glared at her. "No London-" But she was cut off as she felt gloved hands cup her face, and Esteban's lips meet hers. Maddie was completely shocked for about a split second then she kissed him back. She felt his arms circle around her, and he deepened the kiss. Maddie felt like she was going to explode from happiness, and was vaguely aware of gasps, chuckles, and what she was pretty such was Kurt wolf-whistling as she twisted her arms around Esteban's neck and kissed him back, deeply. She felt him finally pull away and look at her questionably. She grinned at him, leaned forward and kissed him again lightly. He was beaming. Then after a few seconds, he looked up at everyone else surrounding the steps, as though just remembering they were there. Maddie blushed a bit, as she turned too.

"Well…' Esteban said, looking at everyone who where either shocked, like Zack, Mr, Moseby and London, or grinning goofily like Carey, Cody and Kurt. Maddie bit back a laugh, and looked back at Esteban.

"Well…' he said again, turning and looking at her. She grinned. Esteban grabbed her hand, and turned back to everyone else. "Well…' he cleared his throat. 'Merry Christmas and to all, and to all a good night!" He announced grandly, bowed, and pulled her out of the hotel after him. She laughed as she left the cheering, and wolf whistling behind her and entered into the snow filled, beautiful night. This was promising to be the best Christmas she had ever had.

…Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Thanks so much for reading, and for all of your reviews. I appreciate any and all of you who stuck with this, even though it is now August. Thanks again, and Merry Christmas, almost five months early:)

-Captain lyd