It had taken him the better part of an hour and talking to several people before he could rent the car. It wasn't his credit or anything. The rental agency didn't really want to have to drive all the way to Bayport to retrieve the vehicle. Fenton, at the moment, didn't care how much it would inconvenience them. He just wanted to get home.

Finally, he got the key to a late-model sedan and loaded up his one suitcase and his briefcase. The streets in the city had been cleared by noon today and he was reasonably sure the major highways would be cleared. He was determined to get home. On the way out of the city, he stopped for a late lunch and a newspaper.

As he ate, he read the headlines and felt a huge relief, learning that all ten of the people in the plane were rescued but some had injuries. Hopefully, by the time he got home, the telephone lines would be up and running again.

It was nearly two o'clock on Thursday afternoon as he left the city. It normally only took an hour and a half to get to Bayport, but Fenton suspected the storm would slow things down. He just knew he needed to get to Laura. Now that she knew about the plane crash, she'd be so worried.  Fenton got onto the highway and headed east. He only wanted to be with his family this Christmas – that would be the only present he needed. He glanced to his right, to the passenger seat as if he'd seen someone sitting there, but it was empty.

"Not enough sleep," muttered Fenton with a sigh. He really needed to get home. He spared a cautious look at the passenger seat, and seeing it empty, he gave a nod and kept driving – heading toward home.

                                                ***

"How's Ryan?" asked Frank. He looked over at Leigh, who'd come to visit Joe, her arm in a vivid green and red fiberglass cast.

"He had a concussion and two broken ribs. He's lucky one of the ribs didn't puncture a lung."

"And everyone else?" asked Joe.

Leigh sighed. "Erick sprained his ankle; Savannah's shoulder was dislocated and had to be adjusted. Kari broke her ankle. Marc had a concussion."

"We got off lucky," came Marc's voice from the door. "Hey, you two okay?"

Joe nodded. "We can't get in touch with our family, though.  Phones are down."

Marc looked at Leigh for a long moment and then looked at Frank. "Leigh told me how you two helped her out at the Christmas party a while back. And how you said you were friends."

Frank was puzzled. "Yeah?"

"I could let Quinn know. She could tell Poppa."

Joe's eyes widened. "You could?"

Frank stared at her as if he'd never seen her before.  "You would do that?"

"Of course. That's what friends are for." Leigh gave him a teary smile.

"Please, will you?" asked Joe.

Leigh nodded and closed her eyes. For a long moment, no one dared to breathe too loud, until she opened her eyes. "Quinn will tell Poppa."

"Thank you," said Frank hoarsely.

"Okay, guys, ready to roll? Penny's staying until Ry can leave, so we're heading out. Have to get you three home."

Frank remembered a conversation with Ryan. "What about your Christmas?"

Marc shrugged. "If I ask nice, Dad will send a plane." He grinned. "Too bad we don't have instantaneous travel, though. Be real useful right now." He sketched a wave and left the room.

Leigh touched the cast on her arm lightly. "I'm quite ready to go home."

Joe shifted on the bed and grinned. "Me too. Ready for the presents, the ripping of the paper, the tearing of the boxes. Oh yeah." He looked over at Frank.

"What?"

"My present."

"What? It's not like I have it with me."

"You threatened to hide it from me."

Frank shrugged. "And I did."

Joe slid off the bed. "You're going to tell me where you hid it." He nodded to the crutches. "It's not like you can run away."

Frank laughed. "I hid it in plain sight."

Joe's eyes widened. "You mean under the tree?"

Frank just laughed harder. Then he saw the look on his brother's face. "Truce. Until I can move faster than a turtle."

Joe grunted. "I owe you for—" He frowned. "Three insults, or put-downs, whatever you want to call them.  Breakfast, hiding my present, hiding it in plain sight."

"I owe you for threatening to crash my computer."

"I'm not done yet. I'll figure it out."

Leigh smiled as she watched them. "You two are wonderful brothers."

"It's a matter of opinion," said Joe. He held up his hands, the forefingers made to form a cross. "Oh no you don't. Back, I say."

Frank shot his brother a glare and then started laughing. "As Joe said, that's a matter of opinion." He felt relieved to be heading home – at last.

                                                ***

Laura forced herself to finish wrapping presents, although her heart was no longer in it. When the doorbell rang, she got to her feet and hurried to the door, not even sure why she was hurrying. She opened the door and frowned. "Yes?"

"Laura, isn't it?" Reiden Wolfe looked rather uncomfortable on her doorstep.

"Yes, come in."

"No, I just have a message. I don't know if you remember about a month ago, Willow talking about her sixth sense."

"Yes."

"Well, my daughters are kind of like that. I don't know if you know, but my daughter Leigh went with that group to Albany. She won the contest."

"Oh my," whispered Laura, feeling tears fill her eyes again. "I'm sorry."

"No, no." Reiden shook his head. "She's okay. Leigh asked Quinn to tell me that your boys are fine."

Laura stared at him. "Fine?"

"Yes. I know this may sound really strange, but Leigh and Quinn are twins. Quinn just told me that your sons are okay. I think they'll try to get home by tonight."

Laura searched his face and then impulsively reached out and took one of his hands in both of hers. "Oh, thank you." The tears spilled down her cheeks. "Oh, thank you."

Reiden smiled. "You're welcome. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," said Laura automatically. She watched as he got into his old Honda and drove away. She didn't want reality to intrude. All she knew was that he'd said her sons were okay. She moved to close the door but saw an unfamiliar car pull into the driveway.

When she saw Fenton get out of the driver's side, she raced outside. "Fenton."

"Laura, everyone's okay. I read the newspaper earlier today and everyone's okay. I would have driven up to Albany but I figured they'd be back down here before I got there."

Laura nodded and held to him tight. "I'm just glad you made it back." She pulled back slightly and looked up at him.  "Did you leave your computer on?"

"No."

Laura frowned. "Fenton, don't joke. I read the e-mail you sent me."

"The Internet was down too. I know I tried from a hotel computer, but it wouldn't let me send it."

Laura shook her head and led him into the house and into his study. She stopped suddenly. The monitor screen was black.  "But—"

Fenton studied her for a long moment. "Are you okay?"

Laura turned to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "I am now."

                                                ***

The band and their guests didn't get onto I-87 until Friday morning. It was no surprise that Leigh, Kari and Savannah retired to the girls' section as soon as everyone was on board the bus. Erick went to lie down and so did Ian. After a few moments, Adrian went off to his compartment. 

Marc helped the brothers fix their futon-style beds in the sitting area. "I think I'll go lie down too. I'm kind of tired."

Joe yawned. "I could go to sleep right now. Man, I don't remember hospitals being so busy. Just when I'd drift off a nurse would come in to check something."

Frank found himself yawning too. "I'm tired too. Maybe we can just sleep all the way home.                        

Marc nodded. "Sounds good to me." He grinned at them and disappeared into his own compartment.

Joe looked over at Frank. "Hey, bro."

Frank opened one eye to look at him. "Yeah?"

"I hid your present in plain sight too."

Frank just sighed. "Go to sleep, little brother."

Joe just laughed softly.

                                                ***

It was late when the custom bus pulled into Bayport. Shadows stretched long as the sun slowly dropped to the horizon. Joe stirred and winced as his side ached. He blinked and looked out the nearest window. He did a double take as he recognized several buildings. "Hey, Frank!"

"Wha—? Where's the fire?"

"Frank, we're home."

Frank sat up and looked out of his own window. "I'll be home for Christmas," he said softly.

Joe got up and walked over to him. "What?"

"For a minute there I wasn't sure we'd make it home in time. And that song came to me. I'll be home for Christmas—"

"If only in my dreams," said Joe, in the silence. "Tell me we're not dreaming."

"I could pinch you," offered Frank.

"Ha, ha. Don't even think it."

With a screech of air brakes, Carl Dixon stopped on their street. "Curb side service, gentlemen."

Joe started for the door and groaned. "My stuff. Yours. We left it on the plane."

Frank stood up, glared at his crutches and then took them to walk to the door. "We'll get them back eventually."

Joe grunted. "Thanks, C.D."

"I'm just glad you two are okay."

"What about us?"

The brothers turned to see Marc walking toward them. "Hey, you were going to leave without saying goodbye?" He waved a hand at C.D. "I know you mean well."

C.D. grunted and shook his head. Marc nodded to Joe and Frank. Then he pointed to the back of the bus. "We kind of all want to say good bye."

Joe nodded. "Well, come on." He left the bus and stopped so abruptly, Frank nearly tripped over him. Frank nudged him hard with the tip of his crutch and Joe moved. "Sorry."

Frank came down the steps and froze himself. Their parents weren't the only ones waiting. Both Callie and Vanessa were standing there, looking quite upset. Spotting him, Callie hurried over to Frank while Vanessa darted toward Joe. Callie searched his face, took in the crutches and took a deep breath. "Frank..."

Frank smiled down at her. "Just banged the knee a bit. I'm fine."

She bit her lip. "I watched the news. We all did." She shuddered. "Oh, Frank..."

"I'm sorry you were scared."

She searched his face for a long moment, and then slapped his shoulder lightly. "Don't ever do that to me again. Come on, your Mom and Dad and aunt are just about to explode.

Vanessa went to hug Joe but when he winced in anticipation, she stopped. "You're hurt."

"Cracked ribs. Can't laugh too hard, breathe too deep." His expression turned sad. "And no bone-cracking hugs, I'm afraid."

Vanessa looked ready to burst into tears. "Don't you dare joke about this. I thought – I thought I'd lost you."

Joe pulled her close, shifting so she'd be snug against him on his uninjured side. "No. No, Van, you won't lose me. I've got a very hard-working guardian angel."

"Stop making jokes."

Joe turned her face to look at him. "I'm serious."

Vanessa looked deep into his eyes, as if she could see all the way to his soul. "Joe..." she whispered.

Joe smiled and kissed her. "I'm not going anywhere for a while. Let's go see Mom and Dad and Aunt Gertrude." He started forward but Vanessa hung back and glanced over his shoulder. Joe tugged on her and steered her toward the house. "I'll introduce you inside."

"I am not star-struck."

Joe grinned. "Right." He danced out of her way. "Remember I'm injured."

                                                ***

The living room was almost crowded with all the extra people, but Laura didn't mind. She'd been on such a roller coaster of emotions since she'd learned of the plane crash that hearing laughter and voices made her feel almost normal again. She searched the room and saw her sons standing next to the Christmas tree. They were pointing out all the ornaments, like they did every year. She watched Frank touch his First Christmas ornament and then Joe found his.

The laughter, Christmas music and noise faded away as she watched her sons search for their ornaments for each year. So tall, so broad-shouldered, she thought sadly. They were almost men; already Frank was able to vote. But she could still see the little boys scrambling to find their favorite ornaments or trying to peek through her peek-proof wrapping paper. She smiled. She'd known for years that Joe always peeked, so she'd started a long time ago only putting out a few presents. And then when all was quiet, right before it was time for the boys to get out of bed on Christmas morning, she'd put out the rest.

"Laura."

She turned to see Fenton at her side and she smiled. "I'm fine."

He followed her gaze. "Ah, they're at it again. Did you hang this year's ornaments?"

"Of course. I let Joe pick out Frank's this year. Frank picked out Joe's."

"I don't believe you," came Frank's voice. Suddenly the whole room went quiet.

Joe shrugged. "Why not?"

"I just don't believe you would do that." Frank pointed at a small ornament. "Why?"

"Well, couldn't find anything from the game Clue or a policeman. And that was my first choice for you."

Frank let out a loud sigh. "But Harry Potter?! You bought me a Harry Potter ornament to go on the tree this year?"

"Do you see me complaining? You bought me a Mark McGwire ornament. I've told you a million times I like Sammy Sosa."

Fenton sighed. "Maybe you should pick them out next year."

Laura chuckled softly. "Maybe I should."

In the quiet, a song started and everyone in the room went still. A man began to sing softly, "I'll be home for Christmas..."

Laura smiled. It was the perfect ending to the perfect day.

                                      ***

Early morning sunlight glittered on the snow outside and the reflection seeped into the dimness of the living room. He stood there, clad in pajamas, staring around as if he'd never seen the room before. He walked over and flipped the switch and the Christmas lights came on. With a wicked grin, he got down on his hands and knees to get under the tree. He found a square box wrapped in plain craft paper, with his name on it. His grin widened as he recognized his brother's handwriting. He shook the box gently but it seemed solid.

"What are you doing?"

Joe Hard jumped and nearly knocked over the Christmas tree. He steadied it, scooted out from under it and turned to see Frank, standing there, frowning at him. "Oh, nothing."

Frank grunted. "Do you know it's not even seven in the morning? Why are you up so early?"

"Earth to Frank, it's Christmas morning. Why wouldn't I be up this early?" When he saw his brother roll his eyes, Joe grinned and added, "You asked."

"Where's mine?"

Joe started to tell his brother to go fish for it, only to remember Frank's knee. "I'll get it. I'll be nice this once." He got under the tree again and pulled out a rather large box from behind all the others.

Frank frowned. "That's not mine. It has your name on it."

Joe laughed. "See? Told you I hid it in plain sight."

Frank hobbled over and gave the tag a closer look. Joe had turned the tag upside down and wrote his name actually in the 'from' section but because the tag was upside down, his name was on top. "That is sneaky."

"Yes, I know. I'll wait for the applause."

Frank snorted. "Right." He sat down on the ottoman and carefully opened the side of his present.

Joe, on the other hand, tore into his. He tossed the colorful paper to one side and stopped. "Frank..."

"I'm busy here."

"Frank, what did you do?"

Frank finally gave up on trying to keep from ripping the paper. Joe had gone crazy with the Scotch tape. He ripped open the paper and saw it was a reused box. At least he hoped it was, he wouldn't put it past Joe to make his present a gag gift of a set of skillets. He looked over at Joe. "What?"

Joe slid the first CD out of the box holder. "These are signed." He raised his head to look at Frank. "You got them to sign it?"

"What do you mean 'it'? I got them to autograph all of them."

Joe saw it was all of Sorcerer's albums from when they started to their latest, plus a greatest hits album that had come out the previous year. "You are an awesome brother."

Frank just grinned and opened the box. When he peeked inside, he saw there was another smaller box. He slid it out and with an aggrieved sigh, opened the smaller box, thinking there would be another box. Instead several small boxes roughly the dimensions of a DVD case fell out. Frank set the boxes aside and bent down to pick up the small flat boxes and froze when he saw it was a computer game. He saw the label MSI and looked over at Joe. "Okay, what did you do?"

"I was talking to Casi after the concert. She was glad to get me several copies of the new games coming out before they hit the stores."

Frank flipped through the games and his grin widened. "Oh wow, the new Ancient Civilizations game. I've been waiting forever for that one." 

Joe laughed softly and gazed over at his brother. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Joe."

"Merry Christmas, boys," came their father's voice from the hallway.

Joe and Frank turned to see their parents and their aunt standing there. Frank narrowed his eyes. "How long have you three been standing there?"

Fenton smiled. "Wouldn't you like to know."

A chime sounded through the house, like a tiny bell ringing. Joe looked around and frowned. "What was that?"

Frank shrugged. "I don't know."

"Fenton, where on earth did you find that?" asked Laura, suddenly. "It wasn't on the tree last night."

The boys followed the angle of their mother's pointing finger. The usual tree topper – a star with seven mini lights that flashed – was gone. In its place was an angel. Joe felt the oddest sense of déjà vu when he saw the angel had long dark hair. From this angle, her eyes looked violet. With sudden clarity, he remembered the cold, the snow, the flash that hadn't been a flare. Oh God, it had been a miracle.

"I found it in the rental car, Laura, in the back seat. I tried calling the agency but they're closed now." He shrugged. "It looked like it was old, so maybe no one knew it was in that car."

"She has such a serene smile," said Laura with a happy sigh. "She can be our Christmas angel."

And Joe secretly named her Iola.

 

                                                The End

 

                             **Merry Christmas to everyone**

 

 

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boys Fan Fiction authors of the Hardy Detective Agency have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.