December 20^th,

Joe Hardy stood beside his Fiancée Vanessa Bender as she ran her fingers through his blonde, wavy hair.

“You look beautiful,” he told her, admiring her tall figure in a white sweater and blue jeans. She had her ash-blonde hair pulled back in a pony tail and she smiled at him.

“Joe, I’m wearing a sweater. You see me wearing them all the time!” She giggled from the compliment causing him to laugh as they waited their turn in line at their local bank.

They were both in line to withdraw some money from special savings accounts they had specifically opened for Christmas. That way, they’d have enough money to purchase the gifts they wanted to for everyone on their list.

“Well, you’re beautiful in whatever you wear,” he said and kissed her cheek as he wrapped his arm around her. “Plus, you’re absolutely gorgeous anyways. I just wanted you to know.”

She smiled as her cheeks turned red.

He grinned, “I love it when I embarrass you,” he laughed.

She playfully elbowed him, “Yeah, I know you do.”

He leaned close to her ear, “I love you,” he whispered and she turned to him.

She was about to respond when a terrifying noise broke through the silence. Vanessa let out a small yell as they both turned and saw several masked men enter the building.

Several guns shots rang out, and Joe instantly pushed Vanessa in back of him, trying to protect her.

“No one move!” One of the men yelled as two more approached the teller line, aiming their guns at the Tellers. “Everyone on the floor!”

One man handed a Teller a bag, “Fill it!” He demanded.

The teller did as she was told; nervously shoving her money into the bag while another teller pressed the emergency button under her station.

She went to hand the man the bag, and he pointed the gun at the other teller. “Give it to her! Fill it up!”

Joe would have tried to help in some way, except he was outnumbered, and unarmed. He turned back to Vanessa who wasn’t paying attention to the men, but a red spot forming on her white sweater.

“Oh my god,” he said and quickly took off his jacket placing it beside him on the floor. He started to take off his long sleeve shirt, when someone kicked him from behind.

“What the hell do you think your doing?! Don’t move!” One of the masked gunmen screamed.

“Let me cover her wound! She could die!” Joe turned and yelled back at the man who wasn’t happy with Joe’s outburst and aimed his gun at him.

“See if I care!”

“Knock it off!” One of the men yelled in their direction, and Joe continued to take his shirt off revealing a t-shirt underneath. He covered Vanessa’s wound with his shirt.

“Hun, stay with me,” he said as he felt her tremble in pain, as she lay in front of him.

He looked around and saw another man on the floor who was also bleeding, but not as bad. Joe could tell it was only his arm that was grazed.

Everyone heard sirens in the distance, and the robbers grew even more furious.

“Let’s go!” One of them yelled. When the robber that was near him turned his back, Joe jumped up and tackled the man to the ground sending his gun flying to the floor beside them.

Joe swung and punched the man’s jaw and left him dazed as he went to reach for the gun. Joe grabbed it, and looked up to see the other robbers leaving the man behind.

Joe glanced at Vanessa who seemed to be doing okay, and ran for the exit after the others. He spotted them getting inside a car, and he aimed for the tires in hopes of stopping them. As they started to drive away, he fired several shots off in the direction of the car, and succeeded in hitting his target several times. One of the tires in the back blew out, and he went for the other as they slowed down, he hit the other back tire and he smiled to himself as cops pulled up in front of the car, stopping their escape.

 He ran back inside the bank, and the first thing he noticed was the robber inside was missing. He swore to himself as he entered and made his way over to Vanessa, who was being helped by other customers.

“An ambulance is on the way,” one of the Teller’s yelled from behind the line, then suddenly she screamed, “Look out!”

Joe turned and saw the other robber come from around the corner, and took aim at him. Before he could get his gun up, the robber fired and Joe’s right shoulder burned with pain.

Joe lifted his gun to aim, and other shots went off before he could fire. He saw the robber go down to the floor, and lay there unmoving.

He dropped his gun, and went over to Vanessa. He kneeled down, and looked at the people helping her, “Thanks.”

Everyone tried insisting that Joe relax until paramedics arrived but he wouldn’t leave her side.

“Van, are you all right?” He asked her, and she looked as if she was about to pass out.

“Yeah, you?” she asked quietly.

“I’ll be okay Hun, just relax,” he told her and leaned down kissing her on the forehead. He saw the shirt he’d been wearing was almost covered in blood. He reached over and turned it, pressing down on her wound. He knew it wasn’t in a life threatening spot, but the loss of blood could make matters worse.

Please let her be okay, he prayed to himself, knowing her wound wasn’t good as the bleeding continued to soak through the shirt.  

Later that evening Joe lay in a hospital bed when his older brother came into his room.

Frank threw his jacket on a chair in the room and looked at his younger brother.

“How you feeling hero?” He said and stood beside his brother who rolled his eyes.

“Just great. Waiting for the painkillers to kick in,” Joe told him sarcastically.

Frank smiled, “At least you still have a sense of humor,” he said He could tell Joe was hiding something. Frank scratched the back of his head, running his fingers through his brown hair. “So what happened?” He asked taking a seat next to him.

“Vanessa and I were at the bank when a few men came barging in firing guns. She, and one other person was hit. When they went to leave, I tackled one guy to the ground and ran after the others with his gun. I shot out the tires to stop them. When I went back inside to check on her, the man I fought with was gone. I let my guard down and he shot me,” Joe said annoyed. “I always seem to screw up,” he told Frank.

“No you don’t Joe,” Frank said knowing how guilt affected his brother. “I checked with the doctors and they said Vanessa would be okay,” he informed Joe.

Joe sighed in relief, “Thank god,” he said.

He seems to be taking this better than I thought, Frank thought to himself. “Dad is on his way. It was hard getting in touch with him. Callie would have come but she had a doctor appointment,” Frank told him.

“You know what Frank?” Joe looked at his brother and there was sadness in his eyes. “You’ve been so lucky your entire life. Look at everything you have! A wonderful wife, and in a couple weeks you’ll be a father! Why can’t I be so lucky?” Joe asked him and Frank frowned.

“Joe, don’t say that,” Frank knew it would come up again. He knew his brother would feel guilty.

“Frank, my first girlfriend died because I was a complete moron. Now look at Vanessa. She was shot because I couldn’t save her,” Joe told him.

“Joe, if she was in line alone, and you weren’t with her, it may have been different. She may have been killed or nothing may have happened. You happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Don’t start feeling guilty again! I don’t want you to ruin another Christmas for yourself,” Frank told him and instantly regretted what he said.

“Another Christmas? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know exactly what I am talking about. I know when Christmas came around the year Iola was killed, you were depressed. You have a loving Fiancée who loves you for you,” Frank was determined to make his brother happy and wondered if everything he was saying was going in one ear and out the other.

“Frank, if Callie were killed and you tried to move on to have your second girlfriend, well, Fiancée almost killed, how would you feel?” Joe asked him flatly.

Frank was speechless. He had never thought of it like that, “I don’t know Joe,” he said after a long pause.

“See, exactly! No one knows what it’s like to lose someone, and then almost lose someone again. Sometimes I think I shouldn’t bother with relationships. It’s just to damn painful!”

“What are you saying?” Frank asked him.

“Maybe I should let Vanessa go so she can have a real relationship with someone who can be there every day for her. I, well, we are always trying to solve cases, and it takes us all over the country. There’ve been times when she’s been involved because she wants to be around me, and she’s risked her life for me. She shouldn’t have to!”

“She loves you Joe! That’s why she goes with you! That’s why she likes to help! She knows of the dangers we face and has obviously accepted it if she said yes to marrying you!” Frank knew trying to talk sense into Joe was almost impossible- like trying to nail jello to a tree.

“Yeah, but it hurts not only me, but her too! I know when I go away to work on a case, she’s scared I won’t come back. The more I think about it, the more sense it makes to let her go.” Joe said and looked away from his brother as tears escaped his eyes.

“Joe, you see... you aren’t ready to make that decision. I can tell, you love her to much,” Frank told him and stood up. “Maybe you should rest a bit,” He suggested.

“How do you know I’m not ready to make that decision?” Joe asked him.

“Joe, I know you well enough to know you’re not ready. Trust me, I know. I’ve watched out for you since we were kids. I know you better than anyone out there,” Frank said giving his brother a smile.

“That’s creepy,” Joe said half jokingly.

“Yeah, well someone needs to watch out for you. I’m going to get a drink and then come back. Want something?” He asked and Joe shook his head.

“Thanks anyways,” Joe said and Frank walked to the door and glanced back at his brother.

“When I get back, you better have changed that mind of yours baby brother,” Frank said and left the room as Joe started to yawn.

Joe closed his eyes. He couldn't believe what had happened in those few moments that nearly ended his Fiancée’s life. He thought about how lucky his older brother was, to have a loving wife and a child on the way. Joe wondered if he'd ever be lucky enough to have that.

He often wondered if he'd be better off alone ever since his first girlfriend was killed in an explosion that was meant for him and his brother. The explosion left him scarred for life. Ever since, he'd blamed himself and his actions for her death, but now was different. This time he was there, and could have protected her better.

Maybe things would be better if I did let her go. At least she'd be safe, he thought to himself again.

"I wouldn't say that just yet Joe Hardy. You shouldn't be so hard on yourself," someone said softly and Joe opened his eyes. He recognized that voice and at the foot of the bed was Iola Morton, his girlfriend who died in the explosion.

"Iola?" He asked in disbelief as he sat up.

She smiled and nodded.

She walked to his bedside, Joe noticed she was wearing the same clothes as she had been that fateful day. Joe, you and I have to talk," she said and took his hand in hers, as the room around them started to spin.

Joe's world had come to a stop in the middle of the Bayport mall, where the last time the two had been together before she was killed. He looked around, and saw Iola standing beside him.

"Isn't it amazing how one moment can change someone's life forever?" She told him, smiling. Deep down, as tough as it was to see him again, it made her happy to have the chance to see him one last time.

He didn't know what to say, "Iola, what is going on?" He asked looking around as he saw a familiar scene unfold in front of him. He saw himself, talking with another girl with blonde hair, "Val," he said to himself. He shook his head in disappointment, and then reality hit him. "Wait a second, if I am there, how am I..."

Iola laughed, "Joe, I'm here to make you understand something. You'll know soon enough," she said and took his hand again.

"Make me understand what?" He asked her; still surprised he was standing right beside her.

"Watch Joe," she said and he saw someone walk up to him and Val, knowing it was Iola as she wrapped an arm around his waist.

"I can't watch this," Joe said knowing what was going to happen. He looked at the girl standing next to him, wanting to just take her away and go somewhere else.

Iola reached over and put her other hand to his cheek, "Joe, I know you blame yourself for what happened. It wasn't your fault Joe; It was mine," she told him as they both watched Iola storm off with the keys to go get more leaflets. “I shouldn’t of overreacted,” she said, “But if it wasn’t me, Joe, it could have been you or Frank. 

"I'm an idiot!" Joe told her as he saw his big brother show up and talk some sense into him.

The Iola that stood beside him shook her head and glanced up, I know it won't be easy, but I must make him understand! She prayed.

They saw Frank and Joe walk outside to look for Iola. "Come on," she said and lead him outside.

"Why are you showing me this? I've had nightmares about this ever since it happened!" Joe told her.

"I know you have Joe, but watch your brother," she said as the explosion ripped through the air. Joe sunk to his knees as Iola stood beside him knowing how tough it was for him to watch. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, thankful she got this chance to stand beside him and make him understand.

Joe watched as he fought his brother, “Do you want to get yourself killed?” Frank had yelled at him, standing up and Joe stayed on the ground briefly. “She wouldn’t have lasted a second. Face it Joe,” Frank had said and Joe tried to go after her again. Frank tackled Joe to the ground, and he watched as he struck Frank in the face, causing him to bleed from the mouth.

He saw as, moments later Frank had managed to knock Joe out, and drag him away from the flames.

Iola kneeled down beside Joe, “You see Joe; you would have gone in there and died trying to save me. Your brother saved you. You two weren’t meant to die. You both have a long life ahead of you. You need to move on,” she whispered softly.

“I’m trying, but every time I get close to someone, something always seems to happen. Vanessa was almost killed today because I couldn’t get her out of the way in time,” he told her.

“Joe, you can’t always be responsible for those around you! I’ve watched you for a long time, you and your brother have done so much for those around you and when you fail, it hurts. When Vanessa was hurt, I know it was hard on you Joe, but she’s gonna be fine. You were brave. No one else ran after the robbers. You managed to get them all arrested.” she informed him. He hadn’t really thought about the outcome of the robbery. 

She smiled knowing she made him happy that they were going to face justice.

“That still doesn’t bring you back,” he told her as she kneeled down in front of him.

“I’m here right now Joe. I have a short time with you. I want to show you something else,” she told him as she leaned forward, and gently rubbed her lips against his and kissed him, as everything around them spun again. 

Iola pulled away from Joe, and looked at their new surroundings. “We’ve only got a couple minutes here Joe. I wanted to show you something,” she said and stood back up holding her hand out to him. “Come with me.”

He stood and took her hand again as they both walked into the next room. Joe recognized his family’s home instantly and smiled. They stood inside the living room, and above the fireplace on the mantle were several family photos. Most were of him and Frank, recent and when they were younger.

“You see Joe. You have many people around you who love and cherish you,” she said as Frank, Fenton and Laura walked into the living room. Fenton and Laura sat on their loveseat, and Frank sat on the couch. In the corner of the room was their Christmas tree with several gifts underneath.

Joe knew it was the Christmas he had celebrated without Iola. He frowned slightly, but his frown changed when Iola slipped her arm through his.

“Joe, I’ve always been around,” she said leaning her head on his arm. “Shhh,” she said and pointed to his brother.

“Should I get Joe?” Frank asked his parents. Fenton had wrapped his arm around his wife.

“Sure. Hopefully he’s in a better mood than he was last night,” Fenton said and Laura nodded.

“I hope he realizes Iola would want to see him happy, and not like this. He still dreams about her,” she said sadly.

Frank stood up, “I know he does. He won’t admit it, but I hear him all the time. All I know is, I want my younger brother back,” Frank said and Fenton stood up and embraced his oldest son. “He hasn’t been the same. He’s still distant. It still bothers him til this day.”

“It’s just a matter of time,” Fenton told him as he rubbed his sons back.

“That would be the greatest Christmas gift of all,” Frank said when his Father released him.

“Someone will come and sweep your brother off his feet and he’ll be his old self again,” Fenton tried to reassure his son.

“I know. I just hope it’s soon,” Frank told him and gave a weak smile.

“Go get him. It’s Christmas. Tell him to come down here and have some hot chocolate. I’m sure that’ll cheer him up a little,” Fenton said knowing how much Joe loved hot chocolate every Christmas morning, ever since he was little.

Frank smiled and ran up the stairs to get his younger brother.

“I never knew they talked about me that morning,” Joe said sitting on the couch Frank had been sitting on.

“Well they did, and I can tell you your mother was right. I wouldn’t want you to be unhappy. Now let me show you something more recent,” Iola said taking his hand once again as she sat beside him and the room around them spun once more.

Joe closed his eyes this time, waiting for it to stop.

He heard Iola laugh, “I know it’s a bit overwhelming,” she said. “You can open them,” she said and stood up.

When he opened his eyes they had were sitting on a bench at the mall. This time it was different than before. There were Christmas lights and decorations all around. He recognized it from earlier that day when he and Vanessa were shopping. Then they had gone to the bank to get more money.

He stood and looked around, “Why are we here?” Joe asked Iola who was looking at the fountain ahead.

“Look,” she said and as he turned, looking in the direction she was gazing he saw Vanessa sitting there with some shopping bags in front of her. She glanced over and smiled as someone approached.

Joe smiled, “I brought her an ice cream,” he said as he saw himself walk over to her with a soft serve chocolate ice cream cone.

“Let’s get a little closer,” Iola said and grabbed his hand pulling him closer.

“Thanks Joe,” Vanessa had said to him when he returned.

“You’re welcome,” he said handing her the ice cream and kissed her cheek.

“You two are so happy,” Iola said and smiled at the two. “You two are perfect for each other,” she said softly and laughed.

Joe grinned when Vanessa had taken her ice cream and got some on his lips. She leaned forward and kissed him passionately.

“You two are so cute,” Iola said and looked at Joe who was still watching. “Joe, there is no reason for you to make yourself miserable and leave her. I can tell that you are genuinely happy when she’s around.”

“I know I am. But is she happy?” He asked Iola who was surprised by the question.

“Let’s find out,” Iola said and the room around them spun once again.

When the spinning came to a stop again, Joe turned and looked around. He was in an unfamiliar place. It was a house he’d never been inside before. He looked at Iola, “Where are we?” He asked her.

“Five years from the present,” she informed him as she walked into another room. Joe followed her and saw a Christmas tree with gifts under it. This time, on the wall were several photos, but this time there were pictures he didn’t recognize. He saw photos of his brother Frank, with Callie and two children; a boy and a baby girl. Joe smiled realizing he was an Uncle. In another photo were his parents, and beside that picture was himself, with Vanessa and two young boys. He turned to Iola, “We had twins?” he asked her and she smiled.

“Yes Joe, you did,” she said as two boys ran into the room, yelling in excitement. Joe looked and saw they had blonde hair and blue eyes that sparkled.

“Wow, I’m a father,” he said in amazement.

“Not yet Joe, but you will be. If you choose to stay with her,” Iola said as she stepped aside, when Vanessa came up behind her.

“Boys, wait for your father!” She smiled as she took a photo of them each grabbing a present.

Joe stood up and walked over beside Vanessa and looked at her. Her ash-blonde hair was cut shorter, above her shoulders. She was wearing a red sweater and jeans. Joe noticed her stomach was a little bigger, “Three kids?” Joe asked Iola who giggled and nodded.

Joe sat on the sofa as he saw his future self walked inside the room. “Well, I haven’t changed much, except for more facial hair,” he said and both him and Iola laughed.

“I think it’s cute, and so does Vanessa,” Iola told him.

“Can we stay a minute, so I can watch them?” he asked her.

Iola knew her time was coming to an end, but nodded. “Sure, but we can’t stay to long Joe. I’ve got to leave soon,” she said and he frowned. ”I want you to know that you and Vanessa will live a happy life.” She said looking at the scene in front of them as the two boys opened up their gifts and Vanessa had turned on some Christmas music. Joe recognized it was one of Vanessa’s favorites, ‘Away in a Manger,’ “Yes, you’ll have cases you’ll work on, but that doesn’t mean she’ll stop loving you Joe. She knows what you do is dangerous and has expected it. Now it’s your turn to understand that life can be full of wonderful dreams you two can share,” she said softly and the room started to spin again.

Moments later they were back in the hospital room and he knew it was almost time to say goodbye.

Joe was about to say something when she put a finger to his lips, “Shh, do you want to know what would have happened if you hadn’t been at the bank with her Joe?” Iola asked him.

“Yes.”

“She would have died Joe. You two were in a different spot in line than if she were to have gone in alone. She would have been shot, and bled to death,” Iola said sadly.

“You aren’t just saying that, are you? She really would have?” Joe asked her, and thought of the possibility of her dying would have broken his heart. His emotions started taking over when a couple tears spilled down his cheeks.

“She would have died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital,” she said sadly, “I have to go now Joe,” she told him as she stepped in front of him, taking his hand, whipping away his tears.

Everything she had shown him made him understand what he needed to do, and should have never done a long time ago, “I wish you could stay,” he told her as he reached up, and grabbed her hands in his.

She smiled, “I wish I could too, Joe, but I don’t belong here. Just remember you belong with her,” she said and leaned closer to him. “Goodbye Joe,” she said and gave him a final kiss goodbye.

Frank Hardy sat in Joe’s hospital room, waiting for him to awaken.  He had called Callie and told her he wanted to stay with him to make sure he’d be all right.

There was a knock on the door, and Frank saw his Father standing in the doorway. He them came inside and Frank stood up to give his Father a hug.

 “Hi Dad. Joe’s gonna be fine. He fell asleep earlier when I went to get something to drink,” he told him.

Fenton walked over to Joe’s bedside and noticed the wound wasn’t bad. “Well, the nurse told me Vanessa is in her room, and is awake. Should we wake him?”

“Yeah, I think he needs to see her. He feels guilty he wasn’t able to save her,” Frank informed his father.

Fenton sighed, “I knew he would.  I’m sure everything will be okay though. All the robbers were arrested thanks to him. She’ll be proud of him,” Fenton told him.

Frank smiled, “Yeah, I figured they would be from what I heard on the radio on my way here. He’s lucky,” Frank said and Fenton nodded in agreement.

“I’m very proud of him. Although it was very dangerous, I’m still proud. Both of you are turning out to be brave young men. Hopefully the both of you take it easy when you have kids,” Fenton warned Frank, who’s wife was having a child in about seven months.

“Dad, there’s no need to warn me about that. Trust me, I’ve heard it from Callie,” he told his father. “Plus, Joe’s only twenty two. As far as I know, he said he didn’t want kids until he was older anyways.”

“What about kids?”

Frank and Fenton both looked down and saw Joe looking at the two of them.

“Oh, Dad was giving me the ‘be careful’ talk for when we have kids of our own,” Frank said jokingly and Joe smiled.

“I can’t wait to have kids,” Joe said and Frank was surprised, as was his father.

“What?” Frank asked.

“I bet I’ll have twins,” Joe said thinking about the dream he had just woke up from.

“Twins?” Both Frank and Fenton said in unison.

“Son, I’m glad you’re excited about having children, but what makes you think twins?” Fenton said scratching his brown hair. The world famous detective was good at solving mysteries, but he often thought his own children were the biggest mysteries of all.

Joe smiled to himself, remembering the dream he just had. He pondered what happened for a brief moment, wondering how she managed to show him everything. ‘Unless I’ve completely lost my mind?’ he asked himself.

Frank crossed his arms, “Had a change of heart have you?”

Fenton wondered what his sons were talking about and decided to give them some time alone, “I’ll be right back boys,” he said and left the two alone.

“I guess you can say that,” Joe said starting to sit up.

“What changed your mind?” Frank asked, knowing Joe seemed like he had his mind made up about wanting to leave Vanessa.

“Let’s just say, an angel told me something I needed to hear,” Joe said with a smile as he put his legs over the side of his hospital bed.

Frank went over and grabbed a wheel chair from the other side of the room, and had Joe sit in it.

“Thanks. I want to go see her,” Joe told him when he sat down.

“I know you do,” Frank said, as he wheeled Joe out from the room. “Well, I’m glad you finally understood what I was trying to tell you all along,” Frank said sarcastically.

“I know. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking,” Joe said as they came to a stop in front of Vanessa’s room.

“I’ll let you two have some time alone,” Frank said and wheeled Joe inside.

“Hey beautiful!” Joe said when they entered, and she smiled at him.

“Hey handsome,” she said back as Frank playfully rolled his eyes.

“I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone,” Frank said and excused himself from the room, waiting outside in the hallway.

Joe reached over and ran his fingers through Vanessa’s hair. “How are you feeling Hun?” He asked her.

“I’ll live Joe, don’t worry,” she said knowing he was concerned. She grabbed his hand and gently gave it a kiss. He stood up, and leaned close to her.

“I love you so much,” he said and kissed her passionately.

When he pulled away, she was smiling at him. “I love you too, Joe. There’s something I need to tell you,” she said and he stood there continuing to play with her hair.

“What’s that hun?” he asked her.

“Well, two things actually. First, you may need to finish our shopping on your own, cause the doctor said I need to go home and stay in bed for a few days,” she told him and he nodded.

“Can do. What else?”

“Well, I found out something interesting Joe. Something both you and I weren’t expecting,” she said nervously and he wondered what it could be. Then a thought crossed his mind. The dream! The boys! He thought about how old the boys were in the dream, now realizing they were probably around four or five years old. “Five years from the present,” he remembered Iola telling him in his dream.

“Joe?” she asked him, noticing he wasn’t paying attention.

“I’m sorry hun, go ahead,” he told her.

“Joe, the doctor told me I was extremely lucky. For two reasons. One was because the bullet didn’t cause any internal problems. The loss of blood is what worried him, but it was taken care of quickly. He also said that I’m pregnant Joe, and that it wasn’t affected.”

Joe smiled, “I knew it!” He said and reached down to give her a hug, careful not to hurt her.

“You knew?” she asked him.

When he pulled away, he had some tears trickling down his cheeks. “It’s a long story,” he told her as he thought about their future together.

“You’re happy about that then?” she asked him nervously.

“Of course! Why wouldn’t I be?” He said excitedly. “This has got to be the best Christmas ever! Hey Frank!” Joe yelled.

“Yeah?” Frank came back inside the room thinking something was wrong.

“Vanessa’s having a baby!” Joe said and gave his brother a hug.

“What? Are you serious?” Frank said looking at his younger brother, and then to Vanessa.

“She just told me! She said the doctor told her there were no complications.”

Frank went over to Vanessa, “Congratulations Van,” he said hugging her gently.

“Thanks Frank. I didn’t expect Joe to be so excited,” she said happily.

“Same here!” Frank said surprised. “I’m assuming you’re only about a month or so in because we didn’t hear anything about it.”

She nodded, “Yeah. This is so wonderful!”

Frank glanced back at his brother. “Well, maybe you’ll be right Joe,” he said, “Maybe you’ll have twins.”

“What makes you say that?” Vanessa asked.

“Ask him. He said he’s gonna have twins,” Frank said with a laugh.

“Two boys to be exact,” Joe said proudly.

Vanessa laughed, “Hun, don’t get your hopes too high. You never know,” she said and Frank agreed with her. “I’m just glad to see you’re thrilled about it. This will be a wonderful Christmas and next year will be even better.” She said happily.

Joe couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have her there by his side. He leaned down close to her, and gently stroked her cheek, and kissed her. “I love you,” he said softly. It was turning out to be the best Christmas he could have asked for. Thanks to someone watching over him. ‘Thank you!  I couldn’t ask for this to be more perfect!’