Benton Fraser had a pained expression in his face. "Are you going to be OK?"

"Ben, I am more than fine."

"You know I wished I didn't have to go."

"Ben, I am insisting that you go. If you don't, Ma will be very upset. So will be Ray, I am sure. They might never forgive you."

"I will be back as soon as I can."

"There is no need to rush. I know the house will be full, and you enjoy being with the kids. You haven't done that lately, and they miss you, too. Besides, it is a holiday."

"But you will be so alone, Linda."

"I know I will not be alone. Besides, Nurse Patty has already assured me that the children's ward is having a special Thanksgiving presentation, and I will be there. There is also a special menu today, with turkey and dressing. It is going to be fine, and I won't be ever alone. I will be celebrating Thanksgiving a different way, that's all. Just make sure to tell everyone I wished I could be there, too."

"They know that." His heart was broken. "I will be back later, when the football game begins, and we can spend the rest of the evening together."

"I know that. Now go, or you are going to be late."

He leaned in so they could kiss. Linda smiled. "You are so handsome in this outfit. How am I to know some Vecchio girl won't try to snatch you?"

"I won't let any of them do that. And Ray can protect me, too."

"OK, then." She kissed him. "Happy Thanksgiving, Ben."

"Happy Thanksgiving, Linda."

Their kiss deepened, and then he took his Stetson, hard as it was to go. "Don't eat too much, OK?"

"I won't."

"Have fun."

"I will be back."

Benton Fraser positively fled the room, otherwise he would not be able to go at all. And he had already promised Ray he would go. The cop made sure he promised, so he wouldn't back out. It broke his heart to leave Linda alone, much more because that would be the first Thanksgiving of her life. If she were out of the hospital, she would have her first Thanksgiving dinner with the Vecchio family. At least once she had voiced her strong desire to be with them at Thanksgiving. He hoped they could make it up to her at Christmas. Dr. Lennyard had promised she would be home by then.

When Ben reached the front door of the hospital, he heard the loudspeaker system calling for the scheduled Thanksgiving Presentation at the children's ward, right before the Special Thanksgiving Lunch. It seemed Linda would have some fun even in the hospital.

He took a deep breath when he reached the street and inhaled the brisk coolness of the Chicago autumn. The wind was harsh and cold. It was nothing like the Territories, of course, yet he was glad he brought his warmest flannel. He might run into a surprise snowfall later in the day.

Of course, Benton Fraser could not imagine the other surprise he was running into.

Linda held on to the crutches and thought Dr. Wilson might be angry if he saw her at that moment. She was going all by herself to her room, risking a fall through the slippery hospital hallways, and the medication was still making her faint. She was taking extra care with the crutches, even though she was getting pretty good at them.

She had been out of her room to watch the children's presentation, and she enjoyed it immensely. All children who were healthy enough had been part of the festivities, even though they had horrible diseases, and might not even see next Thanksgiving. Linda felt sad for them. Now that she had more mobility, maybe there was a chance she might go to their ward and spend some time with them. She loved children and the kids surely would like someone new to play.

It was almost time for the special Thanksgiving lunch that Nurse Patty had mentioned, and Linda wanted to be in her room soon. At that pace, she thought, time would pass so quickly that she would hardly have time to miss the Thanksgiving dinner that the Vecchios surely were having.

Linda wanted so much to go, but the doctors said no. Ray had promised some of his mother's delicious cooking for sure, but Linda was more interested in being with the family together, feeling loved, sensing she belonged somewhere. It would have been the first Thanksgiving with a family. She had been looking forward to that, but it seemed that was not going to happen.

Oh, well. It was not the first time she spent Thanksgiving by herself. She had a lot of experience in that, so there was no reason to feel sad and lonely. Besides, she had a place to go if she could. She was not alone, and unwanted. Not anymore.

The sooner she could be by her room, then more quickly Ben would be back. So, she tried to move the crutches a little faster. There was a lot of noise at the corridor, she noticed. It was a holiday, so visiting hours were different. Maybe there were relatives from some other patients, Linda thought. It sure was a lively crowd.

And she thought the noises were coming from her room.

When she opened up the door to her room, she saw that she had not imagined. She gaped at the scene in front of her.

Inside the small bedroom, Ray, Ben and Tony were moving a large table at the centre of the room as Maria and Francesca were juggling with containers filled with hot food, from where mouth-watering smells were emanating. Meg Thatcher and Turnbull were carrying table towels, plates, spoons, forks and knives. There were other assorted Vecchios, older relatives. Ma had a steaming plate with a roasted turkey in her hands and smiled as she saw Linda at the door.

"Bambina!"

Ray turned around and his eyes widened. "Linda, you should not be walking by yourself!" He dropped the table (almost at Tony's foot) and rushed to her side. "Here, let me get you to the bed."

Linda was still unable to articulate a word, and she was gently put to bed as Ben and Tony finished finding a suitable spot for the table. Ma turned her attention back to the show at her command. "Now, Mr. Mountie, you can please put the towel back on the table. Inspector, get the plates, too."

"Ray," Linda whispered, her heart beating at unbelievable speed. "What is going on?"

He took her hands in her, and kissed them. "Oh, sweetie, it was all Ma's idea. Since you could not go to Thanksgiving, she thought we could bring Thanksgiving to you."

After helping set the table and putting the delicious looking turkey on it, then turned to Linda. "It was all approved by your doctor. And they also said the children could come, at least for a short while. Too bad they missed the presentation, wasn't it? Anyway, they are coming with Uncle Lorenzo. Sorry, there was nothing I could do about Diefenbaker. He is forbidden. I am sorry."

Linda was still looking at all the feverish activity around her, and seemed stupefied. "But... why, Ma?"

"Oh, bambina. You are family. And this is what families do. Thanksgiving is to be spent with family."

Tears were streaming down Linda's cheeks before she even noticed, and her heart seemed to be bursting with joy. Ma held her tenderly. "No, no, bambina, don't cry. It is a time to be happy. Look at all the people who wanted to be with you. Now, stop those tears."

Ma herself wiped Linda's tears and then patted her cheek. Ben kissed the girl's head. Linda smiled at him. "I said I would not be alone. But I never imagined this." Then Linda narrowed her eyes. "Ben... have you by any chance...?"

He didn't even let her pose the question. "I swear I got nothing to do with it. I just went along, because I thought it was a good idea. Don't you think?"

Linda looked into his eyes and found her happiness mirrored inside them. "Great idea."

They kissed.

They were interrupted by the noise at the door when a bunch of Vecchio kids stormed inside the room. The little gang missed Aunt Linda so much that all three wanted to kiss her and hug her at the same time, so that Uncle Benton was solemnly trampled over by the Vecchio stampede. There was squeaking, giggling and laughter.

Ma Vecchio interrupted the little bundles of joy. "Plenty of time for that later! Now, please, everybody sit. Raymondo, help me settle everyone. Inspector, Meg, here. Mr. Mountie Constable, please. Oh, you are so polite!"

Linda observed that Turnbull really seemed in his element, helping serve food at one time and at the other controlling the squeaking kids. She smiled at the sweet big Mountie, who smiled back at her.

At the table, Linda was reintroduced to elder and long-forgotten Vecchio relatives, such as Aunt Lucia and Uncle Lorenzo, among others whose names she could not remember amidst that sweet noisy mess. Then Ray raised his glass and tapped it with a fork.

"Attention, people, just one minute, please. Thank you. As always, before we have dinner, each of us gives thanks for at least one good thing that happened in the last year. I want to say I am grateful that a dear friend of mine is alive now, although the doctors did not believe so."

One by one, everybody at the table gave thanks, even the children. Linda was overwhelmed by the costume. When it came to her turn, she did not know what to say. By her side, Ma Vecchio squeezed her arm. "Just tell us what is in your heart, bambina."

Linda sighed, and let her heart speak for her. "Well, although I am grateful for this wonderful family having moved the Thanksgiving dinner to share it with me, I have to say I am thankful I found my child who I thought was lost. Now I can move on with my life, and thanks to this lovely family and Ben, my life is no longer a lonely one. I have so many things to be thankful I don't even know how to say all of them. So I won't. I am thankful for so many blessings, that's all."

A tear rolled down her cheek and Ma Vecchio squeezed her arm once more, choked with emotion for a moment. Benton also gave thanks for having Linda back with him, and their lips brushed in front of everyone in the table. They blushed at the happy smiles cast at them, and the meal went on, with love and warmth around them.

It did not cause any surprise that some of the doctor and nurses who were on duty stopped by at the festive room. They were all welcomed to help themselves to the fabulous Vecchio pumpkin pie or roasted turkey with stuffing.

Linda looked around at the various scenes and conversations around her. She felt Ben's arms wrapping her and smiled. What she said about the baby was true. She was grateful that it would not be a ghost and that she might pursue her happiness for life, multiplying scenes like the one she was witnessing at that precise moment. After all, she and Ben would have plenty of time to have another one. Neither of them would miss the opportunity.

"Ray? I wasn't expecting you."

"I know, sweetie, but this is an official visit." He kissed her forehead. "It is about the case I am working on."

"Case? How can I help?"

"I just want to check out something with you, Linda." Ray sighed and took her hand between his. He said it carefully. "It is still about the baby. I need to know if you will want to sue the Killshaws."

Linda felt her heart faltering for a few seconds, then focused on Ray's words. "The Killshaws are the couple who took care of my baby, right?"

"Yes. But the baby is dead, and as a natural mother you might want to sue them."

"Sue them?" Linda did not understand. "For what? They did not do anything wrong."

"You might think so, but some people think that it would be better to let a judge decide it. You could ask them for a sort of compensation or something."

Linda looked away. "No. Ray, if what Ben told me is true, then this whole thing has been as stressful for them as it has been for us. Everybody involved suffered a lot. There is no need to prolong the suffering. I heard these law suits can be very painful."

Ray smiled. "You really think so?"

Linda looked at him, tears in her eyes. "Ray, you told me yourself that they seemed devastated with the baby's death. In many ways, I can guess they suffered more than I did at that particular time. I was also in pain, but for different reasons. They loved my baby, Ray. I can only thank them for that. My child was not unloved." She looked at him. "Why would be police business anyhow?"

"If you were willing to sue, then there might be evidence of foul play. You know, there is still a chance they knew the baby was stolen, or that they even had a sort of understanding with Victoria to... er.. produce the baby."

That hit Linda, but she shook her head. "No, Ray, I don't think so. Everything I know about them is against it. If you can avoid the lawsuit, please make it so. I ask you, please, Ray. Let this end. Let us move on."

Ray nodded, thinking hard. Linda noticed he was struggling inside. "Ray? Something wrong?"

He sighed. "I wasn't going to tell you at all. I did not think it would help you, but now, maybe you'd like it."

"Ray, what are you trying to tell me?"

"The Killshaws want to meet you. They asked me to arrange a meeting, while they are still in town. I said I would tell you, but then I was lying. I did not think you needed that grief. But now I think you might want to thank them in person."

Linda stared at Ray, confused. "They want to meet me?"

"Yes. You are the mother of the child they loved. You have this bond in common, Linda, don't deny it. But you don't have to do that if you don't want. Matter of fact, I told them that you were still in too much grief, and you probably did not want to do that."

Linda was quiet. Too quiet to be normal, noticed Ray. Well, maybe it was all for the best. He tried to cheer her up, and put his arm around her shoulders protectively. "It is all right, sweetie. You don't have to do this."

"Ray." She raised her head and looked at him. "I want to do this."

"Really? Because I told you, there is no need."

"I know, Ray. But I think it will be good for me. And for them. I just want Ben to be with me."

Ray nodded. "I will tell him, too. Are you sure?"

"Yes, Ray, I am sure. Can you understand it?"

He gave her a soft smile. "Of course I can. I will let them know, then. When can it be?"

"Whenever they want. But I am about to be released in a few days, Ray."

"Don't worry. They are due back to Wisconsin tomorrow or the day after. Is that alright with you?"

"Yes. Just give me a call first."

He hugged her. "You are a brave and surprising young one, Linda."

"Aw, Ray, stop that." She blushed in her particular fashion, and watched him get up. "Do you have to go now?"

"Yeah, I told you I was on duty. Gotta get back to the precinct."

"Tell everyone there I miss them. But I will be there as soon as I can."

"They will be glad to know. Take care."

Linda clutched on her crutches to make the way from the bathroom back to her bed. Ben observed intensely. More than once he was advised not to help her, unless she was slipping. It was hard for him to watch her go through such heavy work unaided. But now Ben marvelled at the way her legs could move. It was not much, he knew, but he was still amazed at how fast she was improving.

Linda landed on her bed with a sigh and tried to catch her breath. "It looks easier than it really is, you know?"

"It really doesn't look easy at all. You are doing fine."

Linda propped herself up sitting in the bed than swung her right leg lightly. "See? It is the best I can do. But the left one does not move at all, Ben." She was clearly disappointed. "I am worried."

Ben sat beside her and kissed her cheek. "But it will be moving soon, I am sure. I am very proud of you."

She smiled tenderly and took his hand into hers. "I love you more than forever."

"I love you, too." He took a deep breath, then looked at the clock in the wall. "They will be here at any minute, now. Linda, are you sure? You can still say no."

"No, Ben, it's all right. From what you said, they are nice people. I am calm." She cocked her head to him. "At least, calmer than you. Don't worry, Ben. It's gonna be just fine."

Ben looked at her, surprised that he had not notice his own nervousness. He was unsure about this meeting between Linda and the Killshaws. But then all his worries were totally germane. A soft knock made his heart race.

"Come in", asked Linda.

Ray came inside, smiling. "Hi, sweetie."

"Hello, Ray."

"I brought the Killshaws. Would you like them to come in now?"

"Please, Ray. Don't keep them waiting outside."

Ray went to the door and made a gesture to someone outside the door. He stepped aside to let a couple get in Linda's room. They were not quite what Linda expected.

Even though the woman was older than Linda, she could not have been older than Francesca, and definitely younger than Maria. Her clothes were very nice, and the minute she walked in Linda could say she was wearing an expensive perfume, probably European. She was very good-looking, with blonde hair nicely done and looked at Linda with deep, huge blue eyes. The man was as old as Ben (give or take a few years), dressed in stylish trousers and a silk shirt in dark colours. He also had blue eyes, but his hair was darker than hers, although he had also blond hair.

After a few seconds of shock and awkwardness, Linda seemed to snap out and invite, "Welcome, Mr. and Mrs Killshaw. Please come in. Have a seat. Ben, could you please...?

"I will get some chairs", interrupted Ray. "Be right back."

Then Linda began to feel fully awkward, not really knowing what to say. She smiled nervously. "Oh, this feels so strange."

The man was the first to say. "Thank you for seeing us. I am not quite sure why we had to come, but my wife and I felt we had to know you, too. After the shock it was meeting your husband..."

Judith Killshaw reminded, "Of course, the circumstances were not the best. I hope we did not convey you the wrong impression, Mr. Fraser."

He smiled politely. "Of course not. I understand completely."

Ray came back with two chairs, that were promptly given to the Killshaws and then the cop made his discreet exit. Ben knew Ray would not be far from the nurses' station. They discreetly put Dr. Lennyard on alert, in case Linda miscalculated her own feelings about this.

Judith reminded, "Detective Vecchio says you are almost recovered, and you will soon be out of here."

Linda nodded and smiled at her. "Yes, I am looking forward to that."

The older woman paled. "Oh, God. You are so young." There was a minute of embarrassment, and she quickly added, "I don't know why I was expecting someone... older."

Linda volunteered. "I was not expecting someone so... nice, either." The two women exchanged smiles. Linda laughed out loud and could not resist being sincere. "This is really awkward, isn't it, Mrs. Killshaw?"

The well-dressed woman looked at her softly. "Please, Linda. Call me Judith. It makes me feel so much older." She looked down. "And I believe the loss we had is already enough to make us feel really old."

Linda tried to contain the tears. "I'm sorry I could not go to the funeral." She shrugged. "But then again, I'm not sure I would have gone even if I could. It would be so strange to see a burial of someone I haven't actually ever met."

Judith had a tear running down her cheek. "Oh, Linda, I'm sorry. You have to know we did everything we could for him. We put all the resources we had at his disposal."

"Don't worry, I know that. Ben told me, and so did Ray. All I know about you makes me sure you loved my child very much, as if it was your own. I cannot believe that you had anything to do with what that woman did. That is why I let Ray know there will be no suit against you."

Alan Killshaw spoke for the very first time. "We told Mr. Fraser that we really believed that woman was a legitimate authority. It never occurred to us she might not be it. When we saw her files, we were shocked."

Judith asked, "Is that true that she did this to you? I mean, that she was instrumental to this paralysis you are treating?"

"Not merely this," Linda shook her head. "Victoria caused this paralysis. She injected me with drugs that caused this. She did many things to me."

Ben helped, "Actually, she meant to kill Linda. It is quite a long story, in fact."

Linda took Ben's hand, "And now we are getting over all the harm she has done." She smiled at him. "That was why it was so important to me to see you. I needed to thank you for all the love you gave my child. He was also a victim of that woman. I am very thankful for everything you did for him. I cannot thank you enough. He was loved."

Ben held her, and Linda continued, "You know, Ben and I used to wonder what might have happened to him, where he might be at that time. Well, at least, I did that a lot. I was so worried if he was okay, if he felt hungry, or if he would ever know that I did not abandon him. I... I was very worried that he might think he was not loved. You see, I grew up in an orphanage and Ben's family never believed in expressing their feelings. In a way, it was important for us that our child knew he was loved, because we have never had much of it." Linda's tears fell freely as she spoke. "I am glad our child was loved."

Judith seemed touched by Linda's sincere words. "You shouldn't have worried about it. Remember Alan and I chose him to be our child, Linda. He was wanted and chosen, so he was twice loved. Robby was such a lovely child, easy to love. He was gentle, smart and very active. It was such a pity." She got a handkerchief from her pretty expensive-looking purse, her crying returning. "I am sorry, but it is so hard..."

Linda wished she could hold that woman in her arms and help soothe the pain. Alan Killshaw held his wife as she wept for a few seconds. Linda also felt her chest hurting. It was really hard, hard to say goodbye to someone she had never even said hello. Yet, it seemed to Linda that the mutual grief might do them some good.

It took awhile until Mrs. Killshaw ceased crying. She apologised, and Linda dismissed her apologies, saying, "Judith, I would also like to thank you for the picture you gave Ben. I know it must be very precious to you."

"Actually," she turned to her husband, who took his business suitcase, "I brought something you might like to see." She produced a heavy book, with a leather hardcover. "It is Bobby's photo album."

Linda's eyes widened, and there was a green light sparkling all over the room. "Could I... Can I see it?"

Judith stood up and took the book to her. "I brought it for you see." She looked at Fraser. "Both of you."

Ben let go of Linda's hand and invited, "Don't you want to sit here on the bed, Mrs. Killshaw?"

"Yes, please."

Both women sat side by side, and the album was brought to Linda's lap. Her eyes travelled all over the pages, her expressions priceless as Judith talked over and over about each and every picture. There were baby pictures, every little different expression trapped in celluloid. Linda began to form a complete image of her son as Judith described him.

Robert was a very chubby baby in his first months. Judith told Linda he arrived at the tender age of 5 weeks. He was very interested in food, but he tired easily. The baby was a little restless at night, especially in the first weeks after he arrived, and Alan would overstuff him with clothes. When he got older, he began to take off most of his clothes. It seemed the baby enjoyed the cold weather, much like his real dad.

Curiosity was Robert's most prominent feature. As he crawled away in their big house, many were the times that the couple had to take him out of tiny spaces and little dangers every small child would be. Bob loved to get inside the fireplace in the living room. Once, Judith said, he almost got stuck behind the refrigerator. He was always excited about animals, and they were waiting for him to grow older to get him a puppy.

Many of the last pictures of Robert involved social interaction. The Killshaws had friends, and these friends had also their own kids, many older than Robert. Judith said he was considered a mascot around their social circle. He was still a baby at winter time, but in the summer he played a lot at their beach house in Florida. He met a lot of new friends, too.

Robert was a sweet kid, very gentle to everyone around him. He hardly got upset, taking the "nos" as easily as the "yeses". If he did get upset, though, he would cry quietly. He did not smile much, but when he did, it was the most beautiful thing in the world. That was plain from the pictures.

To Judith it was very hard to accept that he died from an illness because he was a very healthy kid. He hardly ever run a temperature, even at times when his diet changed or when he got his teeth.

As Judith spoke, Ben looked attentively at Linda. His heart was half-torn because she seemed to follow every word the older woman said, absorbing it as if she could live it a little. That moment he knew, somehow, that Linda would be an excellent mother. He also knew that she was over this trauma. Ben realised Linda had totally accepted their son's death and had already begun to deal with it.

The Canadian smiled. Another wound was beginning to heal.

It was a genuine confusion. A mix of voices, smells, noises, shouts and yelling as only true Italian families could do. Linda was getting dizzy trying to juggle two or three conversations at the same time. Yet she could hardly remember ever being happier.

She had been released from the hospital only a few weeks before, and there was a whole new life waiting for her. The holiday season had been totally different from any Linda had ever witnessed. First she had had her first Thanksgiving dinner, even in the hospital. Then last night, she found out what Christmas Eve meant for a full family.

During the day they helped the community centre near their apartment to serve homeless people a nice Christmas menu. Ben invited her, and she also helped in the kitchen. Once the chef heard she had done it in a hospital, she was immediately summoned to approve ingredients and to time the huge boiling pots.

At the end of the day, Ray had given them a ride to the 27 Precinct, where a small party was being held. Ben had explained them that since the whole staff on the Consulate had taken the week off, there would be no social function at the place, and he would be free to celebrate Christmas with their cop friends. A small secret Santa was held, and Linda offered Elaine a small bottle of perfume, and was given a picture frame.

After that, it was all a family matter. Ben and Linda had left early the party at the Precinct with Ray to attend a special Mass with the rest of the Vecchios. Linda had never been to a Mass before, and she was amazed at the ritual. Father Biehan had greeted her specially, and she was so embarrassed she could hardly wish him a Merry Christmas.

On the way back to the Vecchio house, she walked side by side with Benny. It was her first real experience with her new walking cane in the snow. Linda was walking by her own legs now, but the left one was still a little lazy, so she limped and used a cane. Dr. Wilson, whom she visited weekly, was confident that she might be able to walk without it before spring. She was to be also out of medication come New Year.

In their walk, a few carollers greeted the couple. Linda had seen people singing at Christmas before, but not the real tradition of carolling. If her leg did not ache so much, she sure would drag Benny and Ray around all carol choirs in the neighbourhood.

Ben marvelled at Linda's excitement, and patiently explained to her the tradition of singing in front of houses, and many other traditions associated at Christmas. He also told her again of some Christmases he spent with his grandparents, and one in particular with his friend Innusiq. That one was etched in his memory, he explained, because the Inuit had adapted the Christian holiday, and it made much more sense to him as a child after what he experienced.

He heard Linda talk a little about her Christmases. It wasn't until she was almost a teenager that she had found out that the holiday existed. She had already been transferred to Dr. Lennyard's care when she got her first Christmas gift - from the psychiatrist. For many years, it was the only one she got. Once there was Mrs. Sorelli's gift, too - she still had the beige dress.

Her Christmases had been lonely and sad, but Linda did not know it was not supposed to be that way until she met Ray and Benny. Their description was so different from everything Linda always lived that for sometime she believed they were exaggerating to her. Now she was seeing for herself that it was not so.

Linda was still awed at that wonderful image of people singing around the snowed street corners when they arrived at the Vecchios for the big family gathering. To Linda, there seemed to be an even bigger multitude of Vecchios than she had already anticipated. She helped Ma in the kitchen, but she and Francesca also took care of the kids. There were also cousins Linda had never seen, and plenty of new games to play. Maria's kids expressed their happiness to see Aunt Linda back. The cane was a big success amongst the curious little Vecchios

Then there was dinner, and some more special prayers. After midnight, it was officially Christmas Day, and there came the gift distribution. Linda was expecting that anxiously. She had a very special reason.

Following Benny's lead, she also made most of her gifts. Of course, Mrs. Mutchnik helped a lot. She knitted a new scarf for Ray and pan holders to Ma. Also knitting, she made little toys for the kids: tiny horses and fishes. Ben had called it "wool origami", then explained a little about the Japanese art of folding papers into figures. Linda became very interested in that, too.

Linda was filled with emotion when she received her first gift. It was a nice pair of leather gloves from Ray. Other gifts followed, but that one was special to Linda. She looked at Benny, and he saw the way she glowed in sheer joy and love.

The kids were all over the room, the noises they were making made it seemed like they had been multiplied. There were new dolls and new cars, and some cool CDs for the older ones. Linda looked around, and knew everyone was happy, even though there was a lot of yelling, in that special Vecchio way to show love.

When the gift frenzy settled down a bit, Francesca sat with Linda to explain the wonders of the perfume she had given Linda. It was then that her eyes caught a wrapped gift under the tree. She shouted, "Ray, you stupid, you forgot a gift."

He half turned and saw the object under the tree. "That is not mine." He picked up the gift, and saw that it was flat and rectangular. "It is not to me, either. It's for Linda."

"Me? What is it?"

Ray smiled and gave her the gift. "Sorry, dear, I am still no psychic. You have to open to find that out."

So Linda did. Under the gift paper, there was an envelope. That intrigued Linda. "It is an envelope. There seems to be a paper inside it." She opened it, curious. Yes, there was a paper inside it. It was some sort of official paper, with a note attached. She recognised the signature. "It is from Dr. Lennyard." She seemed confused, reading it over and over. "I don't know what it means. I don't understand it."

Ben stepped closer and took the official paper from Linda's hand. "May I?"

She relinquished the sheet and Ben started to read it, while Linda opened the note from the psychiatrist. She read it aloud, things still not making much sense to her. "Dr. Lennyard says that this is a first step... so that I may be...tracing footsteps on my own... from now on. And it seems to be a suitable Christmas gift..." She sighed, frustrated. "I still don't understand."

Ray was beside Benny, reading the document over his shoulder. "It looks like..."

Benton interrupted him. "I think it is, Ray."

"Wow." The Italian nodded. "It is a surprise."

Linda was trying to follow their meaning. "What is it all about? Ben, what is this?"

Ben sat by her side and explained, "Linda, this is a protocol. It means this is an official request for a document that will, if approved, certify that you are a suitable citizen at the eyes of the State of Illinois and you don't require anymore the services of a legal guardian."

Linda stared at him. "A citizen?"

Ray explained, "If you become a full-fledged American citizen, you don't need that legal tutoring thing from Dr. Lennyard. You will be able to make your own decisions, without asking for anyone's approval."

Linda looked at Ben, hoping for confirmation. He just nodded, and looked extremely touched. She was not sure she understood what they said. "But... I am under his treatment."

Ben said quietly, "This is also an indication that you may be officially declared a sane person, Linda. You would no longer require intensive medical treatment."

Linda thought hard and hard on what they were saying. She looked from one to the other, still unsure. "I... am not sure what is means, Ben. Could you explain it, please?"

"From what I know, it means you don't need Dr. Lennyard to take decisions regarding you. Like Ray said, you will become to decide what you want. Isn't that wonderful?"

Ray added, "And you will be able to do everything you want to do. If you want to travel with Benny, then you can have a passport. You can have your won bank account. You can learn how to drive. You won't need Dr. Lennyard anymore to sigh for the lease on your apartment, or your application to night school. Do you understand?"

It finally sunk in. Linda's green eyes grew wide and she looked at the paper again, a little shaky. "Oh, dear..."

Ray laughed softly, and Ben held her hands. "We will be able to get married, too."

Linda turned to him swiftly, startled. She did not realise what that small piece of paper might do to her life. It might give her a life.

Without knowing how to release her deep and mixed feelings, Linda flung herself in Fraser's arms and held him tightly. She whispered. "I think I am scared."

He stroke her hair softly. "You are not alone. We will help you."

Then she stared into his blue eyes and grinned. "I think I am happy, too."

Ben's smile to her was priceless. "I am sure you are. I am very, very happy for you."

"Dr. Lennyard gave me such a very important gift. I hope he explains me more about this."

"I am sure he will. I have to tell him I am grateful for what he has done, too."

Ray touched Linda's shoulder and the couple looked at him. "I am very happy for you, Linda. Congratulations."

"Thank you, Ray. I will still be asking you a lot about it in the next days, so be prepared."

"I will help you in everything you need. I got a friend at city hall that owes me a few favours, and he can speed up any paperwork you need: certificates, any kind of ID until you get your driver's license. Oh! And I got another friend at the DMV when you get that."

Linda laughed. "Ray, I will appreciate your help a lot."

Francesca said, "Well, big brother, if you are so intense in congratulating, why not celebrate a little? Use that bottle of champagne before New Year's. The occasion certainly calls for it."

Ray smiled. "Great idea! What do you say? Want some champagne?"

"Sorry, Ray." Linda shrugged. "Medication."

"But not for long," he reminded. "You are already off the psychiatric drugs for over three months. It is a matter of time until you get rid of all meds. For good."

Linda smiled. "Another nice thing." She looked at them, a smile that lit the whole house. "Not bad for a first Christmas, eh?"

Ben wrapped his arms around her. "And think there will be many to come..."

Linda smiled, then joined his lips to his, and the touch lingered for a few minutes. When they opened their eyes, Ray and Francesca were back with the other Vecchios, breaking the good news. Linda rested her head on Ben's shoulder.

In a week, a new year would begin.

But on Christmas night, her old life ended.

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