"Do you have an ax?"

Andrew blinked then stared at the phone hanging in his kitchen before replying.

"Laja, why do you want an ax?"

"Well, Shelby isn't feeling well so Vincent asked me to take her home after my last class.  So I did, of course.  But I only have fake trees and the Tunnels have real trees so she's bummed.  So I thought I'd just go find a little tree and chop it down and give it to her to decorate... even though I kinda hate that."

"Have you ever used an ax before?"

"No..."

Andrew chuckled.  Maybe wood chopping lessons were somewhere down the line... on top of the driving lessons and the ice skating lessons and the self-defense sessions.  Andrew had particularly enjoyed the latter two for reasons he didn't really want to contemplate right then.  He shook himself out of his momentary reverie before responding.

"All right.  So, yes, I have an ax.  But I also have what I hope is a better idea.  I can't find my ornament hooks so I'm going to run to a store.  While I'm there, I'll pick up one of those potted trees.  If it survives, we can help Shelby plant it in the spring.  Sound good?"

"Oh, yes, much better!  Thank you!"

Andrew smiled upon hearing the relief in JenniAnn's voice.  He glanced at his pocket watch.

"It's almost 4:30.  I should be back around 5:30.  Maybe I could pick something up for dinner?" he offered.  "What does Shel like?"

"Oh, gosh...  That'd be awesome.  She's resting right now but she's been super clingy so making dinner might be a lot.  Umm...  Pizza is good.  Or chicken nuggets.  Really any of the typical stuff kiddos like.  Thank you, you're the best!"

The angel's face flushed.

"It's no problem at all.  Anything else either of you need?"

"I think we're good!  Thanks, again, Andrew.  Really."

"Okay, good.  Back soon.  See you then, Laja."

"See you soon!"

Andrew hung up the phone then went to his bedroom.  He gave himself a quick once over in the mirror.  Jeans, soft t-shirt, flannel button-up...  It was a good look.  He applied a quick spritz of cologne then grabbed his keys and headed out in search of ornament hooks, a real Christmas tree, and dinner for three.


When Andrew arrived at Willowveil, he was greeted by a wearied JenniAnn who was balancing a weepy Shelby on her hip.

"Andew..."  The four-year-old reached out for him.

"Give me just a sec, little one.  Let me get the food set down and then also..."  The angel shifted so the little girl could see the tree sitting behind him on the porch.

Shelby's eyes lit up.

"A tee!"

JenniAnn kissed her cheek.

"Yep!  Wasn't that nice of Andrew to get it for us?"

"Yeah!  Tank you, Andew!"

Andrew tousled the girl's hair after setting the boxes down on a side table.

"Wow...  That's a lot of food!" JenniAnn exclaimed.

Andrew carried the tree inside then shut the door. 

"Yeah... I got a little indecisive once I was there.  So... cheese pizza, lasagna, breadsticks, salad, and some little cinnamon rolls things."

Once Andrew had taken Shelby from JenniAnn, she patted his arm.

"You've spoiled us!  Thank you."

"It's my pleasure.  This is much better than eating a sandwich and chips alone back at my place."  Andrew smiled then kissed Shelby's hair.  "How about I get you settled on the couch and then I'll help Psyche get everything dished up?"

"Okay!"

"Great!"

Andrew thought he heard JenniAnn let out a relieved sigh as he headed towards the TV room with Shelby.  He got the little girl tucked onto the couch with a warm blanket and Christmas cartoons on the TV then headed to the kitchen where JenniAnn was already preparing Shelby's plate.  For a moment, Andrew paused to watch her diligently slice the pizza into tiny bites.

"You, umm, you're really remarkable, you know that?" he complimented.

JenniAnn laughed.

"Well, thank you.  But I don't see how."

Andrew took a small piece of lasagna and began to chop it up.

"I mean... there are lots of reasons.  This whole community you've helped build.  But also just the way you've taken Shel in.  She's been here a lot lately."

"Yeah...  Portia says her respiratory system just doesn't do really well in the Tunnels, particularly during the winter.  She thinks she'll out grow it.  I hope so.  I had all kinds of sinus and such issues when I was little and they've mostly gone away.  But at least Shel likes it here."

Andrew chuckled.

"I think most kids would love growing up in a castle.  But it's more than that.  It's you, Laja.  It's pretty obvious you've become like a mother to her."

"You think?" JenniAnn asked with a sniffle.

"I mean... yeah."  The angel waved towards the plate in front of JenniAnn.  "You're dicing pizza, Laja."

With a laugh, JenniAnn nodded.

"Yeah... I guess I am.  But you're also dicing lasagna so..."

Andrew only smiled in response.

"Just not sure I have it in me to be a single mom.  I feel like I should...  My mom was twenty six when she had me.  If she could handle a baby, I should be able to handle a four-year-old.  I mean she had my dad, of course, but..."  Her voice drifted off.

Andrew reached over to set his hand on hers.

"You have help, too.  Just say the word and any number of us would come help you whether it be just entertaining Shel for a while, a food run, or, ya know, an ax."

JenniAnn laughed.

"Or a better substitute for an ax?" she teased.

"I have no doubt you coulda chopped down a tree, Laja.  But... I kinda like little Stewart."

"Stewart?  You named the tree Stewart?"

"Don't give me too much credit.  The sign said he came from the Stewart Family Orchard."

"I still think it's cute.  And we can say he's named after Jimmy.  After we eat, we can decorate Stewart so he can reach his full Christmas potential.  You'll stay, right?  Or do you need to get to an assignment?"

Andrew shook his head.

"I'm free for the night.  Just let me know what you need."

Andrew thought he saw something like mischievousness cross JenniAnn's face but she only smiled.

"Cool, thanks.  Let's get our plates, load up a couple trays, and head in there, hmm?"

The angel of death nodded, indicating for JenniAnn to go first.  Soon, they had everything they needed and headed to the TV room.  JenniAnn sat beside Shelby on the couch while Andrew looked around, trying to decide where to sit.

"Just sit with us," JenniAnn directed.  "It'll make it easier when we share the pan of cinnamon twists."

With a grateful smile, Andrew took the spot beside her.

After a quick prayer, Shelby dug into her food.

"Yummy..."

JenniAnn rested a hand on her forehead.

"Good.  I'm glad you have an appetite.  And you don't feel hot any more."

"I feel petty good.  Seepy.  Seep aftah tee!"

"Yup.  We'll put the tree right here on the coffee table after we're done eating so you can decorate it.  Then maybe a movie and then definitely bed," JenniAnn insisted.

"Okay!"

With a chuckle, Andrew shook his head when he saw Shelby begin shoveling food into her mouth.

"Slow down, kiddo.  The tree's not going any where.  Don't make yourself sicker."

Shelby nodded and obediently slowed down.

After a meal largely spent hearing about what Shelby was learning in school, Andrew and JenniAnn put away the leftovers then he retrieved the tree while she got out a small string of battery operated lights and some spare ornaments.  Once they'd helped with the lights, Andrew and JenniAnn sat back with some peppermint tea and watched as Shelby gleefully decorated.

"Soooo petty!" the little girl cried once the final ornament was placed.

"It really is!" JenniAnn praised.  "You did an amazing job, sweetie."

Andrew surveyed the tree, nodding approvingly.

"Stewart looks really great.  You have the touch, Shel!"

Shelby giggled.

"Stewat?  Tee named Stewat?"

"Yup," Andrew affirmed.  "That's what he told me."

"Stewat..." Shelby murmured lovingly before yawning.

"Something is telling me that we better get you to bed."  JenniAnn hugged Shelby.  "Let's go upstairs so you can brush your teeth and wash your face.  Then we'll come back to watch a movie with Andrew."

"Okay!" 

Shelby hurried out of the room.

Before following her, JenniAnn turned to Andrew.

"You pick... but maybe something she'll find a bit boring?  She really needs to sleep."

"On it!" Andrew agreed, already knowing his choice.

And so, five minutes later, he was settled back on the couch with JenniAnn and Shelby, watching It's a Wonderful Life.  As JenniAnn had predicted, Shelby was down for the count ten minutes in.  Not long after, JenniAnn rested her head on the angel's shoulder, sending a surge of something like electricity through his body. 

"Guess I'm a little tired, too," she whispered.

"Do you want me to turn it off?" Andrew answered.

"No, no.  I wanna watch.  Gotta at least get to the phone scene."

Andrew smiled.

"I love that scene, too."

The two quieted and watched the movie in companionable silence until the famous scene arrived.

"Here we go..."

JenniAnn said nothing.

Andrew looked down at her and realized she'd fallen asleep.  To his surprise, tears welled in his eyes.  The prior Christmas, he'd been unwillingly cast as George, watching JenniAnn and Eliot continue down a path that seemed inevitably headed to the altar.  And now... now he was here, sitting on her couch with Shelby asleep beside her and JenniAnn dozing while snuggled up to him, the entire scene cozily lit by little Stewart and the TV.

As George and Mary kissed passionately, Andrew briefly rested his cheek against JenniAnn's hair then peered at the little Nativity ornament on Shelby's tree.

"Thank You," he whispered before returning his attention to the Bailey family and the little family of two that he'd come to love so much.


Just as the residents of Bedford Falls began to sing "Auld Lang Syne," JenniAnn stirred awake.

"No!  I missed it.  The whole movie."  She turned to Andrew.  "I'm sorry!"

Andrew patted her hand.

"Laja, don't be.  We can watch it some other time... maybe starting earlier and not right after you've spent an entire afternoon caring for a sick kid?"

With a laugh, JenniAnn nodded.

"Good idea.  I just can't believe I slept that long.  You must be a comfy pillow."  Her face flushed.

Andrew looked tenderly at her with a matching blush.

"You clearly needed the sleep.  How about I carry Shel to bed and then head out so you can go back to sleep?" he offered.  He didn't want to leave... but there wasn't much else he could do.

"I'd appreciate it, thanks.  Not sure how she manages to get so much heavier when she's asleep."

"No problem at all."  Andrew gently lifted the little girl. 

"I put her bed in my room so I could listen for her."

Andrew nodded and followed JenniAnn up the stairs and to her bedroom.  Once they had Shelby tucked in, the two returned to the hall where Andrew clasped JenniAnn's hands.

"Thanks, Laja.  I had a really nice time.  I'll show myself out so you can get to bed."

"Thank you for dinner!  And Stewart."  JenniAnn smiled softly.  "It... it was nice and I'm glad... I'm glad you were here."  She reached up and set a hand against his cheek. 

Andrew fought the urge to turn and kiss her palm.  Instead, he reached up and squeezed her hand.

"Good night, Laja.  I'll stop by tomorrow before my assignment to check on Shel."

"I... we'd like that.  G'night, Andrew."

The two exchanged smiles then JenniAnn stepped into her room and closed the door.

Andrew waited a few seconds then rested his hand on her door. 

"I love you, Laja," he whispered before hurrying away to pray.


Andrew and JenniAnn walked through the snow, hand-in-hand, following their merry bunch of children and grandchildren and Marty.

"Merry Christmas, Stewart!" Shelby cheered once they'd reached their destination.  She opened the box she carried while Max did the same.  Soon there was a flurry of activity as the decorating commenced.

JenniAnn wrapped her arms around Andrew's middle.

"He's gotten so tall!  I think you and Max are the only ones who have any hope of getting the star up there."

"I sure can pick em," Andrew boasted playfully.

"Yes, you have very good taste if I do say so myself," JenniAnn teased.

Andrew grinned and bent to kiss her.

"The best."

The two abruptly pulled apart as a snowball hit Andrew's shoulder.

"Focus!" Marty ordered.  "We've a tree to decorate."

Laughing, the couple joined the others in decking Stewart out.

As the work neared its end, Andrew sighed.

"I can remember when both Shel and Stewart were so small that I could easily carry them.  Now look at the two of you."  He hugged the young woman.  "Both strong, resilient beauties."

"Aww, Andrew..."  Shelby returned his hug, her eyes misty.  "Even being sick and so little, I remember that Christmas.  Decorating lil Stewart on the coffee table."  She caressed a nearby branch.

"I remember that Christmas, too... particularly watching your parents and grandparents stand on either side of their bedroom door looking like two lost Bronte characters.  Infuriating!" Marty sneered though there was great fondness in his eyes.

Andrew blinked then looked down at his Laja.

"You were on the other side of the door?  I set my hand there after you closed it but..."

"Yeah, pretty well plastered against it.  A lone, lingering hand is much classier." 

"Laja..."  Andrew raised his hand into the air and when JenniAnn rested hers against his, he brought it to his lips.

"And all because I had the sniffles.  Go me and my cruddy childhood respiratory system," Shelby joked.

Andrew pulled her into his and JenniAnn's embrace.

"Our lil Shel..."

"Our first baby..." JenniAnn cooed.

Violeta snapped a quick photo of the three with Stewart in the background.

Andrew's eyes filled as she showed him the photo.

"Perfect..."

Keeping his arms around his Laja and his Shel, the angel thanked God for answering his prayer all those years ago.