As Christmas inches close, there's excitement in the air as guests from Logan's side of the family decide to visit. Logan has wanted for some time since it's rare he gets family to travel that far from the East Coast.

Enthusiastic, Logan stares out the window as he watches for headlights a few days before Christmas Eve. Lucinda rests on the couch. Her pregnancy misery is misplaced, seeing her husband thrilled to be expecting company.

"Give them time, sweet pea. Jordan and his girlfriend will arrive when they arrive." She tells Logan as he stares out the window.

"I hate that line! I can't wait. Ever since I found out about Jordan being a cousin, it's been years since I've seen him.." He replies, shifting his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

About another hour passes before the headlights from an approaching SUV slowly travels up the driveway.

"THEY'RE HERE!" He shouts, rushing out the door to greet his guests.

The headlights go dark, and the engine is quiet. Logan approaches the passenger side first to assist with his cousin's lady.

"Fair lady, may I help you from your chariot?" Logan says, showing off his inner nerd.

"Aren't you sweet!" He hears from with a Northern accent.

As her hand extends to be helped from the Jeep, Logan takes a firm grip to assist her. The snow crunches under her soft plushy boots.

"Hey, hey now! Hands off my woman!"

All three enjoy a laugh, and Logan helps his cousin carry in the bags. They drop everything off in the spare bedroom then join the girls back out in the living room, where they're properly introduced.

"Lucy, this is my cousin, Jordan Mitchell. Jordan, this is my wife, Lucinda."

Jordan, a tall, dark-haired well-built male in his 20's offers his hand to help her to her feet.

"We hug in this family," Jordan mentions with an easy embrace. "Hi Lucinda, and this is my girl, Britney Goodman."

Britney is a sandy blond beauty with full luscious lips combined with a light southern tan and isn't as good-natured in southern manners as Jordan. She gives Lucinda a handshake and takes a seat.

"I thought Josh and his wife were coming." Lucinda wonders, feeling confused.

"It's the weirdest thing. I haven't heard from him in months. Jordan, you know anything about your brother?"

Unsure of how to follow up that question, Britney takes it upon herself to answer.

"He decided to extend his job in Spain. He's left his wife to fend for herself. If you ask my opinion, he's an asshole."

"Now, hold on a minute, he's on special assignment for the Army, and a man has to do what he has to do for his family. You'll understand when we get there one day." Jordan says, taking up for his brother.

That brief brush against the other's thoughts over the subject creates tension in the room. It's a tension that forces Lucinda to pull herself away from them.

"On that note, if you will excuse me, I have a little one inside of me that's wanting some brownies. If you will excuse me, I'll let y'all catch up."

She exits the room with Logan right behind her and shares a couple of brownies in the kitchen.

"I don't think that was a smart thing to talk about your other cousin. The last thing I wanted to do was start a fight between them." Lucinda admits feeling responsible for a possible argument.

"You remember how we were when we were courtin' it was fighting and making up for those fights. They'll fight and make up, so don't feel bad, baby." Logan tells her with his hand resting over hers.

Soon after they finish a glass of milk to accompany the snack, they're off to bed. Before calling it a night, Logan checks the living room to see it's empty. He walks by the guest bedroom to see a dim glow from the bedside lamp, making him feel good about being right.

"I knew it, a fight and makeup session. Just like every other male in our family." He brags to himself, tiptoeing off to his room.

He snuggled under the blankets. Logan curls up against Lucinda, kissing her on the cheek. He gently rubs her belly and wishes the baby goodnight.

"Night, my little bundle of joy. You don't have much longer until I get to hold you, and when that day comes, it'll be one I'll remember forever." He kisses his hand and touches Lucinda's belly once more, and quickly falls asleep feeling a natural high unlike anything else he's experienced.

Christmas Eve arrives, and things are back to normal. Jordan and Britney have been introduced to the rest of the family, and Mr. Reed has taken a liking to Jordan being a former soldier. Elizabeth takes a bit of a shine to her cousin-in-law being in emergency medicine as a paramedic.

It's roughly just before eight o'clock, and the town shops are all dark. The street lamps shine along a path to the center of town, where there's a church choir gathering. They meet in front of the fountain to sing Christmas carols until the clock strikes midnight. Most of the town comes by and listens to the choir. It's a time-honored tradition that has new guests happy to listen.

"Wow, this place is amazing! I haven't had any snow since I was stationed in Germany." Jordan says, walking up the street with everyone.

"I almost forgot just how beautiful it could be," Britney states with the brisk wind blowing across her face.

She shivers and wraps her arms around Jordan as they come to a stop by the choir.

"Kids, we used to do this every year. This is the first time without mom." Elizabeth reminds herself out loud.

"Momma's here Ellie, we can't see her, but we can feel her in spirit." Mr. Reed enlightens with his eyes turned towards the sky.

When the choir gets a quick water break, the director strolls up to Mr. Reed to exchange a warm handshake.

"It's still not the same without her here singing along with us. She's sorely missed but, in her passing, has come a revelation. Your family has grown and come back together. Although the pain remains, the love she had for all of you is as eternal as her soul ascending to Heaven."

Those kind words create a blanket of comfort, especially for Elizabeth, who still carries the guilt of missing out on time lost. She smiles and feels a set of arms wrap around her shoulders.

"Well, hello there, my sweet angel, fancy seeing you here." A soft and sweet voice travels into her ear.

"Merry Christmas, handsome; call me later when the kids are asleep. I have something for someone who's been a good boy. You're getting something a little extra naughty tonight." She mutters into his ear, so no one else overhears.

As Christmas Eve gives way and the crowd dwindles, leaving Jordan and Britney behind. It's by his request as he has a plan for himself and Britney on this night.

Christmas morning chimes with the grandfather clock in the front room as Matthew sits and waits for Elizabeth. In his hands, he stares at a ring box. He fumbles with it and opens it a couple of times to glare at a princess half karat diamond ring. His heart beats more than twice its resting rate.

Frightened out of his mind, Matthew second questions his decision to ask Elizabeth to marry him. Both have been through so much in a short amount of time. In his heart, he feels more love for her than he has for anyone else outside of his children.

"I can do this. I can do this. It's Elizabeth! Things have been terrific the last few months." He tells himself, trying to keep his hands from trembling.

When a knock comes lightly from the door, he gets to his feet, allowing Elizabeth to enter. He hides the ring box in his pocket and stands there to shut the door. She struts around the room in a long jacket, then suddenly thrusts it open to expose a Santa's little helper satin nightie.

"Merry Christmas, handsome," she states, kicking her shoes off, gliding towards her lover.

"No wait, as much as I want to enjoy this, and I do so much, and I will; there's something I need to do first." He stops her when they're less than two feet apart.

Elizabeth feels confused, but something sends her heart into her throat. As she gulps, Matthew gets down to one knee, reaching out to her. Taking his hand, she places her free hand on her chest, gasping.

"Elizabeth Reed-Philips, I love you more than anyone else I've met in my life." He reaches in, pulling the ring box from his pocket. "We've gone years without each other, and I don't want to go anymore without you. I love you, and the kids love you too."

Her hands shaking, Elizabeth tries to regain her composure.

"Will you marry me?" He finishes up with his hands shaking.

Both their hearts race, but it takes a few seconds for Elizabeth to remember she can form words with her mouth, out loud.

"No..." she mutters.

"What?"

"I said no, I can't, we can't, not yet anyway." Elizabeth elaborates without clarification.

"Mattie, I love you, but we're not ready. This is too soon. We're still recovering from the years of torment over our last marriages. I do want to marry you, just not right now."

Without batting an eyelash, Matthew gets to his feet with a new glare to his eyes. He brings Elizabeth in for a hug.

"You're right! I mean, it's been since only the summer, and everything is changing in our lives. Our relationship is worth the wait, so as bad as this may sound, I'm happy you said no."

"Things have to be right, plus I don't want to be standing in your front room in a sexy nightie no less. Next time plan something more romantic, not cliché." Elizabeth prewarns Matthew feeling the rush exit her body.

Still holding hands, the couple heads for Matthew's bedroom. Once the door is shut, Elizabeth has her way with Matthew. To make him feel the increasing love she has for him. She pushes him to the edge of his bed, where she rips his clothes from his body. After she's finished, he's yanked to his feet and pulled towards the wall.

"Show me how strong you are," Elizabeth demands with a look of seduction.

Matthew swoops down, scooping his love off the floor to pin her body against the wall. Elizabeth takes the clue to grab ahold of his stiff dick to slide it along the edge of her wetness ever so slowly to enjoy the sensation as she slips the head between her lips. At the entrance to her pussy she adjusts herself to feel the head just penetrate, allowing Matthew to take control as he shoves inside, forcing her to gasp in anticipation.

With fingers interlocked behind his neck and moving in rhythm with his hips. Elizabeth bites at her lower lip to keep from screaming. The pulsing pleasure surging through her body sends signals to her hands as she pulls Matthew closer and listens as he groans, shoving as deep into his lover's body, relishing his desire.

"Matt, fuck me, oh Matt!" She finally lets out, trying to keep her voice low.

"I love you, Ellie!" He says, tightening his grip on her legs, prepared to let loose inside of her.

"I love you, don't stop, please, for the love of God, don't stop! I wanna cum with you!" She calls out, squeezing her legs around his body as the orgasm releases within seconds of Matthew's.

Nearly half a minute goes by before their bodies begin to go limp. Matthew's hands can no longer sustain Elizabeth's body. Together they slide down the wall onto the floor where they never take their eyes off each other.

By the time they physically recover, it's over forty-five minutes. Muscles aching and desires achieved Matthew assist Elizabeth to her feet then slips into a pair of shorts and a muscle shirt.

"I guess I should get going. Kevin said he has a Christmas surprise for everyone. That and I want to get the scoop on Logan's cousin and his guest. He is going to propose to his girlfriend. Although I don't like that stuck-up preppy bitch."

"Yeah, Merry Christmas, Ellie. I'll see you later today; I love you, and I can't wait to see kids' faces' in a few hours when they get out of bed early and rush in here, bouncing on my bed eager to see what Santa brought them." Matthew says with a smile on his face.

"Those are the precious moments we get, and in those moments, the world and all its problems fade away," Elizabeth mentions while in her mind, she rummages through memories of her kids.

As they tread back into the living room, Matthew notices the snow beginning to fall from the window. For a moment, he thought he saw a shadowy figure rush by the window but plays it off as fatigue.

"Better get going before it gets too deep." He says into her ear with his arms wrapped around her shoulders.

"I'll see you soon, behave, and thank you for a wonderful Christmas gift." She replies with a kiss and breaks his grip.

Out the door, she leaves Matthew standing there watching as she gets into her SUV and drives away into the night. Finally, the taillights vanish, allowing Matthew to enter and hit the sack for a couple of hours.

Hours later, the guests begin to gather at Lucinda and Logan's. The next to last to arrive is Frank without Kevin in tow. He walks inside prepared the best he can for his first Christmas in nearly fifty years alone. Along the walkway, he looks up to the dreary morning sky.

"I miss you, honey, we're doing good, but I miss you, Ma. Until the day we get reunited in God's good grace, I love you." He speaks to himself, attempting to keep a dry eye.

"C'mon daddy, mom knows, she sees us, and I pray that she found peace before she died. Ellie is home, and our dysfunctional family is mending. Now, get over here and enjoy today. Merry Christmas Daddy, all of us in here love you." Lucinda calls out being over-emotional from her hormones.

Mr. Reed bows his head and continues his way towards the house. As he takes off his jacket, he's greeted by a rushing Kaitlin.

"Poppy, Poppy, Poppy! Merry Christmas, Poppy!"

"There's my grand girl; Merry Christmas, my sweet angel." He says to her with a kiss on the crown of her head.

The three of them stroll into the family room, where the Christmas tree twinkles and the angel on top shines over them.

"Hey, Dad, where's Kev?" Elizabeth asks.

"Don't mind your brother. He'll be here in a bit with his present for y'all."

They're all caught off guard and sit there wondering what's going on. Frank appears too calm and cool about what Kevin has for everyone. Presents continue to sit under the tree while they wait, but when they hear the door open, there's an unexpected turn of events.

"Well, come on, they won't bite. Katie might, but I bite harder!" He teases, waving his arm for the big reveal.

A collective gasp as the family watches the front desk clerk Boulder struts into the room. He stands there in front of Kevin, appearing to be shy.

"Everyone, this is Evan. Yes, this is the guy from Boulder. We've been talking every day since then, and well..." Kevin pauses to create the effect of surprise "he's agreed to move into the house and become part of my ranch. I finally did it! I have finally found someone who makes me happy."

"Well, hell partner, welcome to the family!" Logan gets to his feet to greet Evan.

"Yeah, bud, welcome, glad to meet you. I'm Jordan, the other newbie to this clan."

Evan shakes both their hands and begins to blush a bit.

"Lovely to meet you both. I ugh, I'm not used to anything like this. My family hasn't talked to me since I came clean about who I am," Evan says.

"This isn't that kind of family. Here we've learned to embrace the other and love each other at last. I know that feeling. I was gone pretty much for two decades. Now, I couldn't be happier being home." Elizabeth mentions in her welcome speech.

"Means a lot. It truly does." Evans says, wiping away a couple of tears.

The family helps to drown any doubt about accepting Kevin's partner. Evan is welcome to join the family to enjoy the long-standing tradition before ripping open presents with watching the movie 'It's a Wonderful Life.' By the end of the film, Elizabeth is a ball of tears, but Lucinda also requires some tissues as the credit's role on screen.

"Present time!" Kevin announces, diving under the tree to reach the gifts hidden far under the twinkling lights.

Mike sits near his uncle to toss each gift to its recipient. Evan is the only one without a gift, but he also doesn't have anything to exchange with anyone. He's thrilled to be accepted and not be alienated because of his lifestyle.

"Hey, Evan, thank you for making the trip," Kevin whispers with a kiss.

"I wouldn't want to miss a moment like this for nothing, and that dinner smells amaze-balls. I think I may like it here." Evan informs, seeing a positive future laid out before his eyes.

Laughter and joy fill the house for the first time in years. Most Christmas' of the past were spent divided between the family. Kevin would bring his mother over to Lucinda's, where they would enjoy the movie and gifts. Kevin would then take Frank home's gifts, where he would later call his daughter to thank her for the thoughtful gifts that usually consisted of flannel shirts and thermal socks.

As the day gives way to the evening, Mr. Reed stays behind to give Kevin and Evan time to themselves. The only thing he wants is to spend time with his grandchildren. They're excited to hit the hill and go sledding with him. Frank takes his old-fashion sled from his truck and joins Mike with Kaitlin at the top of the hill for an hour of fun and screams with Kaitlin flying down the hill.

"I never knew this when we lived in California. I'm sorry we missed this for so long, Poppy." She says after the final run down the hill.

"As am I, my angel, how I wish you both could have seen how special Christmas was for Ma. She baked the best damn walnut chocolate chip cookies you ever tasted. I can still smell them like they're being made right now."

The memory of all those years is still vivid in his mind. Mr. Reed wipes his nose as he tosses the sled into the back of his old pickup truck.

"Let's get inside before you get sick. Inside, let's go!"

"Poppy, I'm glad you changed; I remember how mad you were when mom and I came to see nanna. I like this side of you!" Kaitlin says, walking backward into the house.

"Sometimes it takes something important being lost to see what matters most." He answers with the door closing behind him.

As it seems that all is well and happy, Logan and Jordan are still back in his office talking in private.

"I can't believe she said no! I mean, that's crazy, the way it seemed like real love." Logan mentions facing his cousin.

Jordan throws his arms out, unable to figure it out as well.

"Right! I guess she doesn't feel the way I do. How could she say no with the perfect background? The snow, the mountains, a brisk breeze, and the ring! I mean, the ring I had is beautiful and now not only has she said no, but she's sulking in our room."

"If I had any advice to give, I gladly would. Nothing comes to mind. Just give Britney some space, and maybe she will come around."

Rejection doesn't sit well with Jordan as he sits there in the office going over things and some new clues he's learned about the past that affect him and his brother.

Little do any of them realize later that night, Britney makes an exit using the cloak of night. She has a taxi waiting at the end of the property to take her to the nearest airport. Shocked the next morning, Jordan tries to text and call all day with no success. He tries to put her in the back of his mind to enjoy his remaining time in Colorado as his story continues to unfold.