Olli held Emilia's gloved hands tightly as she glided across the ice. Her legs were shaky and she clung to his hands to keep from falling.

"Daddy, I can't do it," she whined.

"It just takes practice. Your cousin Finn is four and a half, and he's skating on his own pretty well." Olli explained and smiled proudly down at his daughter, taking her first steps on the ice. "You'll be playing hockey in no time."

"Like you and uncle Kassu?"

Olli laughed. "Yup."

Hannah watched from the bench with some of the other wags who had young children. The Pen's family skate at Christmas was always a fun time, and now that she had kids, it was a little more special. She snuggled the little bundle closer to her chest to keep him warm. Billy was almost two months old, born right at the beginning of the season. He'd been quite a surprise for everyone, arriving a little early, unlike his older sister. Olli had to rush home from an away game and got to the hospital just in time. He was glad they'd only been playing the Capitals, and it didn't take long to return to Pittsburgh. If they had been playing a Western team, he may have missed the birth of his son.

They hadn't decided on a name yet, since he was a couple weeks early. But it was obvious what they should name him: William, after Hannah's late father. His sudden death that summer in a boating accident had sent shockwaves through their family. He had never been the most active parent, but he was still her father. Hannah felt worse about her mom now being alone, than the fact that her dad was gone. Lucy had never been very independent despite the fact that Bill was hardly around. Hannah practically planned the whole funeral because her mom went comatose at the suggestion of it.

The funeral had an unexpected surprise when Beth showed up. Hannah had reached out to her and tried to get ahold of her when their father died, but Beth remained invisible-until she showed up in black, her hair un-dyed and showing its natural brown color for the first time Hannah could remember. Hannah hadn't seen her since she and Finn visited several years ago. Her skin was naturally tanned, unlike the orangey color it used to have after she got a fake tan. She wasn't as thin, like maybe she wasn't trying to be a model anymore. She seemed so... normal, is the only way Hannah could think of describing it. Beth sat with Hannah and Olli, with a three year old Finn between her and Kasperi (who kept a protective arm around Finn in case Beth tried to run off with him.)

However, Beth had different ideas. The group left the cemetery without addressing the elephant in the room, but once they arrived at the summer house Beth sorted that out before anyone could think of a polite way to ask what the hell Beth had been up to the past few years. Lucy hoped she would stay in Oregon with her, now that she was widowed and alone. But Beth had an even better idea.

"Come back to Australia with me. You can meet my new boyfriend," she added with a smile (a real smile, something they hadn't seen on Beth's face years.) Lucy's mouth fell open in shock and surprise, her eyes searching for a response. She wanted to cry, but with happiness or sadness she wasn't sure.

"Move to the other side of the world? And give up-" Lucy gestured her hands as if to say 'all this' and looked around, realizing the summer house was full of memories of her late husband, and her grown up children who had lives of their own now. Instead of answering Beth, Lucy buried her head in her hands and cried, leaning on her son-in-law's shoulder for support. Olli looked awkwardly at Hannah, and she moved to sit next to her mother and comfort her.

Emilia and Finn were upstairs playing and being looked after by the keen eye of Sarah, whom they brought along because they knew there might be moments like this. Moments when you don't want your children to see their grandmother crying.

"You should go with her. Even if it's just for a few months. It would be good for you to have some change and travel. However," Hannah glanced at Olli and he knew what she was going to say. "Be sure to come back by November."

"Why?" Lucy lifted her head off Olli's shoulder to look at Hannah.

"November 12th, more specifically. We're having another baby, and I think it's a boy this time," Hannah smiled as she watched her mom's face transform from utter sadness and loss, to extreme joy.

"I thought you'd put on a few pounds, but I wasn't going to say anything." Lucy smiled and hugged her daughter.

"Mom! I'm only four months, I haven't gained that much weight!"

Lucy smiled slightly, and her eyes crinkled as she looked around at her kids, her grandkids playing in the next room. Maybe things were going to be okay.

After some convincing, Lucy agreed to stay with Beth for a few months in Australia. She realized change was exactly what she needed, and she 'missed her youngest daughter.' A change of scenery, all the way on the other side of the world, perhaps would help Lucy get back on her feet. After all, it had turned Beth into a decent human being, from a flaky, over-dyed and superficial toothpick.

While Lucy didn't have quite the change Beth had, she did return from Australia with a bit of a tan, and just in time to see the birth of her grandson. Hannah and Olli needed the extra help with Billy and Emilia, so Lucy stayed until Christmas.

Everyone's spirits rose when a Christmas tree was brought in and set up in the corner of the living room. Lucy set about decorating it with Emilia, while Billy watched and stared happily at the shiny lights. When Olli and Hannah returned from work they found Lucy doing all the things you would expect from a grandma at Christmas. She had made gingerbread cookies with Finn and Emilia, they decorated the tree, and now they were cutting out snowflakes (or trying too, at least) to hang on the windows. It was perfect and they sat around the tree sipping eggnog while the kids played under the tree.

"Who would have thought," Hannah commented.

"What?" Olli asked.

"All of this would come from that stupid job I had editing film for the Penguins," she laughed and leaned over to kiss him. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

A/N: Thank you to everyone for reading and voting! It really means a lot to me! I put a lot into this story, so I'm happy to see other people enjoying it : )

PS. thank you to anyone who bought my book!