[RACHEL02189]

When I woke up I saw the Christmas Tree shining bright infront of the window as snow layed on the ground. I saw Juliet was next to me. I looked around and saw a note on the table. It was from Dimitra.

Went down to put some flowers on John's grave we'll be right back to go to the hospital to see Christopher

I got up and took a shower. After that I went to look at some of Criss's clothes. The door opened and Dimitra and the rest of the family came in. "I can't believe it snowed last night" JD replied hanging up his coat. "I remember Christopher would always wish for a white christmas I guess he finally got his wish" Dimitra replied. "I wonder where Christine is?"Costa inquired. I came out wearing a pair of Criss's pants with one of his shirts. "Wow you look good in Criss's clothes"JD remarked. "I hope he doesn't mind"I replied smiling. "Do you want to join us when we go visit Criss?"Costa asked. "I have to go to the hospital anyway they have an afternoon Christmas luncheon for the kids where they get presents people have donated" she remarked. "Well let's gather up the present and go" Dimi said. At the hospital Criss was in his room just flipping through the channel when a nurse came in with a wheelchair.

"Guess what Mr Sarantakos the doctor is going to let you be mobile but you have to be in a wheelchair for it". "Thanks I'm ready to lose my mind if I don't get out of here" he replied. "But first you need some clean clothes and your family dropped off some". The nurse helped Criss put on some plaid sweats and a sweatshirt. She helped Criss up and down in to the wheelchair than put up his leg. Criss bit his lip a little. "You all right?" she asked. "Yea it just hurts a little" Criss stated. As she wheeled him out of the room Criss just thought of his family opening gifts as his just sat under the tree. This is the worest Christmas since dad passed I've ever had Criss thought. Then Criss looked up and his eyes just opened up like a little kid. Standing in a room with a christmas tree was his family. "MERRY CHRISTMAS CHRISTOPHER!!" everyone called out. Tears fell down his face as everyone hugged and kissed him. JD even put a Santa hat on Criss. "I can't believe this"Criss replied in shock. "You can thank Christine she's the one who thought of it" Dimi remarked.

"She must be with her mom"Criss said. Dimitra looked a little sad. "Her mom passed away last night right now she's helping out with a children's christmas in the ped's ward"she remarked. Down stairs in the cafertia I was pouring some apple juice and putting out some cookies on a platter. "I'll bring this up" one of the volunteers said and left. After the lady left I heard someone clear their throat. I turned around and saw Criss in the wheelchair with the Santa hat on. "Hey Criss I thought you'd be upstairs opening gifts with your family"I remarked smiling. "I wanted to see you first my mom told me your mom died last night" he said. "Yea she went quietly in her sleep" I replied trying to hold back the tears. "They also told me you were the one who suggested of bringing Christmas to the hospital for me". "I thought it would be nice since you're kind of like a big kid"I stated. Criss smiled. "Christine I got to say that this has got to be the best Christmas so far. I let Hammie meet his sister, I made a new friend who's got a big heart considering she's in a bit of pain right now"Criss stated.

"I feel weird saying this Criss but meeting you, your family, and your mom has made me feel happy this Christmas considering I wasn't in the mood for it this year" she remarked. "Well how about after I finish my Christmas upstairs my family helps out with the kid's Christmas". "Sure Santa Angel" I said as I gave Criss a kiss. After his family opened their gifts they came down and helped. JD even dressed like Santa Claus which made everyone laugh. As we passed out the gifts Criss asked where Sandy was. "She's not feeling well today Criss she had to have chemo early this morning" one of the nurses stated. "She's got cancer!" Criss remarked. "Luekemia she's been in and out of this hospital since she was five"the nurse stated. "That's got to be so tough on her family" Dimitra remarked coming over. "It is on her mother. She's a single parent she's so busy working three jobs that she doesn't have the time to see Sandy as much as she wants. She even had to work today" she replied.

"On Christmas that's so sad" Little D stateed. Criss saw a gift for Sandy and put it in his lap and took a stocking. "Excuse me" and wheeled off. In her room Sandy was looking at the window while she laid in bed holding her teddy. "Hey" a voice said. She looked and saw Criss wheeling in. "Hey Sandy remember me". She nodded. "I heard you weren't feeling up to being with the other kids so I thought I'd bring you a gift and a stocking" giving them to her. Her face lit up as she opened the gift. It was a coloring book. "And I think I saw some crayons in your stocking" as Criss handing them to her. As Criss talked to Sandy Dimitra and I just watched. "Christopher always had a way with kids" Dimitra stated. "Criss is making her day considering her mom couldn't be here"I replied. Then Criss made a flower appear out of nowhere which made Sandy giggle. Criss put the flower in her hair. "Well I'm going to let you get better and I'll see you later all right". "Bye" she remarked. Criss wheeled out with a smile on his face.

[RACHEL02189]

When it came time for Criss to leave the hospital he wanted to say good-bye to Sandy. When JD rolled him down to her room Sandy's mom was visiting. "Angel" Sandy called out when she saw Criss. "You must be the man my daughter keeps talking about" her mother stated. "You must her mom" shaking her hand. "I don't know what you've been doing but you've made my daughter so happy even thou she had to spend Christmas here"she replied. "She kind of did the same thing with me too. I also wanted to give you this" giving her an envelope. When she opened it tears started to fall down her face. "That will help you pay some bills and maybe you can quit one of your jobs so you can spend some time with your daughter" Criss stated. "I don't know what to say but I can't take this". "Please consider it my Christmas gift to you and Sandy. I have to go but I'll try to visit you Sandy" Criss remarked. "Bye Angel" she replied as JD wheeled Criss out.

When Criss got home Little Dimi was playing with Hammie. "Look who's home". Criss came in on crutchers. "Uncle Criss it's so good to see you" as Criss sat down. "Thanks Dimi where's mom and Costa?" he asked as Hammie jumped into his lap. "They're helping Christine pack up her mom's stuff at the home" Lynn stated. "I wonder what she's going to do now" JD asked. "She doesn't know" Lynn replied. At the home I was packing up some of my mom's pictures as Dimitra came back in. "Costa's almost done can I help you". "No just looking at some pictures of me and my mom when I was young" showing Dimitra. "You were a cute kid just as cute as Christopher was" she replied giving it back. "Well I should bring these home with me and Costa can take the boxes marked good will to the church or some where" I remarked wiping my tears away. Dimitra walked over to me and gave me a hug. For some reason while Dimitra hugged me I felt the same way I always did when my own mother gave me a hug. "Thanks for the help Dimitra".

"No problem come on" and we left. When I got home I checked my messages. Some hang ups, some people asking to vote for this person or that person but the last one I couldn't believe. When New Year Eve hit Lynn invited me over to watch the ball drop. At the house Criss was still on crutches but getting around pretty good. "Here we go" giving everyone popcorn. "So what time is the flight on Tuesday?" his mother asked. "Yea Dave wants to know so he can set up a meeting" JD stated. "That's what I wanted to talk about. I talked to the doctor yesterday and he sayes with the extent of the damaged tendons he doesn't want me to fly so I'm stuck here for another two weeks" Criss replied sitting down. "Felix isn't going to like this Criss"JD said. "If he doesn't like he can take it up with my doctor"Criss replied. "Thank god the repairs to the house is almost done" Dimitra said. "I kind liked having the family here"Lynn said. The door bell rang and Dimi got it. "Hey it's Christine"she stated. She opened the door and I came in with a stoller. "Hey guys look who I have". Criss turned and saw the baby. "How did you get a baby?"Dimitra inquired as Dimi took her coat.

"Well the lady at DDS called and informed me that the lady who attacked Criss and I she wouldn't stay on her medication as part of the deal of getting back her son so they took away her rights and the DDS is letting me adopt him"I replied with a huge smile on my face. "Congrates so what the kid's name?"Costa asked. "Joseph Christopher" I replied as Criss smiled. "Let me see Joseph" Dimitra inquired. I gave Dimitra the baby. "Also there's something I need to ask you and Christopher?" I asked. "What's that Christine?" Criss asked. "Well I would like it if you and your mom were Joseph's god parents and if something happens to me you'll watch over him for me"I asked. Criss got up and hobbled over to me. "I'd be delighted to be Joseph's godfather" and gave me a hug. "I would too and I'll watch over this child like I know you will"Dimitra added giving me a kiss. "Come on it's almost time" Costa remarked. We watched as the ball fell and I felt happy that it took two cats: a brother and sister to give me some great friends and a child to raise.

THE END.............................