THE WEEK FLEW by, and before Tate knew it, he was pulling the Mustang into a parking spot at Water Tower Place with his sister, Jill, sitting beside him. On Monday he’d given her a call to see if she wanted to get together sometime that week to pick out gifts for the boys, and she had been quick to suggest Thursday if he was available. So there they were late Thursday afternoon, climbing out of the car and heading toward the sliding doors that would lead them into the mall.

“Whoa buddy, it’s cold tonight,” Jill said, rubbing her hands together and blowing on them.

“It sure is,” Tate agreed as a shudder racked his body and he pulled his hands out of his pockets to rub together.

“At least the snow let up tonight,” Jill said as they wandered inside where Christmas music played and the warmth enveloped them. “I didn’t think it would for a while there. This week has been a nightmare.”

“I know. Logan and I were just talking about it yesterday. He was close to calling in and working from home today, but decided last minute to head in. They’re finalizing the plans for the Christmas party tomorrow night.”

“Oh, how fun,” Jill said with a grin. “He didn’t want to miss out on that, huh?”

“Actually, he’d rather do anything else, but Cole’s been out all week looking after the family, so Logan became the point man. Today he has to catch him up on everything.” Tate laughed as he unwound his red scarf, thinking of the way Logan had complained pretty much all week about being a lawyer, not a damn party planner. “But yes, it should be a lot of fun. They always are.”

When they stopped at the third-story balcony by the glass elevators, Jill braced her hands on the railing and looked down to where twinkling blue and white lights hung in strands, and giant stockings and baubles decorated the elevators traveling up and down between the floors.

Jill sighed. “I just love this place at Christmas.”

As she was busy looking at everyone bustling around on the other levels, Tate found himself looking at her profile. “I remember.”

Jill pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear and looked up at him with a grin. “Do you remember when Dad used to bring us here for photos with Santa?”

“Yeah,” Tate said, and chuckled. “You’d beg him to bring us for weeks, and when he did, you’d start crying.”

“Not always.”

“Oh, my bad,” Tate said. “You stopped crying and started complaining when you hit, like, six.”

“I did not,” she said, and swatted at his arm.

Tate shrugged and turned to look out over the balcony. “Did so. I don’t think there’s one photo of us with the jolly old man where you aren’t pouting—”

“Or you aren’t frowning,” she interjected, and Tate smirked.

“That’s because you were pouting.”

Jill laughed and nodded. “Probably.”

“So, do you have a plan of attack?” Tate asked, and she shook her head.

“Not really…”

“Hmm,” Tate said. “Well, who do you have left to shop for?”

“Sam, Dad, and Logan. That’s it,” Jill said. “We did the boys last week, and I’m not buying yours while I’m with you, so…what about you?”

“I just have the boys. We already have everyone else’s, and I snuck out last week to get Logan’s.” When Tate looked at her, Jill shook her head.

“Show-off. You’re so organized.”

“No, that would be Logan.”

“Hmm. Okay, that list doesn’t seem too daunting.”

“You don’t know Logan.”

Jill looped her arm through Tate’s elbow and patted it. “No. I don’t—”

Shit, he hadn’t meant… “Jill, I—”

“No,” she said with a slight smile. “Don’t apologize. I don’t know him. But I’m really hoping to change that.”

“I’d like that,” Tate said, and realized he really would. He wasn’t sure if he would ever have a close relationship with her again, or if Logan would ever feel totally comfortable with her, but this was a good start, and hey, at least they were all trying.

“Okay, so where to first?” she asked.

Tate straightened and nodded toward the elevator. “Men’s clothing for Logan. How about that? Let’s try and knock him out first.”

“Thank God you’re here. I’d have no clue,” Jill said, and Tate gave her a crooked smile.

“Nah. Clothes are the one thing you can’t go wrong with when it comes to Logan. I just buy him something I think he’d look hot in.”

Jill laughed and pushed the down button. “Which is pretty much anything, I assume?”

Damn right it is, Tate thought, as the doors opened and he put his arm up to hold it open for her. “You would assume right.”

“Okay then. Men’s clothing it is. Let’s do this.”

* * *

“I’M STARTING TO think the jackhammers were preferable to this Christmas music,” Logan said as he and Cole walked down the hallway to the lobby elevators. “What is it, on a loop? If I have to hear ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas’ one more time today, I might just jump off my new balcony.”

Cole pushed the up button, slipped his hands into his pockets, and rocked back on his heels. “Good to see you’re in a festive mood, brother.”

“Look, you’re not the one who’s had to deal with the hundred-odd phone calls from Sara the ‘event planner’ this week, thank you very much. I feel like I should get her commission. Between picking music, to deciding what food to have, to what alcohol I most want to watch people get drunk on, any kind of wedding Tate was wanting to plan, is starting to look really good about six months from now.”

As the elevator doors opened and they stepped inside, Cole chuckled. “Oh, come on, it hasn’t been that bad.”

“Says he who has been gone all week.”

“Would you have rather been at my house dealing with two itchy children who were running fevers, crying up a storm, and a wife who has been downright irritable all week?”

When the elevator reached their floor and dinged, Logan looked at Cole and said, “Okay. You win. But still—”

“Uh uh. I win, end of story,” Cole said, and when the doors opened and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” boomed out of the tripod speakers set up around the room, Logan glared at his brother.

“At least it’s not ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,’” Cole said as the two of them walked out of the elevator.

People were bustling about, stringing up lights, decorating trees, and several were organizing where the tables and chairs were to be set up, and standing off to one side, with Sara, was Priest. When they spotted Cole and Logan, Sara waved enthusiastically and Priest took the opportunity to wander off before she turned around to find him gone.

Logan leaned into Cole’s side as they headed toward their event planner and said, “Don’t tell Priest this, but I’m pretty sure she has her sights set on him and the mistletoe tomorrow night.”

Cole arched an eyebrow. “Really? I thought Priest was down for a plus-one.”

“He is,” Logan said, and laughed. “He even told her he had a date, twice. But that Sara, she’s a persistent one in her job and…her personal life. Poor Priest.”

“Yes, I can tell you feel bad for him by that ridiculous smile on your face.”

“Hey, it’s been the only source of entertainment I’ve had all week,” Logan said as they wove their way through the tables.

“These are coming together nicely,” Cole said, ignoring Logan and gesturing to the tables that had red tablecloths and silver napkins with… “What are these?”

Logan picked up one of the silver-wrapped glittery tubes that sat on each of the napkins and said, “A Christmas cracker. I’d never even heard of them, but Sara says they’re a lot of fun and great icebreakers. You pull one end, and the person next to you pulls the other.”

“Uh huh,” Cole said as Logan put it back down on the table. “Well, they make the tables look pretty.”

“I think so,” Logan said as he ran his hand over the back of one of the red cushioned chairs. “There’s still a lot more to be set up, but once it all comes together, I think it’s going to look great.”

“Do I even want to see the bill?” Cole asked.

Logan shook his head as they came to a stop in front of Sara. “You told me to make it festive.”

Cole looked around the space and nodded. “That I did. Good afternoon, Sara.”

“Good afternoon, Mr. Madison. Mr. Mitchell,” she said with a bright smile and a slightly frantic look to her eye. “I’m sorry we aren’t further along. We got held up with the tables and chairs, but now that they’re all here, we can go ahead and finish with the table setup.”

She turned her attention to Logan, who had his hands on his hips and was looking around the space. “The centerpieces look stunning, by the way. They were a fantastic choice.”

“Centerpieces?” Cole asked.

“Oh yes,” Sara said excitedly. “They’re glass with holly and lights and baubles, and they just look divine. You wait, tomorrow night you won’t even recognize this place.”

Logan pivoted back around to face the two of them. “I’m sure we won’t. You’re doing a wonderful job.”

“Thank you.” She beamed, and Logan looked over his shoulder to the makeshift dance floor and raised stage. “The band’s going over there?” he asked, and Sara walked them over to where there were several electrical outlets set up.

“Yes. They should get here an hour or so before your guests start to arrive.”

“Perfect,” Cole said, nodding. “Is there anything else you need from us? I hear Logan has been at your disposal this week.”

“I think we have everything pretty much set. And yes, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Priestley. Though I’m not sure where he went. He was just here.”

When she looked at Cole, Logan moved behind her and mouthed see? Cole cleared his throat and looked away from him.

“Well,” Cole said, “if you don’t need anything from us, we’ll get out of your hair.”

“Oh, you’re no trouble,” she said. “I’ll see you both tomorrow.”

“That you will,” Cole agreed, and as he and Logan walked off, he said, “I hope whoever Priest brings tomorrow night has a tight hold of him, because that woman is definitely ready to give a confession or two.”

As the two of them got in the elevator and turned back to face Sara, side by side, she waved at them, and Logan waved back and said to Cole with a laugh, “Yes…she’d definitely like to get on her knees for the Priest.”

And as the doors slid shut, Cole’s “Logan” was heard echoing out over the Christmas music.

* * *

“THAT’S THE FINAL one,” Jill said as Tate paid the cashier and took the bag. They’d done well, managing to knock everyone out in under two hours. Thank God Jill wasn’t one of those women who loved to shop. But then again, if she had been, Tate never would’ve suggested this be where they come to catch up today.

As they wandered out of the gaming store where he’d just purchased the latest video game Coop and Jon were into, Tate said, “Do you have to go home right away?”

Jill glanced up at him and shook her head. “Nope. Sam told me to take my time. Why? Was there somewhere else you wanted to go?”

Yes, there was. Christmas in the Morrison household had always been the big holiday. The one where the traditions were the richest and the gatherings were the biggest. But when things had fallen apart, so had the traditions, and this year, Tate wanted to see if Jill would be open to reclaiming one that the two of them had always loved.

“There is,” he said, and headed off in the direction they needed to go. They made their way along the decorated promenade, past the Christmas tree where Santa sat taking photo after photo with children who were smiling and some—Tate chuckled—who were screaming. Then they entered Macy’s and made their way to—

“The Walnut Room?” Jill said as she followed along beside him, and Tate grinned.

“Yeah. I thought we could have dinner there. You know, like we used to after going to see the old guy.”

When they came to a stop at the doors to the restaurant, Jill’s eyes teared and she bit down on her bottom lip, nodding. “I’d like that.”

“So would I,” Tate said, and held the crook of his elbow out to her. “Come on. I made a reservation for seven.”

When they reached the hostess stand, Tate gave his name, and then the two of them were shown through the tables and out into the main floor.

The Walnut Room was the first restaurant to ever open in a department store, and it was always a nice place to go if you were done shopping for the day, but at Christmas, it was spectacular.

In the middle of the main floor, where the hostess was leading them, was an enormous Christmas tree two stories high, and it was lit up with hundreds of lights and sparkling baubles. There were giant presents under the tree that were also illuminated, making the restaurant sparkle and shine.

Around the base of the tree were several tables, all of which were full, except the one they were being directed to, and when they were shown to their seats, Tate could see his gamble had paid off.

Jill looked exactly as he remembered her as a girl. She was smiling, happy, and, for the first time in four years, carefree as she sat opposite him and looked at all the lights.

“This is wonderful,” she said when she brought her eyes back to his. “I haven’t been here for years.”

Tate picked up a menu and looked over the choices. “Logan brought me here the first Christmas we spent together. It brought me back to when I was a boy.”

Jill nodded as she picked up her own menu. “It really does, doesn’t it? The tree is beautiful this year.”

Tate looked up at the sparkling silver and gold and agreed.

“This is nice, isn’t it?” Jill said as she lowered her menu and reached across the table to him.

“It is. I’ve missed you,” Tate said as he squeezed her fingers, and when someone stopped by their table, the two of them turned, expecting to find the waiter, but instead were drawn up short at who stood there.

“Jill? Tate?” The feminine voice was immediately familiar, and as Tate registered exactly who was standing in front of them, his eyes just about fell out of his head.

“Diana?” Jill said, and then got to her feet.

Tate sat where he was, glued to his seat with his mouth open, stunned by the woman standing at their table. Because while Diana looked much the same, there was something very different about her—she was holding a baby.

“I thought it was you two,” Diana said as Jill hugged her free side, but Tate still couldn’t find his feet to stand. “I’d know your curls anywhere.”

Tate told himself to get up, but even as Jill moved aside and asked, “And who’s this little one?” he was finding it difficult to remember how to use his legs.

“This is Claire. My daughter,” Diana said, and kissed the baby girl on the head. “This is her first Christmas.”

Daughter. Diana has a baby. A daughter?

“Oh, she’s just precious,” Jill said as she took the little girl’s fingers.

“Thank you.”

“I didn’t know you were coming home for the holidays,” Jill said, and Tate knew he should say hi, or Merry Christmas, or something or other, but he was too blown away by what he was seeing to do anything like that. So he just sat there totally and utterly gobsmacked as Diana continued to look down at him.

“Yes, it was all very last minute,” she said, and then returned her attention to Jill. “Michael and I decided Claire would be okay to travel up here to see her grandparents for her first Christmas, so we jumped in the car.”

“Of course,” Jill said. “I wish I’d known you were coming. It feels like forever since I’ve seen you.”

“Nearly three years,” Diana said, and this time when her eyes moved to him, Tate made himself stand. “You look…” She stopped and swallowed before grinning at him. “You look really well, Tate.”

Considering the last time she’d seen him he’d been hooked up to a ventilator and lying in a hospital bed, he knew that was true. He studied her for a second, her black hair pinned back in an intricate twist, her red sweater and black skirt paired with boots that made her look both stylish and festive. But it was her sparkling eyes and genuine smile that made him smile in return. She looked beautiful as she stood there with her little girl. Diana was happy, and so was he, and in that moment, he’d never been more at peace with everything that had happened between them all those years ago.

“So do you,” he finally said, and stepped forward to press a kiss to her cheek. “Claire is gorgeous.”

She bounced the little girl on her hip, and Claire giggled. “I think so, but then again, I’m slightly biased.”

Tate chuckled, and when Diana looked between him and Jill, she said, “It’s really nice to see the two of you together for the holidays.”

Her meaning was obvious—the last time she’d seen them, they weren’t talking—and when Tate reached out to stroke a finger down Claire’s chubby cheek, Diana looked at her daughter and her eyes latched on to his hand.

“Wait…you got married?” she asked taking his hand in hers. “You and Logan?”

She looked around then as though trying to find Logan, and Tate grinned at her. “He’s not here tonight. But no, we aren’t married yet. We just got engaged.”

When her eyes came back to his, Tate saw a hint of sadness there—but more important was the joy. Diana was genuinely happy for him, and she leaned forward to kiss his cheek.

“Be happy,” she whispered in his ear. “You deserve it.” And as she pulled back, a tall man with short brown hair made his way over.

“There you are,” he said, as he placed a hand on Diana’s waist and smiled at Tate and Jill. “I turned around, and the next thing I knew, my two favorite girls were gone.”

Diana laughed as she leaned into the man’s side and kissed him. “No, I just saw these two over here and had to say hello. This is Jill and her brother, Tate.” She paused as though letting the names sink in with the man, who Tate assumed was Michael, and when they did, Michael looked to Tate and narrowed his eyes.

“Oh. Well, that’s unexpected,” he said.

Diana laughed and jabbed him in the side. “Behave, Michael. Tate, Jill, this is my husband and Claire’s father, Michael.”

Jill held her hand out, and as Michael shook it, Tate noticed Diana’s husband kept an eye on him. He’d no doubt heard about Diana’s ex and all that had happened, and when Michael finally turned to Tate and held his hand out, Tate reached for it and shook it.

“It’s nice to finally put a face to the name,” Michael said, and when he released Tate’s hand, he wrapped an arm around Diana’s shoulder and leaned in to kiss Claire on the nose.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Tate said, and as he slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans, he realized he meant it. Seeing Diana like this, in a healthy relationship, made Tate’s heart…happy.

“Well, if you two are ready to get going…” Michael said to his wife. “Mom said she’d meet us in the baby department. I have a feeling she’s getting ready to spoil this one.”

Diana handed Claire over to her dad, and when she nodded, Michael took hold of the little girl and waved at both Jill and Tate. “It was nice to meet you both.”

“You too,” Jill said.

Diana looked to Tate and reached for his hand, and as she squeezed his fingers, he caught her eyes tearing slightly as she said, “Have a Merry Christmas, and tell Logan I said hello and congratulations.”

Tate swallowed but managed to tell her that he would, and as she turned and walked away with her family, he and Jill sat down.

Jill waggled her eyebrows. “Now that was a trip, huh?”

Tate let out a burst of laughter and ran a hand through his hair. “No lie.”

Jill picked her menu up and grinned. “You think they sell alcohol here?”

“I sure as hell hope so. After that, I could do with one. Or three.”

Jill reached across the table and took his hand in hers. “You handled that beautifully.”

“I’m happy for her.”

“And I’m happy for you.”

“Yeah,” Tate said, and winked. “So am I. Now, where’s the damn waiter? I’m starving.”