Drake held Jillian on his lap. The couches were overrun with adults. The children were playing with boxes and hiding under huge sheets of wrapping paper and slowly migrating out of the immediate area. The presents that weren't being played with were stacked carefully in individual piles by the tree. When he and Dixon had moved to the Marshall ranch, Christmas had taken on a new meaning for them. Extended family had taken on a new importance. He'd never had this growing up. It was the environment he wanted his and Jillian's family to know.

Jillian laid her head down on his shoulder. "I'm glad Dad and Matt know the truth. Thank you for making sure they were told."

Drake dropped a kiss on her forehead. It was difficult for her being away from Cliff and Matt, but necessity dictated she stay hidden on the ranch. He glanced at his Skipper and friend. The man had moved mountains to make sure Jillian's family knew she hadn't perished in the staged fire.

"Have you heard from Dixon?" Jade and Nic sat beside them. Jade slipped to the floor between Nic's legs. She glanced up at Drake waiting for an answer.

"A couple weeks ago. He called. Said he was managing." Drake noticed the entire room had stilled at the mention of his brother's name.

"After he spoke with you, Dixon called me." Jason dropped his arm around Faith as he sat back on the couch. Blake and Tristan were the only children in the room, and they were inside a spaceship camouflaged as a thick, cardboard, packing box.

"When are we going to move on this?" Jade popped the same question Drake asked every time he talked to Jason or Jacob.

"When Dixon tells us he has what we need and not before. Like I said, he called me after he called Drake. Dixon advised me to stand down. He has been put in a tough situation and has relayed details about what is going on." Jason held up a hand and stopped Jacob and Jared's questions. "Nothing I can, or will, share at this time. He wanted my assurance that nobody was coming in after him. His path forward is treacherous, and he doesn't want to worry about one of us getting hurt, especially Drake." Jason looked directly at Drake. "His words. Not mine."

"I still don't like it," Jacob spoke in a low voice, but it was heard over the two little boys’ laughter.

"You don't have to like it. Just trust that boy to know when to call for backup." Frank's words carried weight and wisdom, but Drake still hated it. Hated being sidelined while Dixon hung out on the edge of the precipice.

Amanda cleared her throat. "What about Chief and Taty?"

Jason smiled. "Well, those two are a different story. They delivered a package to us, but they went back overseas. They had one more lead to track down in Europe before they came home."

"I really hope they find her sister." Jewell took a sip of her hot chocolate after she spoke.

"After all these years?" Tori closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. "I pray they find the woman. If she is still alive, she'll need a safe place to heal."

"If she can." Jasmine nodded. She held a sleeping Chloe in her arms while Chad's arms wrapped around both of them.

Jason cleared his throat, bringing attention back to him. "We have one more Christmas present to give the family." He looked down and Faith and smiled. The woman's blush was immediate. She nodded, and Jason smiled before he turned to the room and announced, "We're pregnant."

The immediate cheer brought the older kids back in, and Faith kneeled down to whisper in Reece's ear. The little boy lit up like a fireworks display.

"Really?" When Faith nodded, he jumped up in the air. "A boy, Momma! You have to have a brother for me! Talon has all brothers. I want a brother, too!"

"Brothers are cool." Talon chimed in.

"Girls are cool, too!" Lizzy stood with her hands on her hips glaring at the two boys.

Talon nodded. "Maybe, but I don't have a sister, so I don't know."

Lizzy dropped her hands. "That's okay. You can borrow me, right, Momma?"

Keelee laughed, rubbing her forehead as she took in the children beseeching her for an answer. "Sure honey, but he needs to give you back."

"Awesome!" Talon shouted and dashed back to the foyer where they'd set up their play area. The others ran after him as congratulations continued. Drake shook Jason's hand and hugged Faith. He wished Dixon was here to know he was going to be an uncle again. The hole he felt from his twin's absence was a constant thing.

Frank stood beside him. "Trust in your brother."

He glanced at Frank before finding Jillian with his eyes. "I do trust him." He nodded to the crowd around Jason. "I trust my family; but I won't lie and tell you I'm not worried about all of them."

Frank put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "Welcome to my world, son."

Drake dropped his head. "How do you stay so calm? This is killing me."

Frank grunted before he reached into his pocket and handed Drake a piece of candy. "Son, you take every minute as it comes and thank God you have a heart that beats even though it bleeds for those you love."

Drake nodded and focused on the wax wrapper around the taffy. Frank squeezed his shoulder and ambled over to the group. Drake looked up to the star on the top of the Christmas tree. "Merry Christmas, D. I love you man."