December 24, 1900

Tombstone. 

I walked over to the sheriff’s office this morning and smiled, seeing my man standing there. I went over to him and hugged him tightly, kissing him hard. “Merry Christmas, baby!” 

“Well look who came to town..you’re not Santa Claus, but even better.” Tom smiled. “Merry Christmas my love.” 

“I was out rebuying the gifts for Natalie and Jimmy.” 

“What are the little rugrats out doing today?” 

“Well Natalie is busy transcribing my memoirs for me because she’s immensely curious and Jimmy is over at the coral taking care of the horses.” 

“They don’t know the meaning of the word ‘stop’ do they?” 

“They will tonight.” I chuckled. 

“Yep, they sure will.. I got Jimmy that BB Gun he has been wanting… I made him think he wasn’t old enough.” Tom smiled. 

“And I got Natalie some new note paper and a nice quill pen with ink that she’s been wanting. Will make her writing at the paper a lot easier.” 

“Yeah, she will love that. I ain’t giving Jimmy the bb’s for his gun though til he can show me he wont shoot Natalie or other people. Last thing we need is him getting mad and shooting someone in the rear with a bb.” Tom chuckled. 

“That’s a good idea. You need to teach him how to use that thing but it will protect them a bit when we’re both working, so it’s a good idea.” 

“Yeah true...well its all set tonight..I am reading The Night Before Christmas to the orphans at 8pm. I hope they will like it.” 

“I’m sure they will be thrilled about it. Natalie was telling me they loved your yellow rose of Texas story.” 

Tom put his arm around me and kissed me again. “You look beautiful today sweetheart. You must have slept like a log last night.” He laughed then and said, “Yeah, I told the story behind the Texas Blue Bonnet, to help cheer everyone up.” 

“I sure did…” I grinned and kissed him hard, leaning him against the pole in front of me. “I kind of wish there were more people about though... I want to get moving on gathering fingerprints and such. I’ve been thinking about bartending over at Kate’s more. Maybe even during dances... to start gathering prints that way.” 

“Would you like to go have a tall cold rootbeer with me my dear?” 

“I would love to, dear. Whiskey would be better.” I winked at him. 

“Root beer with a whiskey chaser.” Tom laughed and took my hand. We walked into Kate’s and poured ourselves some drinks as Tom said, “I guess most folk are at home getting ready for tomorrow. I saw Miss Bree, and a couple other ladies in town a little earlier.” 

“I guess so, yes…”

“So guess what our little son and daughter has done for us my dear.” 

“What have they done, sweetheart?” 

“They done went and had Christmas dinner cooked for us, so neither of us have to cook or clean tomorrow.” 

I blinked, surprised. “They did?! That’s so sweet of them! Oh, that makes me so happy. That always takes so long to prepare!” 

“Yeah, Jimmy let the cat out of the bag last night when I started talking about what he and Natalie wanted for Christmas dinner.” 

“That’s so great of them. We’ve got some special kids you know,” I said as I traced a finger around his ring on his finger. 

“Yes we do. They are so kind hearted, and thoughtful. I cant say I was like that as a kid. I was always in trouble I am sure.” 

“I bet you were the one trying to open the presents before Christmas, right dear?” I chuckled. 

“Who, me?! Nooooooo...I was the perfect little angel.” Tom laughed, looking at me. 

“I find that very hard to believe!” I laughed hard. 

“I was as innocent as you were I am sure. We both know you wernt innocent either.” 

I giggled and leaned into him. “Well, it’s so great to watch the kids get excited about Christmas. It helps me forget about that awful note and the mess the Wild Bunch left us. There’s not much we can do until we get ahold of the mayor.” 

“Yes true baby. I am just glad we were able to keep the kids from finding out. After the killing in front of Natalie that night, the last thing she needs is to know someone broke into the house.” 

“I agree. She has seemed to rally back though. She doesn’t talk about the shooting much and focuses on her writing and the paper. I’m very proud of her.” 

“Me too. Jimmy does his best to keep a close eye on her. He loves having a big sister. I caught him going to see James’s grave yesterday. I didn’t follow, but Jimmy spent the longest time there.This time of year is going to be hardest on all of us I guess.” 

“Yeah... I remember my father at this time... and how my mother and brother are so far away... I wanted to take you all out there to meet them sometime but it seemed like there’s so much going on right now so we’ll have to wait for that trip.” 

“Maybe we could make the trip for New Years..not much going to be happening after Christmas.” 

“That would be a great idea, hon. I know that my mother wants to meet you. She’s met Natalie already. But she wants to meet Jimmy too.” 

“Jimmy would feel like he has a grandma..” Tom smiled. 

“Well she would love for them to call her grandma, I’m sure.” 

“We are sounding more and more like a married couple every day my love.” Tom laughed and leaned over to kiss me. 

“Well I told her about the rings and she considers us married. She wants to meet you all the more now.” I took his hand and stood. “Would you like to dance, love?” 

“Sure.” 

I took him to the dance floor and we started to dance to the music. “It is so good to spend time with you today, darling.” 

“Yes it is my love. We don’t get much alone time to just enjoy ourselves together these days.” 

“We’ll have to just make more time for that, won’t we dear?” I winked at him as I wrapped my arms around his waist. 

“Yes we will. You know, I love you more and more each day we’re together. This is the best Christmas I have ever had.” 

“Me too, love. I never thought I would be with a man this long... or have a family at Christmas time. This is definitely a first for me all around. I love you so much, darling, and am so glad we found each other.” 

“I love you so much too baby. I never imagined I would have a family for Christmas either. I am so happy to have you.” 

“It’s nice to have the whole town to ourselves too... It’s so... quiet…” I smiled, leaning into his embrace. 

“Yep. No Wild Bunch, no screaming for a Doctor. Just you and me in Kate’s Saloon.” 

“It’s almost like heaven…” I winked at him. 

“As long as I have you, it will always be heaven to me dear.” Tom smiled. 

Chris walked in and I smiled, waving over to him. “Hello Chris! Nice of you to join us!” 

“Join you. Were you coming apart?” Chris chuckled and I laughed as Tom greeted him. 

“How are things, Chris?” 

“Meh... I’m ok,” Chris said with a shrug. 

“Merry Christmas Chris,” Tom said to him. 

“You too, Thomas,” Chris smiled at him. 

“Just okay?” I looked over at Chris with concern and he just nodded in response. 

“Have a beer or whatever you like, on me,” Tom offered. 

“Thanks, my friend.” Chris smiled. 

“Any plans for the evening, Chris?” I asked. 

“Yeah. Going to my brother’s house. He, our two sisters, and myself. A little family time. Very little, I hope.” Chris chuckled. 

“That sounds great.” I smiled. 

“What about you two?” He asked. 

“I’m going to read the Night Before Christmas at the orphanage tonight at 8pm… if you wanna come Chris, all are welcome,” Tom invited him. 

“Speaking of which, I think I’m going to head home and finish up some more cleaning before tonight’s festivities.” 

“I might do that.” Chris nodded. “Take care, Trin.” 

“Ok my dear, yeah I think I will follow you shortly,” Tom said to me. 

I kissed Tom on the cheek and then went over to take Chris’ hand, pulling him up into a hug. I said goodbye to them and said Merry Christmas again to Chris and then headed home.