and so

It was definitely a quiet Christmas.

Cass couldn't remember one where there was no drinking. Alcohol. His mom believed in it. But not this year.

At least, they'd heard from Casey. He was perfectly fine in Arizona. He supposed that was his mother's favorite Christmas present. But it had been so somber. No new gadgets for video gaming could make it better.

But at least little Joy was sleeping through the night. And now, Cass was a full time Dad. He'd quit his job just to take care of the baby. Luckily, he could do this with the money that Joy left. Although, he didn't exactly like it this way.

He'd find himself dreaming what it would have been like if Cory and Joy had their own home and what happy Christmas it would have been. At least Cory was around. He'd moved in with Cass and Cady. Of course, it took him forever to get completely out of Joy's apartment. Cass knew Cory didn't want to get rid of, but he had. Finally, made a clean break.

Cass kept waiting for Cady to complain about a crowded house, but she hadn't. Not yet. No, she'd been busy making cookies and trying to make thing manageable. Yes, maybe things were better than good. She seemed more sure of herself now. And he'd been waiting for that for a very long time now.