"Sleep in heavenly peace." Jessy ended as they made the final turn into Grampa Lawyer's neighborhood. "I can't believe I haven't gotten the lights up yet. Or the tree." Grampa Lawyer exclaimed. "Daddy don't feel bad. Walker was just talking about hiring someone to just come and decoratae for us. Things have been so busy lately." Diana shared. "And I go and make you all travel to Okalahoma City to be with me." Jessy pouted. "Wouldn't miss it for all the christmas lights in the world. I'm going to be there to see the new Miss Oklahoma and then bring her home with us." Grampa Lawyer teased. "Oh Grampa you are so prejudice. You look at me and see Miss Oklahoa. I see the new zit by my nose, ny crooked teeth... oh no another zit. Yikes. Sure can tell I'm stressing over all of this. I can see it now... by Friday night I'll be one huge zit." Jessy moaned looking in the over head mirror. "Put that away." Darcy said reaching from the driver's seat to fold up the vanity irror by Jessy, finishing, "We'll just go to the salon and have a deep facial toorrow and then we'll mellow out with our smooth perfect complexions." "You'd do that for me?" Jessy teased. "Did you see the zit I'm hiding with my bangs?" Darcy teased back. "Oh no I didn't notice the red beacon light coming from under your bangs." Jessy teased back. "Oh no it's grown." Darcy squealed pulling down her vanity mirror at the next stop. "Diana dear do you think it's safe to let her drive?" Grampa Lawyer whispered loudly causing both girls to laugh heartily. "And a large zit on her forehead." Jessy sang teasingly.to the Twelve Days of Christmas causing them all to laugh. "Oh my. Look girls. Look." Grampa Lawyer called out as Darcy neared his house. noticing all the chrstmas lights and decorations up. "Taylor? Mom do you think?" Jessy gasped turning to shee her reaction to her question. "I wouldn't think so. Not just that he had so much on his mind but decorating is not his thing. He's always the one that wanders off. Usually ends up playing christmas carols while we do the work." Diana shared. "Huh. So Grampa you have fairy godmother or something?" Jessy asked. "I assumed it was Taylor but I agree with you dear." Grampa replied as Darcy turned the van into his driveway as Isaac, Taylor, Zac, Adam and Ashley stepped out onto the porch singing 'We Wish You A Merry Christas'. "My boys this is wonderful. Just wonderful." Grampa Lawyer said making his way fro the van. "This is really nice." Jessy sighed walking around looking at the lights. "You like this kind of stuff huh?" Zac asked noticing the look in her eyes. "It's so beautiful Zac. You guys did a good job." Jessy sighed wrapping her arms around his waist gazing at the lights. "It was Taylor's idea. After a little soul searching, he figured there was nothing he could do until the baby is here and his questions get answered. He noticed Grampa hadn't done any decorating and called us." Zac explained. "So he's got a handle on things?" Jessy asked. "As well as can be expected. He's really trying not to let the anger take control is all. I mean what happens if the test shows the baby is his?" Zac replied. "Whoa I hadn't thought about that. Man I've got a lot of words to eat if that's the case." Jessy shared hugging him tight. "It'll be okay babe." Zac whispered hugging her back. "You always know." Jessy sighed, adding,, "So what's the answer?" "Answer to what?" Zac asked. "Hm don't always know." Jessy teased rolling her eyes at him before asking loudly, "Who would like some hot chocolate while we enjoy these beautiful lights?" "I'll give you hand Jessy." Taylor said opening the door. "Boys this is just wonderful>" Grampa Lawyer exclaimed as the headed into the house. "It was Taylor's idea Grampa. You should be thanking him." Zac replied. "I'll do that." he replied heading into the house. "In that bottom cupboard there's a heavy aluminum sauce pan Tay. Can you get it?" Jessy asked turning on the oven. "You make hot chocolate in the oven?" Taylor asked noticing what she'd done. "Nope I bake cookies in the oven. You make hot chocolate in that saucepan on the stovetop." Jessy answered. "I don't know how to make hot chocolate." Taylor replied. "You sound just like your brother did. Resisting kitchen duty until he learned.." Jessy shared moving to the cupboard pulling out what she needed then begin mixing batter. "What did he learn?" Taylor asked suddenly intrigued. "He learned that kitchen duty is so much fun." Jessy answered. "Fun. You are sick in the head." Taylor insisted. "Ahhh who told you that. Did they tell you that? Don't listen to them. They don't know what they/e talking about. Are they here?" Jessy asked looking around the racing to look out the window. "Who? What? What are you talking about?" Taylor asked concerned. "You said... How else would you know?" Jessy asked. "What did I say?" Taylor asked. "You said I was sick in the head. That's what they always say." Jessy replied looking out the window again. "Who says you're sick in the head?" Taylor asked. "Besides you... the men in the white coats of course." Jessy answered in a nervous whisper. "What?" Taylor gasped. "Gotcha." Jessy squealed tickling him lightly then returning to her baking. "What? You are such a nut." Taylor choked out laughing hearilty. "I can be. Why not have fun?" Jessy sighed. "Yeah why not. So what do I do?" Taylor asked.heading back to the saucepan. "Well you need this, this and this." Jessy answered pulling things done then directing his making hot chocolate.while she baked cookies. "Mmmm smells so good in here. Do I smell cookies?" Grampa Lawyer called out. "Sure do Grampa. Jessy couldn't settle for just hot chocolate." Taylor ansered. "Oh my God boy.. you're cooking." he gasped as he turned the corner and Taylor came into view. "Of course he's cooking. Just like you do." Jessy replied. "Grampa cooks?" Taylor gasped. giving it a thought, adding, "Oh I get it.. with you he does huh?" "That I do boy. How's my special girl?" Grampa Lawyer asked hugging her. "They'll be done in another two minutes." Jessy answered his sniffing the air. "Got your number doesn't she?" Taylor teased. "Just like your Grandmother did." Grampa Lawyer answered kissing Jessy's cheek as the timer sounded. "How's the hot chocolate Tay?" Jessy asked donning an oven mitt and opening the oven door. "I think it's done." Taylor answered. "You think?" Jessy tesed. "It is ready Jessy and so am I." Taylor teased. "Good because I'm ready too." Jessy replied. "So you are the one who decided the house needed the Christmas touch. Thank you. I've been meaning to but with everything going on.." Grampa Lawyer said patting him on the back. "No problem Grampa. Thanks for the use of the place to get my head on straight." Taylor replied hugging him lightly. "Anytime boy you know that. If you need a friendly ear.." Grampa declared hugging him tightly. "Yeah I know Grampa. You might just be seeing more of me for a while if you can handle it." Taylor shared. "That I would enjoy." Grampa said returning to Jessy sniffing the air, adding, "Almost as much as one of these." "Go ahead guys, you deserve the first taste." Jessy suggested sprinkling the cookies with powdered sugar, adding, "Done." "Mmm delicious sweetie." Grampa Lawyer moaned taking another cookie. "Better get this out there before he eats them all." Taylor declared pouring the last cup of hot chocolate. "I'll take these." Grampa said picking up the platter of cookies, adding, "Lead the way sweetie." "Cookies. Did you bake cookies?" Diana asked as her father made his way through the door. "Yep I'm guilty. It was a totally selfish act though. We always had cookies and cocoa when we decorated for Christmas. As far back as I remember." Jessy replied taking a cup of hot chocolate and a cookie. "They smell delicious. You were gone only a few minutes. How did you?" Diana asked with a mouthfull of cookie, adding, "Mmmm delicious." "Should be. You should have seen the sugar and butter she used." Taylor shared. "You said she used sugar and butter. Are you all right son?" Diana asked moving his way placing the back of her hand to his forehead. "Another victim." Jessy teased. "You should have seen it dear, decked out in an apron, standing at the stove, stirring." Grampa shared. "Really. Way to go bro." Zac cheered. "Man I missed it." Ashley moaned. "You be careful or you'll be next." Taylor teased. "Well if the teasing is over, I'd loke to take a moment to thank you boys for your hard work this afternoon. The lights are...." Grampa Lawyer started to share. "Mr. Lawyer. Mr. Lawyer. The lights are beautiful." a small voice called out from a group of eight or nine young people. "Thank you. Aren't they beautiful. My grandsons put them up this afternoon." Grampa called out, adding, "Come and join us for hot chocolate and cookies." "Sure. Gee thanks." the reply came as the group made their way up the walk. "I'll go get more cups." Taylor said heading inside returning with another tray of hot chocolate. "You're Taylor Hanson." a young girl squealed as she reach for a cup, turning to Zac adding, "And you're Zac. Mr. Lawyer you didn't tell us." "Tell you what?" Grampa Lawyer teased. "That your Hanson's grandfather." she squealed. "I am. Taylor, Zachary you should have told me." Grampa Lawyer teased again. f"I didn't think you'd care Grampa. You still love us right?" Zac teased. "Now you can tell all your friends that Taylor Hanson made and served you hot chocolate." Jessy suggested. "Hey you're the one engaged to Zac." someone shared. "Nah she's the hottie from the college. You know the one running for Miss Oklahoma." another one called out. "Yeah and now you tell everyone that the future Miss Oklahoma baked you cookies." Zac teased. "Nah. You tell them the future Miss USA... No, no make that the future Miss World baked you cookies." Taylor insisted. "Miss World? What? No don't tell me." Jessy gasped as her knees began to buckle. "Come on Jessy we talked about this." Darcy said moving closer to steady her. "Babe it'll be okay." Zac whispered slipping an arm around her. "Promise?" Jessy whispered putting her cup down before turning and cuddling in his arms, adding, "Zac I want to put up lights at home. I'll even help." "She'll help isn't that funny. Can't you see her on a ladder at the peak of the roof hanging lights." Ashley choked out, laughing heartily. "And you find that funny why?" Jessy grumbled turning to glare at him. "Whoa if looks could kill!" Ashley shared. "I do look good in black." Leslie declared. "Adam we have to go get you a new black suit. I'm sure you've outgrown your. The arms are probably six inches too short." Darcy teased. "Nah I'll just wear Ash's. He won't be needing it anymore. We can bury him in anything. Hey how about that ugly double breasted thing he went and bought. That's the perfect solution for that ugly suit.. bury him in it." Adam replied. "I ain't wearing that suit. It's butt ugly. I wouldn't mind his new leather jacket he just bought. Nice jacket. Oh yeah to remembe him by of course." Taylor teased. "Man I wanted that. That's okay though you two have been best buds like forever Tay, you deserve it for putting up with him." Adam teased. "I take it I put my foot in it? Sure don't take much to amuze them." Ashley shared watching as the other continued to crack up. " Nope it sure don't. I would have thought that Mom, Dad and Grampa woud have restrained though." Jessy replied, pointing at the neighborhood kids, adding, "They even have them laughing and just like you, they haven't got a clue that I grew up working for my Uncle Tom on the farm and in his construction business." "What? Oh that's right Taylor mentioned it when you guys were building the house. Isn't your brother?" Ashley asked. "Yes my brother is. Actually two of them are. One owns his own excavating company and the other, my twin, is now running Pursley Construction. I still have my work clothes don't I Zac?" Jessy replied. "Yeah and does she look hot in her work boots, carpenter pants and Pursley Construction tee shirt." Zac answered moving behind her, sliipping his arms around her waist, and kissing her cheek. "So can we?" Jessy asked. "You know you can't until you're married." Darcy teased. "What? They can't put up Christmas lights until they're married?" Ashley asked confused by her remarks. "Oh come on Darcy, we only decided not to have sex in the house until we are married. You know to make it special. We still live there. Why can't we put up Christmas lights?" Jessy asked turning her back to the folks and Grampa before giving her the 'What the Hell?' look. "I just figured if you two were that commited to making the house special on your wedding night, you'd want all the other firsts in your house special too. I mean we're talking you two not having sex for quite awhile here." Darcy explained, adding, "Miss University of Tulsa, Miss Oklahoma, Miss USA, and Miss World. Whoa I hope you're strong enough Zac. I sure know Adam coudn't wait." "Oh how sweet. So you two have chosen to be celibate until you're married?" Diana asked. "I have a new found respect for you son." Walker shared wrapping an arm around Zac's shoulder. "I agree. To have been togther for all that time and then to give it up until you are married. I am very proud of you two." Grampa Lawyer shared moving their way. "It just seemed the right thing to do." Jessy whispered looking at the floor terrified that their secret would come out. "To be honest.." Zac said after clearing his voice. "Zac please." Jessy gasped, terrified he would tell the whole truth. "It'll be okay babe." Zac declared wrapping her in his arms, finishing,"To be honest, we've been celibate for awhile now. When we talked about the future.. well we just decided that marriage was such a big step. We're just so grateful we found each other and that we're so blessed. We know that getting marriee is such special honor. To spend the rest of our lives together, loving each other. I learned that from you Mom and Dad. We want what you have and decided to work for it." "How nice." Diana sighed. "When I first asked her to marry me... Jessy wasn't to keen on marriage. She'd seen too many bad ones and didn't want that for herself or me. I think she said something like, 'I like you too much to marry you'." Zac shared. "I can't count the number of married people I know that don't even like each other anymore. Some even turned their love into hate but they still stayed married. Why? I just don't know why? Why would someone want to live their life in hate?" Jessy explained getting extremely emotional. "Don't do this. That won't happen to us. We won't let it." Zac insisted. "I'm sure Taylor convinced himself of the same thing. He had Mom and Dad as an example too. I'm sure he married Natalie thinking he'd have the samething but look at the mess his life is in now." Jessy choked out. "Jessy I promise you it won't." Zac pleaded worried over the terror he saw in her eyes. "How can you promise that? What if I turn into a phsyco bitch like Natalie? I'm sure she seemed normal, even nice when Taylor met her." Jessy argued moving from his arms, glaring at him. "You try acting like that and I'll turn you over my knee." Zac teased. "You lay a hand on me.." Jessy teased back trying hard no to laugh. "Oh so I should use a paddle or hairbrush?" Zac teased, adding, "Nah I want to use my hand. I like to touch your butt. Can I touch your butt?" "You still so suck at this fighting stuff. I love you so much Zac." Jessy gasped flinging her arms around his neck hugging him tight. "I love you too." Zac whispered before kissing her sweetly. "So you think it's too late to try that over the knee bit with Natalie?" Taylor asked breaking everyone up. "I apologize. I'm sure this is way more than you ever wanted to know." Jessy shared moving to the group of neighborhood kids. "Hey life's a bitch... oops. sorry Mr Lawyer." one of the guys said. "I'll let it slip this time seeings I overlooked in my grandchildren." Grampa Lawyer replied. "See that's why. Just like your respect for my Grampa caused you to apologize for your language. That's why Zac and I decided what we did. I'm sure Grampa is part of the reason Mom and Dad are as devoted to each other, their marriage. I just think if more peole put as much effort into getting married as they put into getting divorced we'd be a lot better off." Jessy shared. "You can say that again. Man divorce is messy, messy, messy. My folks fought so hard when they got divorced. Too bad they didn't fight so hard for their marriage." one of the girls shared. "If that ain't the truth." Jessy sighed patting her hand. "I swear if they fought one more time... I'd just leave. I hated them fighting." the girl shared fighting the tears welling up in her eyes. "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." Jessy sang sliipping an arm around her. "Let There Be Peace on Earth, The peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, Brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother, In perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me. Let this be the moment now. With ev'ry step I take, Let this be my solemn vow; To take each moment and live, Each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." they all sang filling the air with their music as night fell.