Notes: Doctor Bill Russell was introduced (along with Emma Brown) in "Silent Confusion". Anita Ramirez, Angie's mother, was introduced in "Everything Changes", my response to the Red Storm challenge. I hope everyone enjoys it, even though it barely made the day. Happy Holidays!

Rollie Tyler juggled the bags of groceries in his arms as he moved away from the red pickup. He stepped carefully because the ground was slippery with snow and ice. Christmas would be here soon and he wanted to make some cookies to take to the Gattis. Sarah was always making good things for them to eat and Rollie wanted to return the favor. With a house full of girls, Sarah and Frank would probably appreciate it. A stray dog suddenly dodged between Rollie's long legs, upsetting his balance. One foot came down on a patch of ice and he fell, the side of his head glancing off the fender of the pickup. The bags of groceries fell to the ground, breaking open, their contents scattering across the snowy pavement. With a groan, the lanky Aussie pushed himself up. Well, that certainly hurt! He shook his head, then wished he hadn't. With a sad glance at the scattered ingredients, Rollie staggered to his feet and made his way inside the old converted brewery. So much for the cookie idea. His head aching, the man thought he better call his partner and best friend, Angie Ramirez. He was sure he didn't have a concussion, but still... If he didn't call her and she found out, she would never let him hear the end of it. Sinking down on the nearest couch, Rollie called out to his robot dog. "Rolodex, Blue. Angie." He stretched his long legs out on the comfortable couch as he waited for Bluey to put the call through. He listened as the phone rang four times, then Angie's computer kicked in, requesting a message. Rollie groaned softly, then spoke up. "Angie, it's Rollie. Call me when you get back, sweetie." With a sigh, Rollie slid down, until his head lay on the armrest. He closed his eyes for a minute, waiting for the ache to ease a bit. As soon as it did, he would get up and see about what type of damage he'd done himself this time. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too visible. Seconds later, Rollie's breathing slowed as he fell asleep.

Angie shivered as she entered her apartment. The temperature outside was really dropping. Good thing I'm done with my Christmas shopping, she thought as she put her packages down. She'd gotten her last one today. This one was both the easiest and hardest. She'd wanted one more thing for Rollie. Her partner and boss would accept anything she got him with glee, from socks or a tie to a new toy. He never seemed to really care what it was, just accepted it with a good heart, his brown eyes sparkling with pleasure and gratitude. Still she had wanted something special for him, not just any old thing. After all, last year, she hadn't gotten him anything, but he had given her the best present possible when he found her mother, still alive in Cuba. Last year had been the only year that Rollie and Angie hadn't celebrated Christmas together since they'd met. Glancing at her computer, she saw she had some phone messages waiting. Putting everything down and removing her coat and gloves, she wandered over and entered the request to playback. Her brow puckered in puzzlement as she listened to Rollie ask her to call him when she got in. Shaking her head as she dialed the familiar number, she wondered what Rollie had gotten into this time. Today was suppose to be a free day for both of them and Rollie knew she had plans with her mother. In fact, it had taken the two women the longest time to convince Rollie that they wanted him to join them for Christmas. The blonde frowned as the phone kept ringing, Blue not even picking up. With a sigh, she tried his cell phone. It rang and rang and rang. Angie began to get worried. It wasn't like Rollie to not answer the phone, especially if he asked her to call. Once in a while, he would forget to tell Blue to answer the phone while he was gone and once in a while, he forgot his cell phone, but never both. Angie pulled on her winter coat and gloves and hurried out the door. Something decidedly odd was going on. Hopefully nothing, but... Memories of Loubar filled Angie with dread.

Angie hastened to reach 256 Brewery Lane. The cold wind chilled her and she was torn between worry and anger. While part of her was praying the Aussie was all right, another part was thinking that something had better be up or he was going to get it from her! Fortunately, it wasn't farther than it was. The blonde was shaking with cold by the time she reached the familiar green doors. Anxiously, she opened one door and slipped inside the warmth of the converted brewery. She paused and looked around. Spotting Rollie napping on the couch, her mouth thinned into an angry line. With a measured tread, she stalked her slumbering boss and examined him. Not seeing anything disturbing, she decided to let fire. "Rollie Tyler! What do you mean calling me and not answering the phone!" She yelled as she stood right behind him.

Rollie jerked awake and jumped as if shot. He cowered away from Angie as if in terror, trembling. The blonde watched in growing bewilderment as he seemed to try and sink into the couch. She connected with his confused, scared brown eyes and felt a chill, that had nothing to do with temperature outside, slide into her stomach and twist. Rollie's eyes looked at her without recognition of who she was or where he was. "Rollie?"

"Who... who are you?" The Australian asked in a tiny, confused, scared voice.

"I'm Angie. You know that... Don't you?" Angie swallowed hard, her heart in her throat.

"No," came the soft reply, "where's Mummie?"

Mummie?!? What?!? Angie looked into the confused eyes of a scared little boy. "Uh, Rollie?"

"Yes?" The brown eyes seemed to get bigger as tears began to fill them. "Was I ba' boy?" That too small voice asked. "I'm sorree!" His head turned down and Angie felt her heart wrench as she watched a single tear slide down his cheek.

"No, Rollie. You haven't been bad." Angie reached for him, then stopped as he shifted away, uncertain and scared. "I'm sorry I yelled at you like that. I shouldn't have done it. Will you forgive me?"

Rollie considered the pretty woman in front of him, then nodded solemnly. He shivered as a blast of cold air leaked through the doors. He spoke timidly. "Why is it so col'? Isn't it almos' Chris'mas? It's suppose t' be hot."

"Um, well, yes, it is almost Christmas, but," Angie frantically tried to find an answer, "we're closer to the North Pole here, so it's cold."

"Oh." Rollie seriously considered her answer as she cautiously stepped closer. He shivered and looked around the large, cluttered room with wide eyes. When Blue barked and came toward him, he jumped and pulled his legs up on the couch. He regarded the spider like robot with round eyes. "What's 'at?!?"

"That's Blue. He's a robot dog. He won't hurt you." Angie told him gently.

"Oh." Rollie regarded the little robot with wide, serious eyes. He turned to Angie and blinked, then ducked his head. "I'm sorree I was ba'. When's Mummie comin' bac'?"

"I... I'm not sure yet, Rollie."

"Is she goin' to find Dadda?" Rollie asked, his face scrunched up as he watched the lady with those too serious eyes.

Angie nodded as she reached for the phone and crossed her fingers, mentally. "Yes. She's gone to find your father."

"Dadda is suppose t' come for Chris'mas," He informed her, "Bu' he's late." His head cocked to one side and he winced slightly at the movement. "Are you goin' t' take care of me 'til they get bac'?"

"Yes, Rollie. I'm going to take care of you." She dialed their doctor's number and prayed he was in and could take care of Rollie. She didn't relish the thought of taking her grown boss to a hospital emergency room while he was acting like this.

"Wha's your name?"

"Angie." She responded softly, very sorry she yelled at him. "My name's Angie."

"Miss An'ie." Rollie squirmed and looked up at her apologetically. He whispered, "I... I nee' to go pee-pee."

Angie gulped and almost dropped the phone as the receptionist came on the line. "Just hold on for a minute, Rollie. Okay?"

Wide eyed, he nodded and squirmed some more.

"Yes, this is Angie Ramirez. I really need to talk to Doctor Russell. It's an emergency."

"Well, uh, it's Rollie Tyler. He's acting really... odd."

"I don't think that would be wise." She held the phone from her ear, then brought it back up. "Look, just let me talk to Bill Russell." She sighed and closed her eyes. "Thank you." She looked up and almost fainted with relief as Francis Gatti came in, pounding his hands together.

"Hi guys! Man, it's getting cold out there."

"Thank goodness you're here, Frankie. Um, could you take Rollie to the bathroom?" Angie asked, distracted by Doctor Russell coming on the phone.

"Huh?" Francis looked confused at Angie's request and turned to Rollie. He was about to ask what was going on, but Rollie interrupted.

"I nee' t' go pee-pee! Ba'!" Rollie pleaded with the man in front of him, squirming.

Frank almost fell over at the words. It was like listening to one of his daughters, not a grown man. He took a deep breath and released it. Okay, he could handle this, then Angie was explaining what was going on. "Um, okay Rollie. Come on, I'll take you to the bathroom." He turned to go upstairs. Part way there, he felt Rollie's large hand slip into his. Turning back, he looked up into wide, trusting brown eyes. That was when he noticed a red place that looked swollen, almost hidden by Rollie's hair. Experience told him that soon that was going to be a nasty bruise. Ohhh boy! Guessing at part of the answer, he smiled gently at his friend. "Come on, Rollie. Uncle Frank will take care of you."

"T'ank you, Unca F'ank."

Business tended, Frank lead the Australian back down stairs.

Angie watched them with worried eyes. "Rollie? Would you do something for me?"

"Yes m'm?"

"Will you come over here and play with Blue?" She patted the area rug she'd pulled out and placed Blue on. He was whimpering, bewildered by the orders to 'stay' and the way his master was reacting to him. This was not in his programming.

"Um," Rollie considered the odd robot with serious eyes. He approached with slow uncertainty. Blue yipped and wagged his antenna which served as his tail. "'kay." The man responded and plopped on to the rug.

Angie watched long enough to see his hands were still gentle as he patted the little robot and turned to Frank. "We've got big trouble!"

"No kidding! What happened to Rollie?"

"I don't know! I came home from shopping and had a message to call him. When he didn't answer, I came over and found him asleep on the couch. I," Angie blushed slightly, suddenly ashamed, "I yelled at him and he woke up like... like this." She watched Rollie, bewildered, as he laid down on his stomach, face to face with Blue, and started whispering.

"Angie, when I took him upstairs, I noticed a bump on his right temple. It's almost completely hidden by his hair. Maybe that has something to do with it?"

"Maybe." Angie chewed on her lower lip. "I called Doctor Russell. He wants to run some tests, but he agrees the hospital wouldn't be a wise idea right now. He's going to try and get a friend of his, a pediatrician, to let him use some of his equipment."

"Um, Angie. Rollie isn't a child."

"No, he's just acting like one. A scared little boy who's been left with strangers, at least strange to him right now." Angie took a deep breath. "The pediatric equipment is bright colors and decorated. It won't be as scary and it still does the same job." She turned pleading eyes on the short New Yorker.

"Want me to help?" Frank offered, remembering all the times they'd helped him and recognizing the desperation in his friend's eyes. He'd seen the same look in Sarah's eyes and in his in the mirror with their first baby.

Angie sighed slightly in relief. "Please. I... I'm not sure I know how to deal with..."

"A little boy?" Francis smiled. "That's okay, Angie. We can handle it." We have to handle it, the detective thought to himself. "After all, I have three kids of my own."

Angie smiled back and started to say something when the phone rang. Hurrying to answer it, she sighed in relief. "Thanks, Doc! I appreciate this." She tilted her head to look at her partner still whispering to Blue. "Frank thinks he hit his head." She nodded. "Uh uh. Okay. We'll be right there. What's the address?" The blonde listened closely and scribbled it down on a piece of paper. "Got it! See you soon, Doctor Russell."

"So where are we going?" Francis asked as he walked over to Rollie.

"La Guardia Place Pediatrics. It's over near Bleeker Street."

"I've been there with the girls a few times. Come on, Rollie." He reached down to his friend. "We're going on a little trip."

Rollie peered up at the man, troubled. "But what if Mummie comes while we're gone?"

Frank bent down so he could look Rollie in the eyes. "She'll wait for you, Rollie, I promise. Now come on. We need to get your coat and gloves on. It's cold outside."

Rollie looked from the man to the woman, then stood up, still uncertain, but wanting to be a good boy. He stayed still while Frank got his coat and gloves on. He looked at them, puzzled, opening and closing his hands. When 'Uncle Frank' took his hand and led him to the doors, he followed obediently. He started shivering when Angie opened the door and his eyes went wide. "Why's it so col'?!?"

"Because we're so far north and it's winter here, Rollie." Angie answered as patiently as she could.

"I've never been this col'." Rollie informed them seriously. He took in the white patches of snow and the flakes that were drifting down. He reached for one and watched as it vanished when it touched his hand. "What's t'at?"

Frank and Angie exchanged glances as they both abruptly realized that as a child Rollie had never seen snow before, had indeed never been this cold before. "It's snow, Rollie." Frank answered.

Rollie's eyes rounded in wonder as he took it in. "Sno'?!? Reallee?"

Frank had to hide his smile at Rollie's reaction. "Really."

"Wow! C'n we p'ay in it?" Rollie asked, even as he went with Frank to his car.

"Maybe later, Rollie. Right now, we have to go on a trip." Angie told him.

Rollie looked out the car window in wonder. He watched the snow falling and the people bustling all over. He gazed up at the big buildings in awe. "Wow," he kept saying, oh so softly.

Angie had to smile at the way he was taking everything in. It was like watching a little boy. She sighed as she remembered she'd wished she could have seen Rollie as a little boy. This wasn't what she'd had in mind. Not at all! She placed one hand on the back of his head and stroked  his hair. The Aussie turned to her and started talking a mile a minute about all the strange sights. She chuckled and listened indulgently. He was so excited, so vibrantly alive and yet... There was a seriousness that was out of place in the age he'd regressed to be. As if, even as a young child, Rollie had seen too much, experienced too much, knew too much. How, Angie wondered silently, how can you still be so gentle, so happy, so generous and so alive with all you've seen and done? How did you manage to stay true to Rollie Tyler through out everything you've seen and done in life? She'd always known there was a dark edge lurking beneath his friendly personality. That he wasn't innocent or always happy and yet... She sighed silently as Frank parked the car and she got out. Opening Rollie's door, she undid his seat belt and, with Frank, led the little boy Rollie into the pediatrics complex.

Rollie kept craning his neck up, trying to see the ceiling of the lobby. It was high! So very, very high! Only the Mountains are that high, he thought.

The elevator dinged and Angie tugged his arm. "Come on, Rollie."

Obedient as he'd been since this began, Rollie followed with one last awed glance at the atrium. Angie pushed the button for the floor and they went up. The man's brown eyes widened slightly in mild surprise at the movement. Moments later, the doors opened and they walked down a plushly carpeted corridor to the office on the end of the hall. Frank opened the door and let the others enter first. Both he and Angie breathed silent sighs of relief when they found the office empty save for Doctor Bill Russell and another man. Bill Russell was a sturdy man with iron gray hair. He was wearing his usually doctor's coat, a flannel shirt and khakis. "Angie! Good to see you, though I'm sorry for the reason." He'd added a Santa hat to his normally basic attire. "Angie, Frank. This is Doctor Gary Harwick. He's being kind enough to loan me his office and equipment." Mindful of the way Rollie was acting and the fact that he probably had no memory of him, Bill continued gently. "And this must be Rollie." He smiled up at his friend.

"Yes, this is Rollie. Thank you, Doctor Russell, Doctor Harwick for taking the time to see us like this at the last minute."

"Happy to be of service, um, Angie." Doctor Harwick was a wiry man of medium height. He was also as bald as a cue ball. However, he had the most beautiful, kind, blue eyes Angie had ever seen in a man. "Hello Rollie." He smiled up at the taller man. "So how do you feel?"

For a couple of moments, Rollie just stood there, blinking, obviously puzzled by the question.

The doctors exchanged looks and Bill moved closer to the Aussie. "Does your head hurt?" He prompted, gently touching Rollie's head.

Rollie nodded in answer.

"Well then, we'll just have to do something about that. Come this way, Rollie." Doctor Harwick led the man and his companions to an examination room.

Rollie was immediately drawn to the brightly drawn picture of Santa Claus, his sleigh and reindeer on one wall. He examined the painting with a single minded intensity.

"Come here, Rollie." Bill tried to coax his patient to the examination table.

"Wha' are those?" Rollie asked, pointing to the reindeer pulling the sleigh. "Where are th' boooom--ERS?" You could tell that he loved the boomers by the excited way he said their name.

Angie walked over and led Rollie over to the table. "Those are reindeer, Rollie. Santa uses reindeer for pulling his sleigh in a lot of places where it's too cold for boomers."

"Oh," Rollie responded as he sat on the table, his eyes still glued to the painting.

"What are boomers?" Doctor Harwick asked, distracting Rollie from Bill, so he could be checked without disturbing the man-child too greatly.

"Boooom--ERS are kang'roos!" Rollie answered seriously. "They... they... they're males." He confided. "Six white boooom--ERS pull Santa's slei'!"

"Really! I didn't know that." Doctor Harwick answered as seriously as Rollie. "Guess white boomers would get lost in the snow. Between that and the cold, I guess that's why Santa uses the reindeer, instead of boomers, here."

Rollie considered the observation. "Gue' so. How manee rei'deer?" He returned to his examination of the painting so he could count them.

"Usually eight, Rollie," Doctor Harwick answered, "unless there's bad weather and it's hard to see. Then it's nine. That's when Rudolf leads the sleigh."

"'Roo--do'f?"

Doctor Harwick nodded and proceeded to tell the Aussie the story about Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer. Every once and a while, Rollie looked to Angie and Frank, his eyes asking if it was true. Both of them would nod in solemn agreement, not wanting to disabuse Rollie of his belief in Santa. Physically he might be a man, but mentally, for now, he was a little boy and things like this were very important to little boys and girls.

Rollie patiently suffered through his exam without a complaint. He accepted the tests, x-rays, EKG and EEG quietly, being a very good little boy.

The doctors praised Rollie for his good behavior and, when they were done, they rewarded him with his choice of lollipops.

"Any lollie?" Rollie asked while examining the bowl full of candy, just wanting to be certain of the offer.

"Any lollie, Rollie." Doctor Harwick assured him.

Rollie turned his eyes to Angie and Frank. "What color do you like, Aunt An'ie?"

Angie turned her attention to her friend, startled by the 'aunt'. How had she gone from 'Miss' to Aunt? "Um, red."

"'kay. I want a red one."

Doctor Harwick made a show of picking out just the right one and handed it to Rollie.

"T'ank you!" The Aussie immediately moved over to Angie and held it out to her. "'ere!"

Angie looked at the candy, surprised. "What? Rollie, that's your sucker. For being such a good boy."

"I wan' you to 'ave it."

"But..."

"T'ank you for takin' care of me while Mummie is gone." Rollie wrapped the smaller woman into a tight hug.

Angie was stunned. It seemed that even as a little boy, Rollie Tyler was generous to a fault. After a second, she returned it fiercely, accepting the candy from him. "Thank you, Rollie. Taking care of you is a pleasure." She assured him.

Doctor Harwick winked at Angie. "Rollie, I think because you've been extra good, you should have two more suckers."

"Two?" Rollie turned to the doctor with surprised eyes.

"Two." He answered firmly as Doctor Russell and Angie moved off to one side to discuss the test results.

"Uh, Unca F'ank?" Rollie turned to the short man.

"Yes, Rollie?" Frank tried to keep from smiling. Rollie was being so serious, but he thought he knew what the Aussie was going to do now.

"Wha' color do you like?"

Bingo, Rollie was still being generous. He and Doctor Harwick exchanged smiles. Hopefully, he wouldn't extend it to the two doctors, else they would have to give him more lollipops. "I like orange."

"'kay." Rollie turned to the doctor who'd already reached into the bowl, finding the requested color. He handed it to Rollie who promptly gave it to Frank.

"Thank you, Rollie." Francis told him, seriously.

"You welcome." Rollie answered politely. He turned back to the doctor and looked at the bowl uncertainly. "One mo'e?"

"One more, Rollie." Doctor Harwick mentally crossed his fingers that Rollie's generosity had made it's run.

"Uh," Rollie stuck one finger in his mouth and regarded the lollipops. "A g'een lollie, please."

Doctor Harwick smiled widely and searched out the requested candy. He handed it to Rollie with a flourish. "Here you go, Rollie. A green one."

"T'ank you, Docto' Garee!"

"You're very welcome, Rollie." Doctor 'Garee' gently patted Rollie's arm, then went to speak with Bill and Angie. "You know he's not going to take any Tylenol right now. He won't like it." He informed Bill with the air of one who knew.

Since Gary knew and treated kids, Bill thought he was probably right. Still... "He needs something. I don't want to give him anything stronger than Tylenol."

"Well, you'll have to up the dosage a bit, but how about children's liquid Tylenol? It's flavored so he should take it. I'm sure we could work out the right dosage for Rollie."

"Might work, but I'd hate for him to decide it was... good and take to much."

"I don't think he will." Gary smiled over at the tall child-like man that was engrossed in the Santa painting once more. He kept turning to Frank asking questions, which the detective answered patiently.

"No, he's being a good boy. I could wish he was this good a patient normally." Bill smiled slightly, then turned to Angie. "I don't really mean that, Angie. I want our old Rollie back as much as you do. We don't need to hospitalize him, just keep an eye on him. I think he'll be fine in a couple of days, but if you have any problems, you call me. Here me? I don't care when it is, just call me! You have my cell phone number?"

Angie sighed in relief. "Yes, I do. And you got it. Any problems and I'll call. Are you sure he'll be all right?"

"Pretty sure. If I wasn't, I'd have him seen by another doctor right now. I think it's more... shock, than injury. He might have a very mild concussion, but that's all I can find. That bump's going to make an awful bruise though."

"Bet his head hurts though," Gary commented quietly. "Let's work out that dosage." It was quickly settled and they gave Rollie his first taste. He made a slight face as he sipped it a bit, but drank the cherry flavored stuff down. It was obvious that he was tolerating it because they'd asked him to take it and didn't really like the sticky, too sweet stuff.

Gary patted Rollie gently on the shoulder. "Thank you for taking that, Rollie. Why don't you eat your lollipop now to take out the taste."

"Aun' An'ie and Unca F'ank eat theirs too?"

"Yes, we'll eat ours too, Rollie."

Frank and Angie unwrapped their candy and sucked on them. Gary undid Rollie's and watched with a smile as Rollie started to lick it with great pleasure.

They all said their good-byes and lead Rollie back to the car.

Francis was thoughtful as he drove back to the loft. He kept sending glances over at Rollie who was looking at the decorations in the shops and the crowds and the snow.

"All right, Frankie, out with it. What are you thinking?" Angie asked, concerned.

"You know Angie. It might not be a good idea for Rollie to stay at the loft. It would be way too easy for him to get into something he shouldn't." Frank smiled at his friend when he turned to look at him with disturbed eyes. "I know, you won't cause trouble, Rollie. At least, you won't intend to, but the thing is you might get into something without meaning too." He reached over and patted the tall man's hand gently.

Angie didn't have to think long about that. The workshop and loft would be difficult to 'child-proof' from a normal kid - to do it against Rollie would be impossible. "Good point. We can stay at my apartment."

"But wha' abou' Mummie?" Rollie asked in a tiny voice, upset that Uncle Frank and Aunt Angie thought he might do something bad. If he was bad, maybe Mummie wouldn't want him. Maybe that was why he'd been left with Aunt Angie without any warning or reason.

Angie looked at her best friend and big brother in concern and saw his face crumple. Before the tears could come, she reached forward and hugged him tightly. "Your mummie will know where to find you, Rollie. It's just that the workshop has too much stuff in it that's dangerous, even if you know what you're doing."

Rollie looked at her, still unhappy. "I don' mean to be ba'."

"No, Rollie! You're not bad, you're a good boy." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "A very good boy."

"Goo'?"

"Very good." Angie assured him.

Rollie turned to Francis, still needing assurance. A hand squeezed the father's heart. "You're a good boy, Rollie. I would love to have a son just like you."

Rollie smiled shyly at that response. "Like me?"

"Just like you."

Satisfied for the moment, Rollie looked out the car, staring in fascination at the sights of the big city. It was completely different from anything he remembered. They finally reached the loft and Angie lead the way inside. If Rollie was staying with her, he would need a bag with clothes and such. She also needed to call her own mother and let her know what had happened.

"I'll get some things together for Rollie." Frank offered.

"Thanks, Frankie." Angie went over to the kitchen and poured some juice. "Here Rollie, do you want something to drink?"

Rollie nodded and sat down at the table. Holding the plastic cup in two hands, he drank the orange juice carefully.

Angie speed dialed Anita Ramirez's number. "Hi Mom! Sorry about this afternoon, but something's come up."

"No, it's Rollie. He, uh, he had an accident."

"No, no," Angie hastened, "it's not serious. The doctors say he's okay. He bumped his head and he's acting a bit... odd."

"Um, well, he thinks he's a little boy."

"Yeah, well, we're going over to my place. We'll stay there until... um, until things return to normal."

"Yeah? That might be a good idea."

"Okay, we should be there in a bit. See you then. And Mom, thanks!" Angie hung up the phone just as Frank came down with a packed carry-on. "Mom's coming over. She's going to help keep Rollie entertained." By this time, Rollie had finished his juice and was now crawling around on the floor with Blue. He was making soft, excited noises.

"Yeah, you might need some help in that department." Frank grinned, his eyes crinkling. "Are you going to take Blue? He'd help keep Rollie entertained."

Angie considered the 'boy' and little robot. "Yeah, he might at that, but I think Blue better stay here. He and Chiops didn't get on too well the last time we put them together." She took a step toward the playmates, but stopped when Frank touched her arm. She turned back, her eyes questioning.

"Have you thought about Christmas?" Frank whispered. At Angie's bewildered look, he continued. "It's just a couple of days away. What if Rollie still thinks he's...?"

Angie looked stricken at the thought. "Frank," she whispered back, "I don't have anything for a little boy to get from Santa. And he'll be so upset when his parents don't come."

"Calm down, I'll get something. But for what age?" Francis looked at the Aussie. The presents needed to be age appropriate. By this time, it was engrained in his thought process when it came to buying for the kids.

"I don't know. He acts so young, but..." Angie looked at Francis, her eyes shining with gratitude. To brave the stores again at this late date and for something that might not be needed! But they couldn't risk it. They needed to be ready - just in case.

Frank shrugged and decided to go to the horse's mouth, so to speak. "Hey Rollie?"

Rollie sat up and looked at the adults. A finger went back into his mouth. "Yes?"

"You're such a good, big boy! How old are you anyway?"

Rollie tilted his head, thinking, "This many," holding up four fingers.

"Four?" Frank responded cheerfully. "You're such a big boy, I would never have guessed. And you talk so well..."

"Mummie says... says... I'm... per.... per--co... per--co... per--co--shhhhush."

In more ways than one, my friend, Francis smiled and thought to himself. "Tell Bluey bye-bye. It's time to go."

Obediently, he stood up and waved to the little robot. "Bye bye, B'uey!"

Blue yipped and whined pathetically. He seemed sorry to see his playmate leave.

A few minutes later, Angie was opening the door to her apartment. Frank shepherded Rollie inside and she closed the door with a deep sigh. Chiops jumped on to the end of her couch and yowled at them. Rollie immediately headed for the cat and started petting it. Soon, cat and 'boy' were curled up together on the floor, Rollie once more whispering. As Angie came back from putting his bag in her bedroom and was saying good-bye to Frank, he looked at her. "Wha' his name?"

"His name is Chiops, Rollie."

"Chi... Chi... Chi--ops. Ch'ops." Rollie chirped happily. Angie made a ball out of paper and wrapped some yarn around it. Armed with the new toy, Rollie and Chiops had a grand time. They were still playing with Rollie giggling gleefully, when Anita arrived at her daughter's door.

"Hi, Mom!" Angie said, smiling at her mother. Once, the blonde had believed to never see this woman again. However, Rollie had pulled off a miracle and found her as soon as he set out to look. The still beautiful, older woman had readily accepted Rollie as the son that she and Manuel had never had.

"How is our Rollie?" She asked as Angie helped her out of her coat.

Angie glanced over to where Rollie was playing. "He's a good boy, Mom," she leaned over and added, whispering, "but I think I'll be glad when he grows up."

"Rollie will never grow up, Angela, and I don't think we want him to." She smiled warmly at her beautiful daughter. "But I know what you mean." Anita had assimilated back into life in the US swiftly. In part because of Reggie, a friend of Rollie's and Angie's, who was also taking quite a bit of romantic interest in her. They had decided to take it slowly, partly for Angie's sake. The young blonde was still learning to accept the fact her mother was alive and there. Never mind that someone was interested in her. That was asking a bit much too quickly.

"Hello Rollie," Anita said cheerfully.

Rollie turned and looked up at the visitor. "Hello. Who are you?" His eyes were bright with curiosity and joy.

"I'm Angie's mother. My name is Anita."

"Hello, G'eat Aun' 'nita." Rollie smiled shyly at her.

"Come give me a hug," Anita opened her arms and waited. Rollie stood and wrapped the woman into a warm hug. "That's a good boy. Would you like to watch something on television with me?"

"Te'evisi'n? Reallee?" Rollie asked, his eyes lighting. They didn't have a television at home and he'd only seen one a few times. "Where?"

"Right here," Anita led Rollie over to the couch and turned on the TV. In a very short time, they'd picked out some cartoons to watch and Rollie was giggling at the antics on the screen.

Angie smiled at the sight and picked up the bag her mother had brought. She checked inside and found crayons and paper for entertaining Rollie. There was also a bag of mixed sweets and a nerf ball. She took it into the kitchen, thinking that these would keep Rollie entertained later. With a sigh and a glance over to her parent and big brother, Angie started fixing supper.

The delicious smells tickled Rollie's nose and he turned toward the kitchen. Absorbing the odors, his stomach growled and he looked at the woman he was cuddled against. "I 's 'ungry. Can we eat?"

Anita sniffed the air and smiled at the young man. "We eat. Come." She led Rollie into the kitchen where Angie was setting the table.

He started to sit down, but Angie interrupted. "Uh uh, young man. Hands." She admonished.

Rollie glanced down at his hands, then went to the sink. He waited patiently while Anita started the water and gave him some soap. Serious, he washed his hands carefully, then dried them on the towel she handed him. Finished, he went to stand in front of Angie and showed his hands to her.

"Good," Angie smiled gently. "Now, let's eat."

Rollie sat down at the table and waited while the women washed their own hands, then joined him. Since Angie wasn't sure what Rollie liked and didn't like as a child, she'd cooked hot dogs, baked beans and homemade french fries. Hopefully it would satisfy her 'youngest' guest. Angie filled Rollie's plate and placed it in front of him. He looked at it with curious eyes, then remembering what his Mummie always told him, he closed his eyes and bowed his head. Angie and Anita exchanged glances, then also bowed their heads. Anita spoke softly, "We thank you, Lord, for this food. We also thank you for our friends and family. Please take care of them." With a chorus of softly said 'amen', they finished the little prayer and raised their heads. Rollie started to eat, tentatively at first because he didn't recognize the food, then with more enthusiasm. For desert, he received a big brownie which Angie covered with hot chocolate syrup. He was ecstatic over the delicious taste and ate every bite.

After they were done, Anita took him back to the living room and they watched more television. This time, they watched a Christmas movie, "Miracle On 34th Street", the original version.

They'd started to look for a new movie when that one was done when Angie noticed Rollie was starting to fall asleep. She looked over at the clock and saw it was almost nine. "Looks like it's someone's bed-time."

Rollie looked ready to protest, but was stopped by a huge yawn. He blinked sleepily and sighed ever so softly.

"Yes, I can see that. Come, Rollie, time for you to go to bed." Anita echoed her daughter.

Together, they got Rollie into the bathroom. Since he was a 'big boy', they left him alone to get ready, after starting the shower. A bit later, Rollie came out dressed in his sweats with his hair still wet and hanging in his eyes. Angie got a clean towel and carefully toweled it drier, mindful of the tender bruise on the side of his head. She coaxed him into taking another dose of Tylenol, then tucked him into her warm bed.

Rollie looked up at them sleepily. "Tell me a storee?" He asked, pleading.

Angie considered Rollie and smiled. "Okay, one story, then you go to sleep."

Rollie nodded his agreement and snuggled under the blankets. Angie snuggled the plush toy kangaroo that Frank had thoughtfully added to Rollie's bag beside him. He snaked one arm around the toy and pulled it close.

"What do you want to hear?" Angie asked softly, hoping it would be something she already knew. This was not the time for her to get on the internet to find out about Santa's six white boomers!

"I want to know the names of the other rei'deer, please." Rollie asked politely.

Sighing silently in relief, Angie nodded and started the story of "Twas The Night Before Christmas", one that she knew well indeed. "Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nickolaus would soon be there."

"Sain' Nick'la's?"

"Another name for Santa, Rollie. Quiet now." Angie smiled at him and continued. "The children were nestled all snug in there beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. And mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter's nap, when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter."

"Clatter?"

"A lot of loud noise," Angie told him. She noticed that in spite of the question, Rollie's eyes were drooping. He would be asleep soon, just like a little boy. "Away to the window, I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, gave the luster of mid-day to objects below. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a minature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick."

"Sain' Nic'," Rollie echoed sleepily, "Santa..."

"More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came, and he whistled and shouted and called them by name. Now, Dasher, now, Dancer, now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet, on, Cupid, on, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away, dash away, dash away, all! As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly, with they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky. So up to the roof-top, the coursers they flew, with a sleigh full of toys and Saint Nickolaus too." Angie took a breath and noticed her charge was asleep. Deciding to wait to finish the story another day, she kissed his forehead and made sure he was tucked in tight. "Good night, Rollie." Angie whispered, then slipped out to join her mother.

"How is he, Angie?"

"Sound asleep. I hope he's better in the morning."

"What about Christmas? What if...?" Her mother started, carefully.

"Frank's already volunteered to get him some toys... Just in case." Angie smiled, then smothered a yawn.

"I will go now, my Angel. I will return tomorrow and we will have La Nochebuena."

"Mom, you don't have to..."

"Ah, but daughter, I want to. Now good night. You'd best get your rest. If Rollie still thinks like a small child, he will be a bundle of energy and excitement. After all, it will be Christmas Eve."

Angie closed the door behind her mother and leaned against it with a sad sigh. "Yeah, Christmas Eve without his Mummie and Dadda." Even though it was still early, she went to get ready for bed. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. She could feel it. And since she was going to spend it in a sleeping bag beside her bed, she wanted as much rest as possible.

Angie woke to a dim world and soft "wow"s from her charge. She turned over and looked to find Rollie kneeling on the window seat, his face pressed against the window. She got up to see what had him so excited and found that there was a fresh layer of snow over everything. It made the world look new and pretty and pristine. Remembering that they hadn't played in the snow yesterday, in spite of Rollie's request, she knew that they would do that today.
 

The blonde coaxed Rollie away from the window and into the kitchen with the promise of breakfast. Thinking of how cold it was, she made hot oatmeal with plenty of maple syrup and raisins. He wrinkled his nose at it, just a bit, but soon seemed to decide he liked it. Rollie ate every bite, then turned to her, asking politely for more. Knowing that Rollie was full grown, and not really a little boy, she fed him as much as he would eat. Soon, he was sitting back, sighing in satisfaction at his breakfast and finishing his last glass of milk. Finished, Rollie helped Angie, bringing the dishes, carefully, to the sink for her to watch. Under her supervision, he dried each plate and bowl with all the awkwardness a little boy would possess. In spite of the clumsy way, he moved, he managed the chore without dropping one dish, earning heaps of praise from his 'Aunt Angie'.

Angie carefully checked Rollie's head and winced slightly at the vivid bruising. She coaxed Rollie into taking more of the Tylenol, then rewarded him with a sweet from her mother's bag. Next, she pulled out some clothes for him to wear and contemplated how to get him shaved without totally bewildering the 'little boy'. Deciding to make a game of it, she acted like he was pretending to be grown and doing like his Dadda would do. It took a bit of doing, but it worked the trick and then all she had to do was get him to dress himself. Finding that the clothes Frank had packed were all manageable by a young child, she sighed with relief and left Rollie in the bath to dress himself like a 'big boy of four'. While Rollie was occupied, Angie quickly scrambled into her own clothes.

With both of them dressed, Angie decided to take Rollie out to play in the park. She carefully bundled them both up against the cold and lead him outside. They walked carefully down the street, to the little park a block away. Rollie stepped carefully, examining the decorations he was now seeing up close intently. Once in the park, Angie showed Rollie how to make a snow man. While that occupied Rollie, she took pictures of him playing and then when he stopped after the third one because his hands getting too cold, she took pictures of him with them. Rollie looked down and started dragging one foot through the snow, making a line. She could see that he wanted something, but wasn't sure how to ask.

"What do you want, Rollie?"

Rollie looked at her with wide eyes and smiled shyly, then ducked his head. "A pictu'e of you and me, Aun' An'ie."

Angie blinked at the request. Looking around, she found a father playing with his two young sons and made the request that he take their picture. With a nod, he took several shots of what he assumed was a young couple in love. He gave the camera back to the beautiful blonde and made a comment about her 'bashful beau'. That made Angie laugh and she decided it was time to get in out of the cold and wet snow.

Taking Rollie's hand, she lead him to a small, family owned deli and bakery half way up the block. The only person inside working at the moment was an old friend of theirs and would not make too big a fuss over Rollie's odd behavior. He was used to Rollie being odd, as a matter of fact, having commented to Angie that the Aussie lived up to the reputation of eccentricity for his nationality. There, they had big bowls of vegetable soup and glasses of milk. Angie was a bit surprised to find Rollie ate every bit of the soup without complaint and with apparent relish. She thought children of four generally did not eat their vegetables. Angie bought a dozen cupcakes, four caramel, four chocolate and four with white icing for later. She also got them chocolate chip cookies for desert and more milk.

Leaving the deli, she tried to take Rollie home, but found that he was ready to go back to the park and play in the snow some more. Shaking her head, she went with him and sitting the box of cupcakes on a bench, showed Rollie how to make a snowball and throw it. She then made up several and started throwing them at him. This surprised the Aussie, but he soon got the idea and they had a rousing snowball fight. Breathless, Angie fell back in the snow and started moving her arms and legs up and down, making a snow angel. She got up carefully and showed it to Rollie. He was astounded and looked her all over, looking for wings. The blonde laughed at that and showed Rollie how to make one of his own. Helping him up, so he wouldn't mess his angel up, she showed him what it looked like with his bigger angel next to her small one. With that, Rollie was not satisfied, until they both made a full dozen of the angels. Finishing the last one, Angie saw Rollie was now shivering with cold and knew it was time to go home. She gathered up Rollie and the cupcakes and they headed for her apartment.

Once there, Angie made two cups of hot chocolate, adding some minature marshmallows and some cinnamon. Finished with the warming treat, Rollie stretched out on a blanket on the floor with Chiops curled close to his neck. Angie sat quietly checking her email and puttering with her home computer as she watched Rollie nap.

A short time later, Anita showed up with the ingredients necessary to make the traditional La Nochebuena meal. The roasted pig was already cooked and just needed to be warmed up, but she still had to make the remaining dishes. Rollie woke and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He got up and followed the two women into the kitchen, watching curiously as 'Aunt Nita' pulled the items from her bags.

Angie decided to get Rollie out from under foot and coaxed him back to the living room. Getting out the paper and crayons, she soon had him sitting on the floor, drawing pictures with a thoughtful frown at the cocktail table, his tongue sticking out to one side as he colored it carefully. She looked at him sadly before going back to the kitchen to help her mother.

"What is wrong, Angela? You seem troubled." Anita gave her daughter a wise look, this was not about Rollie acting so young. That was a temporary condition that would soon be to rights.

Angie sighed as she went to work on the rice and black beans. "Rollie hasn't mentioned his parents all day. He... Oh Mamma, it isn't right! I wish..."

"Now Angie, you know they can not be here now. It's impossible for the one," referring to Rollie's dead mother, "and would be very difficult to find the other at this late a time," referring to Dingo's lack of contact. "I, too, would wish for Rollie to have had more time with his parents, but it is past. We cannot change it. All we can do is make this Christmas as good as we can!"

"I know. I just wish..."

"I know," Anita agreed sadly at her daughter and they settled down to make the remaining dishes.

The meal was served and Rollie ate all of the strange dishes given him. The roasted pig, rice and black beans, yuca and plantains. As strange as the meal must have seemed to the Australian, he ate every bite Angie and Anita served him. "T'ank you, G'eat Aun' 'nita, Aun' An'ie!"

"You're very welcome, Rollie," Anita assured him.

"Now, how about a cupcake?" Angie asked, showing him the selection she'd gotten from the bakery so he could pick one out.

Rollie seriously examined each one, before finally settling on a caramel one with a plastic angel. "For the sno' an'els we made," he told Angie. He carefully peeled the cup and licked off the crumbs before eating the cake, going around the center and saving that part with the angel for last. He licked the icing from the angel with a soft sigh and then drank his milk.

Anita took the angel from him and promised to wash it for him while she did the dishes. She then proceeded to shoo both Rollie and Angie from the kitchen so she could clean up in peace.

Finished, Anita stepped into the living room, drying her hands on the kitchen towel. There she found Rollie showing her daughter his masterpiece - a rather detailed drawing of Santa and a very ornate sleigh full of presents. Elves were leading away six white boomers and others were bringing up nine reindeer. He carefully pointed to each person and animal, naming them and making a story out of the picture. Obviously, he'd stay awake long enough to get the reindeer names into his head. Angie shared a smile with her mother over Rollie's head. It was easy to tell Rollie spent most of his childhood alone with only a vivid imagination to help him in his play. The blonde woman at his side wondered if Rollie's mother had ever listened to him like this, hearing the stories he made up in his head to occupy his time.

A short time later, the phone rang and Angie got up to answer it, motioning for her mother to look at Rollie's art. "Hi Doc, Merry Christmas!"

"No, no change."

"Oh, he's been very good."

"Okay, I will. Thanks for checking. Tell Doctor Brown, Merry Christmas for us," referring to Doctor Russell's wife. Angie hung up the phone with a soft sigh and turned to see Rollie's head was nodding. Full and warm, worn out from playing in the snow, the Aussie was ready for sleep.

Tonight, it was Anita's turn to help their 'little boy' get ready for bed. She tucked him in with extra special care. As soon as Rollie was settled with his kangaroo pulled close in his arms, she touched his nose and told him to close his eyes. He did and she proceeded to tell him the story of Christmas. Of Mary and Joseph. Of their journey to Bethlehem and how there wasn't any room at the inns for the tired couple and their little donkey. Of them settling for the night in the stable and the manger that the Christ child was placed in after he was born. Of the angels appearing in the night sky, rejoicing with the birth of Jesus. Of the shepherds and wise men who came to offer gifts. She looked and saw Rollie was asleep. In spite of a small smile on his face, there was a lingering sorrow there. She turned and found her daughter in the door way, a similar expression on her face as well. Anita moved out of the bedroom with Angie. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, I wish Dingo at least were here. I guess I never realized how lonely Rollie was, growing up." She sighed and hugged herself. "Doctor Russell said if he's not better in the morning to call him and he'll come check him again."

Anita clucked softly and hugged her troubled daughter. "Rollie will be fine, Angie. You'll see."

The blonde special effects expert smiled and hugged her mother tight. More grateful than ever to Rollie for reuniting them again. A little later, she said good night to her mother and thought about finding her own bed. Tomorrow was Christmas and if she thought Rollie had been up early this morning, she was positive he'd be even earlier the coming morning. A soft knock disturbed her thoughts and she opened the door to find Francis standing there.

"Is the coast clear?" Frank asked quietly.

"All clear, Rollie's sleeping like a good little boy after playing all day." Angie grinned as the short man pulled in a big bag full of colorfully wrapped gifts. "What did you do? Buy out the whole store?"

"Nah, it's not that much, not really." Frank looked at the big bag. "Well, maybe it is a bit much. But it was fun picking stuff out."

"What if Rollie's all grown up tomorrow?" Angie asked.

"No problem," Frank gave a huge grin, "I made sure I got stuff he'd love at both ages."

Angie had to laugh at that. "How much do I owe you, Frankie?"

"Nothing Angie. I wanted to do this for Rollie and..." Francis trailed off, a bit embarrassed.

"And what? Francis?" Angie looked puzzled.

"Uh, well, I, sort of, told Mira and..." Frank shrugged sheepishly. "Most of the precinct chipped in to buy Rollie toys."

"Oh Frank!" Angie giggled as she thought of Rollie confronting his friends at Mid-Town South after this. "Thanks, Francis. Tell everyone at Mid-Town, thanks too. I appreciate it and so will Rollie."

"No problem, we were glad to help." Frank sighed. "I guess you won't be coming over tomorrow."

"It depends on how Rollie is... If he's himself or still..." It was Angie's turn to shrug.

"Okay, well, either way, Merry Christmas Angie."

"Merry Christmas, Frank. To Sarah and the girls too!"

Frank hugged his friend and left.

Angie placed the presents under and around the tree, then headed for bed, anticipating the day. The largest part of her hoped Rollie would be himself in the morning, but a little part wished she could see Rollie enjoy Christmas as a child. After placing a kiss on his forehead, Angie settled into her sleeping bag. Sleep followed swiftly.

Angie woke as Rollie shook her shoulder. "Huh? Rollie, what is it?"

"Angie," Rollie started, obviously puzzled, "why am I sleeping in your bed?"

Knowledge seeped into Angie's sleepy head. "Rollie! You're you again!" She jumped up to hug her partner, best friend and big brother. Now he really was her big brother again!

"Huh?" Rollie regarded her in bewilderment.

"What do you remember?" Angie asked as she pulled back.

"Um, getting groceries to make cookies for the Gattis." His brow furrowed as he thought. "I, uh, a dog tripped me and I fell." He touched his temple and winced slightly. "I hit my head."

"Yes, and...?" Angie prompted.

"And that's it... Ang, what happened?"

"You called me. When I got to the loft, you were sleeping." Angie sighed and hugged him. "When I woke you up, you acted like a little boy."

"A boy?" Rollie was surprised. "A boy?"

"A boy." Angie confirmed, firmly. "A four year old boy."

"I... I remember Christmas when I was four. Mum had to go get Dad for some reason and..." His brow furrowed as the memories of that past Christmas tangled with the more recent memories of the last two days. "She left me with Mangela and the People. She..."

"She didn't make it back in time for Christmas."

"No," Rollie confirmed softly.

"Oh Rol," Angie hugged him tight.

Rollie hugged Angie back and sighed. "So it's Christmas, right?"

Angie smiled and nodded. "Right!"

"Then it's time to get up!" Rollie grinned and tugged Angie out into her living room.

Rollie gaped at the pile of presents under Angie's small tree. He'd never imagined so many. Looking, he didn't see his gifts to Angie and he realized that all of the ones here had his name. "Angie?"

"Well, we weren't sure what age you'd be, so..." Angie shrugged. "We didn't want to disappoint you."

"Oh Ang," Rollie whispered, a tear in his eye. He hugged her tightly, touched by the effort that had been made. All for him!

"All right, first things first. We need to let Doctor Russell know you're back to normal." She paused, then smiled mischievously. "Or as normal as you get."

Rollie tried to pout, but couldn't maintain it. "Okay."

"Then I'll call Mom and we'll head for the Gattis. We can open the presents there. Okay?"

Rollie nodded, "But we stop at the loft first. I need to get my gifts to you, your mother, the Gattis and Mira."

With the phone calls made and the presents loaded into the big sack, they set out for the loft. They walked in companionable silence, watching their breathe puff out in the cold air. Once there, Rollie swiftly collected his presents and they piled into the car. A quick stop to pick up Anita and they headed for the Gattis. There, they were greeted with a great deal of glee and cheer.

Rollie was hugged tightly, his back thumped in pleasure as his friends greeted him. The three girls hugged their 'special' friends and chattering, showed Rollie and Angie the gifts they had received from Santa and their parents. They crowded into the living room and presents were presented to each other.

The Gattis gave Mira a gold stick pin with a sea star. They gave Angie a gold and silver pin of a cat playing with a ball. Rollie received a wool cap to keep his head warm and a new pair of  gloves.

Mira gave Sarah a large bottle of aromatherapy bath crystals. Frank received a new wallet. Angie got a black and brown belt. Rollie got a cotton sweater and some wool socks. The girls got beanie babies - each one a different cat, Bettye got a freckled one that resembled a leopard or ocelot, Kelsey got one that was black, tan and white, Lynn got one that was black and white.

Anita gave the Gattis a box of homemade candy with the recipe. She gave Mira a silk scarf. Rollie received a hand knit alpaca wool sweater and llama (also made with alpaca wool). Angie received a gold ring which had been in the family for generations, a crystal cat, a crystal kangaroo and a teddy bear made with alpaca wool.

Angie gave Sarah a charm bracelet. There was a charm for each girl, one for Sarah and another for Frank. Frank got new organizer software for his PDA. Mira got a new purse. Bettye, Kelsey and Lynn all got caps with the FX logo on it and their names. They'd been begging for the caps from their friends and immediately put them on. Her mother got a cameo of a mother and child. She also received a bread making machine.

Rollie gave Sarah and Frank an envelope. When they opened it, they found a gift certificate for a romantic restaurant, another for one night at a mid-town hotel (including breakfast) and a hand written card worth one full night of baby-sitting by the lanky Aussie. Mira received another envelope, this one contained a certificate for the full treatment at a well known and highly popular spa. Angie received a gold necklace with a locket. Opening it, she found a picture of her mother and father. She also received a matching bracelet and a certificate to upgrade her computer. Anita received a hand knitted afghan, a cookbook and locket pin with a picture of her husband and daughter. The girls received teddy bears, each one a handmade creation with their names on a pin in one ear.

Finally, it was time for Rollie to open his "Santa" presents. He blushed slightly as he looked at the bag, then turned his pleading brown eyes on the others.
 

"Go on, Rollie! Open them!" Mira urged.

Angie and Francis grinned like cheshire cats. Anita patted his shoulder and gestured for him to continue. Sarah smiled gently and nodded.

"Open them, Rollie." The girls tumbled around their tall friend, eager to see what he'd gotten. They'd never know an adult who got presents from Santa before!

Rollie sighed, then shrugged and grinned hugely, deciding he might as well enjoy himself. He started pulling out the presents and opened each one with child-like glee. There was a wooden spinning top, a dart ball game, bubbles with bubble blowing wand (which he promptly opened and blew some - just to try it out), a ball-in-the-hole paddle toy (which he said reminded him a bit of Two-Up, a game he'd played as a boy), a large stuffed platypus (who could keep his kangaroo company, he said), two Toober&Zots kits - Aliens and Dinosaurs, the ZoLO Cozmo System and the Moto ZoLO - so he could motorize his creations, face painting sticks, magnetic marbles, a Wiggly Giggly ball (which he promptly sent across the floor, laughing heartily at the noise and movement) and lastly, there was a Hoberman Glow-In-The-Dark sphere (which he'd been looking at ever since they came out, wanting one but not quite daring to get it). The lanky Aussie had an ear to ear grin as he looked at his goodies. "I've never had such a good Christmas before!" He declared.

"Merry Christmas, Rollie!" Angie leaned over and hugged him tightly.

"Merry Christmas," the other echoed.

Rollie opened his face painting sticks and started painting the girls' faces after consulting with them as to what they wanted. Everyone laughed and chattered as Sarah served coffee and cookies with assistance from Anita. It was a wonderful Christmas holiday and a jolly time was had by all!