Tuesday was the time of their annual visit to the hospital to visit the sick and hand out presents to those who can't be at home with their families. They buy Christmas dinner for every patient and staff member on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They always went a few days before Christmas, this time Jen and James would be going with as part of the family. Blair put on black jeans a white long sleeve t-shit and a flannel with tan sued boots, and headed downstairs. "We've done cookies on Christmas Eve every year since they were one," Mrs. Smith argued with Kaspar. "But they are eighteen this year?" Kaspar argued back. Blair smiled overhearing them, "We can come back after dinner and still make cookies," Blair said coming into the kitchen. "You're not too old?" Kaspar asked. "No daddy, tradition is tradition," Blair assured Mrs. Smith, who smiled. Blair stood up straight as she smelled James' sent coming into the kitchen. "Ready?" She asked. "Yes, your mom and Jen are already on their way there with all the baskets," Kaspar told them. Blair felt a little hurt, she usually went with her mom to get the baskets. It made sense that Jen would go, she was going to be the new Luna, she needed to learn.
It reminded Blair more of how much things were changing, and it scared her. They put on their coats and headed out, Kaspar rode in the passenger's seat with Ben driving, leaving James and Blair in the back. Blair looked out the window, she hadn't been in town since the Friday, when she had gone to school. It felt nice to be out of the house. She turned when she felt James take her hand, he laced their fingers together and she blushed. His touch gave her confidence and peace, which made him feel like he was the right track.
They pulled up outside of the hospital, where Jen and Sofie were waiting with the other volunteers and thousands of baskets. They were met at the door by the CEO and some of the staff. "We appreciate you continuing this tradition," the CEO Hannah Beam said shaking everyone hands. Ben nodded, "Of course," he replied. He and Jen made it a point to shake hands with every staff member. They headed to the intensive care unit first, they shook hands and visited with the nurses, doctors, and orderly before going into rooms and visiting briefly with families.
Before they left the unit Jen asked if there was anything they needed that they didn't have? "I can't think of anything right now," one RN answered. "If you think of anything, please call and let me know," Ben told them. As they headed to the general admits, Blair whispered to her dad, "Ben is doing a great job," Kaspar nodded and smiled. Ben and Jen did this with every part of the hospital, it took hours, but they didn't leave until every staff member had food and every patient had a visit. The visits weren't very long, but for some it was the only one they had. "I would like a list of anything the hospital need, I don't care if it's education or seminars, please make me a list and I will do what I can to get it done," Ben urged the CEO. "Thank you, alpha, the visit today helps," she assured. "Maybe we could bring back the high school volunteer program," Jen offered. The CEO smiled and nodded, "I think that would benefit the high schoolers as much as us," Hannah agreed. "I'll draft a program set up and send it to you," Jen offered. "Thank you," Hannah replied.
They all smiled and headed to their cars. Blair and James were to take Sofie's car back, since they were going to stop by and have their claiming dinner with Jen's parents. James opened the car door and Blair climbed in, it had been a long day, and Blair felt a little hurt. She watched the scenery out the window as he drove back to her house. He could see she was distracted, "What's wrong? Was that not what you expected?" He asked. She looked over at him tears in her eyes, "I use to go get the baskets with my mother," she told him. James's face fell, she was feeling left out. "I won't pretend to know how hard this is for you," he began. "But I think maybe you could do something like this in the evergreen pack," he offered. "You don't visit the hospital?" She asked. James shook his head as he kept his eyes on the road, "There's so much good you could bring to our pack," he assured her grabbing her hand. She smiled at the prospect of bringing something from home to her new pack, and since the demon hasn't showed maybe it was time for her to embrace her new pack. James kissed the back of her hand, and for the first time Blair was beginning to fell free.
Blair and James sat in the dining room listening to Christmas music and decorating, some of the cookies Mrs. Smith had left out. frosting, sprinkles, and edible glitter laid out for them to decorate. "Next year we should plan to do a cookie decorating day with the hospital, we can make kits for those who can't leave their rooms," Blair suggested. "That's a great idea Blair, I bet they would all like that," James agreed kissing her cheek. Blair smiled, "You didn't do all of them did you?" Ben asked as they walked into the kitchen. "Snooze you lose, sucker," Blair joked.
Ben shook his head but smiled at how happy his sister looked, she had no clue he could feel the demon below the surface plotting their deaths. "Come on, Babe," Jen called, pulling Ben from his thoughts. Ben put on a happy face and smeared frosting on Jen's nose before licking it off, "Get a room," Blair joked throwing some red hots at them. Kaspar and Sofie sat listening to their children laugh, Kaspar could almost block out the fact that his son was doomed. Kaspar and Sofie went to bed in the middle of decorating cookies, Ben and Jen weren't far behind as they kissed and groped their way to Ben's room, which had become their room. When they finished the cookies James and Blair locked the doors, shut the lights off and went upstairs. "Thanks for what you said earlier," Blair whispered as they stood in front of her bedroom door. "Glad I could help," James replied quietly. Blair leaned in to kiss him, wrapping her arms around his neck, while James's hand pressed into her back. Blair opened her mouth making the kiss deeper, as their tongues twisted and tasted each other. A small moan escaped her, and James had to stop himself, he pulled back and they stood there for a moment, "I better go to bed," she told him pulling herself away. "Good night," he whispered as she fumbled with her door behind her. "Good night," she replied, and she went into her room and went to bed. James walked to his room feeling so happy, he knew Blair needed to see what she was gaining and not focus on what she was losing.