IN DECEMBER Jake asked, "What would make a perfect Christmas for you."

"That is easy, to spend it with you," Lacey said pensively.

"But seriously, a big tree with decorations, and presents for everyone underneath, and a big turkey dinner. I have never been able to manage the whole thing before, but I think I might be able to this year."

"No, you won't," Jake said. "I'm going to play Santa Claus, if you'll let me. Nicole has plans for Christmas Day so she wants me to come to the house on Christmas Eve instead, which means I can be with you and the children, if you like."

"I like, I really like! How incredible!"

They went to the country and cut down a tree and took it to Lacey's house where boxes and boxes of decorations and lights had been delivered.

Lisa was out with her boyfriend, and Julian was in his room.

He'd said, "I don't feel like it," when they'd asked him to help trim the tree. Jake thought it best to leave the boy alone, to let him make any moves toward a relationship.

Jake strung the lights while Jana set about organizing the decorations in rows on the floor, before stepping back to squint at the tree. Jake was amused at her approach.

"What do you think, Mom? I think these big ones circling the bottom of the tree, then these medium ones in the middle, with the little ones further up and the garlands running throughout them all."