Eve Lambert gazed out the window of the train compartment as her life seemed to flash by her very eyes, much like the new fallen snow surrounding her. It was in these moments, during the times of the holidays that the season took it’s toll upon her. Why she’d agreed to this convention in the first place was beyond her as she knew she should be home with Daniel celebrating the holiday that she feared would come and go much too quickly for them together. A sigh escaped from her lips as she thought of how this year was to be something special, something different from the nightmares she and Daniel had gone through since the divorce. She’d promised him a good Christmas and she had the full intention of following through, that was if the storm didn’t have other plans for her destination. 
        “Excuse me,” A voice interrupted her thoughts as Eve turned to find the kind eyes of a stranger upon her, “is this seat open?” the woman questioned motioning to the seat opposite Eve in the compartment. 
        “By all means go ahead,” Eve nodded for the woman to join her as Eve’s eyes fell back onto the winter picture surrounding the train. 
        “There’s just something about this time of year,” the elderly woman spoke up in an attempt to initiate a conversation. 
        “I used to think so,” Eve sighed turning her eyes towards the silver haired woman. 
        “Sounds as though that time has long since passed,” the woman noted. 
        “Perhaps for me, but for the sake of my son, I try to keep it up for him,” Eve half smiled, “it’s his fifth Christmas.” 
        “I see and I’m sure he’s quite excited,” the woman noted, “he and his father must be eagerly anticipating your arrival home.” 
        “Daniel is,” Eve nodded, “but I’m divorced.” 
        “Oh,” the woman hesitated, “so that explains the look.” 
        “What look?” Eve frowned slightly. 
        “The sadness behind your eyes,” the woman continued, “believe me I’m no stranger to that having been separated myself for quite some time from my husband. Sometimes it seems fate has other plans for us.” 
        “Fate,” Eve couldn’t help but laugh at the notion, “I don’t know if there is such a thing.” 
        “Such cynical words from such a beautiful young woman,” the stranger smiled at her, “surely you haven’t given up the hope of having a happily ever after.” 
        “I’m thankful for my son,” Eve confessed, “he is my world, but since Ian and I split, it has been rather lonely. Don’t get my wrong. My son is my world and I’d do anything for him, but it still doesn’t erase the fact that I am not marriage material.” 
        “Do you really believe that?” the woman questioned again, “because I’ll tell you Eve, I don’t think that’s the case. Perhaps you’ve just been searching for love in all the wrong places.” 
        “How did you know my...” Eve started giving the woman a strange look. 
        “It’s on your luggage,” the woman nodded to the small suitcase beside Eve. 
        “Oh I see,” Eve half smiled extending her hand, “Eve Lambert.” 
        “Martha,” the woman shook her hand, “you know as I was saying before, I know where you’re coming from and as a mother I know you would do anything to put your son’s needs first, but what about your needs?” 
        “All I need is to get my head straight and quit whining about what might’ve been.” 
        “Everything does happen for a reason, you know?” 
        “That’s what they say, but I tend to wonder.” 
        “Even so, if you could change things, what would you differently?” 
        “I’m not sure really, but I suppose I would’ve found someone who truly loved me and wanted to be with me as opposed to having been swept away in the notions of soulmates, eternal love and happily ever after.” 
        “Sounds like you had a lot of hope once,” the woman noted. 
        “At one time, yes, I did,” Eve smiled, “but I was wrong about Ian. In fact looking back I should’ve just left when I had opportunity for a new life.” 
        “A new life?” the woman questioned. 
        “Well sort of,” Eve paused, “you see I was pregnant a while before Ian and I were reunited and I was going to leave to start over again on my own.” 
        “Much like you are now?” 
        “Well, yes, but no,” Eve shook her head, “come to think of it my best friend had proposed to me and I turned him down because I wasn’t ‘in love’ with him like I was with Ian.” 
        “And you regret that decision?” 
        “In some ways, yes indeed,” Eve nodded, “had I said yes, well I mean maybe it wouldn’t have been love, but at least he’d still be in my life.” 
        “I take it you two lost contact,” the woman questioned. 
        Eve nodded, “He left about a year and a half ago. He never really said anything to anyone, but the day I filed for a divorce I noticed his apartment had been cleared out without so much as a goodbye.” 
        “It sounds like he was someone important to you. Someone you could depend on,” the woman noted. 
        “I guess I never thought about it that way,” Eve half laughed, “it’s funny the things you think of when the holidays roll around.” 
        “Indeed, but you know it’s in those times that you really get a good look at what’s inside you.” 
        “Besides all the shopping and hassle that come with it,” Eve smiled. 
        “Of course, but you know it’s in those hidden wishes, those things that just creep into your mind that you begin to find the truth in your heart.” 
        “The truth?” Eve repeated. 
        “Perhaps you were never given any type of closure with that man you spoke of. Maybe your heart secretly wishes you hadn’t declined his proposal.” 
        “I don’t think that’s it,” Eve denied. 
        “No?” the woman raised a curious brow, “well what if you could go back in time and do it? Would you accept?” 
        “If it would save me the anguish I went through with Ian,” Eve jokingly agreed, “sure why not.” 
        “Then remember that when the season rolls around,” the woman offered with a smile, “you never know what kind of miracles can roll around.” 
        “I don’t know if marrying Chris Ramsey would’ve been a miracle,” Eve noted with a yawn as she looked out to the chilled evening once again as a sudden exhaustion overtook her, “but it would’ve been nice,” she thought to herself as exhaustion hung over her and she was lost in a moment of peaceful slumber. 

<hr> 

        “Madame, Madame,” Eve heard a voice call out to her as she woke up with a start to find the uniformed man from the train standing before her, “excuse me, but we’ve all cleared out as we’ve reached out destination point.” 
        “Oh,” Eve gasped sitting up straighter, “I must’ve dozed off,” she looked across from her to the empty seat, “I take it Martha left already.” 
        “Who?” the man gave her a look. 
        “The woman that was seated with me,” she explained reaching for her suitcase, “I suppose it doesn’t matter.” 
        “Whatever you say Madame,” he offered with a smile as Eve rose from her seat looking for her other bags to find the compartment empty. 
        “Where are my things?” Eve frowned noting a few shopping bags before her that she hadn’t recognized. 
        “That’s all you had I believe, but if you think something is missing you can stop in the station and file a complaint...” 
        “Forget it,” Eve sighed still feeling the weight of her nap taking it’s toll on her, “I just want to get home to my son.” 
        “Have a safe and happy holiday,” the man smiled as Eve exited the train wondering why she’d drifted off so deeply during the last half of the ride. Making her way towards the station, she heard a voice call out to her. 
        “Eve, Eve,” Karen’s voice rang out as Eve turned to see her best friend waving at her, “there you are.” 
        “Karen, hi, I was just about to call you,” Eve answered in response, “you would not believe the ride I had.” 
        “Considering you’re over an hour behind schedule I could only imagine,” Karen offered up reaching for one of the bags, “here let me help you.” 
        “Thank you Karen,” Eve smiled lightly, “you don’t know how good it is to finally see a friendly face around here.” 
        “Oh I’m sure you’ll have plenty more of that when you get home,” Karen reminded her. 
        “Speaking of home, where’s Daniel?” Eve questioned with a slight frown, “I would’ve thought you’d have him with you.” 
        “Well, I did for a while as he and Frank were playing together, but when his father came and picked him up....” 
        “His father picked him up?” Eve’s eyes widened, “Karen, tell me you didn’t let him take Daniel, not now.” 
        “Eve, I didn’t think it was a problem for Daniel to go home with his father,” Karen explained, “I just assumed with it being Christmas Eve and all that he’d much rather be at home than at our home with Frank and I.” 
        “Karen, how could you send Danny home with him especially after everything I’ve been telling you? You know that it was my week with him and the last thing I wanted was to be without him...” 
        “Eve, he’s at home waiting for you,” Karen tried to reassure her friend as she noted the look of concern over Eve’s features, “I told you I wouldn’t have just handed him over to anyone. Surely, Daniel is safe with his father.” 
        “The last person I want him with is his father,” Eve marched towards the exit of the station, “I need to see my son.” 
        “Eve, I’m going to take you there, but I really don’t understand what this outburst was about. I thought you’d be excited to get home to find the family all together. You’d said things were going so well lately...” 
        “Well,” Eve looked to Karen in disbelief, “I can’t even believe you’d suggest something like that. Things are most certainly not well.” 
        “Did something happen on your trip? Something that you want to tell me about?” Karen frowned. 
        “Nothing nearly as bad as this. Take me home Karen. Take me home now!” 
        “As you wish, but Eve maybe you should take it easy,” Karen frowned, ‘something isn’t right here.” 
        “It’s the fact you let me son go with his father,” Eve huffed, “what were you thinking?” 
        “That you might like Danny at home for the holidays for your arrival,” Karen offered, “I didn’t realize it would upset you. I mean if you were looking for some private time without him being home, you should’ve told me before...” 
        “Private time,” Eve shook her head, “get real. I’m long past spending any time with that man.” 
        “Eve,” Karen opened her mouth to argue before stopping, “alright, let’s just get you home. My car’s over there.” 
        “Good,” Eve followed the direction Karen had pointed out as she hoped above all things that when she got home, she’d find Danny safe despite the fact he was with Ian. 

        Karen pulled the car over in front of a large white brick home up in the hills of Port Charles. As Eve looked to the decorations before her, she was in awe of the beauty as she realized the estate wasn’t far from the Quartermaine mansion, but alas this place was far from being home. With a frown, she turned to her best friend, “Karen, I can’t believe you brought me to this place. Is this some kind of joke? I told you I wanted to go home and see Daniel.” 
        “He’s in there,” Karen gave her friend a worried look, “I told you he would be.” 
        “In there,” Eve motioned to the house, “what is he doing in there?” 
        “Eve, are you sure you’re feeling okay,” Karen reached out to touch her head. 
        “No, I’m not okay,” Eve looked to the house, “you’re saying his father brought him to this place?” 
        “Of course I’m saying that,” Karen watched her worried, “you know Eve suddenly you look a bit pale.” 
        “I’m going to see my son,” Eve announced getting out of the car as she marched up to the grand doorway pounding on the door before her as her anger overtook her, “Ian, you open this door you son of a bitch. I don’t know what kind of game you’re trying to pull here, but open it right now!” 
        After a few more fists into the door, Eve was greeted by a small, elderly woman looking up at her with great surprise, “Dr. Lambert?” 
        “Where is he?” Eve snapped at her making her way into the house, “where is Daniel?” 
        “He’s upstairs in bed,” the maid explained watching her, “your husband just put him down a little while ago.” 
        “My husband,” Eve grumbled in disgust, “like hell. Where is that bastard?” 
        “I most certainly hope you aren’t talking about me,” a familiar voice called out from behind her as Eve spun around to see Chris walking down the stairs in a casual pair of khakis and a red and green Christmas print sweater. He had a soft, sexy smile on his face as he looked to the maid waiving his hand at her, “I can take it from here Suzie.” 
        “Chris, what’s going on?” Eve questioned in confusion as she turned to him, “where’s Daniel?” 
        “He’s in bed where I put him,” Chris explained reaching out to her as she took a step back, “are you feeling alright?” 
        “No, I’m not alright. What is he doing here? Come to think of it what are you doing here and where is Ian?” 
        “Ian,” Chris frowned slightly, “don’t tell me you encountered him again,” he paused looking over her features, “oh my, you must’ve considering that look upon your face. What has he done now?” 
        “He’s tried to take Daniel from me,” Eve explained, “he just doesn’t understand that I want nothing to do with him.” 
        “Daniel,” Chris frowned slightly, “what would he be doing going after Daniel?” 
        “You know how Ian is. He’s always up to trouble now a days...” 
        “But he won’t get to Daniel,” he placed a hand on her shoulder, “rest assured he’s safe in his bed upstairs.” 
        “But Karen said that Ian had picked Danny up from her home and...” 
        “I picked him up, Eve,” Chris reached out to keep her before him, “you should know by now that I would never let that man near our son.” 
        “You know that Ian’s....” she stopped herself as his words hit her, “our son?” 
        “Well, of course,” Chris flashed her a smile as his arms slipped around her waist, “unless of course there’s something else you’d like to share with me.” 
        “Chris, I don’t....” Eve shook her head as he silenced her with a kiss squeezing her closer to him. 
        “Shh..” he whispered against her lips, “don’t say a word. I’ve missed you darling.” 
        “But....” Eve began as she heard the sounds of tiny feet rushing down the stairs eagerly. 
        “Mommy,” Daniel’s voice rang out as she looked to see her son standing before her eagerly holding his teddy bear. She rushed over to him seeing his tousled brown hair by his eyes. 
        “Danny,” she pulled him into her arms. 
        “You’re home. Just in time for Santa you’re home.” 
        “Of course I am,” she hugged him again, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” 
        “I told daddy you wouldn’t,” Daniel looked to Chris, “see I said she’d be back.” 
        “You were right Danny,” Chris walked over to them, “as always my son knows it all.” 
        “But...” Eve looked to Chris curiously as there was another rumbling of footsteps down the stairs as she noted a tiny auburn haired little girl about the age of three standing before her who’s eyes lit up. There was no mistaking by her smile that she was Chris’ daughter. Eve looked over to him fighting to contain her surprise as Daniel wiggled out of her arms to stand beside the young little one. 
        “Mommy, you’re home,” the girl spoke out with a smile, “Danny was right you’re home.” 
        “I told you she would be Brittany,” Daniel smiled proudly, “mom would never let us down, would she dad?” 
        “Not in this lifetime,” Chris offered with a smile as the little girl stepped towards Eve. 
        “I missed you so much mommy. Danny and I were so sad when we thought you wouldn’t be here for Christmas, but Santa is coming tonight and he’s going to bring us lots of presents. Daddy said if we were good, we were going to get lots and lots of them and I promised you I’d be good and I was,” Brittany explained. 
        “I was better,” Daniel added. 
        “Was not,” Brittany frowned. 
        “Was too.” 
        “Was not!” 
        “Was too!” 
        “Was not!” her tiny voice grew louder as Chris reached out to scoop them both up into his arms. 
        “Now that’s enough you two. Your mother just got home and I’m sure the last thing she wanted was to see you two fighting with one another. Why don’t you let me take you back upstairs while mommy settles in and we can read a bedtime story before you two go to sleep.” 
        “I don’t want to go to sleep dad,” Daniel argued. “I want to stay up and see Santa.” 
        “Me too daddy,” Brittany added. 
        “Now you two should know by now it doesn’t work that way around here. Santa won’t arrive unless you two are safe in bed,” Chris reminded them. 
        “That sucks dad,” Daniel frowned. 
        “Even so that’s how it works. Now how about that story?” 
        “Can we read sleeping beauty daddy?” Brittany smiled. 
        “Not again,” Daniel groaned, “that would be the fifth time this week.” 
        “So what I like it.” 
        “It’s a stupid story.” 
        “Is not!” 
        “Is too,” Daniel argued. 
        “You are stupid,” she huffed at him. 
        “You’re stupid Brit.” 
        “Am not.” 
        “Am too.” 
        “Am not,” she frowned, “daddy tell him I am not.” 
        “Okay you two,” Chris hugged them both, “we’ll pick something like Toy Story. Will that work?” 
        “I guess,” Daniel nodded. 
        “Sure daddy,” Brittany leaned into him, “I love that one.” 
        “Good then it’s settled,” he said going up a step before turning to Eve, “you joining us?” 
        “I...” Eve was at a loss watching them. 
        “Take your time,” he replied stepping down to give her a quick kiss on the cheek as Brittany let out a tiny giggle. 
        “I told you they’d be all kissey face again when she got home Danny.” 
        “Oh brother,” Daniel groaned as Chris moved in to kiss Eve, “not again.” 
        “That’s enough you two. Can I help it if I miss mommy too?” Chris asked. 
        “I guess not,” Brittany sighed. 
        “I guess it’s okay.” Daniel agreed. 
        “Good,“ Chris kissed them both quickly, “there are enough kisses to go around here.” He looked to Eve, “I take it we’ll see you upstairs in a few minutes, then?” 
        “Sure,” Eve nodded in response finding herself at a loss as she looked at him in wonder. 
        “Excellent,” he gave her a quick kiss before carrying the children upstairs singing Jingle Bells to them all the way and their laughter surrounded Eve offering up a warm feeling as she wondered how on earth she’d gotten to this place and more importantly why she was her with Chris. 
        “Dr. Lambert,” A voice called out to her interrupting her thoughts as she turned to see Martha, the woman from the train standing beside her in the foyer. 
        “Martha, what are you doing here?” Eve rushed over to her. 
        “I can’t really get into it, but I thought I’d take a moment to see how you were settling in,” Martha smiled at her, “so far so good I see.” 
        “What is Chris doing here and what is he doing with my son?” Eve questioned in confusion. 
        “You mean your son and daughter.” 
        “I don’t have a daughter. I mean Brittany is cute, but she’s not mine.” 
        “She most certainly is,” Martha smiled at her, “she’s been yours since the day you gave birth to her.” 
        “I didn’t give birth to her....” Eve began at a loss. 
        “Maybe not in the life you’d chosen for yourself, but in the life you were meant for, she came into this world nearly three years ago, come tomorrow morning.” 
        “What?” Eve looked back at her in disbelief. 
        “In the world you were living in, you were going down a path to self destruction. You admitted it yourself in not so many ways, but now, well now I’m showing you the life that you could’ve had if you’d said yes to Chris long ago.” 
        “You mean what would’ve happened if I married Chris?” Eve tried to take it all in. 
        “Not if,” Martha shook her head, “but what has happened since you did marry Chris.” 
        “But I didn’t marry Chris..” Eve argued. 
        “Of course you did,” Martha smiled at her, “and it’s time you step into that life especially for the holidays.” 
        “But...” Eve watched as Martha moved towards the door, “I don’t understand how I...” 
        “Just enjoy it Eve,” the woman smiled at her, “people seldom are given a miracle like this, but in your case, well I thought you and Daniel could use it.” 
        “But..” Eve chased after her, “I don’t understand how you pulled it off. How I got here...” 
        “There’s no reason for understanding, just for acceptance. Enjoy what fate has given you and never, ever give up on love,” Martha assured her, “it’s what makes life complete Dr. Lambert.” 
        “But...” Eve began again as Martha opened the door. 
        “Merry Christmas,” Martha smiled at her before slipping out into the wintery night. 
        “Wait,” Eve chased after her only to find herself surrounded by the soft snow falling from the sky as Eve wondered what was going on and just how Martha had changed her life. As she looked around at the house, she noted the window light on upstairs and she saw Chris sitting in a rocking chair holding both children reading to them as their tiny faces lit up with smiles and she wondered if perhaps this life was actually something she was meant to find. Perhaps this was all a dream, but even so, somehow she found herself rather enjoying the prospects of what lay ahead of her and she intended to see what was the meaning of this all too vivid dream for she was certain that was all it could be, right?