A small smile tugged on the edges of Eden's lips that evening as she tried to keep her eyes on the road and her mind off of Mike's comment earlier. Yet, it was all she could think of.

"You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen."

Inwardly, she smiled broadly. Maybe she was being silly for blushing over a man's comment of how pretty she looked, but it wasn't just his words that left her blushing, it was the look in his eyes when he said it. She didn't think she had ever seen a man look at her like she was the most beautiful, precious thing ever --not even Philip.

"Thank you for coming along," she said, pulling over by the curb, "and for your honest comment."

He shrugged. "The wine was an added advantage."

"Oh, yeah," she said, disappointed he had only agreed to go with her because of the champagne that was offered to them after she had voiced her satisfaction with the dress, she swallowed.

"Also, seeing you in your dress was certainly my favorite part." His words caused her smile to return. "See you Monday?" She heard the door opening.

Raising her head up, she blurted:

"Or, we could grab something to eat?” He turned to her, his brow raised. Nervous, she shrugged. “My treat. I mean, it's the least I could do to thank you for all your help. Plus, I'm starving."

He watched her for a few seconds. Nervous he would reject her offer, she mentally kicked herself for extending it. He had after all made it clear only a day ago that he wanted nothing to do with her.

"Again, you don't have to. I mean, what was I thinking right?"

"I guess I do owe you an apology," he said, surprising her. "I didn't mean what I said yesterday. Or, a year ago."

Eden sat unmoving for several seconds, stunned.

"I... Um... I apologize as well. I should certainly learn to... Not get on your nerves?" She finally found the courage to speak.

"Oh, don't worry about it, I get on my own nerves." A smile she thought was absolutely beautiful, settled on his face, forcing a smile to her own lips as well..

“Pizza?"

He nodded. "Pizza sounds good."

She turned from him then, and turned on the ignition. Pulling out of the curb, she focused her attention on the road. It wasn't the evening she had been expecting; she had been expecting a hostile or awkward evening, but it had turned out good, really good.

They rode in silence; one Eden didn't think was awkward anymore. It was instead a peaceful silence. And when they made their way to the pizza parlor and settled on a table, Mike turned to her.

"Do the kids get their wish for Christmas?"

"Some of them. You're actually supposed to pass the information across to their parents and they'll get them the presents."

"And the parents who can't afford to buy presents?"

Eden shrugged. "I guess there's nothing we can do."

"I'm sorry, Eden, I just don't see the sense in a Santa who doesn't bear presents," he was saying, when their order arrived.

Eden took a slice of her pepperoni pizza and sank her teeth into it. Chewing slowly, she closed her eyes and savored it.

"I mean, what's the point, right? We're just going to be raising those poor kids' hopes up."

"We can't possibly buy all those presents, the hospital will not even consider funding it."

"So, who's going to tell them Santa's a fraud when they don't get what I promised they would?"

"Their parents will try to get it for them."

"Considering all the medical bills they already have to pay, I think it'll be a little cruel to ask them to spend so much money on presents."

"Okay, what do you suggest, Mike, a fundraiser?"

"It's possible."

"It's late. It'll be impossible to raise that much fund within such short notice, with absolutely no publicity."

He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it once more. His eyes clouded with something she wasn't sure she could interpret, and heaving a breath, he turned his attention to the pizza.

Eden raised her glass of water to her lips and took a sip.

"You know, it sucks." His head jerked up once more. Placing her glass on the table, she turned to him, a frown settling on her face. "For some of those kids, this will be their last Christmas. I mean, there's nothing Santa can do about their health, but presents?! We can afford to get them presents, can't we?" He shook his head, visibly frustrated.

Unable to respond, Eden resorted to eating in silence. She knew he was right, the kids deserved to have their wishes come true. Yet, she didn't know how that was even going to be possible. How was she going to raise thousands of dollars within such short notice, and get every single present on every kid's list?

Mike said goodnight to her after she dropped him off at his apartment building that evening, a forced smile on his face. It was a few more hours before she was driving into her driveway, and while she suspected her grandmother was home already, she imagined she was in bed.

Climbing up the stairs, she made her way to her room and slipped out of her dress. Her body ached, every limb yawning for the feel of a mattress beneath it.

She made her way to her closet and pulled it open. Her eyes scanned the closet for a night dress. It was a few seconds before she spotted one, and reached for it. Pulling it out, she jumped back when something tumbled out of the closet as well. She glanced down, a frown tugging on her brows as her eyes came to settle on a familiar gift wrapped box.

Maddie...

She leaned down, picking the box up and straightening. She stared at the red gift wrap, curiosity tugging on her heart. She had stared at this gift several times through the months, yet, for some reason, she had been unable to open it.

What was in it? She imagined it was something important because Mike had not been around in the last moments of Maddie’s life, and when he returned, it had been too late. The box and the roses were the only things in his arms. It was apparent to her that he had been out getting them. She vaguely remembered his words to her as he shoved the box and roses in her arms; it was Maddie's only wish for Christmas. It was her wish, and he had failed to grant it before she passed. Was that what frustrated him about failing once again to grant the wish of other sick children?

Eden turned from her closet with the box in her hands, and settled on the edge of her bed. She turned the box over in her hands, her eyes scanning it. Was there a possibility of granting every child's wish for Christmas? Mike was right, for some, it would be their last Christmas, giving them a present would be the least anybody could do. She leaned back and laid flat on the bed, her legs dangling off of the edge -but how, how would it even be possible?!

Eden must have fallen asleep, because she was jolted awake by an idea; one that left her grinning from ear to ear. Springing to a sitting position, her eyes darted to the alarm clock on the lamp stand; 5:00am. She grabbed her purse on the bed, and pulled out her cell phone.

"Philip Kerr, I can't get to the phone but if you'll leave a message, I'll be sure to return the call." She was certain she already had Philip’s voice mail memorized given how often he was never available to speak with her. He was either too busy in a meeting, or with his campaign team.

"Hey Phil, it's me, Eden. I know you're probably busy, but is it okay if I ask for a favor? I was wondering, could you get a bunch of friends to raise money for the children's hospital? It'll be wonderful if we could get them presents for Christmas. I know it's short notice but I would really appr—" A loud beeping sound interrupted her flow of words. Sighing deeply, she rolled her eyes and placed the phone back in her purse -at least she got the message across!

Settling comfortably in bed, she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.

Her eyelids flickered open several hours later. Moaning softly, she turned to the side, something vibrating underneath her body.

Tugging on the annoying object, she pulled out her cell phone and stared at the caller ID; Philip.

Sitting up straighter, she pressed the green button.

"Phil?"

"Hey! I got your message."

"Yeah, I'm a little surprised you called back," she groaned, trying and failing to find a comfortable position on the bed for her tired body.

"Why wouldn't I? It was a great idea for my campaign! We could raise the money, get the media to attend, and get the support of the public in the process. Oh Eden, are you sure you don't want to join my campaign team?"

Eden rubbed her forehead, a headache quickly coming on. Campaign?! How did raising money for sick children translate into a campaign?!

Annoyed, she fought the urge to hang up. "It's for sick kids, Phil, can we not make this about you?"

"Who says it's about me?"

"Well, you just admitted to wanting to use it as an opportunity to aid your campaign."

"You know, let's not do this."

"Do what?!" Her tone betrayed her emotions.

"Argue. Fight. Get into it. You either want my help or you don't. Which is it?"

She groaned, unbelieving of how selfish Philip was acting. "Does your help need to come with the press?"

"Absolutely."

Eden knew she didn't like it, but so much more than that, she knew she didn't have to like it. She was doing it for the kids... And for Mike.

"Fine,” she muttered, and this time, she was the one who hung up the phone on him.