PART 10

Cameron's eyes darted toward Julia's. "Go ahead, we're waiting"

Julia blinked a few times, and whiped her tears.

Gary stepped forward, "What is he talking about?" he asked Julia "How do you fit in to our dad's death?"

"Well, I hated him for what he did." She began "And one day a few years later, I read an article in the paper, on how Cameron's dad had been murdered, and Cameron was the number one suspect, but had skipped town." She turned away from everyone. "I thought perfect, it's payback time. So I came up with this whole story on, how I saw Cameron standing over his dad, with the gun, and I seen him take off with the money, and car."

Gary cut in "But it wasn't true?"

"No." she nodded slowly "I just wanted to make him pay. I figured it was only fair. They arrested Cameron, and during the trial, I just retold my story to the jury. They believed me, and sent him away."

Gary spoke again "But it wasn't really Cameron who did, it to you" he couldn't bear to say rape.

"No he didn't, but at least I could make someone pay. If it couldn't be that bastard of a father of yours, at least Cameron would do. When I could out he was out of prison, I flipped out, and came here to Bay City to find him. I wasn't done with him. He may have coned his way out of prison, but he wasn't gonna get away from me so easy"

The room fell silent. No one could speak. Cameron's eyes fouced on Amanda.

She looked over at Cameron, and had tears in her eyes. He walked over to her. "Amanda, I know this must be a lot to hear at once" Cameron began

"Cameron, I don't have time to deal with all this now. I'm going back to the hospital to see Ali." and she pushed past him and ran out the door.

(A few weeks later. Ali's now home, and Sam's funeral is over. Ali knows about her dad. Amanda and Cameron are at odds, and Julia is laying low)

Ali is sitting on the couch in the Cory living room. She hasn't been talking to anyone. She is pushing everyone away. She is crying and Cameron walks in. "Hey there kiddo."

"Hi" she said sadly, not bothering to look up.

"What you looking at?" he asked her gently

She hands over a picture of her and her dad.

"You must miss him lots, huh?"

"Yeah."

"I bet" he said "Know what?"

"Hmm" Ali asks

"My dad died too"

"He did?"

"Yeah, I was a little older then you though."

"Do you miss him?" she asks innocently

"Yeah sorta, but my daddy wasn't a nice daddy like yours."

"He wasn't?"

"No, he used to hurt me and my family real bad. But he was still my dad, and I always loved him. And at times I miss him."

"I miss my daddy a lot too."

"Well, I'm sure your real sick of hearing, it's gonna be ok, and stuff like that. I know it doesn't help much. Does it?"

"No, people don't understand! No one gets it!"

"Your mom does. I do. Your Grandma Rachel does. People can help you Ali. Lots of people are willing to help you. And of course lots love you!" he said picking her up and placing her on his lap

"Really?"

"Of course squirt! Your not alone. Everyone wants to help you."

"Why do I feel so alone then?" she asks

"Well, I think it's because the pain is hitting you hard, and you feel like no one can understand. You think your the only one, but your not. A lot of people loved him. Your mom, Rachel, all his friends."

"Do you?" she asks him

Cameron turns his head, "Well, you know what? I didn't know your dad until resently. So I can't really miss him, because I didn't know him."

"Oh" Ali said sadly

"You know what?" Cameron said "I heard you love to draw, so I was hoping you could draw me a picture of your dad for me. That may help you." He said hoping to cheer her up a bit.

A smile crept across her face "Great idea! I hadn't thought of that." she jumped off Cameron's lap, and ran to grab her sketch book and pencil. Cameron smiled in spite of himself. He hadn't noticed Amanda standing in the doorway. He stood up comfortably. "I was just trying to help." he said "I didn't mean nothing bad by it"

"No, it's ok. I'm glad you did. You were really good with her. And you made my daughter smile. How could I be upset?"

"Well, she's a great kid. It's hard not to like her."

Amanda walked over and hugged Cameron. He was suprised. They'd been married for awhile, but it hadn't seemed like it. They hadn't made love, or kissed or even hugged in ages. It was almost like a new thing. But he could never forget what it felt like to hold Amanda.

"What was that for?" he asked pulling away

"Because it's been so long since I've acklowdeged or admited that your still a desent man." she said

"Well, after all that stuff you heard, I didn't exactly expect you to fall all over me." he said refering to what Julia had said

"But still, we are married you know" she said

"Like I'd forget. I want us to get back what we had" he pleaded

"Let's just take things one day at a time, and see what happenes ok?"

"Deal" he said extending his hand, she grabbed it and they shook on it.

(A little while later)

Ali came back into the living room, and showed Cameron her picture of her dad.

"Is this good?" she asked showing Cameron

"It's perfect" he said "It looks just like him. You have a real talent for this."

"Really?" she asked

"Oh yeah. I mean I'd be lucky to draw a good stick person!" he said laughing

"Can I draw you?" she asked Cameron

"Me?" he asked

"Yeah, you"

"Sure" he said and she made him pose so she could draw him

(About 20 mintues later)

"Finished" she said

"Good, cuz I have a huge kink in my neck," Cameron said rubbing his neck "Now can I see the masterpiece? Or does the artist insisit on touching it up?"

She shook her head no, an showed Cameron her picture.

He studied it for a second and smiled, "Are my cheecks really that fat?" he said chuckling

"Actually, yeah they are!" Ali said laughing for the first time in weeks.

"Hey!" he said jokingly

"Well the artist can only draw what she sees" Ali said teasing

"Will just have to see about that!" and he grabbed Ali and began to tickle her. Laughter filled the room, and Amanda stood and watched and smiled. She didn't want to interrupt, but she had to cut in. "Ali, honey it's bed time"

The laughter started to clam down. "Ah mom!" She said glumly

"Move young lady" Amanda said laughing

She gave Cameron her picture, and ran up the steps. Amanda gave Cameron a big smile, and followed Ali upstairs.

When they got up to Ali's room, Amanda asked "So it seems like you and Cameron are getting along."

She didn't answer the question, but asked "Mom, do you like him?"

Amanda smiled "Yeah, honey I do."

"So do I" Ali said "He's nice"

Amanda kissed Ali goodnight, "Wait mom" she said jumping up "I forgot to put dad's picture up." and she went and put Sam's picture up on her bulletin board. "There now he will always be watching me"

Amanda gently hugged Ali "Yes sweetheart, he will always watch over you." And Amanda walked out of Ali's room and shut the door behind her.

(Downstairs)

Cameron picked up Ali's picture and a tear slipped down his check. "What a sweet kid" he said quitely. He picked up the picture of him and headed toward the door, when Amanda came down the steps.

"Going somewhere?" she asked

"Home" he said and he opened the door, but Amanda came over and shut the door. "Don't go." Cameron looked on suprised

PART 11

(It's now a few days before Christmas. Amanda and Cameron's relationship is still very tense. Ali is still in Bay City, attending public school. Julia has left Bay City, for the time being.)

"Mom, where should I put this?" Ali asked, showing a wooden Santa Claus.

"Why don't we put it over here, but the door?" she said, putting it by the door. "Pefect"

Just then the maid brings in homemade Christmas cookies.

"Oh Yummy" Ali cries, running over to grab one

"Only 1" Amanda yells after her, smiling at the thought of having Christmas with her daughter. She begins to remember her first Christmas with Sam, and Ali. A tear falls down her cheeck. She realizes their is someplace she has to go.

"Ali honey, I need to run an errand. Why don't you help Grandma Rachel, and Uncle Matt, with the rest of the decerations, and I'll be back in a little while." and she bent down to kiss the top of Ali's head."Don't stay up to late" and with that Amanda grabbed her coat and gloves and headed out.

(Meanwhile, Cameron is at his apartment.)

Cameron is sitting on the side of his bed, staring at his wedding band.

"What a joke" he said sadly and removed the piece of gold from his finger. It felt bear now. "Funny how I've been wearing this, and it's ment virtually nothing. It's like were married but we aren't." He remembers back to the conversation with Julia, that destroyed his life. Amanda had been so upset, that he hadn't trusted her. She once again felt betrayed, but it was almost worse then before. He jumped up, he had to get out of that apartment. He decided to go for a run.

(At the cemetary)

Amanda walked slowly around the grave stones. She stopped by the one that read "Mac Cory".

"Daddy" she said softly "Even you wouldn't know what to say to me this time." she said 1/2 laughing, 1/2 crying. "Ali's home, and it's great. I love having her around. I'm glad I decided not to send her back to Switzerland yet. Maybe I'll just enroll her in a public school right here in Bay City." she paused briefly "It's been awhile, since I last came here. Sam's gone. I didn't know how to tell Ali. It was really hard for awhile. I almost couldn't believe it myself. The first man I really loved, is gone. Forever. I nearly lost Ali as well. I'm so glad I didn't lose her too." she paused again, and placed the boquet of flowers that she had in her hand, on the grave. "I really need some answers dad. I got married, but before it even began it all fell apart." she proceed to tell Mac everything that happened. Pausing only to wipe a few tears that had fallen from her eyes. "So, I think it's safe to say, things are pretty crazy in my life once again. I sure do miss you. After all this time, I still miss you like crazy. I love you daddy" Amanda got up from her spot, and walked a few stone over to the one that read "Sam Fowler". She couldn't bring herself to say much. She heard the crunch of footsteps in the snow. Amanda and Cameron locked eyes. He tore his eyes away from her, and started to jog away.

Amanda brought her glove up to her eye, as tears started falling down her face. She fell the ground, crying uncontrolably. Cameron stopped and turned around. He couldn't leave her like that. He walked back over to Amanda, and bent over and grabbed on to her, and they sat together, cried and held on to each other.

PART 12

Amanda broke away from Cameron's embrace. "I, I, I'm sorry" she said still crying

"Hey" he said softly "It's ok. Tell me what's wrong." He brushed away part of her hair that was falling into her face.

"I just realized that I let my husband slowly slip away from me." she said "Now we're like strangers to each other. And everything has just hit me."

Cameron was confused "What?"

"After you looked at me and started to jog away, I realized how much we'd dirfted apart. And it's all my fault." she said wiping away the tears that had fallen from her face.

"No, Amanda it's not your fault. You've had to deal with Sam's death, and Ali being seriously hurt. You haven't had it easy these last few months." He stopped for a second. He looked around, and noticed the flowers on some graves, and wreaths hung for Christmas. He could make out some Christmas lights on the houses in the city. He almost didn't want to talk about what really tore them apart, but he continued "And well, we hadn't been married a few hours, when you learned all the horrible stuff about me and my past. I should have told you. For crying out loud, that would have been our wedding day anyways. It wasn't fair of me to keep all that from you."

"Still, I should have forgiven you."

Cameron turned his head away from Amanda's. "Why on earth should you have? I didn't exactly give you good reason to just forgive me." he said sadly

"Cameron, your my husband, remember? I love you. I should have forgiven you. That is what love is all about, forgiveness." Cameron placed his hand on Amanda's face. She placed her hand atop of his. She brought it down from her face, and started entangling it in hers. She liked how his strong hands, circled around hers. She paused. She noticed the finger where his ring was, was bear. Cameron followed her gaze, and knew what she was thinking.

"Before you get upset, let me explain." he began. Amanda nodded, so he continued "I just took if off today, because I figured it was over between us. I thought you didn't love me or want me anymore. I had given up hope." He hung his head in shame

"Oh Cameron." she started out. "I love you, please please remember that always. Don't ever doubt my love for you." She placed her hands below his chin, and raised his face up. "I love you, do you hear me? I've loved you since day 1. Nothing on this earth could ever stop that or change it."

"Amanda" he began, but she silenced him with a kiss. It was short but sweet. Cameron loved how her lips felt on his. It had been so long since they've kissed. He had nearly forgotten what it was like, but now the feelings just came rushing back.

Amanda looked up smiling. "I've been waiting for that, for so long" she said

"Does this mean you forgive me?" he asked hoepfully

Amanda smiled "Yes" she said softly then yelled "Yes" again. "I always had, I just couldn't bring my stubborn mind to say anything."

Cameron was laughing and pulled in her close to him. He drank her in "You still smell so good" he said sexily "I love that smell"

"I just love you" she said, and no more words were spoken. The 2 began a soft kiss. It turned into a long passionate embrace. Snow started falling on the 2, but both were oblivious to their surrondings. All they wanted was to be with each other. They fell back into the snow, kissing with everything they had. Snow continued to fall, as they couple lay kissing in each others arms.

(A LITTLE WHILE LATER)

Amanda and Cameron pulled apart. Snow was still falling. Amanda brushed some snow that had fallen, on his head.

Amanda was giggling, "What?" Cameron asked curously

And she threw a hidden snowball, right square into Cameron's face.

He whipped away the snow and started chasing Amanda. The 2 started a snowball fight, both getting some good shots. Eventually they gave up on that.

"Let's call a truce" Amanda said, out of breath, from running around

"Sure" Cameron said with a sly grin, but before they could do anything else, he whirled a huge snowball at Amanda.

"There, now it's fair and even!" He said laughing

"Fine" she said brushing the snow from her face "Truse, for REAL?"

"Ok"

Both were giggling and having lots of fun, ropping around in the snow. They 2 contiuned to play in the newly fallen snow. They fell to the ground and made some snow angels. And then, started a snowman. They finished.

"It looks like, you Cameron" Amanda said teasing

"Actually it looks more like your side of the family" he threw right back

"Well we have to name it something." Amanda said

"How about Camanda?"

"What kind of name is that?" Amanda asked

"It's both of are names put together." he said proudly

They both started laughing again "Fine, Camanda, it is" and they agreed it was a great name. Cameron pulled Amanda in for another kiss. "I'm so glad we're together again." he said

"Me too. I hate it when we are so mad at each other" she said

They sealed their newly found happiness with another kiss.

"Now, I have a suprise for you" he said breaking away from her

"A suprise?" she said

"Yes, and you'll have to follow me. And NO peeking!" And he started to lead her through their cemetary toward his suprise. After a while of walking, he stopped.

"Ok, you can open your eyes" he said with a huge grin on his face "Ta Da!"

PART 13

Cameron's face was beaming. Amanda has a shocked look on her face, as they are standing before a huge white house, with a wrap around porch, and deck off the main bedroom.

"So what do you think?" Cameron asks hopefully

Amanda laughed "Um no offense, but what are we doing at this house?"

"It's your suprise!" Cameron said excitedly

"It is?" Amanda seemed confused "I don't quite get it. I mean before we got married, we looked at houses, and this was the one we picked, out, but we never made any final plans." she explained

"Well, this might help" And he grabbed her hand, and led her up the steps, and brushed the snow off the door knock. It read Cameron and Amanda Sinclair.

Amanda held her breath "Cameron" she spoke softly. He led her inside. The rooms and walls were bare. They stood in the foyer, and gazed around. "Did you, I mean is this ours?" Amanda said, her eyes big and full of questions.

"Yup" He said with a big smile "I bought it, as your wedding figt, but since things didn't go according to plan, I was going to sell it. But I thought I'd at least wait till Christmas."

"Christmas?" Amanda asked walking into the living room.

"Yes"

"Why Chrsitmas?"

Cameron's eyes revealed a distant pain. "When Gary and I were little, and everyone was writing out Christmas lists, Gary and I always made outs really short. All we wanted was for things to get better, for our family, and every year, we were disappointed. But we always believed in a Christmas Miracle. We always thought that something good comes out of Christmas. And we were usually right. Dad didn't drink for the day, and Gary and I got a few gifts. You know simple little things. I guess I was just hoping, Christmas would bring a huge miracle."

Amanda smiled "I see. So, did you get your big miracle this Christmas."

"You know I always wanted a beautiful blond, as my wife, and well what do you know?" And he grabbed Amanda, and planted a kiss on her lips. "I got my miracle"

"Me, a miracle?" Amanda said mockingly

Cameron laughed, "Now come on let's finish looking at our new house!"

(They now have gone through, the house, and our in the master bedroom)

"Now this would be our room." Amanda said, smiling seductivley

"Right" Cameron smiled, catching Amanda's drift

"Too bad we don't have a bed." She said pretending to be disappointed

"We do sorta" Cameron said pointing toward a bunch of blankets and pillows by the master bedroom fireplace.

"When did you do that?"

"It's been there for awhile. I was planning on brining you here for our wedding night."

Amanda smiled. "Well, what are you waiting for? This is sorta like our wedding night, since we haven't been together since our wedding."

And with that he swept Amanda off her feet, and carried her over to the blanket and pillows on the floor. They started going slowly. They desiered each other more then anything. Their lips found each other, and they kissed hungerly. They fall into the blankets in a heated embrace.

(A little while later)

They sat laying in each other's arms. Cameron kissed the top of Amanda's head. "It's been to long"

"Yes it has" and she turned to face him. She rubbed her hands over his chest. "But, we can always make up for lost time." She looked up at him, with a devilish grin on her face. The 2 started kissing each other once again.

(Christmas Morning. Presents have been opened, and the kids are sitting and playing with their new toys.)

"I have one last present for you." Amanda said to Cameron

"Another one?"

"Oh yes!" She handed him a neatly wrapped gift. He unwrapped, the gift and pulled out a 8x11 picture of her and Ali. "Your supposed to place it on your desk at work, so we'll always be near you. I know, it's sorta of a disappoint as a Christams gift, but I didn't really know we'd even be together today."

"No Amanda, I love it. I think it's the best present I could have ever dreamed of." And he leaned over and gave her a kiss.

(It's now a few months later, around April. Ali, wanted to go back to Switzerland to school, so Amanda let her. Amanda and Cameron moved into their new home. They are sitting on the steps of their new house.)

"You know what I was thinking?" Cameron asked

"No what?" Amanda said, excited, as she had special news to share with Cameron.

"This is such a big house for just the 2 of us. I mean, come on, we bearly even use 1/2 of it!" he said laughing

"Well, Ali has 1 room, for when she comes home, and our kids will need a room."

"Kids? Amanda, we don't need to even worry about that, for like years."

"Oh, I wouldn't be to sure about that." Amanda said smiling

Cameron was confused for a second. "What?" he said turning toward her. Then it dawned on him, as he watched Amanda smile. "Your,"

"We are going to have a baby." she finished for him

Cameron's face lit up. A tear escaped from his eye. "I can't believe this. I'm gonna be a dad. When? How much time do we have to wait?'

"Well, the doctor says I'm about 6 weeks along. So we have awhile!" She said laughing.

He picked her up and placed her on his lap. "We are going to be the best parents ever, and we are going to love this baby, to death."

Amanda smiled and kissed Cameron.

"And I'm going to be the worst pain in the ass, for the next 9 months. You are going to eat only healty foods, and get enough sleep, and never over work yourself." They sealed their new found happiness with another kiss.

(9 months later. Amanda just gave birth)

Cameron and Amanda are eagerly awaiting the news from the doctor. "It's a boy."

"A boy!" Cameron yelled "Did you hear that? It's a little boy. We have a son" he was so excited. He could bearly cantain himself.

The nurse placed the neatly wrapped baby, in Amanda's arms.

"He's so perfect." Cameron said

"I think we should name the baby, Ethan Gary Sinclair" Amanda said

"Ethan Gary" Cameron repeated softly and then looked at the tiny baby. "Yeah, Ethan Gary sounds perfect."

"Yes, it is, and so are we." And Amanda leaned in and gave Cameron a quick kiss. "We are all a family now. Our love has conqured all."

THE END!

By Sumer