December 22nd.

  Life extinguishes in a blink, like a drop in the air that vanish with the slightest ge. Richard Carson's provement are impossible, and far from feasible in the ing days. His crity has faded, passing quickly and without restraint.

  -That's the best we do for now, - Billy remarked to Thomas Carson, whose smile had faded from his face. The grimace was unavoidable. They were both at the Savant Hotel, a small, family-run two-star establishment with rooms and enough security to pass Billy's team's approval.

  -I'm afraid I 't refuse, but it’s impossible... The situation is simply imperfect. My mother is abandoned, and no amount of care from a hired person suffice. She should e with us to San Jose. If she es with Father, I'll cover all the expenses from my pocket. - Thomas Carson responded, deing Billy's request.

  -Do it, but I find it hard to believe you manage all your responsibilities. You have young children, a pregnant wife, and, of course, a job that you must attend to, which is the foundation of your stability. - Billy ented.

  -I don’t have many obligations, and I’ll hahe job. - Thomas replied.

  -It’s decided. Take him to San Jose, but don’t fight over money. If it helps, I have plenty. - Billy remarked, uanding that money was the only issue for him, but for Thomas, it was different. It was a matter of principle, a matter of gratitude. However, Jeffrey's business went downhill with the st winter's frosts. He decided to sacrifice everything to recover, but his way of thinking remains problematid debated.

  Thomas refused; he had his pride. But Billy knew he wouldn’t be thanked.

  -I won’t do it, and you go visit yrandfather. He should have familiar faces around sometimes. It’s not good for him to be alone, even Helen struggles with it. They he care we should provide. - Thomas ented.

  His schedule is packed, starting January 8th with the filming of L.A. fidential, and most likely, he’ll be doing some interviews to promote Jerry Maguire... a bit uled by the family matter, but he’ll make an appearance.

  -I’ll do what I ! -

  -You o be present. There are things you should never put aside. Your family es first. You may still be upset with me, but your wife and your children must always e first. In this case, yrandparents are important. - Thomas ented.

  -I know, Anne will take care of the nurses and the care for both of them. She has all the necessary information. - Billy respohinking of Anne and her pnning. She was the bae of the pany from the administrative side.

  They both left the hotel, the same hotel where Thomas and his wife were staying. They did some shopping, and even amidst the struggle, iion, and quarrel, the meal oh was mandatory for everyone. For Richard and Helen, being part of that activity was very important.

  Given that it’s 10:00 AM, likely, she’s still sleeping. The Italian's sleep is perfect, and it could be said that her sleep time is a minimum of nine hours. She was a light sleeper, and her rest couldn’t be interrupted.

  -Not many stores are open at this time. Let's go to the general store; it should be open. As long as we find the right ingredients and the meat, it’s better to buy a steer for the sacrifid let the members hahe purchase. - Thomas murmured. The time for the celebration was running short; they would go to the cattle fair to buy a good one.

  I’ll buy the drinks and some gifts for the whole family. I’d like everyoo have something, - Billy mentioo Thomas.

  -M shopping? - Thomas asked, thinking it over. -We’ll do it that way then. -

  Although Thomas didn’t know, Billy first visited the pawn shops, eyeing some objects worth purchasing, from paintings and antiques to luxury goods. Some of them were unique pieces. He snuck away to buy a lot of jewelry; Monica is a woman who loves jewelry, and though she de, she ’t help but go wild over the details. She doesn’t deny anything, this time. He bought some expensive gifts for many people, knowing he o focus oionships.

  So, he purchased a pair of silver earrings with topazes for Winona, valued at 12,000—not too fancy—a white gold watch fwyh Paltrow worth 21,000, and a plete set of jewelry for Anne, including bracelets, bangles, neckces, earrings, some in gold, some in silver, and a watch without too many frills.

  For little Monica, he had to be more demanding; there’s nothing worse than the disdain a woman anticipate. That’s why it o be a gift above the general rule. Something with emotional significe could be the first gift.

  ***

  Monica was asleep, deeply. She disliked the cold, so she snuggled uhe bs with a bit of ziness aion. She opened her eyes but, feeling the silence, decided to tinue her nap. She had no desire to deal with the cold. The door opened, and her eyes turo Billy oher side, dressed in his suit, hair ly bed, and his cheeks flushed.

  -You’re awake, - he approached to kiss her. She caught the st of his cologne, filling her senses.

  -I’m not, e here, it’s so cold, - Monica said.

  -I’ve got yifts. The st one will have to wait until we’re in Italy, but it be sidered a joint birthday and Christmas present, - he told her while drawing the curtains.

  She got up from her spot. There were Ameri football jerseys, some vouchers, envelopes with money, and many boxes of jewelry. Billy pulled out a stack of cards to bel and handed her a pen, pointing out whies were for Winona, Gwyh, Alice, and Ivanova. She looked at each high-cost gift with those acg eyes, especially the jewelry set for Anne, which she eyed even more ily.

  The gifts for the children and the money envelopes were given with less i.

  -Just a diamond neckce, - Monica responded, seeing her gift.

  -When we’re in Italy if you don’t like yift… you be mad, darling. Unfortunately, with all the money I have, I ’t bring yift here, - Billy told her.

  -A house? -

  -I’m sure you’ll like it. -

  ...