Private - Tracey and me only

He hugged her, trying to make her feel better. "I'm sorry, sweetie. I'll try my very best to make up for Santa's elves, okay? Will that make you feel better," he asked.

"No....I thought I wasn't getting any at all.... I'll be happy with 4 things....." she said, Jamie told her specifically not to bug him about Christmas. Money was tight for her...and she knew she could probably only afford one or two items for the both of them this year. She wasnt getting much help from her parents at all.

He chuckled softly. "How about we go inside and you can point out what you want," he suggested, kissing her forehead.

She nodded smiling.

He chuckled and took her little hand in his and walked into the toy store with her.

She smiled and started to look around quietly.

He let her walk where she would, always keeping his eye on her and staying close. He noticed what she looked at and touched or played with and made mental notes of prices for later.

Hope was really thrilled with this little Tinkerbell doll she saw, she ran up to him and showed it to him. "Isn't she pretty?"

He smiled. "She is," he agreed.

"Could I get her today maybe?" she asked hopefully?

He chuckled softly. "Alright. But only her, okay? We'll show her to Mommy when we pick her up from school," he took her hand and kissed her forehead.

"Yay!" she smiled happily and hugged him holding Tinkerbell.

He laughed and picked her up. "Ready to check out now? It's getting that time to go see Mom," he smiled.

She nodded happily

He chuckled and walked to the checkout, putting Tink on the counter and pulling out the money to pay for her.

She took the bag excitedly as soon as the chashier handed it to her.

Chad chuckled and took the change, thanking the cashier as he left with Hope. "Let's open her once we get home, okay," he smiled, heading towards Jamie's school.

She nodded and walked with her dad to the school.

He smiled and waited outside patiently with Hope. By now, hardly anyone gave them looks anymore. For that, he was thankful. Hope didn't deserve or need that, though the looks were mainly for him.

Jamie walked out smiling happily and shivered a little as she met them, "Brr, it's getting cold out."

Chad smiled at Jamie and kissed her cheek when she reached them. "How was your day," he asked her with a smile.

"Very good, but i have another paper to write this week." she said sighing. "I hate writing papers....stories I'm good with that, analytical cra---stuff...no...not at ALL."

He smiled. "I think Hope wants to show you something," he chuckled softly.

she held up her tinkerbell doll excitedly "Look what daddy got me? I have my very own tinkerbell now!!!!!!"

Chad chuckled. "We're gonna open her when we get home so they can play."