The sharp and nauseating pain that had appeared deep in the pits of her abdomen while Frank was out searching for Manny and JJ was a sensation Anya was all too familiar with. The sight of Frank leading Manny and JJ into the warm kitchen, puppy in hand and covered in snow, had brought relief in an instant.

But a dull residual pain still lingered after the reunion had played itself out. It gnawed at Anya's insides for the rest of the afternoon and she used work to keep focused as memory after memory kept bombarding her.

The pain was constant from the minute Anya received the call from Eve that her grandfather had passed. Anya kept it together while still on the phone but broke down as soon as Eve rang off, promising to catch the first train north.

The sight of the luggage already packed and ready to go set her off. Her brain couldn't think about the two remaining exams before she was due to depart the following afternoon. She called a cab and rode to Penn Station with tears falling down her cheeks.

She kept it together enough to help Eve with the funeral arrangements, Eve herself barely able to stand upright. Anya took to sleeping in the same room as her grandmother as she could hear her muffled sobs through the wall they shared.

Anya let herself cry once the funeral was over and all those distance relatives had left. She had only a week to mourn as Christmas guests were due to arrive soon.

Once the reality of her grandfather's death settled in, Anya found a life she recognized waiting for her. It was only at Gloria's suggestion that she remembered she had left a life on pause down in Manhattan. And it was only with Gloria's generous offer that Anya finally found a reason to return to the city for the rest of her things and officially drop-out of school.

There was a full-time position that needed filling at the Inn as Eve could not run the place on her own, especially during the holidays and after her dear husband's death.

There was no question in Anya's mind what she needed to do. School was knocked down several pegs on her priorities list. She was going to receive a degree that would help her do exactly what Eve needed her to do, run the Inn.

That particular Christmas was the hardest Anya had ever had to face. Not only was she running up a steep learning curve head-on with very little experience, but she also had her own grief to bear as well as her grandmother's. And through it all, Manny's face kept haunting her as she tried to work and keep from crying.

It was the first holiday season Anya had spent back at the Inn since going away to school and the long six weeks dragged on as ghosts from the past kept jumping out at her from every corner. She saw her grandfather everywhere she went and Manny's insufferable enthusiasm showed up just as often.

Anya's heart broke all over again when she heard the sound of an ax chopping wood out behind the kitchen and turned to find Frank taking over her grandfather's favorite responsibility. She nearly threw up when a laugh came from the main lounge, ringing over a conversation between guests, it's tone and pitch almost identical to Manny's.

She preferred to think more about the passing of her grandfather rather than on the last time she had seen Manny, the memories with her grandfather having more positive associations.

One of the millions of little jobs that suddenly needed to be done, things Christopher did without thinking of them, was going through the mail. Anya took up the position and stood every afternoon behind the front desk sorting through the mountain of letters they received.

One afternoon her eyes froze at the sight of a postcard. It took an extra-long second for her hands to grab it from among the rest of the mail, the sight a beautiful tropical setting capturing her attention completely.

With determination, she willed her hands to turn it over and see who it was from, a faint hope she had suppressed for the last two years suddenly glowing, butterflies erupting in her stomach.

It was from her aunt. She had taken Anya's uncle and cousin down to Florida for a holiday vacation and was sending a postcard to say hello and that Anya and Eve were on everyone's mind.

Anya wanted to rip the card into little shreds and throw it on the fire, just to watch how it evaporated into smoke. But she knew Eve would appreciate the thought and so put the postcard somewhere safe and somewhere she would never have to see it again.

"You okay?"

Anya jumped at Gloria's question, her friend suddenly appearing in front of her, her small son sitting on her hip.

"You look like you've seen a ghost."

In Anya's mind, she responded: "You could say that." But to appease the faint trace of worry in Gloria's expression she shook her head and tried smiling.

"No. Just going through the mail."

"That would make me depressed too."

Gloria's attempt at a joke got Anya to smile for real.

"How's JJ today? Still got that cold?"

Anya leaned forward to poke the little boy in the stomach, something that guaranteed a laugh from him. The light sound resounded through the front hall and Anya found herself laughing.

"He's doing better. Still a little sniffy but we're sleeping through the night. Finally."

"Well, let me know if you need me to come and watch him so you and Franco can get some sleep."

"You're the best aunt ever. I will be taking you up on that offer."

Anya didn't know how to smoothly introduce the subject she wanted to discuss with Gloria and so tried going at it headfirst.

"Have you, um, heard from Manny, at all, recently?"

JJ had dropped his toy and Gloria's attention was distracted just enough that she didn't catch the hidden intonations in Anya's voice as she would have.

"Yeah. He called a few days ago. Everything's ready for our trip and he's super excited to see everyone."

"Oh. What trip? I don't think you told me about this."

"It's been super last minute. The band is performing at some big New Year's Eve festival in San Diego and they've rented a big house for the holidays out there. Manny managed to get all of us flights out there. We leave the day after Christmas."

"Oh! That sounds fun."

Anya knew Gloria wasn't buying the enthusiasm Anya was forcing into her words or the fake smile that had replaced her genuine one.

"I'll tell him you said hi."

"Sure! Do that."

Gloria stared at Anya for an extra-long minute, her eyes seeming to pierce down to Anya's soul and read everything single thing Anya was hiding from her. Anya was sure it was a family trait and pretended to return to the mail to avoid her gaze.

"Well. I'm sure I'm needed in the kitchen. And this guy needs to go down for a nap."

"I'll see you later."

"Okay. Sure."

Gloria slowly made her way from the front desk, her last reply slow as she continued to scrutinize every move Anya made. She was aware just how much transition Anya was in, with her grandfather passing away, moving back into the Inn, some many other things, Gloria knew it all.

And yet there was something Anya wasn't talking about, a sadness that she wore on her face every second she didn't think someone was watching her.

Anya was grateful when Eve appeared at the bottom of the stares and started moving towards her. She was easier to handle than Gloria at the moment.

"Hey. Did the nap help?"

Eve nodded. She had reapplied some powder but Anya could still see her eyes were red along the edges.

"Well, we're almost ready for dinner and then we have a quiet night planned. There's nothing else for you to do today."

"Thank you, Anya."

"Of course."

"No. I mean it."

Eve laid her hands on top of Anya's to keep them from moving so Anya would meet her eyes.

"Thank you. For coming back. For helping run this place. I couldn't do it without you. I know there is so much you are giving up and sacrificing by just being here. There was even a boy in New York if I remember correctly. But you were here for me when I needed you most. So thank you."

Anya could feel tears welling up in her eyes. She leaned forward to hug her grandmother before Eve could see them cascade down her cheeks.

"Of course, Grandma. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

*

It seemed as if the ghosts were once again back and haunting Anya's every step as she heard Manny's voice come through over the sound system. She had left him behind in the kitchen and took to avoiding anywhere he might be. Now he was seemingly everywhere and coming in loud and clear.

Anya followed the sound to the main lounge where she knew the Christmas Eve open mic night was suppose to be going on, the entertainment that night for the cocktail hour before dinner was served.

Anya found the lounge packed almost to capacity and Manny standing on the small stage that had been situated in the corner of the room, the dining hall's grand piano taking up most of the space, leaving only enough room for a mic stand.

"Thank you, Faye and Jimmy. That was a very interesting rendition of "Do You See What I See." I haven't heard that song since the 90's but you guys certainly did your best. Okay. Up next we have my man Quincy here to serenade us with some Christmas blues. Take it away, Quincy!"

The crowd cheered as the Inn's residence pianist took his place behind the piano, his fingers immediately flying across the ivories, still nimble and as quick as ever, even at the age of 85. His voice came out hoarse and smoky, his signature sound, as blues rolled from his mouth and fingers out into the audience.

Anya recognized "Blue Christmas" within an instant, her stomach constricting at the feelings that came with such a sad song. She looked away to straighten out her feeling and keep them in check.

When she looked up, she found Manny staring straight at her, the same emotions she had just been feeling playing across his face. Anya broke the eye contact first but not until after a long moment of stares across the room.

Turning from the room in search of anything else to do, Anya mumbled under her breath.

"Who gave Manny a mic and told him he could MC the open mic night?"

"Eve did."

Yet again Anya jumped at the sight of Gloria standing right in front of her. Her friend had an uncanny ability to appear as if from nowhere, somehow always catching Anya at her most vulnerable.

"It was part of his payment for staying here for free."

Gloria was leaning against the doorway leading into the lounge and so Anya's exit was blocked. She chose instead to bend to Gloria's wishes and stayed to watch the show. Neither of them spoke and both joined in on the applause when Quincy stood to take his bow.

"Thank you again. Quincy, everybody!"

Anya didn't understand where Manny had gained his ability to entertain such a large crowd but then again she had never seen his cousin perform before. Four years traveling with Tommy Shepherd and anyone would pick up a trick or two on how to captivate the attention of any audience, regardless of size.

"Well, that's it for tonight, folks. Thanks for coming out. I'll be closing our little show with a classic. And then I believe dinner will be served."

He took a seat at the bench behind the piano and started to play, soft and slow. Anya immediately recognized the tone and caught Manny's eye over the sheet music as he sent her a quick nod. He was singing the song for her.

As the chords of "White Christmas" filled the room and flowed out into the rest of the first floor through the sound system, Anya turned to leave before the tears could start to well up again.

"This is your favorite Christmas song, isn't it?"

Once again Gloria blocked Anya's exit. This time she had done so purposefully, standing straight and right in Anya's path.

"Yes. It is."

Anya nodded her head and kept from meeting Gloria's gaze as she knew Gloria would see right through her. She already had her next question prepped.

"What the hell is going on between you two?"

"I'm not quite sure I know what you mean."

"Okay. Yeah. Sure. I'm supposed to just pretend I don't see how the two of you just stare at each other from across the room but refuse to talk. Manny won't tell me anything and trust me, I've interrogated him thoroughly. You, I can read like an open book. Something is going on between you two and it's driving me crazy! Tell me. Tell me now."

"Nothing's going on. You don't need to worry."

"Obviously I do because you're almost in tears and Manny won't stop moping about whenever you're not around. It's getting annoying. You guys have been best friends for way too long for some stupid argument to get in the way of your friendship."

"Trust me, Gloria. It's not some stupid argument."

"Finally! We're getting somewhere!"

Anya swerved to walk past her but Gloria fell in step right behind her as Anya returned to the front desk, taking up position on the other side.

"Don't you have some cooking to do?"

"My sous chef can handle it. I need you to tell me what's going on."

"Nothing's going on, Gloria! Nothing that concerns you."

Anya tried to look like she was busy while Gloria stared at her from across the desk.

"You know Manny wasn't supposed to come this Christmas."

"Okay. So?"

"He knew Mom and Dad were going on a cruise and that I would have a full house with Franco's family coming into town. And yet here he is!"

"I don't see what this has to do with me."

"It has everything to do with you, Anya!"

Gloria grabbed Anya's hands so she would let go of the mail and finally face her. Anya had no choice but to meet her friend's eyes.

"He called me the day before he showed up here. Out of nowhere suddenly he wants to come here! Not home, not my house, HERE! He came to see you. He's just an idiot and doesn't know how to say that. I know he's avoided this place for the last few years. I don't know why but I know enough to see that him coming back here is a big deal."

Anya couldn't think of anything to say as she processed all this information. Gloria's grip loosened but Anya's didn't move an inch. Her eyes were locked on Gloria's as she tried to absorb what she was telling her.

"Anya. Sweetie. He came here to see you. You can't be that stupid to not have figured that out."

"But everything-"

Gloria held up her hand and cut Anya off before she said anything.

"I don't care what happened between the two of you. I know I've been beating you over the head for the last ten minutes trying to get you to tell me but that's not what matters. What matters is the two of you getting over whatever it is that is keeping you apart and make up! At least for my sake if not for yours! I'm so sick of the two of you making cow eyes at each other."

And with that, Gloria had made her point. She nodded and let Anya's hands go, leaving her to return to work. She left Anya frozen at her spot, her brain running at a million miles an hour. She didn't get the chance to put straight everything Gloria had just shoved her throat as Luke rounded the corner and came straight for her desk.

"Hey! Dinner's being served. May I escort you into the dining hall?"

He extended an elbow and all Anya managed to do was nod and take his arm. He deposited her at the head table where Eve, Michaela and Frank were already seated, with a promise to join them for coffee and dessert at Eve's request.

Manny took his spot behind the piano once again, the instrument back in its usual spot on the bandstand, right in Anya's eye line. She didn't turn away this time when Manny's eyes to meet hers.