“Alice dear, please just come home with us. You know how much Jung Ying and Wilson adore when you’re there for breakfast.” She had the warmest of smiles and no matter anyone’s opinion, Alice knew Helena was genuine.

“Thank you Helena, but I’m beat and I could use some time to sleep.”

“Are you sure? You look, well, I’m not quite sure of the right thing to say, but dear, you look lost. And it’s Christmas. No one deserves to look lost on Christmas.”

"Yeah, Alice, please come home with us. You and Mum make such good pancakes together. We can have pancakes together for Christmas morning.”

"Aww, Wilson, you know how much I like having breakfast with you. But it’s Christmas, and that’s a time for family. You enjoy all the presents Santa brings for you tomorrow with your Mommy. And maybe, I’ll come over for some dessert.”

"But Alice, you are family.” Helena insisted.

“And I love you for that, Hel. But I need to do this by myself tonight. I’ll call you tomorrow, I promise.”

“I can’t say I’m happy about it darling, but I understand. Do promise that you’ll call tomorrow morning and I expect to see you at our house in the afternoon for Christmas dinner.”

“I promise dessert, we’ll see on dinner. Deal?” Alice asked.

“Deal.” Helena answered half heartily.

Alice leant in to hug Helena and say goodbye. “You know it means the world to me that you even see that I’m sad tonight.”

“Of course you’re sad, dear. You’re supposed to be. Just remember that we love you and you don’t need to stay sad.”

“I know, thanks, Hel. You really are the best, you know that?”

Helena blushed, ”Yes, yes, I expect to see you tomorrow, Alice. Don’t make me chase you.”

“Yes Ma’am.”

Alice said goodbye to the kids and then the rest of the group and made her way home. It had been a very long night. As much as she loved her friends for trying to make it a special evening, she couldn’t help but feel a bit lost. The one person who had always made her life even, all the motion make sense wasn’t there and Alice’s grounding seemed a bit off.