Merry Christmas Carol — Melinda Curtis

These two never put themselves first.

Carol DeMerritt has been volunteering since she was a kid in Christmas Town. Now, as a teacher in South Philly, she's trying to make a difference. When some of her “Mathletes” are caught stealing before Christmas, Carol has a crisis of confidence. And when she comes back to Christmas Town for the holidays, the last thing she wants to do is volunteer next to Mike Hopkins. He was one of the most popular guys in high school. She'd doubt he even knew she was alive if not for one very special New Year's Eve.

Mike Hopkins is stretched thin all the time, but especially at Christmas when his wheelchair-bound father volunteers them for everything. The last thing he needs is to break his wrist while building the stage for Christmas Town's Christmas pageant. Or maybe the last thing he needs is Carol DeMerritt helping him. She reminds Mike of his painful past, and maybe something not quite as painful - an impulsive kiss they've never discussed.