Still in the mood for giving. I came up with a new holiday offering, chestnuttier than the last one.

This is dedicated to wjobsessed, for being so accommodating in her Christmas fic.

Christmas is Magic Time

Summary: Walter Bishop has guests over for a traditional Christmas.

What did Secret Santa bring Olivia? A magical wish so powerful, that it grew out of proportion. And it spells love. So much so, it might even put a smile on your face.

It's time for Massive Dynamic's annual Christmas soiree.

On the way out of the office, Philip Broyles approached Olivia Dunham's desk, where she was just unwrapping her Secret Santa gift.

"Have you changed your mind about coming to the party?" She shook her head.

"Nah. I think I'll pass. You have a good time though."

Olivia got ready to leave with him when she suddenly remembered her gift. As she picked the package up from her desk, a bell sounded. It was a signal for the Christmas magic to begin.

Despite having been warned of the impossibility of remembering everyone's name in his company, Walter Bishop made a concerted effort to do just that. While he mingled, Nina Sharp was ever so grateful that he refrained from doing a stupid lamp trick to entertain the staff. For once, Walter was behaving with perfect decorum, befitting the owner of a multinational corporation.

Broyles went to the punchbowl for a refill when he found Peter Bishop brooding over his half empty glass.

"Not enjoying yourself, Mr. Bishop?"

"Huh?" Peter mustered a smile for the senior FBI agent. Looking left than right, he lowered his voice in a conspiratorial tone. "Actually, I have to break bad news to Walter."

"Oh?"

"I was supposed to buy a goose for Walter's Christmas dinner tomorrow. Except I left the errand to the last minute. All the markets were completely out of them."

With all they've been through, Broyles knew that Peter had been doing everything he could to make things right between him and his father, among other things.

Slapping a hand on Peter's back, he said, "I'm sure things will work out fine."

"Good night, Nina. Merry Christmas."

Nina brought Philip's face closer with her gloved hands. She had wanted to kiss him on the lips, but detected a sadness in his eyes. She leaned over to kiss his cheek instead.

"Good night, Philip. I'll see you tomorrow."

She stroked his face to elicit a smile from him before getting out of his car.

Philip watched Nina enter her building before starting the drive home.

When he opened his front door, he found a solitary envelope on the floor. There was no address or postmarks of any kind on it. He quickly opened it and found a card inside. Peace on Earth. There was a message inside too.

A little bird said you might need to be around family. Come by Christmas Day. The kids would love to see you. - Diane

Christmas Day turned out to be an odd occasion for Peter. It started from the moment he awoke. It was still quite dark when he arose. The noise downstairs could only mean that Walter was already up and about. When he walked into the kitchen, he scratched his head.

"Hey Walter, would you keep it down please," he said trying to stifle a yawn.

"Oh! Sorry to wake you, Peter. But look what came this morning, special delivery. Isn't it wonderful?"

Indeed. Walter who was still in his robes, was carrying a goose to the counter.

Later that morning, Walter was busying himself in the kitchen when someone knocked on the Bishop's door. It seemed a bit early for company.

"Peter!"

With only half his trousers on, Peter emerged from his room to find out what his father wanted.

"What is it, Walter?"

"Get the door, will you? I'm up to my elbow in bird!"

Peter finished putting on his pants and then went down the stairs to open the door.

"Hey Peter." It was Agent Astrid Farnsworth.

He held the door to let her in. Before she stepped over the threshold though, Astrid grabbed him by the collar and gave him a kiss that left him breathless. As soon as she was done, she giggled while flattening his collar.

"Merry Christmas. I'm going to help Walter."

By afternoon, the house was wafting with the aroma of stuffing and baking. It was making Peter hungry in the living room putting up more ornaments on the tree. He was looking for a place to hang a snowflake, when another caller was knocking at their door.

"I'll get!" Peter was pretty sure Walter and Astrid were too busy to hear.

"Hello, Peter."

He held the door opened for Nina Sharp. Before she came in though, Peter found his face in her grasp and his lips connected to hers. Her hold on Peter left him reeling. He couldn't keep the smirk from his face even when she helped wiped off her lipstick.

It was close to dinner time when there was yet another knock at the door. More company? While Nina, Astrid, and Walter were enjoying eggnog in the kitchen, Peter went to welcome their guest. He felt a bit leery about the next person to come through that door, after the unusual greetings he's had all day.

"Broyles!"

He was greeted with an uncharacteristic smile. Then without a word, Peter felt the man's strong hand take him by the scruff of his neck, about to be pulled towards his puckered lips. Really?

In this awkward position, Peter finally spotted the object of his torment.

"Cut...that...out!" That was all he managed to get out before escaping Broyles' grasp.

Broyles laughed heartily at his expense as he joined the others. Peter could hear them talk about him as he tried to dismantle the mistletoe. Walter laughed louder than the rest.

"I thought he would never figure it out."

Peter laughed too, despite being the butt end of everyone's joke. He had almost succeeded in taking down the offending decoration, when he felt a hand spin him around and woman's lips meeting his own. The kiss was so passionate, Peter had instinctively closed his eyes so did not look her in the face.

His eyes remained closed even after contact was broken. He grinned from ear to ear, when he heard her call back as she made her way inside.

"Merry Christmas, Peter."

"Olivia?" He quickly caught up with her.

It was a gathering of Walter's closes friends. Everyone around the table had been touched by tragedy in one way or another. But tonight they have so much to be grateful for. Before everyone started to eat, Peter stood up with a raised glass.

"To Walter for bringing us together tonight." He and Olivia exchanged a look as he made his toast.

"Hear, hear."

Walter put his hands over his heart and felt the love in the room.

"At the risk of sounding like Dickens. God bless everyone. Now let's eat." He started carving the goose. "Peter, leave some chestnuts for me."