MACKENZIE, with the ruling month of DECEMBER

Memo: Hello my lovelies. I've been waiting a while to find the starting point for this. Basically, about once a month, I will be uploading extras, like this scene, for you to read. Yes, you may request things-however, this does not guarantee I will write it as you want/when you want, or if I will write it at all. I hope you enjoy this little extra from Mackenzie's story! Love, Emi.

"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve," Roxas points out quietly. You nod slowly. This will be your first Christmas together. It almost didn't happen. He almost didn't make it. "What did you do last year?"

"I went to Yuffie's," you answer. "I assume we'll just do the same thing this year?"

"Probably." You hear Roxas chuckle. "I'm a creature of habit, and you're just as bad."

"It's true," you admit, a smile coming to your face.

"But…" You wait patiently for Roxas to complete his thought. There was nothing in his tone that revealed anything about that single word. Still, he must've meant SOMEthing by it. Otherwise he wouldn't have said it. Right?

"But… Well, every year we do something special at the hospital for the patients-specifically the kids. So we'll all be there in the afternoon. I know you have the whole day off, so after bringing your stuff back here…"

"Yes, I want to go," you say, laughing and looking up at him. A smile cracks onto his face again, and lowers his lips to your forehead.

"Good. Because I was going to make you go anyway," he tells you with a wry laugh.

Yeah, right. But honestly, did he really think you'd say no? Who in their right mind would say no to helping out needy people, especially at Christmas time? Had you been in the hospital over Christmas, you would have wanted the same thing. You're lucky-you can walk around freely. Some of those people will never…

Again with thinking about the accident, you think, sighing through your nose. It's over now, though. Roxas pulled through. Yeah, some pretty rough stuff happened, but you can move on. For once, the odds were in your favor.

"We should probably get to bed if we're getting up early tomorrow," you say, glancing at the clock. "I don't want you to have to be on the roads late at night."

"…" Roxas doesn't say anything. "You could…stay here tonight…if you want."

Biting your lip, you nod.

Ugh, stop it! you tell yourself, holding back the lump in your throat that continues to grow as the days pass on. Quit treating this like it's so fragile.

But that's how it feels. It feels fragile.

You feel Roxas press his lips to the top of your head, and you bite your lip again. Again, Shasta's words echo in your head. Beyond your years…? If that's so, why have you spent the past few days with a solid lump in your throat?

The night eventually ends, and you retire to your old room, as if no time had passed. But it obviously has, because your things are in a suitcase sitting next to the empty dresser, and the bed is made-something you never do. And yet you fall asleep fast, the fastest you have in who knows how long.

Your body seems to wake you the next morning on alert.

It's a holiday! it shouts at you, making your eyes spring open at 7am. Get up get up get up!

Well…you do love Christmas Eve. And Christmas. Both are absolutely wonderful.

Remembering Roxas' promise to get your stuff from your apartment, you stretch and roll out of bed, walking over to your suitcase to get some towels and clean clothes.

"What's in the bags?" you ask as Roxas tosses a few garbage bags into the back seat of his car.

"Presents and stuff," he replies, opening the door for you to get in. "You'll see."

You roll your eyes. "So it has to be a surprise for me, too?"

"Well, no, but…you'll see." He laughs and nudges you, so you sigh and sit in the passenger seat. Roxas shuts the door behind you, and soon he's joined you, and the two of you are on the way to the hospital.

When you get there, you find things a bit more chaotic than usual. Olette is at the front desk, Pence over her shoulder looking at some documents. For the first time in a while, you see Aerith sitting there as well, typing something up.

"You guys can quit the act now," Roxas says suddenly when you approach the front desk. In response to his words, everyone lets out a collective sigh.

"Did you bring everything?" Yuffie asks, appearing from behind a corner. "Hey, Mackenzie! You're in for a real show!"

"A show?" you say. But she ignores you and rushes outside, followed by Pence, Olette, and Aerith. Hayner then appears from down the opposite hallway.

"Everyone's ready for the show, Roxas," he says, smiling brightly. "Hey, Mackenzie! Are you helping out, too?"

"Nah, she's a spectator this time," Roxas replies for you, smirking. "Unless she really WANTS to help." He turns to you, and you think a moment.

"Don't do it," Hayner whispers. "You have to wear the worst outfit ever given to mankind."

"Um…I guess I'll watch?" you say, tilting your head. Is he being serious? It's never easy to tell with Hayner.

"All right. Next year I think you should do it, though," Roxas says with a mischievous laugh. Hayner sighs, and the two walk out to his car. "Wait here, all right? We'll be right back."

"Oh…kay…" you murmur, watching them walk out as Yuffie, Aerith, and the others walk in, carrying the bags.

"Mackenzie, I thought of a way you can help us out!" Pence exclaims upon his return, followed by Olette, Hayner, and Roxas. "Can you gather everyone in Conference Room C?"

"Um, sure. The big one on this floor, right?" you ask. They all nod, carrying the bags as well. "Gotcha!"

As you begin to pop in at each room, spreading the announcement to patients of all ages, your own excitement begins to build. Admittedly, you have no idea what to expect, but it seems promising. The kids seem particularly excited, and with the help of their parents and other staff members, you manage to herd everyone down into the conference room.

Yuffie, Aerith, Rinoa, and Olette are already there, and they have changed clothes entirely. Each is wearing stereotypical elf dresses, a festive green color, with white leggings and black elf shoes. Is this what Hayner meant?

Yes, you realize as he and Pence walk out dressed in the male version, with less of a poof to the skirt. Yes it is.

Grinning, you try to hold back your laughter as even Cloud and Leon appear in the same outfits, complete with the ridiculous hats. Still no Roxas.

"OK, EVERYONE!" Yuffie shouts above the clamor. "It's time to get started! Are you excited!?"

The children all cheer, and even the adult patients are smiling joyfully. Yuffie's enthusiasm is contagious.

"Aaaaaaaaaaas head elf, I would like to welcome you to our annual Christmas celebration!" she exclaims, bowing a full 90 degrees. A few people clap, and she grins. "I know you're ready to get started with the fun and games, 'cause I am too!"

As Yuffie directs the kids around to start an activity, you search the "elves" for Roxas. You can't find him.

I wonder if he just runs the hospital while the rest do this program, you realize. Wow, what a saint.

Feeling your heart swell in pride, you watch for the duration of the program as the kids plays games, and the entire group does trivia. Everyone seems to genuinely be enjoying themselves, including even Leon and Cloud, who are playing with the kids and throwing them candy. You notice Emi is even in the crowd, holding her daughter. They are both smiling.

This is so wonderful. I can't believe he thought of this…well, no, that's not true. I can believe it. I just can't believe how well they're all actually pulling it off.

"Well, boys and girls, I've had a lot of fun playing with you all today!" Yuffie cries, bowing again. The kids groan in disappointment, and you too feel a little down to see it end. You're glad you decided to just watch and not participate. "I think we've all had a lot of fun and-"

Suddenly, you hear jingle bells, and everyone else seems to notice it too, because the kids' sighing turns into excited murmuring. Everyone's heads turn this way and that. You glance around the room. There's no sign of a CD player or anything remotely resembling jingle bells.

"D-Do you guys hear that?!" Hayner shouts, totally in character. He puts a finger to his lips to silence the kids, then his hand to his ear. Sure enough, the jingle bells get louder.

"You guys know who it is, right!?" Yuffie gasps. The children start freaking out.

No way, you think as you hear a Santa-like laugh come from the opposite side of the room.

But yes way.

"It's SANTA CLAUS!" Yuffie screams at the top of her lungs. As she does, everything happens at once. The children all scream and shout, standing and crawling on each other as the door from across the room bursts open, and "Santa" walks in, a HUGE brown sack over his shoulder.

"Oh my gosh," you laugh, the lump in your throat tightening as "Santa" lets out another laugh. The children are practically about to cry in joy, and you feel like you might just join them.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS, MERRY CHRISTMAS!" "Santa" bellows, laughing joyfully as the kids who are physically able climb all over him and his sack of goodies. "Now, now, children, settle down! I hope you've all been nice this year!"

"YESSSSS!" the kids shout in chorus, and "Santa" laughs again, patting the kids' heads and hugging them. Eventually, the kids settle down enough for "Santa" to set down his sack, and he begins calling out names and giving out gifts, meandering around the room as the "elves" also scurry about, passing out gifts. You watch, stunned-every single person in that room is getting at least one gift. How much munny was put into this?

Slowly "Santa" makes his way through the room, passing out gifts and playing with the kids. He even interacts with the adult patients, hugging them and giving them presents, too. At one point, he passes a few yards directly in front of you, and his bright blue eyes catch yours. He throws you a wink and a grin, and you just shake your head, unable to resist a smile in return.

You really are a freaking saint, you think as Roxas moves on, practically being pulled by the eager children.

Eventually, all of the gifts have been passed out, and "Santa" has to take his leave.

"HO-HO-HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!" he shouts, his voice echoing across the room. The kids shout back, waving desperately as Santa leaves in the door he came in. You note that some of the patients, including the adults, are visibly crying.

Yep, a saint. Saint Nicolas, specifically.

"That was pretty awesome," you admit to Yuffie after the program. You're gathered in the break room, talking to your friends. "I even believed it."

"Of course you did," Hayner teases. "You'd believe anything we told you."

"Lies, all lies," you deny, smirking.

"Oh yeah? How long did you believe in Santa Claus?" Pence asks, laughing.

"I still do," you joke, grinning.

"You should really join us next year," Olette says enthusiastically.

"I really want to," you admit.

"You could be Mrs. Claus," Yuffie says, her laughter low.

"Very funny."

You all turn at the sound of Roxas' voice as he comes into the room, dressed in his street clothes once again. Almost.

"Uh, Roxas?" Hayner motions at the fake white sideburn stuck in Roxas' blonde hair. "You missed a spot, Santa."

"That's Mr. Claus to you," Roxas says, wincing as he pulls the decoration out of his hair.

"We should get back to work now," Pence sighs, looking at the clock. "Back to the real world…"

"Hey, just start thinking of ideas to improve it for next year!" Yuffie exclaims, tossing her empty paper cup into the trash bin. She skips/hops out of the room, and everyone else slowly follows her, leaving you and Santa alone.

Er.

Roxas.

"So, what did you think?" Roxas asks, seeming almost embarrassed.

You try to answer with the words that are floating around in your head. There are a lot of them, many to choose from, but in the end everything is getting caught on that lump in your throat.

"…You're not saying anything. Was it so bad?"

You shake your head quickly, looking away from him.

"No? Not so bad?"

"…Not so bad," you say quietly. Unable to say anything more, you throw your arms around Roxas' neck. You can't cry-the tears won't come-but you can't speak. Instead you bury your head into the crook of his neck and close your eyes as Roxas gently wraps his arms around you.

Do you even know how bright of a light you carry? you wonder as you finally pull away from him enough to look him in the eyes.

"Do you want to help next year?" he asks you. You nod, and he lets out a low laugh. "You could be Mrs. Claus…"

"…YUFFIE SAID THE SAME THING," you say loudly, giving him a look. He just laughs and hugs you again. "In that same tone of voice, too."

"Well, we can work on it," he tells you, and a laugh escapes your throat, somehow pushing itself beyond the lump.

That night, again the two of you are sitting on Roxas' old leather couch, watching stale TV specials but not really watching them. You have your head resting on his thigh, barely able to keep your eyes open, but desperately wanting to see that clock tick to midnight.

"Your sleepiness is generating waves to me," Roxas teases you, pulling gently at your hair. You suppress a yawn.

"Oh fine. I guess I'll go to bed," you say quietly, giving up.

As you sit up, you look at Roxas, smiling. He smiles too, and you feel warmth through your body. Today was such a beautiful day, and though tomorrow will be quiet, it's likely to be just as beautiful.

I feel so lucky, luckier than I deserve, you think as you bid Roxas good night and crawl into your bed.

You don't even remember falling asleep; apparently you were more tired than you realized. But you awake not on your own, and not to the internal calendar, but to the sound of something clattering to the floor. At that sound, you bolt upright, startled.

Oh…it's already morning? You notice dim light coming through the old curtains in your room. Huh. You really were tired.

Curious as to the source of that noise, you get out of bed and open your bedroom door. Peering down the hallway, the first thing you sense is the smell of something of the baked goods category. Is he cooking? Is he cooking, for real?

Tip-toeing across the carpet, you slowly make your way to the front area. What you find at the other end sends a shock through your system.

Where the TV sat last night, a tall Christmas tree now stands, fully decorated with presents at its base, including the ones you had wrapped the other night for him. Stockings hang at the mantle, and in the kitchen is the supposed source of the magic, standing over a tray of muffins.

"Oh," he gasps when he sees you standing there. "You startled me. I wondered if I woke you up with this stupid tray…"

"You did this?" you whisper. He nods, and you're kind of surprised he even heard you.

"Well, no-" he says quickly. "Uh, Santa, did it." He throws a crooked smile at you. "Merry Christmas, Kenzie."

I don't deserve any bit of this, you realize, and he did it anyway. I love him.

Finally breaking free of the lump that's been stuck in your throat for days upon days, you feel yourself fall to your knees, tears pouring out of your eyes.

"You're a saint, Roxas!" you sob into your hands. "A f_ing saint!"

"W-what?" he stammers. You feel him pull you to your feet. "I-"

"I don't deserve one bit of what you've done for me! I don't understand you!"

"Kenzie, I…" You feel him hold you close, and his next words come as a murmur into your ear. "You act like I deserve any of what you've given me. I did this because I wanted to-because I don't want to lose you again, and I don't plan on it. I love you, Kenzie."

Even though it hasn't been that long since you last heard him say those words, you can't help but feel renewed by them.

"Merry Christmas," he repeats, kissing your ear.

"Merry Christmas," you whisper, a smile pushing its way onto your face. "I love you, too. And thank you."