Hey there. This is Kazuto Kirigiya, otherwise known by my nickname "Kirito" from Sword Art Online. My life really changed because of my first dive into Sword Art Online where I met many people who became my best friends, especially the girl of my heart, Asuna Yuuki. If you last remembered, Asuna and I met in real life after the entire chaos that took place between us and Sugou in ALfheim Online. And, things went well for us after that day. We became closer and closer to one another and, still remembering the words Asuna said to me of wanting to marry in real life, I was able to work up the nerve in real life to REALLY propose to her.

It is now five years since I proposed to her, a while after we both began our lives as adults in 2029. Today, in the year 2034, Asuna and I are as happy as we can be in our new home in the real world and, several months ago, my wife was pregnant with our baby. But, you see, that's not the only detail I want to share. Today is December 20th, 2034 and its close to Christmas, the holiday that Asuna and I have the most fun in. And, this year, to celebrate our baby's nearing birth and to honor the memories of our life in SAO, I'm preparing a special surprise for her. What is it? Heh heh. You'll have to wait and see.

Sword Art Online: Christmas Blessings

Chapter 001: Kirito's Secret

~ December 20th, 2034 (Time - 3:45 p.m.) ~

Our story begins within the bustling and snow covered streets of the real life Japan. The weather was mostly calm as snow drifted down from the sky above. And among all the people going about their daily lives down the streets, we come upon two young women staring into a Christmas decorated window of a shop. They were Asuna and her best friend Rika Shinozaki, otherwise known as "Lisbeth" from SAO. Each were carrying few bags in their arms. Asuna was looking at a pair of mannequins dressed as Santa Claus and Miss Claus before envisioning herself and Kazuto in the outfits.

"Heh heh. If I tried to get Kazuto to wear that, he'd probably be embarrassed for days." Asuna chuckled. Rika looked to her as she turned away.

"So, exactly what ARE you getting him for Christmas anyway? I mean, you two have been married for almost five years now." she asked. Asuna looked to her friend and smiled.

"Well, I DID want to give him something special that we bought today. But I can think of a better gift to give him." Asuna explained. This made Rika lightly smile and look with excitement.

"Really? What?!" she asked. Asuna chuckled and looked down at her stomach, slightly bulging out from under her light orange sweatshirt beneath her winter jacket. She gently rubbed her stomach and blushed.

"A happy and healthy baby, that's what. I really hope our baby is born sometime before Christmas. That would make it all the more special." she muttered. Rika lightly blushed before walking over to Asuna, taking her hand.

"I think that's wonderful Asuna. I bet Kazuto can't wait to be a real life father, just as I'M sure you can't wait to be a real mother." Rika said "Here. How about I take some of these from you?" She was about to offer Asuna to carry some of the bags she was carrying. But Asuna lightly turned away.

"N-No. Its okay. I might be pregnant, but I can still walk. Honestly Rika, you're starting to get as bad as Kazuto is around the house. He's worrying so much about me and the baby that he wants to do EVERYTHING." Asuna said. Rika chuckled.

"Really? Can ya blaim him though? He's just looking out for you two." Rika asked. Asuna looked to her friend and gently sighed, looking once again at her tummy with a heartfelt smile.

"No. I suppose I can't blaim him. Its because of him that so many of my wishes are coming true. And, since this year is going to be our baby's birthday, I want to make this the best Christmas Kazuto and I ever had together...as a family." she said. Rika smiled.

"I'm really happy for you Asuna. I hope you two have a great holiday together. I promise I'll send you guys a Christmas card before its too late. Okay?" Rika asked. Asuna chuckled.

"Okay. Thank you." she said.

~ [SAO] ~

Later That Night, 7:30 p.m. - Asuna and Kazuto's House

Inside their new home in the real world, we find Asuna at the kitchen counter, preparing a nice beef stew for dinner tonight with Kazuto. As she was busy chopping ingredients for the stew, she felt someone hug her from behind. With a smile, she looked and saw Kazuto. Since he married Asuna, he became a hard work-at-home father who was busy assisting in the future developments of VRMMO's.

"Hey there. You doing okay? If you want, I could help with dinner." he asked. Asuna nodded.

"Thanks for asking Kazuto. But I'm not about to let you finish dinner. Last time, you almost burned it if not for me." she teased, giving him a wink. Kazuto smirked.

"Fine. I get the idea." he chuckled. Just then, as Asuna was back to her preparations, Kazuto reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small fake mistletoe and rose it over her head. Asuna suddenly saw it and blushed.

"K-Kazuto, please! I'm trying to work here!" she giggled. Kazuto smirked.

"Sorry Asuna. You know what happens when a mistletoe is around." he said. Asuna smiled and put down her utensils, turning around to kiss Kazuto. Afterwards, the two simply stared at one another and blushed.

"Asuna, I love you." he muttered. Asuna blushed and leaned against Kazuto's chest as he gently hugged her.

"I love you too Kazuto...always." she muttered. Just then, on the counter behind Asuna, their portable phone began to ring. Kazuto seemed to have expected it as he answered the phone.

"Hello? Oh. Agil. Hi. I was wondering when you'd call back." he said. Asuna watched as Kazuto was talking on the phone, sometimes wondering what he was talking about with anyone else. Kazuto looked to her and lightly chuckled.

"Hey, Asuna? I'm going to take this in the other room. You don't mind, do you?" he asked. Asuna shook her head, saying that would give her a "chance" to finish dinner, smiling in a teasing way. Kazuto smiled before heading into the back room with the phone still close in hand. After lightly closing the door, he had a seat on a nearby chair.

"Sorry about that. So, how do things look? Are they how I hoped they would be?" Kazuto asked. On the other end, Agil was looking at a computer screen on his laptop and gave a nod.

"Yeah. Things are looking fine here. I'm sure Asuna will love it. You really worked hard at this, didn't you?" he asked. Kazuto nodded.

"I sure have. I've been planning something like this a few months back. I hope Asuna likes it." he said. Agil chuckled.

"Well, in any case, I gave it a test run myself and I got to say, the program looks good. You really know your stuff Kazuto. Think you can come by tomorrow and pick it up? I'll have my wife put it someplace safe so we won't forget." he said. Kazuto smiled.

"Thanks Agil. I owe you one." he said. After they said their goodbyes, he hung up the phone and emerged from the back room. He looked again at Asuna preparing dinner and slowly stepped in, stopping when he saw their wedding pictures hanging in a collage frame on the nearby wall. In the center was a picture of when Kazuto and Asuna shared a kiss at the altar. She was dressed in a long white gown with a beautiful veil over her head.

"Asuna's going to love this surprise of mine. It'll be the best Christmas gift ever." he thought.

TO BE CONTINUED...