Disclaimer: This fic was inspired by the Zeo episode of the same name and will use some of the dialogue from that episode. As always the characters of Saban do not belong to me but all others not from Saban are mine.
Author's Note: I decided that since it is the Holiday season that I should write a Christmas fic of my own. The first chapter will focus on the Zeo episode mentioned above with some added changes and the chapters after that will take a look at the years leading up to that Christmas.
Katherine Marie Oliver looked around her dining room table that was filled with her children and grandchildren. They had just finished eating dinner on Christmas Eve. The room was filled with laughter and conversations as the older kids told jokes that the younger ones didn't understand and the adults were also wrapped up in their own talks. Across the table, Katherine's eyes met with those of her husband's and he smiled.
"Ok, I think it's time we settled down a bit, why don't we go into the living room and I'll tell you all a Christmas story," Tommy Oliver spoke up.
"That sounds like a great idea, dad," their youngest daughter Lauren replied as they all began to file out of the dining room and head for the kitchen.
"You know I think I'll get started on these dishes," Kat told them as she began to clear off the table.
"We'll help," Susan, the oldest daughter and her first daughter-in-law Amanda responded together.
"Ok, now who wants to sit on Grandpa's lap," Tommy said sitting down in his favorite chair by the fireplace. Everyone piled into the living room the adults taking up all the couches and the kids sitting in the floor around him.
"I do, I do," piped Jack who was the youngest son of their oldest son Patrick.
"What do you think young fella, are you ready for Christmas?" Tommy asked as Jack jumped into his lap.
"Yeah, Grandpa, I sure hope Santa brings me a lot of presents," Jack replied.
"Presents, huh, well that reminds me of a very special Christmas," Tommy told him.
"I'll bet you got lots of presents that year," Jack decided.
"Well, just listen, It started off, just like any other Christmas, Everyone was in the holiday spirit coming together to celebrate and share their traditions. I was so excited to learn about everyone's different cultures and as always Rocky was more excited about the food, your grandmother of course brought shrimp," Tommy began.
"You know I'll bet we're the only family who eats shrimp at Christmas dinner," Patrick interrupted grinning at his young son.
"Dad, let Grandpa tell the story," Jack quipped.
"You know if you girls want to go into the living room and here the story I can do this," Kat told her daughters as they started on the dishes.
"No, thanks mom, I just as soon stay in here, how many years can dad keep telling that same old story," Susan replied.
"Hey, you guys are missing the good part," Renee another daughter-in-law said as she too entered the kitchen.
"Then why aren't you in there?" Amanda questioned.
"I just felt bad about you guys, especially mom having to clean all this up," she answered as Kat slipped out of the kitchen and went to hear the story for herself.
"Then what happened Grandpa, did the evil king ruin Christmas for the Power Rangers?" she heard Jack ask as Tommy continued with the story.
"Hold on youngster, hold on, I'll get to that, The Rangers were still full of holiday cheer, preparing for the banquet with no idea of what King Mondo was planning, Meanwhile though, there were two other fellas who seemed to have a knack for getting in trouble," Tommy continued.
Kat didn't know why Tommy always included those two into his stories. She chuckled silently to herself as she remembered the infamous fruitcake that Goldar and Rito had presented to Bulk and Skull. She couldn't help wondering what had become of those two after all these years. It had been years since she and Tommy had returned to Angel Grove and raised their family but those two had been long gone.
"I can't believe the Power Rangers were fighting with each other, I don't like those machines," Jack was saying as Kat snapped back into reality.
"No that makes two of us buddy, Meanwhile, Alpha and Zordon realized what had happened," Tommy replied.
"Oh right this is the part with the song," granddaughter Katherine known as Kate commented.
"I used to hate it when mom would sing that to us whenever we were fighting," Kat and Tommy's youngest son Joshua complained.
"Yeah but it always worked didn't it," his sister Lauren teased.
"Maybe we need to start singing it now," Susan said as she and the others joined in from the kitchen as Tommy was finishing the story.
"So you see, Christmas isn't only about getting things," Tommy told them.
"It's about giving and being with the people you love," Jack decided.
"That's right, it is, very good, you know you're pretty smart for a pip squeak," Tommy said and laughed.
"That's enough stories for tonight, Tom, It's getting late and we need to get all the kids to bed if they want Santa to come," Kat interjected.
"Oh but I want to hear more of Grandpa's stories," Jack whined.
"Well you heard your grandmother, I'll tell you more stories in the morning I promise," Tommy replied.
"Okay," Jack said getting down from Tommy's lap as the doorbell chimed and everyone began filing out of the living room.
"I'll get it," Kat said as she walked over to the door.
"Hey grandma, sorry I had to run out of dinner like that, I really hate that I missed Grandpa's story but things got a little out of hand," their grandson Tommy said as he entered the house.
"That's alright, you've heard the story hundreds of times anyway," Kat said as she shut the door and they went into the living room.
Suddenly, Kat and the elder Tommy heard a noise that was all too familiar as young Tommy's communicator went off and Tommy started to get out of his chair but Katherine gently placed her hand on his shoulder and he sat back down.
"Um, would you guys tell my Mom and Dad that I forgot there was something else I needed to do, I won't be gone long," Tommy told them since everyone else had long left the room.
"Of course, we understand," his grandpa said nodding at him.
"He's always rushing out like that," Jack complained as he watched his older brother leave.
"Well it must run in the family," Tommy told him as he and Katherine shared a knowing look.
"Come on, let's get you to bed," Kat said as they headed upstairs.
Some time later, Katherine had finally gotten everyone settled in to their rooms and she joined her husband who was already in bed.
"Did you get everyone situated?" Tommy asked as she came to bed.
"Yes, all our kids are in their old rooms with their spouses and the older grandkids are bunking in the living room under the tree, the little ones argued that it wasn't fair but I told them they'd get their chance when they were older, so they finally agreed to sleep in the study," Kat explained.
"We've really had an amazing life haven't we, I mean we've got great kids who married great people and now their all raising their own families and here we all are together on Christmas Eve," Tommy told her.
"Yes, it really is nice to have the whole family back together," Kat agreed.
"Kat, I don't know if I say it enough but I'm so glad to have shared this life with you, you're the best wife and most loving mother a man could ask for and I hope you know how much I love you," Tommy declared.
"Oh Tom, I love you too, thanks for being my husband," she said.
"Merry Christmas, Kat," Tommy replied.
"Merry Christmas, Tom, now let's get some sleep, if I know Jack he'll have the whole family awake as soon as the sun rises," she laughed. They both fell asleep with dreams of the many Christmases they had shared together in their minds.