Disclaimer: I do not own The Gifted. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

"Happy Hanukkah!" Esme greeted brightly.

Lorna Dane knew she was going to regret opening her bedroom door when she heard a cheerful and oh so familiar knock, but like an idiot she answered to find Esme Frost standing there with a beaming smile. This was an annoyingly frequent occurrence, but what was different about this occasion was that she was wearing the ugliest Christmas sweater Lorna had ever seen. It was bright green and... oh God, it had a Menorah on it! Which meant, it wasn't a Christmas sweater... it was worse. It was an ugly Hanukkah sweater. Lorna didn't even realise they were available for purchase, but there was the proof standing in front of her. And the very worst part? She couldn't stop herself from smiling at the ridiculousness of it all.

"No." Lorna groaned.

"No what?" Esme grinned.

"Just no to any of it. All of it. Go away!" Lorna turned, desperately trying to hide her smile.

"Telepath, remember?" Esme gleefully pointed out, "Also, I know you."

There was a brief pause in which Lorna got her face under control and then turned back, crossed her arms and grumbled while looking the other girl up and down, "I can't believe you're sisters let you walk around like that."

"Oh trust me, I'm going to pay for this." Esme chuckled softly, before adding with a smirk, "But it was totally worth it to put a smile on your face."

"I'm not smiling." Lorna argued, which was technically true at the moment.

"And..." Esme continued, dropping her taunting in favour of sincerity, "I've never been somebody's girlfriend before, not like... for real, but I heard they're supposed to be supportive of hobbies, interests and beliefs. Not that I know much about religion, it wasn't exactly considered important for my education, but I have the Internet, so I thought-"

"You'd make a fool of yourself?" Lorna butted in, and then when it was clear she'd hurt Esme's feelings she quickly closed the distance between them, took her girlfriend into her arms, kissed her forehead, and told her, "Kidding. You're sweet. And a really, really good girlfriend."

For once as Lorna leaned in for a kiss Esme stopped her, hating herself for it, before quickly explaining, "Hold that thought... this time of year is about presence, right?"

"This wasn't my present?" Lorna raised an eyebrow.

"Nope." Esme shook her head, backing away.

Lorna sighed, already regretting this, "Then what is?"

Esme grinned wickedly, opened the door and then called out, "Oh pack mule?"

"You promised not to call me that!" Andy grumbled as on cue he walk through the door carrying two boxes, dressed in the same ugly sweater as Esme.

Grabbing one of the boxes off of him and shoving it in Lorna's face Esme insisted, "Open this one first."

Lorna cautiously opened the box, the contents of which she really should have guessed, but it still made her lose her temper, "No. Seriously? No! Absolutely not, never going to happen, no! No! NO! Esme!"

"Open this one, before you make up your mind." Esme singsonged, passing her the other box.

Lorna raised an eyebrow suspiciously, then took her frustrations out on the wrapping paper and then groaned as she saw what was inside, "God damn you!"

*

A few minutes later Dawn was in a onesie in the same hideous green colour, and matching hat, but it somehow looked adorable in her tiny frame. Which was the only reason Lorna agreed to put on the one Esme bought her. Well, that and being able to take a picture with her makeshift family. Unfortunately Esme insisted on multiple photos, but at least that way there was just one of her and Dawn, and another of just her and Andy. And one of her and Esme. Although what Lorna desperately tried to stop herself from thinking, and therefore telling Esme, was that her favourite one was where they were all squeezed in together, which was the first one they took.

Just before it Esme excitedly got into position and insisted, "Say cheese."

"Cheese." Andy obediently replied.

"I hate you." Lorna grumbled, silently correcting herself so only Esme would be able to hear it, I love you.

Which caused Esme to smile, and telepathically told Lorna, I love you too.