The Next Day…
Christmas Eve, 10:13 am
The next morning Elisa woke to find her bed empty and a beautiful bouquet of flowers lying next to her feet on the bed. Elisa smiled, immediately knowing that Goliath had left them there last night. Despite herself, Elisa found herself ready to go to sleep just before sunrise. Making love for three hours strait could do that to a girl. As always, Goliath was a masterful lover, sensitive and gentle without loosing a bit of heated passion. Elisa sighed, smiling, lying back into her bed, her room now softly scented by the flowers. Last night she and Goliath had retired to the privacy of her room, leaving Beth with the others, her and the clan in deep discussion. Elisa smiled, looking forward to tonight. This was going to be a night to remember!

Indeed, this would be her parent's first time at the castle and meeting the clan. Not only was she looking forward to that but also to seeing Maggie and her brother, Talon. From what she understood from Beth, Maggie was around three to four months pregnant. So Maggie must have something of a belly already. Elisa closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of the covers caressing her nearly naked body, only wearing an extra large, white cotton t-shirt (which had a New York Mets logo plastered all over the front), and her simple pink panties. This was the good life, Elisa thought to herself. She had a man who adored her, and a great big family whom she loved more with each passing day. Life just couldn't be better.

Just when Elisa was thinking of maybe drifting back to sleep there was a knock at the door and Elisa rose to see Beth poking her head through the door, a cheerful smile on her face. "Morning sis! You still sleeping?" she asked, walking in, carrying two mugs of coffee in her hands, also dressed in a t-shirt and pajama pants.

Elisa felt herself smile despite herself. "Not anymore! It would seem you have just what I needed." she said, chuckling as she took the cup from her sister's hands and took a thankful sip, relishing the refreshing tingle it gave her. "Interesting night?"

"Not as interesting as yours, I'll bet. How was it?" Beth asked, winking lewdly.

Elisa blushed but felt herself smile all the same. "Great, if you must know… not that it's any of your business." she said with mock spitefulness.

"Right, I always keep forgetting that." Beth said, grinning once she caught sight of the flowers.

Then Elisa studied Beth, raising an eyebrow. "You certainly seem to wide awake today, when did you go to sleep?"

Beth grinned sheepishly. "Actually, I must have slept only a couple of hours. I wanted to wait until sunrise to see the gargoyles turn to stone. It was amazing! All of them turning to stone like that!"

Elisa had to smile, taking a larger gulp this time. Thankfully Xanatos kept the type of coffee she liked, called Yaocono, a Puerto Rican made coffee, which was hard to fine here in the States and much stronger then any of the Folgers crap everyone loves so much. Elisa made a face, remembering the terrible taste. Yaocono made Folders look like piss water. "It is pretty amazing. I remember the first time I saw it happen." Elisa said, also remembering that swat team of comic book rejects that had been tracking her all day.

Beth smirked cheerily, seeing that glow in Elisa's eyes, getting comfortable on the bed, glancing around, smiling when she saw a picture of the entire clan sitting on her nightstand. "What is it like, to live here, with them and Xanatos I mean."

Elisa smiled and then sighed, pondering, also settling down against her fluffy pillows. "It's actually become something like a second home, " Elisa said after a moment. "They are like family to me really. Angela is like almost like a daughter to me… the Trio are the brothers who are always bickering and arguing all the time… Hudson is this odd uncle whom everyone loves and respects… and Ebony and Egor are the babies who are always pulling pranks and getting into trouble!"

Beth smiled dreamily. "I can see why you like it here so much. I mean, your dating a huge gorgeous guy who has an awesome accent and killer body, and who just so happens to live in a huge castle in the clouds with a multi-billionaire…. And speaking off billionaire, what it's like to live with him?" Beth asked, her face clouding with concern. "I mean after all that has happened?"

Elisa sighed and shrugged. "I don't know… It's not like before, when I used to watch him like a hawk, but I do keep an eye on him… but I guess he's going to keep his word this time. Fatherhood HAS changed him, amazing as it may seem." Then Elisa laughed. "Besides, he always says being enemies with the gargoyles always cost him money, since all we ever did was destroy his robots and such. Each one of those suckers costs about a hundred grand! And they've smashed so many of those things over the years that I've lost count!"

Beth grinned. "I certainly like Fox… although she does have that high and mighty attitude that all rich people must have. All she ever talks about is either her baby or this new clothing company she is going to start, called Foxfire Fashions. She want me to try on some dresses she made for all of us for Christmas Day."

Elisa groaned, rolling her eyes. "Oh yea, that. She should know by now that I hate dressing up."

Beth grinned. "How can I forget? I had to beg you for hours to play dress up with me when we were kids. All you ever wanted to play was cops and robbers."

Elisa grinned. "Then not much has change huh?"

Beth cracked up, nodding. "Yea… but this time you getting help from a bunch of winged monsters, one of whom just so happens to be your boyfriend!"
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Later that day…
5:33 pm, one hour before sunrise.

Elisa and Beth were both seated in the living room, the two of them a bundle of nerves, both of them wearing the matching Christmas sweaters their Aunt May had knit for them that year, Elisa's a vibrant wine-red and Beth's a pleasant navy blue. Already the spirit of the holidays was alive in the castle, the speakers that in the walls of every room in the house crooning beautiful Christmas song, most of them being sung in Latin by a choir, the walls decorated with mistletoe and lights, a enormous Christmas tree placed in the living room with presents galore stuffed underneath. The fire was on in the fireplace, stockings hanging, swinging two and fro, loaded with small presents and goodies, it's gentle light giving the room a soft glow. Everyone was there sipping eggnog, Owen, Xanatos, Fox and even little Alexander (whose eggnog was not spiced), all of them sharing the same nervous energy.

Beth held little Alex, who sat there cooing, playing with a stuffed gargoyle, one that was thankfully from Disney's 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' both her and Fox discussing the dresses for tomorrows Christmas dinner, while Owen was in the kitchen, check the turkey, which had arrived in the morning.

Elisa sighed, her eyes one the horizon… the sun should start to set in about a half an hour… Everything was happening at once. Within an hour her parents where expected to arrive by Taxi, Talon and his clan were going to show up and the gargoyles would wake. Xanatos smiled, watching her. Leaning forward he whispered like some conspirator. "Don't worry, I had Owen time it today. It's going to set at 6:15 pm, which should be in about an hour. Plenty of time. Nothing to worry about. Noooo pressure."

Elisa had to crack up, the sound of Xanatos's usually arrogant voice sounding so jovial and perky hard to believe. "Yea, no pressure. Surrre." Elisa smiled, glancing at her watch. Luckily her parents were able to catch an earlier flight, and should be arriving any minute now. They had called from the airport fifteen minutes ago, and Derrick had said that he would be here by 5:45, wanting to avoid the dropping temperatures of the night. She then gave Xanatos a suspicious look, curious. "And since when do you care?"

Xanatos actually looked offended, something Elisa found almost shocking, who was smiling sadly. "Ever since the day Goliath saved my son from being taken from me and Fox. I will always be grateful to him for that."

Elisa arched an eyebrow. "So that's it, the feud is over, just like that?" she asked, the months of holding back questions bubbling over.

Xanatos studied Elisa, realizing just how badly she must have been wanting to discuss this. "Look, I know how hard it is for all of you to trust me, believe me." Xanatos began, his voice sincere. "And I know that it will take time to heal the wounds, but believe me when I say this, that I mean no harm to Goliath or to the clan. I want them to say here. This is their home as much as it is mine. I want them here. I want us to be allies, a family if you will. I owe them my son's life! And I will spend the rest of mine making it back to them, I swear."

A silence followed this speech, the two of them gazing into each other's eyes, Elisa's arms still crossed. How odd it was to hear Xanatos speak that way, with such heartfelt shame and honesty. Elisa then finally nodded. He meant it. Years of detective work had taught Elisa how to sense when someone was lying to her and Elisa knew that Xanatos was being earnest. He was telling the truth. After a sigh she nodded. "Okay then, friends?" she asked, holding up a hand.

Xanatos smiled, not a arrogant superior smile, but a warm one, one she could get used to liking. "Friends," He said solemnly, giving her hand a good shake. And the two of them grinned, a feeling of relief passing through them. It was indeed, a new beginning, where two enemies finally buried the hatchet. "Merry Christmas Elisa Maza." Xanatos then said, the sly glint back in his eyes.

Elisa chuckled. Figures. Even as friends she knew Xanatos would not be able to go on without a little bit of teasing, something she was surprisingly alright with. "Merry Christmas David Xanatos." She replied in the same tone, the two of them ending up laughing.

The two fell silent, Elisa turning to see that Owen was standing there, looking ridicules with an apron tied around his waist and a Santa hat on his head, something Alex had placed there and would not let him take off without crying up a storm, his face the same withering sardonic glare. Hard to believe that under that dull façade was a fey in disguise. "Yea?" Elisa asked.

"Talon and his clan have just arrived," Owen announced and there was a happy squeal from Beth, for behind Owen Derrick appeared, walking into the living room with a huge smile on his face, followed by Maggie and Claw.

"Derrick!" Beth cried out, leaping from the sofa and into her older brother's arms, giving him a crushing hug of happiness. "Hiya! Merry Christmas!" she cried.

Derrick smiled, embracing his sister. "Merry Christmas Bethy-Wethy. Long time no see." he said, earning a soft punch on the shoulder.

"I told you never to call me that!" Beth said, mock-glaring at him.

Talon chucked and then turned towards Elisa. "Hey Elisa." He said softly and the two embraced lovingly, Elisa smiling, nuzzling her brother's furry neck.

Then she turned and hugged Maggie, who had indeed had a tummy, nice, round and firm with early pregnancy. "Hello Maggie." she said dearly, Maggie gentle face aglow with happiness.

Maggie smiled, and then pulled Claw over, who bowed and then hugged Elisa carefully, towering over everyone, even Talon. "Merry Christmas Elisa." He rumbled and Elisa gasped, shocked. He spoke! He voice was a low, deep baritone, like Goliath's but less accented.

"He spoke!" David gasped from behind. "I thought he couldn't speak!"

Derrick's face changed, from joyous to menacing. He turned to glare at the billionaire, his fists clenching. "Yea, he can speak, no thanks to you. One of the homeless men who stays at the Labyrinth happens to be a speech therapist, helped Claw learn how to speak again."

Elisa stepped between the two, seeing a fight waiting to happen. "Whoa Derrick, none of that. It's Christmas, we are all allies now, friends. Okay?"

Xanatos went around Elisa and face Derrick and faced Derrick, only coming up to the mutate's shoulders, unafraid. "I am deeply sorry Derrick, for what I have done. Please accept my apology. I mean to do everything I can to help you. I mean that." Xanatos said, offering a hand. "Merry Christmas."

Derrick glared at Xanatos for a moment, and then finally sighed and took his hand. "Ach, forget it. If you hadn't done it then I wouldn't have met Maggie, and that's the best thing that's ever happened to me." Derrick said, glancing back to smile at his wife. "But we do need to talk later… about Sevarious."

Xanatos nodded. "I know. I have all of his medical files in my computer. I'm sure there is something there that should shine some light on Maggie's condition."

Talon rolled his eyes. "So you know Maggie's pregnant?" he turned to Beth accusingly. "I told you to keep it to yourself. Blabbermouth."

Beth grinned, holding Maggie's and Claw's hands warmly. "Hey, some things never change." she said with a playful wink to Claw, who blushed in answer.

Fox made her way towards Maggie, Alex in her arms, cooing and drooling all over his doll. "I've got some maternity clothes that you can have. In a month or two that tunic is going to be a bit tight." she said knowingly.

Maggie smiled weakly. "It already is! Just three months and I already feel like a beached whale." she said chuckling.

Fox was about to comment when there was a ding from the elevator and everyone turned to see Elisa's parents walking out of the elevator, their faces flushed form the weather, enormous grins on their faces, huge suitcases in their hands. "Mom, Dad!" Beth cried, everyone rushing over to greet the Maza's.

"Bethy!" cried Elisa's father, giving her a big kiss and a hug. "How are you kiddo?" he asked, his face the usual reddish tan, his eyes a glimmer.

Elisa smiled, receiving a crushing hug from her mother. "Hi Mom." she said, looking down into that face, a she had, with her father's delicate bone structure. A face that she and Beth mirrored. Out of the three of them it had been Derrick who had come out looking like mom the most, while Elisa was more a mix between the two and Beth resembling Pop the most.

"Derrick!" cried his mother who let got of Elisa to give Derrick a hug of his own. "How have you been?"

Maggie made her way towards the Maza's, a shy smile on her face. "Hello Diane." she breathed.

Diane's smile was replaced by a look of shock, then joy, and her motherly intuition noting the small bulge immediately. "Maggie! Your pregnant!" she exclaimed, running over to Maggie, giving her a joyous hug, tears immediately forming in their eyes.

"What?" Tomas Maza yelped, also turning to study Maggie. "Holy cow, she is! Congratulations son!" he exclaimed, giving his son a happy punch on the shoulder, his second today.

Maggie sighed, relieved to see their happy smiles "Are you pleased?" she asked timidly.

Diane's face was warm, happy tears in her eyes. "Pleased, dear I'm beside myself! How wonderful! Tom, our first grandchild! Oh Tomas, she's going to have Derrick's baby!" Diane exclaimed, giving both Maggie and Derrick another huge hug.

Tom frowned. "But how? I thought… I mean, what will happen? Who will deliver the baby?" he asked.

"My doctors will." Xanatos said, making his way forward, giving a scowling Tom a kind handshake. "And don't worry, Maggie will have the best doctors attending her. I will have it all taken care of."

"Oh you will, will you? Diane huffed, crossing her arms across her chest, raising a eyebrow… a gesture Elisa realized did as well.

Fox stepped up to Diane, her face full of earnestness. "Yes, he will. We are both very sorry for what has happened. Please try to understand that we want to help, that we don't want to fight any more. I want us to be friends." Fox said, Alex cooing in her arms.

Diane's grimace vanished at the sight of the one-year-old boy, as expected, and nodded. "So it's over? All of the fighting is finally over between all of you?" she asked, taking Alex small hand and tickling it, glancing at her husband and son imploringly.

Xanatos nodded. "For me it is. I want my son to be happy, to grow up in a world of peace, not war."

Tomas nodded, understanding that feeling of fatherly protectiveness, knowing what effect it had on a man. "I know what you mean. When Elisa was born I was ready to catch every criminal in New York, just to make it safer for her. I'll never forget that feeling." The two men looked at each other, sharing that feeling of understanding.

Elisa watch all of this from the side, Beth and Maggie next to her. It was all so new, this newfound friendship between the Maza's and the Xanatos's, and yet it felt so natural, as though it had been meant to be. Her family had become this huge group, three families, two human, one gargoyle, melding into this one huge family who would look out for each other always.

And at the thought of the gargoyles Elisa's gaze went toward the nearby window, noting that sun was nearly set. In a few minutes the gargoyles would be waking. "Come one everyone, the gargoyles are about to wake up."
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