Here's the final installment of this story. Don't forget to comment, cuz I thrive off of those words I hear from you. i'm only here for the feedback.
Merry Christmas!
"I think that's the last present!" Lloyd said, crawling under the tree to check one last time.
"This has been fun." Cole said, stretching out his legs on the footrest.
"Yeah." Kai said, stretching out his full length on the couch, laying his feet on Cole's lap. He suddenly found himself on the floor as Cole attacked him. "Personal space, Kai!" Cole joked as he sat on Kai's chest.
"Speak for yourself." The red ninja squeaked, trying to dislodge the heavy man.
Zane walked in, wearing the pink apron and holding a plate of cookies. "Saved them just in time." He beamed.
"Yum!" Cole jumped up off the floor and ran for the platter, leaving Kai on the floor wheezing for breath.
Cole returned to the couch with a hand full of the crumby desserts. He extended a hand to Jay, who sat on the couch next to him. "Want one, Jay?"
Jay looked fidgety and nervous. "Huh? Oh. No thanks, Cole." He twiddled with his fingers.
Cole looked at him closely. "You okay, Jay?"
Jay laughed. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"
"You've been a little jumpy the past hour or so." Nya said, snuggling up next to him. "I'm a little concerned myself."
Jay kissed her cheek. "Don't be. I'm fine."
"Hey, Nya." Lloyd crawled out from behind the tree holding a small wrapped gift. "I found one more for you." He got to his feet and handed the tiny package to her. "It's from Jay."
Nya took the box and ripped open the packaging carefully. She gasped.
"What is it, Nya?" Cole asked, leaning closer to see what was in her hand.
"Oh, Jay." She whispered, tears glittering in her brown eyes.
Jay slid off the couch and onto one knee while everyone watched in shocked silence. Except Kai, who had most definitely been expecting this to happen.
"Nya, will you marry me?" His eyes had tears of their own in them as he took the box from her fingers and held it out to her ceremoniously.
Nya jumped off the couch and wrapped her arms around him. "Yes." She said into his shirt. "Yes I will, Jay."
She felt Jay's muscles relax as he wrapped his arms around her small frame.
"Congratulations, Jay!" Cole said.
"Indeed." Zane said as he put the platter of cookies down on the coffee table and sat next to Kai on the floor. "Many blessings to the both of you."
"Thank you." Jay beamed as Nya wriggled out of her new finance's grasp and jumped into her brother's arms.
"Thank you, Kai." She kissed his cheek. "Thank you for letting me go."
"Who says I have him permission to ask?" Kai said, making Nya stop and stare at him. Kai laughed. "Of course, I'm not saying that I didn't. He asked me a while ago."
Nya punched his arm good naturedly and gave him a hug.
"I love you, sis." Kai said.
"I love you too, big brother."
Jay walked over and put the ring on her finger.
"Merry Christmas!" Lloyd said, tossing a handful of discarded ribbon into the air.
Nya jumped to her feet and looked at the ring through teary eyes. "It's beautiful, Jay."
"Not as beautiful as you, Nya." Jay said.
The young woman giggled and blushed. She looked at Lloyd mischievously. "Me and Lloyd have a special present for two very special people.
Pixal nodded and walked over to where Kai stood with a cheeky smile.
Lloyd took a piece of mistletoe and dangled it over their heads.
Pixal laughed while Kai blushed a deep crimson. He finally shrugged and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
Pixal rolled her eyes. "That's not how you do it, Kai." She smiled at him seductively and grabbed his shirt, pulling him dangerously close to her face. "Let me show you how this works."
Kai shouted in surprise and wiggled out of her grasp. He was out of the room in exactly two seconds, and well down the hall by five.
The room shook with laughter as Pixal high-fived Lloyd and Nya. "Worked just like you said, Nya." She said with a light chuckle.
Nya nodded, tears of laughter springing from her eyes. "If there's one thing know about my brother, it's that he has the best reactions to these types of pranks."
She looked at Jay mischievously and walked over to him. "I don't suppose you'd like a little gift as well, Jay?" She wrapped her arms around him and leaned in to give him a kiss. Jay leaned in as well, and suddenly had a laughing fit as Nya tickled his stomach right before their lips met.
"Aww, come on, Nya." Jay whined pitifully as he wriggled on the floor, helpless to do anything but twitch as she found every ticklish spot on him. "Please?"
"Not now, Jay. I'm busy." Nya giggled.
Zane sat down on the couch and laughed heartily. "This is the most entertaining Christmas I have ever had the privilege of sharing with my brothers and sisters." He pulled Pixal close and gave her a squeeze.
"Hear hear!" Cole pumped his fist.
"Agreed." Nya said, finally relenting her tickle torture long enough for Jay to escape to the nearest couch and collapse there, out of breath and very exhausted from a day of pranking, snowballing and gift giving.
He smiled at his new fiancé as she sat down next to him, planting a kiss on his cheek with a loud smack. He looked at the ring on her finger and smiled as he returned her kiss with one one her perfect forehead.
Lloyd sat down next to Cole with a looks akin to disgust on his face. "Not only has this been the most entertaining Christmas ever, but also the mushiest, and definitely the weirdest."
"Agreed." Nya laughed.
"Hear hear!"