"What happened next?" Rick asked.

Merle smirked. "Christmas."

Merle waited outside the education center for the advisor to hand him his results. It had been almost a month since Merle started studying and several days since he took the GED placement test. He was expecting to fail all parts and start off at zero, but Buck was convinced otherwise. Buck, along with the other Demons, had spent time with Merle helping him study. Turns out Buck had masters in history, Spike loved English and Grim was a wizard at math. Merle had learned a lot under them, but he was still convinced he was going to fail.

"Merle Dixon."

Merle stood after a moment, still adjusting to his new name. The advisor handed him the results and Merle nodded before walking down the hallway. Gritting his teeth, he ripped open the envelope, expecting a big red fail. He read the paper, read it again, and took off to find Buck.

LIVIN' ON A PRAYER

"About damn time! Have ya told Merle yet?" Leo asked as he spotted for Buck as he worked out.

"not yet, I figured if he gets bad news on his GED test this will help cheer him up." Buck said as he worked at the bench press.

Leo snickered. "News like this would cheer anyone up. You ready for 290?"

Buck nodded. "Me and Mickey have a bet goin'; see who's the highest by the time I'm out."

Grim snorted from his position on the pull-up bar. "I think you have an unfair advantage Boss."

Buck chuckled as he adjusted to the new weight. "True, but that's not my fault."

Leo laughed. "Nope, that's all pres' fault."

Grim spoke up. "Incomin', Merle's movin' fast, something's up."

Buck sat up as Merle jogged up to him, his face a blank slate as he handed Buck an envelope. Buck opened it and read the paper, before standing and pulling Merle in for a hug.

"Damn good son! Damn good!"

Merle smiled bashfully. "You were right."

Buck smirked. "Fuck yeah right I was right!"

Leo and Grim walked over, Leo speaking up. "What's all this?"

Merle turned to the Demons. "I passed. I passed the whole test. I have my GED!"

Leo and Grim clapped Merle on the shoulder as Buck grinned. "Good job prospect!"

Merle chuckled. "Can't wait to tell Gypsy today. It's a damn good day."

Buck went still for a moment before smirking. "Gettin' close to visitin' time. Better head over there."

Merle nodded and took off for the visiting center. Leo and Grim watched him go before turning to Buck.

"Why didn't you tell him?"

Buck smirked. "Gypsy don't know either. My dad's been real quiet about this, didn't even tell me until he was fairly certain it would work. "

Leo chuckled. "Going to be an interestin' Christmas in the Dixon house."

LIVIN' ON A PRAYER

Merle hugged Gypsy as she came up to the table. Gypsy hugged him tightly, before kissing his cheek as he pulled away. Merle had grown accustomed to the gester very quickly. Noah and Buck did it when they knew it wouldn't negatively impact Merle around the prison. Gypsy was very clear during her first visit: Merle was her son and she could give him a kiss on the cheek whenever she damn well wanted, which Merle didn't mind at all.

"You look excited! What's going on sweetie?"

Merle nodded as he sat across from his new mother.

"Got my test results today, I passed the whole test."

Gypsy smiled wide. "Oh my god Merle that's great!"

Merle nodded as he smiled. "I thought I was gonna fail, Buck proved me wrong."

Gypsy laughed. "He does like to do that."

Merle smirked. "He thinks he's sneaky, but I know somethin's up."

Gypsy nodded. "You see it too? Noah is hiding something, but he won't tell me what."

Merle shrugged. "I tried gettin' it out of Buck, but he's not talkin'. Figure it'll come out with Christmas in two days."

Gypsy sat up. "That reminds me, I brought these."

Gypsy pulled up a plate of cookies as Merle chuckled.

"Damn the way you guys feed me I'll be a cow before long."

Gypsy smirked. "Don't worry baby, Buck says you only have about another 5 lbs. to gain before he starts having you work out with him."

Merle nodded as he picked up a cookie. "thank god, I'm sick of bein' tiny compared to everyone here. Speaking of which, how did little bro's appointment go?"

Gypsy watched as Merle ate. "He's got a ways to go, but Baby Boy has put on 3 lbs. more and grown another inch. He'll have the eye socket surgery the second week of January. Don't be surprised if he doesn't say much on the phone those days. He's going to be a sore little guy."

Merle paled. "What exactly are they gonna do?"

Gypsy sighed. "Basically they are going to move back his skin and surgically rebreak the bone correctly, removing the part that's pressing on his eye. If he was an adult they'd give him a metal eye socket, but he's still growing. There's a good chance when he is older he'll have another surgery."

Merle gulped. "Move back his skin?"

Gypsy paled herself. "Its….it'll be rough on Baby Boy, but if we don't do the surgery, it will keep hurting his eye, possibly cause him to lose total sight on the right. As is, he is color blind, but he says he sees movement and light really well."

Merle sighed. "Fuckin' Silas."

Gypsy nodded. "Trust me I keep a knife ready. If I see him, I'm gutting that man. No one touches my babies."

Merle chuckled. "Kick his ass mom!"

Gypsy laughed. "Will do!"

Merle looked up at Gypsy. "Where's Daryl now?"

Gypsy smiled. "He is off with his grandfather meeting Santa, aka Moose."

Merle laughed. "Santa's a Demon? That explains a lot."

Gypsy giggled. "Noah figured Daryl would be more comfortable once he realizes he's with someone he knows."

Merle Grimaced. "Still not okay with non-Demons?"

Gypsy shrugged. "Yes and no. he's okay in public now, but only with me or a Demon. He avoids non-Demons like the plague, won't talk to them. But it's better than him shaking in fear every time. His psychologist has started wearing a black vest in Daryl's sessions. Daryl knows the doctor isn't a Demon, but he feels safer that way."

"You were that afraid?" Carol asked quietly.

Daryl nodded. "Honestly, I still feel better around the Demons. Those men have saved my life several times, a lot more than I can save for the average guy on the street."

The guard called out to say one minute left, and Gypsy turned back to Merle.

"Good job on your GED honey, I'm really proud of you!"

Merle smiled. "Thanks mom. Thank you for the cookies."

Gypsy shook her head. "It's not a problem Merle. I just wish you were home eating them."

Merle chuckled as he stood and gave Gypsy a tight hug. "Me too mom, me too. Tell Daryl I love him and have a good Christmas. I love ya."

Gypsy kissed Merle on the cheek as she hugged him back. "I will. Stay safe sweetie, I'll be up next week. I love you too."

LIVIN' ON A PRAYER

Daryl held his grandfather's hand tightly as they made their way thru the crowded mall. He was going to meet Santa, but Daryl still wasn't so sure.

Noah looked down when Daryl tugged at his vest. "Yeah Baby Boy?"

Daryl bit his lip before looking up. "I don't think I like this."

Noah chuckled as he picked up Daryl. That was his key phrase when he was getting uncomfortable with a situation.

"Trust me, Santa is a friend."

Noah walked up to the Santa line, smirking as the people at the front ushered him thru. Most of the town had heard the brothers' story, and knew enough to know that this was a big step for Baby Boy.

Noah snickered when he saw Moose in his Santa get up. Every year the man was Santa, both for the town and club, but at the club house he wore his vest over the get up, along with his "eggnog" which was mostly rum. Moose smirked as Noah walked up. He approached making sure Daryl could see him coming before he got too close. Even still Daryl shied away, pulling into Noah.

"Hey Daryl, does Santa look familiar?"

Daryl peaked out from where he was hiding in Noah's shoulder. He shook his head for a moment before Moose pulled down the fake beard a bit. Daryl smiled wide as he reached out to Moose.

"You're not Santa!"

Moose chuckled as he grabbed Daryl. "Shh! don't let everyone know!"

Noah watched as Daryl giggled as Moose walked away to take the photo.

"Big mean ol' Noah Dixon taking Santa photos? The rumors must be true."

Noah looked over and chuckled as a man walked up beside him.

"Hey Grey. How's Tennessee?"

Grey shrugged. "Got some trouble with the Incendios, but nothing we can't handle. I heard you've had an interesting few months. Who's the little guy?"

Noah looked over to where Moose had Daryl whisper his Christmas wish in his ear.

"That is Daryl, my youngest grandson. Also known as Baby Boy."

Grey raised an eye brow. "I heard you picked up a little one. Also heard from my boys inside that there's a kid in there Buck's violently protective of."

Noah chuckled. "He should be, that's his eldest son there."

Grey looked over to a giggling Daryl. "A pair of brothers?"

Noah nodded. "Extremely abusive father. Forced Merle, the older boy, to cook meth or he'd be beaten or starved. Then when Merle stood up to him, the asshole called the cops. His friends at the court took care of the rest and Merle was almost given a death sentence, 6 years with transfer to adult gen pop the day he turned 17."

Grey swore. "Shit, that's the kid Buck is protecting?"

Noah nodded again. "Buck found out Merle's father had cut off all contact, leavin' the kid with no idea if his little brother was alive or not. Buck gave me the address, the end result was me kickin' the father's ass and takin' Baby Boy. Took a bit of convincin' on Buck's part, but Merle came around to havin' a dad, a real dad. A few days later, the asshole bio-father paid Merle a visit. Thanks to some quick thinkin' from a friendly guard, that visitin' center was full of Demons, inside and out. Soon as Merle realized his club as well as Buck and I were there, he told the ass hole to fuck off."

Grey chuckled. "Was that the Demon parade my guys saw?"

Noah smirked. "Me and my boys helped him find his way home, at which point I gave him two options. Sign the papers givin' Gypsy and Buck full custody of both boys, or the Demons were waitin'. He signed pretty damn quick."

Grey nodded. "How long does Merle have left?"

Noah laughed. "He thinks 5 years, in reality-"

Noah was cut off as a small weight slammed into the back of his knees. Looking down, Daryl was beaming up at him, showing Noah the candy cane in his hand.

"I got a candy cane!"

Noah chuckled as Daryl pointed over to the indoor play set.

"Can I go on the slide?"

Noah nodded. "Let me hold on to the candy cane, and stay where I can see you Baby Boy."

Daryl nodded and ran off, eagerly climbing up the stairs to the slide.

Grey chuckled softly when he saw the back of Daryl's ever present vest. "Littlest Demon?"

Noah nodded. "Baby Boy was in bad shape when I found him. Nearly starved ta death, shattered eye socket. He was completely terrified of men a month and a half ago. He's come a long way, mostly due to the Demons. Striker came up with the idea of throwing Daryl a party at the clubhouse, complete with presents. Daryl figured out pretty quick guys in black vests are good guys. Still not too sure about non-Demons though. He was freaked out by Santa until he realized it was Moose."

Grey shook his head as he watched Daryl go down the slide.

"Damn, good thing you took him. Little guy wouldn't have survived."

Noah nodded. "Neither would have Merle. He was starvin' ta death too, worked himself to the bone raisin' Baby Boy and cookin'. He was attacked in lock up, nearly died before he knew I had taken Baby Boy. Was in a coma 2 days."

Grey shook his head sadly. "Damn, he okay?"

Noah smirked as he nodded. "Buck got thru to him that he was serious about bein' his dad, and that was all it took. Merle's on track now, gainin' weight, gainin' confidence."

Grey looked over at Noah. "He'll need it. If history repeats itself, he'll be the Demon president one day."

Noah smirked as Daryl ran over. "And this is the future SAA."

"What's SAA?" Carol asked.

Daryl smirked as he answered. "Sargent at Arms. Technically I have no title, but when Merle takes pres, everyone knows he's namin' me his SAA."

Merle nodded. "SAA is in charge when pres is out, hurt or killed. And when a new pres is voted in, the SAA steps down to VP until he feels the next VP is ready. SAA is someone the pres trusts with their lives, because one day you will have too. For me I already have. Daryl's saved my life on several occasions. And when I'm voted in, he's right behind me."

Carol smiled at Daryl as Hershel nodded. "It's quite a government."

Merle nodded. "We survived because of it. We had plans in place to shut down Sunnyhill for defense reasons for years. As a Demon, you do what your officers say, and do it well."

Carl looked up at Daryl. "So are you guys like super important in the Demons?"

Merle smirked lightly. "To the Demons, we represent the future. A future the club formed. We're Demons taken and raised. From the day Noah took Daryl, our futures were rewritten and personally I prefer this life."

Daryl looked up at Grey as he came up beside Noah, then hid behind his leg. "You're not a Demon."

Grey chuckled. "No, I'm a Wrath. A different motorcycle club, but we're good friends with the Demons."

Daryl looked up to Noah who scooped him up.

"Baby Boy this is Grey. He's a friend of mine."

Daryl looked at Grey. "Nice to meet you sir."

Grey chuckled. "It's nice to meet you too."

Noah's phone went off, startling Daryl. "Easy Baby Boy, it's just your mama callin'."

Daryl lit up. "Can I talk to mama?"

Noah flipped open the phone as he smiled and nodded. "Hey Gypsy, someone wants to talk to you."

Daryl grabbed the phone. "Mama, Santa is Moose!"

LIVIN' ON A PRAYER

Buck watched as Merle hung up the phone, chuckling as he walked towards Buck.

"Apparently Santa is a demon?"

Buck smirked. "Moose Thompson, plays Santa for the club. Ever seen a shit faced Santa? Can't un-see that."

Merle snorted. "Santa never came by when I was a kid, I have no idea if the fat man drinks."

Buck chuckled as he walked towards the phone. "Demon tradition, Santa gets free shots."

Buck picked up the phone, dialing the same number Merle had.

"Hey babe!"

"Hey angel, how's everythin'?"

"Good, Santa photos went well once Baby Boy realized who it was."

"Damn good, he's gettin' better. Mind puttin' our littlest on?"

"Here you go!"

Buck smiled as he heard Daryl come to the phone. "Hey Buck!"

"Hey Baby Boy, what cha up to?"

"helpin' mama, we're makin' cookies!"

Buck chuckled. "Let me guess, you're helpin' decorate?"

"Yup! I like lots of frosting', but mama says I gotta stop eatin' it all."

"Make ya a deal Baby Boy, ya behave yaself and when I get home I'll let ya eat a thing of frostin' all on ya own."

Buck smirked as giggles came thru the phone.

"Mama heard that and she don't seem happy about it!"

Buck chuckled. "Well maybe we just don't tell ya mom, we'll sneak out, how's that sound?"

"Can we go to the woods? Can I climb the trees?"

"Sure Baby Boy, I'll let ya climb like a monkey, you'll have the energy."

"Merle used ta say I was like a monkey, scurryin' around like that."

"Merle told me that, told me how ya used to throw pinecones at him."

"He weren't payin' attention, how does he know it's me?"

Buck snickered. "Merle grew a second set of eyes just to keep track of ya little demon."

"That explains a lot!"

The guard called out the one minute limit as Buck glanced over to where Merle was chatting with the demons.

"Listen Baby Boy, times almost up. Can ya do somethin' for me son?"

"What?"

"Gotta cookie in front of ya?"

"Yeah."

"Decorate it as ya want, just make sure to put a ton of those chocolate sprinkles all over it."

"Okay, why?"

"Can ya give it to ya mom and say it's from me?"

"Okay!"

Buck chuckled. "Gotta go Baby Boy, I love ya little one."

"Love ya too daddy!"

Buck's voice caught in his throat. "Have a good night, I'll be thinkin' of ya."

"Night!"

After Buck hung up, he walked over to Merle, who noticed the odd look on Bucks face.

"What's wrong?"

Buck shook his head. "Baby Boy, he called me daddy."

Merle smirked. "First time he said it?"

Buck nodded. "Yup."

Merle raised an eyebrow. "Does that bug ya?"

Buck shook his head. "No, not at all."

"Then why do ya look like someone pissed in ya coffee?"

Buck was quiet before he looked over at Merle.

"Cause I wanna see Baby Boy so bad its fuckin' rippin' me apart right now. I miss him, I miss my little boy."

Merle smiled lightly as they walked into their cell. "Ya know, I'm takin' that as a good sign."

"A good sign?"

Merle chuckled as he jumped on his bunk. "Ya love my little brother Buck, even though ya haven't met him yet. That makes you one hell of a dad."

Buck smirked as he mumbled to himself. "Haven't met him yet, but soon."