Long time no see in this story! I had decided to put this story on a brief hiatus because I didn't want to finish it while it was still summer, and it is Christmas themed after all :) I thought it would be nice if the climax happened over the beginning of the holiday season and ended closer to Christmastime. Still, after 3 months, a lot of people may have forgotten all that has happened, so here to summarize the first 9 chapters is modern day Krissa!

Krissa: Thank you Hopeful! Instead of dragging this out, I'd like to keep it short, sweet, and to the point. Ahem:

The men go off to war, boo hoo.

Krissa is sad but puts on a strong face for everyone.

Paisley Sophia is seriously the cutest baby ever!

The nightclub the group used to perform in is being used to put on Christmas shows to raise money for the troops.

Krissa really hates the cold. True story.

Zack Fair died. Sad.

Kairi's ego is preggo!

Somebody stole a quarter of the money they have raised. Egad!

There was an explosion and a shot heard off screen. A scream was heard.

Me: That's...to the point.

Krissa: I just tell it how it is!

Me: Okay...on with the show!

December 16, 1942

"You can't be serious!" Krissa said loudly. She, Yuffie, and Tifa were in her dressing room so Krissa could change while Kairi performed her next number.

"I'm sorry to say it honey," Yuffie started, "But I've kept tabs on everything, from the guests, the donations, and the drinks. Numbers don't lie."

"This is awful! Who actually would be heartless enough to steal from our men?!"

"I'm just ready to pop him in the mouth!" Yuffie exclaimed.

"I don't want to believe it, but we need to talk to the person who has been in charge of the money each night."

"What? No, it couldn't be," Krissa said, "Her husband is fighting overseas too!"

"Maybe so, but she does handle the money from everyone."

"And she knows where everything in this building is, and she's never anywhere to be seen after the guests arrive." Yuffie added.

"And she has access to her husband's master key," Krissa concluded.

Look up Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Lena Horne

As Namine and Xion continued waiting tables and serving them drinks, Kairi was singing on stage. Their thoughts were then interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Hey guys."

"AERITH!" they both exclaimed.

"So where do you need me tonight?"

"You mean you're back?" Xion asked as she hugged her friend.

Aerith nodded. "Absolutely. I think it's important to play my part more than ever right now. Zack would have wanted it that way.

"Are you doing okay?" Namine asked.

"As well as I could be doing considering."

"I'm glad. Well, we need somebody back there making drinks. I don't know where everyone else disappeared to." Xion said.

"I'll go find them," Namine answered, "They'll want to know the good news!"

Arlene shut the safe, locked it with the key, and counted the money in her hand. She placed the money in her purse, and prepared to head home.

"NOT SO FAST THIEF! Yuffie screamed. Arlene gasped as she realized that Krissa, Yuffie, and Tifa were staring her down. She had been caught, and she knew it.

"Uhh...you look nice," Arlene nodded at Krissa, who was wearing a sparkly white gown.

"Cut the act!" Yuffie screamed.

"Arlene, how could you do this?" Krissa asked, obviously more hurt than angry.

"You wouldn't understand."

"Understand stealing? We've all been working hard on our own time to help out, and here you are helping yourself to everyone else's money!" Tifa added.

"Arlene, we trusted you. Do you realize that you're not just taking money from all of our guests here, you're stealing from our men. You're stealing from Lea." Krissa was still pretty dumbfounded. Arlene had always been an in your face, say what's on your mind king of person. But definitely never a thief. Because of this, even under the circumstances, Krissa was surprised when she began to cry.

"You really don't get it!"

"NO DUH GOLDIELOCKS!" Yuffie yelled.

"Yuffie..." Tifa started.

"Why did you do it?" Krissa asked.

"I was...desperate. With Lea away, money was just running out. I didn't know what to do, and the money was just here..."

"Arlene...I understand times are really hard. Trust me, I do. But you can't steal other's money either."

"So are you going to call the police?"

Krissa sighed. "Under normal circumstances, I would." Arlene bowed her head in shame. "Fortunately for you, these aren't normal circumstances."

"Really, you mean it?"

"Yes. But you need to find a job to support yourself. And pay all of the money back."

"Where am I going to find a job?"

"You could come work with me at the factory," Namine said suddenly walking in. "They're always looking for help making all of the machinery that is sent overseas. You would be helping the troops that way, too."

"We all have a part to play in this. We just have to play it right."

"Thank you. Um, are you going to tell Lea about this?"

"YOU BET-" Yuffie started.

"Not this time," Krissa finished.

"Thanks. Namine, tell me more about this factory."

"Sure," she responded, the two taking their leave.

"I still say we should have socked her!" Yuffie exclaimed.

"Of course you would say that Yuffie. Oh well, she's at least getting the help she needs."

Look up The Christmas Cradle Song.

Late that night, Krissa was sitting by the window sill, staring outside as the snowfall. It was reminiscent of that night, the night both of their lives changed forever. Tonight had been a whirlwind, both with finding out Arlene had stolen money and Aerith's surprising yet joyous return. It would have been easy to forget that tonight was the anniversary of this joyous event, but the beauty of the December weather reminded her of what happened too well.

December 16, 1940

It was really late that night. Which was why Riku was really surprised when he saw is wife standing on the driveway in the freezing cold while it was snowing.

"Sorry I had to work over time, but why are you standing out here in the snow?! You'll get pneumonia!"

"Riku, I've been waiting all night. I couldn't wait to tell you any longer."

"Tell me what?"

"Well, I went to the doctor today."

"Without telling me? Are you okay?"

"I'm just fine, but Riku..." Krissa walked up to him, but her hands on his chest, and looked him straight into his blue eyes, "I'm...pregnant."

"You're pregnant?! What, really?!" He said, then he surprised Krissa by picking her up and spinning her around. "We're having a baby! I'm going to be a father!" This surprised the young soon to be mother, given that although her husband was far from the quiet type, he was always pretty calm, cool, and collected.

"So you're really happy? You don't mind?"

"Of course I don't mind. This is the best Christmas present you could have ever given me...I love you."

"I love you too."

"Come here." The two embraced, and he held her tight. He then grabbed one of her hands and held her waist. The two began slow dancing right there in the frigid air as the snow fell. Krissa rested her head right there on her husband's chest. As apprehensive as she was about becoming a mother, she felt safe right there in her husband's arms. Even in the cold air, she felt warm. There was not a better feeling than this, nor was their a place that she would rather be.

Flashback ends.

"Definitely the best Christmas present ever. Your heart is always with me."

December 17, 1942.

"Presenting Kairl Ciel and Krissa Osten!" Ansem the Wise announced.

The two ladies came onstage, Kairi in green and Krissa in red. Both wore mistletoe in their hair.

"We have a new song for you tonight," Kairi started, "No matter where they are, our men's hearts are always with us. Enjoy."

Look up Give Me Your Heart for Christmas by the McGuire sisters.

Give me your heart for Christmas.
Wrap it with joy and cheer.
Let every beat, sing to repeat,
Our love will last each moment of the year.
Just give me your heart for Christmas.
Only your love will do.
And with each sigh, you'll know that I
Have given you my heart for Christmas, too.

And when it's Christmas eve,
We'll sit around the tree,
And hear the church bells ring,
They're ringing for you and me.

So, give me your heart for Christmas.
Open it wide for me.
And in return my love will burn
As bright as every candle on the tree. (Give me your heart for Christmas)

The two bowed before walking off of the stage.

As Krissa walked home that night with her daughter in her arms, she felt happy. Sure her husband was still away, but she her heart felt with him has she and Kairi sang their new song that night. It filled her with spirit. Christmas spirit. As she walked on her driveway, she saw another vision of her and Riku dancing.

"Your daddy loved you before he even knew you. I only wished he could see you this Christmas." Krissa walked inside, her heart joyous over everything that had happen in the past 24 hours.

Little did she know, this would be the last time she would be happy for a long time.