As it seemed to be the trend here at Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters, the professors were more excited than the students for the exams to be over. Even for a devoted teacher like Peter, he was no exception to the rule. Being Russian, Peter did not grow up celebrating Christmas. He came from a poor family of farmers, and to them, celebrating the New Year was the more important winter holiday. When Peter came to the United States and to Xavier's Institute, though, Christmas became one of his favorite holidays, his joy fueled by Kurt. As both Peter and Kurt came from Europe, when they attended the Institute together, they were close. Kurt's excitement for Christmas was contagious and spread to Peter quite easily.

When Peter finally started dating Kitty, though, his eyes were opened to her holiday traditions. Kitty grew up celebrating Hanukah where instead of a Christmas tree, she lit the Menorah's candles with her mother. There was still the exchanging of presents, but it was a little different. While Peter never played any reindeer games, Kitty always loved the Dreidel. In fact, she almost always won at it, too. Peter knew that they had vastly different childhoods since he came from rural roots whereas she came from the city with well-off parents. Peter's schooling before the Institute was simple and old-fashion, and most of the time he didn't attend since he had to help his parents with the crops. Kitty, on the other hand, was a popular girl, a cheerleader, a prep, a princess. At the Institute, things were different, though.

Like Kurt and Wanda's relationship and Forge and Storm's relationship, there was a small age gap between the two of them of about four years. For one, Peter had already graduated and just started teaching physics as a professor when Kitty's parents enrolled her here, believing this to be a private school rather than a school for mutants. Kitty and Peter were not even romantically interested in each other, as Kitty initially had a crush on Bobby. They dated, but not for long, and after spending some time with Peter as X-Men and teammates, then did she realize her feelings for him. Peter was unaware of any developing romance until Kitty graduated become the biology professor, and immediately made her feelings clear. They have been dating ever since, two completely different people that were strikingly compatible. It is true as they say, opposites attract. As the physics professor, Peter knew that, but as Kitty's boyfriend, he could attest to that.

Wednesday morning, Peter woke up and got ready for his 9 o'clock exam. After he was finished getting dressed, he bent down and gently shook Kitty's shoulder to wake her. Being a heavy sleeper, Kitty didn't respond to a good morning kiss. This particular morning it was hard to wake her, but he had to considering her exam was at 10 o'clock. "Kitty, Kitty, wake up." In response, she groaned and rolled over. "Would you like breakfast with me before your exam?"

Immediately, she sat up in bed with a start. "I have an exam today? But, I didn't study. What's the exam?" She started pushing her messy, tangled hair out of her face, scratching at the dried drool on her chin.

Perturbed, Peter answered simply, "Biology."

"Oh my God." Kitty lightly yanked at her own hair, eyes large and wide, before she suddenly remembered she was a professor and relaxed. "Oh, thank God. I wouldn't be able to survive as a student again."

"What made you remember you were a professor?" Peter asked her, taking her little hands in his own larger ones.

Only a little embarrassed, Kitty said in a small voice, "Looking at you and remembering I never had the balls to march up to your desk and kiss you in the middle of class like I always wanted."

"Oh," Peter blushed. It still surprised him how much Kitty adored him. He reflected on her early admission and wondered if their relationship would be the reason she wouldn't be able to stand being a student again.

"Yeah, I was an idiot, but you were worth the wait." Kitty kissed his cheek and then jumped out of bed, hurrying to get ready. "Don't leave yet, I want to eat breakfast with you."

Dutifully, Peter started making their bed. "I will be waiting right here, Kitty."

At breakfast, Peter had the oatmeal while she had a sugary cereal. She balked at how he didn't even add brown sugar to his own breakfast. He balked at how she could drink her sugary, creamy coffee while he sipped at his own orange juice. Again, he thought of how their differences united them. Even their mutations were strikingly at odds as she could phase through any material whereas he could transform into an impenetrable metal.

Leaving breakfast early to go administer his physics exam to his students, Peter felt a gladness in his heart that he had Kitty in his life. She brought unexpected happiness and joy in the form of laughter every day. It was the little things that solidified Peter's love for her.

After the end of his physics exam, Peter gave his semi-annual motivational speech to his students. "Your exams will be graded and posted online by tomorrow at four. You should be able to calculate your final grade from that. If you are unsure of your final grade, please wait until they are released at the end of next week. Don't forget to read the next chapter over the break. I will hopefully be seeing some of you at the winter dance I'll be chaperoning Saturday night. If not, I'll see you at another time, maybe next year. Please, stay safe over break." Taking that as a dismissal, his students started to leave. Over the sound of them gathering their materials, Peter sang to them until they had all filed out the door.

"Have a holly, jolly Christmas.

It's the best time of the year.

Well I don't know if there'll be snow,

But have a cup of cheer."

Encouraged by his singing, some of his students joined in, especially those who were finished with their exams. Others only packed their test-taking items even faster in their desperation to leave and escape the holiday cheer.

"Have a holly, jolly Christmas,

And when you walk down the street,

Say hello to friends you know

And everyone you meet."

The rest of the song was sung in Peter's native tongue and he handed each of his student a candy cane as they left. Once they were gone, he settled at his desk, intending to grade. When he finished with that and input all of their grades into the computer system, Peter had plans to enjoy his break to the fullest, dividing his time equally between celebrating Christmas and simply being with Kitty, having a romantic time. Who knows, he may be able to catch her under the mistletoe.