A/N: So we have reached the last chapter in this tale of Christmas festivities. Yay! It has been a long process, but I'm proud of it. It's a little bitter sweet that I've finally finished it. I guess if I hadn't been distracted with some of my other stories I could've finished sooner, but I have a hard time just focusing on one particular story at a time. I literally story hop and have like six documents going at once while I'm working.

I think my friends assume my brain is a jumbled mess, but I know how to sort through everything. Anyways. I hope you've enjoyed my story and I'm grateful to all the readers.

I think almost everybody's favorite part of Christmas morning is opening gifts. I'm excited for this year because my daughter is old enough to understand how to open them on her own. Happy Holiday's to you in whatever you celebrate! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Kingdom Hearts characters or products mentioned.

Chapter 13: Merry Christmas!

Organization XIII Members

The morning sounded like any other. Birds soft outside the windows and the light chatter of people as they moved around and woke up.

But it was different.

It was Christmas morning! It had finally come.

As each person made their way down the stairs and towards the room where the tree was centered, they each seemed to be in a really cheerful mood.

"Merry Christmas everyone!" Xion said with a smile as she came from the kitchen holding a tray of hot cinnamon rolls. Namine was close behind her and carrying a pitcher of milk in one hand and a stack of cups in the other.

"Merry Christmas" Axel responded a little groggy as he plopped onto one end of the sofa. Roxas sat next to him and smiled at Xion as she held the tray out to him.

Demyx and Zexion sat on the opposite side of the sofa as Demyx eyed the large pile of gifts under the tree. "When do we get to start opening them?" he asked excitedly as he took a cinnamon roll from the tray.

"As soon as everyone is semi awake and present" Xemnas responded as he stirred a spoon around in his Christmas coffee mug

"Well, who are we still waiting for?" Larxene asked looking around the room as she snuggled closer to Lexaeus and tucked her feet under herself. Her dark blue pajamas were covered in yellow stars that almost matched the white snowflakes on her slipper socks.

Xemnas looked around the room and did a quick head count. He sighed upon realizing who it was that still wasn't there. "It seems as though we are waiting on Luxord"

"You talking about me?"

Everyone turned their attention towards the back of the house where Luxord was slouching on one of the walls and sipping from a large mug of coffee.

"He's right there" Demyx pointed one of his fingers "Can we open gifts now?" he asked

"I know I'm excited to start" Xion said as she placed the almost empty tray on one of the end tables.

"Let's get this started" Vexen commented

Seeing as how everyone was seated and patiently waiting, he saw no reason why they should wait any longer. "Okay. But someone else has to pass them out"

"I'll do it!" Xion said as she jumped up and moved towards the tree. Her 'Rudolph' slippers blinking as she moved towards the tree, well one at least. They were kind of old, but she wore them every year.

"I can help" Zexion said as he lifted himself from the couch.

Luxord made his way into the room and sat heavily on one of the armchairs next to Xigbar. He sighed and took another gulp from his coffee as he watched Xion and Zexion begin to pass out the gifts to everyone.

"You okay there Luxord?" the other man asked him

"Huh?" Luxord looked towards the voice speaking to him. "I'm just a little hung over" he waved a hand at Xigbar "Nothing unusual"

Xigbar heard the soft chuckle from Xaldin and Marluxia and couldn't help but to laugh himself. When Luxord heard the laughter, he turned his face to them with a confused look.

"Do I amuse you all this morning?" he asked as Zexion handed a gift to Xaldin and started laughing too.

Figuring that maybe they'd had some of the spiked nog last night, or maybe they were just loopy, he shrugged his shoulders and tried to ignore the growing giggles.

"Here's one for you Lux…Oh!" Xion had stopped in front of him and was holding a dark velvet bag out towards him. She placed her hand over her mouth and tried to cover her giggles.

Getting fed up he finally asked with a huff "Oh for the love of rum, what is so damn funny?!"

Xion removed her hand from her mouth and pointed a single finger towards Luxord.

"Why do you have a candy cane stuck to the side of your face?" she asked him.

Luxord was vaguely aware that everyone else was now staring at him as he slowly raised a hand to his cheek, hoping it was just a joke. He cursed under his breath when his fingers gripped the hooked piece of candy stuck to the side of his face. He pulled it with a yank and groaned at the slight pain from the sticky confection.

"What exactly did you do after everyone went to bed last night?" Lexaeus asked him

"I uh … don't entirely remember" Luxord said gazing at the candy cane now sitting in his hand.

"Must've been something fun" Axel said with a wink.

"Yeah, sure" Luxord sighed and tossed the sticky cane into the crackling fire. His mind was swimming as he tried to piece together everything that he had done last night, but it was all a bit foggy.

Xion placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him "Sometimes they come back in our dreams"

He smiled warm at her and reached out a hand to place it on her cheek "Thanks. Happy Christmas kiddo"

As Xion and Zexion made their way from the tree to each recipient of the gift they had pulled out from under it, they said 'Merry Christmas' and smiled. Most people had opened their presents as soon as they were handed to them, but a few were waiting until they had been given everything first.

Xigbar was delighted when he opened a large box to see a custom black monogrammed robe inside. As he pulled it from the box he couldn't help the smile that spread over his face as he read the words 'Sharp Shooter' across the back of it in silver scroll. He stood up to slide it on over his dark pajamas and slid his feet into the cushiony black slippers he had previously opened. "Thank you very much" Xigbar smiled as he tied the sash and sat back down.

Xaldin was pulling the paper from the front of a large box he had in his lap when he gasped with excitement. Sitting in front of him was a box of some of the nicest and sharpest cutting knives in the market right now, complete with a pair of shears and a built in cutting board. He smiled as he placed the box on the floor next to his chair and opened the next gift. He unfolded the material in the package to see three brand new aprons, each had 'Chef Xaldin' embroidered into them.

Vexen was pleased with the new white lab coats he had neatly folded back up and placed on the table next to where he was sitting. The next box was a little larger and had a sticker on the top that read 'Fragile' in bold print. He bent forward and slowly slid the box closer to him being careful to not tip it.

"That one was heavy" Xion stated as she sat down with her gifts

He looked at the box and began to rip the paper from it. He was happy to find that the box was filled with all kinds of lab supplies and charts for his experiments. His stock was getting low and he was grateful that now he had the means to finish some of his earlier experiments.

Lexaeus was happy to open a new pair of warm flannel pajamas and the complete works of the television series 'Supernatural' The household knew that he liked to lock himself in his room or in the theater room for hours and watch movies. He smiled as a large metal can filled with assorted popcorn was placed by his feet, the can containing a winter image of classic Disney characters in the snow. "Thanks guys" he shouted as he piled the DVD sets into a gift bag.

Zexion could tell that his gift was defiantly some kind of reading material just by the shape. He opened a popular series entitled 'Maximum Ride' by James Patterson and was delighted with the contents. He also received copies of some of his favorite manga's along with some bookmarks and new lounge pants depicting images of some of his favorite super heroes.

Saix couldn't believe his eyes when he opened the wrappings around a large box to find a solid crystal wine glass set and a beautiful green bottle with a rose wrapped around the top to the cork sitting with it. He knew that this year was a rare kind and hard to come by. It was also very pricy. There was another box wrapped with it that had three smaller boxes all stacked together. Each box was filled with expensive mixed chocolates from different countries. There was one from Switzerland, another from Belgium and the third from France. He was very pleased with the selection as he ran his fingers over the foreign writings and smiled up at Xemnas.

Axel was psyched about his new MSI and Volbeat CD's and planning on jamming out to them later. He thought that the pajama pants covered in flames and flying skulls were suited perfect for him and he was really grateful for the new leather gloves. But his favorite gift was the custom Zippo lighter that came in a velvet lined silver box. It had flames licking the edges of the slick device and bore the engraved words 'Got It Memorized?' He showed the lighter to Roxas and said thank you towards Saix with a smile.

Demyx had already opened two CD's and was tearing into a third one with glee when he spotted a giant stocking filled with sweets placed in front of him. He grinned at his Pentatonix CD and placed it on top of the Manheim Steamroller and Halestorm that he'd already opened. "Is this mine?" He asked Zexion pointing to the stocking.

Zexion nodded his head once. "It has your name on it, doesn't it?"

With a squeal Demyx pulled the stocking into his lap and began to empty its contents out in his lap. He was happy with the many, many different kinds of chocolates and fruity candies that he almost didn't notice the other small gift sitting by his feet. He reached down and snatched it from the floor, being sure not to spill any of his candy on the floor. He ripped open the package to find some new sitar strings which he was in need of. "Thanks a lot guys!" He shouted tearing into a Milky Way bar

Luxord still looked a little out of it, but was pleased with the bottle of rum in his hand. He decided that he would put it away for a later time and pulled the velvet back over the top before setting the bottle on the floor. A round metal container was placed in his lap and he pulled it open to reveal a few rolls of poker chips, some dice and a deck of neon playing cards. He had already placed his feet in his new tan slippers and nodded a thank you towards Xemnas as he relaxed back in his chair.

Marluxia was giddy over the large potted poinsettia that had been set in front of him. He already had a traditional red one in his bedroom, but this one was mixed with dark purple, white and blue. The colors were blended into a pretty little rainbow in the decorated terracotta pot. He smiled as he opened the bathroom set in a wicker basket. It contained scented salts, bubbles, scrubs and a new loofa. Yeah, he was known throughout the house that Marluxia enjoyed his bubble baths and pampering himself. He breathed in the mixed scents of lavender and mint before turning towards Saix and telling him thank you.

Larxene had already opened her series of 'Charmed' and set them on top of her popcorn bucket that had pictures of the Disney Fairies playing in the snow on it when she was handed a white teddy bear from Lexaeus. She smiled fondly at him and placed her pajamas in her lap as she hugged the bear to her chest.

"Look at the front" Lexaeus pointed with a whisper.

She pulled the bear away and looked down to see the stuffed animal was wearing a gold locket around its neck. "Oh, Lexaeus!" she gasped as her fingers clutched the charm. She held the bear up and let him unlatch the chain from around the bear. She let loose the charm and moved her blonde hair to the side so that Lexaeus could place it around her neck. Larxene felt a warmth in her cheeks as she ran her hand down her chest and grasped the heart shaped locket in her fingers. She leaned forward and waited for Lexaeus to kiss her, completely oblivious to the events around them.

Roxas was getting antsy to get upstairs and play some of his new video games. 'Diablo III' was one he had been most excited about and the fact that they had found a copy of 'Kingdom Hearts 2.5' slightly flabbergasted him. There were two new controllers, each lit up when a button was pressed in either green or red and the box of blue candy canes he knew was a special gift. The flavor on the top of the package read 'Sea Salt Ice Cream' and he knew there was really only two people in the house that enjoyed that flavor as much as he did.

Xion was sliding her feet into her new Moogle slippers, but made sure to place Rudolph to the side so he wouldn't be thrown out. She was excited about her large case of make-up and a container of various hair accessories. She knew that when the girls came over for slumber parties they were going to have fun doing make-overs. She ran over to hug Xemnas and Saix telling them both thank you before returning to her spot to sort through her new goodies.

Namine had her new Chocobo slippers on her feet as she pulled the paper from a box containing different art supplies like pencils, clay, chalk and paints. She was excited to be able to use them with her new easel and sketch pad that she'd already opened. She smiled a thank you towards Saix and Xemnas and started pulling the items out to examine them closer.

In all the excitement of watching everyone open their gifts with such appreciation, Xemnas almost forgot that he had been handed something as well. He opened a box containing to be what he knew was a very expensive scent of cologne and opened the top a bit to take a sniff. The smell was intoxicating and he very much enjoyed it. Along with that there was a slim box containing a light colored silk tie and gold cuff links. The last gift he opened is what took him most be surprise. He opened the small box to reveal a beautiful wrist watch inside. He had been complaining for months that his was acting up and was grateful to receive such a spectacular one to replace the other.

"You like it?"

Xemnas turned his head to see Saix standing over his shoulder and smiling.

"It's magnificent" he said with a smile "Thank you very much Saix"

"You're most welcome" he said leaning over to place his lips light on Xemnas'. Now, usually these two didn't like to be mushy in front of the rest of the group, but today was special and they didn't care.

"Merry Christmas!" Demyx shouted as he stood from the couch

"Merry Christmas" everyone shouted in unison.

A few minutes later found everyone gathering up their things as Xaldin and Vexen walked around with trash bags and picked up the papers. They headed in different directions of the Castle, each with agendas on how they were going to spend their Christmas day. It was figured that they would most likely see each other in the morning, but for now everyone was excited about their new gifts and what they were going to do with them. It had been a very joyous Christmas and they would soon be looking forward to a grand New Year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!