And… here comes the final chapter of the second arc! I hope you'll enjoy! :D

The next day after Asriel got his new SOUL, Asgore and Toriel decided to go pay Gaster a visit. Gaster was obviously happy to host the royal couple, who he saw almost like his parents for many years, but didn't really display that due to his past deeds and the knowledge of how much he disappointed them. So even though he kept his composure, Gaster was rather tense in the presence of Asgore and Toriel. The couple noticed that there was a subtle difference in his behaviour, but didn't point that out. As Gaster handed them cups of tea, Toriel said:
"I don't think we'll ever thank you enough. You brought our son back among us. You gave him another chance of life."
"Your accomplishement goes beyond anyone's expectations or craziest dreams." - Asgore pursued - "Asriel was gone for many years, and I still can barely believe he's back… Toriel and I are still trying to tell ourselves that it isn't just a dream."
"I know that those words are nothing compared to what you did for us, but thank you, Gaster. Thank you from the very bottom of our hearts." - Toriel said with a very grateful and soft tone.
"Your Majesties… You don't need to thank me for that. Prince Asriel was important to me too… and I didn't do that much regarding his current condition." - Gaster replied - "Most of the work was done by Noelle. It's her strong magic and determination that brought your son back."
"We do have that in mind, Gaster. We've already thanked her." - Asgore replied - "But it's you who got the idea to create a new SOUL for Asriel and succeeded at it. So you deserve as much credit as does Noelle."
"That's true, but…"
"What's wrong, Gaster? You usually love to be praised for your scientific accomplishements." - Toriel remarked with concern.
"You also seem a bit tense." - Asgore pointed out - "Tell me what's bothering you."
"I... Nothing's wrong, Your Majesties…" - Gaster looked down at his own cup of tea - "It's just that… considering all the wrong I did to you, I don't deserve your friendly visit and gratitude."
"Oh, stars… Of course you do!" - Asgore said with a frown - "You literally resurrected our son! Not many people - no one actually - can boast about such an accomplishement!"
"It was one good action." - Gaster said, his grip on his mug tightening - "It can in no way overweight everything else I've done to you and monsterkind."
"It's not about balancing the good and bad deeds, Gaster." - Toriel said as she gently laid her hand over Gaster's forearm with the intent to loosen his tension - "You did something incredibly amazing and you deserve all our gratitude. You not only brought our son back, Gaster. You also showed us that you can be a good scientist and person."
"She's right. You not only exceeded our expectations as a scientist, but as a man too. You proved that you can use your science to do the good. You did your best to meet everyone's interests, saving both our son and our granddaughter." - Asgore went on - "And even if you wouldn't have succeeded to save Asriel, we would've still been grateful for trying. We would've been sad, but we'd still know that you did your best."
"I... I don't know what to say…" - Gaster replied, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Then just accept our thanks, Gaster." - Toriel smiled at him.
"But you also need to learn to move on and forgive yourself." - Asgore added with a look of sympathy - "You understood your mistakes. So the next step is self-forgiveness."
"Noelle told me the same thing…"
"And she's absolutely right." - Asgore said with an approving nod - "You should listen to her more often, Gaster."
Gaster felt embarrassed by the last sentence, but just a little. He knew that Asgore was right. Noelle was an incredible woman. She was so nice and forgiving to him, despite the fact he was directly responsible of her difficult orphan life and all the wrong he did to her during the De-Code. And, as much as Gaster was uncomfortable about it, Noelle also managed to make him open up a little, to speak up his feelings more freely. Most importantly, she helped him and his children to remain a family. Without Sam and Piper around, he would've died inside.
"I guess you're right on this one… Noelle is a very, uh… cool person." - Gaster said with a light smile.
"She definitely is. I think the more you talk with her, the more good it'll do to you." - Toriel replied.
"Noelle already did a lot to me…" - the skeleton thought to himself - "Much more than I'll ever deserve."

Less than a week later, Gyftmas came. And to celebrate this holiday properly, Frisk and Papyrus invited Toriel, Asgore and Asriel. It would be the very first time that the Dreemurr family would reunit and celebrate Gyftmas together. It felt very good for everyone, but especially for Noelle and Asriel. They both had been all alone for many years, so it was nice to have a family to celebrate with. Before the party, Noelle had been helping her parents to decorate the tree. It was one of her childhood dreams coming true. While decorating, her parents were telling her amusing stories from her past she could no way remember. Some of them made her feel awkward, while Papyrus and Frisk found those endearing.
"Are you serious..? I got tangled in wreaths? No way…"
"It's true! You seemingly wanted to help us decorating the house, but you were so small and the wreaths so long. It didn't take long for you to get trapped in those!" - Frisk told with a small giggle.
"AND YOU WERE SQUIRMING A LOT! YOU LOOKED LIKE SOME VERY FLUFFY AND SHINY COCOON!" - Papyrus added with an amused tone and expression - "OF COURSE, WE QUICKLY CAME TO YOUR RESCUE, BUT YOU WERE SOOO ADORABLE!"
"heh, i think alphys still has the pictures in her computer." - Sans remarked, as he was lying on the couch - "i'll ask her to send it to you."
"No, I'm not interested to see..!" - Noelle exclaimed, all flustered.
"OH, BUT WHY NOT? YOU LOOKED VERY CUTE!"
"It's more like I looked very dumb." - Noelle covered her face with her hand - "How old was I..?"
"You were almost two years old." - Frisk answered.
After saying this, she and Papyrus exchanged a mysterious look together. Noelle noticed, but was too embarrassed to care about that. The tree was almost finished and all was left to do was to put the star on the top. Papyrus then handed the golden star with silver and red sparkles to Noelle, saying:
"I LET YOU THE HONOR!"
Noelle smiled and so went up the stairs (the tree was pretty high) and from there, she put the star on. When she descended, she, her parents and Sans admired the beautifully decorated tree for a moment.
"It's the best Gyftmas tree ever…" - Noelle breathed out with shining eyes.
"we did a good job on this, right?" - Sans said on his turn.
"YOU BARELY HELPED, SANS!" - Papyrus remarked with an annoyed tone - "YOU SPENT MOST OF THE TIME NAPPING ON THE COUCH!"
"but i was still mentally supporting you guys."
"Pfft... It's just a tree, Sans. What 'support' is even necessary..?" - Frisk replied amused.
"well, what else can you expect from a lazybones like me?" - Sans asked with a wink.
"NOTHING AND IT'S ALRIGHT. WE LOVE YOU THE WAY YOU ARE, BROTHER." - Papyrus said with a much softer expression.
"hehe, glad to hear pap."
"Anyway, I think everything's ready..!" - Noelle said enthousiastically as she looked around.
The family spent most of the previous day to decorate all the house. They've put wreaths beneath the ceiling, hung decorative snowflakes on the walls and windows, and placed candles on the furniture. Papyrus even found a moment when Noelle wasn't looking to surprise her by placing a mini-gyftmas tree in her room! The sight of the festive house made Noelle's heart warm. She couldn't remember when was the last time she ever properly celebrated Christmas in the other world. But it didn't matter, because from now on, she could collect many good memories of holidays. Seeing how pensive she was, Sans asked his niece:
"you okay, kid?"
"Oh I sure am, Sans." - Noelle replied with a smile - "I've never felt that good in a long time."
"glad to hear." - Sans' permanent smile turned into a real one - "i honestly feel the best in a while too."
It was a couple of hours later that the goatfamily arrived at their place. Toriel of course couldn't come without bringing her two specialities - the butterscotch pie and the snail pie. This way, everyone was pleased. Asgore had for task to look after the presents until the right moment came. Asriel had no task regarding the celebration, which was understandable. There were yet so many things he'd have to learn. As he looked around, a detail caught his attention.
"Uh... Is it normal the candles aren't lit up?" - the goat-prince asked.
"Oh right, the candles..! I didn't want to light them up too soon." - Frisk replied - "Now, I just have to find the lighter…"
"No, let me take care of this." - Asriel said with a smile.
Frisk looked at him curiously as Asriel approached the line of candles on the cabinet. Then, he created a tiny fireball that he carefully placed on the tip of a candle. He repeated the process several times until every single candle was lit up.
"Amazing..." - Frisk breathed out - "I didn't know you controlled fire already?"
"Well... Mom and Dad have been teaching me…"
"He is a very quick learner." - Toriel said as she wrapped her arm around her son - "I must say I'm surprised. I thought it would take him longer, but it seems like he's a very talented young man!"
"I'm just doing my best, hehe." - Asriel said humbly.
It wasn't long after the Dreemurrs arrival that came Sam and Piper. The twins were obviously invited so they could celebrate Gyftmas with their mom. But the kids also couldn't leave their father alone for the entire evening, so they would leave Noelle's house sooner. It was a good compromise, and Sam and Piper found that spending a couple of hours with Noelle was more than enough.
"Hi kids!" - Noelle hugged the twins to greet them - "I'm so glad you came! Even if it's not for the entire evening."
"We're glad too." - Sam replied - "It's our first Gyftmas together! Do you realize?"
"Yeah, it feels funny, huh?" - Noelle said with a smile.
"And we even got a present for you!" - Piper said as she showed a medium package wrapped in a blue paper.
"Oh, can't wait to know what it is." - Noelle replied, ruffling the kids' hair - "You're so nice."
At that moment, Frisk walked up to her daughter and requested her some assistance in the kitchen, because Asriel messed up with the whipped cream in an attempt to be useful. Noelle chuckled at the mental image and when she entered the kitchen, it looked as hilarious as she pictured it. There were trails of cream on the kitchen counter and a few drops of it on the walls. But most importantly, Asriel had his muzzle and ears covered in cream. There was even some on his clothes.
"Oh my gosh, what happened..?" - Noelle asked as she tried to suppress her laughter.
"I don't know..! The flask just exploded!" - Asriel replied.
"You just didn't use it right, Asriel." - Frisk commented, then instructed Noelle - "Okay, could you please clean the mess while I fix the cake? And make sure his hairs don't fall in the food."
"Sure, Mom." - Noelle replied as she wet a cloth and proceeded to wipe the cream away from the clothes - "And why did you even get involved in the cake decorating? You're a guest!"
"Yeah, but I really wanted to help with something." - Asriel replied, wiping the cream from his face - "You both did so much for me… so helping with the cake was the least I could do."
"Aw, but you didn't have to." - Frisk said as she put her hand on Asriel's shoulder - "We're family, you don't owe us anything."
"Maybe, but still... Frisk, do you realize that you were the one who brought me back to my senses when I was in my 'God of Hyperdeath' delirium? And even years later, you didn't give up on me. You told me to hold on, and so I did. And I'll be forever grateful for that. You're the best friend I ever had, Frisk."
Frisk just smiled and hugged her goat-brother in response.
"And what about me? I believe I was as much supportive..." - Noelle pouted playfully.
"Don't worry, I didn't forget about you." - Asriel replied - "You are the best niece I ever had!"
"I'm the only niece you have!"
"Haha, true… But I meant that you're great too..!"
And so, the three could finish the cake before putting it in the fridge for the time being. The three returned to the living room, where they found Asgore and Toriel chatting with Sam and Piper on the couch.
"Where are Dad and Sans?" - Noelle asked curiously.
"Papyrus went to dress Sans up, to make him... 'more presentable' for the evening." - Asgore replied with an amused expression.
Frisk and Asriel chuckled in amusement at this and Noelle guessed that her father probably had a point. It didn't take long for the two skeleton brothers come return. And from that moment, the family had a great evening. They chatted, laughed, told each other good and funny stories. They of course ate a lot and well. Asriel, after long pestering, even managed to make Noelle taste the snails. Noelle did it reluctantly, just so Asriel would leave her alone, taking a tinsy-bitsy bite. She then declared that snails "weren't that bad", but still not her thing. Toriel remarked that Noelle had her mother's tastes, since she never could make Frisk like snail pie either. When the time for dessert came, the family decided to exchange presents. It was another very enjoyable moment. After thankng her parents for their presents, Noelle then turned to the twins and said with a smile:
"I believe you two have something for me. Can I see now?"
"Yes, here it is." - Sam handed the box to Noelle.
The twins then exchanged a nervous look as Noelle was unwrapping the present. When Noelle opened it, she saw that it was a mug. And a cute one! It was pale pink with many tiny red hearts. Then, as Noelle took it in her hand and turned it around… she let out a small surprised gasp. The word "Mommy" was written in pretty letters. As Noelle looked at the kids, Piper asked shyly:
"So... Can we call you 'Mom' from now on? Please?"
"But if you don't like this, it's okay, we... we'll keep calling you by your name." - Sam added.
"Oh, but I'll only be happy to be called 'Mom'!" - Noelle teared up, then hugged the twins.
Asgore, Toriel, Frisk, Papyrus, Sans and Asriel exchanged looks, the scene between Noelle and her children being so heartwarming. After Noelle pulled away, she said:
"I hope your father will take it well."
"Oh, he already did." - Piper reassured her with a smile.
"Yeah. Who do you think gave us the money and wrapped our gift?" - Sam pointed out.
"Right, haha. Well, I'm glad that he took it well." - Noelle said, then glanced at the clock and remarked - "Speaking of him, I think it's time for you to go back to your home."
"Aw, time really fled fast..!" - Piper pouted a little.
"And we didn't get to eat more of the dessert." - Sam added, making the adults chuckle.
"Didn't you eat enough?" - Noelle asked with amusement - "You asked for more for almost every dish!"
"there's nothing wrong with that." - Sans said with a shrug.
"OF COURSE YOU'D SAY THAT! YOU'RE SUCH AN EATER!" - Papyrus remarked, but without actual annoyance.
"They're growing children. It's normal to be often hungry at this stage." - Frisk said with a smile - "Besides, it's Gyftmas! It's the time of the year when you feast."
"Don't upset your stomaches, though." - Noelle advised to the kids - "Alright, should I walk you back to your home or you're okay by yourselves?"
"It's okay, we can make it." - Sam replied - "It's not very far, after all."
"I guess it's not. Have a good rest of the evening, kids." - Noelle said.
"You too, Mom." - Piper replied.
Noelle smiled at how she called her. So, the kids proceeded to say goodbye to everyone, giving them all tight hugs.
"Bye, Sans." - Sam said as he hugged the lazy skeleton - "Merry Gyftmas and try to be happy from now."
"i'll try my best, kid." - Sans replied.
"Good evening Papyrus and Merry Gyftmas." - Piper said as she was hugging him.
"MERRY GYFTMAS TO YOU TOO, PIPER." - Papyrus replied as she held her tightly to his chest, before whispering so Sans wouldn't hear - "BE VERY NICE TO YOUR FATHER. I KNOW HE REALLY NEEDS IT."
Piper just nodded in response. Frisk then hugged the kids on her turn and said:
"Merry Gyftmas, children. May this day give you all the determination you'll need."
"Hehe, we'll try our best to get it." - Sam replied.
"I think I can already feel it..!" - Piper said on her turn.
Frisk gave them a smile before allowing Asriel to hug them on his turn. He then ruffled their hair as he wished them a merry Gyftmas.
"Have a merry Gyftmas too, Asriel." - Sam said - "I hope things will be cool between us."
"Sure, everything's cool." - the goat prince replied with a nod.
Asgore and Toriel then said goodbye to the kids too and before they would go, Toriel handed them a big but soft package.
"Give it to Gaster." - she instructed them.
"And wish them a Merry Gyftmas from us." - Asgore added.
The kids nodded, after what they headed to the door. Before leaving the house though, they turned around to say goodbye to their mother one last time.
"Good evening and Merry Gyftmas, Mom!"
"You too... my children."
And so, the kids left. They walked across snowy streets illuminated by all the gyftmas lights that decorated the houses. They quickly reached their house and entered without bothering to knock, as the door was left open for them. They saw Gaster napping on the couch with a book on his lap. But he wasn't too far gone, since he woke up as soon as he heard their steps.
"Hi Dad. You weren't too bored here alone, were you?" - Piper asked with concern.
"No, it's alright. I'm pretty used to lone nights." - Gaster replied - "Did you have a good time?"
"Yup, a very good time. And we ate so many tasty things!" - Sam replied.
"So I assume you won't eat your favourite dessert I made for you?"
"Yes! We will, we will!" - the kids yelled simultanuously.
"Haha, okay let's move to the kitchen then." - Gaster said with an amused tone.
The kids' eyes shone when they saw the Black Forest cake on the table. Gaster proceeded to make them cocoa, while the kids helped by putting dessert dishes on the table. A minute later, as they were eating, the twins remembered about Toriel's gift for Gaster.
"Here, it's a gift from Toriel for you." - Sam handed the package to his father.
"Oh... I didn't expect her to give me anything..." - Gaster said with a surprised expression - "But I guess I probably should have…?"
Gaster put his mug and dish aside as he proceeded to unwrap the gift. It was a thick warm white sweater with a huge blue heart on the front. Toriel obviously knitted it herself. "It's very in her spirit…" - Gaster thought, then noticed there was also a card. As he read it, he couldn't believe his eyes.

May this be a reminder of how big your heart actually is.
Merry Gyftmas, Gaster.
- Toriel.

"Dad, are you alright? You look strange." - Sam asked with a frown.
"Yes, I... I'm alright. I'm just…"
Gaster then hugged the kids. They looked at him with concern. Was he upset? Did something make him sad? But their worries got quickly washed away when Gaster said:
"I'm just so very lucky to have you... Have you not been there, I would still be lost on my path to darkness."
"We love you too, Dad." - Piper said as she returned the hug.
"And we're glad to have you as our father." - Sam said.
Gaster just tightened the embrace, feeling moved. Why has fate been so lenient to him? It was a true mystery. And it was the only one that Gaster didn't mind to never be solved. After they finished the dessert, the father and his children then moved back to the couch, just enjoying the calm mood, until they drifted to sleep. All the three were at peace.

Two days later, Noelle woke up at almost 11 am. She was a bit tired after a two-days previous day, she had decided to be the one in charge of dinner. Cooking just for herself was one thing, but it surely was a different one to cook for four persons. Especially that Sans had a wolf appetite. After dressing up and washing herself, she descended the stairs with a tired expression. When she entered the kitchen, she saw something surprising. On the small table, there was a pile of six pancakes covered by a generous amount of salted-butter caramel (just how she loved it!) and with a... small candle on the very top.
"Huh..?"
She looked up curiously at her parents, who were standing there staring at her with smiles on their faces.
"Happy Birthday, Noelle!" - Frisk said with a smile.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LITTLE GIRL!" - Papyrus said on his turn - "SORRY IF THERE'S JUST ONE CANDLE. THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH ROOM FOR TWENTY-SIX OF THOSE..."
"What are you talking about..? It's not my birthday yet..." - Noelle replied with a light frown.
"Uh... isn't it? I assure you today's your birthday. Trust me, I wouldn't forget the day I gave birth to you..!" - Frisk said with a chuckle.
Then, realization hit Noelle. Of course! How could she be so dumb? The date she used as a birthday was the day she was found in the other world, since there was no way she could know when she was born!
"Oh my God... So, it's true? Today's really my birthday..?" - Noelle's eyes got filled with different emotions - "W-wow...! I finally know when my birthday is! And… it's right after Gyftmas!"
She then hugged her parents a bit too exctasically, almost making them lose their balance. When she pulled away, she said with a smile:
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! Mom, Dad, you're amazing! You just made my morning!"
"NYEHEHE, WE ONLY WISHED YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LIKE ANY GOOD PARENT WOULD!" - Papyrus replied.
"Trust me, you did much more than that... After years wishing it to myself and doing it at the wrong date, this means a big deal." - Noelle explained with a soft expression.
"Well, from now on, this is the day you'll get cards, wishes, cakes, presents from everyone." - Frisk said - "Now, make a wish Noelle."
Noelle sat down and stared at the pile of pancakes for a moment. Just one year ago, she's been alone on her birthday. So now, she knew exactly what she wished for. Noelle closed her eyes and thought: "I wish my family and I can be happy forever." Then, she blew the candle. Frisk removed it and as Noelle started to eat her breakfast, Papyrus asked curiously:
"WHAT DID YOU WISH FOR?"
"That's not how birthday wishes work, silly!" - Noelle giggled - "If I tell you now, it won't come true!"
As Noelle took another bite, she thought that it just had to come true. She also promised to herself that if fate wouldn't be generous, she would work very hard herself to make everyone happy.

Six months later...

It was a dark summer night. Everyone and everything was asleep. Even the majestuous throne room of the King and Queen of monsters was just a calm place. The golden flowers growing there were closed, no noise could be heard. Until… some movement happened. It was an unnatural kind of movement. It looked like something glitched through the fabric of space and time. The glitches repeated themselves at the same spot for a while, growing more and more frantic, until it ceased and revealing a person who wasn't there before. It was a young woman, wearing outworn clothes. Her brown pants barely covered her knees, and her green striped shirt was a bit tight at the chest level, revealing a bit of her belly and the sleeves coming just to the elbows. The long brown hair covered most of the person's face until she raised her head. Moving a strand of hair aside, the bright red flash could be seen in the eyes. She smiled creepily, looking at the knife she was holding in her right hand. Chara was back home.

A/N: And here comes the end of arc 2! I must warn you: arc 3 is going to be darker than the first two. Until now, there wasn't really a villain in the story. But in the third arc, I borrowed the "OUAT" spirit, that is an actual clash of good and evil! Just please, I beg you, don't start with "Chara's not evil, why should she be the bad guy?" I remind you that there's no "player" in this story. And... just wait and see. Okay? Can you trust me? Chara has deeper reasons to be evil than just wanting power or destroy the universe. The story shall explore what's on her mind. That's all I can say about her for now. You also may be sceptical about her return, same thing. Be patient. There is an explanation of how she could return, where exactly she comes from. It will be properly explained at the early stage of arc 3.

Oh, and when Noelle blows the candle, it's a direct reference to "Once Upon A Time", when Emma Swan blows the candle in the pilot episode. ^^

Before pursuing the updating of this story, I shall first upload all the prequel one-shots that I have. Once done, I'll resume updating this story. I shall add that the third arc will have like three interweaved subplots. It won't be just about Chara, but it'll also be a chance for a deeper developement for Gaster's character, notably his relationship with Sam and Piper. I hope you'll enjoy the third arc. See ya soon!