Holiday Special: Christmas in a Foreign Land

By SodiumChloride12, derived from Fire Emblem, owned by Nintendo.

A/N: Surprise! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my readers! I understand some of y'all don't celebrate Christmas, but considering the winter holidays I found it wise to write a special on this holiday. Don't worry though, I won't have any religious undertones in this story. The canonity of this chapter is questionable, though that won't be known for certain until the main story's end.

P.S: I was expecting to post this on Christmas Day, but I finished editing this fairly late on Monday. It's bound to be Christmas somewhere right?

Anyway, I did really well on my finals! I'm committed to at least another semester of college, but I won't be starting classes until late January. On a side note, I'll be regularly posting again starting this Friday, so look out for that!

N: The year is December 25th, 988. The forces of evil have fallen, and Samuel lives happily married in the city of Bulgar. Much has happened since the final battle ages ago, and our hero has since retired to a peaceful life close to the beloved plains of his spouse. Today, Samuel desires to relive old memories of his fading past, and an old friend volunteers to help do just that...

Snow falls on Bulgar tonight. It's nowhere as fierce as my old home in Illia, but the cold flurries dance as the melt on my skin. The blanket of frost reminds me of my white-haired niece, a lass whose temperament matches the ferocity of her Aunt...

"Uncle Sam! Where are we going?"

Lani tugs onto my long-sleeve jacket as we walk together on the frozen sidewalk. Our entire family were making our way through the city boroughs to meet with an old friend, a lady whom we became well acquainted with in our past few years of residence here. She was there since the very beginning, the day when we moved back to Sacae, and the day we first trekked through these streets on the dawn of our journey nearly six years ago...

I said, "We're going to meet with Auntie Anne. I think Aunt Lyn told you yesterday about this right?"

Today marks the 6th anniversary of my marriage to the love of my life, Lyndis of the Lorca tribe. I proposed to her several days after the final battle with Nergal, and to my elation she accepted. Together we married within a month of Eliwood and Ninian's ceremony, and Lyn gave up her claim to Caelin to return to the plains she held deep in her heart. Despite the loss of her birthright, we both got we wanted in this arrangement. Lyn got to return home while I found steady employment in the city to support our growing family. Even with the five years of living together, the love shared between us was as strong as it's ever been.

Speaking of family, it wasn't just us and Lani anymore. Six months ago Lyn gave birth to twins, a boy named Kai, and a girl named Carmel. They both had green and white hair respectively, though it was Carmel who inherited my curls while Kai maintained his mother's legacy. Oddly enough, the magic Niime used on me ages ago had changed my very DNA...though gladly it appears to have no repercussions other than resulting in a peculiar hair color.

Lyn said, "I don't really know about this, Samuel. Is it really okay to leave the kids with Anna? I mean...something could happen."

Lyn...is an amazing mother. She's helped me out in caring for the kids with everything she's got, even while holding down a part down job tutoring local students in swordplay. She's patient, loving, and very communicative towards both myself and the kids. I couldn't ask for anyone else to call my wife.

I replied, "I think the children will be in good hands. Anna's about as charitable as they come, and she has plenty of battlefield experience. Kai and Carmel will just sleep through the night, and I'm certain she has something fun planned for little Lani. She loves to dote on her."

Anna is a merchant, but tonight she closed up shop to look over our kids. As a lass whose single status was something she cherished, she always ate up any opportunity to look after our little ones. I wonder if she secretly wished that she had children to call her own...but the call of the almighty gold coin was stronger than any motherly urge.

Lani said, "Wait...you're leaving me with Auntie Anne too? I want to go with you guys!"

There she goes again. My relationship with Lani's been as strong as its ever been, and now we've settled into an amicable uncle-niece chemistry. She's aged considerably since the day we first met; now she looks the part of an idle nine year old. Just like most little kids she's always on the lookout for attention from either myself or Lyn, though admittingly we have been spoiling her somewhat.

I shake my head, "No princesa. Uncle Sam and Aunt Lyn want to go on a date, and if you're there, then you'll just get bored. Aunt Anne has plenty of books for you to read...and I know you two will have lots of fun!"

"Really?"

I reassuringly kiss my niece on her snow covered forehead. She returns the gesture with a warm smile reminiscent of the morning sun.

I said, "Of course. When have I ever let you down...?"

...

We eventually make our way to Anna's front doorstep, and I knock on the wooden door. My breath condenses with the cold as we patiently wait, and I bring Lyn and Lani closer as to protect both ourselves, along with the two infants we carried in our arms.

It's cold...I'm getting worried about Kai and Carmel. I'm hoping we covered them up okay...

After a few seconds, we hear a disjointed array of fidgeting in the door's locking mechanism...and it opens revealing a red-haired woman in her mid-twenties. She wore a nightgown becoming of a lady of her stature, though her waist carries with it a child-like teddy bear.

She said, "Samuel! Boy, you don't look a day above 26! Oh, and Lyndis...you're as beautiful as ever!"

That's right...I'm 26 years of age. Lyn is 24 now, with her being two years my junior. I had forgotten how fast the sands of time blew through one's life, though my bones don't. My body still aches from time to time over old wounds I had suffered during my warrior days...

Lyn said, "I can say the same about yourself! Have you been trying some new product on your skin? You look 6 years younger!"

Anna blushes from her friend's compliments. For Lyn, remarks like this came as often as rain during a storm.

She replied, "Why yes I- oh what am I saying? Come in, come in! You must be freezing out there!"

Anna opens the door for us, and we enter her home. Her dwelling was a small one, though still of higher quality and size of the average Bulgaran household. She had a kitchen overlooking the living room, and a bedroom flanked by two guest rooms. The fireplace politely provides heat to the whole structure...which is enough the shake the frostbite from my feet...

Warm...it's so warm...

Anna said, "So I take you want to spend some time alone together? Maybe go for a night on the town, or get lost in wilderness somewhere? Perhaps even work on getting me some more nieces?"

Lyn and I's faces blush, while Lani looks on confused. She latches onto Lyn's hand and asks the question I've been dreading.

"Work on getting some more nieces? What does that mean Aunt Lyn?"

She replied, "I-It's nothing Laniakea. Erm, Anna, I'm afraid you must make do with the ones you've got now. Given Samuel's...condition...it's a wonder we managed to be blessed with Kai and Carmel within 5 years. Please understand..."

Lyn is referring to the fact that technically, Kai and Carmel's existence should be impossible. All homunculi are created sterile, and reproduction is only possible by means of quintessential manufacturing. However, whether it be by blind luck or by divine intervention, Lyn managed to conceive naturally. Both Kai and Carmel are miracles within their own right.

Anna sighed, "It's a shame. I was looking forward to the day this house is filled to the brim with bouncing toddlers. Oh well...a lady can dream."

I chimed, "You'll serve well as a rich Aunt."

She laughed, "Haha...I suppose you're right about that..."

Anna...is probably one of the richest folks in town. A lifetime of deal-making had resulted in her founding her own company, one that specializes in selling goods at a very respectable price. She's often lauded for her fair treatment towards her workers and consumer alike, and her generosity towards the poor has made one of the most popular people in town. A person like her should be living in a mansion, but her charitable deeds have regulated her to a respectable living inside a comfortable cottage.

In her own words, "What's the fun of having all this money if you're not going to spend it? The job of the wealthy should be to uplift their community...not to add into the never-ending cycle of poverty..."

Anna takes a glass of water and sips it. She motions at us both and then gestures towards the idle guest room...

"Alrighty then. Just set the children in their crib and leave Lani to me. I'm sure you two don't want me to keep you waiting..."

Lyn and I snuggle closely by the fire. Our bodies shiver as the outside winter air stubbornly leaks through our thick wool jackets, but it quickly goes away when we drink out of our cups of hot chocolate. The Carazanite chocolate sends a serene aura through both of our taste buds...and we savored every moment of it.

We were at Cuvee's Coffee Shop, a cafe located here in Bulgar. It's a happy little establishment tucked behind the many shops here at the city's business center, and it's become a popular spot for younger patrons. This place is the first and only cafe to offer coffee and chocolate, both of which are delicacies limited to the city-state of Carazan. The coffee shop recently opened last year at the end of the Carazanite Civil War, and it serves a peaceful reminder that all misery...no matter how extensive...will eventually come to an end.

The barista comes over and offers another cup of hot chocolate, but I decline. Instead, I situate myself closer on the sofa we were relaxing on and wrap my arm around my wife, whose blushing face reciprocated with a perky kiss.

She said, "It feels like our love never faded throughout these years. I know I was hesitant about this, but I'm really glad you took me out today. I know with your work and the kids...that can be hard..."

I shake my head, "I should be telling you the same thing. The effort you're putting towards our kids and our relationship is equal if not greater than my own. I feel indebted to you...I'm truly fortunate to have a wife like you."

"Oh Samuel..."

I close my eyes and rested my head against hers. Between the loving grasp of my spouse, the fire, and the sofa, I feel like I could easily pass into a blissful sleep. I would've loved do it too; the many hours laboring for the guild have left me spent beyond comprehension. However, I knew that was outside the realm of possibility. Not if I wanted to treat Lyn to a day she would never forget.

Lyn sighs, "You know...I still feel worried about the kids. Not so much about Laniakea...but about Kai and Carmel. You know what I mean...right?"

Kai and Carmel are a sickly bunch. As two half-human half-homunculi beings, their biology is bound to be unique in some way...though it quickly became clear that their immune systems were not tailored for common ailments like myself and Lyn. Erk suggested that eventually it would come up to par as they got older, but for now that is yet to be seen.

I replied, "I made sure Anna sterilized her home before tonight. Don't worry, I've taken every precaution."

Lyn's face widens with a warm smile. It's funny really...ever since the day we met its always been the same...but it never fails to make my heart flip.

She said, "Oh my...it's like you can read my mind."

I chuckle, "Haha. I can blink through walls but I can't read minds. Your husband's just very observant."

Lyn teased, "And handsome too..."

"Not as stunning as you though..."

"Aw..."

I finish the last few droplets of my beverage and offer to put away Lyn's ceramic mug. She accepts, and on my way back, I find her playfully resting her chin above the sofa's leather headrest. Her eyes radiate at me like a burning star, and her hair flows out of the sides of her dark green beanie like a somber waterfall. Her thick overcoat is reminiscent of a Parisan lover, and it matches the black fleece jacket I wore over myself.

She said, "Now...where would you like to take me? It doesn't matter to me, all I care is to be with you my love..."

A moment of silence fills the air, and we lose each ourselves in each other's gazes. A pair of green and brown fixated on a set of pure green. We smile...and laugh like we used to in our teen years.

I said, "I'll be your master strategist..."

"And I'll be your peerless warrior..."

"Samuel, why are we here at the Cathedral?"

"You'll find out soon enough..."

We were at the Her Lady's Cathedral in Bulgar, with its namesake deriving from Saint Elimine herself. It's a huge structure located a few blocks away from the cafe we just left, and its usually full of repentant parishioners praying their sins away. However, today it's uncharacteristically empty save for a single deacon snoozing away on a pew.

Eh...he's a heavy sleeper. He won't wake up until tomorrow.

The cathedral is as simple as the people that worshiped in it. Its white walls were cracked with age, and the caramel chairs creaked with even the smallest application of force. The large, domed roof provided great acoustics, the exterior of which were lined with delicate, albeit beautiful stained windows. The after-mentioned windows were the only extravagance splurged on this holy place, and it was a treasure the humble people of Bulgar enjoyed.

With Lyn's hand firmly in my grasp, we waltz over to a desolate corner of the church and uncover what I've been looking for this whole time. Sitting idly on top of a brown-bricked floor was a dusty, black table-like structure with a single seat. I give Lyn a suggestive, if optimistic wink.

I said, "You ready to listen to what I've been working on?"

Surprised, she said, "No way. You know how to play the piano?"

"I used to take lessons in my younger years. I was pretty good at it too, but I got disillusioned and stopped playing. But...my wish to perform for the lady I love propelled me to find motivation again...and so here we are..."

"Samuel..."

I clear my throat and wipe away the dust from the matte pad covering the keys. Opening it, I rest my fingers just above the G, B, and D keys respectively. A chord for whose name I've since forgotten, but the notes stay forever ingrained in my mind.

Alright Samuel...you've been practicing for this. Just play from the heart...

I initiate the keys and three perfectly tuned notes escaped into the air, molding and dancing into a beautiful major chord that warms my soul. Lyn's face blushes as the intro touches her heart.

She said, "Samuel...this song...I recognize it..."

That's because this very song is the same one I had sung to her six years ago, during the first night of our honeymoon...

Six years ago...

The full moon radiates in the night sky, basking the landscape in a coat of silver. The sacaen grass moves with the wind as a light breeze kisses the earth with its grass, resembling waves in the open sea. The land was as flat as flat could be...but the never-ending plane was oddly comforting. It served as a remainder that just as complex features like waterfalls, mountains, hills existed in the earth...there too existed simpler counterparts. At this point in my life, I was ready to discard the convoluted burdens in my life and take on a simple existence, not dissimilar to the ideal I've kept hidden deep within my mind.

"Lyndis...do you think...you and I will have a simple life going forward?"

We were lazily loafing by a single tree atop a small hill. We had married a week ago in a simple ceremony in Pherae surrounded by friends, and it was truly a memory to behold. However, that is a story for another time. For now, we had retreated to the place where it all began...

Lyn looks at me with a slightly confused expression on her face. It was the same one she'd give if I had miss-pronounced a food item on a grocery list or committed some elementary math mistake, but my question carried much more weight than that.

"What do you mean?"

I said, "I mean like...we've gone through so much up till now. We saved the world and all but...I'm tired of it. I just want to live in a place where we can just live for ourselves. A truely simple life...just between the three of us..."

Understanding what I had meant, Lyn nods her head.

She said, "I don't see why not. We can stay here at my ger for a while, and we can live off the land for as long as we want. It'll be just like my younger years...except you'll be here with me."

Thinking about that existence compels me to smile. It was entirely stress-free; I wouldn't have to worry about rent, work, or stingy nobles. It would just be Lyn and I making our way in the world with our own two hands, completely of our doing. At first glance this appears to be the best thing to do long term...but I knew better...

I said, "I'd really like that honey...but you know we can't stay out here forever."

Lyn frowns, but even she knew this was nothing more than a dream.

She replied, "Yes...I understand. The land is blessed with many gifts, but I doubt we can truly live in anything other than subsistant poverty. I know you want more for us...and you know...for any kids we may bring into the world."

I nervously sigh and wrap my arm around Lyn tight. Off the corner of my eye, I spied the green ring that was on her ring finger. Blood rushes to my face…

I said, "D-Do you really want kids? I don't want you to feel pressured just because you have my last name now."

"I do want kids!"

In a passionate display of will, Lyn inadvertently blurts out her intentions. I can't help but feel astonished and smitten towards my blushing wife.

She composed herself, "Erm...do not fret about that my love. I know it's going to be hard because of your condition...but I'm willing to give it a shot. Home is where the heart is, and my heart lies with you, Lani, and our future..."

"Lyn..."

In one fell swoop, Lyn's tender body falls on me. Our bodies were closer than ever before, and our heartbeats whispered to each other like the familiar lovers they belonged to. I felt like I could take her right then and now...but I relented...

It would be inappropriate to do that here, not with Laniakea snoozing away in our home nearby. So, instead we settled with non-scandalous hand-holding…

I said, "Lyn, even with everything's that's happened, I'm truly glad to have started it all with you. Nothing brings me more happiness than knowing I'll be spending every day with you by my side."

"As do I. I'll do my best to be a good wife, as you'll surely do the same..."

"Of course..."

We stay there for a while, with our backs flat against the rounded earth. We talk about tales dating back to our fighting days, and the few trips we've spent stealing away moments for ourselves from the army. That truly was a mystical time, one convoluted with uncertainty towards the fate of both ourselves and the world. In a way, it's a miracle we fell in love the way we did, much less become a married couple.

Lyn said, "To think...my single worst enemy became my lover. You and I really have grown together haven't we?"

I agreed, "Indeed. Never in a million years did I think we'd end up this way...but I suppose time heals all wounds. I'm just glad we were able to give your people the justice they deserved. Now their souls can finally rest, and the mantle of the Lorca can be carried by the both of us."

With the main tribe gone and its remnants scattered, there was no one left to continue on their legacy. However, with my marriage to the last chieftain's daughter, we alone hold the keys to the tribe's future. Although our lack of numbers mean that we can again consider the Lorca a regional or even a local power, we will at the very continue on with an intact way of life.

That's all we need...

Our descendants may be small in number, but I have a feeling we'll become more than a simple offshoot. We will exist forever in the shadows of history, whether it be in the lands of our forefathers or the many cities dotting Elibe. Our influence will be felt at every level of society...and who knows? Maybe we'll be glorified for our contributions...or ostracized by the very people that consider us outsiders...

But...for now I care about none of that. All I care about is the girl currently cuddling with me in the break of night, and my niece silently sleeping in rose-pink blankets. The former is the center of my attention for the moment...though there was one final thing I wanted to do before we fell asleep under these stars.

"Lyn...can I show you something?"

Curious, my wife breaks from her half-induced slumber and rests her beautiful pair of green eyes on me. Her eyes were something I'll likely never tire of looking at...

"Sure..."

She accepts and I retrieve something I'd hidden in the hollowed tree we were resting by. It's a six-string acoustic guitar constructed from Illian pine, and my spouse's eyes widen with astonishment.

She asked, "Samuel...are you about to serenade for me?"

I smile and strum put a simple G chord. This isn't the first time I've showed Lyn my skills with the guitar, nor is it the first where I played for her. Still, there was a certain importance in what I was about to play for her...

I said, "This song is about that time we went to Eliwood and Ninian's wedding party. I know it feels so plain to look back on...but something about that moment called out to me. Please...just listen to it. I might not have much of a singing voice, but I guarantee my playing will be up to par..."

Eliwood and Ninian's wedding was a blast. It was the first time I truly danced and interacted with my bride-to-be in a public setting, and we spent the night enjoying each other's company. It was a nice break from the misery we endured the month's previous, though admittingly I had a little too much to drink by night's end...

She replied, "I'll accept anything you give to me as long as you play from the heart."

"Lyn..."

She smiles and rests her head on my shoulder. She closed her eyes and waited for a harmony from her blessed lover.

She whispered, "Just okay from the heart...that's all I want..."

"..."

I clear my throat. In truth, this song was one I had heard in my old life...but its words still stayed in my mind even with all my memory loss. Piecing the words to the proper rhythm took forever to figure out, but it was all worth it for this single moment...

To show Lyn how much I loved her...

I take a deep breath, and sing to my heart's content...

"It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear...

She puts on her make-up...and brushes her long green hair...

And then she asks me...do I look alright?

I say my darling...you look wonderful tonight..."

Present...

"It's time to go home now...and I've got an aching head...

So I give her my room key...and she helps me to bed...

And then I tell her...as she turns off the light...

I say my darling...you were wonderful tonight...

Oh my darling...you are wonderful tonight..."

I finish the last lyric and play the last note. By the end of it all, I had sung to my heart's content...and the cathedral was silence once more. Lyn looks on with tears in her eyes, and in my moment of passion...I never noticed.

I-I blew it...

I sadly lower my head in defeat. Despite the hours transcribing the notes from guitar to piano...it appeared all for naught.

I said, "Lyn...was it something I said? I knew I never should've done this...I'm not that good. I knew better..."

Lyn shakes her head and wiped the tears from her eyes. It was a mistake to assume these were tears of sadness. In fact, they were tears of joy.

She said, "No Samuel, this is so thoughtful. It really felt like you sang from the heart, and I'm so happy. So...very happy."

We smile...and allowed ourselves to get entrapped in a long, passionate kiss. The air was as still and inviting as the calmest seas...

Until it wasn't.

"Hey, what do you think your doing?!"

My lips leave Lyn's and together we gander over at the direction of the voice. We both recognized it immediately; several years of parish participation will do that.

The deacon said, "You young people need to get out of here. The Creator doesn't want to see none of that."

I awkwardly smile, and chided, "O-Of course! My apologies, I'm afraid I let my emotions get the better of me. Erm...still I don't see what the problem is. What difference does it make if we make out in here or outside? An all-seeing god should have clarity regardless of where we are."

Lyn rolls her eyes and passive aggressively punches my arm.

She said, "Samuel, I'm sure the nice holy man is just trying to say that he doesn't want to see us acting this way."

"Oh..."

I raise my hat respectfully and bid my apologies. Fortunately for me, the deacon was rather sympathetic and let us go without issue...

On our way out, the deacon said, "I expect to see you two for new year's service."

Lyn said, "Of course, you can count on it!"

Slightly disappointed, I nudge my spouse closer to the exit. I personally found new year's mass to be very boring, and I wanted to skedaddle out of there before this holy man convinces her to a night of volunteer work...

The deacon said, "By the way, we need help with the recept-"

"OH MY GOSH LYN, I FORGOT TO TAKE MY MEDICATION!"

Upon hearing that, Lyn proved much more responsive to my subliminal messaging. In reality, it was true I forgot to take my medication today, the consequence of which is too terrible to describe with simple words. I only had several hours before s*** hit the fan.

Lyn said, "By Elimine...we need to run home! I'm sorry mister, but we must leave. I hope you have a good day...and Merry Christmas!"

Merry Christmas...?

What Lyn said made little sense. Christmas is a holiday only celebrated in my old world, and I've only mentioned it a handful of times to her. Why would she wish the deacon Merry Christmas?

However, before I could ask, my spouse whisked me away into the cold air beyond the comfort of the cathedral. Between my confusion, frost, and sense of urgency I couldn't muster the strength to ask her why...

Lyn...why did you tell him Merry Christmas?

Later...

With the medication smoothly coursing through my veins, we leave our humble little home and escape into the streets once more. The avenues and sidewalks were mostly empty save for a few working adults and street urchins, though none of them paid us any mind. My hand was firmly under the warmth of Lyn reciprocal grasp, though my metallic counterpart still creeked from the sheer cold.

I said, "Lyn...where are you taking me?"

Lyn playfully lifts her finger towards her mouth. It's a gesture I've seen many times before, usually the result of some long-thought out plan...

She said, "You weren't the only one with a surprise today. You made me feel like your queen, and thus I'll make you feel like the king you deserve to be. So...I'm going to take you down the path of memory lane..."

"Lyn..."

I discard my suspicions and put my full trust behind my spouse. It wasn't a difficult thing to do; in the past our lives hinged in our ability to confide with each other.

After some walking alongside some playful teasing, we eventually make it to our final destination for the night. It was a place I hadn't expected to be at so soon, much less celebrate a long begotten holiday...

Why...why are we back at Anna's house...?

Before I could ask, Anna's front door swings open to reveal two festive young ladies. They welcome us with open arms, and my mouth falls the floor like a rock.

Why...why do they look like that?

Laniakea was dressed in a very adorable elf outfit. Her naturally, slightly pointed ears were complimented with a conical, green hat atop her head. On her upper body was a ridiculous-looking elven tunic, and on her tiny feet was a pair of curled red shoes. She completely wore the part of "Santa's little helper."

Oh dear lord, she's so CUTE! Any cuter and I'd get a nosebleed!

I shift my attention to Anna, whose outfit was much less elaborate, with nothing more than khaki pants and an ugly Christmas sweater worthy of note. Still, the effort associated with preparing these outfits was nothing to take lightly. It must've taken them at least several hours, if not days.

But...why?!

...

Then, it hits me. This entire time I had thought I was planning for my wedding anniversary, when in reality they were the ones preparing for the celebration of a holiday I hadn't enjoyed in nearly a decade...

Everyone exclaimed, "Merry Christmas!"

They shake me out if my train of thought, and Lani runs at me to envelop her arms around my legs. Her beating red eyes fixated with mine...and they radiate with nothing but love...

She said, "Merry Christmas, Sammy! I hope we can make today a holly, jolly holiday for you!"

Speechless, I said, "Lani I-I don't know what to say"

"Then don't! Just stand still so Aunt Lyn can put on your hat!"

"Eh?"

!

My engineer's hat (a feathered hat similar in style to a tyrolean) is ripped out of my head and replaced with snug red Santa hat. Lyn looks at me with her smug face, though she too had a reciprocal green twin acting as her crown.

Lyn said, "It took me forever to knit this thing. Now, make me and your niece proud by putting this on..."

Lyn hands me a white beard and together, she, Lani, and Anna laugh as I reluctantly put it on. Now I wore the persona of Santa Claus, though a version of which that had put on considerably less weight.

Eh...lemme see if I can pull this off...

"Ho ho ho?"

My relatively high-sounding voice cannot capture the low boom of Santa Claus, and my audience erupts with laughter. It was a ploy entirely at my expense, though it didn't mind me much. Pride was something I had shaken away a long time ago.

Lani said, "You're so funny, Sammy!"

Lyn said, "Amazing...simply amazing! The uncertainty in your voice was greatly amusing!"

Anna chided, "This Christmas holiday...I wonder if I could market this go the world. The profits to be made..."

I rolled my eyes, "Anna, you really never change do you?"

She merrily jogs over and pats me on the back, "Nope!"

I suppose entrepreneurs thrive on this sin of greed. You can't give to your heart's content if you don't have a knack for gold.

Anna laughs and then motions towards her kitchen table. They covered the oak surface with an array of meats, pastries, and other examples of good food. My eyes automatically lock onto a single bottle of red wine, and I lick my lips hungrily.

Wine...

This particular brand of red wine bore its roots from the fine vineyards of Lyn's ancestral homeland, the canton of Caelin. Its taste is comparable to heaven on earth, and luckily for me the alcohol content was on the light side as well. Although the taste alone was enough for me to crown this beverage as my favorite, the minimal aggravation to my sleeping alcoholism was a huge plus.

I said, "Anna, you spoil me. I've been dry for over five years!"

I reach out for the wine, but I'm stopped by a slap directed towards my robotic hand. Lyn looks on with a disapprovingly…

She said, "If you love me and Lani, then you'll learn to control yourself. I want us to have fun, but not too much fun. Remember that we're older now, and we can't be drinking under the table like we used to."

Lani tugs on Lyn's pants. Never the wiser, she asks her on the nature of her statement.

She asked, "Aunt Lyn, what does drinking under the table mean?"

I replied, "It's nothing you should be worried about princess. Oh, and Lyn you won't have to worry about that tonight. I won't let anything get between me and my family..."

I graciously put my arms around both Laniakea and Lyn. My gratitude towards both of them was indescribable, and tears began to well up in my eyes.

I said, "I...I love you guys so much. This food...the merriment...y'all really captured the Christmas spirit. I'm so happy to have you two in my life...and you too Anna!"

I extend my hand and grab that red merchant by the back of her sweater. Always one to follow my example, Lani latches onto her in kind, and together we bring her into our now 4-way hug.

Anna squealed, "Too tight! I can't breathe! Little Lani you have more strength then you let on...!

We break away from the hug and take a seat for Christmas dinner. My stomach rumbles from the tantalizing aroma of the turkey, and my first urge was to devour it where it stood. However, doing so would mean turning my back on the true meaning of Christmas...

To appreciate your loved ones. Whether or not they were of your own blood, we should all appreciate one another. A proper Christmas always doubled as an impromptu Thanksgiving.

I extend my hands and wrap them around Lyn and Lani's. Their brows rose with confusement, and an explanation was certainly in order.

I said, "In my culture, we like to bow our heads and pray..."

Lyn asked, "For blessings from Saint Elimine and the Creator?"

I shook my head, "No..."

In my old life, my culture held three things above all else. These were Family, Friends, and Faith. The first two principles speak for themselves...but the last requires some deliberation...

I said, "I want to pray...for us. I want to pray for the wellbeing of everyone in this room, and I hope we can celebrate many Christmas' for years to come..."

"I love you guys. I hold nothing in higher regard than my faith towards my friends and family."

Lyn said, "Samuel...that's so thoughtful..."

Together, we all locked hands and lowered our heads. As the head of the household, it was up to Anna to lead us through this age-old tradition...

She said, "Well...here we are. To think only a few years ago we were in very different places, though admittingly I was in a much more comfortable place than you three. I'm...very glad that we're all here today. May death's grasp never near your door as it did before, and here's to a bright future!"

We raise our heads and lift our glasses for a toast. I take the moment to think about everyone around me…

Lani fumbles with her straw floating in a mug of apple juice, and she laughs as she blows bubbles through the amber-like beverage. We had gone through a lot together; our amicable relation is a far cry from the sheer distrust she used to have towards me. I love her like she's my own daughter, and I knew from the bottom of my heart she'll be a fantastic older sibling towards Kai and Carmel...

Next, I look at my wife. She's the person I put my life on the line for many times before, just as she did for me. Sure, she may not be the perfect human being; but she's somebody I can call my own. It's funny to think at one point we hated each other, even going as far to engage in a fight to the death. Still, there's no one else I'd rather call the mother of my kids, and I know we're bound for many happy memories in the future.

Lastly, there's Anna. She's become a good friend of ours since Erk and Florina are living their own separate stories...but she's an amazing person to have involved in our lives. She's always been there to lift the burden of our twins from us when we need it, and she's the one who's opened up her home for this occasion. I'm glad to have known her since the very beginning...

I look out the window and observe the snow picking up with the wind. It brought back memories of my low points in life wandering through the frozen plains of Sacae...but I can put that trauma to rest...at least for now. I'm surrounded by friends, family, and warmth...and there's no other place I'd rather be...

Lani drinks the rest of her apple juice and lets out a loud burp. The noise sounded like a kitten, and we couldn't help but laugh. She looks at me, and prances around like the little elf she was.

She exclaimed, "Happy Holidays…and a Happy New Year!"