Chapter 22 The Winter Holiday Special Part 1
Christmas was coming to Bodhum, and Lightning Farron had been requested some time off work thanks to Serah. It was nice to finally be home and relax for a few weeks and get her head straight because lately, Lightning had been feeling off. Snow was putting decorations up, while
Serah had sent out names for the gift exchange, and having Fang was something that Lightning wasn't sure what to do. It was nice seeing the house looking festive once more, and usually, Christmas time was one of Lightning's favorites; it meant sweets and just relaxing from the Guardian Corps until the New Year. It also meant the Guardian Corps/PSICOM Military Ball.
Dressed in a sweater and a pair of jeans, Lightning was helping Serah make Christmas cookies, something that Serah did every year. She would often make cookies for Amodar to get Lightning out of work, and it worked this year.
Things were getting a lot better now that Lightning actually had time she was hanging out with Serah. While Serah and Lightning hadn't had the best relationship, usually, the holidays were when they even tried to better themselves and at least hang more than they often did because of Lightning's work schedule.
An interesting thing happened that caused Serah to feel shocked, and Lightning to be more amused; Vanille and Hope started dating. Serah didn't see it coming, and Lightning did; Score 1 for Lightning, 0 for Serah.
"I knew it'd happen, as for when that was anyone's guess." Lightning notes looking at her sister's stunning face.
"Did you put them up to that?" Serah asked with wide eyes.
"Nope, but Fang had a hunch. I just sort of guessed that it'd happen before the holiday." Lightning grinned.
"And I'm surprised that was a kid from your troop. Wonder how they met, really. He seemed so nervous when we were at NORA House last week." Serah said.
"Hope's working on his confidence. He's a good seed, but he has his moments." Lightning said.
"Long as Vanille's happy, then I support her." Serah smiled.
"I'm just glad we can spend the holidays together." Lightning said, watching as Serah pulled a tray of cookies out, "Can you transfer these ones to a cooling rack and then wash this pan? I am going to start on the chocolate mint cookies." Serah said after icing several sugar cookies.
"You have been baking since extremely early this morning. You need to relax, Serah. Or at least take a small break." Lightning suggests.
While Serah took a break, Lightning grabbed her jacket, hat, gloves, and scarf with her purse and car keys. After bundling herself up went out the door. Snow was in the process of hanging lights and looked down from the roof. "Sis, what's up?" he called.
"I'm not your sister! And nothing much. I'm going out to find a gift for the gift exchange. Also, if Fang comes here before, I'm back, stall her." Lightning called.
"Can do. Where you going?" Snow asked.
"That's for me to know and you to find out. But seriously, stall my girlfriend, and I'll be nice to you until after the holidays." Lightning said, looking up at Snow.
"I can do that. Just surprised you're asking me to stall." Snow said.
"Yes, but Serah's taking a nap from making cookies after finishing the last batch." Lightning said with a sigh
"Okay, fine!" Snow yelled.
Lightning soon got into her car and drove towards the mall. Though the mall was busy, it was enough time that she could look for a gift. One gift she had ready for Fang that was already at the house was a portrait in a nice frame she had gotten developed. The pictures were of Lightning and Fang with the two sitting, with Fang on her knees, with her arms around the Sergeant in front of her. The other picture in the frame was the two sharing a kiss.
Lightning was trying to figure out gifts that would really wow Fang. In shopping for Fang, Lightning got her girlfriend: a new jazz record, the portrait, and a locket necklace, which had a hidden message with the day they started dating inside. While she was in town, she called Serah to ask about what drinks they were almost out of.
She was only picking up a bottle of whiskey, three bottles of red wine, and one bottle of white wine. Lightning was on her way home. She'd wrap presents after getting drinks inside by going to the basement where she had kept wrapping paper, tape, and tags with more Christmas stuff that Snow had been through.
Fang wasn't there yet, which was good too. Though Lightning had gone a little overboard, she had also picked up Serah's gift, something the two sisters always did. This year Lightning had been generous, getting Serah a precious bracelet, a brand-new set of cooking utensils that had been personalized just for Serah, and several of the things she had on her wish list.
Lightning was simple when it came to Christmas, but that was because she didn't really see too expensive gifts all the time. Soon, she found a wayward Moogle on her head looking up at Mog as the Moogle made a small noise.
"Well, hello to you too, Mog." Lightning said as the Moogle made a noise of greeting. Snow, the cat, was sitting on the couch, stretched out in a ray of sunlight peeking in the window with Serah asleep on the adjacent couch.
Lightning took a moment transferring the bottles to the fridge and grabbed a cookie before going down the stairs with the Moogle and several pieces of fruit for the Moogle.
Wrapping gifts was easy, and moving everything to her closet was easier said than done because soon, she realized that a red motorcycle was sitting in the driveway, and soon she heard the noise of the garage open with Fang's bike inside before she heard Fang and Snow talking.
Grabbing her things once more, she exited the house and felt a small smile of mischief crawl on her face. Reaching down and making a snowball, she crept towards the garage that had still been open. Snow and Fang were engaged in a conversation about her ride there before Lightning tossed the snowball as it hit Fang with accurate precision!
"AHHHH! COLD! AMBUSH!" Fang screamed, noticing Lightning had thrown a snowball at her as Snow started laughing.
"She got you good." Snow said, watching Lightning as she went to dodge Fang as the Oerban threw snow her way.
Fang turned heel and shoved Lightning into a pile of snow. "You, JERK!"
Forming a few more balls of snow, Lightning chuckled them with ease before Fang threw her arms up like a beast and growled before creating a few herself and threw them back at Lightning only for both to start laughing until Lightning found herself snort in laughter.
Snow entered the house to do something but watched the two playing in the snow together, chuckling as Serah woke up.
"So, Fang arrived. Think Lightning and Fang are having a snowball fight currently." Snow said, snaking his arms around his fiancé as Serah drowsily looked at him.
"That's nice," Serah said with a chuckle.
"Those two are something else." Snow said as a snowball hit the window as Serah got up and looked outside, only to see Fang tackle Lightning in the snow.
"They are crazy," Serah said, amused.
The two were covered in snow, and both entered the house. Serah and Snow couldn't tell who won or who lost at that moment.
"Surrender." Lightning huffed.
"Never!" Fang growled as Lightning carried her bags in.
"It seems you both won. Now stop trekking snow in the house." Serah said before Snow pointed up at the entrance of the house.
"Mistletoe! Mistletoe!" Serah said, noticing her sister glare silent daggers at her before Fang kissed her deeply.
"Back off, Serah, this one's mine." Fang grinned, though both were covered in snow still, didn't stop Fang from seizing the moment. Before, both pairs of boots were discarded beside the door, and Lightning carried stuff up to her room after hanging both coats in the garage with hats, scarves, and gloves.
As Lightning carried Fang's suitcase to her room, Fang followed. Fang took a moment to grab fresh clothes from her bag once Lightning settled it down for her. "Now that I'm frozen thanks to a certain mischief-maker, I'm gonna go change outfits," Fang said, glancing at Lightning, who was still grinning ear to ear.
"I said someday I'd get revenge for when you pulled me into the water when you asked me out. So that's where I draw the line." Lightning said, grabbing a new outfit herself. When Fang was out of the room, she took a moment and changed. Lightning was just grateful she could wear a comfortable sweatshirt and pair of shorts in the house.
Serah came by Lightning's room, noticing her lying in bed while Fang entered and flopped down beside the sergeant.
"Mini Farron." Fang greeted.
"I'm starting on dinner now. Make yourself at home, Fang. Sis, did you see an extra spool of lights? Snow said one box was completely dead, and I think you were the one who put the boxes away and got new ones last year." Serah asked.
"They should be in the basement in a shopping bag. I stocked up last year." Lightning said.
"Good to know. I'll let him know." Serah said, hurrying off.
"Tomorrow's the Christmas party, and every year Serah holds it, the more she wants to overdo things." Lightning sighed.
"Well, I got my gifts ready. Serah put them somewhere for me." Fang said, "Who'd you get for the exchange?" Lightning asked.
"Now, you're being the one being nebby," Fang said before making herself comfortable beside the sergeant.
"Well yeah. I sort of overdid it with the Christmas shopping." Lightning sighed, "Plus, I've been stressed, so things kind of just I don't know." Lightning admits. "Curse this year. I can't wait until next year." Lightning said.
"Well, maybe your year sucked, but you have a few good things going for you. Sort of like me, I got a few great things going for me that I can be thankful for." Fang smiled before pressing her lips to Lightning's throat, gently causing the soldier to freeze.
The two shared a small moment before being called down for dinner. Snow was covered in snow and pulled Serah into his chest only for the younger Farron to scream, causing both Lightning and Fang to laugh as they sat with a blanket and their mugs of hot chocolate.
"You could say, Snow gets everywhere and makes Serah quite cold." Fang grinned.
"And Serah, poor lovable Serah, My dearest baby sister, I gotta say you look quite cold now." Lightning said in a joking manner.
"Shut up, Lightning, you made your point," Serah growled before prancing across the kitchen floor to her bedroom, where she got a change of clothes.
The four eventually ate dinner and relaxed while Serah played another Veronika Silver movie that night, (a Christmas mystery.) While the film played, Lightning and Fang both looked into each other's eyes lovingly until Lightning got an angry sigh from her sister. Realizing her flirting with Fang was getting rather obnoxious with the movie playing. However, Serah and Snow were just as flirtatious, which Lightning would mumble the word, hypocrite.
The next day was the Christmas party, which would be early morning before guests would start arriving. Lightning woke around seven in the morning, noticing Serah slaving away at the kitchen, as she went down and poured herself a mug of coffee, "Just let me know what you need me to do today, and I'll do it." Lightning said mid-pour of her creamer.
"Well, we got a lot to do before the guests start to arrive. Vanille and Hope are on their way now. Sazh, Cid, Amodar yes, I invited your boss, don't give me that look, Squall, Riona, Aerith, Yuffie, Tidus, the rest of your troop, the NORA guys, Lebreau, Sazh, and his son, and Rikku's friend Paine are coming. Yuna too. I really want you to be nice to Squall this year if it's not too much to ask." Serah said, looking at her sister.
"Alright, fine. I guess I can try. Same with Gadot, I suppose." Lightning said once she fixed her pajama shirt.
"And no hitting the guests." Serah muttered, "At least try to be nice."
"Serah, you don't really have to worry about me being mean. Plus, Fang is here. Clearly, I'll be out of trouble." Lightning said, noticing a half-asleep Snow enter the kitchen as he shared a quick kiss with Serah.
"Mornin' sis." He said
"I'm not your sister, however, morning." Lightning said as Serah sighed.
"Fang still asleep?"
"Yep. Thought I'd come and help if you needed it." Lightning said as Serah looked at Snow and Lightning.
"Well, prepping food won't take long, Vanille is gonna help me soon as she gets here. Hope too. House is decorated, and the driveway needs to be shoveled. Can you go do that?" Serah asked, watching as Lightning grab her things and was outside shoveling the driveway, better than nothing; luckily, the snow wasn't bad like it had been since the night it started.
While Snow helped Serah around the house, Fang eventually was up and at it and decided to help even if she was the guest. Everyone was busy until Vanille and Hope showed up, which was a big help for Serah.
Serah took the time to shower and prepare herself more for the day before Snow, Lightning, and Fang had the opportunity to. Eventually, after Serah was ready, the others had their chance as well.
Vanille and Hope took over for a while Lightning excused herself to shower, then Fang and lastly, Snow as he was busy starting a fire in the fireplace and making sure that everything looked right, much to Serah's displeasure - Everyone was in Serah's way apparently.
Wearing a sweater and a pair of jeans, Lightning eventually settled by the fireplace next to Fang. Vanille and Hope were taking a break with Vanille's head resting on his shoulder as he kept his arms around her. It was nice to see everyone wearing a nice sweater for Christmas.
"I'm gonna crack open a bottle of wine; anyone else wants some?" Lightning asked.
"Nah." Vanille and Hope both muttered tiredly.
"I'll take a glass Sunshine," Fang said, watching as the Sergeant got up and stumbled into the kitchen. Taking a chilled bottle from the fridge, she opened it and poured the two a generous glass before going back and handing one to Fang, who took both until she was sitting down once again.
Once settled beside Fang on the carpet, Lightning took her glass and held it taking a small sip of the sweet red drink.
Amodar was early, but he passed through, he dropped off a gift for Lightning, "A gift for you, Farron. May your holidays go well." Amodar smiled, "I got plans with my wife and family." Amodar pointed to his car, where a woman in the passenger seat. "Well, tell them I said Merry Christmas, sir." Lightning saluted once Fang grabbed her wine, and the Sergeant rose up.
"Also, I'll be seeing you during the military ball, will I not?" Amodar asked. "That's coming up fast." Lightning said, crossing her arms over her chest once he spoke of the ball.
"If I can come, but my girlfriend and me down." Lightning said.
Fang placed the wineglasses on the fireplace and stood up and offered a hand to the commander. "That'd be me," Fang said, looking at Amodar as he laughed.
"Well, you're the one who brought flowers into work, aren't you?" Amodar asked.
Fang nodded but slunk an arm around Lightning's shoulder. "I am. And I'm thankful they let me in to do that, if not, then this one wouldn't have been mine." Fang drawled.
Amodar looked from Lightning to Fang, "She's full of pep. Happy for you, Farron. Merry Christmas once again." Amodar said before he was out the door.
Upon Amodar's exit, someone entered the house, and Lightning realized who it was - Cid Highwind as she hugged the retired Sergeant tight. "Oh, my gods Cid! You're here!" Lightning said happily.
"I wouldn't miss this year's Christmas party. After all, I was gonna spend it in Spira, but after hearing about your year, I thought I'd come and see my two favorite girls." Cid said happily. He was a bit frail, but he was sturdy for his age, as working out and being in the military had helped him. His blonde hair was starting to whiten a bit from age, but he seemed that same happy man Lightning knew as her honorary uncle.
"I'm surprised though, I know we call all the time, but I'm just glad you were home this year." Lightning admits noticing Fang watching the man with curiosity.
"Oh, where are my manners Cid, uh this is my girlfriend, Fang." Lightning said as Cid smiled at the Oerban.
"I recognize you. You look that girl from the orphanage we'd visit." Cid said, noticing the nervousness the Oerban showed.
Fang looks away sheepishly. "You're Old man, Highwind. Caspian's second in command."
"I was. I'm a retired man now. However, I'm surprised you two clicked so well. Happy for both of you. Back in the day, I remember when Claire here had been parading around with Lebreau and then taught her how to defend herself from her bullies. You picked a good one, young Fang." Cid said, noticing Lightning blush slightly.
"Please don't bore her with the details of my life." Lightning grumbled, noticing Fang chuckle.
"Apparently, you have so many fun things I don't know about. Maybe it'd be good if I -."
Lightning slid a hand over her girlfriend's mouth, "Enough Fang. Cid, please don't give her any fuel, or I'm gonna be hearing it for weeks. Also, I got promoted to Sergeant class!" Lightning said before finally releasing Fang's mouth before the other wrapped her arms around her waist and gave Fang a glare.
It wasn't until more people showed up that Lightning and Fang realized that the house was becoming full. It was nice seeing people, though, as the two would listen to Cid's stories, and Lightning's and Serah's friends were doing great. However, having guests made the usual quiet house feel like home.
That was until Lightning saw Squall Leonheart and cursed the fact that Serah had invited him like she did every single year.
As Lightning went outside into the garage, Fang followed as both realized Squall standing there. He turned and noticed Lightning as she tried to keep from panicking.
"It's been far too long, Lightning." Squall said, walking towards them after putting out the cigarette he had been smoking.
"Uh, Squall. Uh... Nice to see you again..." Came the quiet reply. Fang squeezed her hand gently. "Is he bothering you, Sunshine?" Fang asked slightly.
"Me bothering her? Never. It's always weird to see an old friend even if she doesn't want my friendship." Came the thin words as Lightning just wanted to bury her head at that moment.
"Look, I just wanted to say I'm sorry." Lightning said, keeping her head low.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm sorry, okay?!" Lightning said louder as Fang looked from Squall to Lightning.
"Six years later? And you're finally apologizing? Even when you said you didn't want to be friends?" Squall asked.
"Six years ago, I was an idiot. Six years ago, I did what I had to do. Six years ago, I went into the Guardian Corps and have long since been promoted to sergeant, escaped death, and basically screwed all my relationships. I have grown since my childhood, and I realize how much of an idiot I had been. I've learned a lot about myself thanks to Fang here, and I'm just happy she's in my life. I don't care if you want to be friends or not, but I needed to get that off my chest." Lightning said as Fang put an arm around her.
"You've grown. I'm surprised. Last time you were telling me to get lost. Now you are saying sorry. What's the chance you're telling the truth with your words?" Squall asked.
"Because I grew up." Lightning said with a sigh, "Squall I know six years ago, I royally screwed up, and I cursed myself. When Serah would invite you and Riona to events, I realized that I hadn't found myself. I had a void in my heart, and I realized that I needed to find myself. I almost lost Serah, I almost died, and I realize that I hated doing that to you and the people around me. I'm sorry I pushed you away and realize that I can live with that if you don't want to speak to me ever again. However, I just thought I'd apologize now that I had enough time to actually group together what I needed to say." Lightning admits.
Fang noticed that Lightning was teary-eyed and wrapped her arms around her tightly. "Let's go inside and get you a glass of wine. Plus, Serah probably needs some help." Fang suggests.
"Yeah… That works…" Lightning said as she turned her back on Squall and started on her way inside.
"Hey, wait, Lightning. If you want to try being friends again, I guess we can try. Might take a bit to mend that relationship, but I'd love to see how you and Fang met, and I'd love to actually hang out like old times." Squall smiled.
"I'd like that." Lightning admits as Fang grinned.
"Congrats, Sunshine!" Fang smiled.
Seeing the two friends reunite was a wonderful surprise. Lightning felt thankful that Squall actually hadn't been angry towards her for the past, and the two would become closer.
"Sometime next year, we should have a double date with Riona. However, it's nice to see you again, Lightning." Squall said a small smile on his face.
To be continued: Up next part 2 of the Christmas Special