Set after season 2. The team catches up on the holidays they missed.
It was all Alex's idea. The team was packing up the safehouse and moving the boxes outside. Those that didn't have apartments finally got a place to call their own. No one had to live with the team ever again. At least, that was the hope with Percy dead and the former rogues taking over Division. They could start to live 'normal' lives. They simply had to clear out the safehouse Ryan planned on selling to gain more funds first. Piling the boxes wherever they landed, the majority just so happened to be tossed under a tree. Alex noticed, and had her 'best idea ever'. In a way to celebrate the end of the war, they should have Christmas in July.
It wasn't July, however. And not everyone celebrated Christmas. Upon hearing the suggestion, the rest of the team just stared at Alex. She sighed. So, it wasn't her best idea- she did just blurt it out, after all. Except, she was going to stick with the thought. If they changed some of the concepts, then it was still a good idea. Instead of Christmas in July, the team could simply catch up on all the celebrations they had missed over the years. There were birthdays, Valentines days, Christmases, Hanukkahs, etc. all to make up for. They wouldn't just be celebrating the end of their war, but also starting their new lives full of holidays once more.
The best way to do that was to have a massive party with gifts from the heart. The team couldn't say 'no' to that idea. It'd be a great way to send off their safehouse. And, it'd be a nice break from working on the new Division. Alex beamed as they all agreed. But before she could even start going overboard, Nikita put a limit on what they were doing. They weren't all heiresses; they couldn't get everyone expensive gifts. So, there was a limit of giving one gift per person, and the price couldn't exceed fifty dollars. Alex was the only one who slightly moped over the idea. Everyone else was completely fine with sweet and simple.
Ryan tried to get out of receiving presents- they had just celebrated his birthday- yet no one would have it. The whole team would receive and give gifts, and have as much fun as they could possibly have. After all, they all deserved it. They had gone through hell to get where they were. Percy and Oversight were dead. Amanda and Ari were in the wind. Division could be shut down and contained with their guidance. And pardons and futures were on the horizon. Celebrations were definitely in order. The team should let themselves be happy.
They gave themselves a week to buy presents and prepare for a party of 'epic proportions' (Birkhoff's words). Since she couldn't go all out on gifts, Alex maybe went a bit overboard on decorations, games, and food. She simply wanted every holiday they were celebrating covered. She also wanted to ensure their plans to have fun actually came true. The team had had their moments of fun over their years; they knew how to take a break and relax. That was just the first time they could relax without anything looming over their heads. No one was hunting them down anymore. The friends had the freedom to do whatever they wished.
Being obnoxiously loud and frivolous in their revelry seemed like the perfect way to express their newfound freedom. It was so normal, it was strange to some members of the team (Nikita specifically), and it fondly reminded others of their pasts (Alex and Michael). There was no doubt that having a holiday celebration was the best decision the team had collectively made. If only Owen answered their calls to come home and celebrate with them. The whole team should be together no matter what.
Which was why Birkhoff was urged to invite Sonya to the big celebration. The amount of times she had helped the team, she was practically a part of the family. Birkhoff held off, however. Sonya had had enough excitement with the team at Ryan's impromptu birthday party. Besides, he wanted to have a private moment with her to celebrate the end of the war, and maybe give her a present. His idea was met with 'awws' and other such praise. Although the teases made him blush, he decided to stick with his plan. It was obviously the better option.
When the day of epic celebration came, the safehouse was decked the hell out. Birthday decorations and holiday lights filled every corner. All kinds of cakes, pies, side dishes, and hefty main courses made up the kitchen and dining table. There were speakers, a large television, a selection of movies and music, a karaoke machine, and some card games (the team had learned their lesson when it came to board games). Everything the friends wanted to do to celebrate all the holidays they had missed they could. Literally nothing would stop them.
They decided on doing the gift exchange first. The team was far too excited for anything else. Not only were they going to receive new things from their friends, they were also giving something thoughtful and from their heart. What would've been better than seeing those they cared about light up in bright smiles. Gathering around the couch with huge plates of food and plenty of drinks, the team-family shouted in exhilaration as they passed around the presents. They tried to be orderly and neat with how they opened each gift; they tried to take turns. Instead, excitement overwhelmed them as they tore through bags and wrapping paper.
Ryan had a whole new collection of non-fiction books to devour once he finished opening his gifts. The topics ranged from history and logistics, to tales of espionage and battle strategies. He appreciated every book and vehemently expressed his thanks. Birkhoff's 'thanks' was more muddled. It wasn't because he meant it any less. He was just far more focused on the tech gear he got. He had new accessories for his gaming, and a couple things to help his eyes and back from staring hunched at a computer all day. He ripped through the packaging of everything, needing to try it out immediately.
Sean, on the other hand, was fairly certain he was being pranked. His presents did show that the team thought about him and obviously cared about him. But he was given the same thing from every single one of them (save Alex). He had a whole bunch of Russian language books and learner's guides to study. Sean didn't know if he should be grateful, or roll his eyes. Michael felt the same way with his presents. He was given a plethora of ties and mugs- like a father would on father's day. He appreciated the sentiment, but- God- was he annoyed with his friends.
Alex and Nikita squealing in excitement covered Sean's and Michael's scoffs and chuckles. The women were practically gifted the same items, but they didn't care. They were just happy that they had 'toys' to play with. They were also given more huge fluffy blankets to curl under, but the two shoved them aside for the more exciting presents. Apparently, there was an online store that sold defensive weapons disguised as makeup and hair products. Nikita and Alex suddenly had mace, tasers, pocket knives, and brass knuckles all disguised as things they could keep in their purse. They were a bit over enthusiastic as they tested them out.
In an effort to calm the armed women down, Michael and Sean gave Nikita and Alex their gifts. Michael bought his girlfriend beautiful earrings from a jewelry store he knew she loved to look at. And Sean bought Alex a case for her father's watch. He figured it was the least he could do after he had bugged it. She didn't wear it too much, for fear of damaging the memory. However, she didn't have anywhere safe to place it. He solved that for her with a simple yet elegant watch display case.
She expressed her intense gratitude with a huge embrace. Alex hugged Sean so warmly and tightly, that she forgot about the others in the room. Sean did too for a moment. Then, someone coughed (Birkhoff) and the two finally separated. It took Alex a moment to remember herself and that she had a gift for Sean as well. He had told her that he'd been trying to take his nephew to a baseball game, but he hadn't had the time or opportunity. She gave him both with tickets. He expressed his thanks the same way she had. The two hugged for a long while.
Nikita cornered Michael in the kitchen before she gave him his gift. She knew he'd rather open it in private than in front of their friends. He was surprised by her actions- he thought they were getting more pie- but he gladly opened his present while they were alone. As soon as he saw the photograph in the frame, he was glad it was only the two of them. Tears instantly welled in his eyes. He was so in awe and so shocked, that all he could do was stare at the picture. When he finally came to his senses, his tears fell and he embraced his girlfriend tightly.
Elizabeth's aunt was on social media, and had posted a picture of Michael, Elizabeth, and Hayley from a few years before they tragically died. Nikita found the picture, downloaded it, and framed it. It wasn't the best quality, as it was a download of an upload of a real photo. And it showed Hayley as a baby instead of a toddler. However, Michael loved it so much; he was beyond words. He didn't think he could ever repay Nikita for what she returned to him. The earrings he gifted her were lame in comparison. But she didn't care about that. The picture of his late family was only for him. She wanted him to hold a happy memory of his wife and daughter.
When Michael was able to collect himself (hugging Nikita helped control his tears), the two returned to their friends. They were able to place their gifts aside for the moment to finish eating, play games, and sing karaoke. The card games soon became as competitive and dangerous as when they played board games. So, the team-family decided to just sing karaoke. Most of their singing was an attempt to embarrass one another, though. They serenaded with silly songs (a favorite was Nikita replacing the lyrics in "My Girl" with 'Michael'), or chose difficult selections for others to try to sing. Every note was filled with laughter and jokes.
Eventually, the family put a movie on to watch together. They only made it about halfway through, however, before they became distracted. Ryan poured over each of his new books, highlighting and tagging the information he found interesting. Birkhoff played a videogame with his new accessories and gear. Michael curled under a blanket with Nikita, and whispered her stories of Hayley and Elizabeth as they looked at the old photograph of them. Calling his nephew, Sean excitedly told him about the game they were going to and all the fun things they were going to do together. And Alex gazed at her family enjoying their gifts, smiling brightly.
That really was her best idea ever.
Whatever you celebrate, or not celebrate, I hope you have an amazing time with those you love!