A few months had passed, and the mansion was preparing itself for Christmas. Well, that's how Crystal viewed it. Between Jean and Peter, she never saw a box of decorations. They just floated downstairs individually and hung themselves on the tree that had been chopped down and erected in the hall almost instantaneously. Being her first Christmas, Crystal relied on the children in her class to tell her about different traditions. The day it started snowing, they had all gone insane, and lessons had been a complete write-off. 'Please explain to me why we've brought a tree in from outside.' She was watching the children hang the only decorations that Jean had left for them.

'It's where Santa puts the presents!' Everett screeched at her. She knew he was excited, so she let it slide.

'How does he get to all the houses? Does he have a mutation similar to Peter or Kurt?' Every time the children tried to explain Santa to her, she came away even more confused.

'Santa as a mutant? I like it.' Peter was suddenly behind her, his arms around her waist. 'Kids there's some fresh cookies in the kitchen. Why don't you go destroy them?'

Crystal rolled her eyes at the mini-stampede he had just created. 'Do you know how long it'll take me to settle them now?'

Now the room was empty he gave her a chaste kiss, 'just sing them a lullaby, they'll be down for the count. Plus it's Christmas. You should always eat enough to induce a sugar coma.' He must have gotten hungry halfway through his sentence because he started it empty-handed, but ended it with at least ten sugar cookies in his hand.

'Are you going to share those?' She asked mockingly. She knew Peter had to eat an insane amount just to keep up with how many calories he burnt a day. Plus he had just cleared the basketball court of all the snow. Hank wanted to keep it clear, just in case they needed the jet. Peter threw a cookie at her, and she caught it with the air, and it glided smoothly over to her. 'Thanks. What's your plan for the afternoon?'

'I'm nipping into the city to pick up your Christmas present, then I was hoping we could go ice skating. I just need you to make a rink.'

'The kids said Santa brought the presents. Why would you be picking up mine?' She quickly realised she had been misinformed by the look on Peter's face. She knew he was stifling a laugh. He sometimes did this when she'd misunderstood how the real world worked.

'I don't have the heart to ruin Christmas for you now.' He joked.

'Hey! I'm getting my information from a seven-year-old.' He zipped up to her and kissed her goodbye. As soon as she realised he'd left, she ran to find Jean. She needed help.

After half an hour, they had decided what Crystal could give Peter and the professor for Christmas. Leaving for the mall, they hoped would miss her speedster boyfriend completely as they picked up the limited edition sneakers he'd been mentioning to anyone who'd listen. Then, with a little modification to the soles by Hank, Crystal managed to get the perfect gifts wrapped and under the tree by the end of the evening. Feeling more relaxed, she went to find Peter, who was on the phone. She put her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. She gathered he was speaking to his mom, but she wasn't sure as she had never spoken to her.

'No, you don't want to spend Christmas on your own. I'll come down a day early.' There was a short pause. 'No, she'll want to spend it with her dad. You'll meet her, I'm not hiding her, but it's her first Christmas at the mansion.'

Crystal whispered into his ear 'what's going on?' She got a quick response. Peter's sister had made a last-minute change of plans and was now spending the day with her dad. Peter's mom would be on her own. Crystal and Peter were planning on visiting on the 26th, but Peter was now planning on leaving a day early. 'Just invite her here.'

Peter nearly dropped the phone. 'Hold on a minute, mom. Are you sure?' He was looking at her as though she had suggested they roast one of the children.

'It's not like she isn't pro-mutant and this way we can all spend the holiday together. That's what you wanted, right?'

'Mom, still there? Yeah, Crystal has invited you here. The mansion. Yeah. Ok, I'll pick you, Christmas Eve.' He turned to Crystal now and have her one of his carefree smiles, pulled her close to him and gave her a quick kiss. 'You're amazing. Now, how about I teach you to skate.'