Disclaimer: Please see the first chapter!

Author's Note: Hello again! I hope you're ready for the holiday season? Good, because here's the first chapter for "Christmas". So make yourself comfortable, have a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate and enjoy!


4. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy - The Nutcracker – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

A thousand lights sparkled from the trees along the driveway, small yellow stars twinkling around the front door and framing the festive door wreath that Godric had wound from evergreens, holly and fir cones. Candles had been placed on the window sills and in the living room a Christmas pyramid with filigree wood figurines had found its new location on a dresser next to the huge fir tree that Godric and Eric had somehow maneuvered inside. It had already been decked out with real wax candles but they had decided to wait with the rest of the decorations till Christmas Eve.

Liv loved coming home to all of it, but especially to the heavenly smell of cinnamon, ginger bread, oranges and candied almonds - like a warm, fragrant hug that engulfed her as soon as she stepped into the house. She shrugged out of her coat, scarf and gloves and toed of her boots, placing them all neatly aside before she followed the delicious scents of Christmas dinner.

She startled only slightly, more amused than anything, when Godric suddenly appeared before her, catching her around the waist and stopping her in the doorway to the kitchen.

"I believe I'm owed a kiss, cridiíon imon," he greeted her with a mirthful smile, pointedly glancing at the branch of mistletoe that dangled over their heads. The two vampires had equipped most every doorway in their house with a twig of the parasitic plant and had made a game of intercepting her and demanding a kiss whenever she tried to pass beneath.

"Are you harassing my niece again?" Iris asked, poking her head around the corner and grinning at both of them. "Well, hurry up you two. Beth says the duck needs basting again – whatever that means."

She disappeared back into the kitchen without waiting for a reply and Liv quickly slung her arms around Godric's neck to keep him from following just yet. "She's joking, love. And I think the duck can wait a few more minutes so come here and let me kiss you."

Godric smiled at her, obediently stepping close again and tilting his head so that she could claim his lips in a kiss. Liv gave a happy little moan when Godric deepened their kiss after her first initial contact, tenderly caressing along her sides and pulling her against his body.

"Welcome home," he murmured, his warm brown eyes full of love and affection. "How was work?

"It was great," Liv declared with a smile, allowing Godric to lead her into the kitchen where Beth was keeping an eye on the many pots and pans while Iris was enjoying a cup of hot chocolate; a moment later she had her own cup of chocolate, cinnamon sprinkled on top of a cloud of frothy milk. "One of Patricia's nieces went into labor and she allowed me to assist with the delivery so that I could gain some hands-on experience. It was amazing – a real-life Christmas miracle. The whole clan was there and they cheered her on and fed her wine and ale – alcohol helps them to keep their energy levels up, apparently – and the baby is just the cutest little thing. Here, they even let me to hold her for a moment."

She took out her phone and quickly found the photo she was looking for. It was a little blurry and underexposed as they had been underground, but Iris and Beth still ooohhed and aaahhed approvingly when they saw the tiny baby girl swaddled in her arms.

Godric also appeared behind her, peering over her shoulder. "Did you stay for the burial?"

"The what now?" Iris demanded.

"I thought you said that everything went well?" Beth also asked, both her aunts looking alarmed and worried.

"Dwarf babies sleep in little holes in the ground and the parents cover them with loose earth and sometimes roots, leaves or even small stones," Liv explained, quickly swiping through the next few pictures to reassure her aunts with a photo of little Alinda sleeping peacefully in a small hollow with only her wrinkly face peeking out from under the rubble. "She fell asleep right away and Patricia said that she'd probably slumber for the next few days. She made the cutest little snuffling noises, too."

"Don't worry. Give it a few more days and she'll be snoring just as loudly as the rest of her family," Eric interjected with a grin, appearing suddenly in the kitchen.

"Comments like that are the reason Patricia doesn't like you," Liv replied with a fond eye roll.

"And I'm truly heartbroken about that," Eric snarked back before changing the subject, "I thought you ladies wanted to help me trim the tree?"

"Of course," Beth agreed immediately, but then paused to address Godric. "If you're sure that you wouldn't like some help in the kitchen?"

"Or some company," Liv added with a soft smile, leaning comfortably back into Godric's firm chest.

"I would love some company," Godric murmured, blowing a sweet kiss against her cheek. "Though dinner will take about two more hours so you have time to partake in decorating first."

"And to take a shower," Eric added, demonstratively wrinkling his nose. "What is that smell?"

"I think it might be ogre snot?" Liv offered, pointing at the dark smear on her left jean leg. "I'm really sorry. I completely forgot about it."

"You met an ogre, too?" Iris asked, stirring her hot chocolate with a sugar cane. "Gosh, your work life has really taken a turn for the interesting, hasn't it?"

Liv laughed, shaking her head. "To be fair, he's only half-ogre, though with a full-blown cold. I'd better wash up."

"I put your sweater on your bed," Beth said, absently smoothing her hands over the huge bow that completed the gift design of her own sweater.

"Thanks." Liv grinned, taking note of the neon pink and lavender atrocity Iris was wearing, the cartoon reindeer on Godric's front and the cutesy arctic scenery that Eric had been gifted with. It seemed to her that Beth had gone easy on the two vampires – they still looked very handsome, if a little more colorful than usual.

v-v

She ended up helping her aunts and Eric with decorating the tree for half an hour or so, always finding some new trinket to admire in the many boxes Eric had carried down from the attic. There were baubles in different colors and shapes, some with delicate pictures painted on the sides, some fitted in lace, wooden toys and ornaments, garlands with small dangling hangers, sparkly stars and snowflakes and countless other unique pieces.

Iris had put on some classical Christmas music and as Liv wandered into the kitchen to check in on Godric she hummed along to the soft, well-familiar melodies. Godric greeted her with a smile, stopping her in the doorway underneath yet another sprig of mistletoe to claim a kiss, and then invited her into his little kingdom where the dinner preparations seemed to be progressing very nicely. Liv switched off a few of the plates that were no longer in use and adjusted the oven temperature on Godric's request before she started to set the table while Godric put the finishing touches on the different dishes.

When everything was ready, they all settled around the abundantly laid table, the two vampires nipping sporadically on their glasses of Tru Blood while the three women enjoyed the rich and plentiful food. Between gushing about Godric's culinary skills and the amusing anecdotes from Christmases past, they also talked about what was new in their lives and in particular about Liv's new job for Dr. Patricia Ludwig, who was the physician on call for the entire supernatural community in Louisiana and the neighboring states.

The initial interview, after their first impromptu meeting at Fangtasia, had been grueling, more so because Patricia had a number of reservations when it came to hiring someone on the recommendation of a vampire than because of Liv's actual qualifications or her limitations regarding skin contact. The doctor had accepted those in stride, and had finally decided, still a little grudgingly, that Liv might just make a passable assistant – with the right training and under her tutelage of course. She had given Liv a small library of books on mystical beings and magical creatures, most of which Liv had assumed were purely fictional, and after a grace period of a mere few days had started quizzing Liv during their car rides. It had been exhausting, challenging - and endlessly fascinating. She'd met dwarfs, ogres, werewolves, shifters, fairies, nymphs, fauns, sprites, goblins, succubi and mermaids as well as a number of other patients who had not been so forthcoming in revealing their nature. She still had a lot to learn, of course, but between her medical training, Patricia's gruff instructions and the information she gleaned from books, talking to her patients or asking Godric, she was starting to feel sure of herself again - and as if she had finally found her place.

v-v

Pam showed up after dinner and after they had cleared away the rest of the food, bringing with her a gust of cold wind as she swept through in through the terrace door. They all gathered in the living room around their beautifully decorated Christmas tree. It even sported some of the hand-crafted, slightly wonky ornaments from Liv's childhood and the delicate porcelain bells that had been a gift from Iris' parents. Iris got out her violin and struck up one of her favorite Christmas carols, Liv and Beth easily joining in with their voices. After a short moment of hesitation, Godric also started to sing and a moment later Eric started to accompany them on the grand piano.

Pam crossed her arms and looked unimpressed and slightly bored, her mood only brightening when it was time to exchange gifts. Liv watched in amusement as the female vampire happily shredded the fancy wrapping paper of Eric's gift to her, revealing a beautiful lace cocktail dress in a soft, powdery pink with a figure-hugging silhouette and a separate wrap to go over the strapless, sweetheart neckline. Godric had gotten her a pair of new high-heels and Liv had decided on a gift card for a manicure, as well as bottle of matching nail polish from Pam's favorite brand.

All in all, Pam appeared satisfied with her haul and started to hand out her own clothing-based gifts. She had even brought something for Beth and Iris – matching cashmere scarves – which prompted Beth to reveal yet another Christmas sweater, this one in bright pink with a green trim and smaller Christmas motives scattered across the front, though she was wise enough not to expect a thank you nor to try and force Pam to wear it. Eric quickly distracted his progeny by handing her yet another present – a book that immediately captivated her attention.

While the two vampires were kept busy with that present, Beth got the three gifts for the hard nucleus of their family from under the tree. The presents were only half a surprise since they had decided long ago that the most valuable gift they could give each other was time spent together. So they had made it their Christmas tradition to exchange weekly planers for the new year where each of them would pencil in an event or activity that they would go on together. This year, Beth had signed them up for a guided hiking tour in the Louisiana State Arboretum; Iris had found a pottery class in New Orleans that she wanted to combine with at least a quick peak at the Mardi Gras celebrations, and Liv had finally bought tickets for a musical that Iris had always wanted to see.

"And of course, Godric, you're invited to," Iris declared after the initial round of excited thank you's and curious questions.

Beth nodded eagerly. "I checked with the tour guide and though the hiking will obviously take place during the day, you're welcome to join us after nightfall - you can share a tent with Liv."

"No funny business, though," Iris interjected, grinning at him.

"Is hiking a very serious matter?" Godric asked carefully. "It used to be in my time, of course, but I had assumed that it had taken on a more recreational quality as of late…"

"I believe Iris was referring to other recreational activities," Eric offered with a smirk. "And Liv's blush should tell you the rest."

Godric turned to her, his lips softening into a smile as his eyes began to sparkle. "I see. In that case, I believe I shall leave the terms of our business up to you, cridiíon imon."

Liv shook her head with a smile. "That sounded a bit wrong, but I appreciate the sentiment."

"And I appreciate that you thought to include me in your activities," Godric replied, turning to her aunts again. "But I wouldn't wish to intrude."

"These are family activities and you're part of this family," Beth answered gently. "We would like you to come."

"Then I'd be honored. Thank you," Godric answered, hugging Liv tight for a moment before he quickly slipped away to gather two slim gifts from under the tree and handed them to her aunts. "These are from both Eric and myself. Merry Christmas, Iris, Beth."

"Thank you, to both of you," Beth said, while Iris was already fiddling at the sticky tape to loosen the edges of the wrapping paper. "Thank you for having us."

Before Godric could continue their polite to-and-fro, Iris peeled away the last of the wrapping paper and gave a loud gasp. "Is this…? This is a reproduction, right? It's not an actual sketch by Antonio freaking Stradivari for The Messiah."

"We met him during our time in Italy," Eric explained nonchalantly. "He had already made a name for himself as one of the best luthiers of his time so we decided to borrow a few of his materials to preserve them for posterity."

"It's unfortunately not the final design, but we hope you'll still like it," Godric said with a softly questioning undertone. "I know it's not a very practical gift…"

"Are you kidding me? It's perfect!" Iris exclaimed, carefully putting the drawing aside before she jumped up to throw her arms around a surprised Godric. "And I thought it couldn't get better than dinner. Thank you! Thank you, Eric."

"You're very welcome," Godric murmured, lightly patting her back and leading her back to her armchair before he returned to Liv's side, happily accepting her gentle kiss of gratitude.

"I'm a little afraid to open my own present now," Beth joked with an amused look at her still awestruck fiancé. "I don't know if I ever saw her this happy – not even when I proposed to her."

"Oh, hush, you," Iris protested, finally looking up. "You know that's not true. Just open it and let me see!"

Beth laughed good-naturedly and began to unfold the wrapping paper with due care. What emerged was another slightly yellowed piece of paper with bold black-lettering and a stylized map of the United States. It read "Votes for women a success – imitation is the sincerest flattery" and listed the years in which different states had adopted women's suffrage.

"I had originally collected some memorabilia for Pam, but she has since informed me that she has no desire to be reminded of that time and that if she should ever change her mind, she would be perfectly capable of procuring her own souvenirs," Eric explained, inclining his head sardonically towards Pam, who just rolled her eyes.

Godric softly cleared his throat. "Liv has told us how much both of you inspired her throughout her life and encouraged her to become the incredible woman she is today. So we hope that these small offerings might inspire you in turn."

"I'm sure they will. Thank you, again," Beth declared, beaming at all of them before showing one of the postcards that had also been included in her gift to Iris. "I love this one, it's so heartfelt. I think I'll hang it in my office to cheer me up on difficult days."

Liv reluctantly disengaged from Godric's embrace, pressing another kiss to his temple as she got up, then lightly patting Eric's shoulder as she passed behind him to join her aunts in admiring their gifts. A while later she felt Godric gently feathering his hand across her back.

"I will get you some more hot chocolate," he murmured when he had her attention. "Or would you prefer some mulled wine or eggnog?"

"I think I'd like to try the mulled wine," Liv replied softly, caressing her fingers along Godric's.

"Me too," Iris declared, her head by now pillowed on Beth's shoulder.

"Then I shall have some eggnog. I think I'm the only one here who likes it, anyway," Beth added, gently fluffing Iris' short hair with her fingers.

Godric hummed in agreement and a second later he had disappeared from her side and she could hear a few clangs and bangs from the kitchen. She exchanged a quick look with Eric, who nodded discreetly towards the kitchen, which prompted her to wander after Godric and see if he needed any help.

Instead she found the doorway blocked by both Godric and Eric, who had clearly violated several laws of physics to get there first. She shook her head and laughed. "Caught in your own trap."

She arched her eyebrows and crossed her arms over her chest as she looked expectantly at them, not even bothering to bite back her grin. "I've been reliably informed that the price for being caught underneath the mistletoe is one kiss, to be paid in full."

Godric chuckled and turned towards Eric, some indecipherable message passing between them. She wasn't quite sure what she had expected, maybe a light fleeting peck, like the ones she placed on Eric's cheeks, or something too fast for human eyes to track. Instead that magnetic force, the gravitational pull they had on each other seemed to grow even stronger, wiping out the last few negligible inches between them as Godric's feet left the floor to put him on one height with Eric. Godric tenderly bracketed the taller vampire's face between his hands and Eric did likewise as they sealed their lips for a kiss that started out sweet and innocent before it turned into something that drove a flush to her cheeks as heat tingled through her body.

They broke apart eventually, though Liv had quite thoroughly lost track of time. Eric turned to her with a smug smirk and Godric also seemed quietly satisfied with her reaction. "A little more than you bargained for, Liv? Would you like to give it a try – now that you've seen how it's done?"

"I would indeed," Liv answered, taking a step closer and poking at Eric's middle. "With Godric. Off you go."

"Harsh," Eric commented with obvious amusement. "Especially given that this custom was initiated by the mother goddess Frigg who decreed that mistletoe would forever be a symbol of peace and happiness after it had been the instrument of her beloved son's death. You really could be a little more respectful of my beliefs, Liv."

"Oh, come down here already." Liv laughed, pressing a light kiss to Eric's cheek when he obediently inclined his head for her. "Happy now?"

"Oh, little dove, you still have much to learn," Eric replied with another smirk before disappearing as suddenly as he had appeared.

"For us mistletoe was a symbol of male virility," Godric offered, gently nosing along the blush of her cheeks and inhaling deeply against her neck, his voice a low, intimate murmur against her ear, which sent another frisson of pleasure down her spine.

"And did you kiss underneath it?" Liv asked in a whisper, leaning closer and feeling Godric's hands caress lightly over her sides.

"We did other things," Godric whispered and it sounded like a promise as he claimed her lips in a sensual, toe-curling kiss before he whirled away to get their drinks.

Liv gaped after him, briefly entertaining the thought of calling him back and demanding that he finish what he had started. Then she remembered her aunts, Eric and Pam in the next room over and reconsidered, sighed regretfully and followed Godric into the kitchen.

"Maybe I should also make some coffee for your aunts? I think they're about to fall asleep," Godric offered, looking up to smile understandingly at her before he went back to filling the mulled wine into two glasses.

"It's rather late for them," Liv admitted, noting the blinking red numbers on the microwave. It was past three already and though her aunts had taken an afternoon nap it still was long past their usual bedtime. "Maybe they'd like some of those coffee cookies you made – Beth doesn't like to drink coffee so late and Iris is pretty much immune to its effects by now."

Godric nodded readily, getting down one of the cookie tins and starting to arrange some of the tasty treats on a plate.

"Thank you for being so wonderful," Liv murmured softly, brushing her lips lightly against Godric's cheek and then taking the eggnog and one of the glasses of mulled wine to bring them over to her aunts. They looked indeed a bit sleepily, though they insisted that they were fine when Liv asked.

Eric had reclaimed his seat at the piano and was playing the adagio sostenuto from Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata while Pam had started to paint her nails, pausing from time to time to turn to the next page in the book Eric had gifted to her. Liv went over to her, softly clearing her throat.

"What are you reading?"

"Vampire Kama Sutra," Pam replied with a devilish smirk, tilting the book slightly so that Liv could see one of the illustrations. "This one I've tried before, but there're some others I wouldn't mind having a crack at – like this one."

She flipped a few pages back to another image so contorted and humanly impossible that Liv instinctively tilted her head to try to make sense of it. Pam watched her with a smirk that only got wider when Liv jerked back slightly. "Don't worry. I wasn't thinking about asking you to be my guinea pig, though of course…"

"No thank you." Liv hastily shook her head. "But I'm glad you like your gifts."

"Most of them at least," Pam replied, kicking her toes disparagingly against the Christmas sweater that had somehow ended up on the floor.

Liv laughed. "I think Beth still saved the nicer ones for you." She plucked at her own cardigan which was decorated in a pseudo-Norwegian knitting pattern in pale mint green and murky brown, further embellished by two glittery baubles in silver and gold placed ostentatiously on her chest.

"Yes, I can see that a horrid fashion sense runs in your family," Pam declared with a wrinkle of her nose. "Someone should really take pity and tell her that – but Eric asked me to 'behave'."

She said it like a curse word, capping the small bottle of nail polish as she finished with her nails and studied her handiwork.

"Don't pout, Pam," Eric intervened, joining them in their little corner. "I'm sure you'll have a chance to misbehave quite thoroughly with the two presents I left in your apartment."

Pam perked up visibly, a frightening grin spreading over her pale face. "Violeta and Rachel? I was wondering why they didn't pick up when I called."

"I believe they're a bit tied up at the moment." Eric smirked. "Off you go then, don't leave them hanging."

"Oh, I won't – not for long at least." Pam was already gathering her things, her spirits lifted considerably with the prospect of a different kind of entertainment. "Although you do know how much I enjoy a captive audience."

"I'm sure you'll make me proud," Eric agreed, placing a light peck on Pam's lips. "Have a merry fucking Christmas, Pam."

Pam flashed him another grin and then she sped away, the front door banging shut a moment later.

"I'm surprised she stayed this long," Liv commented, merely amused that Pam hadn't bothered with a proper goodbye. "And please tell me that Violeta and Rachel agreed to whatever this is."

"They were quite eager to participate in this experiment, I assure you," Eric answered easily, making room when Godric slipped into the seat next to her and handed her a glass of mulled wine. "I even allowed them a little head start, if you know what I mean."

"Please spare me the details," Liv replied with a roll of her eyes, turning towards her aunts when Beth softly cleared her throat.

"This eggnog is perfect and I do love these cookies, but I fear neither of those things will keep us awake for much longer," Beth offered a little apologetically, nudging Iris in the side to keep her from drifting off completely.

"But we both want to see what Godric got for you before we head to bed," Iris took up, barely managing to cover her yawn. "He wouldn't tell us."

"Maybe you would like to open my present now?" Godric suggested readily, getting a small rectangular package from under the tree and offering it to Liv.

"I'd love to," Liv answered, waiting for Godric to sit back down and place an arm around her shoulders before she carefully unfolded the gift wrap to reveal a large, velvety blue jewelry box.

She carefully undid the small clasp and popped the box open on its hinges, gasping at the beautiful necklace that lay inside. She almost hesitantly reached out to lift it from its bed, feeling the fine gold chain run through her fingers like water and cradling the three small charms against her palm to admire them. The largest was a brilliant blue gemstone in a delicate hexagon frame, accompanied on either side by a shimmering white pearl and a smaller white gem.

"Do you like it?" Godric asked softly, laughing and easily catching her when she threw herself into his arms. "I gathered the stones myself, but I had a local goldsmith make this necklace for you. I wanted you to have something as unique as you are."

"It's beautiful. I love it," Liv declared, peppering Godric's face with kisses. "Thank you, love. Will you put it on me?"

Godric readily accepted the necklace from her, carefully placing it around her neck and then lifting her hair out from under the thin golden chain. Liv gently touched the small pendants that rested lightly against her sternum and smiled happily at Godric again.

"Oh, it looks perfect on you," Beth exclaimed, both her aunts having scooted a little closer to get a better look. "It's wonderful, Godric. What stones are these?"

"The blue one is a benitoite from California – I chose it because it matches the color of Liv's eyes and was as rare a find as she is," Godric explained readily, giving her a loving smile as he gently pulled her into his arms. "The other one is a small diamond which I picked up in the Rocky Mountains. I believe there is a popular reference that diamonds are forever so it seemed right to include it for a symbol of our love. I found the pearl some centuries ago and held onto it because it reminded me that sometimes a grain of imperfection can become something beautiful."

"Past, present, future," Liv said, falling even more in love with Godric and his gift when she realized how much thought he had put into it. "Thank you, love."

"I'm glad you like it," Godric replied immediately with a pleased little smile and carefully tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"It's really beautiful," Iris said, smiling at both of them. "And this has been a wonderful evening – with fantastic food – but I'm about ready to flake out so I think I'd better head to bed."

"That goes for me as well," Beth added with an apologetic smile, getting to her feet. "But thank you for this evening and for having us."

"You're very welcome," Godric said. "I'm sorry that we could not follow all of your family traditions such as opening presents in the morning and convening in your home in Dallas."

"Pshaw, those are just details as long as you make our little peanut happy," Iris said, a little gruffly, hiding another yawn against Beth's shoulder.

"Seeing her so carefree, at ease and comfortable in her own skin is the best gift you could have given us," Beth agreed softly.

"Oh, come on, don't embarrass me," Liv protested weakly despite the warm glow she could feel around her heart.

"If I wanted to embarrass you I would have brought the album with the baby pictures," Iris pointed out with a mirthful grin.

"Not that she didn't try," Beth interjected lightly. "But I thought we could save that for next year."

"I'd love to see those pictures," Eric said, grinning at Liv's unimpressed glare. "Tiny Liv when she was even tinier – what a merry concept."

"I'm not tiny, you're just unreasonably tall," Liv gave back before getting up to hug her aunts. "Thank you. Do you need anything for the night?"

"No, we're all set," Beth assured her. "Goodnight, honey. And a very merry Christmas to all of you."

There was a round of echoing sentiments before her aunts disappeared upstairs to turn in for the night. Godric took a few quick seconds to tidy up the wrapping paper and clear away the dishes while Eric added another log of wood to the fire and replaced some of the candles that had burned too low. Liv just leaned comfortably back into the cushions of the sofa, nipped on her mulled wine and then rested her eyes for a moment.


Here, have a gingerbread cookie! Happy St. Nicholas' day!