Hi!
Wow, I guess you guys like the fluff :-) Well, this chapter is quite fluffy, maybe too fluffy, but, well, it's my story and I was in an extra fluffy mood…and it's a little risqué…so reader beware.
I am having fun writing this, but the fact that you guys are
enjoying this makes it all that much better.
Thank you so much for your reviews!
Enjoy,
Failte
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Darcy carefully stood, cradling her sleeping daughter in her arms. It had been a late, exciting night and it had taken only a few minutes for Schuyler to give into her exhaustion.
While Darcy changed and rocked the baby to sleep, Lance had sneaked down to the rec room and set their presents under the tree. He passed Keith who had just finished setting out their presents. Giving in to curiosity, Lance poked and shook a few presents, but couldn't find his and Darcy's gift from Keith and Allura. He did find a few from his parents, but they appeared to be mostly clothes.
"What are you doing?"
Lance jumped and almost knocked some ornaments off the tree, "Geez, Pidge."
Pidge entered the room, his arms laden with packages. "Are you actually shaking the presents?"
"Maybe," Lance mumbled, shoving a box back under the tree.
Pidge shook his head, "You're pathetic."
"Why aren't you bugging your girlfriend right now?"
"I'm going to do that, I just wanted to drop these off first."
Lance snatched the little, elaborately wrapped present on the top of Pidge's pile, "Is this for me?"
"You wish."
He shook it, hearing a slight rattling, "It sounds like jewelry."
"Uh huh."
"Well, I'm glad it's that and not some skimpy little thing I'd have to beat you up for buying her."
Pidge grabbed it out of his hand, "Why aren't you bugging your wife."
"Oh, I'm going to do more than just bug her," Lance winked at him.
Pidge rolled his eyes, "I really don't need to hear the details."
"Good night, Pidge," Lance laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Lance."
With a spring in his step, Lance whistled Jingle Bells softly as he made his way back to their room. He heard Darcy in the bathroom and knowing that it would take her about ten minutes to brush her teeth, wash her face, and do whatever else she did to get ready for bed, he started moving quickly.
"Schuyler went right to sleep," Darcy said as she walked out of the bathroom. "She was just worn out and…" She broke off and stood a moment, staring at the bed, dumbfounded.
"Merry Christmas, honey," Lance grinned at her.
Darcy fell onto the desk chair, laughing so hard she couldn't stand.
"Okay, now see, I was going more for romance instead of humor," he muttered.
"Oh Lance," she gasped. "I can't believe you."
He was leaning back against the headboard of their bed wearing only a pair of red satin boxer shorts. The legs were lined with fake, white fur, and a wide shiny black belt with a big fake gold buckle circled his waist. The only light on was the one on his side of the bed with a red scarf draped over it, casting a warm glow over the room.
With a smile on her face, Darcy crawled across the bed to him, "I love you, Lance."
He cocked an eyebrow, "Have you been a good girl this year?"
Laughing again, she fell onto the bed beside him, "Why must you take something as sweet and innocent as Santa Claus and turn into something dirty?"
"It's not dirty, baby," he lowered his voice dramatically, "its love." He rolled onto his side and began to toy with the buttons of her nightshirt, "Have you been a good girl?"
"Of course," she whispered, running her hand over his chest, tracing the scar on his left pec with her index finger.
"Well, good girls get presents," he popped open the first couple of buttons. "Would you like a present?"
"Yes, please."
Lance gently caressed the scar on her chest with his fingertip as it peeked through the buttons of her nightshirt. Darcy shuddered involuntarily. The scar was no longer the angry red it had once been. Dr. Gorma had told them there were plastic surgeons she could see who could diminish it even more, but life got in the way and they hadn't pursued it. Now, Lance saw it as a part of her, like the little mole on the back of her left knee, and in all honesty he didn't want her to get rid of it.
"Lance," Darcy's voice was husky as she ran a hand threw his hair.
"Hm?" He raised his gaze to hers.
"My present?"
"Oh, yeah," he gave her a quick kiss and sat up. Reaching over to the bedside table, he picked up a long, flat jewelry box and handed it to her.
She took it, looking surprised.
"What?" Lance asked her.
"Well, I thought, you know, that by present you meant, well, something else."
"Don't worry," he curled up next to her, gently nibbling on her neck. "You'll get more than one present tonight."
"Okay, wait," Darcy pushed him aside and stood. She sneaked into the nursery and returned a moment later carrying a flat, wrapped package in her hands. "I was going to give this to you in the morning, but well, here." She thrust it towards him.
Lance eagerly sat up and took the package from her, "Okay, you first."
With enthusiastic fingers, Darcy pulled at the gold ribbon and slid her finger under the tape. Tossing aside the paper, she carefully lifted the lid and gasped.
Lance watched her nervously. He liked to think he knew her well enough to know what she would like, but you could never really be sure. Under the tree was a sweater, a couple of books and a few other things he saw and just had to buy for her, but this was something special, something he didn't want to give her in front of everyone else. It was personal.
"Oh, Lance, it's beautiful," Darcy whispered, gently lifting the watch out of the box. It was silver with a filigree band and diamond chips set where the 12, the 3, the 6, and the 9 should have been on the face. It was lovely without being gaudy or flashy.
"You like it?'
She lifted her eyes to his and smiled sweetly, "I love it, Lance, I do."
He reached over and stroked her cheek, "Turn it over."
On the back of the watch was inscribed, 'We Love You – Lance & Schuyler'.
Darcy felt silly as tears moistened her eyes.
"Darc," Lance smiled as he wiped a tear from her cheek.
She shook her head and tapped the gift on his lap, "You're turn." Like Lance, Darcy had other gifts for him down under the tree, but she had to get him something special and personal.
"Oh, Darc, this is great."
"Really? I mean, it's nothing compared to the watch, that's just amazing, but I thought it was something you could…" she was interrupted when he leaned over and kissed her.
"I love it, I do. It means a lot to me." He lifted the framed portrait. Darcy had taken a photograph of the three of them to a local artist and had it painted. It showed Lance holding Schuyler in his left arm and his right arm wrapped tightly around Darcy's shoulders. Behind them, the artist had painted a faint watercolor Red Lion.
"I know exactly where I'm going to hang it," he carefully set it on the table beside the bed.
"Where?"
"Over the fireplace in the living room of our house," he swept aside the wrapping paper they had dropped on the bed and took the watch from her hand, setting it beside the portrait.
Darcy found herself being forced back on the bed as he crawled over her, "That sounds like a plan."
"I love my present," he leaned down and kissed her while he worked on unbuttoning the rest of her nightshirt. "And I love you."
"I love you too," she gasped as he sucked gently on her throat.
"And you're about to get your next present."
Darcy giggled, "Good, because the fur on your boxers tickle."
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Becca sat nervously on her bed and waited to hear the quiet 'creak' of the passageway door. Pidge had only sneaked into the room once before when she was there, scaring her half to death. She had expected the doorway to be in the back of closet, but in this room, it was hidden in the mouldings beside the fireplace.
He had surprised her a few times by coming into her room when she wasn't there and leaving little tokens, a flower, a note, or even a piece of candy on her pillow. It made her smile to see how he always seemed to be thinking of her.
A fire was crackling merrily in the hearth, adding a warmth and reddish glow to the room. Becca sat on the edge of her bed, tapping her fingers against her leg, wondering what was taking him so long. After Lance had interrupted them in the kitchen, she was ready to ditch everyone else and sneak off with him. He just wouldn't tell her what had him upset, but she knew he was thinking of his family. He was hurt and she wanted to take him away from what was causing the pain, she wanted to take the pain away from him. Pidge had only smiled and kissed her forehead, telling her he was fine and wanted to go back to the rec room with the others, but he would take her up on her offer later.
With a sigh, she stood and crossed to the window. It was eerily beautiful out. The moonlight shone down on the acres of untouched snow. Bare treetops were dusted with snow and sticking up above the drifts, swaying gently as a chilling breeze rushed past them. Although it was warm and cozy in her room, Becca couldn't help but shiver and tighten her robe as she heard the wind.
So lost in her thoughts, Becca didn't hear the 'creak' as Pidge pushed the door open. She had her back to him, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, almost as though she were fighting a chill. Her hair hung to her shoulder blades in messy, loose waves and he fought the urge to run his fingers through it. He swallowed hard as his gaze moved down, taking in her short robe that clung to her curves and showed off her long legs. Without even realizing it, she had the ability to make him lose his breath and stop his heart. His hands ached to touch her and his feet carried him of their own accord as he crossed to her.
Becca jumped when she felt a pair of arms snake their way around her waist, pulling her hard against him.
"You're so beautiful."
She blushed as she felt his warm breath on her neck. Turning in his arms she smiled shyly at him, "Hi."
"Hi."
The fire reflected in his glasses, making it hard for her to see his eyes.
"Where've you been?"
Giving in to his previous urge, he ran his fingers through her soft hair, "I had a couple of things to do."
Becca slid her hands up under his sweater, feeling his warm skin under her cold fingers, "I've been waiting for you."
"Sorry to have kept you waiting," he lowered his head and gently kissed her. "Can I make it up to you?"
"Well, I guess you can try," she sighed dramatically.
Grinning, Pidge took her hands and crossed the room. He gently pushed her back on the bed as he continued to attack her mouth with his. Tugging at the knot on her robe, he pushed it from her shoulders, exposing the spaghetti straps of the dark green nightie she wore. He groaned quietly as he trailed kisses down her throat and across her shoulder. Her hands shaking slightly, Becca worked his sweater up over his chest. He lifted his head and quickly pulled the sweater off, tossing it on the floor and returning to the task at hand.
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"I'm glad to see you replaced this," Pidge held her discarded nightie up by one of the thin straps.
Becca giggled and snuggled closer to him, "Merry Christmas."
"I'm really glad you didn't expect me to unwrap that present tomorrow morning."
She rolled over and propped her chin in her hand so she looked down at him, "I like you like this."
He raised an eyebrow, "What? Naked?"
"Well, that too," she trailed a finger down his chest. "But I was thinking more about how relaxed you are and silly."
"Silly?"
"You have a great sense of humor, Pidge."
"You know, it really bugs me when you confuse me with Lance."
"Oh stop it, I'm serious, you do have a great sense of humor, but you only show it to certain people."
He tugged at a lock of her hair, "Only to the important people."
"Well, I'm glad you deem me important."
"You're the most important one of all," he kissed her. "And since you just gave me a great Christmas gift, I guess I should return the favor." He leaned over the side of the bed and dug into the pocket of his pants, pulling out the small box Lance had been shaking. "For you, milady."
"But I didn't really give you a present," she insisted.
"Oh yeah you did," he winked at her. "Just open it."
Becca sat up, clutching the blankets to her, and stared at the beautifully wrapped gift in her hand. Pidge sat up beside her, pressing a line of gentle kisses across her bare shoulder, watching as she carefully pulled off the ribbon and slowly unfolded the paper.
"You're allowed to tear it off," Pidge said, impatiently.
"Quiet," she scolded playfully. "I'm savoring this."
Lifting the dark velvet box from its nest of paper, Becca slowly opened the lid. "Oh, oh Pidge, it's beautiful." She lifted the delicate charm bracelet from its bed of cotton. Three charms hung from the interlocking silver loops. A silver stethoscope and a small green enamel lion with silver accents hung on either end, but in the middle hung a silver heart charm with their initials engraved on it.
"That's just the start," he told her. "I can add to it."
"Thank you, sweetie," she dipped her head and gently kissed him. "I love it, it's beautiful."
Pidge laid back on the bed and pulled her down on top of him, "Come on, you can do better than that."
Becca looked at the bracelet and smiled as she set it on the bedside table, "Thank you, Pidge." Her lips brushed his cheek and raced across his jaw while her hands stroked his chest and abdomen. She lifted her head and gazed into his dark, hungry eyes as he ran his fingers tips up and down her back. "I love you."
"I love you." He brought his hand up to the back of her head and brought her mouth down to his.
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"Allura."
The Queen of Arus burrowed deeper into her pillow, pretending to not hear her husband's voice.
Smiling, Keith brushed the strands of glossy blonde hair from her cheek, trailing kisses from her temple to her cheek and up to her ear. "Angel."
"Hmmmm?" She groaned.
"Merry Christmas, Angel."
Allura opened one eye, "Is it morning?"
"Technically."
She looked up at the clock and saw that it read 12:02. Years of late night attacks had trained her to go from sound asleep to awake and alert in seconds. She sat upright and turned to her husband, "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Keith grinned at her. "It's Christmas."
"You woke me to tell me that?"
"Yup. Well, that and to give you this,"
he held out a small wrapped box.
"You woke me in the middle of the night to give me my Christmas present."
"Uh huh." He was grinning like a schoolboy.
Allura chuckled, "I can't believe you."
"Well, I couldn't exactly give it to you before Christmas and I didn't want to wait any longer. Go ahead, open it." He sat up beside her, resting his cheek on her shoulder and wrapping his arms around her.
With deliberate care, Allura carefully undid the tape and pulled back the paper. She had told him once that after her parents died, she hadn't really received many presents. Every year Koran and Nanny made sure she had some little thing for her birthday, but times and money were tight and they were never wrapped. Allura took great joy in slowly unwrapping her gifts, enjoying the act as much as she enjoyed getting presents.
"This is also from Cady and the boys," Keith whispered eagerly as she carefully folded and set aside the paper.
Biting her lip, Allura lifted the top of the white velvet box and gasped. Lying on the velvet covered cardboard insert was a gold pendant in the shape of a slightly skewed heart. Three diamonds were inserted in a slot inside the heart so they appeared to be floating in the center.
Keith leaned over and rested his chin on her shoulder, "One for each of our children."
"Oh," she sighed, leaning against him, unable to speak.
He pressed his mouth to her ear, "And the heart is mine."
"Oh, Keith," Allura raised her hand up to cup his cheek as she turned to kiss him.
"I lost my heart to you years ago, Angel, and now we have three beautiful children."
Allura swallowed hard, trying to hold in the tears that filled her eyes, "I love you so much, Keith."
He shifted so he could cup her face in his hands and press a tender kiss to her lips. Allura slid her arms around him, still holding the velvet box in her hand, and pulled him tighter to her. Their mouths opened and their tongues met in a slow, seductive dance. Allura felt her heart racing, wondering if he could feel it too. After three years of marriage, he still had the most amazing effect on her. A smile from him could make her knees go weak, a wink made her heart race.
Keith slid the box from her hand and flipped it open again, "I just want you to notice that there is room for more diamonds, as needed."
Allura laughed, "Sweetie, I appreciate the thought, but I'd like to wait until the boys are out of diapers before we start on baby number four."
He snapped the box shut and laid it on the table, "Okay, but I think we need some practice."