Chapter 9 True gifts
"Ok, now for the fun part." Ryan said grinning as he and Kelsey reentered the living room hand in hand.
"What do you mean the fun part?" His little sister asked mock indignantly as she winked at him.
"He means the gifts of course." Joel laughed at the seeming change in the two relationships. .
"Hey I thought being back together was the fun part." Kelsey said in mock reproach and Chad just shook his head laughing.
"Oh it is but presents are nice too." Kelsey grinned and they all moved to form a half circle around the tree.
"Ok, if we're going to really do this lets do it right." Dana said and moved over to the stereo. Quickly she selected a CD. "Kel why don't you go first?"
"OK, let's see this one is for you Angela." Kelsey pulled out a small box. As the scientist opened it a smile crossed her face.
"Wow thanks." She smiled again at the other woman holding up the book on folklore.
"I saw it in a shop in Budapest and it made me think of you." Kelsey explained. Then she turned back to the multitude of gifts beneath the tree. "OK,
This's for you." She said handing a package to Joel.
Dana watched as the former green ranger dove into the package.
"Cool," he said then holding up the oddly shaped necklace. There were beads in some pattern. "But um Kelse, what is it?"
"Joel!" Dana laughed he was really being bad tonight.
"Joel stop that." Angela chided him apparently amused.
"It's ok it's a necklace from Africa. It's supposed to symbolize courage and strength." The ex-yellow ranger explained.
"Thanks." He smiled and slipped it on.
"Ok, here's one for you Carter." Kelsey said pulling out the next gift.
"What is it?" Carter asked holding up the tiny symbol engraved on a peace of carved mahogany.
"It's a charm for courage." Kelsey smiled and turned to find the next gift.
"Wait why would he need one for courage? Carter's one of the bravest people I know." Dana asked confused.
Carter looked over at her and seeing the look on her face wanted to kiss her then and there. She was so sweet.
"True." Kelsey agreed then added. "But it's not for that."
"Then what?" Carter asked puzzled.
"It's for dating courage." The raven haired woman said a mischievous smile on her face.
"Kelsey!" Dana nearly choked on thee sip of cocoa she'd taken and Ryan had to thump her on the back. "What? He doesn't need that." The ex-pink ranger
Said trying to defend him at the same time she laughed at her boyfriends face.
"And how would you know?" Joel turned his eyes back to her suspiciously.
"Ok, Ok, enough." Ryan laughed at them. They were acting just like they used to and it felt really god.
"Yeah, on to the next gift." Kelsey handed a package to Dana; it was the largest one she'd brought.
"What is it?" Dana asked worriedly and her friend smiled.
"Just open it." Kelsey replied smiling at her friend.
"Ok," Dana tore into it.
"Kel?" Dana asked looking at the petal pink sweater dress.
"I was thinking this afternoon that maybe if things worked out tonight we could all four try doubling for New Years." Kelsey shrugged and Ryan shook his head. What had he gotten himself into?
"Well it's amazing." Dana smiled at her friend. "Thank you."
"Your welcome, ok, next here's one for Chad."
"Thank you." Chad said after opening the box of monogrammed handkerchiefs.
"Sure." Kelsey smiled back at her old friend.
"Here." Kelsey handed out the last two bundles she'd brought and When Ryan opened his he could only stare at it. It was perfect, a simple silver chain. Looking at the brunette he smiled.
"Thanks." He murmured and on impulse leaned in and kissed her hard.
"Ryan…" She giggled and Joel rolled his eyes.
"Ok, we'll go next." Chad said a grin touching his handsome face as he pulled the first brightly wrapped package from beneath the tree. With out ceremony he passed it to Joel.
The ex-green ranger grinned back and dove into the gift.
"Funny man." The self-proclaimed sky cowboy held up the cook book.
"Hey you can't cook and my mother always said men aren't the only ones to be reached through the stomach." Chad explained. Joel grinned sheepishly over at Angela then thanked his old friend and new one.
"Next we have one for Dana." Chad said and he passed his friend a rectangular box with a bright pink bow adorning the top.
Dana tore into the gift making a note of every detail. This could be the first and last time she spent with all of them. True she and Carter would be dating and Kelsey and Ryan were dating but she didn't know about the others. Dana's thoughts stilled once she pulled the lid off of the box. Inside was a silver pin in the shape of a swan. Looking up at Chad who shrugged.
"Chad said it was like you proud but caring and now that I've met you I know he was right." Arena explained as tears pricked the back of Dana's eyes.
"Thank you it's lovely." The pink clad young woman managed and simply hugged them each as she fought the tears that suddenly stung the back of her eyes. She then moved back to sit beside Carter. She felt his arm go around her shoulders and glanced at him.
From her other side Ryan had seen the tears and could understand. Ever since the rangers had split up she'd been lonely. He'd not been able to exactly put his finger on it but there it was. Now he was glad to see she was happy.
"Ok, who's next?" Kelsey asked and Dana knew she must understand because she saw the tearful gleam in her brown eyes.
"Hmm, Ryan." Chad decided and he handed the young man a package topped with a silver bow.
Ryan tore into it and Dana smiled. Despite all he'd been through sometimes he was still like a child with a new toy.
"Man this is awesome." The ex-titanium ranger said holding up a collection of murder mysteries by several great authors. "Man how did you know?" Ryan asked looking at friends. .
"Well, from what Chad told me about you I figured that you're probably going to be a detective and so…" Arena shrugged. Ryan just thanked the pair and sat the books aside.
"Next," Chad fished around amid the packages beneath the tree and coming up with a gift done in a metallic yellow paper. This one's for Kelsey."
"What is it?" She asked.
"Open it and find out." Her friend laughed. She did and found a watch. She looked at Chad who grinned.
"It's water proof so when you go swimming you won't break it." He explained.
"Thanks." Kelsey beamed at him.
"Ok," Chad moved back under the tree and came out with two more gifts passing one to Angela and the other to Carter. The pair began to open the gifts slowly and both were surprised buy their gifts. Angela received an encyclopedia'. Carter held a book of one hundred and one bad jokes at first he didn't get it then Chad said.
"It's for when Dana runs out of them." The ex-blue ranger smirked.
"Chad!" Dana squeaked and Arena slapped him playfully on the arm.
"Ok, I'll go next." Joel jumped up once the last gift had been handed out.
"Joel sit down." His girlfriend told him patiently.
"I want to go now." The ex-green ranger said almost sounding like a petulant child.
"Too bad." Angela told her boyfriend.
"Yeah, Ryan's up next." Dana laughed at the sky cowboy's antics.
"Ok, here is the one for you two." Ryan said handing the Chad and Arena a gift wrapped in navy paper with little Christmas trees on it.
Chad smiled and let his girlfriend open it to find a road side safety kit. He looked to Ryan who shrugged.
"You never know when you'll need it." He said and went back to dig out the next gift. He then handed it to Angela. "It's for both of you." Ryan informed the scientist and Ex- green ranger.
As Angela opened the package she found a cast iron skillet and package of stake marinating sauces.
"Hey what is this? I do know how to cook!" Joel fained hurt and everyone including his girlfriend laughed. He just fained hurt as Ryan fished out the next gift.
Kelsey smiled at the red paper with its grinning Santa's and opened it to find a first aide kit.
"I figured you'll probably need it one of these days. You know you could scrape you knee rock climbing or something." The ex-titanium ranger explained.
"Thanks Ryan." She laughed.
"OK and next comes Carter's." Ryan said and picking one square shaped box up he tossed it to the man.
Carter was slower in opening it. He used a finger nail to slip open the tape and then pried the lid from the box. Then a grin split his face.
"Thanks man." Carter held up the package of gourmet coffee.
"Yeah well after Dana told me about your conversation the other day I thought you could use it." Ryan grinned and for some reason Dana started to blush.
"Oh, ho ho what's this?" Joel asked and Kelsey was ready, tossing a ball of wrapping paper at him.
"Ok and last but not least…" Ryan dove back beneath the tree coming up with a small box, which he handed to his sister.
Dana gazed at it. It was the first thing from her brother and it was a momentous occasion in her eyes. She slowly peeled back the paper and found a small
Silver box. She didn't glance up afraid there would be tears in her eyes.
"So open it already." Joel was saying and she barely heard his grunt as he received a shove from one of the others.
Dana lifted the lid off the box and lifted out a pad of gauze.
"Ryan…" The tears did fill her eyes now and she lifted the gift form the box.
Ryan watched his little sister opening the present. He saw the tears filling her eyes and then the reverence as she lifted the necklace. His heart swelled and he moved to kneel behind her.
"It's beautiful." Dana whispered and he smiled and handed her a little gift card.
Dana,
I grew up not remembering much about you except what I was told. Then I got you back. I never want to forget you or you to forget me. This morning when Kelsey and I were decorating the tree and I saw Mom's geese ornament I knew just what I wanted to give you. Something that is us and yet not. I found this in a little jewelry shop and knew it was right. I am having a matching ring made.
The reason I chose these animals is simple really. Bats symbolize rebirth, confronting fear, letting go of old habits, good luck, and long life. Unicorns
Are symbols of innocence, good will, healing, gentleness, joy, life, nature and freedom. They in tern are us.
Love Ryan.
Her eyes blurred and soon Dana couldn't see the words on the paper her tears were burning her eyes.
"Here." She found a handkerchief being held out and looking up found her brother smiling understandingly down at her. Instead she flung her arms around his neck.
"Thank you Ryan." She managed and he just hugged her back.
Carter still sitting with her looked away as did the others, giving the siblings a minute.
"Any time sis." Ryan replied and they pulled apart.
"Ok, I'll go next." Dana announced and moved to the tree and began to separate her gifts. "Ok, the first one's for Kelsey." Dana handed the dare devil
A medium sized package wrapped in grintch faced paper.
Kelsey dove in head first and when she opened the box found a scarf, mittens and hat all in a marigold yellow.
"Woe Dana thanks." She beamed happily.
"I figure just because you have to risk your neck doesn't mean you need to risk a cold." Dana replied and then handed Angela and Joel the next gift. They opened them and found a kitchen sized first aide kit.
"I thought that with Joel's cooking you might just need it." She told them and Joel just rolled his eyes this time.
"Ok, Ryan here you are." Dana pulled out a box that was large and done in silver paper with little wreathes on it. Her brother smiled as he slowly pulled off the paper and opened the box.
"Dana…" He murmured pulling out the silver parka. It was just his size.
"Be careful there's more in the box." She said and he frowned setting the coat on the carpet beside him. He then peered back into the box. A pair of warm gloves, a hat and a scarf all lay in the bottom of the box. When Ryan just looked at her Dana smiled.
"You'll never be cold again." She explained. He felt tears spring into his own eyes for the first time in a very long time and he sat the box aside to give her a hug.
Carter watched the exchange and smiled to himself. It was nice to see both his best friends so happy. He'd once wondered how they'd rebuild. He should have known that where ever a Mitchell was things could go on.
"Ok, Now for Chad's present." Dana said and she handed him a small box.
Opening it the ex-blue ranger found a book on ancient sea life. He smiled thanking her and Dana handed the last of her gifts out.
"Here Carter." She smiled as he took the shining crimson package from her. He looked from her to the package then back at it.
"Man you'd think it was the Holy Grail." Joel comented and this time three wads of balled wrapping paper bounced off his chest. "What!?"
Carter meanwhile was carefully opening the package. He wondered just what she'd get him. Anticipation was eating at him and so was something else, hope. Maybe it would be something special. And it was. Miss Congeniality The DVD. He looked from it to her anxious expression and then grinned.
"You remembered."
"What is it?" Chad asked confused.
Joel just leaned over to get a look at the gift and started laughing.
"What?" Ryan frowned.
"Miss Congeniality." The Ex-green ranger said with a puzzled frown.
"Ok, I know Carter can be a bit of a grump in the morning butt…" Kelsey teased.
"Ok, it's not what you think." Dana put in quickly and all eyes turned to her. All but Carter's, he continued to look at the cover of the box. "Kel you remember when I had that big date with that hot guy from R&D?" She asked and when Kelsey nodded Dana went on. "Well things didn't quite work out."
"What do you mean? I thought you and Thomas had a wonderful time?" Angela asked frowning.
"Well he never showed." Dana admitted for the first time to anyone but Carter.
"He…" Dana saw her brother's eyes narrow and she had to bite back a grin.
"Yeah, and so I decided to go to the movies anyway. See we were going to dinner and a movie." She went on and she felt the hand close over hers as Carter picked up the story.
"I was on my way out for a walk topside and we met up on the lift." He was now looking right at Dana who smiled at the memory.
"He'd apparently seen Tom with Jenny, you know the tech at station 15, and so already knew."
"I was worried…" Suddenly both blushed and Ryan put two and two together.
"You two went to the movie." Arena asked amused.
"Well, yeah, I knew Carter didn't really want to go see it but he was just so sweet."
"So why get him that one?" Joel asked and Carter smiled.
"Joel, do you remember when I got you that picture of the air plane in flames?" Angela asked and he nodded.
"Well, I got you that because it reminded me of you. You know of all the times I shot you down." She said actually smiling at him. He then smiled kissed her nose and turned back to his friends.
"So you wanted him to remember that day." He said knowingly.
"Exactly." Dana nodded with a little smile.
"Hey you guys know what happened tonight?" Joel asked looking around at the other three couples seated as they'd been as they'd opened their gifts.
"Hmm?" Dana asked from where she snuggled in Carter's lap.
"We all got paired off." Joel smiled and it was only then that they all looked around at each other.
"Hey maybe our kids will be able to play together." Chad suggested hopefully.
"I think that's thinking in fast forward." Carter said, more because of Dana's blush than a lack of desire to have Dana as a wife and mother to his child. In fact the idea greatly appealed to him. Still he'd not rush things. There was plenty of time for that.
"Yeah we've only been dating an hour or two." Dana put in as Kelsey nodded.
"No, no we're family and things always work out in the end when your part of a family." Ryan said looking right at his little sister, a intense smile in his shimmering silver eyes.
"Yeah, I guess they do." She smiled right back, a matching light in Dana's glittering blue orbs.
"Yeah they definitely do." Carter put in then smiling at the feeling in the room. He knew that they were right. Love and friendship would make it all fine in the end.
"Hey how about some dessert?" Joel asked and His wife spun in his lap.
"Joel what is it with you?" She asked in mock annoyance.
"Well we never really finished dinner and I'm…"
"Sorry you know how he is." She smiled at the others who laughed at the green clad young man's antics. Yes, things would be just fine.
The end
***
Author's note: First things first, I'd like to thank those of you who have read both the original and this one and let me know hat you thought. I'd also like to thank those of you who have stuck with this one.
Also I'd like to say if you have a chance you might want to check out my other fic, Blind Faith. It's finished now too. I'm starting the newest story featuring everyone's favorite Lightspeed and galaxy rangers. It's called the wedding. If you want to know more about it than that you'll just have to wait and see. *shameless plug*
Last but not least I'd like to wish everyone out there a happy winter season as I do know all do not share in the Christmas holiday or any of the others out there. *smiles*