Shout-outs!

Rogue77: Thank you, serious romance scenes are a bit of a difficulty to me, but I'm glad you liked it!

Ravyn Nyte: Doggy passes along his thanks. I'm glad you liked the chapter, I know it took them awhile to kiss.

Laureate: Aww, thank you! I'm so glad I managed to brighten up your holidays a bit, you do too, with all the wonderful reviews you leave me. Thank you for the yummy treats!

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Doggy and I were being very quiet. I, personally, was contemplating the many meanings of the phrase, death by blade.

Mr. Logan had been absolutely furious when he got back. I had the foresight to tell everyone goodbye, because he practically dragged me out of the home and sat me in the car.

We were only a few miles from home(or rather, the institute) now, and he still didn't have that look of fury off his face. I can only assume that Arcane got away. Inside, that cheered me up greatly, but I managed to keep that joy safely bottled up. I wasn't sure I wanted to incur Mr. Logan's wrath any further.

Doggy had his overly cold nose at my ear. I patted him on the muzzle. We were sitting in the backseat. He looked a little mournful. He put his big head on my knee.

In no time at all we were in front of The Institute. Some faces glanced through the windows and went back in fast, not wanting to be caught staring.

"Out." Mr. Logan said curtly as he got out his side. I did as I was told, holding the door for the big wolfhound. Then we walked a careful distance away from the angry Mr. Logan.

"Mom! Mom!" A furry torpedo streaked across the lawn and tackled me. Doggy stood behind to catch me as I stumbled backwards.

"Hey kid. What's up?"

"Nothing. Wait till you hear what me and Jamie did! We had a cookie eating contest, we ate Ham, and then we spied on Jean and Scott, but all they did was kiss, so we taped Jean's hair to a desk. She didn't notice. Isn't she supposed to be a psychic?" This all came out fast from the red pants, green shirt, and bundle of fur that was Julian.

(Broke my bat on Johnny's head;

Somebody snitched on me.

I hid a frog in sister's bed;

Somebody snitched on me.

I spilled some ink on Mommy's rug;

I made Tommy eat a bug;

Bought some gum with a penny slug;

Somebody snitched on me.)

"Yes she is." I blinked. Then my eyes narrowed. "Did you get ANYTHING for Christmas?"

"Yep! Jamie and I made ornaments and gave them to each other. Mr. McCoy showed us how. And you gave me the photo thingy." He said, totally oblivious to the fact that I was being sarcastic.

"Camera. Have you used it yet?"

"Doolittle! Move it!" Mr. Logan growled. I started walking, with Julian sliding over to cling on my back.

"What's wrong with Mr. Logan?"

"He caught me."

( Oh,   

I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas

Mommy and Daddy are mad.

I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas

'Cause I ain't been nuttin' but bad.)

"Ohhh…..I don't get it."

"Don't worry about it." I reached behind my shoulder to pat his nose. "So did you use the camera?"

"Yeah. Scott got mad at me."

"Oh?"

"I took a picture of him dancing around in his boxers."

I snorted loudly and almost tripped. "Really, now?"

"Yeah, Jean took it though."

"I see." I rose an eyebrow at that. We walked inside the mansion, and I was forced to remove the adorable bundle of fur from my back so I could hear my death sentence.

(I won't be seeing Santa Claus;

Somebody snitched on me.

He won't come visit me because

Somebody snitched on me.

Next year I'll be going straight;

Next year I'll be good, just wait

I'd start now, but it's too late;

Somebody snitched on me.)

"Be good, alright?"

"Bye mom!" Julian toddled off to do …something. I just hope he doesn't suddenly find a desire for lighting fires, he'll be unlivable. I walked into the Professor's study. Doggy followed me with ease. Before I closed the door, I saw the twins, both of which were grinning at me.

So they had been in trouble too.

"Danny, please sit." The Professor was sitting at his desk, and Mr. Logan was standing next to the window, still looking furious.

I sat down in the chair. Doggy sat next to it, looking all for the world like some statue.

"I believe I asked you not to do anything rash, Danny."

"I did nothing that would have put me in danger." I said carefully. It was true, with it being winter, the more violent beasties were asleep.

"You ran out in the freezing cold, you could have been picked up by some creep, and—"

"Logan, it's all right. Danny, could you explain yourself?"

I looked up at both of them. They were expecting an answer.

"Uh…I wanted to talk to the squirrels?"

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Apparently that excuse doesn't really work the second time around, or rather even the third.

Professor Xavier had been twice as upset when he heard about my little…escapade with Arcane. I tried to tell them about my Grandma, but they maintained it was no excuse, and I was therefore grounded until snow melted.

It would take forever.  But still….it wasn't all that bad of an experience. The mistletoe's fault, all of it, but still…not bad at all. But the Professor and Mr. Logan asked me to keep this little adventure a secret from everyone else, even Julian, or rather, especially Julian.

"Mom!" A chirping voice yelled outside my door. I opened the door and let in the little bouncing bundle of energy that was my son. I missed him so much.

And judging by how fast he grew, I would be suffering empty nest syndrome soon.

"I got you a present!" He squeaked as he started bouncing up and down on my bed, careful not to hit the owl sitting on the fan.

"Oh? What is it, a new bed?"

"Nah, better!" He took a leap off the bed. He shoved a small package into my hands and ran out. I shook my head. He had entirely too much energy. I carefully unwrapped the package, lest it contain pieces that would fall off.

Inside was a picture of Julian holding a sign that said 'I love you!' on it in front of the Christmas tree. The frame was a simple white frame, but fingerprints made in green and red paint. His fingerprints.

"Do you like it?" he chirped as he stuck his head through the doorway.

"Yeah. Yeah, it's wonderful." I whispered.

"Dinner's gonna be ready soon, Jean says. Is there something wrong?" He looked at me curiously.

"No, baby. I'll be there in a minute."

(So you better be good whatever you do

'Cause if you're bad, I'm warning you,

You'll get nuttin' for Christmas.)

"Just got something in my eye."

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"Oh, now you start after I almost get killed. Damn car." Arcane growled at the vehicle. It had taken him almost a full day to track his car down, and now the snow was down low enough for him to get moving again.

Truly, one of his more memorable Christmases. Hopefully, no one would hear of this one. He had a reputation to uphold. And Danny…well…that was a thought better kept buried. For awhile at least. He glared at the car.

"You almost got me killed, you know. I should toss you in a junk heap."

The car seemed to gurgle in response. It sputtered and coughed, then died again. "Wait, I didn't mean it!"

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Hehehehe.

Hope you all liked it this is the very last chapter of this little story. Julian will take the reviews! He was a little trouble maker…

But he is just so innocent.