I don't even have to open my eyes to know that the light is on. I wouldn't be awake if it wasn't for that light. And if I open my eyes and see the light, I know I won't be able to get back to sleep. This is already the second time she's done this, and it's not working this time, either.

Beside me, I hear John groan. Is it still dark outside? he asks.

says Rose.

Then go back to bed.

Wake us when it's morning, I tell her, not completely sure that I'm actually saying those words and not thinking them. I'd really rather be asleep.

It's morning now, she says impatiently.

John sits up, causing the bed to shift. I'm silently pleading for him not to move anymore, because I can feel it here on my side. I don't want to be any more awake than I already am. We were both up half the night with Rose as she was counting down the arns till it was technically Christmas. And now I'd rather sleep. (I know, I know... Those who trained me to be a Peacekeeper would see me now and be shocked and ashamed. Too bad. That was before I had a child. I'd be willing to bet that none of them would be able to handle the life I'm leading right now.)

John says, I tried the same thing when I was little. It didn't work on my parents, and it's not going to work on me.

I tell him.

It's not going to work on us, he corrects himself. Go back to bed. And turn off the light.

Rose sighs. I'll be back.

We know, I mutter, seconds before falling back asleep.

Is it morning yet?

Not again. Not enough sleep, not enough sleep... I'd be a lot better about this if this girl would actually let either of us get any sleep. Finally opening my eyes, I look towards the window, then blink a couple times to let my eyes adjust to the light. Well, it's morning.

John's still asleep, so Rose comes by me. It's morning, she says. See? Morning. She starts pulling at the blankets, trying to yank them off of me. Mom... Please?

There's no chance that she's going to let me get out of this, I know it. I'm getting up, I say.

It's about time, Rose says, but she hugs me as I sit up. She smiles widely.

I don't let her go yet. She woke me up this early, the least I can do is tease her a little. Who says I'm letting you leave? I tell her, and pull her onto my lap so she can't get away.

Her eyes widen in terror. Mom! You wouldn't!

She's right, I wouldn't. I smile and let her down. You've convinced me. Go on, we'll be right there.

Rose runs off before I have the chance to change my mind.

I look to John, who's still sleeping. Sometimes it amazes me what that man can sleep through. I shake him lightly to wake him. His response is simply a groan. If I have to be awake, so do you, I tell him.

I hear him sigh, and he rolls onto his back. One more arn, that's all I ask, he says, not even opening his eyes.

You're starting to sound like Rose, I say.

He doesn't move. I lean over to kiss him, and when I pull back, his eyes are open. Good morning, he says with a smile.

I tell him. Now get up. We're in this together, right?

John rubs a hand over his face. Okay, okay. Give me a minute.

Don't you dare go back to sleep, I say. I finally drag myself out of bed, and go into the next room, where Rose looks about ready to start bouncing. Is Dad coming? she asks.

I'm right here, John says, standing behind me in the doorway. Go ahead and start.

That's all Rose needs. Without delay, she starts tearing into her gifts.

Apparently I'm the only one in this family that doesn't understand Christmas. John has tried to explain it to me several times, but I can't see why this holiday is so popular on Earth. Every cycle these people cut down a tree for no reason other than to put it in their homes and decorate it, and store gifts under it. I understand the concept of gifts, but why on this day? And why bother to decorate them? They leave these wrapped packages under the aforementioned decorated tree for days or weekens to tease the person the gift is for by not letting them know what it is? The person the gift is for just ends up opening the present anyway, and ruining the decoration. I'm not even sure why this day is a holiday. John told me it was to celebrate the birth of a religious leader, which makes the concept of the tree and presents more confusing. And where does this Santa Claws come in? Something about giving presents, but you're the one buying them. (Rose didn't understand that, either. According to her, But I know they're all from you. The Santa Claws idea was abandoned cycles ago.)

John didn't get into Christmas while we were on Moya. Every so often, around the same time each cycle, he'd enter what he called the holiday blues. (Don't ask me what that means, either.) But he didn't make an event out of it besides telling more stories, and I have to admit, his Christmas stories are my favorites. But when Rose was born, everything changed. Even though I know John can't celebrate it the way he did on his planet, he does what he can for Rose. She absolutely loves this, and so we both try to make the day special for her.

She goes through the presents like she will burst if she doesn't open them at record speed. Her face lights up every time she sees what the next one is. I may not understand this holiday, or its symbols, or its traditions... But watching our little girl now, I'm glad John brought it with him.

You know, John says, putting his arms around me, this may not be the traditional Christmas, with the right tree and the egg nog and the snow-

I repeat. I don't remember him mentioning that before.

He smiles. Something tells me you'd like it. It's kind of like rain, but prettier. And colder. But anyway, as I was saying. I think I like this version of Christmas better.

That surprises me, considering I know how much he misses his home.

Well, for one, I'm not going to spend the next six months paying off credit cars bills, he grins. Besides, I wouldn't have my two favorite girls on Earth, would I?

Yeah, I definitely love him. Merry Christmas, John, I say.

Merry Christmas, Aeryn.