Hi all!

Thank you so much for you wonderful reviews! They really make my day.

Sorry for the delay, but as you probably guessed, I was pretty busy with the holiday. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and ate tons of food!

Enjoy,

Failte

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"That's too thin," Declan said.

"We need a fuller tree," Gideon agreed.

Keith ran his hand through his hair and rolled his eyes heavenward. It had seemed, at the time, a good idea to invite all the kids to go Christmas tree shopping. But that had been over two hours earlier. Getting all six of his children to agree on a tree was hard enough, but when you added in friends and girlfriends, the entourage totaled eleven, not counting himself, Allura, and Pidge, and the decision was even more difficult to make.

"How 'bout that one?" Nicky asked, pointing to a tree.

"Too small," Tess told him. "It needs to be bigger."

"Check this one out!" Declan said, grabbing a hold of a large tree. "Look at all the room underneath, think of all the loot we could fit under there."

Allura sighed, "Declan, let's not forget the real meaning of the season, it's not all about presents."

"I know that, Mom, I was thinking about all the gifts I could give."

"So that's the one?" Keith asked.

"It's huge," Cady said.

Gideon and Declan both leaned forward and flexed their arms.

"We can handle it," Gideon said.

"Is that our Christmas tree?" Tori asked her father.

Pidge looked down at her, "Looks like it. What do you think?"

"It's big."

"Just think of how pretty it'll look with all the lights and decorations on it," Tess said.

"Okay!" Charlotte jumped up and down. "Let's get it."

"Yeah, I'm cold, let's get it and go home," Cady added.

"Sounds good to me," Brina agreed.

Keith and Pidge went to pay for the tree while a guy who worked at the lot came over to get the tree ready for transportation. Declan glanced over and saw Brina talking to his mother and Lynnai, so he seized the opportunity and sidled up to his sister where she was standing with Sky and Erik.

"Hey, Cady."

"Hey, Declan."

"What are your plans this evening?"

"Tristan's calling me, otherwise I'm free, why?"

"Well, Brin's on duty and Gideon and I were thinking about going shopping for her Christmas present, but I need help."

Sky snorted, "There's an understatement."

He sneered at her, "Mind your own business."

"Tell you what," Erik said. "I will take pity on the young boy and I will take him myself, show them how to properly impress a woman."

"You already got my present?" Sky asked him.

"I got your present ages ago," he assured her. "I am always thinking of my lady and what she would like."

Declan rolled his eyes as the two of them kissed and Cady sighed wistfully.

"When should we began our education?" Erik asked his younger teammate.

"After dinner?"

"Which will only give us two hours to shop."

"Two hours? That's more than enough time, geez, we'll probably be done in twenty minutes."

Cady and Sky stared at him a moment before his sister said, "You are so clueless."

"You could have told me that before I started dating him," Brina said, joining their small group.

"I tried," Cady sighed. "But the girlfriends never listen to the sisters."

…………………………………………………………………………

"Have fun," Sky bid Erik. "Behave yourself and feel free to buy me stuff."

He smiled and planted a kiss on her cheek, "I'll keep that in mind."

"Come on, man, we don't have all night," Declan muttered.

"What are you going to do tonight?" Erik asked as they walked to the main entrance.

"Oh, I'm sure I can come up with something," Sky assured him. "I thought I would go down to my parents' house and you know Cady is going to want to talk after she's done talking to Tristan. Don't worry, I think I can entertain myself while you're gone."

"For Pete's sake," Gideon exclaimed as he pulled on his jacket. "You know the world won't come to an end if you aren't together for one night."

"Be careful," Erik said quietly, stealing another kiss.

Sky rolled her eyes, "Yes, sir. You too."

"Where to first?" Gideon asked as they trudged through the half inch of snow that covered the ground.

"What do you have in mind?" Erik wondered.

Dec shrugged, "I have no idea. I'm hoping the perfect gift will jump right out at me. What did you get Sky?"

Erik snorted, "Yeah right, like I would tell you and let you steal my great idea."

"You don't have anything yet, do you?"

"No, I do. But it doesn't hurt to start looking for a birthday present."

"Birthday present? You have over a month for that."

"When is Brina's birthday?"

Declan thought for a moment, "Uh, well, I think it's in May. Maybe. No, it is. Around the middle."

"You are hopeless," Erik sighed.

"We can't all be as whipped as you are, Commander," Declan muttered sarcastically.

"I'm not whipped."

Gideon snorted, "Yeah, right."

"I'm not!"

"Yes you are, man."

"Just because I remember my girlfriend's birthday and I already bought her a Christmas present doesn't mean I'm whipped."

The twins both flicked their wrists and made whipping sounds.

Erik stopped in his tracks and glared at them, "Fine, I guess you don't want my help."

"Of course I do," Declan assured him. "Everyone knows the most whipped guys find the best presents."

"Oh that's it," Erik took off after Declan, chasing the Arusian Prince to the outskirts of Alforia, Arus' capitol.

………………………………………….

"Hello! Anyone home?" Sky called out as she entered her parent's house.

"Hi, honey!" Darcy replied from somewhere. "I'm in the dining room, but don't come in, I'm wrapping presents. I'll be out in a moment."

Sky wandered into the kitchen of her childhood. She always felt better, more comfortable and at ease, as soon as she entered this house. The home her parents had built when she was just a few months old, her father wanting his family to have some freedom from the castle and the Force.

She stopped in front of the refrigeration unit and looked at all the pictures held up with various shaped magnets. Her entire life was chronicled here, from her first picture taken when she was just a day old, to a picture taken a couple of months ago of her and Erik. Her favorite picture was still hung in the center near the top. It had been taken when she was about eight years old. She was sitting on the back stoop with her dog, Chewy, beside her. Sky had thrown both arms around the golden beast and grinned at the camera while Chewy tilted his head, his tongue lulling out the side.

"This is a pleasant surprise. What brings you here tonight, dear?" Darcy asked as she walked into the kitchen.

Sky turned and smiled at her mother. Darcy's dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail, hiding most of the gray. She wore an old pair of jeans and an oversized sweatshirt with the sleeves pushed up. "Do I need a reason to visit my favorite parents?"

"Well, let's see," Darcy crossed to cupboard and took down a couple of mugs. "You either need money or a favor."

"Mom," Sky sighed and sat down at the table. "Maybe I just miss hanging out with you guys. Where's Dad?"

Her mother took out some hot chocolate mix and put some water on to boil, "He went into town, said he had some shopping to do."

"Oh yeah? He starting his Christmas shopping early this year?"

"I doubt it. He loves the stress and pressure of doing it all on Christmas Eve."

"I have no idea what to get him this year."

"Maybe you could add on to my gift."

"What do you mean?"

Darcy leaned against the counter and smiled conspiratorially at her daughter. "Well, you know he has wanted a new dog since Chewy was put down."

"But he hasn't been able to bring himself to actually get another one."

"Exactly. So I figured it was time to just take the jump and add a new member to the family."

"You got him a dog?" Sky asked excitedly.

"I picked one out. He should be available in time for Christmas. Now, a new dog is going to need a bed, a leash, some toys. You know."

"That would be great! I would love to go in on that with you."

Darcy poured the hot water into the mugs and mixed in the hot chocolate, "Good, it was starting to add up. Especially since I had to go and pick a purebred. You can only spend so much on a teacher's salary."

"All right, I'll take care of the accessories. What breed?"

"A Jack Russell Terrier. I found a breeder on the other side of town."

Sky laughed, "That just might be the only dog who can actually keep up with Dad."

Darcy set a mug in front of her daughter and sat down across from her, "So, how are your studies going?"

"Fine, you know that."

"I'm just making conversation. How's work?"

"All right. There have been a few reports of suspicious behavior, but we haven't found proof of any more Bittor stragglers."

"That's good to know."

"We're still officially on duty though, we can't go far from the Castle and we have to be prepared to go into action at any time."

"That's understandable. Any new information on Vinn?"

Sky shrugged, "Just the same. He is still under maximum security lockdown on Terra. The first trial isn't set to begin for four months."

"He's going to be tied up in court for a long, long time."

"As long as he's in custody and not free to terrorize anyone else."

"So," Darcy took a sip from her mug. "How are things with Erik?"

"Great."

"What did you get him for Christmas?"

"I'm still looking, I have no idea."

"He wears that jacket you got him for his birthday all the time."

"Yeah, that was a good idea, now I just need to come up with something to top that."

"You'll come up with something, Sky, you're a smart and kind girl."

She rolled her eyes, "No pressure there. You guys are going to come up to the castle for the tree decorating party tomorrow night, right?"

"Of course we'll be there."

"Good," Sky tipped her head back and finished off her tepid hot chocolate. "I'll see you then, but I have to head back up to the castle. I have late duty in Castle Control tonight."

"It was nice seeing you again, honey, feel free to stop by any time."

Sky returned her mother's hug, "I will. Tell Dad I said Hi and I will see you both tomorrow."

Darcy stood in the open doorway and watched her daughter jog up the road toward the Castle of Lions. She wrapped her arms around her, trying to warm herself, as pride washed over her.

………………………………………………………………………………………..

"You're not really helping me," Declan whined.

"I can't do the shopping for you," Erik replied.

The three young men had been shopping for over an hour and had been in over half a dozen stores. The only purchases they had made so far were the traditional ornaments that were exchanged at the tree decorating party. Each year, everyone picked a name from a hat and had to buy a special ornament for that person. Declan had picked Sky, Gideon had Hunk's oldest son, Casey, and Erik had Lance. They had also each bought an ornament for their significant others.

"How about 'Universally Found'?" Gideon suggested, pointing to the store.

Universally Found was a shop full of unusual products found throughout the universe and beyond.

Declan shrugged, "Sure. Maybe I'll find something really different in there."

The exotic scent of incense hit them all as they entered the store and a tinkling bell sounded, announcing their arrival. The dark wooden shelves were crammed full of products that appeared to be in no particular order. Glass cases were filled with brooches, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Paper lanterns, kites, garlands, and paper cut-outs of animals hung from the ceiling.

"Wow," the twins whispered.

The three of them went their separate ways and began hunting. Declan picked through a shelf of carved animals while Gideon examined a painting hanging on the wall.

"Can I help you?" A small man with a voice too deep for his size sat on a stool behind the counter.

"We're, uh, we're just looking," Erik told him.

The man nodded and went back to the book he held in his hand.

"I think I found something," Declan's muffled voice came from a narrow aisle between the shelves ten minutes later.

"What did you find?" Erik asked.

The twins joined him and Declan held out a small wooden box. The top was inlaid with what looked like mother of pearl in the shape of a rose. When he opened it the strains of a soft melody floated out.

"That's really nice," Erik commented, picking it up and examining it.

"I think Brina will like it," Declan said, a little nervously.

"Yeah, good choice, Dec," Gideon told his brother.

Erik continued to peruse the glass cabinet he was standing beside as Declan went to pay for the music box. Large, gaudy brooches and pendants dominated the top shelf. The next shelf down held jeweled barrettes and beneath that were rings. He glanced halfheartedly at each shelf and was about to turn when something caught his eye. He crouched down and studied the antique ring. It was a gold band with an elephant's head engraved on it with the trunk wrapping around, creating the band. The elephant's eye was a dark red stone. He had never seen anything more perfect for Sky.

"Come, Erik, let's go home," Declan said.

"Just a sec," Erik stood and turned to the man behind the counter. "I would like to see something in this cabinet please."

"Of course." The man hopped down and scurried over to them. He took a large ring of keys off his belt and flipped through them. "What would you like to see?"

"That ring, there," he pointed.

Declan and Gideon glanced at each other. Declan mouthed, Ring?

"Very good, very good," the shopkeeper reached in and pulled it out. "This is an antique, believed to have been made on Terra several decades ago. That is a real garnet stone."

Erik took the ring and examined it, he knew he had to buy it for her. "A garnet?"

"Yes, some cultures believe it represents love and devotion. It sparks creativity and deepens relationships. It is the stone of passionate devotion. Is it for a girl?"

Erik nodded.

"Very good choice. The garnet represents artists and writers as well as strong women and soldiers."

He looked up at the man, startled, "Are you serious?"

The man nodded and smiled, "Red relates to emotions. It is a very meaningful stone."

"Just buy it," Gideon whispered. "It's too perfect."

"It is also the birthstone of January."

Erik's eyes widened, "Okay, I have to buy this."

"Good choice. I will ring it up for you."

Five minutes later the three of them started back up to the castle, their purchases clutched in their hands. The sun had set a few hours earlier and the cold wind slammed into their thick coats and nipped at their noses.

"I take it the ring is for her birthday?" Gideon asked, nonchalantly.

"That's the plan," Erik replied.

Declan cleared his throat, "It's just a ring right, no, uh, no other meaning?"

Erik smirked, "We're not getting married any time soon if that's what you're wondering."

"Are you going to? Someday, I mean."

"Yeah, eventually."

"When?"

Erik shrugged, "I don't know. We've only been going out for a few months."

"Would you live here or on Pollux?" Gideon asked.

"We haven't decided yet, but probably Pollux. I have responsibilities there."

"You'd take Sky to Pollux?"

"She said she would go, I would never force her."

"I hate change," Declan said suddenly.

Erik looked at him, "What?"

"I hate change. I hate that we all have to grow up and change and move away. I just wish things could be the same."

"Come on, Dec, you don't mean that. Change is what makes life so exciting. You never know what is going to happen, who you're going to meet. If things didn't change you never would have met Brina."

"Yeah, you're right," he grumbled.

"Come on, bro," Gideon threw his arm around his brother's shoulders as they approached the castle. "It's Christmas, cheer up."

"We're family," Erik said. "We'll always be close, even if we don't live on the same planet."

Declan rolled his eyes, "All right, let's not get mushy, here."

Erik chuckled as he pulled his beeping communicator from his belt, "Johansson."

The twins both flicked their wrists and made whipping noises.

"It's not Sky, you morons, it's your father," he told them. "What is it, sir?"

"I'm calling everyone back to the castle," Keith explained. "It looks like there is a possibility that a new cell of Vinn supporters was found on Arus."

"Yes, sir, we'll be there in about five minutes."

"We're meeting in the conference room, 2100."

"Yes, sir," Erik snapped the communicator shut. "We have to hustle, guys, we're meeting in the conference room in fifteen minutes."

"What's up?" Gideon asked.

"Possible cell of Vinn supporters."

"Great," Declan rolled his eyes. "I guess the Bittors don't take time off to celebrate the holidays."