CHAPTER TWO

Kay smiled as her family finished eating, then stood up to start and gather the plates. But Hermes touched her arm.

"Oh, no you don't." He said with a smile. He took the plate from her hand and set it back on the table, then pulled her back into the front room, stopping only to pick up Maria from the high chair. Maria squealed and threw her arms around Hermes's neck. Kay laughed. Maria had taken to Hermes so fast, it was amazing. Before dinner, Kay had caught Maria crawling all over the living room, peeking out at Hermes and giggling. Hermes had also been creeping around the living room, popping out at her and pretending to chase Maria around the living room. Kay was amazed at how Maria had been acting. She usually hid from people she didn't know, refusing to even look at them. Kay frowned when she realized that Maria had hidden her face from Miguel the last time she had seen him, refusing to look at him, or even wander to far from Kay's side. But she had instantly taken to Hermes, letting him hold her and grinning at him.

Hermes grinned at Kay. "Come on Kay. I'm taking you and this little beauty to the park."
"Hermes, it's going to be getting dark soon."
"Kay, it's only five. We have at least an hour before the sun sets, and it's actually not to cold out there. Maria will love it." Hermes pulled a puppy face. Maria looked at him, then tried to imitate the face. Kay burst out laughing at Maria.

"All right, we'll go." She took Maria from Hermes. "Do you want to go to the park Maria?" She asked. Recognizing the word 'park', Maria squealed with happiness. Kay laughed. "All right then. Let's get you all bundled up so you don't freeze." She headed for the stairs. Hermes followed her and 'helped' her bundle Maria up. Translation? He made faces at Maria and pretended to grab her nose until Kay swatted him with a laugh and chased him from the room, much to the amusement of Maria. Kay finished bundling Maria up, then took her downstairs to find Sam, CJ and Hermes all struggling with the stroller while Mika looked on and laughed at their hopelessness.

"Men!" Kay said dramatically, throwing up her hands. She handed Maria to Trey, who pulled faces at her and tickled her until she giggled and smiled shyly at him. Kay shooed Sam, CJ and Hermes away from the stroller and had it quickly assembled in a few minutes. Hermes grinned lopsidedly at her, and Kay rolled her eyes, then turned to Kairi with a grin.

"Kai, do you want to come with us?" She asked her young cousin. The girl looked up at her mother with a pleading expression, and Mika nodded with a laugh.
"Go ahead. I'll supervise the triplets while they clean the kitchen."
"MOM!" Pey, Trey and Chris all yelled. Then they all looked at each other and started laughing.
"Okay, when I get back I really want to hear the reason behind why three eighteen year olds have to be supervised while they clean a kitchen." Kay said with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, it's a good one." Mika said with a laugh, still eyeing her children.

"Oh, I bet." Kay said with a laugh. She shot her cousins a look, which they all guiltily tried to avoid. She shook her head and zipped up her coat, put Maria in the stroller, helped Kairi with her gloves, glared at Hermes until he put a hat on, then the four of them left for the park.

The park was only a little bit down the street, so the group had only about a five minute walk. Kay let Kairi push the stroller, smiling at her cousin's excitement. Two older woman who were obviously on their way home from Christmas shopping also smiled at the site.

"Well, you sure are cute." One of them told Maria, smiling at her.
"She's my cousin." Kairi said proudly. The two women laughed and one of them smiled at Kairi.
"Well, we can certainly see the family resemblance." She said. They both waved goodbye and the group continued on to the park.

"Kay, can I push Maria in the baby swing?" Kairi asked.
"Sure sweetie." Kay said, lifting Maria out of the stroller and putting her in the swing. She and Hermes retreated to a bench to watch the two, while Maria squealed in delight. Kairi was also laughing. Kay smiled at the two and leaned her head on Hermes's shoulder as she yawned. He laughed lightly.

"A little tired there Darlin'?" He teased gently.
"A little Cowboy." She teased back. She yawned again, and Hermes wrapped an arm around her shoulders. In the distance, somebody's portable radio played Christmas music softly. Kay closed her eyes to listen better, and finally recognized the song.
"Hey, I like this song." She said with a grin. She softly sang along with the first couple of lines.

The snow is falling, the city is white
Your eyes are shining like diamonds tonight
And we're all alone, there's no one home
You're finally in my arms again

She smiled up at Hermes, and he reached down to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Then he grinned and stood up, pulling Kay to her feet.

The night is silent, the moment is here
I couldn't ask for more than a having you near
Cause I love you girl, and I always will
And now I know the moment is right
The moment is right

"Hermes? What are you doing, you nut?" She asked with a laugh. Hermes grinned at her, his eyes sparkling.
"Come on Kay. Dance with me."

Cause I've been waiting to give this gift tonight
I'm down on my knees, there's no better time
It's something to last for as long as you live
Tonight I'm gonna give you, oh girl
All my heart can give

"We're in the middle of the park!" Kay protested, even as she smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"So?" Hermes wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.

I thought I'd give you something shiny and new
I tried to find something worthy of you
But I realize when I looked inside
There's something's that money can't buy

"We look ridiculous."
"You look beautiful." Hermes assured her, beginning to move to the music.

I feel the magic whenever your near
I feel it even more this time of the year
Cause I love you girl, I always will
And now I know the moment is right
The moment is right

"Your crazy." Kay whispered, laying her head on Hermes's shoulder.
"What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing." Kay whispered.

Cause I've been waiting to give this gift tonight
I'm down on my knees, there's no better time
It's, something to last for as long as you live
Tonight I'm gonna give you
All my heart can give

She looked up at Hermes, studying the way his gold eye changed colors every time he blinked and the dim light hit it at a different angle.
"That's what I love about you." She told him with a grin. Then she turned serious. "That, and the fact that you've always been there for me."
"And I always will." Hermes assured her.

You know I'll always be true to you
And you know I'm the one you can turn to
Anytime, any place, or any where
You'll know that I'll always be there

"I'm so glad you're here." She whispered, laying her head on his shoulder, but turning her head so she was facing his neck.
"You needed me." Was all he said. "That was all I needed to hear."

Cause I've been waiting to give this gift tonight
I'm down on my knees, there's no better time
It's, something to last for as long as you live
Tonight I'm gonna give you
All my heart can give

"How long are you staying?"
"As long as you need me." He promised, reaching up and running a hand through her hair soothingly.
"How about forever?" She joked weakly. Her voice was joking, but her eyes were serious.
"If you need me forever, then I'll be here forever." He swore. Kay smiled the first real smile she had smiled in days, maybe months, and rested her head on Hermes's shoulder again.

Waiting to give this gift tonight
I'm down on my knees, there's no better time
It's, something to last for as long as you live
Tonight I'm gonna give you
All my heart can give

Kairi grinned from where was standing next to Maria's swing. "I think you may have a daddy soon." She whispered to her little cousin. Maria looked up.
"Da?" She questioned, making it clear that she had never heard the word before.
"Yeah, a daddy." Kairi said, tickling Maria, which made the little girl laugh.

AN: The song that Kay and Hermes dance to is 'This Gift' by 98 Degrees.