Resolve

"Heh, you found me out," Jessica said sheepishly, "I was just trying to help you guys." The girl snuck out from behind the counter with a blushed face. Her older brother was doing his best to look inconspicuous following the information she'd just learned. But he did manage to scowl at his sister.

"I know how much you wanted Jet to open up and express his feelings, but your plans back in Doria were enough. He's got to take things in his own time and not worry about you interfering. So I promised to keep the fact that he told me that he loved me and we were going to begin a deeper relationship a secret from everyone as long as possible. The only other person who knows that we're married is Halle because she performed the ceremony. This was not the way either of us wanted to break this little bit of news to anyone, no matter how close they are related," Virginia scolded the girl.

Jessica exclaimed, "But now you have to! You can't keep a pregnancy a secret too long."

At that moment, the trio heard footsteps coming in from the living room. "What's this I hear about a pregnancy? Is there something you haven't been telling us Virginia, Jet?" They turned to see Clive, Lyla, Vincent, and Todd standing in the doorway. Instantly, Jet's face became as red as his scarf; this was turning out to be a horrible day for him. Luckily, Gallows wasn't there to hear Jessica's outburst.

"Yes, I think I'm pregnant," Virginia snapped back, "Jet and I got together after the party in Doria, were married by Halle when we were in Baskar back in August, and finally got time to consummate it last month. If anyone starts teasing him about his relationship with me then they're going to be on the wrong end of a Saint spell that'll hurt them until the next century! Get it?" Seeing her glare, they all nodded.

"Well, there's no need for worry. After all, Gallows is the one who will most likely tease you the most and he happens to be AWOL at the moment. Come to think of it, I haven't seen him since around the time Jessica went to find an outhouse because she didn't realize that Maya had indoor plumbing," Clive remarked. It was a mystery to him why the fun loving Baskar would have missed this party.

Lyla informed them, "I saw him and Laura leave when Alfred, Vincent, and I were talking about what it feels like to have siblings. They went upstairs if I'm not mistaken. Alfred thought they were looking for a bathroom and Todd or Maya had informed them of the indoor plumbing but now I wonder…"

S...S

About now, the Schroedinger siblings were nearing the refrigerator room upstairs. Alfred looked to his sister; he hoped she wasn't picking up on his luring tactic. "I hope everyone likes my fruitcake; I worked hard on the recipe and honed it over years of trial and error. The reason I left it up here is because I wanted food for our meals and the earlier part of the party to take precedence when putting things in the downstairs one. Something tells me I'll need a little bit of help; I don't know why though."

He was about to find out. For the second they entered the room, the two saw the back fridge door hanging wide open with some of the egg nog cartons missing. A few had fallen out onto the floor where they lay open and spilled. Six were tossed off to the side but had no spillage. And lying on the floor, drunk and practically comatose, were Gallows and Laura, drool escaping their bottom lips.

"Looks like you were right Alfred!" Maya exclaimed, "Those two got into the stash of alcoholic egg nog that Todd and I keep up here so we can enjoy it throughout the year. And now we have to drag their sorry asses downstairs and get help from the others. Let's go Alfred; start with the girl while I get the lug."

S...S

"I should have known he'd try something like this! No wonder why that buffoon wasn't out spying on me and Virginia when we went into the kitchen together," muttered Jet. The siblings had dragged the two drunkards as far as the upper stairway before it became too much work; both Gallows and Laura were quite muscular and that made them extremely heavy. So they'd went to get help from some volunteers and ended up having theEnduros andthe Maxwelltwins agree to finish the job. Now, the spaced out duo were safely lying on couches, dead to the world, and would not bother anyone else that night.

Alfred said, "Maybe we should have locked it, knowing these two would be here. Anyway, I want to congratulate the two of you. I hope you have lovely children." At those words, the two lovebirds began blushing. Jessica wanted to smirk, but knew her brother was in no mood to be tested anymore tonight.

Jet looked away. "Whatever. This was bound to happen sooner or later, nothing I can do now."

"That better not have been a negative comment on parenthood!" yelled Virginia, "You are going to grow up Jet Enduro and take responsibility as a father. We slept together and I got pregnant. You're no longer able to act like this spoiled little brat who doesn't care about anyone but himself and his money when he's around his friends. No, you've got to show everyone what you really feel!" Instantly, the young man backed away; he was fearful of what his wife could do when angered since she was really strong.

S...S

They stayed over the Schroedinger's house that evening so nobody had to go to leave early. Though everyone else got the bedrooms, a very spiteful Maya left Gallows and Laura on the couches; she was still mad about all the egg nog they'd consumed. In the morning, the two were both berated by their team leaders for pulling that stunt. Then, Jet and Virginia's big news was shared with the duo.

"I always knew you had it in you punk! Well done," Gallows responded; throwing his arm around the young man's shoulders. Jet quickly pushed the overly friendly Baskar off, happy that he wasn't being teased or tortured for liking Virginia. Gallows knew it was a death sentence to do that; he might be an idiot but he wasn't suicidal. Also, he'd already got one lecture from Virginia and didn't need a second.

Jessica, knowing very well that the Maxwell Gang would have to sort out the issue on their own, suggested, "I'm just gonna take my team and get going. We still need to do a little shopping and then go back to Doria to see my mother for the holidays. Hey! Virginia, you should hide out from the Ark there."

The girl smiled. "I already thought of that. All four of us can go since the Guardians chose us."

And so, the eight Drifters waved goodbye to the Schroedinger Family and headed for their Sandcrafts. They met back in Doria about three days later; after Jessica had finished her last minute shopping and the other girls had stopped in on their own families. Though the Blazing Guns left after the Festival of the Guardians ended, the Maxwell Gang planned to stay until the babies, now confirmed by Victoria to be a boy and a girl, were born. With one last wink to her brother and sister-in-law, and a hug for Jet and Jess as well, Jessica stepped back into the Sandcraft for more adventures across Filgaia.

Teefa's Last Words...

Over and done! Nice little holiday special filled with humor. Pity I didn't find a place to insert Percival. But oh well; I liked it how it was.