Summary: As the fight continues, the rangers try to keep their lives as normal as possible while learning about their full powers.
Juzblue: Glad you like it. Here's more.
Ghostwriter: Yeah, Andros can be funny.
Jenny: Well, duh! I figured that Christmas chapters would be perfect to be posted at Christmas, and it gave me a deadline or I would have dragged it on forever.
Arwennicole: Here's more. I'll see what I can do about the next chapter, it's not even nearly finished. :P
Mz. Daydream: No, Gwyn isn't staying forever, just for a while.
Phantom Rogue: Of course you read it a long time ago, that's because I showed you! You even helped me with this chapter. Pyrokinesis is fun, but Hean's the one with those powers. Glad demon liked that part, I loved writing it! But demons are always scary, so don't worry. You could always call someone and have him be picked up.
Mel: That's okay. You reviewed, it warmed my heart… Okay, I'm officially crazy now. Please… I'm ready to be taken away… Anyone?... Guess they don't want me yet.
As The Battle Rages
Chapter 2
Finally, after what felt like ages, Ray held his precious bright red present. Carefully he pulled the paper off and looked at the box that appeared from beneath it. His eyes widened as he saw the print on the box.
It showed the Astro Megaship in full flight away from the Earth, fierce and battle ready, the Megalasers set to fire, and the bright red letter M on the top of the ship identifying it to all. Cheerful silver letters above the all too real picture told him that it was a real flying model of his parents' old home, ready for him to assemble it himself (batteries not included).
"Wow." He breathed, his fingers tracing the silver letters for a moment.
"Wow..." He whispered again, relishing the feel of the metal box in his hands. "Dad - where'd you get this?"
Faintly grinning, his Karovan father wrapped an arm around his son's shoulders.
"I have my ways."
"Can you help me with it?" Ray demanded, looking very much as though he'd like to ignore any holiday traditions and just start working on his present.
"Later." Andros said firmly, but gently. "Right now..."
A small golden coloured package floated into the air. It started moving in the direction of the three teens on the couch and stopped in front of Gwyn. The girl watched it with wide unblinking eyes, before looking at the two people she'd be calling mom and dad in a few short months.
"For me?" She asked in disbelieve.
"It wouldn't be Christmas if we left you out." Ashley smiled warmly at the future form of her baby girl.
Carefully Gwyn plucked the package out of the air and started to unwrap it. She found a small box in her hands and slowly pulled off the lid. She gasped when she found a golden locket resting on a velvet pillow inside. On the front of the locket thin sliver lines were embedded forming an ancient Karovan sign. She recognized it as the one for hope.
With shaking hands she picked the locket up and let it dangle from her hands on its chain for a moment, before reaching out and gently prying it open. She gasped and let a small tear escape her eyes when she saw the picture inside.
It was a bright day and she watched a couple standing in front of their house smile brightly at the camera; on either side of them stood two children - almost identical looking children, one boy and one girl, the girl being a few years older. The woman held a little bundle of love securely in her arms; the baby girl lying quite contently napping in the warm sun from her mother's tender hold.
Aurora was looking over Gwyn's shoulder and smiled.
"I remember that day." She whispered, looking down at Ciana for a moment. "It was just before I returned to college after you were born. I almost didn't because you were so incredibly… precious to me, to all of us. I didn't want to miss even one moment of your life. Still don't."
Gwyn smiled at those words, not tearing her eyes away from the picture.
"If it means anything to you… No matter how hard life was on you, you were always there for me when it counted, the four of you always make sure I feel loved and ensured I was happy even in the darkest of times."
"No one will ever hurt you as long as I live." Aurora vowed determinately.
Ray was looking at his six-week-old baby sister now happily curled up in her mother's arms and nodded. He had believed never to be able to meet his father and now his dad was sitting across from him, his arm securely wrapped around his mother's waist and at the moment, staring down at the proof he really was back adoringly.
After a short 'moment of silence' Andros looked up and grinned.
"Who's in for breakfast?"
Three teens cheered happily and jumped of the couch.
"Where's the food!" Ray demanded, looking starved.
"You'll first have to help set the table." Andros grinned wickedly.
Ray groaned, he hated setting the table… especially on Christmas! Before he could try and get out of it Aurora had already pushed him into the kitchen, where the utensil drawer was already conveniently open.
As Andros, Aurora, Gwyn and Ray set the table, Ashley settled Ciana in her playpen. She watched her daughter squirm and happily blow spit bubbles. Her little chubby hands reached up to her mommy, while her eyes sparkled and she made gurgling sounds. Teasingly Ashley touched the little girl's nose for a moment, making her squirm even more.
"Now you don't go anywhere." Ashley told her sternly with a smile on her face. "Mommy's just going to get something to eat."
Ciana giggled and tried to grab her mother's still out stretched finger. Ashley laughed and placed a kiss on her forehead, happy to finally spend a relatively normal Christmas with her family… normal until her 'normal' kids and husband did something completely crazy, of course.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed it and love baby Ciana as much as I do writing her. Review!
