A/N: This is my Christmas present to Azursa, who I am still beta-reading her tale "There Is No Stars on Cocoon". This tale takes place a few months after the ending of the epilogue to "Out of the Darkness, Into the Light" – meaning that all four women in one tale. Rosa (FF IV), Celes (FF VI) and Lebreau all make a guest appearance. Some language here and there, but it's mainly family and romance. And a day late. Enjoy!

Most Wonderful Time of the Year

"Sice, how does…?" Seven asked her girlfriend, nervous as it's the first Christmas the silver haired teen has spent in an actual home, as her previous Christmases were spent at the shelter, as far as she could remember. "You'll be in for a huge surprise…" is all Sice replies to Seven's question with – which is true, because if the white-haired teen learned anything, it's that Fang and Lightning don't say much of the holidays before the actual day, which surprised Sice at first before getting used to their tactics in time. The white-haired teen found their traditions funny in a clever way.

On this occasion, neither teen knew anything of what Sice's parents were planning, although a hint that they see in the living room told them that it won't be just the four of them. The teen couple were told by Lightning and Fang to get one present for each person who is coming – and for some reason, neither teen questioned this, but they were happy to have more people. They didn't know who would be joining them this year…Sice suspects it would be Yuri, Robert and Rain, while Seven think it's Celes, Lebreau and their son Setzer. Both knew Rosa was coming – after all, the doctor is Sice's grandmother.

Little did they know that Seven was right.

XXX

Rosa, Fang and Lightning are having lunch with Celes, Lebreau and their son Setzer. The group are going over the agenda of Christmas Time at the Yun-Farron household. Out of the group that's not Lightning or Fang, only Rosa knows how the holidays are spent at that house, especially when one considers that Lebreau and Celes were struggling to start a family during the first few years of their marriage. It was Lebreau who got lucky and carried Setzer for nine painful months after trying for four years.

Celes was the one who bent over backwards to ensure that Setzer turned out to be a healthy child when he was welcomed into the world. Sice often babysat the child, earning her a source of income in between school and other relevant activities. Both the blonde and Lebreau were more than happy to spend this holiday with all in the Yun-Farron household, as they wanted to know what Seven has been up to since shortly before Spring Break, knowing that the silver haired teen helped them with getting a dog that is family friendly.

Lebreau, Celes and Setzer wanted to repay Seven for her help in a huge way.

XXX

The four Yun-Farron women all donned the ugliest Christmas sweater they could find, to make each other feel at home. It is Christmas Eve, and the family have a quiet meal at home, which Sice was a one-woman show with the meal, wanting to impress the other three females, especially her girlfriend. Lightning is especially grateful for Sice, since Serah died of a sudden illness in prison earlier that month and that prompted the older Farron to get herself checked out to see if she has that gene…which, fortunately for Fang, Lightning lacks that very gene which took Serah's life once more.

Fang, speaking of whom…it was an interesting year. Two months before they took in Seven, the brunette found out that Vanille took her own life behind bars. It put the brunette in a bad state of depression. It was her wife and the techniques she learned while in Japan that helped her get through the very sad and painful time, despite everything they all went through in the both the old world and in the new world. Deep in her heart, Fang knew that marrying Lightning was the best decision the brunette ever made. When Serah died earlier in the month, she repaid the older Farron the same way from earlier in the year.

With Seven, this was her best Christmas yet.

XXX

The older couple are laying in bed, having a cuddle session with Ace. Since they took him and Cid in, Ace was the best cat the older women could ask for. With Serah's death being fresh for them and Vanille's not as fresh, he was becoming beyond cuddly and helped them sleep soundly at night. "Light…I mean Claire…how do ya think the kiddos will take Celes, Lebreau and Setzer coming tomorrow? Sice babysat Setzer for a while…and Seven helps him in his studies lately…" Fang asks her wife, who's deep in thought of the situation with Ace laying on her chest. After thinking it over for a few minutes, the older Farron finally speaks.

"They'll be shocked, but will like it. Seven will probably be surprised, as she hasn't seen Lebreau and Celes since her birthday get together. She knows Rosa is coming, but I wonder how she'll handle it, with this being her first Christmas in an actual home. Sice will be floored to see them, since Setzer bought her and Seven a pricey gift each. Despite what's happened this year…I think that Lebreau, Celes and Setzer will help us all." Lightning finishes her train of thought, with Ace's purr echoing her thoughts on the matter. Fang moves closer to her wife and cat to have a snuggle, knowing that the older Farron is right on the matter.

It would be a Christmas that would heal them all.

XXX

Sice, Seven and Cid have a cuddle, knowing that whoever is joining them, Fang, Lightning and Rosa tomorrow would be interesting to say the least. "Sice…thanks…" Seven starts their chat, taking her girlfriend out of a deep thought.

"For dinner…?" Sice asks, concerned that her girlfriend didn't like the food she made. It was Seven's gentle smile that put Sice at ease.

"For everything. If it weren't for you, I would still be at that shelter, not here. I wouldn't be with you…Cid completes us, don't you think…and the food you cooked for dinner this evening was also delicious." Seven replies, making Sice smile her best smile yet.

"Let's get some sleep…" Sice finishes their quick chat, noticing that Seven and Cid were already fast asleep. The white-haired teen moves closer to the cat and her girlfriend, giving the trio a good night sleep.

As it was snowing outside, Cid kept the younger couple warm inside.

XXX

It is Christmas morning. As usual, the teens were up first, as they wanted to make Christmas breakfast for the family. Rosa, being ever so sneaky as usual, came with Lightning and Fang last night, made her way to the kitchen to give the teens a hand with the breakfast after waking up shortly after they woke up. Seeing that the teens were making what Rosa felt was a gourmet meal, she helped make more of the food they were cooking, for the guests that were coming in 90 minutes would appreciate a Christmas breakfast. Rosa is beyond grateful that Fang and Lightning took in Seven when they did – it was the silver-haired teen that got them through both Vanille and Serah's deaths.

"You two are adorable…" Rosa makes her presence known to the teens, startling Seven but the doctor was met with Sice's famous glare, which didn't work this time. Rosa merely chuckled at Sice while comforting Seven, assuring the silver-haired teen that everything will be okay, knowing that this is Seven's first real Christmas. The doctor wondered how anyone overlooked Seven this long. If she had known sooner than she did, Seven would have been taken in sooner than she was by Fang and Lightning earlier in the year. The trio would eventually finish making the Christmas breakfast, complete with coffee for the older couple, who was still asleep.

It took a miracle for the teens to not open their presents.

XXX

The doorbell rings, effectively waking up the older couple from their slumber, as the doorbell was linked to an alarm near Lightning's side of the bed which is loud and would wake anyone up from bed. Fang and Lightning, followed by Ace, make their way to the front door, as they were surprised they slept in later than usual. Fortunately, they quickly got their ugly Christmas sweaters before getting to the door, and smiled to see the teens and Rosa in their own ugly Christmas sweaters (Rosa came shortly after dinner was done the night before). Once they open the door, three people greeted them in song. It was Celes, Lebreau and Setzer, all of whom chose to sing way out of tune.

"Fang and Lightning, Seven and Sice…and did Rosa come here late last night? We all have presents for thee, so let us spend this Christmas with glee!" the trio sang with a bark accompanying the song, causing the older couple to laugh their arses off. "Will you lot knock it off and get in here? It's freezing as shit out there!" Rosa yelled from the kitchen, causing Seven to smirk at her girlfriend, and for Sice to blush to where her face looks like a tomato. Seven hugged Sice in comfort, reminding why Sice is with her in the first place, knowing that having Celes, Lebreau and Setzer over for Christmas this year is just as wonderful as Yuri, Robert and Rain the year before.

This would turn out to be the most wonderful time of the year.

XXX

The group enjoy their breakfast together, with Bahamut, the dog Lebreau and Celes took in with Seven's help, making friends with Ace and Cid as it was Bahamut who was protective of the cats when they were all in the no-kill shelter and even more protective with Setzer, Lebreau and Celes when they took him in. When he was introduced to the Yun-Farron family, Bahamut gave Seven endless dog kisses as he remembered her kindness during their time together at the no-kill shelter. Since Sice is Seven's girlfriend, Bahamut gave Sice endless dog kisses – simply because of her connection to the silver-haired teen. The scene made the older women all smile, and Setzer happy to know that Bahamut was the best choice.

Once breakfast was done, the group went to the living room to watch a movie they all agreed on – one of Fang's movies, since watching Christmas films wasn't their forte and Seven was depressed whenever she saw a Christmas film. As the silver-haired teen was sitting to Fang's right, she leaned her head to where it was resting on Fang's shoulder, causing the brunette to pet the silver mane. The Oerban softly smiled at Seven's gesture – to Fang, it was Seven's way of saying thanks for taking her in. Although Sice was seated in between Seven's legs, it was Seven's arms that was around her waist, holding the white-haired teen tight and their fingers interlocked. Ace, Cid and Bahamut were all on the floor, seated close to one another.

The movie of choice was wonderful, with every person loving it – especially Seven.

XXX

"Seven…everything okay…?" Lightning asks the silver-haired teen, knowing that it was her first Christmas at a real home and Seven was having what Rosa could tell that it was an anxiety attack, considering Seven's situation. Bahamut immediately went to Seven to comfort her, knowing that he was in the same situation as she was although he was a dog and she was a human. In a way, Celes felt bad about taking Bahamut in for herself, Lebreau and Setzer, but as they remember that Seven is Setzer's tutor, the dog sees her on occasion, making the blonde feel at ease with the choice she made by taking in the pit bull. After 15 minutes of Bahamut comforting Seven, everyone was more at ease, now that Seven calmed down.

Bahamut chose to stay by Seven for the remainder of the day, now that they're about to open presents they bought each other. Because of Seven's anxiety attack, Bahamut chose to get the present she got for everyone. One by one, each person opened their present…even Bahamut and the cats got a present. Every person was awed by what Seven got them and gave her a hug to say thanks. Bahamut gave her dog kisses for his present – a custom made dog tag with his name on it. Sice gave her a kiss on the cheek for her gift – a cookbook Sice was pissed about it being sold out, only for Seven to secure a signed copy. The cats joined Bahamut as Seven got them custom made cat tags as their gift.

Up next was Rosa's gifts to the group. Bahamut and the cats barked and meowed in approval of what the doctor got them – their favourite pet food. Lebreau tackled the blonde doctor to say thanks for her gift – it was the laptop the raven-haired woman needed for her project, complete with the needed specs to pull it off. Celes couldn't stop laughing at her gift, it was a comedy album she had trouble finding. Lightning and Fang couldn't stop crying happy tears at theirs – it was a photo album from their 2nd wedding this past summer when they renewed their vows, which included Seven. With Setzer – he couldn't stop smiling at his, just like Seven and Sice smiling at theirs – they all got matching bracelets.

Celes got her batch next and handed each being there their gift. Seven couldn't stop laughing at hers, while Sice couldn't look at anyone, as she hid her face on Seven's shoulder. Setzer shook his head with his gift, while Lebreau gave her a knowing smirk. The pets barked in approval with theirs, whereas Lightning and Fang were shocked with what Celes gave them, and in the best way possible. For Rosa…she gave her closest friend a hug that reminded Lebreau why they were close friends in the first place, as it was a piece of her hometown of Baron and a direct link to her late mother. Seeing this made everyone smile their best smile at the two friends, for they knew each other very well and longer than them.

Fang was next to get her gifts to the group. She handed Bahamut and Seven their gift at the same time since the pit bull won't leave the teen's side and was beyond nervous for their reaction. The brunette was put at ease when Bahamut briefly went to the brunette to give her dog kisses for his gift as well as Seven's gift, before the pit bull returned to Seven's side. Sice and Lightning gave the Oerban native a small side hug for their gift. The rest just said thanks with a gentle smile, for Fang got them an item they all wanted. Seeing the smiles on their faces was more than enough for the brunette, knowing that Vanille is now dead, this Christmas was one that is healing her soul above everything else.

Lebreau followed Fang's lead and handed Bahamut and Seven their gift…and was rightfully nervous as she didn't know much about the silver-haired teen. When Bahamut gave the raven-haired woman dog kisses to say thanks for the gifts, it but Lebreau at ease, knowing that she made the right choices. Ace and Cid followed Bahamut's lead as they got cat toys. It was Sice who couldn't stop laughing at her gift, for it followed Seven's lead as Lebreau secured an unsigned copy of the same cook book. Celes smirked at Seven for snagging the signed copy, while giving her wife a tender kiss on the cheek for her gift. Rosa also gave Lebreau a hug for following Celes' lead with her gift. Setzer was just happy with his.

It was just Sice, Setzer and Lightning left with their gifts to the group. After a few minutes to rest, Setzer wanted to give the last batch of gifts to everyone. Knowing the pattern, he went and got three presents for each being, with getting eight gifts as Bahamut and Seven were attached to the hip and with Sice. For the teen couple, it included three small boxes and two envelopes that were padded. Opening the card first, causing the older Farron to smile, the teens were floored with gift cards to help their Spring Break trip. As for Setzer's gift – it was an expensive charm to add to their matching bracelets. Sice slid a promise ring to Seven's ring finger, flashing the matching band she bought.

Seven gave her most confident kiss to her girlfriend, happy beyond words that they were ready to make their relationship official. As for the rest of the gifts to the group, Bahamut barked in approval, while Celes and Lebreau cried happy tears at the drawing Setzer made of the family as he drew it himself. Lightning and Fang gave the teen a bone crushing hug for their gift, while the teen couple told him they'll hug him later. The cats moved from Seven to Setzer to give him their thanks. Rosa followed their lead for her gift from him, as he followed his parents' lead for her gift – a beautiful reminder of Baron that he drew from memory, something that Seven was surprised with.

As for Lightning's gifts to the rest of the group, they all knew that Serah's death was very fresh for the older Farron, given the history and current set of circumstances of the Farron sisters, up to this point. The fact that she was able to get anyone anything was a real miracle, all of whom were grateful for her being alive. Setzer's gift to the pinkette was a locket that contained a family photo of the Farron sisters as children on one side, with a photo of her, Fang, Seven and Sice in present time on the other – it was the perfect gift for Lightning, to give her a piece of the past, present and future. Sice's gift echoed Setzer's lead, moving the older Farron to tears of joy because of the timing of what happened earlier in the month.

Fang only comforted her wife, knowing that Lightning alone is the perfect gift for the brunette every day of the year, not just Christmas. It was Celes who suggested that everyone take a group photo, to put both Lightning and Seven at ease – Lightning due to Serah's recent death, Seven due to her anxiety attack. It took a few minutes for everyone to be ready for the photo, along with the pets to get situated. After getting the camera ready, a few photos were taken of the group: one of them all smiling, the second one with them making faces and the third photo making deliberate scowls, to make each other laugh their arses off, in theme with the second photo they took.

After the house was cleaned – everyone that was human contributed to the housekeeping – Rosa had to get going, for she had a bit of a drive to get back to New Mist. The teens all helped the doctor get her gifts in the car as they wanted to. Rosa looks at each teen with a smile on her face, proud of the people they're becoming. The trio gave her a hug in return, before going back inside the Yun-Farron household. "It definitely is a Christmas for me to remember…" Seven happily mused to herself, only for her girlfriend and Setzer to give her a group hug, knowing how hard the silver-haired teen had it with her life at the homeless shelter for so many years. They knew why Bahamut warmed to her as quickly as he did.

"Can we stay for a few weeks?" Lebreau asked the older couple, who readily agreed for the Chere-Rider family to stay for a while, knowing that the teens all have off time from school until the new year. "Does it involve…?" Lightning starts to ask, causing both Celes and Lebreau to smile at the other married couple. "We all know each other, and this house will help us all with varying expenses. Besides, the pets know each other and they all know Seven…" Celes continues, prompting Fang to finish the thought. "Since you lot will be our new roommates, and we have the space…it'll make everyone more at home, don't ya think…" Fang finishes her thoughts just as Lightning gives her wife a knowing look just for saying it.

Bahamut, Ace and Cid will be happy to know that they'll be living with Seven for some time to come, now that the Chere-Rider house would be sold, and two families will be under one roof, all there to be there for each other and to comfort one another, like a family.

It certainly was the most wonderful time of the year.

FIN

A/N #2: I put a bit of myself in Seven for this piece - as one who suffers from anxiety attacks, stuff like this can get to me, especially if I'm not careful. Happy Holidays everyone - regardless of what you celebrate!