Hi Baldore! Good to hear from you again.
Tigresscrazy: Thanks for all your reviews!
So I wrote this in an hour because I need something to cheer me up. It's almost Christmas and I feel like I'm one step away from stepping off a precipice. If you're feeling overwhelmed like me I hope you can slow down and appreciate all the things that really matter.
I do not own.
Six tiredly walked up the pathway to his house. It had been a long night that started that afternoon. An international terrorist group had taken some modified EVOs and dropped them onto a small country that had defied them… on Christmas Eve no less. It had taken nearly all of Providence, Rex and him to contain the situation. But eventually, like all problems, it was taken care of. He had told Rebecca to stay with the children and take them to do their traditional Christmas Eve activities. The children had been disappointed but none more than 4-year old Jade. She had hung onto her father's leg and refused to let go. He had to gently pry her off, leaving her screaming with her mother. He hated disappointing his family but a job was a job. Sometimes he wondered if he did the right thing in marrying Rebecca and then having children. Was it really fair to his family that he was constantly in danger and running off to join fights with crazy odds? Not to mention the danger they might be in if any of his enemies decide to show up to settle old scores.
When he reached his door, he frowned. The light of the Christmas tree was still on. Usually Rebecca turned it off before heading off to bed. It was technically Christmas day but still too early for anyone to be up. Instincts took over as a blade slid from his sleeve. Putting his hand on the doorknob, he braced himself before rushing in. With his blade at the ready he scanned the room. There under the Christmas tree was Jade sound asleep. Six relaxed and slid the blade back up his sleeve. Going back to close the door, Six turned around to see Jade getting up and rubbing her eyes.
"Daddy's home?" She said in her tired voice.
"Jade, why are you here? It's past your bedtime."
"Waiting for you to come home. I want to open presents with daddy." She said holding her tiny hands up to him.
Six bent down and picked her up. She immediately snuggled under his chin. "I love you, daddy." She muttered before falling asleep in his arms. Six debated whether to wake her or bring her upstairs to her room. In the end he opted for neither. He settled into the big arm chair facing the Christmas tree with Jade still in his arms. He listened to the slow rhythmic breathing of his child until he too fell asleep.
A few hours later, Rebecca came down. She started when he saw the sleeping father and daughter. She smiled and swiped at a tear forming in her eye. The sweet moment was broken when Kenji came out of his room.
"It's Christmas! Is daddy home?" He yelled loud enough to wake the dead.
Jasmine came out of her room. "Mommy? Where's Jade?"
"She and daddy are downstairs." She said in a softer tone.
"Daddy's home? Yay! We can open presents!" Both Jasmine and Kenji rushed down the stairs. Jade was starting to stir.
"Presents!" Kenji yelled diving into the pile.
"No! You were Santa last year! It's my turn!" Jade jumped off her father and tackled her brother.
"I never get a turn." Jasmine complained as she also joined the fray.
Rebecca sat on the armrest next to Six. He wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Should we stop them?" She asked worriedly.
Six shrugged. "Let them get their energy out. They'll sleep better tonight."
Rebecca looked at him. "Everything all right?"
Six looked up at her. A ghost of a smile appeared. "Everything is perfect."
Rebecca smiled and leaned over. They shared a kiss.
"Merry Christmas, Six."
"Merry Christmas, Rebecca."
"Merry Christmas, daddy, mommy." The kids yelled as they dog piled onto their parents. Rebecca laughed as she tried to grab her squirming kids. Six easily pulled off his kids and set them down on the floor. They were giggling and laughing. Six got up.
"I think this year, I'll be Santa." He announced as he pulled some presents from under the tree.
The kids were too happy to complain as they tore through the wrapping paper. Six looked over at Rebecca who gave him a radiant smile. And Six knew he was where he was suppose to be.
Merry whatever you celebrate.