Why isn't this GoA or TRAobl or something else decidedly more festive than this? Answer? Because I had started so many of them and I only got about halfway through each of them, so I wanted something short and sweet. :)

Hence this!...which started during the Christmas eve candle-light service (I promise, I was good. I wasn't actually writing during the service, I just started it while we were all waiting for it to start.)

Anyway! Enough of this! On with the story. :D

All was quiet.

Inhaling the deep scent of the evergreen tree they had all decorated only a few hours before and the sweet scent of caf and baking cookies, Hunter laid his head back, carefully shifting so as not to wake Omega, who had fallen asleep with her head in his lap.

Outside the window, snow silently glided to the ground, muffling the outside world for the night. Lights flickered dimly from open candles. Soft snores sounded from around him from the rest of the Batch, all asleep from the holo they had been watching in the cabin's living room.

Plans had been made for much more to happen rather than just a simple movie and a decent dinner, but as he drowsily smiled at his mixed up, messily chaotic family, he figured that was really all that was needed.

It didn't have to be and wasn't supposed to be a big affair. It wasn't supposed to be a grandiose display or even a mild tradition.

Just a simple moment for family.

Nothing more.

Nothing better.

A simple moment for them to relax really for the first time since their worlds had upended barely six months before. Their first real Life Day since Omega had joined them...first real Life Day because Omega had joined them.

Crosshair would have said they were going soft...maybe they were but, oh what the kriff?

From the kitchen, a cookie timer beeped in protest and Omega frowned in her sleep, nose scrunching adorably as she clutched her Lula tighter.

Hunter chuckled lightly as Wrecker did the same (except with his blanket) on the other end of the room, not liking the subconscious disturbance.

But that was alright. Hunter closed his eyes, just leaning back his head when the timer beeped louder.

"Hunter…?" Echo scolded grouchily, half asleep. "Better get those before they burn…and be'ore you wak-up th-re...of us…"

Snores were the only thing that followed up. Yet still, Hunter - obligingly - complied, first picking up a blanket wrapped Omega and tucking her in on the couch before fulfilling his solemn duty to save his baby (who happened to be older than him) sister's cookies from death by smoke and ash.

Good thing too. While the sergeant hadn't been all too happy about his nap being disturbed, he couldn't deny the fact that the cookies that the kid had made would have turned a much darker golden brown than they were supposed to if he hadn't gotten to them first.

And unlike from what he'd heard from the others, the smell of burnt sugar didn't appeal to him except with very few exceptions…. of which cookies were not one of them.

A few minutes later and two missing treats later, something - or, someone rather - yawned, sitting up.

''Hunt-ar?'' a small voice asked drowsily as feet slipped to the floor and padded lightly to the kitchen.

Glancing down, he ruffled her unruly blonde hair as she half-clung to his leg, eyes practically closed and a blanket draped around her shoulders.

''Yeah, kid?''

''Are they done?'' she whisper-asked, rubbing her eyes.

Ducking his head, Hunter wiped his mouth clean of any evidence.

''Yeah, yeah, they're done. But they're still a little hot. I don't want you burning your tongue.''

Some previously unknown rebellious part of his mind scoffed. Yeah, suuuuuuuure….hoarder.

But she just nodded.

''O-kay..''

''You still tired?''

Omega just nodded. He waited…

''Want to just head back to sleep?''

Again, just a nod. Hunter waited for her to respond more…well, more. But instead, she just stayed where she was so he crouched down, gently stroking one shoulder.

''Need anything?''

She shook her head, letting out a small yawn.

''No…can you come with me?''

It took an effort to not let his grin spread any more than it already had and to keep it to a small smirk as he shrugged nonchalantly.

''Sure. C'mon.''

Leading her back to the living room, Hunter sat back down on the floor, letting her clamber into his lap before adjusting the big fuzzy blanket so she was practically cocooned.

For a moment, they merely sat there. Then Hunter noticed how she kept dozing off and ran a hand through her hair as he'd seen parents do in the holos, whispering, "Goodnight, Omega."

"G'night, Hunt-ar…"

"Sleep well, kiddo."

Her breathing slowed to a soothing rhythmic 'in-out', seemingly tiny hands lightly grasping his jersey and after a few minutes, he thought she was asleep. Then paused when he heard her murmur, "Hunt-ar?"

"Yes?"

She yawned, curling up closer with her head on his shoulder and Lula tucked safely under her arm, "Happy Life Day. Thank you for being such a good big brother."

The sergeant felt his heart swell about three sizes, though he managed to keep it fairly hidden by not reacting much.

He chuckled. "Happy Life Day, 'Mega. Thank you for being such a wonderful little sister."

A smile creased her face.

"I'm older than you..."

"Naw," he teased, dropping his voice to lull her to sleep, "not really...nooot really…"

One moment more, and she was dozing comfortably in his arms, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, just happy to be held and safe.

Okay, maybe I've gone a little soft...he thought, grinning down at the kid. Heck, he'd never admit it out loud but... yeah...he probably had.

But still...it was Life Day. Maybe for just this once, he could get away with it…

And he and the rest of the boys did.

Nothing more.

Nothing better…

The end…

Well, there you have it! A holiday special featuring Omega's first official Christmas (Life Day)! :D

Hope you enjoyed the short and sappy blip of a story! Merry Christmas and happy holidays! :D