Mike woke up with a sense of joy that was riddled with a touch guilt. He missed his family, he felt guilty for celebrating with them gone but he knew in his heart, it was ok. That he was allowed to find joy today as it was Christmas. Kaito and he deserved to have some fun even with the losses they had under their belts.
With that compromise in his psyche, he got out of bed. He kept to his morning routine of working out, shower, quick shave, brushing his teeth and hair, before getting dressed. He walked across the hallway and smiled when he found Kaito awake and alert.
"Merry Christmas." Mike said softly, Kaito cooed happily at him. He reached his tiny arms out to him, begging for morning cuddles. "Soon, first we gotta get you changed and in your Christmas outfit." Mike informed him. Mike managed to get Kaito ready just in time for the doorbell to ring.
Mike came down the stairs and opened the door with a smile.
"Merry Christmas!" Sasha said happily, she carried two presents in her arms.
"Merry Christmas, to you. Come in." Mike said, he ushered her inside.
"Thank you, I hope I'm not too early." Sasha said, she had woken up a little too jazzed to wait until a reasonable hour to show up for Christmas. So, she came over on a whim that Mike and Kaito might be up.
"No, we took our time. I'll put the coffee on and get breakfast going." Mike said.
"You should open my present." Sasha said excitedly as she placed the large box on the bench in the kitchen. Mike finished putting the fresh coffee in and pressed the button to get the coffee brewing. He moved to the bench and placed Kaito beside the box. Kaito pulled on the box, the paper tore to his surprise and delight.
"Come on, Kaito. This is Daddy's present not yours." Sasha said as she lifted Kaito into her arms. He grabbed onto the paw of her Reindeer hat and squeezed it in his tiny hands. He was completely unaware of the ear on her hat twitching but Mike was aware. He smiled in amusement. "Unwrap it." she ordered Mike.
"Aye, Sir." Mike replied, he tore off the rest of the paper and opened the box. He pulled out the tissue paper and felt himself choke up at the gift before him. "Sasha, where did you find this?" he asked.
"I called around a few places." Sasha said.
"I looked everywhere." he said in disbelief as he couldn't believe he was holding the plates.
"It was a little far outside the city limits but you described the plates so well, someone recognised the plate pattern. I knew it meant it a lot for you to have the plates. It always feels good to hold onto things that remind you of happier times. It's only 10 plates but enough for a party when you are ready to host." Sasha rambled.
"Thank you." Mike said sincerely as he'd never been so touched by a gift since his kids.
"You're very welcome. I washed them, so we can use them for Breakfast." Sasha said.
"Let's do it, then we'll open the rest of the presents." Mike said.
"Please, I'm starving as is Kaito." Sasha said, she heard his tummy grumble. "That you?" she asked Kaito who started whimpering at the lack of breakfast. "You hungry?" she asked, Kaito pouted. "I know, I'm hungry too." she told him, she peppered his tiny face in kisses and tickled him which temporarily made him smile. She placed him in his high chair.
They shared a lovely breakfast of spinach and tomato omelette with toast. Kaito gobbled his up with glee and gave a healthy burp. After they cleaned up Kaito and the dishes they moved to the living room. They sat on the floor and watched in amusement as Kaito destroyed wrapping paper and dived into any empty box that had once held a lush baby blanket.
"This one is for you." Mike said, he pulled a small wrapped box from the coffee table and handed it to Sasha. She smiled as she unwrapped it. Kaito peered out of his box and eyed the present, clearly thinking whether he should steal it or not. Sasha lifted the lid and wore a curious expression.
"Keys?" She asked, she held up the keychain that said 'Home'. The keychain held four keys.
"Two are for the house, one for the garage and the other is for the granny flat out the back." Mike explained, not that he needed to as each key was engraved what they were for.
"I-" Sasha started unsure of what to say and wondered if she was really allowed to accept such an extravagant gift. But Mike cut her off before she could think it through.
"You said that you felt like you had no place to call home or family. Now you got Kaito and I, and everyone yesterday as well. All of us are family," Mike said, Sasha felt tears burn her eyes as she tried to keep it together. "The blue keys are for here, you can consider it home. The yellow key is to the Granny Flat out the back. It's got a full kitchen and more space than BOQ. You can move in when you like, it's yours for as long as you like." Mike told her.
"I'll pay rent." Sasha promised him, as she felt deeply touched by his words and kindness. Just hearing that she had family and a home to call her own was something she had needed to hear.
"You can pay the utilities, and babysit from time to time." Mike negotiated.
"This is the best present I've had in a long time. Thank you." She said, she closed the distance between them and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. "Thank you." she repeated, she clutched the keys to her chest.
"You're welcome." Mike said, they both smiled as it truly was the perfect First Christmas.