7

Skye hated to be sick and being sick at St. Agnes was never fun. There was no coddling or special treatment. Most of the time you just got sent to the infirmary and plopped into a bed that smelled like that stuff in the brown bottles. Skye always thought it smelled like band aids. It made her nose itch. Sometimes there was a nurse who took your temperature with one of those ear things and gave you some pills to chew. They were purple and tasted like grape and Skye hated them. Lots of times she just pretended to chew then spit them into the toilet. Once she threw up on the floor and the nurse yelled at her so much she just threw up again…all over the bed. But, most of the time there was no nurse so you just stayed there all by yourself and felt awful.

So Skye just didn't tell anyone if she felt sick. It was her secret. She went to school and did everything like normal and no one even noticed. Well, there were a lot of kids and some of them didn't keep sick secrets and they made a lot of noise and complained. Skye didn't. She just went to bed early and hoped she'd feel better tomorrow. She got real good at running to the bathroom during the night without making any noise or waking anybody.

It was different with May. May knew she didn't feel well even if she said nothing. May knew before she even started feeling real bad. She really hated that thermometer but once that was done, May tucked her in her bed and sat with her. She read her stories and gave her juice or ginger ale to sip. She made her soup and tea and made sure she had warm slippers and a robe when she got out of bed. Skye didn't even care when May wouldn't let her do anything but rest because she would check on her and smile and ask if she was okay. May even bought her coloring books and a whole box of all different colored crayons that she could keep all for herself.

Being sick was different now…but Skye still didn't like it, especially when it kept her from doing things fun like decorating that big tree. So today she was going to try really hard not to let May know how awful she felt. And anyway, she wasn't really sick. It was just those dumb shots that made her feel so crummy. That didn't count cuz that wasn't being sick just…just a reaction. That's what Mrs. Gibbons said it was, just a reaction. Skye already had a plan to go out on the balcony to cool off if she felt too hot and being cold made your cheeks just as red as being hot.

xx

Yeye pulled out a second box and then a third, carefully unwrapping ornament after ornament and sharing the stories that went with each. Skye sat mesmerized listening to each as he handed every one to her. She gently turned the various sized and shaped objects in her small hands, turning them over and around to inspect every inch. Smiling, she set each on the wide table in front of the couch proud that she had not broken one piece.

William smiled at the little girl who sat peering at the myriad of trinkets at eye level. "Perhaps we should add some of these to this fine tree before opening another box." He chuckled softly. "It seems we have no more space to set them."

Skye stood and gave a quick nod. "Do we gotta turn off the lights first?" She asked with a hint of disappointment.

"I'm pretty sure we can decorate around them." Melinda smiled. "Anyway, it always seems like one or two stop working if we turn them off and then back on." She held up a small box and jiggled it slightly. "Extras," she grinned.

Skye giggled at May's silliness. She didn't see it very often. Not that May wasn't fun or happy, she just didn't…didn't…Skye wasn't quite sure of the right word for the way May was acting now that her father was here…it was just different. May was still in there. Skye could see her eyes, but she just acted like there was nothing to worry about ever. Well, except this dumb fever that wouldn't go away. But right now, it wasn't too bad so Skye wasn't worried either.

"How do we start?" The little girl asked as she stared up at the huge tree.

"I like to start with my very favorite." William smiled as he set the small faded papier-mâché snowman on a high branch. He almost had to stand on tip toe to put it there. He turned and grinned at a wide-eyed Skye. "Remember we must put him high enough that a certain little girl does not in her exuberance knock him from his perch." He cast a quick glance at Melinda causing Skye to cover a giggle with her hand.

Melinda shook her head. "I'm sure little Frosty is safe. It's been a long time since I felt the need to pull him from the tree, Baba." She winked at Skye as she set the small ice skating princess on a branch a bit lower…where her little girl could admire it.

Skye stood back and watched as May and Yeye set more ornaments around the tree. They spoke about their memories and laughed about some but got very quiet about others. Skye listened…listened to them reminiscing. She smiled. Skye had never heard people talk like this…about May's first day of school and learning to ride a bike…about the time she broke her arm falling from a three and when she first put on her skates. They talked about May's mother and how she traveled so much and missed so many things but remembered her coming home for Christmas no matter what.

Kids at St. Agnes sometimes talked about things they remembered but nobody ever laughed cuz of it. Lots of times kids cried cuz of things that happened with fosters or because they missed the families they used to have. Skye never talked about any of that stuff. Some was really scary and most wasn't something she wanted to remember anyway but all of the things May and Yeye were saying made her wish she had something fun to add. She tried to think of something but only bad stuff kept scratching her memory and twice she had to scrub a tear that tried to escape. So she sat sideways on the sofa with her arms wrapped around her knees and just listened.

"Hey, sunnu," William smiled as he turned to locate the child. "Are you not going to help? I do not recall making you the supervisor for this chore." He chuckled and cast Melinda quick wink. "Up, up, up, xiǎo jiāhuo, we are not about to do all the work." The man teased as he reached for the little girl who ducked to the side and giggled as she slipped to the floor.

"I's just watchin'," Skye smiled as she brushed the hair from her face and grinned up at her grandfather. "You guys was doing it good and I ain't never done this." She stood and shrugged her shoulders then looked down at her feet and spoke softly. "An I don't wanna break nuttin." She looked around at all the items spread across the table and the still closed boxes and shrugged again. "This stuff is all 'portint to you. It's all your good stuff for membrin." She gently passed her fingers over two shiny red baubles.

"Hey," May dropped to her knees in front of the little girl and gently lifted her chin with one finger. "This was, was, my stuff," she glanced up at her father who stood close behind. "And Yeye's…but now it's ours." She spun her finger around encompassing the three of them. "Ours…our family's…it was Yeye's and then it was mine."

May swallowed hard knowing that all of these treasures were in fact hers, hers to take and enjoy when she left home. She chose to leave them behind. They were trinkets and dust catchers and she had no time for either. Now she felt the guilt and imagined the hurt it had caused her patient and understanding father. Suddenly, May found she could not meet his gaze. She swallowed again.

"Now they're yours too." She almost whispered as she squeezed Skye's hand in her own.

Skye turned and looked at all of the treasure again. She drew a deep breath as her brows reached to her bangs. "I ain't never had any stuff to be mine." She shook her head as she exhaled.

May smiled and tapped the little girl's nose when she turned back to face her. "Well, I ain't never had a little girl to give my stuff to…so that makes us even and that means you," she poked the little girl gently in the tummy. Skye grabbed for May's hand and giggled again.

"You, little girl, are needed to help put at least a third of this stuff on that big tree." May cocked her head toward the tree and tugged Skye forward as she stood. She spun the little girl around toward the ornaments and pointed. "Pick one, kid, any one you want."

Skye tilted her head back and peeked up at May who smiled back then pointed a second time. The little girl turned back and scanned the assortment of trinkets searching for the smallest or not break-est one. She reached out then changed her mind and pulled back her hand. Skye's whole body quivered with a feeling she was not familiar with, but it wasn't a bad feeling. It wasn't like being in trouble or knowing you were gonna get smacked. It was a shivery feeling like she couldn't wait or like how she felt when she knew May would pick her up after school. It made her hands shaky and she was afraid she might drop anything she picked up from the table.

May watched the little girl, looked at her father and at his nod she let out a soft breath. "How 'bout I help with the first one?" Skye nodded without looking back. "I think this is the best one." May smiled as she reached over the child and picked up a red bauble decorated with fine gold lettering and a long golden tassel. Picking it up by the long hook attached to the top she held it in front of Skye.

The little girl blinked a few times, staring at the sparkling object. She cupped her hands and reached up but dropped them before May was able to place it in her hands. Skye shook her head. "I can't. I'll just break it. I break lotsa stuff and then nuttin will be good and…"

May gently slid the little girl's arm forward and plopped the ornament into her palm. Skye immediately reached with the other hand and wrapped both around the ball.

"Well," May smiled. "It's a start." She placed her hands on Skye's shoulders and gently turned her toward the tree. "Okay, let's try step two."

Skye walked slowly, inching one foot across the rug and stopping before bringing the other to meet it. She stared at the object in her hands and when May took her hands away the girl froze. She looked up at William in a panic but he reached out and bid her forward. "Come, sunnu, I will help."

Skye let out a sigh of relief when her grandfather wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She smiled weakly at her success. William nodded. "Now, where would you like to place this beautiful lantern?"

xx

It took three attempts for Skye to place the first ornament and trust it would stay connected by the tiny wire hook. She didn't quite trust such a flimsy wire to hold such a precious treasure. She stood guard for five minutes before May and William managed to coax her away. The second ornament she chose looked very much like a little bird house. She peeked inside to find a tiny blue bird perched on a straw nest.

"Yeye," she whispered, still peering through the tiny hole. "How did they git it in there?"

"Ah, xiǎo jiāhuo, have you never heard of Christmas magic?" William smiled as he urged the little girl toward an empty branch.

Skye shook her head as she held the trinket with one hand and kept the other below it for insurance. "Uh huh, Sister says magic is blazmee. Ya sin if ya think it's real."

William guided the little girl's hand toward the branch and helped her secure the small bird house. She smiled at the bright red ribbon that hung from its base. May rolled her eyes and grit her teeth at another reason to want to pay yet another visit to St. Agnes. How dare those bitches take away every thing that made childhood special.

William looked at his daughter, recognizing the change in her demeanor. He noticed her tense and draw a strangled breath. He put a hand on the back of Skye's neck and squeezed gently. "I do not believe anything of Christmas is blasphemy, little one." He smiled at Melinda. "It is a time of great magic, special magic." Skye turned and peered up at him then looked to May. She too felt the difference in the woman's temperament.

"I'm sorry." Skye whispered as she looked to her sock covered toes. Suddenly it didn't feel so happy and she knew that she had broken the happy by saying something stupid or wrong or dumb or just Skye.

May let out the breath she drew and mentally kicked herself for letting her anger show. She quickly stepped to the little girl and squatted down to her level. "You don't have to be sorry, kid. I…" She looked up at her father who still smiled. "Magic isn't a bad thing, kid. We know it isn't real. Rabbits don't just pop out of hats." May chuckled as she pushed a stray hair from Skye's face and took the little girl's hand in her own. Skye offered a weak smile and shook her head slowly.

"Magic is not just something to amuse us, sunnu." William added as he took the little girl's opposite hand and motioned for everyone to move to the sofa. Once seated, he smiled at the little girl wedged between him and his daughter. "There are those who try to amaze with tricks and slight of hand." He reached to the little girl's ear then produced a gold coin.

Skye's eyes widened as she quickly covered the ear with one hand and touched the coin with the other. She turned to May and asked 'how' with only her eyes then quickly spun back to her grandfather. He held up the coin for her to see then took her small hand and turned it palm up. Placing the coin in her hand, he covered it with his own and snapped the fingers on his opposite. He took his hand away and once again the little girl gasped as her palm was now empty. William offered a broad smile as he held up both of his own empty hands then once again reached to Skye's ear and produced the gold coin.

Skye bounced with excitement and felt her ear twice before giggling at her grandfather's antics. She smiled broader when he placed the coin in her palm and closed her fingers around it.

"A coin cannot exist in a small girl's ear," William nodded as Skye slowly opened her fingers and peeked at the shiny object still there. "Nor can it travel up her arm." He continued running his fingers up her arm to tickle the side of her neck. Skye giggled and wriggled into May who wrapped an arm around her. She smiled at the memory of her father performing that trick with her on so many occasions. He taught it to her when she turned ten, just like he promised and she amazed other kids for months.

"It is but a trick, to surprise the same little girl." He tapped Skye's nose. "But never to fool her or make her feel badly." He leaned forward then back as he spoke. "It is something learned with much practice."

"Teach me," Skye quipped with excitement.

William smiled at May then looked back to the little girl. "Ah, so much like your mother already," he chuckled. "I will teach you when you turn twelve." He looked quickly at May who opened her mouth to speak, but he spoke first. "Since you are so small, it may take a bit longer, but I will teach you. This is promise.

Skye frowned for a moment then smiled. "May says you gotta keep yer promises. She says it's important when ya give yer word."

William grinned and nodded. "It is something I told her many times." He leaned forward and whispered close to the little girl's ear. "And something she learned harshly many times." Skye's eyebrows shot up as she looked sidelong toward May. She could not imagine the woman ever breaking a rule.

"I believe this is the magic your sisters spoke of, but it is not the magic of Christmas or of family or of the love a parent has for her child." He wrapped an arm around Skye but smiled at May. "That is a special kind of magic that comes from a special place." He tapped the center of the little girl's chest with one finger. "It cannot be taught or learned, it simply exists. It exists here, right here in this room, right now." He tapped the arm of the sofa. "Do you feel it?" He one arm hugged the child closer to him.

Skye looked at her grandfather and then at May. She did feel something when they were talking about all the things that happened when May was little and how they got all those treasures. She felt it again when Yeye helped her put the ornament on the tree. She always felt it when May helped her in the bath and tucked her in and read her stories. She felt it right now, sitting so close to both of them. She gave a slight nod, unsure if it was okay to feel it but wanting it so much she couldn't stop.

"I do." May said as she leaned forward and hugged both Skye and her father, squishing the little girl between them.

William kissed his daughter's forehead. "As do I," he smiled.

May sat back and Skye wriggled forward. She slid off the edge of the couch and walked back to the tree staring at the little bird house ornament. Reaching out, she touched it softly and smiled at how the lights made the little object shimmer. "So the person who made it made magic cuz they liked it so much?"

May scooted closer to her father and watched the little girl marvel at the object. "Yes, Skye," William answered. "The man that made that small home loved birds and loved working with his hands. He put the small blue bird inside and then put on the roof. He presented it to a small girl who helped him place a little bird back into its nest one spring day."

Skye turned back to face them. "You, May? You put the little bird back? You made the magic?"

May nodded.

Skye smiled.

"Can I do another one?" She asked the tree as she turned back.

William and May grinned at each other and stood to return to decorating.

xx

It took most of the afternoon to decorate the entire tree, but every ornament and trinket found its place on the thick branches. The last item was a large angel with dark hair and almond shaped eyes. She wore a beautiful red and gold dress and had soft golden wings that Skye was sure could spread wide and carry the angel to the top of the tree all by itself. William held it with both hands and look up. He shook his head and looked down at Skye.

"I am afraid I am too old and too fragile to climb all the way up there to place beautiful Tiānshǐ atop this fine tree." William sighed.

Skye let out a disappointed sigh. "I don't think yer s'pose ta climb it, Yeye." She looked up as well.

May covered her mouth to prevent a laugh and hide her grin. She'd already retrieved a step stool from the laundry room. "I think I may have a solution." She offered and pointed to the small ladder when both turned to face her.

Skye looked at the step stool and back up at the tree. She shook her head. "I don't think it's big enough."

May pursed her lips and gave a quick nod. "Yep, too short…but…" She held up one finger and moved to the landing with the small ladder in hand. Once she reached the end she unfolded it and placed it against the railing. "I think with the right bit of assistance, we can do this."

Skye smiled and William nodded as they hurried to join May. Five minutes later the trio stood in front of the tree and admired their work.

"Teenshe is beautiful." Skye smiled. "She'd the most beautifulest of all the other ornmints."

William wrapped an arm around Melinda's shoulders. "There is one more so." He spoke softly as he nodded toward the little girl standing before them.

Suddenly Skye spun around and raced toward her room. "I forgot!" She announced leaving May and William perplexed.

A few seconds later she returned with the family ornament William had given her and the red and gold lantern from the tree farm. "We gotta put these on." She smiled as she held them out toward her family.

May opened the small box and gently removed the lantern. She placed a wire hook on the loop and held it out to Skye. The little girl took it and looked at the tree, so perfectly decorated, searching for just the right spot before moving forward and setting it on a branch at her eye level. She smiled then turned back to seek May's approval which came immediately.

The last ornament, the family…May, Yeye and Skye was placed in the center of the large arbor, the focal point, the thing that made it all worth it. Skye smiled as she let out a soft breath and folded herself to the floor staring up at it.

"I just wanna sit here and watch it." She whispered. "It's the beautifulest tree I ever saw in my whole life. I wish Kitty could see it but I bet she gots one just as pretty, huh?" She wasn't really asking for an answer, just assuring herself.

May smiled as William moved to turn off the CD player that had blared Christmas music all afternoon. Bing Crosby fell silent in the middle of White Christmas and the house fell silent. May smiled at the little girl who stared up at the tall tree, sorry that she had to put a temporary end to all the merriment.

"Skye," she spoke softly. "I know you aren't feeling so great. You're pretty warm and I've let it go as long as I can but I think it's time we checked your temperature, take some medicine and get a little rest."

Skye thought about just pretending she didn't hear, but that was like lying and she promised May she wouldn't lie. May promised too and she kept her promise. The little girl let out a breath and pushed herself up off the floor. She hung her head as she walked toward May. "I could just go out the balcony and see the lights cuz now it's all decorated. That'd make me cold." She softly suggested.

May sniggered as she put a hand on the little girl's back and urged her toward the bedroom. "Nice try, kid."

William chuckled as he began stacking the boxes that would be stored in the laundry room until the tree was taken down. "You take a short rest, sunnu. You worked hard. I will prepare a grand dinner for us all."

Skye dragged her feet like a doomed criminal begin dragged to the jail. May could not help her silent laugh at the child's dramatics. She stopped when she heard the faint jingle of her business cell phone. In all of the family activity she had left it on the desk in her office. Even at the highest volume it could not have been heard over the music. She frowned at the knowledge that it would not be ringing unless there was an emergency and she was needed. She looked from Skye who had stopped in front of her and the spiral staircase that led to her office then back to her father who let out a soft sigh. He had been here before on the many occasions that her mother was called away from family and celebrations and traditions because there was a situation only she could handle.

She'd told Piper she was unavailable until Monday. It had to be something urgent for the agent to disturb her. She stood frozen, Skye needed her right now. Piper would have to wait. The phone rang a few more seconds then went silent. May waited for it to ring again…she waited long enough for Skye to turn and smiled at her thinking she'd changed her mind. She turned back and shook her head.

"Let's go, kid. If it's that important they'll call back." May pointed to the bedroom and Skye let out a whiny protest but complied.

xx

Twenty five minutes later May joined her father in the kitchen. He had already brewed a pot of tea and set a cup and saucer for her. She dropped into her chair and let out an exasperated breath.

"She fought me until the very end but she is finally asleep." May breathed before she took a small sip of the hot tea.

"I remember a small girl who put up much the same fight when she was too excited to let sleep take its toll." William smiled as he poured more tea into his own cup.

Melinda smiled. "And I remember a father that would not give up until I was just as sound asleep." She turned toward the stairs and began to rise when William placed a hand lightly on hers.

"It has not rung again. Perhaps someone else will see to this earth shattering situation." He hoped.

It would be nice, she thought, if just this once there was someone else. Then again, the phone had been silent since she took Skye to her room. Her father would not lie to her. If it had rung he would let her know. She slowly eased back into her chair and picked up her cup. "We can o…"

A frantic knock at the door stopped her. For a moment she merely stared at her father then looked to the clock on the kitchen wall…almost six. She thought of her neighbor, but the woman normally called before arriving at her door. She rose and started for the door while the knocking continued. She pulled it open.

"May!" Phil Coulson barked as if he hadn't expected her to open it.

"Damn it, Coulson," May looked up and down the hallway then stepped aside allowing him in. "What the hell?"

"We've been trying to contact you all afternoon. Thought you'd been compromised." He spoke quickly, his eyes darting all over the apartment.

"Comp…what…" She crinkled her face in confusion. "In my own home?"

"Things happen, May and now…now we…" He almost snuck down the hall as if he expected someone to jump out at him at any minute.

"What are you doing?" She sneered.

He stopped and turned back then stepped in front of her. "Where the hell have you been? I know you aren't on any mission and you never ignore your phone so…" He held out both hands and bobbed his head waiting for an answer.

May let out an exasperated breath over her lips and stomped around him heading back toward the kitchen. Coulson let out a similar breath and followed.

"There's a problem in Shanghai with one of the oper…" He stopped as he stepped into the kitchen.

"I believe you know my father." May snorted as she dropped back into the chair she had left and sipped her now luke warm tea.

"Phillip," William nodded toward the man. "Would you care for tea?" He held up the pot. "I can…"

Coulson held up a hand. "No…I don't have a lot…we don't have a lot of time." He glanced at May. "WE need to go now." He stepped toward the door then turned back and looked at May. He'd never really seen her dressed so…so…casually, yeah that was the word…casually. He took a breath. "You've got," he looked at his watch, "five minutes to…to…suit up." He barked.

May shook her head. "I can't just pick up and leave, Coulson." There was no way she was explaining Skye to him…not now…not like this.

Coulson shook his head and took a step away then stepped back. "We don't really have a choice, May. They need us…it's an 0-…" he glanced toward William and stopped with a small smile. "I'm sure your dad understands." He spoke to May but looked at William then glanced at his watch again.

William held up a hand. "I am sure I can look after things here, Mellie. You have made a commitment to this profession and you must keep your word."

Melinda shook her head and spoke through her teeth. "There are extenuating circumstances which I cannot ignore and little things I cannot overlook." She growled, upset now with both men.

"I am well able to handle the familiar circumstance and the little things you speak of, Melinda. Do you not trust me?" William calmly smiled as Coulson paced in the kitchen doorway.

Coulson's phone buzzed loudly. He pulled it from his pocket and turned away, speaking rapidly to whomever was on the other end.

"Why's everybody yellin'?" Skye mumbled as she stood in the archway rubbing one eye.

"Skye," Melinda breathed as she rushed to scoot the little girl out of the room.

Coulson turned and flipped his phone closed, staring open mouthed at the child staring back at him.

"Little things," William nodded. "Perhaps it is time I brewed more tea…"

May shook her head. "I think we're going to need something a little stronger." She wrapped an arm around Skye and turned toward Coulson. "This is going to take a little longer than five minutes."