This was pretty interesting to write... especially after I learned a bit of the Twelve Days of Christmas for the gifts.
Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers... if I did, Merrick and Alyssa would've gotten together for sure!-
The next morning, Alyssa was, like her friends, awoken by the Princess and Merrick's playing for the DeerZord.
But, Alyssa, as of late, didn't let her bother her.
She made breakfast for everyone as the song was finishing up.
As she did, her mind went to what happened the previous day, and a smile came to her face at the thought of Merrick's kind, and understanding, words.
She really did love Merrick… but, there was no honest way to tell him that… nor could she if the Princess kept up trying to get in the way.
As that thought was coming to her mind, the others came over, Max and Danny licking their lips.
"Now guys… you know we gotta train first." She held their plates away from them.
"Ah! Come on, Alyssa!" Max moaned.
"Yeah, Christmas is just five days away!" Danny added.
"Oh, alright." She smiled, giving them back their plates, "But, I expect you guys to be ready on the 26th."
They nodded as they dug right in.
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When the song was finished, Merrick found himself walking over to where Alyssa was.
"Hey… Alyssa…" He let out gently.
"Oh… Hey Merrick." She smiled happily.
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The Princess was furious as she saw Merrick and Alyssa talking.
He hadn't spoken a word to her, but he was laughing and smiling with the white ranger!
"He's supposed to love me!" She growled in her mind, "I thought he said I was his gift-giver?!"
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As they were talking, Merrick calmly mentioned a farm celebrating the twelve days of Christmas with a Cow Milking contest.
"Really?" Alyssa blinked, "Oh… I'd love to go…"
"But she's busy…" The Princess walked over.
"Oh…" Merrick frowned.
"Why don't I go with you then?" Princess Shayla stepped up to Merrick, clearly wanting to take his hand.
Alyssa bit her lip and went back to finishing the breakfast, clearly uncomfortable now.
"No… it's okay…" Merrick stepped away, "I'll go by myself… I'm sure it'd be fine…"
"Really?" Alyssa frowned, "All by yourself?"
Merrick shrugged, "Why not?"
"Well… the Christmas season is a time for being together." Alyssa reasoned kindly, then nodded after a quick moment, "Alright, I'll go with you…. when's the contest anyway?"
"Tonight at 6." He replied, "I'll pick you up then."
With that, he walked off the Animarium.
"Tonight at 6." Alyssa repeated, then nodded, "Okay."
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When Six o'clock rolled around, Merrick did as he said.
He picked Alyssa up and they walked to an all too familiar farm for the white ranger.
"This is the farm that Cole went to after getting his memories erased." She informed Merrick as they walked to the barn.
"Really?" The Lunar Wolf blinked, "I… didn't know that… do you know the owners?"
"No." Alyssa shook her head, "But, I'm pretty sure Taylor isn't a fan of their daughter…"
"What makes you say that?"
"You!"
"I'll tell you in a second…" Alyssa sighed as the farm owner's daughter, Clare, walked over, "It's Clare, right?"
She nodded, "What are you doing here?"
"We're here for that milking contest." Merrick answered simply, "I'm Merrick and this is my girl… this is my friend who's a girl, Alyssa."
"I'm sorry for what happened with Cole… if it makes you feel any better, Taylor wasn't exactly happy with him after everything."
"Taylor….. that was the girl in yellow, right?"
"Yep." The two nodded.
"She's… sorta got a temper problem…" Alyssa went on.
Clare sighed, "It's okay… you guys said you were here for the contest, right?"
They nodded, "Yep."
"Right this way." She motioned them into the barn.
Sure enough, at least seven other couples were around specific barn animals.
"Do you know how to milk a cow?" Merrick whispered to the White Ranger.
"Thankfully, yes." She nodded.
Merrick smiled lightly before they walked up to one of the creatures.
"Alright." The Farm-owner let out, gaining their attention, "So, the contest is simple. Whichever team gets the most buckets of milk filled within 10 minutes, gets the honor of the blue ribbon, and a special picture of themselves with their farm animal…. But, even if you don't win, you can still pasteurize the milk here and take it home with you."
There was a mix of 'okay's and 'alright's.
"Now, with that being said…. Let the contest…. Begin!"
With that, everyone got to milking their animals.
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"And time!" The Farm-Owner called, causing everyone to lean back, away from their work, "Okay… let's see how many each of you've got…"
He, his wife, and Clare all walked around, looking at each of the buckets everyone collected.
Merrick wrung his hands a bit as Alyssa started counting their buckets.
"Relax, Alyssa." He let out gently, "Even if we don't win… it's all about having fun… right?"
Alyssa smiled and nodded, "Right."
"Well…" Clare got their attention, "Funny you should say that… dad, you wanna take it?"
"That's right… the winners are… Merrick Baliton and Alyssa Enrilé!"
"Yes!" The two rangers clapped hands, then winced and shook their red hands quickly.
This just Clare to giggle.
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After they got their pictures, and their cleaned milk, and their blue ribbons, the two walked to Animaria, laughing happily with each other.
As they were, something blew in the wind close to them, causing Alyssa to catch it.
To: Alyssa was what it read.
"Huh… that's weird." She frowned.
"Why don't you read it?" Merrick asked gently, taking the stuff in her hands sans the letter.
She nodded and opened it, looking over the letter.
Dear Alyssa,
I'm sorry I couldn't make it for the contest, but I hear you had a blast with Merrick… maybe you and I could do something like that soon?
Oh well, till then… I hope you liked you 'Eight Maids a Milking' gift.
Signed,
Your Secret Admirer.
Alyssa found herself smiling as she read it, "Ah…"
"What?" Merrick looked over his shoulder, then scoffed, "I doubt it… if anything… I bet you'll be getting the rest of your gifts alone."
Alyssa suddenly frowned, turning to him, "You won't come with me?"
"Christmas is right around the corner… and I gotta help Willie decorate….. speaking of which, would you be willing to help me find a tree tomorrow?"
Alyssa smiled a little and nodded, "I'd love to."
"Thank you so much, Alyssa." Merrick smiled before he cleared his throat and gave her back the stuff from her hands, "I'll see you tomorrow then?"
She nodded, "Bright and early."
With that, Merrick left.
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Alyssa smiled as she watched him go.
She didn't realize it as she turned into the Animarium… but her heart was fluttering happily at the mere thought of seeing him tomorrow for something special again.
-Well... could that really happen?
Find out tomorrow.
In the meantime, please review and please no hate. It's still the holidays.