True Meaning of Christmas Chapter 21: A Lover's Kiss, a power rangers fanfic

The final chapter of this 21-day story... it was a headache, but I loved writing this...

But now, Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers... if I did, Merrick and Alyssa would've gotten together for sure!-

Alyssa bit her lip nervously as everyone else was happily giving their presents to one another a few hours after she'd returned…

But, when Merrick got onto the Animarium, with Deeg, to play the song, she got both nervous and excited.

Deeg rushed up to Dos so they could play together, and Alyssa smiled as she watched the two together.

They were truly like brother and sister, yin and yang in a way honestly.

And Alyssa couldn't help feeling happy as she watched them, ignoring everything else.

Everyone mumbled their complaints about the song, but Alyssa wasn't bothered by it.

The only two on the Animarium main area that were bothered were Deeg and Dos, who were rubbing at their ears at the loud sound the Flute and the Princess' music caused.

"Ah… hey, Cole? Could you lend me a hand to calm these guys down?" Alyssa requested.

"Sure thing." Cole got over, taking Dos in his hands as Alyssa took Deeg.

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The Red Ranger listened to the animal's heart and gently stroked its fur, not unlike how Merrick usually did it… but he continued to sooth the pup, assuring Deeg that Merrick would be back soon.

He could only hope that Merrick would stay for the entire holiday.

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After the song was finished, Merrick met up with the others, who were kindly giving him gifts, which he figured he'd never use…

But the one good thing was how much Alyssa was smiling at him… which made the entire thing worth it.

What was actually better, though, was that Deeg was running around, clearly happy to be free of the confines of the Roadhouse…

Unlike his owner who wanted to be back in the Roadhouse, away from the Rangers and their constant suggestions about the Princess.

But… then came the final straw.

The Princess was holding a mistletoe, looking around…

At that, Merrick officially had enough.

"That's it!" He stood up, "I've been Alyssa's secret admirer since the 13th. She's been my 'special friend' since the 6th. And you know what? I've loved it… and I swear if one more of you tries to suggest I go out with the Princess, live alone kiss her under a mistletoe… I'm gonna lose my mind!"

They looked down, and Alyssa got up, hurrying away.

Merrick was about to follow when Cole got in his face… something he really hated.

"Cole, while I appreciate your effort, Alyssa has been kind, explained everything about the holidays, and, I now understand, hurt every time any of us shot her down for her doing anything special… she was willing to make me happy for this day… so I wouldn't outright deny coming… she even warned me about what could happen, so I put up with every sort of hints you guys were giving me… but I've had it. I broke up with the Princess because I thought I was gonna die that day… yes, I made Alyssa upset… multiple times… but I never meant to… and as I recall hearing it, Taylor… you jumped down her throat because she was being kind… then you apologized… but you were still trying to put me and the Princess together. Tell me, which of us is worse? Me or you?"

With that, Merrick moved around the stunned Red ranger as the Lunar Wolf quickly went off to find the White Tiger.

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Merrick found her curled close to the lake.

"Alyssa?" He gently got up to her.

She turned away, sniffling.

"Alyssa…" He got down on his knees and put a hand on her shoulder, "Alyssa I'm sorry I put you on the spot like that… but I couldn't take it anymore… they were talking as if I still loved the Princess, when I've said, time and time again, that I can't and I don't."

Alyssa didn't say anything to that.

"Alyssa… please look at me." He tried to keep the sound of begging from his voice… but failed.

Alyssa slowly looked over at him, "You were the one that had said-"

"I know." He assured, "But I couldn't take it… and I'm sorry… can you forgive me?"

Alyssa took in a weak breath before she nodded softly.

Merrick rubbed the tears from her eyes before she looked at them curiously, "Have I ever told you, you have beautiful eyes?"

Alyssa shook her head, "No."

"Well, they are." He whispered.

Alyssa smiled softly before she hugged him.

He blinked before he smiled and gently helped them stand up all the way.

When they were all the way up, Alyssa slowly pulled away to look at him, fully.

"Thank you for being here today." She whispered.

"You're welcome." Merrick whispered back, then smiled a bit, glancing down, "You know… I only came because of you, right?"

Alyssa nodded, smiling softly, "Yeah… I… I kinda figured that was why."

Merrick breathed a soft laugh before he noticed how close they still were.

"And… do you know… how much I really wanna kiss you right-"

Before he could finish, Alyssa pulled him into a kiss.

But, that only lasted a second as the Princess had been watching the whole time.

She stormed up to the two and pulled them apart, "What are you doing?!"

Merrick had enough of the Princess trying to keep him to herself.

"Being together." He stood in front of Alyssa, "Princess… I will not tell you again. I cannot love you… and I do not love you. There's nothing wrong with me loving Alyssa. If you don't like it, too bad. Because….. because I love her. And… you can't stop that."

"Why do you love her?"

"Because she was kind enough to explain everything about the Holidays to me… if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't even want to be up here." Merrick gritted his teeth, "She was kind enough to try to get me on the team before I knew I was ready. If not for her… let's just say I wouldn't exactly be a team player…"

"3,000 years ago-"

"That's the past." He cut her off, "I can't tell you why… but I don't really care for it… now… please… leave us… alone, Princess."

The Princess gave a groan of annoyance before she turned and stormed away.

With a soft sigh, Merrick turned back to Alyssa, who was biting her lip nervously.

Merrick smiled before he gently took her hands.

"Remember…. When you said… that you knew I cared about you and the others and I blew you off?"

"Yeah?"

Merrick moved a hand to her cheek.

"I am so thankful you still took a chance on me." Merrick let out, "You do that all the time, you know…"

Alyssa smiled sheepishly, ducking her head a bit.

"Don't be ashamed." Merrick gently lifted it back up, "I love that about you… I love that you took a chance on me… even when I didn't believe in myself… thank you so much for being who you are."

Alyssa looked back up at him as Merrick cupped her face in his hands.

"I love you too." She whispered so softly, she didn't think he heard her…

Until he replied, his breath warm against her skin.

"I know."

With that, they kissed each other passionately.

When they pulled away, Merrick whispered softly.

"On the final day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me… her heart forever and always?"

Alyssa smiled softly, "Forever and Always."

With that, the Lunar Wolf pulled the White Tiger closer, a soft smile on his lips.

"You are the… best gift I've gotten yet." He let out.

Alyssa nodded before she hugged him, "As are you."

They kissed once again, neither caring at all about the others watching.

Let them watch… their love was their love.

It was True love, brought by the kind heart of the White Tiger and the slowly warming heart of the Lunar Wolf.

And… isn't that what the true meaning of the Christmas Spirit is all about?

-What'd you think? Was it good?

Please review with your thoughts, just, no hate,... and have a happy New Year.

Oh, and... thanks for reading.