Aqua, her mother, and Terra's mother continued to do work to get Christmas ready before the day after tomorrow. Master Eraqus was helping them by getting the food they needed and even offered to cook. But the two mothers turned him down on his offer, they both wanted to give their babies a nice home cooked meal.

So now they are in the kitchen, each working hard to prepare the great feast for everyone tomorrow. Well mostly just the two mothers, Aqua on the other was constantly staring off into space. Her mother began to worry, she had never done that before. She was always the girl who would get things done without the slightest hint of distraction, but now ever since that kiss with Terra it was like…

"Wait… oh that's why…" she said to herself out of realization. That was why, that kiss with Terra was distracting her.

"So that's it… but why is she acting so strangely about it?" she said to herself as she added some spices to a stew she was making. "I mean a kiss is kiss unless it's…" then she gasped when she put two and two together.

That was probably Aqua's first kiss. She never had any boyfriends back home or any real friends that were guys so she couldn't have had it before she came here. She laughed at thought that she was there for her daughter's first kiss. Then she got curious as to something else. So she walked over to Terra's mother who was making a lip moistening turkey that looked heavenly so far.

"Wow that looks good" she complimented as she kept basting it

"Thanks, but it's gonna taste even better when I get the stuffing ready"

"I bet it will… hey I wanted to ask you something Elise" she said figuring they were on first name basis. Terra's mom then set down the baster and leaned onto the counter

"Sure what is it?"

"Well I was wondering…" she said as she leaned in and whispered the rest into her ear to make sure Aqua didn't hear. Then she did a small laugh as she shook her head

"No not really"

"Really?" she asked in disbelief as Elise nodded

"Yeah not even one"

"Wow that's surprising"

"Not really, I mean his dad kept him on a tight leash with all the training he put him through. So he really didn't have that many friends or time to himself…which I really hate my husband for doing"

"Yeah I've been meaning to ask about that, if it's not too personal. But why did you ummm…?" she began to say trying to find another way of stating out her question. But she already knew what she wanted to ask

"I was forced to marry him…" that single statement made her gasp and go wide eyed as Elise began to look down to the ground, these weren't in any way happy memories. "… my father made me, you see he was his manager back when he use to fight and as sick as it is he threw me into a deal for him to manage that monster" she was left awestruck at what she said as she watched her try to keep a tear from falling down he face. Her father… did he even see her as his daughter…or just a piece of meat?

"I'm so sorry I asked" she said sincerely as Elise looked up and wiped her eyes before shaking her head

"Don't be it's ok, can't keep your emotions all bottled up all the time… otherwise it just makes you sick" she said as she her hands clean on her blouse "so I answered your question you mind if I ask one of my own Claire?" Elise asked and she nodded in response

"Go right ahead"

"Well… where is your husband?" she almost hesitated to ask. Was it to inappropriate to ask her this? She took in a deep breath and told her that he had died.

"Oh my… I'm sorry" She apologized, she felt so bad for asking. Claire told her that it was ok, that it wasn't a big deal. Guess she thought that since she answered honestly that she should. She even went on to say how he died

"He died of Cancer…" a flicker of sadness brushed across her eyes as she continued "…he was a kind man, not the strongest or smartest but kind. When I was wrapped in his arms I just felt like I was at peace" she said with a sigh at the end, remembering those happy memories of him just holding her and telling her new ways of saying I love you made her happy. That made Elise put a small smile on her face as she imagined what life would be like if she could've met a guy like that. A guy that didn't just want her for her looks but loved her for her, like her children did. Just then the door opened up and all three of the women heard the pitter patter of small feet and giggling. That put a smile on Aqua and her mother's face as they coyly looked around the kitchen.

"Hey mom did you hear something?" Aqua asked coyly as she began to slowly tailgate Dante who was giggling to himself which tipped her off. She stood behind him, surprised that he didn't notice her yet.

Her mother, loving to play along, shook her head

"No I didn't hear anything dear, did you hear anything Elise?" she just shook her head as she picked up a spoon and shrugged

"Nope maybe it was just a tiny mouse" and with that she went back to making her food with a grin on her face, liking this playful thing they had going on. Dante was about a second from jumping out, thinking he would spook them, before Aqua came up from behind him and grabbed him by his shoulders

"Boo!"

"Wahhhh!" Dante shrieked out as he tried run out of his sister's grip as he chanted 'let me go' about a dozen times making all three of them laugh. Aqua then heaved him up on to the counter and looked at him with a smile.

"What are you doing here silly?" she said as she poked nose and made him giggle

"I was bored and wanted to see what you guys were doin'"

"Bored…?" Aqua asked as she cocked her head to the side

"Yeah and I really don't want to be with Evy right now"

"Hmm..? why not?" their mother asked as she walked over to them. It was so unlike him not to want to be with her

"Well… she's mean"

"Mean?" Aqua questioned because in her mind Evy was actually very kind and fun

"Why do you think that?" their mother asked

"Cause, she's been acting mean to me ever since she hurt Des a little while ago"

"She did what?" their mother asked thinking or hoping she had miss heard him

"I told you mommy she hurt Des when we were playing with Ven" that caught Elise's attention and made her turn around and look at them. Making Claire feel a little embarrassed that she overheard that part of their conversation

"Uh heh heh kid's and their imaginations… am I right?" she said with a false smile and shrug as Elise just grinned and said

"Yeah, you should've seen my kids when they were growing up" she said with a short laugh as she remembered some of the times that Terra and Des played pretend. But she knew that she was lying and didn't mind it, however she did know that she needed to see if daughter was ok later

"But mom I'm not making this…" before he could finish she put her hand over his mouth then looked over at Aqua

"Hey Aqua want do mommy a favor?"

"Let me guess you want me to take Dante out?" she asked then pointed to the door. That made her mom do a short chuckle

"You can read me like a book cant you?" She answered as Aqua nodded then picked up Dante and took him out of the kitchen all while he russled around and kept saying 'let me go' again. She carried him all the way to the front doors then put him down

"What are you doing?" Dante asked as he watched his sister put on her snow boots and slip on her jacket

"I'm going to have fun outside with you little guy" she said then poked him. But he just shook his head

"I don't want to play in the snow"

"You don't?"

"No"

"Hmmm…" Aqua needed to keep Dante occupied and out of trouble. So she thought of something else to do besides making a snowman or having a snowball fight. So she dug into the closet pushed box after box till she found a log with a handle at the end and a couple pegs sticking out at the end of it. Dante stared at it with awe as he tried to reach for it as Aqua playfully pulled it away from him

"You only get to play with this if you go outside with me" and with that Dante quickly started to get his snow stuff on, making his sister laugh as he did. Give a kid a toy he'll do anything you want.

Dante stood in front of the door and shook impatiently as he waited for his sister

"COME ON ALREADY!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming" she said as she opened the door for him and watched him run outside.

"Hey wait up for me!" she said then ran outside after him and chased him to the training grounds

Stay tuned for the next chapter where a big plot twist will amerge.