Alfred wakes up in his brother's arms and looks around for a moment as the sunlight filters in before snuggling closer into his brother's arms, "God you're so warm."

"Says the guy with the fever." Matthew mutters softly as he slowly opens his eyes, "How are you feeling?"

The younger twin smiles, "Actually…I'm kinda hungry."

"Well then you two get your asses out of bed cause the awesome me made breakfast." Both twins turn to the grinning Albino teen at the doorway, "Aww isn't brotherly love just awesome?"

Matthew sits up running a hand though his shoulder length blonde hair ignoring the smart comment, "So what did you make?"

"Eggs and Sausage." Gilbert lets out a laugh, "And I didn't burn down your kitchen."

"Good cause I'd have ta kill you." Alfred looks towards Gilbert with a smile, "What kind of eggs?"

Gilbert lets out a deep laugh leaning on the doorway, "Scrambled just like my Grandmother used to make."

Finally the twins force themselves out of the warmth of the bed, "Good you Grandmother could really cook." Matthew stretches his back as he follows his oldest friend down the stairs before looking back at his brother, "Are you okay Al?"

Alfred drapes his blanket over his shoulders and follows behind, "Yeah Dude and stop asking cause it's not going to change my answer." The older twin can tell that Alfred's smile is for once in a long time truly genuine. "So where are these eggs and sausage?"

"Right here." Gilbert hands the twins a plate before all three sit on the couch, "So my awesome friend."

Matthew knows Gilbert's grin all too well, "So Gilbert."

"I need to go home for a second to grab some more clothes and maybe the tree while I'm at it." Gil looks around before smirking, "And the lights…and balls cause you know I have awesome balls."

Alfred can't help but let out a deep laugh as his brother rolls his eyes, "Gil you don't need to bring your tree."

"Well someone has to liven up this place." He stands quickly surveying the living room. "At least let me bring out my balls."

As Matthew's about to say something Alfred stands slowly, "Well we do have an old tree up in the attic but we haven't brought that thing down in like three years." He wraps his blanket tighter around his shoulders as he walks back up the stairs, "I mean it's a start right?"

Gilbert gives Matthew a huge grin, "Fine I'll see you in an hour." As soon as it's out of his mouth Gilbert is out the door. "Oh this is a bad idea." He mutters before following his brother back up the stairs and into a side room, "Alfred? Are you up there?"

His brother pokes his head down from a small ladder, "Yeah come on up."

"You know we don't have to do this. Especially with you sick and all…"

"Mattie." Alfred shakes his head at his worried brother, "Dude for the last time I'm fine and hey it's Christmas Eve and when was the last time we actually celebrated?"

Both know the answer so Matthew doesn't have to say it as he climbs up the stairs to find his brother leaning next to an old cardboard box. "Did you find the tree?"

"No…I found something else." Alfred looks back at his brother with a sad look in his eyes, "Come look at this."

While Matthew would rather just find the tree and leave he slowly walks over and sits by his brother's side, "What did you find?" His brother doesn't say anything but hands Matthew a worn photograph of their mother in a long wedding gown with their father by her side. Her long blonde hair wrapped around a small tiara of flowers, her clear blue eyes shining with a pure happiness. "She was so beautiful…" His gaze turns to his father standing next to her. His short blonde hair seems almost less messy than normal and his bright emerald eyes are filled with joy.

"You okay?" Alfred asks gently as he takes the picture back, "Maybe we should take some of the photos back down stairs." He turns to the box filled with pictures, "I mean since Dad's not here. So what if he pays the bills, he won't be here to yell at us so why not right?"

Matthew takes out another picture of their mother giving a tired smile at the camera as she holds a small bundle in her arms and their Uncle Allistor holding another right beside her, "Right…I think this is us."

"Yeah?" Alfred leans over to get a better look, "Which one of us is he holding?" Matthew flips the photo over before shrugging finding only a small scribbling on the back. "Well we can ask him when he gets here."

"I highly doubt he'll remember after all these years. Besides he'll be drunk by the time we get a chance to ask." Matthew tosses the picture back into the box before finally standing, "And we should be looking for the tree."

"I know I just…wanted to…" He picks up another photo as he stands, "We never got to say good bye and we both know how much she loved Christmas." Alfred smiles thinking back for a moment before clearing his throat, "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, Present and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me." Alfred rests a hand on his brother's shoulder, "I will not shut out the lessons that they teach."

"Did you really just steal a quote from the Christmas Carol?"

Now Alfred can't help but laugh, "And may God bless us, everyone." He turns back to the box, "Just a few and the tree and whatever Gil brings back with him. I mean this could be the last…Christmas we have together so I kind of want it to be you know special."

For a moment Matthew stares at him, "Al…we'll have other Christmases. I know we will." He gives his younger brother a small smile, "You, me, probably Gil cause you know how he is."

"Yeah I do." He looks down at the picture before pocketing it, "And maybe… I could call my friends too since you know Gil's here already and you said two days ago to have a few people over."

While Matthew nods he's unsure about his brother's friends and what picture he has crammed in his pocket. "Sure let's find the tree and…we'll have a small party."

From below they can hear the door opening, "Hey I'm back and I have some awesome decorations! Cause no one can beat my awesome balls!"

"And you say my friends are weird." The younger twin turns to the corner of the attic, "There it is. Come on Mattie help me get it down."

"Sure." Matthew turn back towards the box one more time and grabs their parent's wedding photo before turning back to his brother wrestling with the tall fake tree, "Here Al let me help."

Gil can hear the small crash from his spot in the living room and he can't help but laugh, "Aw did you guys get beat by the tree?"

Almost in unison the twins yell down, "Shut Up Gilbert!"

"That's the twins I know and love." He lets out another laugh. He's known the pair for nearly ten years and he's seen the drastic change in both of them over the last five. The problem is he didn't know how to help or if it was even his place to try. But now he hopes they're ready to finally move on from their mother's death. So he walks up to the stairs leading to the attic hoping to get an old rise out of both boys, "Maybe you two should sleep together more often."

He's answered back as both twins poke their heads down at him with fake pine needles in their hair, "Taire Gilbert!"

"And there it is."