Mike was on the phone with Emily. She had gone home to the farm to get away from Panorama City. Everything had been going smoothly since the end of the war until Riley disappeared and Mike and Emily, as well as the other Samurai, were on a mission to find her and bring her back to Mia and Kevin. While looking for the little girl and trying to come up with reasons for why she would run away, everything about the war and the final battle had come back to Emily. Hundreds of people had been killed and thousands of people had suffered. Everyone in Panorama City was still trying to come to terms with what had happened, and if they weren't dead or injured, they were caring for someone who was injured or morning the loss of one or more loved ones who had died.

Kids, little kids were suffering. Even Mike found it hard not to feel a little responsible, but he stayed positive. He knew he had done his best and the world could be a lot worse off. Emily, meanwhile, was having a harder time. Panorama City reminded her of all the grief and heartache and she needed to get out. Mike let her go so she could have some time to herself to come to terms with what had happened. But he spoke with her on the phone or via Skype every day; sometimes twice a day.

While he did that, Serena was also in the room and wrapping Terran's presents. The little boy was taking a nap and Serena thought this would be the perfect time to get Santa's presents done. Although Santa had traumatized him in the store, Serena though maybe they could make peace on Christmas morning when Terran saw presents underneath the tree that were just for him.

And it was Terran's first Christmas, which excited Serena to no end. She went crazy with the wrapping paper and even the presents. She bought everything a little boy would ever want and need, and even had gifts that would last him all throughout his childhood.

"Keep talking to your mom, okay," Serena overheard Mike say on the phone and assumed the call to Emily was coming to an end. She looked up, feeling a little upset. Emily likely wouldn't be home for Christmas. The troubles she was facing weren't curable in a week's time. Terran would have many Christmases, and with this being his very first he wouldn't remember it anyways, but Serena wanted Terran to have his whole family with him, especially his very special Auntie Memy.

Mike continued to talk on the phone with Emily, "She's been through this before. Now I understand why my dad was so wound up when he first came home. I'm sure she understands what you're going through more than you do."

"Tell her Terran misses her," Serena said to Mike and he nodded his head while also listening to Emily. Terran wouldn't remember this Christmas, but he was still a smart little boy and he still had an idea of what was going on now. Emily had always been in his life. Even when Terran had gone to live with James, James made sure the little boy knew who his family was. Technically, because Serena had been sick when Terran was born and Emily had to care for him the first day, Emily had been in Terran's life longer than Serena had. It was only normal he knew she was gone and that he start looking for her. Whenever the front door opened, Terran would look up and ask, "Memy?". It drove James crazy.

"We all miss you. Have a good time and relax. I'll see you soon. I love you."

Mike finally hung up the phone and Serena checked the clock.

"And hour and a half."

"She's my wife."

"It's my phone bill," Serena smirked and then shook her head, "Doesn't matter. How is she?"

"I think she's feeling better. But she's scared to come back," Mike sighed and took a seat among all the presents for Terran. He loved Christmas more than anyone in the house, and was excited for Christmas morning no matter where he was or where Emily was, but it wouldn't be the same without her. It was their first Christmas as husband and wife and it was looking like they were going to be apart. They would have many more, Mike was sure of it, but he was disappointed.

Serena knew this. She was a little disappointed as well, but Emily was her sister. They had many Christmases together and were always going to spend the holidays together. She couldn't imagine not being with James this Christmas.

"Here," she reached under the tree where a present for Mike had been sitting, "You can open it early."

"Why?"

"Because I'm going to get you something else for Christmas. Just open it."

"A bonus gift?" Mike found a reason to smile again and he got excited, "Have I told you how awesome a sister you are?"

"I know I'm awesome," Serena said.

Mike unwrapped his present with enthusiasm until there was nothing left of the wrapping paper. He opened the box and saw nothing but papers inside.

"What's this? This isn't a present."

"You remember how I worked for a while at the start of the year? At the school with the bullying."

Mike nodded his head. He wouldn't forget. No one could forget. Her job had been where she and James met, and had also pushed a little more drama into the Rangers' lives at a time where they didn't need outside drama.

"I'm working on getting a place back there," Serena said, "You can't stop bullying after only a few months, and I did leave some work unfinished. And they're still looking for a coach to take James' place. You need a job, they're willing to take you on as an assistant coach in a paid position if you're willing to take the job. I know you need one…"

Mike didn't know what to say, but he did know what to do. He grabbed Serena and pulled her in for a powerful hug. He hadn't been job searching for long, but he had had no luck finding a place to work. Nothing interested him, and without a real high school diploma many places wouldn't hire him. Serena had worked for the school before, and she had left a good impression on some of the staff – at least enough people to make her word count. She had put in a good word for Mike and with a little Christmas magic he finally had a job.

Just like he had promised Emily. He would get a job while she finished school. Eventually, they would get their own place and start a family.

"Serena, this is…"

"The bonus. I've got another idea for you for Christmas," Serena smirked. "By the way, we're leaving Christmas Eve."

"Leaving? Where?"

"Just trust me. We're all getting what we want this Christmas."