Supernatural: Chronicles of the Order 6

Chapter 12: Christmas in a Hospital Room

(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Supernatural because it belongs to Eric Kripke and Warner Bros. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for graphic violence, adult content, and adult language.)

It's… Another Special Presentation!

I was in a hospital room as I noticed it to be different in which I wasn't on Tezuka after all. Even though it had been five days since I used my raw power in the underground cave on Claudius, I was still reeling from what I suffered from at the time as it was nothing but a private hell for me. Getting out of bed, I examined the surroundings of my hospital room as I also noticed another bed next to mine. I even noticed a small Christmas tree that was decorated with holiday lights and ornaments complete with so many presents that were about to swamp it in their wake. When I looked out the window, I noticed that I was on Drakonus as I had a feeling that I was in the Order's main headquarters here, for I would endure a far worse hell than being under house arrest five months ago. By the time I was about to search my surroundings even further, I saw the door open as I noticed Kazuo entering into my hospital room, for he had a strict protocol to dole out so far.

"You can't be out of bed, Sam," he said to me.

"I feel better, Kazuo," I said as I was starting to feel the pinch of my exhaustion creeping up on me for no reason. "I was just trying to get some air, that's all."

"The overexertion of your raw power has taken a toll on you in which you still haven't recovered from what you had within you."

"You're right, but I have to get back to Tezuka to check up on my family. They're probably worried about me by now."

"Ryosuke had them brought here on Drakonus, so there's no need to worry. By the way, Christmas is coming in tomorrow, but you're supposed to stay in bed until you recover up to full."

"What does it look like I'm doing?!" I was getting testy as I felt my legs buckling to the pressure that I had. "I've been in bed for five days and I can't just sit here in this hospital room and do nothing while I have familial duties to do!"

"You're staying in bed and that's it, Sam! Besides, you're getting a roommate in this hospital room soon enough."

"I bet that it's Dean coming in here after being examined for possible ailments..."

"Not entirely..."

I saw Reiko dressed in her nightgown as I saw the protruding baby bump progressing nicely without any difficulty. Still, she was in dire need of bedrest as I saw her get into the other hospital bed next to mine. Even though I never liked being confined in a hospital room, I found Reiko to be in good company as I wasn't feeling irritable for a while in which I went back to my bed and covered myself in the warm blankets. Still, Kazuo was strict, but he also knew that I wasn't about to be alone here, for he knew what was best when it came to dealing with those who suffered from mental troubles on the sly.

"I see that you're the roommate," I said.

"The Medical Corps are very concerned about me just as much as you, Sammy," said Reiko as she was getting ready to be prepped for the bed next to mine. "Oh, tomorrow is Christmas Day, but after all that leftover cake from Carly's birthday two days ago, she's been guarding the rest of it, but she wants you to have some and we all know how stubborn she is."

"Cake isn't allowed as food on hospital grounds," said Kazuo sternly. "It goes against protocol and only the nutritional food guidelines still stand and that's all."

"Well, the red Jell-O and Slim-Fast shakes kept me fed since I was incapacitated, but I can't live without comfort forever," I said defiantly. "Everyone in our family is paying us a visit and seeing me sipping milkshakes made out of powder and liquids won't cut it, either."

"Well, it's better than chomping on junk food."

"Please be lenient on him, Uncle," said Reiko. "He's had a hard time too many. Besides, Christmas is a time of food, family, and happiness that is made to keep us together for many years to come."

"I'll let it slide due to the holidays, but after this, it's back to the usual daily protocol, you got that?"

I reluctantly agreed as I had no other choice but to follow the usual protocol that the Medical Corps had issued. Still, I couldn't let the holiday blues get the better of me as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is rife with all the joy that I had to soak in so far, for this was an awkward time for me to spend it in this hospital room of all places in mind...

Dirk was in one of the rooms of the lodging area of the Order's main headquarters on Drakonus as he was busy writing in the journal that he bought during our stay at the Golden Tiger Resort on Tezuka a few days ago. With the holiday season up to its hectic havoc, it was a private hell for most as Dirk was trying to make the best of it in which he was eager to visit me in the hospital area as he was determined to tell me about the adventures that he was writing in. After he wrote in his latest entry, he walked towards the window as he saw the fresh snow coming down in bunches. Winter on Drakonus was something that became a godsend every year, but it was also something that had a harsh cold chill in the evening if one wasn't careful to bundle up in a snowstorm. Just as Dirk was about to leave the lodgings, he saw Gyatso and Kanna coming into the room as they had trays of food in their hands with the twins in tow. The sight of beef brisket and turkey with stuffing was more than enough to keep the children fed as they were ready to eat it the moment they set it on the table. With the twins put in their high chairs, they were getting hungry as they got a few bits of food due to their stomachs being small for their age. With Dirk and the others getting ready to dig into the dinner, they were happy to get it as they were also thankful that they were here as a family so far.

"There's a whole abundance of food out there and Ryosuke wanted us to get some," said Gyatso as he got a plate full of the dinner. "This is also my first Christmas in a long time before I was in stasis and it shows."

"I wonder how Sam's doing…," said Kanna. "He should be here by now..."

"According to what the Medical Corps told us, he had a terrible bout of exhaustion in which that raw power took it out of him. He was even hurt after seeing his arm in a sling a few days back, but I hope that he gets better," said Gyatso hopefully.

It wasn't long until the children saw the door opening up as they noticed Magda arriving with the girls as she was also holding the fort down while everyone in combat fought in the ongoing war. Still, the holiday season was a time to get together as it was also a time to stick to what we all had, for it was something that we held onto the most.

"Looks like you got your share of food coming from Ryosuke's pantry, didn't you?" said Magda.

"He's got a lot of it, but at least we're here instead of being in the resort," said Dirk.

"With the war effort trying to push back against the Executive Division, there's no telling if our loved ones either lived or died from tragedy."

"By the way, how's Dean doing?"

"He got called back to the battlefront, but that didn't stop him from engaging into a little private time with me before he went off again. Still, he's been wanting to talk about adding a sibling for the girls in which he took a picture of our boots with his vidphone." Magda fishes out a picture as she shows it to the children. "They're all cowboy boots, but the small set next to the girls' signals something off the record."

"You're gonna be having a baby, aren't you?" said Kanna.

"After the fall of General Wetzel, Dean and I wanted to think about extra children to carry on the family business and we weren't shying away from what we were putting out, so I'm carrying the latest addition to our brood very nicely."

"And we'll welcome it when we get a chance," said Gyatso. "I also hope that Dean welcomes it just as much as the rest of us."

"And we'll see to it..."

"Son-of-a-bitch! There's nothing but cakes all over the place in which Shigeru would love that crap on the rails!"

It wasn't long until Dean came in as he had a bag full of Christmas presents in his hands. Still, he was here, but he also had to go back after the holiday recess was over in which he was still needed on the battlefield. By the time he sat down with the girls in their high chairs, he was ready to spoil them rotten as he couldn't get enough of them, for the holidays were here to stay after all.

"You're early, Dean," said Magda.

"It's better late than never," he said as he was staring at Dahlia and Mizuki all dressed in their holiday clothing. "How are my other ladies doing? Are you being good for your mommy?"

"They're a handful, but they're fine on their good sides."

"By the way, has anyone seen Carly?" asked Kanna.

"The last time I saw her, she was going into the hospital area with what was left of her birthday cake in which she wants to give some to Sam. The kid's got a lot of energy, but she's also someone who doesn't take no for an answer very lightly. Speaking of Sam, he's been here since I spotted him on Claudius, but after having some strings pulled, Ryosuke was quick to usher them over here on Drakonus, which is a lot more dense than Alecrast."

"Will Sam be okay?"

"Sam will always bounce back. As for the roommate coming into his room, she of all people will end up popping before the due date and this isn't the first time that she did that."

Dean was optimistic about the upcoming birth of the second set of twins that Reiko was carrying as he couldn't wait to see them when they were born. As for the other things around him, he couldn't get enough of them as they were ready to celebrate Christmas on Drakonus in a time of war, for this wasn't the last of it yet…

A few hours later, Carly was running all over the hospital wing of the Order's main headquarters on Drakonus as she had a basket full of what was left of the birthday cake that she had from two days ago. Even though I ended up missing it, Carly wasn't about to give up as she found the hospital room I was in right away. By the time she entered into the room, she saw it to be quiet as she saw me and Reiko content in our beds while resting from what we suffered from on a daily basis. It was calm as we didn't have any trouble at all in which I noticed Carly digging into the basket that was in her hands.

"I brought you some yummy cake from my birthday, Mr. Sam," she said as she set the basket on the nightstand next to my bed. "I couldn't let you get bogged down by that awful hospital food here and you can't just eat it forever."

"You had your reason to sneak this here, but you can't get past Kazuo, fusspot," I said.

"Kazuo is an awful meanie-weenie! He wouldn't let me come here with this cake the first time!"

"I'll try your cake..." I opened up the basket as I saw what was left of it in which I got a slice of it and began to eat it until I swallowed it up. "It's not bad, but it's better than hospital food."

"Carly tried her hardest to give you some, but you were not doing too well," said Reiko. "Besides, she wanted you to be there for her birthday, didn't she?"

"And I want you to eat it all up!" she yelled as she stared at me. "It's not fair that Reiko and the others get some of my cake and you get none!"

I continued to eat at the cake as I was glad that I wasn't eating hospital food for a while. Even though there was a lot of it, I decided to give some to Reiko as she was still carrying what was inside of her for a while longer until the due date. By the time she got some, she decided to devour it as it was still tasty after being set out since yesterday, but she was also grateful that she didn't have to get any hospital food for the time being. When the cake was polished off, I heard footsteps approaching as I had a gut feeling that Kazuo would be giving me a stern lecture about eating stuff out of the ordinary, but it wasn't what I expected it to be when I saw a familiar face coming through the door.

"There's lots of cake, but Dean's pissed off that there's no pie all over."

It was Shigeru as he was dressed up in royal garb in which he was here on business for the holidays as usual. Therefore, I was glad to see him as he was a friendly face that was there for a reason, for this was going to be a great Christmas after all.

"Looks like you would be monster repellant for all that silver hair, Sammy," he said to me.

"Don't remind me…," I said. "It's been like this since I destroyed General Wetzel five months ago."

"As for the asshats who confined you and Sis with the kids and servants, I was glad that they're gone after hearing complaints from tourists who visited Kanto Village. As for what you went through, Kazuo's still throwing the book at the fab four, but one of them is in rehab."

"Aelfric was not as bad as the others, but he lost his family at the hands of Darbus Toller last year."

"And from what I heard from the Medical Corps, the guy's doing much better in which he even talked about how you helped him exorcize his house that had a poltergeist in it."

"At least he stopped it," said Reiko.

"As for you, you're expecting another set of twins like the last two."

"Yes, but one of them will be a little girl for Carly to play with. Still, this will be my second set of twins to bear, but at least there will be a girl in our family..."

Shigeru was happy to hear that as he was pointing at me while laughing with glee. He was getting a niece after all as he was also stuck with his own daughter back home in the Kingdom by the River. Even though Christmas was only three days away, it was time to talk about how everything was put together as it was also a time to reflect on what was yet to come, for this time of joy could only come once a year in the least.

"It's about time that we all celebrated Christmas as a family," said Shigeru.

"And I bet that Futaba had all the pies in your neck of the woods," I said.

"Everywhere I noticed all over the palace, I see pie in which Dean would've wanted to get a hold of it all over the place and we all know that he enjoys pie more than anything."

"Still, everything's quiet back home, but the main headquarters of the Order has been destroyed on Alecrast five months ago."

"I heard all about it since there had been the influx of refugees who were taken out of the destroyed towns at the hands of General Wetzel, but recently, they've found a home there in the ghost town of Piper Canyon. Still, that popsicle stand may have been the butt of Darbus Toller's reign of slaughter, it doesn't mean that the townsfolk who were all taken out of Sgriccia and New Hanover can be homeless forever. Even with that candy-ass war still going, it's come all over the place and the destruction of Ginryu's place was the last straw that put the Order out on the front lines in the first place."

"The current makeshift headquarters that is earmarked is a stack of slug roe homes and rotgut rooms near the castle next door, but the Medical Corps occupy part of it."

"Reuben told me everything in which your castle is a lot bigger than what is perceived to be. Even the underground levels have rooms, but at least the rest of the Medical Corps won't go either homeless or hungry. Also, I noticed the latest stack of books from Glen Barnett's Chronicles of the Order series in which it also detailed a Christmas that you and Sis had in the Dabb Mountains on Shiganshina last year. That time may be a bygone era, but it's also a moment to reflect so far."

"That's right," said Carly. "I loved the food that gets brought home, but it's hard to catch Cornelius when he gets too noisy. And for the record, Cornelius is a rooster who doesn't get along with the other one in charge and he even fights him over the hens!"

"It's been a while since I last saw you, Carly. You've grown an inch, but you also have that ball of enthusiasm that you carry. Luckily, Sam had his reasons to take care of you since your parents died last year. It's also a time of cheer, so let's soak it up to the fullest, alright?"

Carly looked at the clock as it was almost four in which she left the hospital room to meet up with the other children in our rooms in the lodging area. As for me, however, I was beginning to remember the times that I had with my family as the memories of being on Shiganshina were a set of milestones that were etched in stone. Still, the happiness that I had briefly was something that I would often talk about for years to come, for a certain holiday was once celebrated in the Dabb Mountains with all trimmings back then…

One year ago on Shiganshina…

I was outside as I was in the nude relaxing in the hot pond in which I saw the fresh snow falling from above. After taking my time to provide for Reiko and the children, I was forced to take some time for myself as I did just that while seeing the snow falling on shore. I was happy to have some time for myself until I noticed Reiko arriving the moment she took off her robe and began to get into the hot water that was as refreshing as any other hot spring that we went to. With Christmas coming, we were ready to celebrate a modest form of holiday cheer as I also couldn't wait to cook the rest of the dinner that came with it while I had some meat cooking slowly earlier. I was happy to be here in the Dabb Mountains on Shiganshina as I was also most likely to be getting out of my comfort so far.

"Today is Christmas Eve, but it's only us for now," said Reiko as she swam towards me.

"I know, but it's best that we stay here for the time being," I said.

"If only that Darbus hadn't put a bounty on your head..."

"Darbus won't come here because there are those who have been disgraced like us that made these mountains their home."

"Badur and C'Torrha are our friends, but I miss the rest of our family on Alecrast..."

"After the battle to destroy the Elect in Gale Canyon, there's been a surge of Darbus Toller all over the place with the artificial women that he parades with him..."

"Sammy, there will be a time when we will get called back home, but this happiness here won't last forever. Still, Christmas is coming, but the children will also have fun like the rest of us. All we have is hope in our hearts, for we will soon return to our family when the time is right."

"Hey! Aren't you gonna get out yet?!"

We saw Dirk in his winter clothing as he was waiting for us to return home to prepare for Christmas dinner for tomorrow and the next day. Even though he was no stranger of seeing us in the hot pond, he was most likely to be giving us the heads-up on the holiday festivities that were being celebrated up here in the Dabb Mountains. With the rest of us content with our surroundings, we never minded the snow that much as it was also a time for the matter of family.

"Today's Christmas Eve," said Dirk.

"We know," I said.

"Well, you better get your ass out of the bath 'cause Badur and Eppa are over here at the house."

"I'll be right there, alright? Meet us at the house when we get there."

It wasn't long until Reiko and I stepped out of the hot pond as we dressed up in clean clothes the moment we saw Dirk leaving to the house. By the time we got our boots on, we were on our way back home as we saw Carly chasing after one of the chickens. It was a humble home in a derelict Draaza ship as we made it that way for a while since our exile, but the lingering temptation to return home under the yoke of Darbus Toller was imminent indeed. By the time we entered into the house, we noticed Badur and Eppa here as they were busy bringing us gifts that were shoved under the tree that we decorated weeks ago. It was a wonderful time for us as we were most likely to be enjoying this celebration of merriment and hope for the future in this time of holiday cheer, for we would remember this for many years to come.

"Father and I have been looking after things while the small ones are still asleep," said Eppa.

"I've come back here anyway," I said.

"Little Carly was busy tending to, or perhaps chasing the chickens in which she wants to catch one for dinner," said Badur. "Still, she's got energy, but at least she shows it when she tries to find one of those things in the chicken room."

"It's great that you guys are here," said Dirk.

"It's great that we stuck around," said C'Torrha as she came in from the back entrance. "Our holiday that takes place after tomorrow is also the one where the Terran God's son is born on that day in Bethlehem on Earth. There's also the celebration of the one in red known only as either Father Christmas or Santa Claus in which the good children will receive presents while the bad ones only get coal in their stockings."

It wasn't long until Dirk sprinted towards the kitchen to check up on the turkey that was caught earlier in the oven as it was slowly cooking nicely. Staring at the juicy bird that was beginning to become well-done, he was ready to take it out as he saw me go into the kitchen to lift the oven door open. The smell of the turkey filled the air as I grabbed a pair of oven mitts and picked up the roasting pan that it was in. Setting it on the counter, I was checking the bird thoroughly as it was done the moment I noticed that one of the legs fell apart in an instant. With the turkey taken out of the oven, I left the kitchen towards the smelter room as I was checking up on something else. It was the smell of the largest beef brisket imaginable as it was in the smelter oven cooking slowly over an open fire while in a very large roasting pan. The seasoning of it was delectably mouthwatering as it was also one of the main courses that we were eating on our Christmas dinner. Just as I was about to take out the beef brisket, I saw Carly rush into the smelter room as she was chasing the same stubborn chicken that was running from her all along.

When I saw her chase the chicken towards the guardrail, I ran towards them as I steered them away at the last minute before they fell into the lava below. It was a close call, but I couldn't let Carly or the chicken fall into the lava as they were safe from harm for the time being, for this was something that will always be dangerous at hand.

"You shouldn't be chasing the head honcho of the chicken room too much, fusspot," I said as I set both Carly and the chicken down towards the sink where the larger oven was. "Luckily, you were saved, but if you fell, you would end up dead in the lava below."

"I'm sorry," she said woefully.

"I know that you want to catch Cornelius all the live long, but he's not the type that can be butchered due to his role as rooster in the chicken room with all the other hens."

"But he was being noisy! He was also fighting with another rooster just to stay in there with the hens!"

"It doesn't matter, fusspot. What truly matters that you stay safe and that means not going towards the guardrail where the lava is. We're living near a volcano in these mountains, but it's been dormant for centuries in which it remains calm so far."

"I hope that the volcano doesn't blow its top..."

"It won't, but I came here to get out the rest of our Christmas dinner to go with the turkey that Reiko cooked earlier."

"Reiko's cooking is the best! She makes all those yummy treats for us!"

"Reiko's not the only one who knows how to cook, fusspot. I can also cook just as much as she does, for I've learned during my years as a servant that lived at the fort on Gehenna. As for our holiday feast, we have it covered in which we not only have each other, but our friends who live here in these mountains. They are the most worthy of friends that are there because they are like us when they have been disgraced by those who wronged them. As for the holiday cheer, we have it all over, regardless of how many presents are under the tree or decorations all over the place."

Carly was happy to hear that as she was grateful that she was there with me and the other children during our exile on Shiganshina. As for the holiday celebration, it was a good one as I was there to offer moral guidance in this dark time, for it would never go to waste in the near future. By the time I checked up on the roast beef brisket, I grabbed a fork from the drawer as I poked into it directly. The impact of the fork stabbing into the meat was a tender success as I saw the meat flake up onto it with such sheer grace. The brisket was done as I was ready to take it out of there and onto the cart that was near the sink. With my telekinetic abilities at play, I gently got out the large roasting pan with the beef brisket as I set it onto the cart the moment I was ready to carry it back to the kitchen to serve everyone for this dinner. With Carly following me, she decided not to pursue Cornelius as she saw him strut away back towards the chicken room while I was going towards the kitchen door. By the time we got into the kitchen itself, we were ready to start on the dinner itself as I noticed some side dishes on the counters, for it was Christmas after all.

"The beef smells good, but I wished it to be turducken instead," she said.

"The angus cow that I hunted down was good enough for not only Christmas dinner, but for our remaining meals until the upcoming New Year holiday," I said.

"You shouldn't forget about the pies here, Sam," said C'Torrha as she brought a set of desserts that were made earlier. "There's always room for dessert, so there's no need to worry right now."

"I love Christmas!" yelled Carly. "It's the best thing that I ever got with Mr. Sam and his family!"

"Hey, are you guys gonna start up yet?!" yelled Dirk. "Everyone's digging into the turkey, but the brisket's gonna be more than what we bargained for."

"Then we'll take the brisket," I said.

And so, we feasted with gusto as Christmas was a time of celebration and hope for all in this time of uncertainty. As for what was yet to come, I had a feeling that I would soon be coaxed back into the battle, but my exile was most likely to remain permanent after my ouster from Darbus Toller, for this was something that I had to deal with so far…

Later on in the evening, I was outside after the dinner feast as I saw fireworks going off in which I spotted Badur and Eppa lighting off a few that were set in the snowy ground. The sight of bright colors lit up the night sky perfectly as I saw them to be the most beautiful spectacle that I ever saw on Christmas Eve. With the fresh snow mixing in with the fireworks, it was the most elegant setting for winter as I noticed Reiko, Dirk, and Carly with the twins in their warm clothing coming out here to join me and our neighbors to watch them go off, for this was the most elegant of all so far.

"Lighting fireworks around Christmas is a tradition in the Dabb Mountains here on Shiganshina," said Eppa as he set up a bottle rocket in the snow. "Father and I have been doing this since we came to live here for a long time now."

"You really know how to light off a bunch of bottle rockets," said Dirk.

"At least they're lit in the snow instead of in a field and it's better to shoot them off in the winter instead of the summer."

"And I hope for the brightest future…," I said. "Still, we've faced many hardships here, but it's our home and we'll keep it that way, no matter what. We may have been exiled here, but we're a family and that's all that matters the most. We all have a stake here and we hope to be here in these mountains with all the snow and volcano we can muster."

I continued to watch the fireworks as I saw Eppa lighting them off in the snow-filled sky in the evening. Still, the holidays were a time to reflect and celebrate as Christmas was a time for not only fun, but for hope into a better future on the horizon...

Meanwhile, back in the present…

Carly was busy going towards the lodging area of the Order's main headquarters on Drakonus as she was on her way to meet up with the other children for dinner. By the time she got there, she noticed Dean coming back with some food to bring out as she was getting very hungry. The sight of roast turkey on a platter nearly made her want to pounce until she noticed the other children coming. Still, she was full of energy as she wanted to het what was in the platter that Dean had in her hands, but she had to get past the older children first.

"I want turkey!" she yelled.

"Hey, some of it is for Sam," said Dean. "We know that he can't just be laid up in bed all the live long while slurping on hospital food and it's not just the Jell-O."

"You took off with what was left of the birthday cake," said Dirk.

"Mr. Sam didn't get any after he got put in the hospital and he can't just eat up that yucky food that the Medical Corps give him all the time."

"At least he didn't get any of those liquid shakes that taste like chalk all the time," said Gyatso.

"Hey, we're paying Sammy a visit and that's that," said Dean. "He's probably staring at the ceiling, but with Reiko put in there, he won't be so lonely 'cause she's got two months to go on her pregnancy and it's not pretty. With the first set of twins turning two and the next set already getting to make their debut, the Order will have one hell of a field day when it comes to seeing them hands down."

"I hope that he's okay after what he went through," said Kanna. "I heard Kazuo talking about how he overexerted his raw power, but he does it to help people when it comes to his selfless ideals. He may look after everyone in this family, but he hardly takes time for himself and see to what he cherishes without any problems."

"Well, his 'selfless ideals' are gonna have to wait 'cause he needs a daily dose of holiday cheer complete with egg nog, candy canes, and the queen mother of desserts: pie. Still, Sam can't hold out on caving into all the self-discovery that he eluded from, but there are tons of obstacles just to go and tug him downward to his own hell and suffering. It's not fun, but if there are any New Year's resolutions in mind besides the goal for some shlub to lose weight, I want Sam to resolve the conflict within himself before he falls off the rails. He needs a lot more than just familial and friendly support. He needs to allow support within himself before he falls apart and that's not gonna happen, not on my watch."

Dean made his point clear as he vowed to keep me on the right path in which the war that the Executive Division had caused was getting worse. Still, we shouldn't be worrying about that right now as I was also a catalyst to aid in those who needed my guidance the most, for this wasn't over yet…

I was laying in bed as I was still staring at the Christmas tree with so many presents under it. Even though I had some visitors in the form of Shigeru and Carly, I was still incapacitated, but I had Reiko with me in which she had to be hospitalized due to the pregnancy that she had. The sight of her made me feel happy as I was there to make her feel comfortable despite our predicaments in separate hospital beds in our room. Even though Shigeru left before other things came up earlier, I was alone with Reiko until I heard the sound of joy coming into our room. Spotting the door opening up, I saw Dean entering as he had a platter full of food in his hands. The turkey with the trimmings was a pleasant surprise for us as it was also the main course for our evening meal before the big day. Setting it down on a table near my bed, he was determined to see me full of happiness as he was stubborn in his efforts to do so, for he was my older brother after all.

"Look what I got here, Sammy," he said as he showed the food to me. "It's some turkey and all the trimmings, but the rest is coming in here without the gloom."

"I had a gut feeling that you would be here," I said.

"What? And let you miss out on the fun? Not a chance, little brother."

"I see that you and Sister have showed up to join us," said Reiko.

"Magda's bringing in all the other kids, but the rest of the celebration will be great enough for the rest of us."

"Shigeru was here earlier, but he had to leave on business before going back to his family in the Kingdom by the River."

"According to what I heard, Shigeru was talking to Ryosuke about the war effort in which we can't afford to lose either you or Sam. It's not fun, but I can't let you two fall victim to the Executive Division and their tactics in which you two can't be stonewalled to cater to their own abuse of power."

"I'm the only target here, Dean," I said. "Why is Reiko put in the same boat like this?"

"Remember those words that Severin told you guys nearly two years ago next month during your stay on Earendil? He said to Reiko before you sent his ass flying in that old factory: 'You and your husband are a threat and I'm going to weed it out.' You two may have welcomed the first set of twins, but from what I heard from Shigeru, everyone fear your rise to being the Destiny of Worlds that has been told in what was found on Earth before everyone left the for the stars over two thousand years ago and those things have been in Ryosuke's possession and haven't left this joint for a long time. I'll give you time to soak in that information, but you're gonna have to look at them after the holiday recess is over. As for the festivities of Christmas, it's time that you two have something other than hospital food here."

I took charge as I used my telekinesis to tear a leg from the turkey as I caught it in my hand. Just as I was about to eat it, I noticed Dean get two plastic plates from the counter as he set the leg on one of them. Still, I worried about Reiko's pregnancy as she needed the food that was brought to our hospital room, but she was in luck when Magda came in with a cart full of side dishes ranging from pork buns to pecan pie. It was a feast for the eyes as it was also getting late the moment I saw fresh snow falling from the window outside.

"It's one hell of a party when it comes to Shigeru hard at work in the kitchen while on business," said Magda as she took one of the plastic plates and gave it to Reiko. "It's a godsend that he's the only royal consort that slaves away in a kitchen, but he takes time with his work on the food without complaining."

"Shigeru's still here?" I asked.

"He comes and goes, but he knows how to cook. He even knows how to make a Mississippi Mud cake with cherries, walnuts, coconut, and marshmallows with whipped chocolate frosting on top."

"It's getting late so far, but the children need to get to bed before Father Christmas comes to give them presents."

"If you think that it's far from late, then look at the clock, Sam."

I stared at the clock on the wall as I saw it to be fifteen minutes past midnight. It was Christmas Day after all as I was thankful that I had everyone here with me so far. I was blessed to have my family in this hospital room as I noticed the children getting ready to open up their presents that were under the tree. When I saw them doing that, I noticed Shigeru entering as he had mine and Dean's sets of twins in a wagon as they were dressed for bed, but they were most likely to be opening up presents like the rest of the children so far. One by one, all four toddlers were set down with the older children as they were busy ripping into the various presents that were there under the tree, for it was a time of great joy after all.

"It's about time that you enjoyed Christmas Morning, Sammy," said Shigeru.

"By the way, how's Futaba and Fuyuka doing?" I asked.

"I check on them from time to time, but when I get back, I'm gonna be pooped from teleporting from place to place. Being a High Elf is one thing, but a Nephilim whose maternal grandfather is one of the Knights of Heaven? It's two for the price of one, but I can't just sit on my ass forever."

"That is so true..."

"At least that you didn't get a Sapphire Barbie for Christmas, Sam," said Dirk as he was looking at his new journal that he opened up. "Still, some of those presents are for you and Reiko, but you guys need to open them up right away."

I saw Dirk fish out some unopened presents that were earmarked for me and Reiko as he gave them to us one at a time. When I opened up mine, I noticed that there was an unopened box that was under the wrapping paper as I opened it up to see that I got a new katana sword that was forged recently, but it was resonating with the raw power that I had in which I unsheathed it to show everyone. I saw it to be a work of art as I also noticed the same Latin inscription on both the sword and scabbard, which was none other than "Non timebo mala" all over it. Putting it away, I noticed Reiko opening up her own present as she saw them to be a box full of baby clothes for both boy and girl in which she even noticed a pendant hidden with it. The gemstone in silver casing was the same color as her old earrings as she put it on to show me, for she loved it so much.

"Oh, Sammy, we are truly blessed a little too much already," she said.

"I know," I said. "Still, let's hope that our Christmas tidings give us hope for the future."

"Don't forget the pie," said Dean as he got himself a slice of pecan pie from the cart of food.

"There's also cake," said Shigeru.

"Merry Christmas to all of you," I said. "It's the best thing that has ever happened, despite the fact that I've been incapacitated in this hospital room."

And I meant it… With the fresh snow falling from outside, I noticed a familiar burst of explosions in bright colors as there were fireworks being shot off in the sky. Even Reiko stared at them as she remembered that time in the Dabb Mountains on Shiganshina in which fireworks were shot off during the time of Christmas joy. For the record, I was humble to see great tidings in one huge blessing as I was also grateful that I had my family with me for all the times that I shared so far despite the ongoing war that was started against our wishes. We all had our ups and downs, but Christmas was a time for everyone to be together, no matter what gets thrown at us…

To be continued...