Happy Christmas in July!

December 4, 2013

No more snow had fallen in New York since before Thanksgiving, but the atmosphere was still thick with the aura of Christmas. It was the first Christmas with humans, mutants, and yokai living together. This year's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony was set to be the grandest in the tradition's magnificent 81 year history!

The camera showcasing the tree lighting live across the country moved with along it's track as it zoomed in on Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie, ready to come back from a commercial break.

"Welcome back to Rockefeller Center where the energy is POPPIN', only 20 minutes away now from Mayor Bloomberg and Hidden City Mayor Big Mama lighting up this year's Rockefeller Christmas Tree!" Al boomed into his mic.

Savannah nodded. "That's right, Al! In case you're just tuning in, Mayor Bloomberg and Mayor Big Mama will be switching on the lights together. The Hidden City and its people have played a vital role to our great city since the Invasion of Earth earlier this year."

"And speaking of the Invasion," Al interjected. "We would've all been toast had it not been for the Heroes of New York! In fact, we've got a couple of them with us tonight!" Al and Savannah gestured for the pair just off camera to join them in frame. "To share the specs of this year's Rockefeller Tree, please welcome Hamato Donatello and Hamato April!"

Donnie waved awkwardly, trying to hold on to his microphone and keep his scarf from blowing off at the same time. It was hard being out in 39 degree weather as a turtle. Luckly, the station had set up a warming booth for him until it was time for his segment. April was bundled up as much as he was, but she had an easier time since she wasn't cold-blooded. Donnie managed to shake Al's hand while April hugged Savannah.

"It's so great to have you two with us tonight!" Savannah gushed.

"It's so great being here, Savannah!" April beamed. "We've watched the tree lighting ceremony as a family for as long as I can remember! You know, Donnie here remembers the stats of every Rockefeller tree since 2001."

"Is that so?" Al quirked an eyebrow.

Donnie smirked. "Try me!"

"2008." Savannah supplied.

"The 2008 Rockefeller tree was an 80 year-old Norway Spruce that hailed from Hamilton Township, New Jersey. It stood at 72 feet tall and boasted 30,000 LED lights."

"Wow! That's impressive!"

"Just like this year's tree." April gestured to the tree behind the group's raised platform. "This fella here, also a Norway Spruce, was generously donated by the Vargoshe family from Shelton Conneticut."

Donnie nodded. "It's not quite as old as the 2008 tree, but 75 years old for a tree is nothing to sneeze at! The crew certainly had a time navigating this 12 ton, 46 foot diameter beast into place. Once they got it in place, it measures 76 feet tall!"

"This year, they're dressing it in 45,000 LED lights and the breathtaking Swarovski crystal star they've been using since 2004. It's going to be magnificent!" April's hand subconsciously tapped her collar bone; her crystal was hidden beneath her layers of clothes.

"I had all those stats written here, but the two of you have such a way of explaining things!" Al shook his head increduolously. "It's like you can read each others minds!"

The couple shared a look. They chuckled along with their hosts.

"Well, since New York owes you two her safety and you've been fans for so long, would you like to announce the next performers?" Savannah gesutured to the teleprompter.

"That would make our holiday, Savannah!" Donnie gave his signature gap-toothed grin. He nudged April, indicating she take the first line of the intro.

The girl squared her shoulders, looking confidently into the camera. "I don't know about you, but it's not the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting without an appearance from the iconic dance company."

"Performing their legendary precision choreography, ladies and gentlemen… THE RADIO CITY ROCKETTES!" Donnie made a grand sweeping gesture towards the stage he knew the Rockettes would be performing at. The camera tracked his movement before the Production Assistant called cut.

Donnie, April, Al, and Savannah rushed for Donnie's warming booth before he started to become lethargic.

"Man, it really is an honor to meet the two of you!" Al vigorously shook Donnie's hand while April went to pour her boyfriend a cup of coffee from the Thermos they'd brought.

"The honor's all mine, sir." The brainy turtle responded, doing his best to speak through his chattering teeth.

"Forgive my curiosity…" Savannah accepted a blanket from her assistant to keep warm between segments. "But we introduced you two as the 'Hamatos'... are you related? Personal information like that's been scarce since the Invasion."

April shrugged. "In a way. His father adopted me when I was four. My parents had passed away. We were raised together."

"But you don't act much like siblings?" Al questioned.

"We may have been raised together, but we were always friends. One thing led to another…" Donnie huddled closer to his girlfriend, craving her warmth.

"We've been dating for just over a year and a half now." April leaned back to share her body heat with Donnie.

"Huh…" Al tsked. "That's interesting… would you two ever be up for an in depth interview? 'A human raised by mutants then turns around to date her adoptive brother.' It would make for a great article!"

"I don't think so." April declined. "Even coming here and doing segments like this, we try to keep our personal lives as private as possible."

"Fair enough." Al shrugged. "Was worth the ask."

Everyone turned when a golf cart pulled up. A PA in a black parka coat gestured to the hosts. "Al! Savannah! We need to get you to the next stage!"

"Are you staying for the lighting itself? Mariah Carey and Ginny Gyer from the Hidden City are dueting All I Want for Christmas is You!" Savannah inquired.

April tried to rub more heat into her boyfriend's arm. "As fun as that would be to see, we need to get him home. But it's been a dream come true! Thanks for reaching out!" The girl hugged Savannah once more while Al shook Donnie's hand. The turtle opened his hand to see Al's business card.

The journalist pointed at the card. "If you ever need a contact in the media, you give us a call, okay son?"

Donnie nodded. "I will, sir."

The two hosts climbed into their waiting chariot, speeding them away to their next segment.

April turned back to Donnie. "Are you warm enough to start the trudge back to the sewers?" She giggled as she was engulfed in a massive hug, a groan coming from Donnie.

"Do we have to? This booth is so nice and warm and you're here so it's extra warm and…"

"AAANNNDD you're starting to ramble." April used her index finger to push Donnie's face away from nuzzling her neck. She knew he liked to do that more in the winter because it made her face flush, thus making her a better heat source. "We need to get you to a more stabilized environment. Don't forget: you've got that massive heat lamp you made the guys for Christmas several years back. When we get home, you can stay under the heat for as long as you want."

"Will you come and snuggle for a bit?"

"Maybe… If you shower first. I need to get cleaned up too. It's been a long day and I'm tired of sweating through all these layers. After that, maybe we can drag your laptop close by and we can watch a Christmas movie."

"Barbie in the Nutcracker." Donnie grabbed their bags, willing his limbs to move despite the cold. "Best version of the Nutcracker story, right?"

April barked out a laugh, drawing looks as they left the production area. "I've trained you well."

Donnie grinned a stupid, love-struck grin as he pressed a kiss to her temple. "Love you, April."

"Love you, Donnie."

Okay! There was originally MUCH more to this chapter, but it was a decent length and everything was JUST. SO. STINKIN'. CUTE! I couldn't bare to alter it at all.

Next chapter starts our final arc: PREVENT THE POWER INSIDE HER. I can tell you - NONE of you are ready for what comes next. See you soon for Chapter 55!