shimmerandsing | Tis the season!

The only thing better than Christmas at home with her husband and family was Christmas at home with her husband, family, and friends. Alison had been eagerly awaiting the return of Rogue and Dakota's bunch to the castle for the holidays. She had already picked out a Christmas tree, which Longshot and John hauled home for her. It had lights on -- mostly Miyuki and Lisa's doing with Alison's supervision -- but, no ornaments yet. She figured that Gloria Jean and the boys could help with that when they arrived.

And they were coming early! That made it even better.

Despite her decreased mobility, Alison had been up early on the day they were scheduled to arrive. The castle was generally kept pretty clean, but she straightened anyway. And then... the baking! She hadn't felt such a strong urge to bake since the early months of her pregnancy. But, now, it was back in full force. By the time she finally tired of it, she had sugar cookies, gingerbread men, a gingerbread house, snowball cupcakes, and chocolate dipped pretzels.

She sat down in the kitchen to rest her feet and nibble on some gingerbread. Her little tea pot sat on the stove, happily brewing some peppermint tea. It might not be Christmas yet, but it sure smelled like Christmas.

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Aww. No pouting! Longshot didn't like it when Alison did it, and he sure didn't like it when his little sister did it. So, the Mojoworlder wrapped his arms around Lisa and snuggled her in. The hiccups did not bother him in the least.

"You did a good job," he assured. "I almost got paralyzed from giggles."

Miyuki raised an eyebrow at Robbie not rejoining her. Even if Asuka was right there. Just sitting was not a crime. And the teenage ninja did not have a thing for looking at Rogue.

Asuka looked over at Alison, ignoring teenage fear and drama. "So, is this what Christmas is going to be like? Tickle wars and sweets?"

Rogue chuckles at Gloria Jean. "Ah'll keep that in mind, sweetpea."

Though she does have a very good idea of how good Dakota can be with his fingers. Mostly in ways that are mentionable in public.

"Why thank you kindly, Robbie," Rogue replies evenly. She gets from how cagey the boy appears that his budding relationship with Miyuki might not be approved of by Asuka. Well, if a Southern woman can help keep things going, she is going to try. She sets herself back down in her chair and looks totally at ease. Mostly because she is now.

"Oh, this is just the beginning, I'm sure." Alison grinned at Asuka and reached over to ruffle Lisa's hair. She had no fears of losing her fingers. "There's still Christmas dinner to look forward to. And presents."

"Who besides me still needs to shop?" She asked as she looked around at everyone. Most of her shopping had been done, but there were a few little items left to get.

"Not me," Dakota said as he swung his daughter down off his shoulder. Much to her surprised yelping. He set her down with her feet on the floor. "I think the boys are done, too."

He thought. He didn't know if Rodney was going to go through with his presents for Robbie and Miyuki yet or not. There would have to be some man-to-almost man talks in a bit.

"I still got some shopping to do," Gloria Jean answered softly as she scuffed her foot across the floor. It was so hard to choose! And she was trying to make every little bit spent count. She didn't want to give bad presents.

"Yay! We can shop together." Lisa smiled at Gloria Jean as she snuggled up with Longshot. She was still hiccuping in between breaths and giggles, but the thought of shopping made it all better. "I still have'ta find something for my little sister and a couple other people."

Like her Dad. Because he was a bone head and hard to shop for. She also still needed to find something good for Gloria Jean. Maybe shopping with the other girl would give her some ideas.

Robbie noticed Miyuki's look and figured he was probably in trouble. But, it was too late to fix now. He smiled apologetically at her and then nodded to Alison. "I have a few more things, too."

Longshot would have to work on his snuggles if they didn't make anything better. Alison should brace herself for the experience. Because his snuggling was deficient.

"I think I got everything," Longshot replied as he rested his chin on top of Lisa's head. "Hidden, too."

He eyed Asuka and Miyuki. They better not go and try to find their presents!

They both looked blandly back at Longshot. They were aware of the Western custom of gift-giving on Christmas, but they both were more used to the Japanese romance angle of Christmas. Thus, despite presents last year, they were not expecting gifts. Though since Alison, Longshot, and the other people in the castle were foreigners, presents had been purchased. Because the jonin said so.

"Ah can go out with the girls," Rogue volunteers. "Ah still have some shoppin' left to do."

More specifically, shopping without her husband along and breathing down her neck in boredom. At least they had managed to get things done for the kids on the last outing. Until that dressing room became a bit too inviting...

She almost blushes at that memory.

"Oooh, good. A shopping adventure. We can brave the malls. I'm not scared." She grinned and winked at Gloria Jean.

Then she looked at her husband curiously. "You're all done, huh? All hidden?" It was fair if she went looking for her present, right? Since she wasn't a ninja, he had an advantage.

Dakota was glad to miss out on all the women shopping. That was an eternity he would not like to spend again. He watched his daughter casually meander over to Alison and lean against the woman. Well, at least his daughter knew who would spoil her. Though Dakota himself was a little thirsty.

"Did you guys stock up on chocolate milk?"

Gloria Jean used her Big, Brown Eyes on Alison. "You and Lisa can protect me from the big, bad mall monster Daddy says lives in the center of every mall, right? The one he always disappears to go fight..."

Lisa snuggled up happily with Longshot and was content to stay there for as long as he would be sitting still. She wondered what kind of present she was going to get from him and Alison. Maybe she could be sneaky later and find out. She'd probably get caught, but it would be fun to try.

"I'm not scared of no monsters," Lisa announced with all the certainty of an eleven year old who knew there were well armed adults surrounding her most of the time. "And the Mall Daddy took me to has a fun merry go round."

Longshot continued to be oblivious of any hormonal triggers he may be flipping like crazy with his wife. His little sister liked snuggling with him. So nyah!

"Mm-hm," he replied to his wife. He had a very good idea that she would not find anything. Mostly because he was extremely sneaky and knew every nook and cranny of the castle by now.

"Monster... in the middle... of the mall..." Rogue eyes her husband suspiciously. She doesn't know exactly what tales he's been telling to his daughter, but she aims to find out the reason.

Though it may have something to do with the fact some malls have arcades toward the center.

With a little shifting, Alison managed to get both arms around Gloria Jean and hug the girl tight. Then she kissed the top of her head and laughed. "I won't let anything bad get to you or Lisa. Anything that tries will have to go through me and my mood swings first."

Oh, she was going to spoil Gloria Jean alright. And Lisa. And anybody else who came within shopping and gift-giving range.

Tis the season!

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