Tis the season!

[shimmerandsing]

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.

Comments

[laertes.livejournal.com]

The way his daughter packed, Dakota had the feeling she was trying to get another three month stay. He had managed to get her not to pack every one of her belongings. Especially since she would be bringing presents home. Now, he had a headache despite his normal resistance to such mundane aches. Though he couldn't totally blame the girl bouncing on the balls of her feet next to him.

Dakota knocked on the door before opening it. It seemed polite. Before he could say anything, Gloria Jean jumped in and announced "We're here!"

He chuckled to himself as he followed. The twins were trudging their way up the steps.

[laertes.livejournal.com]

"I think we are happy. We laugh a lot. Mostly at my brothers." Like the time the two of them were hanging off the rain gutters by their underwear. Dakota banned them from the rooftop until they grew out of their be like their Dad stage. Also both looked chagrined by Storm using little tornadoes to get them down.

Once the pair of girls got into the kitchen, Gloria jean threw herself at Alison for a hug. It was always a good idea to hug the cookie-giver at first sight.

[light-in-sound.livejournal.com]

Ick. Alison wrinkled her nose and brushed the cookie crumbs off of her shirt and arm. Well, that was probably an indication of how much he liked the cookie. Or something.

"Glad you like it," she muttered wryly and shook her head.

Then she caught a glimpse of the teenage sweeties across the table and had to fight hard not to giggle. Awwww... young love was so cute.

[clericpreston.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure," Lisa muttered and pouted a little as she settled in Longshot's lap. She hiccuped from being tickled and laughing so much. One day, when she was bigger, she'd be able to tickle Longshot back. But, he almost always won their tickle fights now.

She wouldn't stop trying, though.

Robbie set Alison's orange juice down on the table in front of her. Then he debated what to do next. Ah ha!

"You can have your seat back, Rogue." He smiled at her and moved over to lean against the counter again. Ahhh. Safe distance.