"So this is how it's done?" Troy asked, as he set out some gifts under the tree to fill what little space was left under it as he looked to Kitty who was placing gifts into stockings. She looked luminous in her pink nightgown, as the light hit her from behind.
She turned to him and smiled. "Yep, that's how its done. Presents under the tree, gifts and candy in the stockings... And Santa will come later, no doubt, and leave a few more."
"Oh really? So you still believe in Santa?" Troy asked as he smiled and stood, going to her, his dark eyes gazing at her.
"Well, lets just say a little elf told me I should..." She smirked, as his arms went around her.
"And what did you ask Santa for?" he asked, looking into her green-brown eyes.
She raised her eyebrows for a moment and kept her smirk. "Do you really want to know?"
"Of course..." he replied, holding onto her hips.
"Nothing . . . I have everything I want," she answered.
With that, he caressed her face tenderly and leaned in and kissed her. As they drew apart, they smiled, looking into each other's eyes. Kitty's fingers entwined in Troy's hair. Suddenly she bolted out of her arms.
"Milk and cookies! I almost forgot the milk and cookies!" she said.
"You have to feed Santa, too?" Troy laughed.
"It's part of the tradition," Kitty smiled, as she quickly replicated some cookies and milk and placed them on the coffee table.
"I think Kassia told me about the milk and cookies actually," Troy said as he followed her to the table.
Together they sat down on the couch and watched the lights on the tree twinkle brightly. "What else did she tell you about Christmas?" Kitty asked.
"She told me about a lot of things, like about the things we saw at the celebration tonight on the Promenade... She told me about the birth of the Christ child on Earth, then about Santa... And how he brings gifts to all the good children of the world... But I guess that's been extended to the universe," he smirked.
She laughed. "I think you're right."
Suddenly two cups of cocoa appeared on the coffee table with some fresh gingerbread cookies.
"Looks like Santa wants to reward us for our belief in him," he said as he held her close.
"I think he just wants everyone to feel the Christmas spirit," Kitty replied, as she grabbed the cups of cocoa, handing Troy one. Carefully she took a sip of the warm brew and smiled. She watched as Troy did the same.
"You know, it seems this whole month things have been different on the Station. Everyone has been caught up in this holiday spirit..."
"And has that been a bad thing?" Kitty asked as she cuddled into Troy's arms.
"Oh no!" he replied as he laughed a bit. "Not at all! It's just amazing how suddenly there were decorations and music... and cups of cocoa and cookies and candy canes appearing everywhere... Everyone working together to do something as wonderful as that celebration on the Promenade... Even with the bad things that have happened, it was as if there was a sense of good permeating the Station."
She smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. "That's because there is..." she said.
Even though she had gone through trials this month, the good had prevailed on the Station. Troy was right about that. She took another sip if her drink as she sipped at her cocoa. They stayed like that watching the lights.
Eventually as time wore on, they fell asleep in each other's arms on the couch. Jingling bells could be heard as a jolly, fat man dressed in red suddenly appeared. He went to the tree and placed down several presents and then filled the stockings to brimming. As he went to the coffee table, he ate the cookies and drank the milk and watched as the couple slept soundly. He smiled as he watched them. Then, out of his bag, he produced a white, crochet blanket with flecks of gold. It was woven of a very soft yarn. Gently he placed it over the sleeping pair. He smiled and reached in his bag, placing yet one more gift under the tree. This one especially for the couple... Finally deciding his job was done, he sighed with satisfaction and left the way he came.
For a moment, Kitty thought she heard bells, but she felt so warm and comfortable she didn't want to move and easily drifted back to sleep.
Kitty awoke to Arianna pulling on her hand.
"Momma... Presents!" the little girl said.
Kitty's consciousness came to her through a thick cloud of warmth and contentment. As her eyes opened, she saw Arianna looking at her, her green-brown eyes gazing at her with excitement. She also noticed the soft, thick blanket covering her and that Troy was still beside her. She smiled as he stirred. As his eyes opened and he looked at the blanket he had a puzzled looked on his face. Then they looked at the tree and saw several other gifts there they had not place there the night before. Then as they turned to the stockings they were stuffed to overfull.
"He really did make an appearance last night, didn't he?" Troy asked.
"I think so," Kitty replied with a smirk.
"Momma! Presents!!!" Arianna said again, shaking her mother's arm.
"I know, honey! Why don't you go get your brother... Tell him its Christmas!"
"Chris-is?" She replied.
"Christmas..." Kitty said again.
"Chris...mas..." Arianna said. "Christmas!! Zac!!!" she yelled as she ran off to his room. "It Christmas!! It Christmas!! There presents!"
Before long Zac was awake and tearing out of his room with Arianna running after him. It didn't take them long before they were opening gifts. Finally Zachary pulled out a gold-wrapped box with a white and gold bow on it. He read the tag.
"Here, Mom, its for you and Troy," he replied as he handed her the box.
He was good sized and had Kitty curious. The tag said it was from Santa. Both Kitty and Troy looked at each other with raised eyebrows.
"What do you think is in there?" he asked.
"Why don't you guys open it and find out?" piped in Zac with a smile.
Arianna was busy playing with her new baby doll.
Kitty nodded and together they took off the paper and opened the box. Inside, they found a book of romantic poetry, another book of bonding ceremonies, candles, incense and something that looked like a holoprogram. They looked at each other curiously. Under this was what appeared to be a gold and pink silk rope and two outfits. There was also a note that requested that two others be present when the holoprogram was run. With a laugh they put it to the side and smiled as they watched the children open the rest of their gifts. But their gift from Santa never left their mind.
After everything was said and done, even the kids had gotten special outfits that matched the ones they had received in their special box, with a note to wear them to the holoprogram. Adrianna's had a flower crown.
After an early dinner and a brief discussion since the decision had been an easy one to make, Kitty contacted Kassia and Tarik and asked if they would join them at Holo Pursuits. They agreed. Once they reached Holo Pursuits, they all changed. Adrianna's dress was a light pink in color and it flowed and flutter. On her head was a delicate flower crown. She giggled with it on her head as she twirled. She loved to dressed up. Kitty's dress was almost all white except for a splash of pink down the side in a flutter. There was a delicate chain belt around her waist and on her head there was a white veil of sorts with a golden chain capholding it in place. Zac was in white pants, white, loose shirt and a golden vest and Troy also wore the same only he also had a golden belt. Kassia was dressed in a lavender, flowing dress with a flower crown in her hair, while Tiyanna worn a dress of light green. She too had a flower crown in her hair. Tarik worn brown pants and a white loose shirt and a leather vest. Kassia thought he looked quite handsome.
As they met up, they looked at each other and smiled.
"I guess Santa had this in mind all along!" Troy laughed.
"We'll I suppose we should see what else he has in mind for you two," Kassia said. "I have a feeling we're only here to watch."
Kitty raised an eyebrow and smiled. With that they entered the suite. It was a temple of some sort with candles lit everywhere. There were also flowers filling the place and sunlight coming in through windows. It was airy and peaceful. The sounds of birds could be heard. Suddenly, before them there was an older man dressed in a dark, purple robe. His smile was gentle and welcoming.
"Who comes to this place?" he asked.
"We do," Kitty replied as she and Troy stepped forward.
"And who carries the binding?" he asked, her dark eyes dancing with happiness.
"I do," said Troy as he produced the rope that had been in the box.
The man took the rope and looked at Kitty and Troy. "I can see you two are very much in love. The road of love in not always an easy one and especially after you commit to each other. There are always hardships... But if tended like a garden, love will endure for the ages... If neglected, however, it will wither away... But I can see that your love with last for all time... Take each other's hands..."
They did as they were told, it never dawning on them what was happening. They were so enthralled with the scene they were in. He wrapped the rope around their hands.
"From this day forward, Troy of Trayva and Kitty of Tanzaria, you are forever bound to one another in this life... Your love will see you through the dark times and the times that are bright. You will become a family and together you will find peace and happiness... Zachary, do you object to this union?"
Zac shook his head. "No," he replied with a smile.
"Arianna, do you object to this union?"
Arianna looked at Troy, smiled, giggled and tried to hide.
"Arianna?"
She shook her head.
"Then the bond is complete. You are now bound together... Good luck, peace be with you and great joy and happiness to you always..."
As he walked away, Kitty and Troy looked at each other as they realized what had just happened. They looked at their hands and saw the rope. They looked into each other's eyes and smiled, then laughed. With that, Troy leaned over and kissed her. Kassia and Tarik clapped their hands.
"So does this count as being official?" Kassia asked curiously with a smile.