Tis the season!

[light_in_sound]

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 --

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[laertes]

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.

[clericpreston]

"Yaaaaaay!" The sound got progressively louder as Lisa bolted down the last flight of stairs and crashed into her friend. It was a huggy kind of crash, though.

"You're here just in time 'cuz Alison baked all kinds of stuff and it all looks tasty and we can eat it and yay it's Christmas almost, kinda!" Lisa bounced energetically as she talked at a rapid-fire pace. She might have been into the baked goods already. Just a bit.

[sonofarize]

Longshot watched Dakota scramble out of the way of the little girl missile that came down the stairs. The Mojoworlder got up from the couch and tossed the book he had been reading onto a side table. He had enough of schematics and pictures of how to fight for the day.

He retreated into the kitchen to see where his wife disappeared to. It had gotten too quiet in there.

[pastthegumbo]

Rogue brings up the rear behind the boys. She has a headache for much the same reason as her husband. She hopes it goes away soon. But first, some relaxing with some friends is in order.

"Merry Christmas, y'all," she calls out once she's inside. She sets down Gloria Jean's large bag of essentials and starts taking off her boots and coat. She does blink at the bearded Longshot shape that disappears into the kitchen.

[light_in_sound]

Alison smiled at Longshot when he walked into the kitchen. She waved him over to the table to sit beside her. Now, she could foist some baked good off onto him! Muhahaha!

"Did I hear girly squeals of glee out there?" She smiled and handed him a gingerbread man.

[laertes]

One good thing about teenage boys is that you could foist off things like putting luggage into rooms. Though the price was death looks. Dakota did not mind. He did come back from the dead rather well. He headed toward the kitchen. Wherever Longshot went, it was a good bet Alison was nearby.

"Hello?" Dakota poked his head inside.

Will and Rodney grumbled to each other as they picked up bags and started up the stairs. Dire plans were being put into motion once they were out of earshot.

Gloria Jean hugged Lisa hard. She had missed her friend so much! The weekends to get back to see Lisa and Livia were few, but it didn't matter. More than two weeks of fun! With occasional horrible homework in there, but more fun than one could shake a stick at.

"It smells good! Are there any cookies?" She sort of bounced along with Lisa. Non-sugar high, but she could get there soon.

[clericpreston]

"Yeah! There's lots of sugar cookies... 'cept the ones I ate... an' there's frosting an' sprinkles an' we can decorate them an' eat them!" She grinned and bounced a minute more.

"Want me to help you carry your stuff up to your room so we can go decorate cookies?" Cookie, cookie, cookie! Lisa did not need any more sugar, but that wasn't about to stop her.

[sonofarize]

Longshot settled down beside his wife and suddenly had a cookie in his hand. He blinked at the man-shaped cookie. That was slightly disturbing to him.

"Yep. Dakota, Rogue, and the kids are here," he answered before quickly biting off the little man's head. He had been baked. It was the easiest way to get him out of his misery.

He waved to Dakota when the other man poked his head in. "Reffo!"

The Mojoworlder may have sprayed bits of gingerbread cookie. He wouldn't admit it though.

[pastthegumbo]

Rogue chuckles at the girls as she makes her way around them. If they're talking about moving Gloria Jean's stuff to her room, she doesn't want to interrupt that train of thought. Unlike her husband, she goes right into the kitchen.

"Ah was wonderin' why Longshot disappeared into here. Has he grown a beard for your Christmas present, Ali?" Rogue winks before she settles down at the table.

[light_in_sound]

"Hi, Dakota." Alison smiled and waved at him. Then she grinned when Rogue walked in. When the southerner was seated, Alison pushed the plate of sugar and gingerbread cookies over in her direction. "Merry Christmas."

She grinned and reached over to cradle Longshot's jaw with both hands. Her thumbs rubbed the bristly hairs of his beard. "Doesn't he look handsome?"

[laertes]

Well, since the kitchen seemed the place to be, Dakota stepped in after Rogue. He settled down at the table, but not in his customary position beside Rogue.

"Happy Holidays. So, glad we're back?"

Gloria Jean looked at Lisa. Hmm. She wasn't really motivated to put her stuff away, but it wouldn't be so bad with Lisa helping. And then they wouldn't get interrupted while decorating the cookies! "Let's go!"

She moved toward the oversized bag.

Meanwhile, the twins were making sure nobody was watching them before disappearing into Gloria Jean's room. Then their Dad and Rogue's room was next. They would have cackled and rubbed their hands together, but that would have given them away.

[clericpreston]

"Okay!" Lisa grabbed the other end of the heavy bag and helped lift it. She made an 'oof' sound and then giggled. "Too bad e can't take the elevator."

Thank goodness it was only one flight of stairs!

"What d'you want for Christmas? I haven't decided on anything yet."

[sonofarize]

Longshot's brow furrowed as his chin was getting put on display. What was so interesting about his facial hair? The camp had gathered around him when he went back one day. There was a lot of talking and touching. He didn't understand it.

"It took a long time to grow it," he commented. And that's all he would comment about it.

[pastthegumbo]

Rogue idly watches her husband sit over there and does not comment. She wants to sigh but holds herself back. This isn't the time or the place. So, she inspects Longshot's beard with all due seriousness.

"Well, Ah'm not much of a beard gal, but he wears it well."

[light_in_sound]

Alison gave Longshot an apologetic look and stopped touching his beard. She didn't realize it would bother him. "He's always cute," she smiled at Rogue.

"I'm glad you're all back," she answered Dakota in all seriousness. "If you guys had decided not to visit for Christmas, there would have been lots of crying." It was true, too. "Besides... who would eat all this stuff if you guys didn't come?"

She nodded to the cookies on the table and the other various sweet things on the counters.

[laertes]

"Would have sent your husband to track us down and drag us back, huh?" Dakota asked as he leaned back in the chair. He eyed the plate of cookies and snagged one of the sugar cookies. He disliked gingerbread