This story is for a very special person in my life and for her friend. Bryan, Bethany, I hope you enjoy it. And if you don't, please don't hit me, okay? I tried.

"I know," Siku said gently. It had been snowing since yesterday mid morning. Weather reports were saying the snow was expected to continue until late that night or early the next day. Normally, this would not have been such a big deal, but today was December 23, two days before Christmas. Sikudhani had made it home from college the previous morning, just as the snow was starting. Cameron Drake, however, was not home from college yet. He was supposed to leave that very morning.

"It's all right, Rachel," Kelsey murmured softly. Siku wondered if she was really trying to reassure Rachel, or if she was attempting to reassure herself. Perhaps it was a combination of both. "Everything is going to be just fine," she added.

The three of them were in Kelsey's kitchen attempting to make Christmas cookies. In truth, it was more of an effort to keep their minds off the snow falling rapidly outside the window.

"Cam's not going to be able to make it home for Christmas, is he?" Rachel finally asked. "Even if it stops, the roads won't be cleared for awhile, will they?"

"It's okay," Kelsey said, looking at Siku. "If he doesn't make it home for Christmas, he'll be home as soon as he can and we'll celebrate then. We'll have two Christmases won't that be fun?"

Siku knew the real reason for the worry. It was not that Cameron would not try to be there for Christmas. It was that he would try to come anyway, despite the storm.

Rachel looked at her, one brow raised. "Should I answer that honestly?"

Despite her worry over the snow and Cameron's safety, Siku had to suppress a chuckle at Rachel's comment. Rachel was at that age where she was just beginning to realize how many white lies were told to children to spare their feelings. Of course, Rachel had a double curse, being a telepath. Also, Rachel had another disappointment to deal with, apparently her brother Nathan would not be coming either. Despite or maybe because of their age differences, the two of them were close.

Before Kelsey could say if she wanted honesty from Rachel, they were interrupted by a droning sound coming from Bobby Drake as he came into the room, holding his and Kelsey's daughter Charlene up as if "flying" her across the room. "Erowwww! And the plane flies down... down.... Special delivery!" He stopped in front of his wife, lowering Charlene to face level. "Here's Mommy!"

Wiping her flour stained hands on her jeans, Kelsey took her daughter. "Hey, Pumpkin!"

"Freshly bathed and ready for action," Bobby informed her. "I was going to take her for a quick Danger room session, but Scott said she's too young to take on Sentinels. What does he know?" He walked over to the counter, where a rack of cookies were cooling and took one.

"Thanks," Kelsey said, kissing her daughter on the forehead. "Don't eat too many of those," she told Bobby. "They're for everyone."

Charlene threw her arms around her mother and cried, "Mama!" into her ear.

"I'm part of everyone," Bobby said, crunching down a cookie. "Hey Sik, Hey Ray."

"Hi Uncle Bobby," both girls called out in unison.

"Uhm.." Kelsey said, looking at her husband. "Uhm.. while you were with Char, you didn't happen to get in touch with Cameron, did you?"

Bobby shook his head. "I tried, but there is no answer in his room. Kelsey, don't worry so much. The phone lines are messed up on the campus because of the snow. He's not a stupid kid. I'm sure he's holed up in his room waiting for the storm to pass."

Siku had the distinct feeling Uncle Bobby was worried, but trying to cover it up himself. She looked over at Rachel, who nodded quickly, then went back to sprinkling green and red sugar crystals on the cookies they were making.

"Yeah, sure." Worry and fear clouded Kelsey's face for a moment. Cameron was nineteen, an age where boys thought they were immortal. She looked at her daughter. "Charlene, promise me when you get older, you won't do anything dumb, okay?"

Sikudhani looked over at Bobby and smiled, trying to inject a little levity in a tense atmosphere. "That'll really take away her childhood."

While Bobby and Kelsey worried about their son being able to make it home for Christmas, Hank was in his room, preoccupied with his own worries. Would Kimber be able to make it up there this year? Yes, the weather reports were saying the storm might be ending tonight, but this was not a normal storm. This was worse than the blizzard that had brought Sikudhani's dog to the mansion. Even if the storm did stop, that did not mean the roads would be clear any time soon. This year, Hank was really hoping she would be able to make it and it looked like she would not.

To take his mind off his worry, Hank was trying to wrap packages. Blizzard and Cleo were in the room with him. Hank knew better than to be flattered by this. Both animals would much rather be with Sikudhani, but the Drake residence was off limit to them. Hank was a substandard second choice. Especially to Cleo, who considered every human beneath her.

Hank looked down at the mess of ribbons and paper that covered a box of software he had purchased for his daughter, then looked over at Blizzard. "I think that there is a gene that women have and men do not. A package wrapping gene."

Blizzard thumped his tail on the floor at the sound of Big Fury's voice. He did not understand a word the man was saying, but he felt some response was appropriate. Cleo shot him a dirty look, then yawned.

"If I knew Kimber was going to be able to make it, I would ask her to do this for me," Hank admitted. "Or I would just show her the mess and let her offer to help. However, she is not here and if this blizzard continues, I do not think she will be."

"Woof!" Blizzard barked at the sound of his name.

Hank sighed. "Perhaps I should just get Jean or one of the other women in the mansion to help with this." He knew any of them would be willing, but for some reason it seemed wrong to ask them. It was different with Kimber. He did not quite understand why it was different to have Kimber wrap packages for him, it just was. He knew it was the same thing with Kimber too. She would ask him for help in tasks she would not normally ask another man.

Sighing, Hank walked over to his desk, momentarily abandoning his wrapping tasks. Opening the top drawer, he looked inside. Nestled between the stapler and various other office supplies was a small box.Swallowing, Hank prayed. God, if there is any way to clear up this storm so Kimber can make it up, please, I'm asking you as a favor. Because I don't know if I'll be able to come up with the nerve to do this if I have to wait too long.

When evening approached at the mansion and the snow was still falling heavily, a feeling of worry and dread started to settle over the residents. More than one member wished Storm had not decided to go to England this holiday season.

"It would have been better if Aunt Kitty, Uncle Pete, Uncle Kurt, and all of them had decided t'come here instead," Rachel mumbled. "Aunt Storm could make this stop."

Everyone was sitting in the living room, trying to talk and keep their minds off the storm. A weak attempt at best. The huge, decorated Christmas tree filling one corner of the room was not helping matters either. It was a constant reminder of loved ones that were not there.

"Everything is going to be fine, Precious," Scott said, trying to cheer his daughter up. "You'll see."

"It's bad enough my brother can't be here," Rachel muttered, refusing to be cheered up.

Siku sighed. She was worried about missing family members as much as everyone else was, but she had other things on her mind as well.

She just seemed unable to get into the Christmas spirit. Oh, she had done the shopping, helped with the tree last night, made cookies, done all those things. On the surface, she was trying to act very happy about this. But deep inside, it she knew it was an act. She just did not care this year. Yes, she wanted to see Cameron and Kimber, she wanted the family to have a good holiday, but she knew something was missing.

It was last year at Christmas that she realized how much she loved Sean Mason and how it was not going to go away like a silly school girl crush. Last year on Christmas Eve they had stood together out in the back yard, talking and hugging. Last year it felt as if their souls were touching. Last year they had told each other they loved each other.

Now Sean was gone. She had seen him Halloween, or at least she thought she had. Sometimes she wondered if she had hallucinated the whole thing. He had told her she needed to go on with life, and for his sake she was trying, but oh, it was so hard. She tried to be more outgoing, tried to do things with people and not immediately judge any man by Sean. She had even been on a couple of dates, but she was not happy with them. Going out with friends in college was fine, she was enjoying this expanded social life, but something seemed to be missing. Something she tried to find, but never could.

"Sunshine, are you all right?"

Siku looked up and over at her father. "I'm fine, Dad."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

She nodded, studying her father for a moment. He had been acting funny lately. Ever since she came home for the holidays, it seemed like her father was anxious about something, but she did not know what. When the blizzard started, it got even worse. "A-are you okay, Dad? Is there something you'd like to talk about?"

"Huh? No, not me, I'm fine." Hank smiled brightly to his daughter.

Siku noticed the smile did not quite meet his eyes. She wondered if she should probe further, then changed her mind. If he wants me to know, he'll tell me.

"Stupid snow," Rachel muttered, for what seemed to be the millionth time. However, no one suggested she stop. Everyone was feeling the same way.

At eight o'clock the snow began turning to a rainy sleet, which did nothing to ease tensions. By nine o'clock, Rachel's normal bedtime, Siku felt as if she could cut the atmosphere in the room with a knife. No one suggested Rachel should go to bed. Scott and Jean knew she would not be able to sleep.

"Are you all right, Petite Bete?"

Siku looked over at Gambit. "I'm fine, Uncle Remy. I'm just worried."

"Oui," Remy said, nodding. He had moved over from his seat next to Rogue on a couch and was sitting on the other side of the window ledge where Siku was perched. "Everyone worried, Cherie. But you seem more'n worried, you seem sad."

"I'm fine, Uncle Remy, honest." She smiled brightly.

Remy noticed the smile did not quite match the expression in her eyes, but he said nothing. She was not a child anymore; she had the right to hold some of her feelings in private. Instead, he joined her, looking out over the bleak, snowy landscape.

"Something's coming," Logan said, interrupting the general murmur of conversation that floated around the room.

Everyone turned to look at him. His eyes were narrowed, head cocked towards the window. "Something's coming up the road," he repeated.

"A snow plow?" Rachel asked, eyes lighting up. If the plows were out, perhaps there was hope for Cameron. Maybe he could make it up tomorrow!

"No, I don't think it's that," Logan said. "But it's something big..." His voice trailed off as he listened.

Siku rubbed at the fog that had gathered by the window and peered out. "I can't see anything," she said.

Remy followed suit. "I t'ink I see lights down de road," he murmured. "Comin' dis way."

"It's a plow, it's got to be," Rachel said, smiling for the first time that evening.

"It might be," Jean said carefully. While she was thrilled to see a spark of happiness in her unhappy daughter, she did not want to see her hopes crushed. "But just because one plow is out, that doesn't mean the roads are in any sort of shape for travelling. They're probably just trying to keep them cleared enough for emergency vehicles."

"Merde!" Remy suddenly burst out, still looking out the window.

Siku squinted harder, peering into the darkness. "Yike!" she exclaimed. "What in the heck is that?"

Lumbering up Graymalkin lane was some sort of vehicle which neither Siku or anyone else in the room had never seen in their lives. It looked like a weird hybrid cross between a tank, a snowplow, and several other types of heavy construction equipment. Instead of wheels it rode on treads. There was a bank of yellow fog lights in the front of it, where there was some sort of plow type arrangement, pushing and breaking at the layer of ice on top of the snow. On top of the vehicle was what looked like a police bubble light, but the light inside was orange, moving slowly around.

The vehicle stopped at the gates. "Don' tell me someone choose tonight t'attack us," Remy muttered. "'Specially in somet'in dat silly."

Suddenly Jean stood up. "No. It's not anyone we should worry about, it's Nathan!"

"Nathan!" Rachel leaped to her feet and started running to the door. "It's Nathan!"

"Ray, stop!" Jean reached out and snagged her daughter by her sweatshirt before she could actually reach and open the door. "You are not going outside in this weather!"

Everyone started gathering around the window, watching as the weird machine drove through the gates and began lumbering slowly up the driveway. "I'll bet that machine only get a top speed of two miles an hour," Bobby murmured.

"Let me see!" Rachel shouted, leaping up in the air to try to see past the adults who were blocking her view. When her request was ignored, she ducked down and pushed her way through. Siku scooted over on the ledge, giving her cousin a chance to slide on with her and Gambit. "It is Nathan!" the pre-teen exclaimed. "And Cameron and Aunt Kimber are with him! He had a psi shield over all of them, so we wouldn't know they were coming!"

"Let me see!" Kelsey said, pushing her way forward aggressively.

It did seem to take forever for the vehicle to reach the top of the driveway. When it finally came rolling to a stop, everyone watched as four people struggled to get out of the strange machine and push their way up the walk towards the front door.

"Lemme out, lemme out!" Rachel squawked, sliding off the ledge and pushing her way through the crowd to get to the door.

Sikudhani watched as everyone flocked to the door, but decided to stay where she was. While she was happy to see these people, she knew they would have enough people to wade through while they were coming in, they did not need her to be there.

Her brows furrowed as she watched the group making their way up the walk. It was obvious who three of them were. Cousin Nathan was easy to recognize, just by his build. She would always know who Cameron was; she had grown up with him. She knew one was Aunt Kimber because she was wearing a green hat that she always wore when it was cold or snowing. But who was the fourth one? She thought he was most likely male, although bundled in a bulky down coat, it was hard to tell. He was a little taller than Cameron. His head and face was obscured by the hood to the jacket. Well, it certainly isn't Domino, she thought.

When the group finally made their way up the stairs and into the house, they were mobbed. Rachel threw her arms around Nathan, hugging him tightly. "I can't believe you made it," she said, almost sobbing. "And you brought Cameron an' Aunt Kimber too!"

"Well, when I realized how bad the snow was going to be, I figured I'd better round up the extended family and get them up here," Cable said calmly, returning his sister's hug.

"Rachel, give your brother a chance to take off his coat first!" Jean said, the huge smile on her face and obvious pleasure at seeing Nathan taking away any sting her scolding might have.

"That's quite a... vehicle you have," Scott said, as Nathan was taking off his coat.

Nathan shrugged. "You mean the Snowbuster? I needed something I knew would get through. She's not pretty and she goes about as fast as mud uphill, but she did the job. I had to get her together fast."

"Where did you get the parts?" Scott asked, almost too casually.

"Don't ask," was Nathan's advice.

For a moment Scott's face tensed, then Jean took his hand and squeezed it gently. It's Christmas time, Scott, don't judge him too harshly.

The tension seemed to drain from Scott and he walked over, wrapping his arms around his son. "It's good to see you."

Nathan returned the hug. "It's good to see you as well."

Kimber pulled off her coat and hat, shaking her head to fluff up her hair. Hank walked over and gently took the coat from her. "Can I give you a hand?"

Kimber smiled. "You sure can."

Hank hung the coat in the closet then returned to her side. "It... it is... I mean, what I'm trying to say is that I am glad you're here."

Kimber wrapped her arms around him, kissing him gently on the lips. "Me too."

While that was going on, Cameron was enveloped by his parents. Although Kelsey was trying to keep a brave front, it was obvious she was ready to cry. "I was so worried," she said, hugging him tightly. "We've been trying to call you and we've gotten no answer."

"Of course not," Cameron said, grinning. "We were on our way here. With Nathan's Snowbuster, it was one slow trip."

"Hey, it got us here, didn't it?" Nathan said, overhearing him.

As the greetings were taking place, Siku looked over, waiting for things to calm down and everyone to come into the living room. The stranger had moved off to the side of the group, slowly pealing off his coat. He was definitely a stranger, about Cameron's age with blond hair. His build reminded her somewhat of Uncle Remy's and Uncle Sam's. Long lean muscles built more for swimming and speed than smashing and weight lifting. He peered around with the uncomfortable look of someone who felt completely out of place. His gaze stopped at Siku. For a moment, his eyes widened impossibly large. Then he smiled slowly and waved.

Siku smiled and waved back, unable to resist. There was something... charming about this guy and she could empathize with his discomfort. He must be one of Cameron's friends, she thought. But why isn't he with his family for the holidays? She slid off the window ledge and started over, figuring the least she could do was introduce herself so he would not feel so awkward.

As she was crossing the room, Bishop moved over to the stranger. "I do not know you," he stated flatly.

The stranger looked at him, eyes widening again. "Uhm.. no, I'm afraid you don't," he stammered.

"Ack!" Cameron broke away from his folks and moved over to the stranger. "Sorry, I almost forgot. Everyone, this is Bryan, my roommate."

"Hi everyone," Bryan said, still looking uncomfortable.

"Bryan's family lives in Texas," Cameron went on to explain. "He was supposed to fly home last night, but the airports are closed. Even if the snow stops tomorrow and they're able to fly out, there is no way he's gonna be able to get home until after Christmas. I-I couldn't just leave him alone for the Holidays... so I brought him along. I hope no one minds." He looked at Charles, putting on his brightest, most irresistible smile. "He knows who I am, he knows who you all are and he's cool."

Charles' brows furrowed for a moment, looking from Cameron to Bryan, not saying anything.

"Of course not," Kelsey said, moving over to Bryan. "He can stay with us." It did not matter that Bryan was taller than she was. She only saw a boy, the same age as her son, alone without his family on Christmas. "Welcome, Bryan, I hope you enjoy your stay," She hugged him as if he were a long lost family member.

"Uh, thanks," Bryan said, returning her hug a bit more cautiously, as if he was not quite expecting this.

"We've heard about you from Cameron," Bobby said. "I think I've even spoken to you on the phone a few times. But it's nice to get this chance to meet you. I'm sorry about your flight though."

"It-it's all right," Bryan said, still looking a bit overwhelmed. Although Cameron, Kimber, and Nathan had warned him on the way up that the "family" was a bit unusual, he was not quite expecting this.

"The phone lines around are unstable at best," Hank said. "But perhaps you should try to call your parents and let them know you are all right. They must be worried."

"I was able to get through to them last night," Bryan admitted. "I told them I would call again as soon as I was able." He looked at everyone. "Uhm.. I'm afraid I don't know who all of you are, some I can guess..."

"Opps! My bad manners," Cameron said, grinning. "Let me introduce you. The blue furry guy is Dr. Henry McCoy, Super Genius. The woman who hugged you is my mom, Kelsey. The guy next to her is my dad..."

Siku had moved over to the group now, where Kimber had grabbed her and hugged her quickly and fiercely. Giving her the chance to greet her Aunt and Cable, Cameron put her at the end of the introductions.

"And this ugly furball is my-"

Before Cameron could finish the sentence, Bryan reached out and punched him in the shoulder. It was obviously a friendly gesture, but there was a bit of power behind it.

"Ow!" Cameron squawked. "What was that about!"

"Don't call her ugly, it isn't nice." Bryan scolded him.

Siku raised her hand to her mouth to hide her grin. If he only knew some of the names I've called him in the past.

 "Hey, I'm allowed to insult her, I grew up with her!" Cameron defended himself. "Anyway, the blue lady is-"

This time Siku interrupted him, offering her hand. "Sikudhani McCoy. But you can call me..." she hesitated. Her college friends called her Dhani, because she had introduced herself to them with that name. Everyone at the mansion still called her Siku. Might as well make it easy. "Siku."

Bryan took her hand and shook it. "Pleasure to meet you Siku, I'm Bryan. You can call me... Bryan." He grinned.

She grinned back. Well, if Cameron had to surprise us with an uninvited guest, at least he picked a friendly one.

Introductions over, the group drifted back into the living room. Kelsey and Jean disappeared into the kitchen almost immediately, convinced that the group must be starving, despite assurances that Kimber had brought sandwiches along for the trip.

The once depressed Rachel was now beaming, unable to decide who she wanted to be the closest to, Cameron or Nathan. She settled for switching between one and the other.

With everyone gathered in the living room, there was an immediate shortage of chairs. Hank and Kimber ended up sharing one large chair together. Siku went back to her window ledge. For a moment it looked as if Bryan would join her on the other side, then he stopped and sat down near the Christmas tree instead. Cleo, who had been napping underneath it, opened one eye and looked at him.

"Hello, Cat," Bryan murmured softly.

"That's Cleopatra," Siku informed him. "We call her Cleo."

"Hello, Cleo," Bryan said, reaching out and stroking her. The cat stared at him for a moment, as if trying to decide if this stranger was worth the great honor of touching her. Finally, she decided he was at least acceptable and closed her eyes.

Siku watched this interaction between her cat and Bryan slightly surprised. Cleo was not known for her love of strangers. Usually she ran off whenever she sensed someone she did not know in the mansion.

With everyone expected arrived and safe, moods lifted considerably in the room. When Kelsey and Jean came out with a trays of food and drinks, everyone dug in. While they ate, Cameron and Nathan took turns telling the tale of the trip up in the Snowbuster. Sikudhani alternated between listening and looking out the window. She could feel Bryan looking at her occasionally, trying to look like he was not. Does he think I'm a freak? she wondered, then she remembered the way he had hit Cameron for calling her ugly. Nope, he's just like many others... startled.

It was not long after eating that the group decided to call it a night. It had been a tense day and it was obvious Kelsey and Jean wanted to see their "children" tucked in safely for the night. Siku was relieved. Although she was glad that Kimber and Cameron had made it up for Christmas unharmed, that did not alleviate her feelings that Christmas just did not feel right this year.

After the good nights were said, she went to her room and shut the door. She changed into her nightgown and walked over to the window. Looking outside, she could still see the snow and sleet falling. Sighing, she shook her head and went to bed.

"Is Siku all right?" Kimber asked Hank.

They were in his room together, taking a little time to talk privately before going to bed. "I think so," Hank said. "Why do you ask?"

"I don't know, she just seemed... quiet."

Hank nodded. "I know. She.. uhm.. has been rather quiet since she came home."

Kimber's eyes flashed with pain for a moment, then she nodded. "I-I guess it's still hard for her. I understand. It's still hard for me."

Hank walked over and put his arms around her. "I know it is, Kimber."

She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly. "Hank, I just feel so... alone sometimes. First my father... then my brother. I'm the last Mason. And the ironic thing is, I'm not even a Mason."

"Yes you are," Hank said, stroking her hair, trying to comfort her. "You changed your name, but you're still a Mason in your heart. Your brother and your father know that."

"Yeah, but I feel... disconnected at times. I don't really have any family. I know I have you, Siku, and the X-Men and you're all like my family, but that's the key word, isn't it? Like. Not quite the same as actually being my family, is it?" She buried her face in his shoulders.

He ran his hands down her back, trying to ease her. Maybe I shouldn't wait, he thought. Maybe I should do this now. Unaware he was even doing it, his body stiffened.

Kimber drew back slightly, looking up at him. "Is something wrong?"

Hank shook his head quickly. "No, nothing is wrong. I... I ..."

Kimber's brows furrowed. In all her years of dating Dr. Henry McCoy, she could count on the fingers of one hand how often she had seen him at a loss for words. "Hank, just say it, okay? We've known each other for too long, been through too much to be unable to discuss whatever is on our minds."

"That's true," Hank said, taking a deep breath. "However, we have never really discussed this before."

"I'll have to take your word for it, since I have no idea what we're discussing," Kimber said, trying to keep her tone light. Obviously, whatever was on Hank's mind was very important.

"Where do I begin?" Hank mused, more thinking aloud.

"Why don't you try at the beginning?" Kimber suggested.

He was holding her at arms length. He looked into her eyes and smiled. "Kimber. Well... Siku is growing up."

Kimber nodded slowly, her brow furrowing. "Yes, I uh, noticed that myself. It's unavoidable Hank. Children grow up."

"I'm aware of that," Hank said, not knowing if he should laugh or be annoyed at her interruptions. Could she not figure out what he was trying to do?

"Please, I'm sorry, go on," Kimber said softly.

He bit his lip and tried again. "Well, as she's gotten older, I've realized that even though I was her father, she taught me a lot of things. Important things. Mostly that I-I like being a family. I mean, I know the X-Men are my family, but it's not quite the same."

Kimber's eyes widened, but she said nothing, just nodded, trying to encourage him.

"As I've watched my daughter growing up, I've learned that there are other people in my life who are important too. People I don't want to ever lose. And one of them is you. I know we've had a rather.. unusual relationship over the years, but one thing is true. I love you, Kimber Lee. It might have taken me too long to realize it, but it's true."

"I love you too," Kimber whispered. Her eyes were so wide they almost hurt. "I have since before Siku came into your life. I loved you when I was a student in medical school and I you helped me."

"Well then," Hank smiled. "If it's both agreed that we love each other, perhaps it's time we took the next step." He drew away from her and walked over to his desk.

"And wh-what's that?" Kimber asked.

He turned so his back was to her, so she could not see what he was doing and opened the desk drawer. He took out the small blue velvet box. "Close your eyes," he asked her.

"Hank!" Kimber began.

"Close your eyes!" Hank insisted.

"Oh, all right!" Kimber rolled her eyes before shutting them. "There. Can't see a thing, Hank."

Grinning, Hank opened the box and took out a ring. It was a small but elegant diamond, set in an antique setting. He had seen it in a jewelry store that sold estate jewelry two weeks ago and knew it was perfect. He walked over to Kimber. "You're not peeking, are you?"

"No!" Kimber said, sounding frustrated.

"Good." He took her left hand and gently slipped the ring onto her finger. "Kimber Lee, will you marry me?"

She opened her eyes and looked down at the ring. "Oh!" She looked back up at him, tears starting to stream down her face. "Oh!"

Hank frowned. "Does that mean, yes, no, or I wish to think on this for a few days, I'll get back to you, Dr. McCoy?"

"Hank!" Kimber's gaze kept alternating from the ring to his face as if not quite believing what was happening. "Oh, God, Hank. It-it means yes!"

Hank's frown changed into a grin. "Are you sure? I mean if you want a little bit to think about this..."

"Hank McCoy I've been waiting for this moment for over twenty years, of course I'll marry you!" Kimber threw her arms around him, almost knocking him to the ground. "Oh God, you've just made me the happiest woman in the world, no, in the entire universe!"

Hank returned her hug. "I must admit you have made me a very happy man."

Although she had been up rather late the night before, Siku still awoke early the morning of December 24. Rising from her bed, she walked over to the window and looked outside. The snow and rain had finally stopped and the morning was shining. There was at least four feet of snow on the ground, five or more in other places.

I wonder if the layer of ice on the snow is strong enough to hold me? she thought. She was not sure if she wanted to find out but Blizzard was jumping around her, telling her the choice was not really hers to make. "You need out, don't you, boy?"

"Woof!" Blizzard responded.

"Shh!" Siku scolded him. "I don't want you waking up the whole house. Give me a minute to get dressed and I'll take you out."

If she had to let Blizzard out in the snow, the least she could do was join him. She slipped some warm clothes and put on her boots. Quietly, she led Blizzard through the mansion and out the back door.

Outside, the early morning sun shining off the snow was almost blinding. Siku winced, shielding her eyes with her hands. Blizzard did not seem to care, bounding over the snow and ice to take care of business. Siku watched, shaking her head. She stepped onto the snow and ice, relieved to find it would hold her weight. After the sleet and rain, it must have snowed a bit, because the ice was covered with about six inches of light powder.

Despite the fact that the backyard now looked as picturesque as a Christmas Card, Siku did not find her mood lifting any from last night. She still felt remarkably un-Christmas like. I'm not keeping my end of the bargain, Sean, she thought, looking out over the yard. I'm still-

Her thoughts were interrupted by the site of someone trudging out of the woods. Who in the? Then she realized it was Cameron's friend, Bryan. He was wearing the same coat he had worn last night, but the hood was not up. There was something around his neck too. Siku squinted, then realized it was a camera.

Watching him making his way over the ice covered snow, Siku remembered his situation. He was far away from his family for Christmas. Yes, he had Cameron, his roommate and friend, and she knew Kelsey and Bobby would bend over backwards to try to make him feel at home, but feeling at home was not the same as being at home. She felt a rush of sympathy for him. If anyone around here could understand what he must be feeling, it was her.

She started towards him, making her way slowly over the ice. When he saw her coming, he broke into a grin, waved, and headed towards her.

"Hello there," she said, when they were within speaking distance. "You're an early riser too, huh?"

He shrugged. "Normally, no, but I guess I didn't sleep that well last night."

She nodded. Her first week of college, she hardly slept at all. "Yeah, it's always rough to get used to a new place." Now that they were close and it was light, she could see that his eyes were blue, light blue at the edges, getting darker towards the pupil. She searched his face for traces of the sadness he must be feeling, but she did not find it.

"Well, also I was sleeping in Cameron's room. He snores."

Siku chuckled. "Aren't you used to that by now?"

"Some things you never get used to. Some night I even wear earplugs, but I forgot to bring them." He grinned, which made his eyes sparkle. "But when I saw the weather had cleared up, I looked outside and thought this was too pretty to let go. So, I decided to take some pictures."

She looked at his camera. She was not a camera expert, but this definitely did not look like a toy. "You like photography?"

He nodded. "I'm a photographer for the school paper, I've even done a couple weddings before. But what I really like is just going outside and trying to capture things on film... things I see that other people might miss."

She smiled. "Like what?"

He looked around. "See that grove of trees over there?"

She looked and nodded.

"Okay, look closer and tell me what you see."

She squinted and looked. "Trees, covered with ice and snow."

"That's what most people see, but look again."

She held up her hand to shield her eyes from the sun and stared at the trees. For a moment, she continued to see trees, then things seemed to shimmer. Suddenly she saw the sunlight dancing off the snow and ice, making the grove of trees look like some sort of fairy kingdom of diamonds and glass. The ice became crystal; the snow became white and silver powder. "I think I'm seeing it," she murmured.

He grinned. "Seeing what?"

"Something unreal," Siku murmured. "Yet very real. It's as if the sunlight is kissing the ice and snow."

He nodded. "Yeah, you're seeing it." He started taking pictures. "Let's see if I can capture it."

"I hope you can," Siku said shyly. "And if you do, I'd like to see the pictures."

He paused and looked at her. "I think that can be arranged." He started moving towards the trees, returning to his picture taking.

Siku hesitated, then started walking with him. This was the first time since coming home she was actually starting to really enjoy herself. "I'm glad Cameron brought you," she confessed.

He turned to look at her. "Oh really?" he asked, one brow raised, a faint smile playing over his lips.

"Erp!" She swallowed. "That didn't come out right. I mean, I'm really sorry that you're not going to be with your family for Christmas, but I'm glad Cameron didn't leave you alone in the dorm for the holiday."

"Me too." His smile widened. "I mean, I'd rather be home. I'd like to see my family and my friends, but this isn't so bad. First Christmas I can remember where I was surrounded by snow."

"Really?" Siku's brows furrowed wondering how anyone could not have seen a Christmas with snow, and then she remembered he was from Texas. "Oh yeah, that's right. They don't get much snow where you're from, do they?"

"Nope," he shook his head. "Lots of sunshine and heat in Texas, but very little snow." He snapped a couple more pictures. "I hope I can get these developed while I'm home to show my folks."

Something from her childhood came to her. "Hey, I'll bet you've never made an angel, either!"

"Angel?" He looked at her.

"Snow angels." She grinned. "I remember one Christmas Eve day when I was.. oh, eight I think, it snowed. Not this much, probably about eight inches or so. Anyway, Rachel was about two, and by the afternoon, she, Cameron, and I were driving everyone in the house nuts, waiting for Christmas. Finally, Aunt Jean and Uncle Scott rounded everyone up. We all bundled up, came out in the backyard and made snow angels. We covered the back yard with them."

"Really?" Bryan grinned. "That sounds like fun."

"It was. But that afternoon, as the sun was setting, Uncle Warren flew me up so I could look down." Her eyes sparkled as she remembered what it was like, soaring up into the sky, then looking down. "It looked like a little world of angels, big ones and little ones, all over the back yard. It was so... magical."

"I'll bet." He looked at her. "You know, I can almost see how it must have been, just looking at you. It's as if the memory is shinning from your eyes."

She stared at him, for a moment not knowing what to say. "Really?" she finally asked.

He nodded. "Just looking at you, I can suddenly see you as a child, looking down over the back yard, seeing all the angels in the snow. Your eyes were probably wider than they are now, two pools of blue."

She felt herself blushing under the fur. "I really don't know," she began. Anything I say right now is going to sound stupid, she thought. "I wonder if it would be silly if I made a snow angel now," she said, trying to get the subject off herself.

"I don't think so," he said. "Go for it."

She shrugged and moved a few feet away. Carefully, she laid down on her back in the snow, spreading her arms and legs.

"Hey, I do see an angel in the snow!" Bryan said, grinning. "A blue angel."

Siku froze for a moment, remembering Sean. Never forget me, my blue angel. Unable to stop herself, tears came to her eyes.

"Siku, did I say something wrong?" Bryan asked, kneeling down in the snow to be closer to her.

She looked up at him. Are you watching over me, Sean? Are you trying to tell me something and using Bryan to help? For a moment, she thought she could see him, Sean, standing off in the distance. She saw him smiling, at her and Bryan. Then he nodded slowly. Siku thought she was going to burst into tears, but instead she smiled. For the first time since she had come home for Christmas, she felt the weight inside of her lifting. She could enjoy the holidays. More than that, she should enjoy them. She was with her family, the people she loved more than anyone else in the world. And now there was Bryan, the displaced boy from Texas, who obviously wanted to be her friend. There was nothing wrong with that either. It did not seemed forced, it seemed natural, it seemed right. She looked at Bryan. "You didn't say anything wrong," she whispered.

"Thank god. I was worried for a moment," he said.

"But," she continued. "You're doing something wrong."

"What's that?" he asked, looking puzzled.

"You're letting me do this alone." She sat up and looked at him, her eyes glittering dangerously. "Bryan, I think it's time you made your first snow angel."

Bryan's eyes widened. "Ack, I don't think that's necessary."

"Oh? Well I think it is!"

"Good morning, Handsome."

Hank opened his eyes slowly and looked towards the direction of the voice. It was Kimber, sitting on the edge of the bed, smiling. Her hair was loose, flowing around her face. Her eyes still carried that slightly heavy lidded look of someone who had recently woken up, but they were sparkling too. She was wearing a pair of green velour pajamas that clung to her body. He sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Good morning, Dr. Lee."

She smiled. "I was thinking as I drifted off to sleep last night..."

"Oh? Would you care to share?" he asked.

"I was thinking that Dr. Kimber Lee McCoy doesn't sound half bad."

He smiled. "I think it sounds very distinguished."

She moved closer, wrapping her arms around him. "Did I tell you that you've made me the happiest woman in the world?"

"I believe you mentioned that thirty or forty times last night," Hank said, returning her embrace. "However, that is the sort of thing I don't think I shall ever grow weary of hearing."

"Well then, I'll make sure to remind you of it, often." She drew back slightly and kissed him gently on the lips.

"Well, I think it is only fair that I've made you the happiest woman in this world, " Hank said when the kiss ended. "For you have made me the happiest man."

She grinned. "What type of wedding do you want to have?"

"To be honest, Kimber, I always thought weddings were more of a woman's concern than a man's," Hank said gently. "I want to marry you. How, where, and when are not as much of a consideration to me. Whatever would make you happy, will make me happy as well."

"Well, I'd like to have something small, if it's all right with you," Kimber said. "I mean, I want your family there, and all the X-Men, but I don't want a huge affair with thousands of people."

"Whatever you chose," Hank said. "I will want Bobby to be the best man, if you have no objections."

"None at all," Kimber said. "After all, you were the best man at his wedding. If we're going to do the whole formal ceremony, I'd like to ask Kelsey to be one of the bridesmaids. But not the maid of honor."

"Oh? Who do you wish to bestow that particular honor?" Hank asked.

Kimber smiled. "Siku, who else? If she wants to, that is."

"I think I can safely say she will be delighted to be asked," Hank said.

Kimber nodded, then frowned. "Speaking of Siku, did you tell her you were going to ask me to marry you?"

Hank shook his head. "No, I did not."

Kimber's brows furrowed. "I don't know if that's good, Hank. She is your daughter, she has the right to know who her future step mother is."

Hank smiled, rising from the bed and reaching for his robe. "Kimber, I know my daughter, she will be thrilled to hear this. Before she left for college she and I had a very long talk. Actually, it was more of a lecture and she was the one giving it."

"Oh?" Kimber tipped her head to one side. "And what was this lecture about?"

"My future," Hank said, his eyes sparking. "Siku was very worried that I was frittering away my life on frivolous things, such as finding a cure for the legacy virus and other whims. She felt I should start concentrating more on the important things, on building some sort of future. And she felt you should play a very big role in that future."

"Really?" Kimber grinned. She would have to thank Siku later. It was clear that she had started the thought process in Hank's mind that lead up to this.

"Really," Hank confirmed. "I believe her exact words were, 'And if you're as smart as people say you are, you'll marry Kimber. She's perfect for you.'"

"My, she's grown into such a brilliant woman," Kimber said, beaming.

"That she has." Hank walked over to the window and looked out into the back yard. "The snow stopped."

Kimber nodded, not really hearing the last part. "Hank, do you think this is all right? I mean, now?"

"What do you mean?" Hank turned to look at her, frowning.

"Don't get me wrong, I want to marry you so bad that if a minister walked into the room right now, I'd say my vows in a split second. But... we were commenting last night that Siku is still.. well, bothered by things... maybe we should wait until the holidays are over and she's feeling more herself before announcing we're getting married." Kimber rose from the bed and walked over to him, twisting the ring on her finger.

Hank thought about this for a moment, turning to look out the window again. He opened his mouth to answer her when he saw his daughter. He put his arm around Kimber. "Before I answer that, take a look," he suggested, pointing outside.

Kimber looked where his finger was pointing. She saw Siku and Cameron's friend, Bryan lying on their back in the snow, moving their arms and legs. "They're making snow angels," she said, smiling.

Hank nodded, watching his daughter. When the snow angel was finished, she sat up, leaping out of the pattern quickly and carefully, so as not to ruin it. Then, while Bryan was still flat on his back, she picked up a handful of snow and threw it on him. Although he could not hear through the insulated glass, he knew his daughter was laughing.

Grinning, Bryan sat up, brushing the snow off his face. For someone who had just gotten a mini "white wash" he looked remarkably happy. He jumped to his feet, advancing towards Siku, who moved backwards, her body shaking from laughter. For a minute or so, they played this game of cat and mouse, and then Bryan scooped up an armful of the powdery snow on top of the ice and threw it at her. For a moment, as it sprinkled down, the sunlight reflected off it, making Siku look like she was surrounded by silver glitter. Bryan stopped, just looking at her for a moment, as if he could not quite believe what he was seeing. Then Siku turned and started running, still laughing. Bryan watched her for almost three seconds before chasing after her in the snow. Blizzard ran up to join them, barking happily at this unexpected playtime.

"I think we can tell Siku right away," Hank said softly, pulling Kimber close.

Kimber leaned her head against his shoulder and nodded slowly, smiling. "I think you're right."

They stood together by the window, watching Bryan and Siku as they played in the snow, laughing and running around, looking as if they were having the time of their lives. Hank felt a strange prickling behind his eyes. How did I ever get to be so lucky? he thought. His arm still safely around his future wife, he looked at his daughter. May the coming year and all the others bring you the happiness you deserve. Merry Christmas, Sunshine.

To everyone out there, happy and joyous holidays season to you and yours. May the upcoming year be filled with love, happiness, and good fortune.

Warmest Wishes
Darqstar