“Ophelia, is it a good idea? Do you think the kids will approve?”

“My dear Abigail, I know they won’t care due to Maria and Amanda. Now let’s finish these up and start on breakfast.”

Big Mama and Abigail poured whipped cream and coarsely chopped peppermint over five mugs of hot chocolate. Abigail’s fashion business went off without a hitch, but instead of opening it in the Hidden City she opened it on the human side of the barrier in her hometown in Brooklyn. It’s only been a few months since it opened, but humans and yokai come from all over the world to custom order or buy the clothing she made. 

With the amount of success in such a short amount of time, she could've opened her own hotel. Instead, equal halves of her sales were in two separate banks. One in the human world and one in the Hidden City.

She decided against buying a new house and moved back into the hotel. Big Mama and the kids were thrilled. After a few drinks a few weeks ago, one thing led to another and the two successful women started seeing each other.

Abigail was happy to finally have someone to love after David had passed and Big Mama was in a similar situation. She loved Lou Jitsu, but all the dates with the human were dull and really only pertained to his movie star career. She loved him, but didn't fall in love with him, if that makes any sense. With Abigail, she could be herself with all her little quirks and whatnot.

They planned to tell their kids during the unboxing ceremony. They also had brilliant news for Suzie and were plenty excited for her reaction.

They brought the hot chocolate to her main office. Really, with the amount of memories that one room had, it was turned into a lounge area. A large Christmas tree that smelled of tangerines was in the center of the room decorated with a vast variety of trinkets collected over the years and a large purple star at the top.

Velvety couches and cushy bean bags were scattered around and a small desk sat in the corner for the few times Big Mama decided to work in the room.

Godrick walked through the door with Suzie sleeping in his arms with Leonardo cuddling into her. He set them both on one of the two couches and plopped into a bean bag. Suzie jolted awake and started growling but stopped when she realized that she was safe. Leo yawned from on top of her and rubbed his eyes.

“Suzie…Ohmigosh, Suzie it’s Christmas!”

Now completely awake, Leonardo wiggled to the floor and sat closest to the tree. He took all the presents he bought/made for everyone and started handing them out. He was excited. For Abigail he learned knitting and tried to make an infinity scarf. Its primary colors were black, gray, and electric blue but it also had colorful patches of lavender mixed in. It was very shotty and loose in some place, but Abigail loved the effort put into the gift and put it on immediately.

For Suzie he put together a first aid kit with everything he though she would need and a turtle stuffed toy with red markings hand stitched over the eyes. He may have some help with the markings (Abigail, obviously) and Suzie knew that. She was happy to have the mini “Leo toy” regardless and gave him a tight hug.

Godrick received a new set of swords with both his and Suzie’s names engraved on the hilts in obsidian. The swords were called “Dao Swords” and they originated in China. Leonardo spent a long time researching swords and weapons in general to pick out the best ones. The two Leonardo picked out were different kinds of Dao Swords though. The one with his name was a Qing Dynasty Dragon Dao and the one with Suzie’s name was a Red Dao Broadsword.

Big Mama got a scrapbook full of pictures of her and Leonardo, Suzie, Abigail, and just snippets of their life up to that point. Other than the scarf, the book took the most time to complete. Abigail and Godrick helped him find pictures. She had crocodile tears pouring down her face as she flipped through the page.

April and Nate weren’t with them, same with Bootyyyshaker9000 (for obvious reasons) so he had to send their gifts in advance. He had no idea where to send Bootyyyshaker9000’s gift so he texted him and said his and his brother’s presents were sent to the local library under Leo’s username (BluePineapple). Bootyyyshaker9000 got more titanium, a purple weighted blanket, and a cute blue phone case with pineapples.

Leonardo didn’t know Bootyyyshaker9000’s brothers too well other than the fact that they liked pizza. So he had some of his online friend’s help. His younger brother got a bunch of new sketchbooks and art supplies and his older brother got a ton of teddy bears and a catalog for weights.

April was on her school’s baseball and softball teams so she got new catcher’s mitts for both, a new bat, and an umpire face guard thing. Nate was on his school’s track team, so he got customized running shoes and a matching jersey and a magic kit. Nate was getting really into close up magic and illusions.

<~>

Suzie got her mom and Big Mama matching sweaters. She was hyper aware of her mother’s new relationship. She accidentally walked in on them sucking face once and wanted to bleach her eyes. She fully supported her mother, but no one needs to see that.

For Godrick she got a “World’s Best Uncle” coffee mug and a matching shirt. She had a matching shirt that said “The World’s Best Uncle Has A Badass Niece” and she sneakily slipped it on after he opened his gift. Everyone was in stitches and were wheezing after they saw her. Leo took a picture to put in the scrapbook later.

Leo got a new phone with a phone case. The phone case had a pattern of the phases of the moon.

For Bootyyyshaker9000 and his brothers, she kept it really simple. Coupons to the local human pizzeria and candy. She made sure the presents from her were wrapped and left with Leonardo’s presents at the library.

April and Nate both received Amazon gift cards. She didn’t know what else to get them and wasn’t big on research like Leonardo was and opted for the easy way out.

<~>

It was time for Big Mama’s presents. She smiled at Abigail and turned her attention to Suzie.

Suzanne, dear. As you know you are joining the Battle Nexus when you turn sixteen. However, Godrick has informed me of your training’s progress in the short time you have under his tutelage. It brings me great joy to tell you that, come February, you will officially start your two years in the Battle Nexus.”

Suzie was beyond happy and her tail was wagging a mile a second. Leonardo whooped and cheered for her.

“And Leonardo, baby-shell, Godrick is going to start the swordplay training you’ve been begging for.”

Leo cheered again, not about to tell his mother that he started training forever ago. Godrick laughed nervously and took a swig of his hot chocolate.

“I would also like to announce mine and Abigail’s budding relationship.”

“Mom, I hate to break it to you, but we already know about that.”

“Pardon?”

Suzie fake gagged as Leo explained.

“Suzie saw you making out and told me.”

Abigail hid her face in her new sweater as Big Mama blushed and laughed.

“Apologies darling Suzanne.”

Other than the announcements, she got everyone new nice clothes for when they decided to go out and written guarantee for one favor, no questions asked. An agreement sought after by yokai and humans everywhere.

<~>

Abigail always preferred to make presents than buy them. There was more effort and thought put into them in her opinion. Not to discredit store bought presents, there was plenty thought and care put into those and she always appreciated everything she got. Abigail made Leonardo and Suzie matching hoodies with “Big Sister Wolf” and “Little Brother Turtle” on the back in their favorite colors.

Big Mama got a new work outfit, similar to her current one, but made from a more comfortable fabric with a faint moth and spider pattern on the inside. She made Godrick a comfortable suit for the days when he goes undercover in his human disguise with the family.

<~>

Godrick was a simple man.He knew what to give each and every person he loved.

He got Suzie her first Battle Nexus uniform and weapons. A black leather combat bodysuit with a pair of custom made, titanium toed boots. Watching Suzie utilize her old pair of boots told Godrick two things. One, Suzie put everything into every kick she performed. Two, because of those high power, high energy kicks, those boots had to be replaced at the end of every training session. The toes of every pair of boots would be worn down and the steel inside would be one kick away from popping out.

The new pair of boots were made with a mixture of leather and nylon. The titanium toes would deliver more impact than the previous steel. On the thighs of the suit were two knife holsters and on the lower back were two straps for another weapon. Two military knives were in a separate box with a small tanto blade.

“The knives are your preferred weapon. The blades are a mix of carbon steel and obsidian to give them the black color. The hilt is made primarily from ivory with white leather for better grip. Your full name is embellished on the blade in topaz. The tanto is a small sword common in Japan. There will be times where your knives will be knocked away from you. The materials used to make it are identical to your knives. I know my little protege will become a Nexus Champion in no time.”

Suzie wasn’t crying. Her face was in Godrick’s should as she hugged him. How could she be crying if no one saw her face?

He and Leonardo were in the middle of the training contrary to what Big Mama had thought. His nephew received catalogs for swords and three tickets to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. 

“Like Suzie, when you finish your training, you will get your own swords. In two weeks, you and Suzie are going to accompany me to the Animal Kingdom.”

“Thanks GoGo!”

Leonardo loved animals and always wanted to go to the Animal Kingdom.

Big Mama and Abigail received a weekend getaway to a spa resort.

<~>

Leonardo thought it was the best Christmas ever. His mom made every year and holiday memorable, but this year Suzie was back with him and was so close to becoming his sister. He couldn’t wait for the up and coming days.

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