*Before they adopted Reiko and Ritsuka. Right after marriage*

(Mirayuki's point of view)

I hummed along to "the twelve days of Christmas" as I placed the cookies in the stove. Fresh snow was fluttering down outside, although partly inside to as I had all of the windows open.

The first snow fall is always the best one by far and I love to enjoy it to the full extent. Besides it's just water, and a little bit of water never hurt no one. I poured a mug of hot chocolate for Izana and another of hot apple cider for me. I added whip cream and marshmallows onto his -First putting the marshmallows and then cream on top- then some chocolate sprinkles and syrup to go with it. I placed the two mugs down besides our to favorite chairs next to the fire I had lit moments ago.

"NIEEE!" I heard a horse screech and I rushed outside. There was Izana in the snow, the horse stood proudly smirking at me. Now if you can't tell we weren't at the castle, we were actually still on our honey moon! But the castle needed Zana for a day so I figured I'd let them borrow him.

I tried my hardest not to let a laugh slip but it was late. Zana's head whipped towards mine and then he began to laugh to while running up to me. He gathered me in his arms and hugged me tightly before... plopping me onto the snowy ground.

He crawled up on me and pecked me on the lips before smashing snow into my face.

"ZANA!" I roared and tackled him down to the ground, using different tactics than him. I did the one thing that could make him beg. I began to ferociously tickle him, bringing his sweet laughter to my ears. A perfect sound for Christmas, I watched his face as he gasped for air and began to apologize. I stopped and laid my head on his chest. Listening to his rapid heartbeat as it killed itself back to a normal pace.

His arms circled around me and pulled me closer to him. "I made cookies, and hot coco?" I told him and he lit up like a Christmas tree. The longer we stayed here the more of him I saw. He trusted me enough to show me these sides to him, these playful and child-like sides. He picked me up and began to run into the house as the horse tried to follow us in. Well he might as well, it's cold outside. I shrugged as Zana took out the cookies -somehow not scorching his hand like I would have- and put some on plates before sitting us in our chairs.

"Thank you for making all of this Mira, you know you didn't have to though." He spoke to me so softly as he brushed a stray hair out of my eyes.

"I wanted to make you smile after being in the castle for so long." I responded as I took hold of his hands. They were always so warm.

"All I need to smile is you Mira." I awed, I couldn't help it, it was very sweet. I have him a slow kiss letting us savor the feeling of each other's lips.

"I love you Izana."

"I love you too Mirayuki."

Short but sweet and is a part one of the three Christmas Day gifts I plan to give you all.