They are awoken by the smell of pancakes wafting through the house. Looking outside the sun is just coming up. Astila groans half asleep does his wife know the meaning of sleeping in. Hearing the others moving around he sighs and gets up. He goes to the closet and gets a very special gift from there grinning to himself hoping she will like it. Since Aisling promised Christmas morning would just be for those in the house he goes down to breakfast in his nightclothes. When he reached the bottom of the stairs he noticed he was not the only one. There was Debra and her family dressed in matching pajamas. Everyone had the same idea. Aisling comes in and hands him a cup of coffee. Patting the seat beside her. "Before we open our gifts I want to thank everyone for being such good sports . I know that our traditions may be a little different than yours . I also know that our family can be a little overwhelming as well. Thank you all for helping and for being here for our first Christmas together. Also thank you for sharing the twins first Christmas with us. I know I told you that today is going to be busy but since we will be hosting a wedding tomorrow. Everyone will be visiting us instead. This means we have seven hours to relax and enjoy our little immediate family . Now let"s get to opening presents." With that being said Sam begins handing each person in the room his and Debra"s gift. It"s the twins first real pictures. He handmade each frame to suit each person . Salali was a little tearful that they included her in their gift. Yona was more interested in the craftsmanship of the frames. They were a work of art. Salali was next she gave everyone gift cards and candy promising next year she would do better. Aisling gave everyone her gifts they all were hand made. For the twins she made dream catchers . For Salali ,Maureen and Moll she made Irish lace shawls. For each of the men she made new winter scarves. For her husband she gave him a small box. Inside was a silver eagle holding an edelweiss . He looks at her and grins handing her his gift. She opens it and inside is a silver broach with edelweiss and an eagle feather. They both begin to laugh at how each of their gifts were almost exactly the same. Yona looks at them and for the first time in years he feels like he is apart of a family. The warmth and love in the room could not be contained. He thought it could not get better but all of a sudden a loud slam of the back door. Aisling stands wondering what is going on. Then they hear Crystal yell
"Good morning please don"t be mad but my present couldn"t wait. " Remi is looking apologetic towards everyone.
Crystal runs over to Yona and hands him a box.
"This is yours I hope you like it. I made it myself." She is shaking with excitement waiting for him to open it. Yona opens the box and inside is a piece of turquoise wrapped in a small silver wire on a leather strip. Yona looks at the little one and hugs her.
"I love it ,will you put it on for me?" He picks her up to sit on his lap so she can place it around his neck. She kisses his cheek
"Merry Christmas I love you."
Crystal looks at Aisling and asks if she can talk to her alone. Aisling takes her by the hand and they go into the kitchen. Crystal hands her a handful of coins.
"I don"t know if this will be enough ,but I took one of your stones from the jar of water on the porch?I also used your silver wire and leather . I will do ch.o.r.es to pay for it." Aisling smiles at the little one pulling her into her arms onto her lap.
"Why did you choose that stone?" Crystal bowed her head.
"I couldn"t stop looking at it. Ever since I met Yona I couldn"t keep from looking at the stone. I"m sorry I should have asked , I just wanted to make him something so he won"t forget me when he leaves."
Aisling hugs her
"I"m not mad because the stone called to you so it no longer belonged to me. Though next time ask me because as you know taking something without permission is wrong. Not only that it can bring bad luck. Since the stone chose you I cannot take your money, but I would love a hug ." Crystal gives Aisling a very tight hug. She whispers to her
"Aisling I love you most besides mommy and Yona ." Aisling kisses the little one on the forehead
"I love you to my little imp . Why don"t you go tell everyone it"s time for breakfast?" With that she jumps down to get everyone to come eat. Holding Yona"s hand placing him beside her. Astila gives his wife a big hug and whispers to her.
"I think my brother is in trouble that little one is something else."
"Oh I don"t know he seems not to mind her to much . I"ve seen him smile a lot these last two days thanks to her." With that they begin to eat and talk about the next days preparations.
While cleaning up Moll is drying the dishes she stops and looks at the women of her family. They are all strong and capable. They all have such loving spirits. She says a prayer of thanksgiving for them. She knows that they are blessed beyond measure. Crystal comes over and taps her on the back . She turns to look at the small girl. She is holding a box giving it to Moll .
"I found this when I was getting jam from the cellar is it yours?" Moll opens it inside is a locket. It"s her mothers locket. There inside is a picture of her grandmother,mother and her. Showing Aisling and Maureen they are surprised. Moll"s mother was blonde and looked like Debra. Moll resembles Crystal and the grandmother looked like Maureen.
"Well all I can say is that our family resemblance is strong. " holding it in the palm of her hand saying a small spell to ensure no dark magic was attached she looked at the child.
"It is mine but how did you know?"
" oh silly you were beside me when I was born. I saw your light then." The three look at the child. It"s true in the reincarnated life she did deliver this child. Though it still doesn"t explain how she knows the locket is hers.
"How did you know the locket is mine?" Looking into her eyes she sees that the child is gifted but only when touching objects it seems.
"When I picked it up I saw your face. Not as it is now but in a different place. You were somewhere far away. Did I do something bad?" Crystal looks like she wants to cry. Moll hugs her close.
"No my sweetie you did nothing wrong. Thank you for finding my treasure." Crystal hugs her and kisses her cheek
"MoRee Moll I love you thank you for finding us again. " she turns and skips off into the next room. Moll turns to the other women in the room.
"She has my grandmother"s gift. She sees events and people when she touches things. We need to help her to understand her gift and to help her not get hurt. Aisling can you arrange for them to live here for awhile so we can test her more?" Aisling nods and lets them know that she asked Remi the night before.
"Good girl now lets enjoy our day praise the lord that the child has only touched good things." The women head into the living room to enjoy the children playing with their toys . While waiting for the other family to start to arrive. It"s a wonderful day for all.