Part II here for you all.

Sorry about the split, Reddit just being difficult I’m afraid.

I hope you enjoy this much shorter second part.

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“DAD!!DADADADADADAD!!!”

David’s eye flew open with a pained grunt as J’aal landed on him with what felt like the force of a tank, stocking in one hand and the other tugging on the fur of Kato’s shoulder.

“Hnnnggghhh! M-moooorrrrrnng” David yawned, blinking blearily at the clock beside the bed, the numbers showing it was already six in the morning. Glancing over J’aal’s shoulder he saw the girls padding in, whispering between each other and no less eager to show off their “loot”, though trying to appear somewhat aloof, owing to being at that delightful age of being “too cool” to be overly excited about “such childish stuff”.

Lifting himself up on his hands, David scooted back so his back was pressed against the headboard of the hotel bed, his stripped pyjamas making him look like a messy-haired rendition of the 1950s stereotype.

Patting the blankets, he was delighted to see his daughters follow their brother’s example and scramble up onto the bed.

Kato, by now fully awake, reached down her side of the bed as Sarah and Thorn (both carrying their own stockings) came in as well, climbing onto the bed too, Sarah tucking herself beside Kato and Thorn squeezing David into the middle of the bed as she perched precariously on the edge, a situation soon rectified by David sitting himself on Kato’s right leg and Thorn’s left, allowing everyone to fit, albeit a little tightly, even on the Shil sized bed.

Once everyone was settled and more or less comfortable, David gestured at J’aal, “Alright, everyone takes one thing out of their stocking at time alright? Everyone gets a turn. J’aal, why don’t you go first as you arrived first?”

With a squeak of delight, the lilac skinned boy dug a hand into his stocking to pull out a large chocolate Santa, another family tradition passed on by David’s parents.

One by one everyone took their items out of their stockings, the unpacking going by surprisingly quickly. Kato and Thorn seemed utterly delighted by the tradition, constantly trying to peer into or feel up their stockings as they waited for their turns. Each stocking did contain some traditional items, the big four being chocolate Santa’s, a packet of chocolate coins (modelled on the pre-integration New Zealand currency), a Terry’s chocolate orange and a set of funny socks. David noticed Kato’s ears drooping as she realized she would struggle to fit socks, only to let out a gasp of surprise and delight when, instead of socks, she found a set of colourful foot wraps Judith had made herself, covered in tiny silhouettes of Rai’kiri, Christmas trees and Santa hats in different colours.

Alongside these traditional gifts were other small packages, the adults having all quietly purchased “stockings fillers” during the year and posting them to Judith and Chris before their arrival. The result was a delightful combination of Earth and Imperial gifts, and nearly all of them a surprise for the recipients, K’lathia in particular being almost beside herself to find a two-week hunting permit for her and two others in one of the best park ranges on the colony planet the family called home.

Glancing at the clock again, David felt his blood run cold as he saw how much time had passed. “Shi… I mean, *ahem* alright family! Places to go and things to do! We’ve only got half an hour to get to Oma and Opasoooppppp!!” he had barely managed to finish his sentence before he felt himself being bodily scooped out of the bed in Thorn’s grip, the children yelping and scattering out of the room and barreling to their own rooms to get ready as David was carried straight into the bathroom and tipped into the shower. “Alright alright!” he yelped as he started to quickly shuck off his pyjamas before someone tried to turn the water on. “We’ll make it! Don’t panic!”

“WHOSE PANICKING?” Came the unnervingly tense chorus of three feminine voices all scrabbling to grab what they needed and get ready as someone outside the shower snapped their fingers rapidly, Sarah’s authoritive tone barking through the small room. “Now be a good boy and hurry up in there! Otherwise we’re coming in after you!”

Rather than try and argue, David took the warning at face value and switched on the water.

Thirty-five minutes later a dapper but somewhat frazzled David followed his three stunningly beautiful wives into his parents home, quietly snapping a photo on his phone as his parents kissed and hugged the three women before giving each of the eager children a fond hug, Opa quickly being dragged off by K’lathia and J’aal to admire the contents of their stockings, D’thalia and Merid bringing up the rear as Judith led the parents into the living room.

There before their eyes were not only several other humans who were introduced as other members of the community who would otherwise be alone at Christmas, but several Shil of several social tiers and civilian/military standing. Everyone stopping to stare as the new group was ushered in and introduced.

As conversation ebbed and flowed, David was amazed to learn that the Shil’vati present were from the local garrison and governess’ office, an open invitation having been extended to the office to nominate a handful of personnel who would otherwise have nowhere to go for Christmas. The result was a group of a dozen or so nervous looking staff and marines, clearly wanting to enjoy themselves but terrified of screwing up. After and hour or so, with the children happily playing outside (apart from D’thalia who kept trying to surreptitiously scout out the presents under the tree in the corner), the laughter and chatter was growing louder as the Shil began to relax, slowly adopting the festive spirit as Chris, Judith and the rest of the human’s treated them like equals.

Eventually though, the sound of a teaspoon against a champagne flute cut through the chatter, drawing everyone’s attention to Judith, standing in the doorway, a small smile gracing her lips as she noted everyone’s attention.

“As you know, we don’t do big speeches here” she chuckled as one of the Shil let out an audible sigh of relief.

“To that end, we bid you welcome to this celebration of Christmas.” She continued. “A time when family and friends come together to celebrate and give thanks.” She nodded to the Shil, “And to welcome those who otherwise be without. To that end, breakfast is ready, and Merry Christmas to you all!”

As she finished, the pops of two champagne corks were audible from the kitchen before Chris emerged, a bottle in each hand, waving (gingerly) for everyone to follow him out onto the patio.

Where the low table had been yesterday sat a huge wooden table, laden to capacity with warm croissants, butter, different cheeses, tomatoes, avocado and dozens of different kinds of fillers.

As there was nowhere near enough seating, everyone remained standing, holding their food on paper plates, champagne flutes in hand. Even the children had proper flutes, although theirs contained sparkling grape juice instead. The hubbub of conversation occasionally interspersed with the sharp bangs of crackers being popped, colourful paper crowns soon adorning every head as the champagne was replaced with coffee and hot chocolate before anyone could get too rowdy.

Finally, as the last croissant and slice of gouda cheese disappeared, dessert emerged, strawberries with freshly whipped cream, icing sugar and home-made custard and meringue, Two huge pavlovas (which were viewed dubiously until one hapless Sgt took a bite, letting out a thoroughly indecent moan much to her embarrassment), and, as the main event, Judith’s homemade Christmas cake and ambrosia.

David subtly shuffled over to his dad, “How many bottles this year?”

The grin Chris gave him caused an involuntary shiver to scuttle down his spine

“Four and a half of Napoleon Brandy” came the reply, “We wanted to make sure the cake was as moist as possible! Don’t worry, we’ll make sure the little ones don’t get too much.”

Nodding his thanks, David turned to glance towards the children in question. Despite an initial sugar rush from the Pavlovas, it was clear that a crash was imminent, meaning a bunch of tired out young children, though thankfully not young enough to throw too much of a tantrum.

After an hour or so, David and his parents waved goodbye to the last neighbors and Shil, the Shil clutching bulging doggy bags and a wrapped present each, eagerly scurrying towards their transports to take them back to their respective homes and barracks.

Turning and heading back inside, his parents’ arms around his shoulders and his arms around theirs, the three of them headed into the living room, the rest of the family gathered on the couches and chairs with the children on the floor, their eyes latched onto the tree.

Sinking onto the couch, surrounded by his beloveds, David watched as gift after gift was gently taken from under the tree, carefully handed to it intended recipient and unwrapped.

His father passed by on his way towards his own chair, handing David a gin and tonic as the last of the gifts were unwrapped and the discarded wrapping paper put to one side for recycling later.

As the children gushed (J’aal) and pretended not to gush (the girls) over their gifts, the adults began to settle in their seats, talking quietly over their own gifts, relaxed as the sunlight streaming through the windows warmed their skin. Slowly, one after the other the voices drifted off, gentle snoring buzzing as Chris, then Kato, then Sarah, Judith and Thorn fell asleep, dozing in their seats, Kato and Sarah curled around him as he reached a hand around them to link his fingers with Thorn, squeezing her hand gently, only to chuckle as a sleepy grunt was her only response.

With a final glance at his brood, David let out a quiet yawn, his own eyelids fluttering as his head began to nod. Turning his head slightly to glance at his parents his lips curled in a gentle smile, his heart lighter than it had been in years. He’d finally fulfilled that promise he’d made, he’d returned home. Even better, he’d brought his new home with him. The journey wasn’t over by a long way, but in his heart he knew, this moment would be remembered by all parties and would live on, especially in his children, long after he was gone.

The gentle heat of the sun through the windows warmed his skin, assisted by the bodies of his beloved wives, his ears barely picking up the giggles of Merid and K’lathia as they watched their parents dozing, followed by J’aal attempting to hush them, his voice hissing gently as David’s eyes finally slipped closed, the achingly familiar song of a tui singing him into sleep’s comforting embrace.