Jay drummed his fingers anxiously on the windowsill.
The others were enjoying their cocoa, chatting, opening gifts, laughing—Kai had even managed not to burn the tree this year—but Jay's eyes kept flicking toward the snow-covered horizon.
Three hours.
That was way too long for Mia.
"She said she'd be back by noon," he muttered, voice tight.
Kai, unwrapping Mia's gift, paused. "You think something happened?"
Jay didn't answer. His grip tightened on the windowsill.
Zane, who was calmly sipping warm cider and scanning the snow with his enhanced vision, glanced over. "No disturbances in the region. No threats on the mission report. But..."
"But?" Jay snapped.
"But her tracker stopped updating fifteen minutes ago."
Jay stood up so fast he knocked over his chair. "I knew something was off."
Cole looked up, concern etching his features. "Jay—"
"No, don't try to calm me down. She was supposed to be back. She promised."
Nya gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "She always keeps her promises. Don't panic yet."
Jay was already grabbing his jacket and gear. "I'm going out there."
Kai stood too, holding Mia's gift. "You're not going alone."
"Fine," Jay growled, already storming toward the door.
Zane, Lloyd, Cole, and Nya followed quickly, leaving their mugs behind.
But just as Jay yanked open the front door—
A burst of wind blew snow into the room.
And Mia landed on the doorstep, panting, covered in soot and scratches, carrying a massive bag slung over her shoulder.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS, YA DORKS!" she shouted triumphantly.
Jay froze.
"...Mia?!"
She grinned and tossed the bag at him. "Sorry I'm late. Some fire ghosts thought they could hijack a delivery route. Not on my shift."
Jay tackled her into a hug, nearly crying with relief.
"THREE HOURS, MIA!"
"Yeah, yeah, time is relative," she said, ruffling his hair. "Now help me inside before I face-plant."
Zane calmly closed the door behind them. "Mission: success."
Kai held up her gift to him. "This better not be a prank."
Mia smirked, wind lifting her hair slightly. "Open it and find out."
He did.
And found a perfectly charred marshmallow on a stick, preserved in resin, with a tiny note attached:
"To my favorite fire hazard. Don't burn down Christmas. —Mia."
Kai choked on a laugh. "Okay, that's fair."
And for the first time that day, the whole team was together—and Jay didn't stop hugging his sister for at least another five minutes.
