Hello Danger

Christmas Dream

Harper skipped around the decorated Mans Nest in a red and gold dress. With all the recent events, it was hard to remember that Christmas was tomorrow. Harper loved Christmas. The colors, the smells, the lack of words. The Mans Nest was already decorated, and a light snow had fallen over Swellview. Since Harper had never really seen snow, especially in Dystopia, she was extra excited. Harper placed a well wrapped box into Chapas dark red stoking. Everything looked perfect. Harper had even set up her mother's nativity, made up of the rare, delicate, expensive, hand me down, Precious Moments Nativity Pieces, on the fake fireplace that Schwoz had set up.
The scene was set on a jade cloth, Harpers Great Great Grandmother has sewn herself, using expensive cloth, and fine red string at the end for ruffles.
Ray walked in with a box, that was labeled 'Harpers Very Sentimental Christmas Stuff. Touch With EXTREME CAUTION!'  Ray placed the box gently on the couch, and took out a vibrant red, table cloth. Ray gently set up the table as Schwoz started to bring out the dinner, which he was warned to strictly follow Harpers family cookbook. Harper smiled as everything looked absolutely perfect. But the one thing Harper didn't know, was that not just Schwoz, Ray and herself were having Christmas dinner. The kids were with their families, but Ray had convinced Schwoz to let Harper live the Christmas magic.  Harper smiled as she took a final look at the Mans Nest, making sure nothing was out of place. Harper then remembered one thing. Her family's ornament. It was a tradition, every year on Christmas Eve to hang Harpers family crest, which was displayed on a camouflage green ornament. The ornament had the Captain Man logo on it. The family crest. Harper gently hung it on the middle of the tree, and smiled. It was the first year she was able to do it. And it would definitely not be her last.
"Harper come sit down. Dinners ready."
Ray called. Harper nodded and gracefully made her way over to the couch. Schwoz sat across from Harper, with Ray in the middle of the couch.
"Dig in!"
Ray announced. Harper scoffed.
"What do you mean 'Dig in!'? I could have sworn Grandma raised you better! You know the deal Raymond."
Harper said, mustering all the authority in her voice she could. Ray groaned and grabbed Schwoz and Harpers hand and bowed his head, following the other two.
"Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. And bless the hands who prepared them, Through Christ, our Lord. Amen."
Harper recited from her many years of Catholic Sunday school.
"Amen."
Schwoz and Ray replied.
"That wasn't so hard was it now?"
Harper teased. Ray rolled his eyes as his hands darted towards the fish. It was tradition in Harpers family to have several fishes in their dishes, and the turkey. Ray had almost missed the feeling of having a Manchester Christmas. Harper smiled. It felt like her parents and brothers were with her. Harper placed a small piece of turkey on her plate, and grabbed her cup, but stopped when a hand stole her small slice. Harper looked at Ray who was shoving food in his mouth.
"Why did you steal my food?"
Harper asked. Ray smiled.
"I didn't. He did."
Harper was confused to what Ray pointed at.  Then, Harper turned, and her eyes were met with ten more. Harper was stunned. Bailey sat, munching on Haileys turkey.
"What?! You gonna stare at us all day, or give us a hug!"
Bailey retorted. Harper scanned her parents and brothers. Her smile had fated away, and was replaced by a blank stare. Harper could see that every detail was right. Every ounce of mockingness in her brothers voice was still there. Harper slowly pushed Bailey out of the way and fell into her mothers arms. Harpers eyes shut as she shook her head, trying to keep back the tears that had threatened to fall. She didn't wanna run laps on Christmas Eve.
"It's okay Harpy. You can let it out. Your safe now. You can cry."
That was all Harper needed to hear her mother say. Harper instantly broke into sob. Riley brushed Harpers tears away. Harper couldn't help but cry. Bailey carved himself a piece of turkey, earning a look from his mother.
"Sorry. I'm hungry. What can I tell you!"
Harper only cried harder. It all seemed a dream. It all seemed to be fake. But it was real. Riley held Harper in a tight embrace.
"Look at my little girl. All grown up. You look so beautiful."
Riley praised. Sawyer bent down and picked Harper up onto his hip. Harper was very light for her age, but was considerably very strong. Sawyer rocked his crying sister back and forth. Nothing could help ease the pain that she felt. The pain that filled her wasn't a bad pain. It was good. Slowly, Harpers harsh sobs calmed to a slow whimper. Parker had Harper on his lap as everyone ate. Harper hadn't touched her food. She was to busy nestling her face into her fathers jacket, or her mother's sleeve. Harper couldn't feel more comfortable.
"Ray did you decorate? It looks so beautiful!"
Riley complimented.
"Oh no. I give all the credit to Harper. She tried to make sure everything was perfect. She even scolded me because I was about to eat without saying 'Grace'."
Ray informed, making sure the last part was said loud enough. Riley laughed as she rubbed Harpers arm.
"That's my girl. It looks fabulous in here. And Ray, Mom always said that must you say 'Grace' before eating Christmas dinner!"
Ray hung his head in shame as the sleepy Harper smiled. Harper never stayed up long on Christmas Eve. She had had a long day, and it was starting to get to her. Harper had already slid off her black flats under the table, and struggled to keep her eyes open. She knew that she just had to stay awake for dessert. Parker saw Harpers struggle and smiled. He gently placed his hand on her earlobe, and rubbed it gently. Harper was trying as hard as she could to stay awake. The feeling felt so good. Nothing else could put her asleep faster. Harper silently yawned.
"It's okay Harpy. Get some sleep. I'll wake you up for dessert."
Parker told Harper, fully knowing that she would most likely not wake up. But Harper quickly took advantage of the offer, and fell asleep. Parker loves watching his baby girl sleep. Riley loved brushing Harpers hair behind her ear when she would get frustrated. Sawyer loved to hold hands with his sister. Jordon loves to take the blame for things his sister would do she wouldn't get in trouble. Bailey loves to eat his sisters food.
Ray smiled half heartedly, knowing that by tomorrow at lunch, his sister, brother-in-law, and nephews would leave. Harper smiled in her sleep. Ray and the boys helped collect the empty dishes. Schwoz and Riley brought out dessert as Parker woke up Harper.
"Come on sweetie. It's time for dessert."
Harper sat up and rubbed her eyes as everyone sat back down. Harper barley looked over the desserts before almost falling asleep. Parker had a small piece of apple pie on a plate for Harper. But Harper only stared at it. So, naturally, Bailey took his fork and took a bite from Harper, laughing.
"Hey! That's mine!"
Harper chirped up. Bailey made a face, so Harper decided to protect her pie, by eating the whole slice in five bites. The sugar instantly attacked Harper, and woke her up. It always did. Harper smiled as she took a sip of tea that sat in her cup.
"Same old Harper. Always protective over sweets."
Harper tossed a balled up napkin at Bailey, and laughed, before it was cut short, when whipped cream was smeared on her nose. Harper looked up to see Bailey lick his finger.
"You didn't."
Harper said, grabbing the whipped cream. She ran around the Mans Nest, attacking her brother. He stopped and grabbed her backpack and used it to block the attacks. Harper ripped it from his grasp, as started to smack him with it.
"You. Complete. Arse, Bailey Manchester!"
Riley has had about enough and stood up, banging her hands on the table.
"That's it. You to go get changed into some comfy clothes. And please stop the bickering."
"Yes Ma'am."
Harper and Bailey replied. The two raced back to Harpers room. Harper looked into her mirror and saw something different.
"Woah. Look. Bailey!"
In the reflection, a bit of a taller version of Harper, in a army soldier  uniform, stood next to what looked like an older version of Chapa. There, a young boy, who seemed around 7, stood next to her, with a little boy, around 5, in front of him, holding his shoulders. A boy around 2, sat on Harpers hip, giggling almost. And the shocking sight, of a round bump, on Chapas stomach, which everyone's hand rested on.
"Superpowers. Remember Harpy?"
Harper looked back over and smiled brightly.
"Me and Chapa look so happy. And those little boys just look adorable."
Slowly, the bump got bigger, until it disappeared, and in Harpers arms, was a baby girl, swaddled in a light pink blanket, with roses, carnations, and tulips, with tiny bunny rabbits.
"The perfect family."
Bailey said quietly.
"Their all so beautiful. They look so much like us."
Bailey smiles.
"You'll be an amazing mother one day. I just no it."
Harper looked over, as a tear fell down her cheek.
"Bailey."
Harper squeaked out, before crying in his arms. Bailey held his little sister tightly.
"It's okay Harpy. I know. You miss us."
Harper cried. Eventually, the two siblings fell asleep together on Harpers bunk bed, watching Click Clock videos.
—————————————————-
"Harper? Come on. Wake up! Santa came."
Ray reminded. Harper groaned as she buried her face in her pillow.
"1 more hour."
Ray laughed.
"It's 9:45. Come on kiddo."
Harper sat up and rubbed her eyes. She slowly  crawled out of bed. Bailey met her at the bottom of the ladder with a warm hug waiting. Harper smiled as she buried her face into his shirt.
"Morning Bailey."
Harper said quietly.
"Morning sis."
Bailey greeted back quietly. The three walked back into the Mans Nest, where the rest of the family sat quietly. Harper smiled as she sat down sluggishly. Her eyes were barely open as the first presents were handed out.
"Harper Marie Manchester!"
Her mother yelled. Harper looked up as she looked down.
"Please be a pillow. Please be a pillow."
Ray started laughing as Harper tore away the wrapping paper. What was wrapped, wasn't a pillow. In fact, it was a box. By Pear. Harpers pulled it closer, unable to read the words with her morning eyes.
"Wait a second..."
Harper said quietly as she opened the box. She was 99% sure it was a trick. Her family always did it to her. They always got her hopes up, and something else would be inside. But not this time. Inside, was the brand-new PearPhone Pro 360. Harper smiled widely as she picked the phone up and stared down.
"Really!"
Harper gasped. Everyone laughed as she smiled brightly. Harper had gotten a handful of gifts. Most of them, being new outfits, hair chalk, and a charm for her locket, that was a butterfly, and had 'There is no better friend than a sister and that sister is you', engraved in it.
Harper was watching tv on the couch, when a chair zipped up, and pounding feet rushed over and wrapped their arms around Harper.
"Merry Christmas Harper!"
Chapa squealed. Harper smiled as she pecked Chapas cheek.
"Hey sweetie."
Harper replied quietly.
"What's wrong babe? It's Christmas!"
Harper chuckled.
"My parents and siblings were here. They just left."
Chapa nodded and hugged Harper.
"At least you're saw them."
Harper smiled.
"Yeah."
Harper grabbed Chapas stoking and handed it to her.
"Open the small box."
Chapa was confused but did anyways. Inside of it, was a silver locket. On the front, was engraved, "Remember who the true enemy is Chapa. Always remember." On the back, was engraved, "The only way to win a war is to put up a good fight. Everything else is a waste of your time. The world shall always provide. I love you. Harper." On the inside of the locket, was a picture of Chapa and on the other side, Chloe. Chapa smiled as she looked up. Tears built in her eyes.
"Merry Christmas, Chapa. I know it really is-"
Harper got cut off by Chapas lips smashing against hers. Harper smiled and kissed back.
"I love it Harp. It's beautiful."
Chapa was quick to put it on, and smiled at how it lay perfectly on her chest. It wasn't like the normal jewelry she wore, that hung low, this was different. This was special. Chapa cuddled up next to Harper as she smiled.
"I feel awful."
Chapa whispered.
Harper tilted her head.
"I left your present at home. Chloe grabbed it last minute before I left an-"
Harper was bored of listening. She cut off Chapa by gently kissing up her neck.
"It's fine babe. Really. Now kiss me."
Chapa was a bit surprised before she kissed Harper. Soon enough, the girls had fallen asleep on the couch, and was being watched by the rest of the team.
"Look how peaceful Chapa and Harper are when they aren't yelling."
Mika cooed. Miles nodded.
"Well I guess we should let them be. I grabbed my sweatshirt. Let's go home."
Miles said quietly. Mika nodded and the two teleported away. Ray laid a fluffy blanket over the girls.
"Merry Christmas."