December 6, 2000
Christmas 206AC
The big man with the long braided hair gasps audibly. "What's that, Trini? What's that? Is that a big rag doll? Look at that, Trini! Look it! She's almost bigger than *you* are!"
The two-year-old looked up from the floor where she was neck-deep in un-wrapped Christmas presents. Before she could blink her dark indigo eyes a bright flash went off, capturing her radiant smiling face forever. Two small fist flew up to her face and scrubbed her eyes as she squealed.
"Trinity? Trinity? Look over here. What's this? What's this, Baby Girl?" From her other side a Japanese man was hitting a colorful miniature xylophone with a tiny yellow mallet.
No sooner did the toddler look than another flash went off. With another agitated squeal, the two-year old scrubbed at her eyes and then looked up. Large indigo eyes fastened on the man behind the disposable camera; her little pink lip puffed out in a pout. No sooner was the face complete than another flash went off.
Christmas 210AC
"Wow! Dad! Look what *I* got!" the six-year-old blond ball of energy in red and blue plaid pajamas jumped up and down excitedly, his blue-green eyes twinkling. "Look! Look! It's a new saddle! Won't it look great on Sandrock? Huh? Huh? Won't it?"
"Yes, it's very pretty," Trowa replied, shifting the two-month old in his arms.
"What's you're favorite present, Triton?" Quatre called out to the quiet young boy sitting in the corner who was meticulously unwrapping each of his gifts.
The blond little boy—identical to the first—looked up and beamed a winning smile. "Carlton Bear!" he answered happily, holding up a large teddy bear that talked and read stories.
"Ooh... Very nice," the blond man cooed, snatching at a stray piece of wrapping paper. "Why don't we gather everything up under the tree and take a picture, huh? Tristan? Tristan? Tristan, stop sitting on the saddle and place it under the tree. What about your other presents. Yes, yes, let's get them all under the tree. Trowa? Trowa? Will you—oh, yes, that's right... Um... Boys? You wanna hold your baby sister so Calista can be in the picture, too? Okay, everybody smile!"
Christmas 216AC
"Auh! *D*A*D*!!! Don't take a picture of me like this!!! I don't have any make-up on!"
"You look fine, Rynna," Noin snapped. "Now close your legs and sit up straight and *smile*!"
The teenager's dark blue eyes narrowed as she glared towards the camera. The flash went off and she rolled her eyes, muttering and tossing her long, curly, raven black mane behind her.
"Adrian? What did you get?" Zechs asked, focusing the camera on the dark-haired twelve-year old.
"Don't you know?" the boy returned, looking up, his dark blue eyes looking ready to roll back in his head.
"May I be excused now?" Katarynna interrupted. "I'd like to go back to bed now." The sixteen year old got up and left without waiting for a reply. Hot on her heels was her twelve-year-old brother.
<<CLICK>>
Noin glared at her husband as she blinked the stars from her eyes.
"What?" he asked. "That was one of the best expressions this morning."
End of Part 10: Christmas Morning Pictures
Andrea Readwolf
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