Chapter Text
Herc woke up first, looking down at Stella, who had fallen asleep beside. He checked the phone and saw it had no missed calls, which means Lafayette didn't call last night. He frowned and gently laid Stella on the couch, heading into the other room to lay out church clothes. He was excited for Christmas, but worry still lay in his heart.
Stella's eyes lit up at how bright the church was decorated, giggling as she was given a small coloring book. "Now I won't be bored!" Hercules chuckled and held out his hand for her to take, looking for a seat.
The service was short, and Stella didn't even get halfway through her coloring book before it was time to sing. After a few songs, Stella finally knew one well enough to sing. "Silent night, holy night..." Hercules felt the words wash over him, and his body relaxed. After the service, Stella took his hand again. "Why do we sing about nights when its in the morning?"
"Because the church placed Jesus's birth at night."
Stella thought for a moment. "Do we have to believe everything that preacher said?"
Herc shook his head. "Of course not. Believe what you want to believe, little Luna. I'll support you all the way."
Stella giggled and hugged his arm. "Thanks Daddy."
Herc got home to an empty driveway. The whimper from the backseat brought tears to his eyes. "Papa's still not home?" Herc shook his head and picked her up, kissing her forehead. "Papa probably got delayed. Why don't we open your presents from Santa while we wait?" Stella nodded, but didn't seem to smile.
Snow started to fall again as Herc sat on the floor, watching Stella opening her first present, a plain white journal and a set of markers.
"I can decorate it!"
"Right!"
She giggled and started on the next present, but then was distracted by something Hercules didn't seem to hear. She ran into the entry-way and squealed. "Père!"
"My Stellaluna!"
Herc hurried to the other two and the family shared a group hug.
Stella hurried back to the other room after seeing her fathers kiss, not wanting to see the affection.
"Mon amour, you are crying."
"Nah...Its just the snow from your jacket melting on my face." Their foreheads touched.
"I got scared."
"I am sorry, I got to ze airport and I couldn't call. And then the storm started and I didn't want to be distrac-" Hercules cut him off with a kiss. "I'm just happy your home. C'mon, let's enjoy Christmas." He lead the frenchman into the livingroom, where Stella was waiting with the present. She opened it and squealed. "I LOVE IT! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!" She hugged the ---- close as Laf handed Herc a present. "How does she have your lungs?"
Herc started opening it. "Magic. Oh, Taffy, they're beautiful!" He held up a pair of oven mitts with matching, color-coded kitchen utensils. "Thank you so much! Open yours."
Lafayette opened it and found a beautiful scarf and sweater, with hat and gloves. "Baby, you're amazing."
"Not as much as you."
Stella made a 'gross' face and found another present.
The gift exchange continued until later in the day. The Mulligans prepared for the Christmas party and then bundled up, headed towards the Hamilton house in the snow.
"We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a happy new year!"
"Laurens, open zee door!"
"C'mon man, we did a three part harmony."
John opened the door, laughing. "And how long did that take to teach?" Stella joined the other children as Herc took off his coat. "Taffy isn't as talented as you think."
"What's zat you say?"
"Just joking babe."
John chuckled. "C'mon you two." Hercules dropped off the cookies and joined the merriment, Lafayette at his side. The kids ran between everyone's legs, the adults laughing at their shenanigans. Burr and Theodosia compared christmas gifts with Eliza and Maria, Peggy and Hercules gave piggy back rides while Lafayette pouted in a chair and Angelica videotaped the whole thing. Hamilton bickered with Jefferson by the punchbowl while John and James talked a compromise strategy. The happiness and laughter carried through the night, the warm lights of a house a welcoming glow in the cold dark.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!