Archive of Our Own

Seven Weeks until Christmas ——

It had become their ritual. Every year, on the day after Halloween, they would go to the foster home on fifth Street and sponsor a child each. 

Jinx thought it was unfair that children had so much when they were placed, but so little in the home. She remembers being one of them, waking up in the morning and having one of three choices of clothing, if she was lucky with the wash. 

Ekko had given the idea, after he got certified to be a foster parent in order to help his friend during a custody battle that got too messy, he stepped up and took the kid in so she wouldn’t be placed elsewhere. Scar was thankful to him to this day. 

But even for the one night the girl stayed at the home before coming to him, she cried that she didn’t want to ever go back. And he wouldn’t blame her. 

It was never fun for them to visit the home, always so full of children, always a heartache. But it did make her feel better knowing she was helping. They had donated some money last summer, had helped children during the holidays for years. This was their way of giving back to the community.

They were greeted at the door by a group of running children, all making their way out after their lunch to play in the courtyard. Ekko laughed as the swarm of excited kids almost barrelled them to the ground. 

“This place never changes.” 

Jinx nodded, looking at the inside of the home. 

There were piles of toys scattered around, drawings either glued, stapled, or just drawn directly to the wall. 

She walked by the rooms where children sat and played or ate. So many kids, all of them enjoying themselves as best they could before break time was over.

Jinx’s eyes landed on a little girl, sitting by a corner reading a children’s book that looked younger than her age. Something about her made her pause. Her posture was relaxed, she flipped the pages with a quick pace for a kid – though Jinx doubted she was actually reading. 

She wore a pink shirt under overalls that looked passed down. Her hair was tied back and a beanie sat atop her head.

Every so often, a boy would come running up to her with something in his hand. A piece of bread, a fruit, a cup of juice. 

He looked around ten, maybe eleven years old. And Jinx would have guessed they were siblings. Same nose, very particular brows, same curly hair. They both looked Hispanic, she guessed maybe Colombian or Venezuelan but couldn’t really tell from the distance she was standing. 

The little girl suddenly seemed to stop her reading, looking directly at Jinx and Ekko through the glass. That small action seemed to catch the attention of the other boy, who came to the door and looked at them.

“The office is that way. Take a left on the nursery. There are no babies here.”

Both adults were too stunned to speak as the boy returned to the classroom. Which made the teacher get up from her seat and walk to the door.

“Oh if my eyes don’t deceive me.” Mrs. Michaels said. The years had aged her, but she still looked every bit the same woman as before.

She had taught the foster home they had once been in. Still wearing her usual long dresses and hair cut short for practically.

“Mrs. Michaels? You work here now?” Ekko asked, going in for a hug. 

“Oh, Emanuel. Look at how much you’ve grown.” She touched the side of his face affectionately “and you, little Powder.” 

“Actually, it’s-“

“She goes by Jennifer now.” Ekko said, making jinx cringe internally. He wasn’t wrong, that was her new name ever since Silco and Vander signed the adoption papers, but something about hearing him call her that felt so incredibly wrong.

“Oh, it suits you. And that hair, it must be a hassle to comb through such long hair.”

“I manage" jinx instinctively held her braids. They were outgrown, well past her waist and reaching the top of her lower back. Her hair had been consistently being dyed blue since she was fifteen, and at some point she was sure her roots were starting to grow in already coloured as well. 

“And what are you both doing here?” Mrs. Michaels asked .

“We come every year, angel tree shopping for the kids. We have a project to give back to the community as much as possible since we could.” Ekko was always the best between the two when speaking in public. He made their little shopping spree sound like the most selfless charity there was. 

Mrs. Michaels was completely bought by the idea, hand on her chest and an almost crying face as she looked at Ekko.

“That’s so wonderful, Emanuel. The director is so very nice here, I’m sure she can pair you up with some kids that really need it.”

“H-how about the boy that was just at the door? What’s his name?” Jinx asked before she could stop to think.

“You mean Ajuna? He’s a wonderful kid, just turned eleven. His best friend Arnold is also quite a good child, always keeping the other kids in check.”

Jinx wanted to say more, to ask about the little girl reading in the corner, but she held back. Mrs. Michaels was still coing over Ekko like she had over a decade ago. Always paid more attention to her "diligent boys”.

Jinx felt entirely drawn towards the little girl in the bean bag. She had her attention back to her book, and a single curl had fallen from her beanie, framing her face.

Jinx was about to ask her name to the teacher when she heard the clanking steps as the director made her way towards them, her heels alerting her arrival. 

“Mr. And Mrs. Spencer, this way please.”

Jinx didn’t correct her. She hadn’t taken his last name when they married, but it didn’t feel right to say ‘I’m not Mrs Spencer’. 

They said their goodbyes to the teacher, waking along Mrs. What’s her name towards her office.

Ekko reached for Jinx’s hand, and she instinctively grabbed onto him. They almost looked like a real adult couple in that moment, and not the scared little children they felt like they still were every time they walked back into the building. 

They made their way almost silently to the office, listened to the director talk and talk about how nice they were and how much good they were doing for those kids. She complimented their early arrival, said it was clear they were eager to help. And after what felt like hours but couldn’t have been more than ten minutes of praises, she finally started asking which children they were looking to sponsor. 

“What about Ajuna?” Ekko asked, holding her hand tighter.

“Oh, little boy Ajuna. He’s so adorable, no wonder you liked him from just the window. He came back to us last month, along with his sisters. Yes, I can get you his little angel request, let me find it.” She bent over a case full of papers.

“Sisters?” Jinx felt her hunch being vindicated. 

“Oh, yes. Two younger sisters. A little six year old and a new born. She was born in jail, so sad. The kids haven’t had any contact with the mum in-“ she suddenly stopped herself “I apologise, I forgot you are not here to foster.” 

“It’s alright, we remember how it is.” Ekko said.

“Here, I found it.” She handed Ekko the card. “You wouldn’t be interested in Angel Tree shopping for the whole lot, would you?”

As she grabbed the other notes, Jinx felt a weird knot form on her stomach. 

Isha, age six. She wants a Barbie doll for Christmas. 

Just one. 

Ekko and the director continued talking, and the sense of dread kept piling on her stomach. 

Foster care had been brutal on her, jinx knew what it meant. She wanted something that was just hers, not to share with anyone else. 

Jinx was just like her when she was that age. So new to life, just wanting to hold onto something that she could call hers. 

She barely realized time had passed, only that each of them left the room with a stack of ten angels. 

They wanted to start shopping as soon as possible, have enough time to bring it all back to the home before they grabbed another stack of Angel requests. 

They had not however gotten ten feet out the door before Ekko’s phone began to ring. 

Vi’s face appeared in screen, that stupid picture of when they had tried to take a group selfie and Vi  stole Ekko’s phone to supposedly find the better angle; now it was just a funny picture of her sister in a rare moment of family bliss.

“Hey, Vi. You're on speaker.” Ekko said, making Jinx raise a brow at him. There was no need to tell her sister that, which meant that they were hiding something. 

She had been suspecting they were in cahoots with one another for a week now, but had no real evidence of it. 

“Hey, little man. Good, I’ve been trying to get a hold of my asshole of a sister, but she apparently threw her phone across the Sargasso Sea and forgot to tell me.”

“You’re so dramatic. It’s in my pocket, it’s just on silent.” 

“What kind of silent mode also includes your sister? Anyway, you guys are coming, right?”

“Where?” Ekko asked, and Jinx wiggled her eyebrows at him, he just held back a laugh.

“Thanksgiving? I sent you an invitation but you haven’t replied.”

“We are going.” Ekko replied before Jinx could come up with a better idea for missing the family event.

“Great! Oh, that’s such a relief. Cait and I have been-“

“Hey, Vi, I think you’re cutting out-“ Jinx said, before hanging up.

“Why would you do that?” Ekko looked at her.

“Why would I do that? Why would you?”

“I didn’t hang up on your sister.”

“No, you agreed to Thanksgiving at their place, which is worse.”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“Am I?”

“It’s just a dinner. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Cait could be there.”

“You know she will be.”

“Then that’s already the worst.”

Ekko threw his hands in the air. Jinx rolled her eyes at the theatrics, he always tried to keep the peace. 

Cait had always been insufferable, but ever since she got pregnant, her antics were thrice as bad. She wouldn’t drink coffee, it was bad for the baby. She wouldn’t take long showers, it was bad for the baby. She went on daily walks, for the baby. Everything revolved around their soon to be born son or daughter. 

Jinx was sick of it.

When Vi told them they were planning for a kid, she tried her best to convince Jinx to get pregnant around the same time. “The cousins will be growing up together” she had said, but no amount of persuasion would do the trick. 

Jinx had never felt like the kind of person who would have a kid. She looked back at the foster home in thought. She had always believed motherhood was a foreign concept for her, seeing how easily kids ended up in the system. 

Her case was different, her and Vi’s biological parents had died without any family left to take them in, but if it wasn’t for Silco and Vander, if it wasn’t for the right circumstances, she’d end up living the rest of life in a home, aged out at eighteen. 

Jinx had told Vi they weren’t ready for kids yet, they needed more time. All their savings had been placed in a joint account in order to finally buy a real house. 

This was not the time for kids. 

She would think about them later, the same way she swore she would eventually get a pet once she finished college but never got around to it. It was one of those plans she stored in the back of her mind and constantly asked herself if she even really wanted it.

The pet, however, was different from a kid. A pet she could get a local shelter and bring home once they moved to their forever home, no more landlords complaining that the kids in 5A had a goldfish or that the elderly lady in 9B had a parrot. She would have a yard and ample time to dedicate to it. 

A kid was like shackles she wasn’t sure she thought matched her style or simply dragged her down. 

Her whole life she had planned for them as a goal set by others. Silco said she’d make a good mother; Vander thought she would want to settle down; Vi was nagging her for their kids to be friends. 

The only person that seemed to understand her was Ekko. 

She knew he wanted kids, that was expected from a guy who went into pediatrics as a RN, but even though they both knew he wanted a family, they never really sat down and talked about ‘when’. 

He had breached the subject after Vi’s speech about cousins and family that left Jinx jittery for the rest of the day. He had been patient, taken some time to sit down and have a conversation with her on the kitchen table of their shared apartment. 

“When we move into a real house, then we can think of it.” She’d said. But really she was just giving herself more time to think. 

They had already decided on the house, which meant the clock was ticking.

They had visited a day before Halloween, had learned everything there was to know about the neighborhood. 

Ekko had bought new furniture he was keeping in a storage unit, Jinx had finally allowed herself to get the gigantic canvas she had no space to store in their apartment. 

Life had a funny way of making the impossible seem possible. 

Six Weeks until Christmas ——

They were walking through the condiment aisle of their local grocery store. Zaun had no big supermarkets, unlike Piltover that seemed to want to be a mini metropolis, if that was even a thing. 

They had stopped with a cart full of vegetables that Ekko convinced her were good for her, even though she refused to listen, and looked for the specific seasoning he needed for the soup he had planned to make that weekend. 

Unlike Jinx, Ekko genuinely enjoyed cooking. He spent a lot of time and effort into making the dishes she loved, and he loved having someone to cook for. 

Right now, they had run out of cardamom and ginger, and he needed both for his special turkey carrot ginger soup. 

“Do you think we should get a dog?” She was up on the backside of the cart, feet tucked into the space between the bottom and the wheels in a way he could drag her off by the cart and she wouldn’t have to walk. 

“What do you mean?”

“You know, since we now have a backyard, do you think we could use the security?”

“We haven’t closed the deal yet.” He said, looking ahead to where her eyes had fixated on the end of the aisle. The animal products section.

“I know, but we are already so close. The lady said she’s just waiting on paperwork.” And by ‘lady’, Jinx meant the lawyer, but he wouldn’t correct her.

“Are you just thinking that you need to get a dog because you’re about to be a suburban woman?” He teased her.

“You know I’ve always wanted one, and a dog is the perfect house security system. They bark at anyone that passes by, and the house already has a fence, so we don’t need to worry about that.”

Ekko sighed, grabbing some thyme and rosemary. 

They could get a dog, they would move out eventually anyway. And it wasn’t a bad idea to have a puppy, he always liked animals. 

“Are you gonna train it?” He asked, already regretting his decision as she began nodding vehemently.

“Yes.”

“And you’re gonna take it on walks?” 

“Like a girl from the suburbs.”

“Okay, we can visit the shelter later today, but you get to tell our current landlord why there’s barking coming from our unit.”

“Can I tell him to fuck off?”

“Maybe I should speak to him.”

Five Weeks until Christmas——

It had been almost two weeks before they finally got around to shopping for the kids. The closest Walmart was a town over and they had also gotten the dog, which was less of a hustle than either of them thought it would be. 

Jinx had taken to training her, the shelter had said she was a poro mix, which neither of them were entirely sure what entailed. 

Ekko had suggested they name her Pobbles, which somehow stuck. 

And between that, Jinx’s final work project that had taken her over by storm, and Ekko working a full week of night shifts to cover for a colleague, they had needed a break. 

One day of sloshing on the couch before they finally headed over to do some early holiday shopping.

They separated the kids into groups. The eight girls, the eleven boys, the baby.

First they did the boys, separating them into groups by age. 

Two six year olds that wanted bikes. 

A seven year old who wanted a Batman figurine.

Three eight year olds, one wanted a bike, the other a phone, and the last wanted a Lego set.

The nine year old wanted a dinosaur toy.

One ten year old asked for a book collection of Percy Jackson, the other wanted a drone.

Ajuna asked for a puzzle, which Jinx found odd. His friend Arnold also wanted a phone, making Jinx joke they’d break the bank with just these boys alone.

The one thirteen year old only asked for clothes.

She had done a full hall, had gotten them socks, Ekko bought shoes for all of them, had selected cute little pants and shirts and hoodies and pajamas. Anything that they thought they might like.

If the request said they liked something, like superheroes or race cars or games, they’d try to get as much themed stuff as possible.

She held back when doing Ajuna’s requests, however. And she couldn’t really tell why. 

She kept looking at the stupid little angel shape that had all his information on it. Jinx even caught Ekko looking at it a few times too. But neither of them so much as breathed a word about it.

When it was time for the girls, it was easier.

The five year old wanted a Polly pocket.

One six year old asked for a bracelet making station, which Ekko pointed out was all the rage between kids. 

Isha asked for a Barbie.

The eight year old wanted a princess dress.

Two nine year olds, one asked for a puzzle game, the other for yet another phone.

A ten year old that wanted makeup.

A twelve year old that wanted knee high boots, Jinx was far too inclined to buy two pairs just for her good taste.

They shopped older first and made their way down the list until they finally stopped at the doll isle.

Jinx grabbed the prettiest Barbie she could find, but something felt wrong. Her eyes wouldn’t move, staying fixated on that plastic mini human for at least a few minutes.

Ekko didn’t interrupt her, he kept looking for the toys the other kids wanted as she stared mindlessly at the doll.

He had completed the list by the time she spoke again, had looked at every single item on the shelf trying not to disturb her. 

He knew she was tired, overworked, maybe even overwhelmed. He wouldn’t ask her to ‘snap out of it’ or ‘move on’. He would wait.

And wait he did. 

He was mentally preparing for whatever battle was happening in her mind, he knew she would have some thoughts she’d wanna share.

“Ekko?”

“Hmmm…?” He turned to her, slowly walking towards her “If you think getting her just one doll is not enough, we can grab another one. Or maybe one of the houses. Doesn’t Barbie have a dream house? Pretty sure I saw that one on the movie.”

“Do you think Vi was right?” 

He took a deep breath. 

His jokes didn’t work, which meant this was serious. She was most likely exhausted from overworking, but the biggest red flag was his wife ever saying her sister was right about anything.

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t stop looking at this damn doll. I can’t stop thinking about that little girl sitting all alone in that bean bag reading that children’s book.” 

“What are you saying?”

“That maybe Vi wasn’t all wrong, maybe it is time we start a family.” 

Ekko hugged her from behind, kissing the side of her head “You are my family.”

“You know what I mean.”

“That you want kids.”

“No, not kids.” She turned on his arms, avoiding his gaze “I want those kids.”

“You want to foster Ajuna and- what’s her name?”

“Isha.”

“Isha.” He repeated. “You want us to foster Ajuna, Isha and the baby?” 

“Would that be possible?” She looked at him.

And Ekko liked to think he was a strong man. He worked out, so he was physically strong. And he worked as a nurse, so he had to be emotionally strong. 

But when it came to his Jinx, he was nothing but puddy in her hands. 

“I can’t stop thinking about them either.” He admitted. And he wasn’t lying.

Second day of his night shift a little girl was brought in with a cough and he looked at her for a second before he realized she wasn’t Isha. 

On his way back from work the following day he kept looking at the kids all crossing the street together on their way to school hoping to find Ajuna’s face in the crowd.

They hadn’t met the baby, however, at any cry he felt his head would snap. Like he was being called to the rescue of a random child that probably only had colic.

The decision wasn’t easy, but it was certainly possible. 

A bigger house, more rooms, they could put the nursery right by the master bedroom. If they managed to finalize the contract soon enough they could just do some simple renovations and have them move in before Christmas.

There would be no need for Angel Trees for those three. 

“Should we… Do you wanna talk about it?” She asked, her voice so small he barely believed it was hers. 

Jinx wasn’t like everyone else assumed she was. She didn’t make decisions on a whim, mostly because he stopped her, but also because she had worked very hard to not be as impulsive as people claimed she was. 

“It’s a big decision.” He started “and one we can’t back down from. Once those kids are with us, we can’t send them back, we can’t fail them.” 

“I know, I just-“ she rubbed a hand over her eyes “I can’t deal with the thought of them spending Christmas in the Foster home.”

“We should finish shopping for the other kids and then we talk about it at home. Worst case scenario we come back and buy them their angel tree gifts.” 

“Worst case? You also want it, don’t ya?”

He laughed, kissing her gently as he took the Barbie from her hands. 

“C’mon, we got other kids we need to shop for first.” 

Thanksgiving Day - almost Four Weeks until Christmas——

Holly was sitting in front of Jinx, who was dutifully attempting a new fishtail braid style on her. Blond hair falling like a cascade, pin straight, straighter than Jinx’s or her mom’s. 

Lux was in the kitchen, making conversation with Vi as they readied the last bits of food before the feast. Every year their family got together like this, perhaps unsurprisingly that “family” meant far more than those Jinx and Vi were really related to.

Their siblings would come, as they always did for the holidays. Vi would host, the new mansion her and her wife called a home was big enough to fit the whole congregation. Seraphine and Zeri brought their mac n cheese recipe every year. Lux would come with her daughter and the pies. Clagor and Hwei, newly married, were tasked with the drinks, while Mylo would always be alone and bringing the cranberry sauce. 

Which left Jinx and Ekko to bring some side dish and avoid the conversation about Vi and Cait’s new addition to the family. 

“Cait is due in the first week of January.” Jinx heard Vi tell Lux.

“And you already set up the whole nursery? I think I was done a day before Holly came.”

She looked down at the little girl, remembering how Lux had cried on her shoulder when she found out she was pregnant. How she had said that she didn’t want anything from her coworker after the one night stand. How it took almost half a year before she admitted it had been her boss. 

Jinx now sat with five years old Hols who enjoyed anything in the color yellow (much to her mother’s dismay) and anything even mildly related to space. 

And somehow, teaching this kid astrophysics sounded easier than getting this braid right. 

“Aunt Jinx, you’re pulling too much.” She complained, brushing the hair of her Barbie while she waited for Jinx to finish. 

“Sorry, sweet pie. I’m almost done, I just can’t seem to get it right.” She undid a few strands and tried again. “It’s like you’re missing hair.” 

Holly just giggled, which let her know she was hiding something.

Jinx finished the braid anyway, hoping no one noticed how askew it looked. 

Ekko was talking to Mylo in the other room, she could partially make out his back from where she was sitting. She didn’t want to disturb their conversation, only taking in the sight of her husband and brother talking from a distance.

They had not yet told anyone that they had been planning to buy a new house, had saved enough for their dream home. Half of the money was from her inheritance, the other half from their joined effort. 

They would finally move into a real house, one they would call a home for the rest of their lives. A pool in the backyard, a guest room for when someone was visiting, offices so they each could have their space. A third floor with a room the perfect size for Jinx to convert into a studio for her art. 

They had already agreed on it, and had discussed it with the realtor and the owner. It was perfect.

The current owner was a lovely older lady whose family had, in her own words, “all left the nest”. Jinx heard her entire life story as she was touring the home during the open house. Babette had been married thirty years, had five children, and her own husband built the home. The original floor plan was only two stories, but a third was added later on when their youngest was born (a surprise baby). 

The pool was built not long ago, when her eldest son thought about moving in before he went to live abroad. Her twin daughters were both in Canada now. And the younger son was a doctor somewhere, while the youngest was a big name ballerina living in New York City. 

Jinx loved the idea of the house having been a sanctuary for a family before them. A living reminder that those walls had once seen so much love. 

Her and Ekko were waiting until all the papers were signed before they shared the news. 

“The turkey is out!” Vi called. 

Jinx picked Holly up with a laugh as she kicked her little legs out, almost knocking one of those stupid expensive vases Cait had boasted about.

The others were also making their way to the table, which was set perfectly, almost inorganically so.

She met Ekko’s gaze, he had that face he always wore whenever they were there. ‘Don’t say it.’ and she wouldn’t. She promised to be civil for the holidays. And it was just one day, they wouldn’t even sleep there. She could be civil, she could avoid making comments. 

“Oh everything looks lovely, Vi.” Sera said, sitting beside her wife. 

“It’s all Cait, honestly.” Vi placed the turkey on the center of the table. 

“Well, you have a great eye.” She said to Cait, who was sitting at the head of the table.

Ekko grabbed Jinx’s elbow to guide her to their seats. Of course Cait would have name plates over the seatings.

She was sandwiched between Ekko and Lux, with Holly to Lux’s side, almost at the end of the table. 

“You know what I saw today? Your colleague, what’s his name, Viktor?”

“Yeah?”

“He got proposed to at the Rainbow Roll. Some big burly guy just fell face first and brought out a ring asking him to marry him.”

“That’s braver than you, since you never ask Amelya out.” Zeri laughed. She was seated beside Ekko, facing Seraphine, who sat beside Mylo. 

“I didn’t know Viktor was dating.” Her brother said, who was also beside his brother in law, Hwei.

“He’s not.” Said Claggor, at the very end of the table, in front of Lux. 

“Well, he got engaged today.” Lux said.

And Jinx honestly didn’t know if it was a prank or if Viktor had lost his mind. 

At the head of the table was Cait, right beside Vi, her sister in law slightly tapped her knife against the side of her wine glass full of grape juice. 

The dinner started with Vi, as one of the hosts, cutting up the turkey and starting the going around of saying what they were thankful for.

The tradition Jinx thought was the worst.

Vi was thankful for her family. 

Cait was thankful for her baby.

Zeri for her Sera.

Sera for Zeri.

It went around like that until Jinx, who just said she was thankful everything was working out.

She didn’t miss the way Cait rolled her eyes at her.

Ekko was thankful he could be with his family, and that he had such great friends.

And Holly was just thankful she had gotten an extra cookie today. 

Cait was just sitting there rubbing her very inflated belly with her hand like she had a king in there.

Once all the plates were made, and everyone started eating, Jinx began wondering how much longer until they could leave. Every minute in this stuffy room wearing uncomfortable heels and tight clothes felt like a personal hell designed specifically for her.

The idle chatter that was happening on the other side of the table barely caught her attention until Zeri asked “have you decided on the name?”

“We wanna call him Tobias, after my father.” Cait said.

Jinx stopped mid bite to look at her sister.

“What?”

“I know, we got a lot of men in the family to honor-“ Vi sai, appeasing tone as always. 

“No, I don’t care about any of that. It’s a boy?”

 Everyone seemed to have stopped eating, except for Holly, who couldn’t be bothered. 

“You didn’t know?” Sera asked, confused.

“The nursery is all painted blue.” Lux told her “Cait showed me when I arrived.”

“And you didn’t show us?” Ekko asked, disapproving frown marring in brow.

“Must have slipped my mind, pregnancy brain and all.” Cait reached for a glass of water. 

“Right. How it also slipped your mind to tell me that you already knew you were having a boy.”

“Cait, what?” Vi seemed more hurt than angry, which made Jinx even angrier.

“Oh no matter. You know now, anyway.”

Jinx pushed the plate away from her, making Ekko take a deep breath. 

“Oh please, don’t throw a tantrum. It’s not pretty on a grown woman.”

“A tantrum? You don’t like me, that’s fine, the feeling is mutual. But like it or not, that’s my nephew you’re carrying.”

“Like you’d even care for him.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You don’t care about anyone other than yourself. I don’t like you? Because you’re entitled. You never do anything for anyone else.”

“I do things for other people, I’m not selfish.” Jinx said, taken completely aback.

“All you do is take and take and take and you never give. Your sister gave you a car and what did you get her in return? You wrecked it in less than a year. And it’s this vicious cycle every single time! You only know how to get what you want and you don’t give anything in return. You messed up our wedding schedule, you bailed last minute on babysitting Holly and Sera had to step in, you didn’t even congratulate your brother on his new job! All you do is tell people how they need to treat you, but you never respect them back.” 

“And you’re so respecting? Fuck this.” She said getting up.

“I’m glad Vi couldn’t talk you into having a baby at the same time as us, you’d make a terrible mother.” 

The silence was louder than the screeching of Jinx’s chair. Ekko felt his heart almost skip a beat in anger. Jinx just turned and left, the only sound to be heard was her footsteps before the front door slammed shut.

From outside, she couldn’t see what happened in the dining room; she had no idea Ekko slowly pushed his chair back and threw his napkin on the plate. Couldn’t hear him telling Vi “I didn’t think this is what you would’ve become.” before giving her an incredibly disappointed look. 

Only saw him already outside, coat back on and her own in his hands “I think you forgot this.”

“I really wanna smoke right now.” She blurted out.

“You want to smoke like a joint or like setting fire to the house?”

“Both.” 

Ekko laughed, helping her into her coat “Maybe that will help you from freezing to death.”

“It’s not that cold.” She mumbled as he kissed her forehead. 

“You’re not selfish, okay? Cait is just being a bitch.”

“She’s always a bitch. I was trying to be nice, you saw it, this one is not on me.”

“You did nothing wrong.” He hugged her tight. “Cait thinks she’s better than everyone, she knows nothing about anyone else’s life.”

“I didn’t even know Mylo had gotten a promotion, how’s that my fault.” 

“It’s not.”

“And I was sick, didn’t want Holly to catch a cold.”

“I know.”

“And I was lucky I didn’t die in that car, the breaks were faltering."

“Jinx, she’s not worth it.”

“And I’d not make a terrible mother.” Her voice came out almost as a whisper.

They had stopped talking about it. Between the dog and the house renovation ideas and the late nights he had been working, the topic of the kids just fell silent between them. 

Mostly because neither wanted to pressure the other into something they weren’t okay with committing to. 

Ekko had been working under the assumption that she had changed her mind. That she had found the dog too much work.

And Jinx believed Ekko didn’t want to foster kids who not only could be taken away from them at any moment, but were also probably in the system for a long time. 

“You’d make a great mother.” He agreed. 

Neither of them breached the topic, just stayed there, looking at each others eyes until the door opened again. Lux stepped out with Holly in her arms, both looking completely ready to leave. 

“They are upstairs having a fight. I think it’s time we head home.” 

“Already?” Jinx asked, sounding hurt. Maybe because she just got into yet another argument with Cait, or because she’s thinking of the kids again, or because she doesn’t want her friend to go yet.

“Yeah I know it’s early, but I don’t think Holly should be here for this.”

“But I wanna hear more.” The little girl said, making Jinx's insides twist. 

“Tomorrow, sunshine.” Lux said, grabbing her keys from her pocket and unlocking her car. 

Mylo stepped out before either of them moved, he had a bottle of wine under his arm, and a smug smile on his face. “I wasn’t about to leave empty handed.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you got a new job?” Jinx asked, neither accusatory nor expressive, almost… curious.

“You’re busy. You know, the whole dog thing and the whole kid thing. I figured you needed time, I’d tell you when I thought it was relevant.”

“Kid thing?” Lux asked.

Jinx just nodded slowly, pulling all her hair to one side. “We were thinking of fostering a few kids. But since there’s a lot going on, we didn’t really stop to talk about it.” 

She had told Mylo about it, because he was interested in moving to the same building as they currently lived in, and one thing led to another in conversation. 

“So you aren’t going to do it anymore?” Mylo asked.

“We haven’t discussed it. We-“ Ekko’s sentence was cut short by the noise of Jinx’s phone ringing. 

She grabbed it, huffing as she read the name on the screen before simply accepting the call. “Hello? Yes. Yeah, I can. No, it’s fine. Yes. Yes, we appreciate it. Okay, thank you.” 

There was a small silence that followed as Jinx ended the call, phone still in hand, before she looked at Ekko. 

“The papers are signed, we own the house.” 

Ekko let out a sharp laugh as he hugged her. Jinx seemed to be in complete shock, holding onto his back for support.

“Oh my gosh! That’s amazing!” Lux said.

“What is?” Claggor asked, stepping out with Hwei behind him, who held a chocolate pie. 

“Jinx and Ekko just got the news that they are home owners!” Lux said, turning to face them “Is that the pie I brought?” 

“Wasn’t gonna let it go to waste.” Hwei said. 

“Congratulations, little J.” Claggor said. 

Jinx didn’t reply, the only thought in her mind was the empty space they now had. They could start moving in tomorrow. They could have everything they wanted. 

“Can we do it?” She asked Ekko. 

“Yeah, Jinx.” He replied, already knowing what she was asking. “We can do it.” 

Four Weeks until Christmas ——

They started the move the very next day.

The lady had already taken anything she had told them she wanted to keep from the house. All that was left was some furniture, like the pool patio chairs, and some random things, like a few curtains on some of the rooms. 

Jinx painted the studio walls in white, she had told Ekko she would splash them in paint later. 

Their master bedroom got a new carpet and a new wallpaper, which had little vines creeping up drawn all over it. 

The room next door was painted in yellow and white, ready to be a nursery. 

The other two rooms remained with their wallpaper.

Ekko’s office was also painted white. Although “office” was a loose term to call “spot where he’d work on his hobbies”. Most recently; making little figurines for his newfound warhammer obsession. 

They got the movers to set everything in place, she had been ignoring all and any phone calls for two days as she arranged decorations and hung paintings. 

Ekko was tasked with the painstaking job of putting their clothes in their new closet. Moving their old wardrobe into the room that was currently unclaimed. 

Lux came by on the second day, tray of donuts fresh from the local bakery she loved, and joked that Jinx was nesting. 

But in reality, Jinx wasn’t sure they would even allow them to take the kids so soon before the holidays. They had a fostering license, sure, but they hadn’t fostered any kids in at least a year. And they just moved into a new house, and although there’s more space, they still needed to be approved after a home visit.

The entire place had to be spotless.

“I think I might pass out if they say no.” She mumbled, reaching for the pink glazed donut she loved. 

“I think I might pass out if they say yes. We will have like a day to buy everything.” Ekko took the Apple Cinnamon crisp.

“You think they’ll deny you?” Lux asked, helping them arrange the paintings in the living room. 

“No, I doubt it.” Ekko replied, always the most optimistic of the two. 

Pobbles was outside, running around the yard like a conqueror. The new doghouse they had gotten was already a fortress for the little tyrant. 

“We just need to have everything in place, and then we buy their beds, and furniture, and clothing, and toys-“ Jinx cut herself off, shoving more donuts in her mouth.

“Can I ask you, why?” Lux was nervous, probably scared that Jinx would snap at her.

“What?”’Her friend turned to her, a frown on her face.

“You were never a kid person. I mean, you love spending time with Holly; but going from favorite auntie to mother of three in a few weeks is quite the jump.” 

“It’s not like that. I’ve been having this… this feeling. Like I could do more for them. It’s weird, I know. But I just felt like they belonged with us.” 

“Is that how you felt too?” She turned to look at Ekko, who shook his head.

“I’ve always wanted kids. I like the idea of helping those in need. I think those two things together kind of ended up in fostering those three. But we are jumping the gun here.” 

“We will go tomorrow.” Jinx shouted back as she walked towards their half finished kitchen. 

“She’s just nervous because she thinks they’ll deny us.” Ekko said to Lux.

“And you don’t?”

“I know why everyone is doubting us, but I think we’ve had quite the clean record. Both of us are exemplary citizens.”

“I’m not.” Jinx came back, glass of wine in hand. First box she opened was cups and glasses for a reason; they didn’t really need to use the plates right now.

Less than Four Weeks until Christmas——

True to their word, they went to deliver the angel tree gifts the very next day. 

Jinx was jittery the entire time. She thought about smoking a joint to calm herself down, but worried that would leave a bad impression if anyone found out. 

She held onto Ekko as they walked into the directors office, feeling like a child about to ask her teacher to review her grade. 

They were wearing comfortable yet serious clothing. She had spent hours browsing Pinterest for inspiration outfits for the two, and tried her best not to make it show. 

Her hair was in a ponytail, an attempt to make her look older than she was.

She could see the way Ekko’s hands fidgeted on hers, his only sign that he was nervous.

The director was praising them for all the gifts, saying she was so happy they bought everything on the list.

“Well, not everything.” Ekko started. 

Jinx fixed her eyes on the small Christmas tree on the table. One of those fake plastic ones they had in the apartment when they had just signed the lease. She felt so old all of a sudden, like the eighteen year old girl who moved in with her boyfriend wasn’t here anymore. 

They lived together for over half a decade, counting pennies to afford their house, and now they finally had it, they were so close to their home being complete. 

“No? Well, what’s missing?” The director seemed worried, like she thought they couldn’t find something or that the request had somehow been outrageous.

“We didn’t get the presents for Ajuna, Isha, and the baby.”

“Sally.” Jinx said.

“Yes, yes. I thought you had agreed to sponsor them as well?” The director phrased it as a question, but she only seemed concerned.

“We were wondering, if by any chance, could we perhaps-“ Jinx started, almost stumbling over her words.

“We wanted to foster them.” Ekko finished, holding his breath for a second after speaking in case he lost his courage.

The director was stunned for a second before she said “all three of them?”

“I’m sorry?” Jinx was confused. Of course she wanted all three kids, she wasn’t going to separate siblings from one another. 

The time she and Vi spent separated when they were kids was agonizing for them, and she wouldn’t let that happen to anyone else.

“You wish to foster all three kids? Not just the four month old?”

“Of course we want all three of them-“

“We had wanted to foster all of the siblings.” Ekko tightened his grip on her hand, a subtle reminder to calm down. 

“Well, you already have your certificate, correct?”

They both nodded.

“The thing is; Isha, the middle child, she’s disabled.” 

“Oh.” Jinx said, more surprised than anything.

“She has been treating it with the psychiatrist, but when she gets nervous or stressed, she tends to go non verbal.” 

“Is that why they are in the home and not with a family?” Ekko asked.

“No, no. The previous family couldn’t foster anymore and had to give them up. Isha doesn’t have any behavioral issues, or at least not unusual ones. A tantrum every now and again-“

“As a normal child.” Jinx said.

“Yes, as any normal child. Ajuna is a lovely boy, however almost starting puberty, which is far from the ideal for most beginner foster parents. And Sally is a wonderful baby, she has had no issue at all while staying with us.”

“I don’t see the problem, then. We just moved into a bigger house, they could settle in easily in time for the holidays.” 

“Alright.” The director sounded almost breathless “Would you like to meet them first? If you pass the home inspection they should be good to go.” 

Jinx could tell she wanted to add ‘if you still want them’ at the end, but she decided not to cause trouble. For once, they just agreed.

They took the kids to a room, Jinx felt weird seeing them through a glass. Isha was seated in a corner, Ajuna looking around confused. 

Once they stepped in, Mrs. Michaels was quick to introduce them to the kids. Told the siblings she’d taught Jinx and Ekko personally years ago. Said to them that the children were exceptionally good learners.

Ekko asked Ajuna what he liked, trying to relate to the boy. He just shrugged, shuffling his feet, as he looked at Ekko's.

Jinx swallowed, walking over to Isha to say “Hi”, the girl nodded her way, touching her own hair and pointing to Jinx’s. “Oh, yeah. It’s blue. Do you like it?” 

Isha nodded, a sheepish smile crossing her lips.

She looked over at Ekko, who was asking questions to Ajuna as he sat down in front of him. 

She felt weird, all of a sudden. Like this was where they had to be, like she came in late for a meeting that should’ve happened a long time ago.

A lady walked in suddenly, she looked like a school nurse. Long white coat, leggings that looked like scrubs, and an adorable baby in her arms.

Jinx felt her womb twist thrice over.

The baby girl was wearing a red onesie. She barely had any hair, but she could tell it was brown, like the other kids. And unlike her siblings, Sally had a lighter skin tone. 

Jinx slowly got up, going towards the nurse, who handed the baby with no particular regard for Jinx’s clear hesitation. The little girl barely squirmed, just sneezed and kept looking at her. 

Ekko made his way over, and as he hovered over them, she looked at the two kids in the room, who seemed to be exchanging words fast.

She nodded at Ekko, who nodded back. 

This felt right.

Almost Three Weeks until Christmas——

It was an undeniable truth that Jinx was losing it. 

Ekko had asked their friends to come over; they had one day to fully arrange everything neatly in place before the social worker came by for a home inspection.

The room Ajuna would be staying in had gotten a paint job to mimic the sky, because Ekko thought he might like space. A bed in the center and their old wardrobe ready to receive the clothes in case they were greenlit to have them. Hwei was working on painting the ceiling, little planets and asteroids and little astronauts on rocket ships that made Jinx cry when she walked in.

Zeri and Claggor were organizing the furniture in the nursery. Bassinet, changing table, and dresser that were gifted from Jinx’s dads. Zeri brought a mobile to hang over the crib, made of felt that she had crafted herself. She had made sea animals of many different colors that Ekko thought were more adorable than anything money could buy. 

And while she didn’t ask, Seraphine helped Jinx fix up Isha’s room. They decorated the walls, moved in a bed, and built a bookshelf. They didn’t have everything yet, but they were working on it. 

They were taking a break when a knock came from the door. Jinx wiped the paint from her hand with a rag as she opened it.

On the other side was a woman she had never seen before, dressed in rather formal clothes, and holding a clipboard and clicking pen.

“Hi.” Jinx said, almost as a question.

“Hello. I’m Eve, I’m a social worker. The foster care director, Mrs. Danvers, sent me to inspect your home for a possible fostering.”

“Oh, we weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.” Jinx opened the door wider, afraid of turning her away and getting a bad review. “We are still organizing everything, I’m sorry about the mess.”

“It’s no worries.” She said, already looking around “you’re Mrs. Lane, correct?”

“Yes.”

“I had a cancellation today, thought I’d squeeze you in since Mrs. Danvers said you were urgent.”

“We wanted to get them home before Christmas.”

Eve started looking around, pen scribbling on the paper as Ekko made his way towards her. 

“Oh, hello.” 

“You must be…?”

“This is my husband. Ekko, this is the social worker, here for a home visit.”

“We are in the middle of painting and decorating.” He said, same apologetic tone as her.

“It’s not a problem.” She said, walking around like a woman on a mission. 

Jinx was nervously chipping at her nail polish following the woman around like a shadow. Every scribble of her pen against the paper was like a knife cutting into her skin. She couldn’t tell what was going on in her mind at the time, only realized she had been spiraling when Ekko gently grabbed her arm. 

“Hey, let her walk around. It’s okay.” 

She nodded, but didn’t stop fidgeting. Seraphine came down at that moment, shouting about paint getting in the bed accidentally.

“Oh, sorry.”

“And you are?” Eve was looking confused at her.

“This is Seraphine, we have some friends over to help set up the rooms. New house and all.”

“Well, it certainly takes a village.” Eve kept walking around. Checking the kitchen, the dining room, heading upstairs for the bedrooms.

Jinx checked her phone, another message from Vi. 

They hadn’t talked since thanksgiving, she refused to speak to her sister and was ignoring all her messages and calls. 

Vi: I’m sorry 

Vi: I talked to Cait, she shouldn’t have said that.

Vi: please pick up the phone 

Vi: please, powpow, I wanna talk to you

Vi: I’m not above just stopping by.

Vi: Ekko said you didn’t want to talk, can’t you just answer me?

Vi: okay, I won’t text you

Vi: please just answer me

Jinx sighed, texting back for the first time 

Jinx: I’m busy.

Vi: call me 

Jinx: can’t 

She ignored the next messages. Grabbed onto Ekko’s arm as the social worker continued to walk around before she was finally done. 

She spoke a bit with Claggor and Seraphine, not enough to really get to know them. 

By the end, she was standing by the door with a satisfied face. 

“So?” Ekko broke the ice.

“I can tell you are putting a lot of effort into making this house a home. And I didn’t see anything alarming. Just make sure to baby proof everything before the crawler starts walking. I’m signing off on you.”

Three Weeks until Christmas——

The house was half ready. They went out to buy clothes for the kids, hoping they were able to understand the style each kid liked best from the short list of likes and wants they had in hand for the angel tree shopping that never came to be.

They filled the drawers and wardrobes full of clothes for the kids before they went to pick them up. Had to figure out how to install the car seat, which gave Jinx a crying session as she told Ekko she couldn’t do it. 

He laughed, making her go inside as he finished it alone.

They were packed, set, and ready; heading for the Foster Care Facility to pick the kids up. The director was standing by, almost as if she was waiting for them. 

Isha was sheepishly hiding behind the skirt of a social worker, with Ajuna holding her arm. 

Jinx felt like she was looking at someone else’s kids for a second. She thought maybe this was all happening too quickly. 

And then Ajuna stepped forward, bringing his little suitcase along and looked at them, bottom lip slightly wobbly. 

“Are we gonna live with you guys now?”

“Yeah, buddy. You’re gonna stay with us from now on.” Ekko said, bending down at the hip.

Jinx stepped closer to the social worker at the door, holding Sally in her arms. She instinctively bent down, looking at Isha eye to eye. 

“I know change can be scary. Are you scared?” She asked.

Isha didn’t reply.

“Don’t tell anyone, but we were on our way to buy a Christmas tree for our house. Do you wanna help us?” 

The nod came slowly, almost unsure. Jinx extended her hand for the girl to take. She was holding onto the suitcase, same model as her brother’s, like a lifeline. 

She signaled with her head for the social worker to come along, in the direction of Ekko’s car. She opened the door, letting Isha sit down when she felt ready. 

Ajuna sat first, taking the middle seat. Ekko grabbed their suitcases and stuffed them into the trunk, remarking on how light they were. 

He took Sally from the lady’s arm, trying his best to place her into the car seat without making her cry. But all she did was fuss a little before settling down. 

When Isha started having a meltdown before even sitting in the car, Jinx looked around. The little beat up beanie she carried was on the floor, probably fell when she stepped into the vehicle. 

She tried to be quick, but felt like everyone’s eyes were on her. 

She grabbed the grey wool garment from the floor and dusted it with the back of her hand before she handed it back to Isha; who hugged it tight and put it over her messy hair. 

With all kids buckled up and a last farewell to workers, they went on their way back home. An easy drive on a relatively sunny day, the wind blowing crispy leaves around the sidewalks and the sun warming the dew off the grass. 

When the car stopped in front of the house, Jinx almost didn’t believe it. She looked at Ekko, who nodded, like he had shared her same thought. This was real. They were home and they had just fostered a family. It all felt insane. 

“We’re here.” Ekko said after a second too long of silence. 

Jinx took Sally out of her car seat, hoping she would stop fussing by the time they got inside and placed her on her bassinet. 

She was thankful the little girl was old enough to support her neck on her own, otherwise moving around with a baby in her arms might’ve been more terrifying than Jinx had anticipated. 

Ekko helped the kids by taking their suitcases, acting like they were light weight. 

“The rooms are all on the second floor. First on the left is Ajuna’s, and then Isha’s. On the left is the nursery and at the end of the hallway is our bedroom.” Jinx said once they stepped into the foyer. 

“We won’t be sharing a room?” Ajuna was looking around at the house.

“No, we gave you each a room. Is that alright?” Ekko asked. 

“Last house we were at we had to sleep together in a bunk bed. It was fun, but not private.” Ajuna started walking up the stairs as he spoke, Isha following him like a little shadow.

Jinx tried to move after them, filling around just to see where they were going. But the more she walked, the more she felt like Sally was fussing, until she started crying by the time they were inside Ajuna’s room.

“Sorry, baby. I’ll get you your bottle soon.” Jinx shushed the infant. 

“She’s not hungry, she just needs a nap.” Ajuna threw his suitcase open on the floor. It barely had anything inside, some clothes, mostly filled by a puffer jacket that was torn in several places. 

“We can get you a new one of those, if you want.” Ekko sounded like dad, which threw Jinx off for a second. 

“No, it’s alright. It’s just a tear. I can sew it again.” 

Ekko was making a mental note to get him more jackets nevertheless. The closet had a few hoodies and coats, and many scarves and hats to cover from the cold weather. But they had not gotten either of them a puffer jacket, which all of a sudden seemed like the most obvious thing a child would need during winter. 

“The bathroom is on the other side of the corridor, by the nursery.” Jinx whisper-talked. 

“J, she won’t cry harder if you talk normally. We should just put her down for a nap.”

“Right. Yeah. I know that.” She said, a bit ashamed of herself. “Okay, c’mon, Isha. Let your brother get settled in while we show you your room.”

They walked into the next room over, Jinx juggling a crying little girl while trying to get a peak at Isha’s expression. Ekko had one hand on the door handle, and they both looked at Isha, who frowned.

“You don’t like it?” Jinx asked. 

She shook her head. 

The room was all done in sweet pinks and purples, and had drawings of roses that Seraphine had spent hours doing looking brand new. 

Isha pointed at the wall that divided her room with her brother’s, and then at her ceelinh. 

“You want space theme too?” Ekko guessed. 

She nodded.

“We can redecorate tomorrow, then.” Jinx said, walking closer to Isha. “Do you like planets and astronauts or do you prefer stars and clouds?” 

Isha held up her hand, two fingers.

“Okay. So the night sky?”

She nodded, pointing at Jinx’s head.

“You want it the same color as my hair?”

Isha almost broke a smile.

Jinx nodded slowly “okay, we can do that.” She watched as the little girl threw her stuff on the bed and started to take her clothes out, putting them into the drawers.

Jinx just stood there, until a small, sticky fist connected with her jaw. 

“Okay okay, last but not least. To bed with you little Miss.”

When Jinx returned from putting Sally in her cradle, she found Isha in her room with a yapping Pobbles biting at one of the new teddy bears Jinx had gotten her; a pink and yellow one who was now covered in puppy drool.

“Pobbles, don’t do that.”

Isha giggled, patting the dog's head.

“I’m sorry, Ish. We’ll get you a new one.” 

She shook her head, taking the puppy in her arms as she played tug of war with the teddy bear. 

“Well, I guess you made a friend.”

The first night was easy. Jinx helped Isha bathe, told her about all the cool stuff they could do to her room in an attempt to get the girl to open up. But none of it helped. She would nod along, sometimes she would even attempt a smile, but she didn’t say anything. 

They had dinner in the living room, Jinx with Sally on her lap gnawing on a bottle cap as Ekko made small talk with the older kids. They had ordered pizza, one pepperoni and one plain cheese. 

Isha barely had two slices of plain cheese pizza, while Ajuna devoured greedily as much pizza as his little cheeks could hold. 

“This is really good.” He said over a mouthful.

“Don’t get used to it. Once the kitchen is fully stocked, Ekko enjoys making dinner himself.” Jinx joked, trying to eat a slice without getting grease on Sally. She had gotten quite good at eating with a baby in her lap from all those times she babysat Holly when she was an infant. But now it seemed she had lost the practice.

They settled the kids into bed, a night light each, and a kiss to the forehead. 

Less than Three Weeks until Christmas——

Jinx woke up wondering why they even needed a baby monitor if Sally’s cries could be heard perfectly fine from her room.

She reached instinctively for Ekko, who was nowhere to be seen, his side of the bed was still warm.

She got the stupid baby monitor to watch as her husband tried to coo the crying baby back to sleep, then slowly giving up and just picking her up, scrunching his face, and bringing her to the changing table. 

Jinx let out a laugh, getting up and walking towards the nursery. None of the other kids seemed to be awake, there were no other noises coming from the hallway. She stood at the door, hearing Ekko talk to Sally for a second. 

They had had quite a full but overall uneventful couple of days since bringing them home. 

“You had one stinky nappy on ya.” He faked an Australian accent “but now you’re all set, crickey.”

Sally’s response was a cry.

“I don’t think she likes that accent." Jinx laughed.

“I don’t think she likes most things, J.” 

“Awn, don’t say that. She’s adjusting.” She moved to pick the baby out of his arms “And you can get started on breakfast before the other two wake up.”

“So domestic.” Ekko leaned in for a kiss. “Is this really our life?”

“Feels like it is.” She giggled against his lips. 

She took Sally with her to her room, putting the baby flat on the bed with pillows all around to avoid her rolling over as she changed out of her pajamas while Ekko was starting on breakfast. 

She grabbed her phone, already expecting the texts from her sister.

Vi: Good morning, please call me.

Jinx: okay, I can talk today.

Vi: really???

Jinx: you can stop by the house if you want. 

Jinx threw her phone on the bed and walked out of the room, knocking softly on Isha’s door first, telling her breakfast was being made, and then doing the same for Ajuna. 

Both kids walked down the stairs in pajamas and an incredible case of bed hair. Ekko was making the pancakes while Jinx was just thankful it was a weekend. 

They had already enrolled them in a new school starting after the holiday break. It wasn’t ideal, but it was the best they had in hand. Until then, they had to get stuff resolved around the house. 

She had taken some time off work, just until next week, which Heimer signed under without a second thought. Although she was sad not to be able to ask Viktor in person about his new found engagement.

The tree was bought, decorating the living room full of ornaments and lights that took all of an afternoon for four pairs of hands to assemble. Jinx had Ajuna help her around the stairs in placing the lights and bows. 

Ekko had put the stupid ornate balls everywhere around the house, in almost every other door. 

Zeri had stopped by, meeting the kids with the warm smile of a teacher before saying she was gonna bring something over as soon as possible. 

Jinx knew it was the stockings to place above the fireplace - because now they had a real fireplace - since Zeri always said she'd make them one once they had kids. 

So when the door bell rang, she was certain Zeri had stopped by to give them the stockings, probably on her way to school. She had anticipated to find her sister at her door step at eight in the morning. 

“Oh, I thought you’d come by later.”

“Why do you have a baby in your arms?”

Jinx looked at Sally, then at Vi. “Okay come in.”

Vi stepped into the house like she was seeing a whole new world. Her own was twice the size, but Jinx decided not to comment on that. She directed her sister into the kitchen, where Ekko was fixing up scrambled eggs.

“Oh, hey.” He wiped his hand on a kitchen towel. 

“Vi, these are Ajuna, Isha, and this is baby Sally. Well, her name isn’t ‘baby’, but you get it.” Jinx said.

“I call her Salmonella.” Ajuna laughed over a mouthful of pancakes. Isha slapped him on the shoulder with the back of her hand.

“Ajuna, don’t talk with your mouth open. And Isha, don’t slap your brother.” Ekko said, pouring more blueberry syrup over Isha’s toast.

“Kids, this is Vi. My sister.” 

Isha nodded an acknowledgment, shoving a spoon almost full of syrup into her mouth. Jinx handed Sally to Ajuna, before saying they would be talking in the patio out back.

“Since when do you have three kids?” Vi asked, as soon as the doors closed behind her sister.

“We have been fostering them for two days now.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me? I knew about the dog.” She gestured towards the house, where pobbles was likely sleeping on some couch - or in Isha’s room. “But three foster kids is insane.”

“Oh let me guess, I’m not fit to be a mother?”

“You know I don’t think that. Cait is just-“

“Full of ‘strong’ opinions?” She did air quotes.

Vi rang a hand over her face with a grunt. “We had a pretty bad fight over that. I asked her to apologize but she thinks she’s not in the wrong.”

“She never does. And you just let her.”

“I know. I’m sorry. But with the baby-“

“There’s always an excuse. It’s the baby, it’s her career, she’s always stressed. What she really needs in an exorcism.” 

Vi laughed, actually wholeheartedly laughed. 

Jinx looked at her like she had grown a second head. She was trying to hide her laughter under her palm, but it didn’t seem to be working. 

“Are you okay?” 

“No.” More laughter “No, I’m tired as shit. I can’t even believe I let it get this bad. You were so upset you didn’t tell me you were fostering three kids, Claggor refuses to go by the house because he doesn’t wanna see Cait, and Mylo thinks I should get a divorce.” 

“And what do you think?”

“I don’t wanna do this anymore. I wanna have a normal holiday gathering without worrying if my family will implode.” 

“Well, if you need a place to stay, we have plenty of room.” 

Vi hugged her younger sister so tightly, Jinx thought she might snap one of her bones.

Two Weeks until Christmas——

Somehow, Ekko was the one in overdrive.

He had stupidly assumed buying gifts for everyone would be easy, but it wasn’t so easy when he went out with two children and an infant to shop for his friends and family. 

Jinx took Isha and Ajuna to buy more winter clothes while Ekko secretly bought their gifts, all under the pretense he had to “shop for friends at work”.

And while she hated to admit, she loved watching him walk around with Sally in a kangaroo harness.

She bought so much stuff she physically didn’t have a way of carrying the bags and holding onto the kids’ hands anymore. So she resorted to renting one of those giant animal cars that Aisha begged to ride so she could keep both of them in sight and use the back part to store her purchases.

“Hey, Jinx!” She heard the unmistakable sound of her best friend’s voice coming from somewhere behind her. 

She turned to find Lux, hand in hand with Holly, who sprinted towards her.

“Aunt Jinx!” She hugged her waist tightly, which knocked the wind out of her. 

“Hey, Holls, what are you guys doing here?”

“Holly wanted to meet Santa.” Lux said with a wink. 

“Momma said he have many reindeer.”

“He does, I heard it too.” Jinx laughed, looking at where her own foster kids were riding in circles “Ajuna, Isha, come meet someone.”

Ajuna slowly drove the car closer to where they were standing, helping his sister get down before getting out himself.

“Holly, this is Ajuna and Isha.” She said, hoping the casual introduction would be enough for Aisha not to clamp up. 

“Hi. Are you the kids my aunt is babysitting?”

“Holly- no.” Lux said, turning to Jinx with an apologetic expression “I tried explaining fostering to her, but I don’t think she got it.”

“You’re Jinx’s niece?” Ajuna asked, looking from Holly, to Jinx, to Lux, and back to Jinx. 

“Holly, Ajuna and Isha are my foster kids.” Jinx explained. 

“Remember? I told you they were living with your aunt now.” 

Isha, to Jinx’s surprise, waved at Holly. The girls were about the same age, so Jinx could only hope they’d get along. Holly smiled, stepping forward. 

“Do you wanna come with me and meet Santa?”

Isha looked at Jinx, and it took her a second to realize she was asking for permission.

“Yeah, let’s all go.” 

She didn’t expect how much Isha would like that idea, her small smile turned so bright Jinx felt dizzy. 

“And if we are lucky, Santa might even send one of his elves to go home with us.”

“What?” Ajuna asked, but Isha looked more confused.

“The elf on the shelf, you never had one before?” Lux asked.

They looked confused, staring at each other and then at Lux.

“Sometimes,” Jinx crouched down, “Santa sends an elf to sit on top of the shelf, and watch if you’re being nice to report back to the North Pole.”

“Woaw.” Is all Isha said.

Ekko appeared, holding so many bags Jinx almost burst out laughing.

“Oh hey, Lux.” 

“You have a baby on you.” Lux said “You guys are turning out great, huh.”

One Week before Christmas——

The elf sat atop the shelf. 

Jinx made a game of moving it every night for a week, putting it atop a different place and doing little poses to look like it was observing the kids.

The pictures of Isha, Sally, and Ajuna with Santa had been framed and placed in the picture wall. 

Isha put the one she took with Santa and Holly in her bedroom, along with the other pictures Jinx had let her select for her wall. 

It had drawings, stickers, and pictures of her family and friends - although that spot was only currently being filled by Hols.

They had grown quite close, as Holly had a habit of talking so much that she was able to speak for both herself and Isha.

They hadn’t yet had a sleepover, but Holly had asked at least twice before, which made Jinx very happy.

Ekko had shown his figurine collection to Ajuna, which led to both of them spending hours at a time colouring figures at his “office”. 

The first time Ajuna ran out to show Jinx the new figure he painted, she tried really hard not to cry over how cute he was.

And now, with Christmas approaching faster than a mood swing, Jinx was staring at the stupid invite that had arrived while Ekko was asleep. 

He was upstairs sleeping, the kids were at school, and she was alone with Sally in her lap as she looked at it. Honestly, she was just staring. 

Vi had sent it to the group chat, asking if anyone was willing to host Christmas. 

Claggor said no, Mylo put laughing emojis. 

Jinx guessed her talk with Cait had not gone well.

She wanted Ekko to be awake and by her side so they could discuss it first. They had the space to host, and it would be more intimate than Thanksgiving, since Sera and Zeri were going to be visiting Seraphine’s family upstate for the holidays. 

And Jinx didn’t know how the kids would act with a full house. Although three kids, two parents, and a dog would already be enough of a full house for anyone.

They had been spending Christmas with Lux since before Holly was born, which would be six years ago this December 29th.

Jinx and Ekko always got her two presents, one for each occasion, and they had planned on taking the kids after Christmas to buy Holly her birthday gift.

“What do you think, Sally? Should we host Christmas?”

Her only response was a babble and an attempt to hold onto Jinx’s scarf.

Six Days until Christmas——

Ekko was far more helpful in giving her an answer to her question.

They would indeed host Christmas dinner. 

The acceptance began a house-wide argument over when they should celebrate Christmas. 

Ekko had always been vocal about how he preferred to celebrate on the 24th, and said any Dominican worth his salt felt the same. 

And for the first time, he had two little kids saying the same thing.

Jinx and Ekko celebrated every year on the 24th alone, and had Christmas dinner with the family on the 25th, which brought harmony to their routine. 

However now, with them hosting, they had to break out a plan to celebrate both dates without having leftovers. 

Isha mentioned that the last house they had been at also only celebrated on the 25th, and made for Ajuna and her to be waiting patiently for Christmas morning to be visited by Santa.

“How long were you with the other family?” Ekko finally asked, breaching the subject they’ve been rolling over their minds about.

“Like a year.” She replied.

“We were with them for a year, Sally came to live with us when we were still with them. But they were starting a family of their own and so they didn't have space for us.” Ajuna said from the carpet.

Jinx, who had been decorating the fireplace ever since Zeri came by the house to deliver their stockings embroidered with each of their initials, turned to look at Ajuna with confusion and anger on her face. “What do you mean?” 

“She was going to have a baby.” Isha said, playing with Sally, who was unhappily having some tummy time. 

“And so, what?” Jinx asked, sounding more mad than she intended.

“J.” Ekko’s voice was like a warning.

“They wanted the space for their real family.” Ajuna said. 

Jinx looked at the kids, and then at Ekko. He was on the sofa, the special edition of Dune that Jinx had given him for his birthday in his hands. Ajuna was by his feet, wearing a stupid sweater Lux bought him, and a coloring book on the floor. Isha was sharing his crayons, drawing on pieces of paper she wanted to hang in her room. And Sally, in a yellow onesie and a crying face without tears, was belly down on her mat. 

Jinx left the fireplace decorations for later and stormed off to her studio.

Five Days until Christmas——

Jinx painted the closest thing to a family portrait in her abstract style as possible.

Ekko went upstairs after putting the kids to bed, complaining to Jinx that he had to do it all alone and that Ajuna was scared they had made her upset. 

Jinx had broken down then, cried to Ekko that the kids had had it worse than she imagined.

She woke up the next day with a massive headache, and a pension for setting someone’s house on fire. 

She apologized to the kids, told them she just got upset, but not at them. 

And yet somehow they didn’t seem to believe her. Ajuna said he didn’t mind, and Isha just shut down once more, not talking to anyone.

Jinx felt incredibly guilty over it, choosing to go to work even as she wanted to scream. 

Ekko told her to stop beating herself over it, but he wasn’t the one who ruined the Christmas vibe.

Jinx invited Viktor over for Christmas Day dinner, mostly because that meant Amelya would come too and Lux could use the helping hand, but also because she was very excited to meet this fiancée Viktor had somehow stumbled upon. Or rather, that stumbled on him. 

She really wanted the Christmas vibe to continue forever. 

She worked for maybe two hours before calling it a day and going home early (which was a perk of project working during the holidays). 

She got home to find Isha with Pobbles in her room. They had redecorated the place, all painted in a debatably lighter blue than Jinx’s hair, but she let the girl cover it wall to ceiling with any drawings she liked. They had also bought a dog bed that matched the style, as apparently Pobbles enjoyed spending more time with the child than with Jinx. 

Isha looked up, like she was surprised to see Jinx. 

“I was wondering if you wanted to watch a movie.” 

Isha shrugged.

“Maybe like a cool Christmas movie? We can invite the boys to join too if you don’t want to watch just us.”

Another shrug.

“I can make popcorn, and you can have some soda.”

She stared, debating.

“We could make Christmas cookies, too.” 

A nod, slow turn up and down of her head.

“I’ll let you decorate them as you like. We can do trees, stars, angels too.” 

Isha got up, walking towards her.

“If we make a big enough batch, we can invite Holly over tomorrow for her to try some.” 

Finally, she got an “Okay.”

Four Days until Christmas——

Ekko was upset to find neither of the kids had ever baked a Gingerbread house before. 

Lux had dropped Holly off before lunch, and he had spent all afternoon planning for the houses, baking gingerbread cookies and letting them decorate.

Ajuna made incredible drawings, which Jinx commented were better than any other kid his age. He wasn’t great at the structural part, but the actual artwork was insanely good. 

Isha and Holly, on the other hand, were far more creative than artistically talented. 

Nevertheless, with enough icing and a lot of candy, they made it work. 

Ate all the candy they could leftover from making the houses and then ate them too, because Isha didn’t want all her hard work to be wasted.

Jinx set up a tent with covers on the living room, put some fairy lights to light it up, and threw pillows and cushions on the floor to make it cozy. 

It was so big, Ekko and Jinx could be inside sitting up normally. 

Ajuna was laughing the entire time as they told stories over the remnants of Isha’s gingerbread house, only Santa stories were allowed. 

Ekko told one Jinx remembered Benzo telling him over s’mores. The one about Santa’s favorite elf being turned into a troll to steal the socks of naughty children, who she was now realizing was a kid friendly Christmas version of Paradise Lost.

Isha told a tale of the Elf on The shelf, who she called Elfie, and their journey back to the North Pole to tell Santa how well behaved they had been.

Holly wanted to give it a go on a story about Rudolph’s best friend, a skunk she called Blossom; and Jinx had a feeling she was just mixing up Bambi and Rudolph, the red nose reindeer. 

It felt incredibly homely.

Three days until Christmas——

Ekko was wringing the kids - and Jinx - like a captain commanding his crew.

He was a man on a mission.

And this mission was buying all the food they needed for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They had planned two feasts, even though Jinx said there was too much food and that everyone in the group chat had already agreed on what they would bring.

Said group chat was the reason Lux finally asked Amelya for her number, under the pretense of adding her to the Christmas Chat. 

Jinx made fun of her nonetheless. 

Both of them had been out with their kids to get a hot beverage earlier in the day before Jinx and Ekko went on their grocery shopping spree, and of course the only place Lux ever got her coffee was the Rainbow Roll. 

Jinx stood back, let Lux ask for their orders and Amelia’s number, and laughed somewhat discreetly - as discreetly as someone who just watched her best friend ask their crush for her number could possibly laugh - and almost got hot chocolate to the face. 

But Lux is nothing if not composed. She just very nicely handed Jinx her hot chocolate with extra whipped cream and marshmallows. 

Isha had the same, Holly had it without cream and with peppermint syrup. And Lux had a latte, like the adult she was, with extra cream because even she succumbed to the holiday spirit. Ajuna had sweet milk, because he had never had it before and was eager to try. 

But now all beverages were over, Lux was on her way to her shift at the hospital, and Holly had gone to her sitter. 

And the family was debating if they should get two turkeys or a turkey and two quail since a whole turkey might be too much two days in a roll. 

They settled on the quail because the kids had never had it, and Jinx argued it was the season of new experiences, although Ekko argued back that that title belonged to Easter.

After loading frozen birds, carrots, celery, potatoes, and all the Mac n cheese ingredients Ekko swore he needed, including an obscene amount of cheese, they finally stopped to get more hot cocoa mix for later. 

“Do you want more marshmallows too?” Jinx asked, feeding a bottle to Sally who was getting hungrier and hungrier every day. 

“We should do S’mores too.” Ekko got both the mini marshmallows and the big ones. 

“You’re gonna spoil- the kids.” She cut herself, correcting before saying ‘our kids’ too early, and she didn’t know how they felt about them.

“I want S’mores.” Isha said, bringing out her A game. She had developed crazy good puppy eyes that made Jinx cave in every time. 

“Ish always wants sugar.” Ajuna complained. 

“You can have your s’mores, and we can get you your chips because we are almost running out at the house.” Ekko said. 

Ajuna started walking towards the chip aisle, before Jinx yelled “Aja, we’re gonna go together.” 

She watched as he dashed off, running fast to his favorite treat. Ekko ran after him, and all she heard was him scolding the boy that it didn’t matter how fast he thought he could run, they didn’t want them getting separated.

Life was starting to feel real again.

Christmas Eve——

The preparations were in full force, with Ekko at the forefront and taking the lead. But to their surprise, Ajuna volunteered to help. 

Jinx sat on the couch, playing games with Isha, while Ekko taught their son to peel potatoes and carrots, and had him stir the cheese mixture for the Mac n Cheese. 

Isha asked to help as well after watching her brother stirring up the kitchen, so Jinx propped her up on a stool and helped her crack the eggs and separate the yolks. 

All the while Sally slept peacefully in her room, being watched by the baby monitor every second. Jinx grew to really like the thing.

Isha got yolk all over her dress, and Ajuna ignored her panicked expression as he folded the cheese, whatever that meant. 

Jinx took her upstairs to clean herself, and she got even more upset at being away from the preparations. 

But after a bubble bath with rubber ducks and a good wash to her scalp that Jinx deemed necessary to get the tangles out, she seemed to forget the whole meal preparation part of Christmas. 

And after her bath, when Ajuna went to take his, and Jinx put Sally in an adorable reindeer onesie, Ekko finally went upstairs to start getting ready. 

Jinx got ready right after, putting on a nice green dress that she had bought just for that occasion, of sitting on the couch and watching Christmas movies before having dinner. 

The mundane had somehow become their most treasured part in their life.

Christmas Day——

After the night they had, Jinx was certain the kids would know they had put the presents under the tree. 

They did not. 

Isha was the first one up, jumping in their bed and begging them to wake up because Santa came and he left so much stuff. 

And it was a lot of stuff. 

But Ekko just told her to wake up her brother so they could get dressed. Jinx barely got out of bed in her holiday pajamas, which were different from the ones she slept in, and Sally began to cry. She figured probably because Isha kept jumping up and down on the hallway. 

With a baby in her arms and somehow a lot of the holiday spirit, she made her way downstairs. Ekko followed suit with a jumping six year old pulling him by the hand.

“Look! Santa was here!” She pointed at their handy work.

“Even the elf is gone.” Aja commented, “He really did tell Santa what we were up to.” 

Jinx bit her lip to keep from laughing. 

“Yeah, he really was, huh. Go and see what he brought you.” Ekko nudged.

And that was enough for them to start ripping at the wrapping paper like crazy. Tossing presents at each other when they read the names, and Ajuna was even trying to give Sally one he found with her name. 

“Just put it aside, kiddo. I don’t think she can open it right now.” Ekko laughed. 

Jinx was mesmerized, completely entranced by their happiness in opening their gifts. 

By the afternoon, they still hadn’t calmed down. Isha pulled Holly into her room as soon as the girl arrived to show her what Santa had gotten her. 

Ajuna was tucked away in his playing with his new videogame like he had never touched a switch before.

Sally didn’t seem to care about her presents, however. 

Lux was helping Jinx and Ekko set up the dining room, which barely had enough space for all the guests coming. But all her helpfulness vanished the moment Viktor, Jayce, and Amelya arrived. 

She ran to the kitchen, drinking a glass of white wine like a lifeline after saying her hellos. And Ekko just laughed that she was adorable when in love. 

Not exactly helpful. 

Viktor looked the happiest Jinx had ever seen him, holding hands with a truly gigantic man.

Jinx greeted the guests, barely having enough time to finish arranging everything before Mylo arrived, followed closely by Claggor and Hwei. 

Vi was the last to come, Jinx didn’t comment on her appearance, or how she looked like she hadn’t slept in days. She just hugged her sister and thanked her for bringing more wine.

Everyone was excited to meet the kids, which sent Isha into her completely nonverbal mode. Holly stepped up immediately, almost translating what Ish meant as she talked for the both of them. 

“You are doing a great job.” Claggor commented to his sister after Ajuna had gotten out of his room and greeted everyone without hesitation. 

Jinx felt her heart was so full it could burst at any moment.

The star of Amelya’s eyes had been Sally, with her elf onesie that Ekko had gotten her, everyone wanted to hold her. Somehow, both Jinx and Ekko felt incredibly possessive of their youngest daughter.

The kid’s table was for the first time filled, Isha and Holly obviously sitting beside one another, and Ajuna in front of his sister. Jinx really loved having the house full. 

The meal was delicious, of course, as anything Ekko prepared.

While everyone sat and talked, Jinx looked around. From her husband giving Sally a bottle, to her sister talking excitedly with Jayce and Viktor, to Hwei and Mylo sharing jokes as Claggor laughed harder than the jokes asked for, to the kids on the table talking about something she couldn’t hear, and her best friend finally getting the chance to have a conversation with her crush,  back to her husband who was now staring at her.

She might've hated the idea on Thanksgiving, but tonight, she was thankful for everyone around this table. She cherished them with a renewed sense of appreciation, even Zeri and Sera who weren’t there. She loved how much they all had been coming together to help, the community she never knew she needed, much less that she already had it.

And she was especially thankful for her three little presents, and for her favorite Santa.