Aiyla watched, cringing, as her father and Jacob hauled a live Christmas tree through their front door.  She was sure something was going to get knocked over.  Her watchful silence was interrupted by the sound of a wistful sigh.  She turned to look at her best friend who was standing beside her on the staircase.

Aiyla playfully elbowed Daisy.

"Stop it..."

Daisy's face flushed but a giddy smile remained.

"I swear...  If I didn't know it was Amma's idea to send Jacob to live at Willowveil, I'd think you put her up to it," Aiyla teased.

"I didn't... but I do think it was a good idea.  He should know how to live Above in case he ever decides to.  I mean... washing machines, dishwashers, microwaves...  They're not part of his life Below*.  What if he falls in love with some lady outside the Tunnels?  She might think there's something wrong with him if he can't operate any of those.  Maybe even that he's one of those jerks who thinks women should do everything in the home.  And he's not!"

Aiyla's smile softened and she hugged Daisy.

"I know.  I just think it's funny that you have a crush on my cousin... uncle."

It was Daisy's turn to giggle.

"Which is he?  I was always kinda confused about that."

"Uncle, technically.  Cause he's our grandparents' son.  But we've always just considered him a cousin since he's only three years older than me and not even two years older than Liam."

"That makes sense.  He... he's just so dashing is all.  And kind."

Aiyla's embrace tightened.  She was fiercely protective of Daisy.  And while it gave her some comfort that she was interested in someone as gentle and respectful as her cousin Jacob, she still hated that they'd reached the age where boys were even a consideration.

Daisy squeezed Aiyla's hand.

"Don't worry.  He's eighteen basically and I'm fifteen.  I'm positive my feelings are totally unrequited.  But enough about that... you have a tree to decorate!"

"You'll help, right?  You always did at... at our old house."

Daisy hugged her friend.

"Of course!"

"Kids!  Come help decorate the tree!" Behnam called from the family room.

Laughing, Aiyla and Daisy clung to the railing as Omar and Aurora rushed past them.

"You're gonna break your necks!" Aiyla shouted after them as she and Daisy took the stairs at a more reasonable pace.

"A new tree!  And new ornaments!" nine-year-old Aurora countered.

Aiyla tried to keep from wincing.  The ornaments had been a point of contention.  Her Appa had offered to let them use his mother's ornaments as they had at the old house in New York.  But her mom had welcomed the opportunity to begin their own traditions, with their own ornaments now that they were in Asteriana.  It made sense.  And her mom had been so excited while making and purchasing ornaments for them.  But it broke Aiyla's heart a little to think of Cora's things boxed up in the attic of her old house.

Daisy again hugged her.

"Maybe you could ask your grandpa for a few ornaments for the tree in your room?" she suggested, seemingly reading Aiyla's mind.

"Maybe... but it's not the same."

"I know...  When I'm in our front yard, I hate looking over and just seeing the empty window where your tree was.  It was always so beautiful."

Aiyla sniffled.

"Yeah...  But this is such a nice house... built specifically for us."  She ran her hand over the carved railing her Uncle Andrew had made and installed for them.

"I know...  And it's beautiful.  But it's okay to miss what you had."

"Yeah..."  Aiyla sucked in a deep breath then slowly let it out.  "Let's go decorate and see your boyfriend."

"Aiyla!"  Daisy giggled before taking her friend's hand and leading her to the family room.

"Oh, Behnam... Jacob... wonderful choice!" Isra praised.  "It's absolutely beautiful!"

"It almost touches the ceiling!" Omar exclaimed.

"Yes... We may have a bit of trouble with the star," Behnam admitted.  "But I knew this one was meant to be ours.  And Andrew helped us bundle it up so, perhaps, we can plant it afterwards.  Besides..."  He kissed his wife's cheek.  "You will outshine it, my star."

"Behnam..."  Isra blushed and buried her face in Emeth's hair as she balanced the toddler on her hip.

Aiyla smiled.  She loved that her parents were still crazy about each other.

"I can help string the lights since I'm tall," Jacob offered.  "But then I thought..."  His voice drifted off.

Behnam clapped him on the back.

"I'd appreciate that!  But thought what?"

Jacob's face flushed and he lowered his voice.

"I thought... and then I brought up to Papa and he agreed... that someone should put the tree up at the old house.  So it looks lived in.  And... and I miss my Grandma's things, I guess."

Isra set Emeth down in front of his toys then hugged Jacob.

"Jacob...  You don't need to hide that from us.  We loved that house... love it still... and we adored living there and will always be grateful to your Papa for that.  The reason we left..."  She sighed.  "It will never not be sad.  But it was the best... safest... choice for us given what is happening in the United States.  Yet... it is still home.  And we won't leave you to decorate it on your own after you've helped us."

"Maybe... maybe you could have a little decorating party with your families?" Daisy suggested.  She blushed.  "And... and I'd be happy to help... only if you want."

Aiyla bumped her shoulder and stifled a giggle.

Jacob beamed.

"That sounds really great, Daisy!  And of course you'd be welcome!  Your parents, too.  And I'll ask Psyche and her family.  And Mama and Papa, of course.  But first... we have this tree!"  Jacob waved towards the Al-Mitras' tree.

"Let's test the lights first... we've learned the hard way in years past."  Behnam chuckled as he plugged in a string which obediently lit up.

For a few minutes, the others waited patiently as Behnam and Jacob strung the lights.  Then it was a cacophonous free-for-all as the family began to hang ornaments.  To Isra's delight, there were so many that by the end they were hunting for empty branches. 

While she still felt a tug towards the old traditions and the old house, Aiyla couldn't help but beam when she saw how proud and happy her parents looked.  For the first time, she felt hopeful about their first Christmas in what her mom had dubbed their "forever home."



What peace Aiyla had felt the previous day immediately evaporated when she and her family entered Cora's house the following evening.  In truth, it had been rocked the prior evening when Daisy had chosen to walk back to the portal with Jacob.  Usually she walked with her.  And she couldn't blame Daisy.  And she still trusted her cousin but it made her feel so alone.  She went through the motions as she helped everyone decorate.

"Where are the garlands for the railing?" Isra fretted after an hour.  "I know we put them away carefully.  I remember..."

With blurry eyes, Aiyla watched her Appa hug her mother.

"Don't fret, Isra.  I'm sure they'll turn up.  I know you always showed so much care to the house," Vincent assured.

With the distraction of everyone searching for the garlands, Aiyla fled the living room.  She climbed the stairs up to the uppermost bedroom, the one she'd been told Joshua had used when he'd stayed there.  She had always loved it and, for a time, hoped her parents would let her move up there once she was older.  Now, of course, that would never happen. 

Aiyla collapsed onto the bed and began to cry.  She felt she must have been crying for several minutes when she heard a voice.

"Aiyla... Aiyla, what's wrong?"

Aiyla sat up and stared at her Uncle Andrew who was standing in the doorway, holding a box.  Clearly he'd found the garlands... at least that was something.

Andrew set the box down then pulled a chair up to sit across from her.

"You wanna talk about it?"

Aiyla found she did.  And when she started talking, she couldn't seem to stop.

"I'm just sad because part of me wishes we still lived here.  I love this house.  But I also love our new house.  A-and I love being closer to you and Aunt JenniAnn and the kids.  B-but I miss living next to Daisy.  And I hate that we had to leave.  And then I feel bad cause... cause at least I can visit here.  I... I'm not separated from anyone I love.  My parents left their homes and families and knew they'd never see them again.  A-and so many people are... are just going about their days and suddenly sent off God knows where.  So I have no reason to complain.  I'm safe.  And then I feel bad about being safe.  Why me?  Why my family?  But I... I know we can't just throw open the doors to Asteriana.  I get that.  We need to keep ourselves safe so we can work to help others... like Joshua said.  But what am I doing?  How am I helping?  I'm older than Maryam was when she had Joshua... when she changed the world.  And me?  I'm just going to school.  And worrying about the fact that my best friend is in love a-and gonna leave me.  And I don't care about boys.  And I don't care about girls like that.  And so... so I'm gonna be alone.  And I don't wanna get married... but I don't wanna be alone.  And I feel crazy and confused and... and..."

Aiyla began to sob.

Andrew moved from the chair and settled beside Aiyla.  She didn't hesitate to slump against him and continue sobbing in his arms.

"That... that's a lot, Aiyla.  That would be a lot even for me.  And I'm a whole lot older than you are.  But let's really think about some of that.  First of all, Daisy is fifteen.  And I know Josef and Amber-Marie well enough to know that they're not gonna be letting her run off and become a teen bride.  And Catherine and Vincent certainly wouldn't let Jacob elope with her, either."

"You... you know?"

Andrew chuckled.

"Yeah...  Daisy isn't the most subtle.  Although I'm actually not sure Jacob knows."

Aiyla brushed at her tears and laughed.

"I really don't think he does, either."

"Then you have nothing to worry about there.  And if and when Daisy does get a boyfriend, I know she won't forget about you.  You'll always be part of her life.  And you're never gonna be alone.  You have parents and grandparents who adore you.  You have siblings who look up to you.  And you have an aunt and uncle who think you're a pretty darn great kid, ya know?  We'd never let you be alone."

"Yeah... I guess that's true."

"You guess?!?  I'm right here, kid!"

Aiyla laughed at her uncle's incredulous expression.

"Okay... I know."

"Good.  As for the rest, fifteen now and fifteen when Joshua was born aren't the same thing.  Right now focusing on school is exactly what you should be doing... so you can learn how to bring your gifts to the world.  And you have so many, Aiyla.  I know you're gonna change the world.  But you deserve to be a kid first... all children do."  Andrew bowed his head.  "Unfortunately, some don't get the chance.  But that doesn't mean you should feel bad about it.  It's not your fault.  Your parents made the choices they did in part because they wanted you and your brothers and sister to have a happy life.  And you deserve that.  And they deserve to see you enjoying that life.  And, hey, you are doing something.  You've gone to the protests in Omaha with Aunt JenniAnn and me.  That's something!  That's brave!"

Andrew sighed and looked out the window.

"It's scary out there.  I know that.  I... I'm scared, too, sometimes.  So we pray that people are moved to do what's right... that those who are harmed know they're surrounded by God's love... and we take all the opportunities we can get to do what's right and good and honorable.  I know you will, Aiyla."

"I...  Thanks."  Aiyla hugged her uncle.

"Feeling better?"

"Yeah."

"Good, I'm glad.  And I'm always around if you need to talk but right now we better get those garlands down there, hmm?"

"Yeah... before Mom starts pulling up floorboards.  Where did you find them?"

"Just up in the attic.  Sometimes ya just need a fresh set of eyes."

"Yeah.  Guess so."

Aiyla returned her uncle's smile then followed him down to the living room.  Once she entered, Daisy hurried over and hugged her.

"Where did you go?!  Are you okay?"

Aiyla returned her hug and nodded.

"Yeah.  Just needed a minute."

"I'm sure...  It must be hard coming back here.  I'm sorry if I made things harder by suggesting the party."

Aiyla looked around the room then shook her head and clasped Daisy's hand.

"You didn't.  I see now...  This is still our home.  Our family's home.  Appa's house that he let us use to keep us safe.  And now we're safer elsewhere... but it's still home.  Cause we're family."

"That's a really good way to look at it.  And look how happy he looks..."  Daisy waved towards Vincent.

Aiyla smiled.  He really did look happy.  She suspected it broke his heart a bit, too, to have the house be empty.  Now it wasn't.  And she'd already heard Jacob talking about more potential parties. 

Suddenly, Aiyla had a flash of Daisy and Jacob standing in front of the tree, arms around each other, her head resting on his shoulder.  But it didn't scare her now.  Because if it did come to pass, then that would just mean that Daisy was part of her family officially.  And her Uncle Andrew was right.  She'd never be alone.

In the hour that followed, the last of the decorations had been put in their rightful place.  After a delicious dinner of chicken soup and freshly baked bread, everyone crowded into the living room as Vincent began to read aloud.

"'Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that.'"

Aiyla smiled dreamily as she sat between Daisy and Shelby on cushions on the floor, a plate of cookies nearby.  Her Appa and Amma were seated together on one loveseat, her parents on another.  For the first time, it occurred to Aiyla that while her parents undoubtedly felt grief about their move, they must also feel immense pride.  Their house in Asteriana was truly their own.  Her dad had studied the plans with her Uncle Andrew.  He'd helped build the frame and put in the dry wall.  Her mom had carefully weighed all the wallpaper and paint and furniture options, making their home warm and cozy.  It was a good house and Aiyla loved it and she knew that love would only grow.

Aiyla looked over at the couch which Josef and Amber-Marie were sharing with her aunt and uncle.  Her Uncle Andrew caught her gaze and winked at her.  Aiyla winked back, smiling.

She was home.  Because home was wherever she was surrounded by those she loved and who loved her.