Malcolm Reynolds was sitting on the bed, holding a now bathed, four-year old Naomi who was squirming on his lap causing her wet, brown waves to bath his face as she laughed.

"Stop it daddy!" she yelled but Mal only tickled harder and the little one was now twitching.

"You surrender, baby-mine?" he paused as she looked up at him with saucer-wide, innocent green eyes. She looked so much like her mother...

"NEVER!" But obviously, she took much of her father's character. In fact it's been only a week since she took off her plaster cast, she had broken her arm by falling down the stairs. She was girly-ish mind you, but when it came to games with her daddy and fights with the boys at school... she was as stubborn and strong as him.

When the tickling war ended, Naomi sat in her father's lap, tired of the game - that's when Inara came from the bathroom.

"So, are my precious fighters taking a break?"

"Yes mommy, I won this time!"

"Looks like I've got competition 'Nara." Mal smiled proudly giving her a kiss as she joined them on the bed. He treasured quality time with his family more than his own ship - of course, Serenity was home but nothing can compare to his love for the two girls of his life.

"Well, never under-estimate a girl ai ren." she smiled that bright smile of hers which made him crazy.

"Oh. I've learned that baobei, don't you worry on that."

"Can I ask you something?" Naomi was now in the middle of the bed, safely surrounded by her parents.

"Sure, sweetie." said Inara as she let her daughter rest her head on her breast, still holding tight to her father's arm.

"How did I come here?"

"What do you mean, honey?" asked Mal, perplexed by this sort of question.

"I don’t remember coming here for the first time, I just remember being here when was three but not before." the girl could be never insulted of being an idiot she was very brainy and cunning for the little girl she was and they treated her like an adult sometimes because they knew she just understands.

"Well, you actually slept nine months in my tummy." the mother smiled down at her baby.

"Really, mommy?" cooed the little one "How did I fit in there?" she said indicating her mother's small waist.

"Aww, honey bun. Your mama wasn't that slim when you were born. You were smaller mind you but your ma's tummy grew big to hold you in." Mal's chest couldn't help puffing with pride at the memory of his beautiful, pregnant wife and how she glowed especially for him and even prouder of the life they created together.

“Not to mention when you were kicking…” Inara remembered fondly the way Mal’s face shone when they felt the first kick of their baby.

“I’m sorry mama. I didn’t want to hurt you.” she hugged the mother even tighter.

“It’s ok, sweetie. All the babies do that and it reassured us you were okay.” Inara ran her hand through her daughter’s hair soothingly.”

“Okay… Can I sleep here tonight?” she yawned.

Mal and Inara looked at each other for a moment.

“Sure cupcake.”

He held his girls as they slept.

“After all, Christmas wasn’t so bad when he had his own angels!

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Merry Christmas to you all people!!!!

Kim