I took Elyssa's hand, and smiled. "Let's not worry about it right now. It's almost Christmas. Maybe we can convince jolly Saint Nick to lend us a helping hand."

She laughed. "I can only imagine us fighting side-by-side with elves." She quirked an eyebrow. "You realize we have unfinished business, right?"

"Well yeah, there's my dad, Daelissa—"

"No, silly." She poked my nose and grinned. "We never finished our little match."

My brain rewound the past few days before what she meant hit me. "Oh, our wrestling match."

"It's not wrestling." She tugged my hand. "Let's go finish this. I want to kick your butt and be done with it."

"Not gonna happen," I said, following her.

We trashed talked all the way down to the gauntlet room. Elyssa wore a tight sweater and skirt which came to mid-thigh. I had on jeans and a T-shirt, neither of which I wanted to rip to shreds by manifesting. I had a feeling she would beat me handily unless I came up with something. I swung my arms in circles, did some stretches.

"Stop stalling," Elyssa said, hands on hips.

"Your legs are really distracting," I said. Not to mention the way the sweater hugged her curves.

"All's fair in war," she said with a wicked grin, hiking her skirt to show a little more leg. She flashed across the room.

I had time for a startled yelp before she was on me. I twisted to the side, barely keeping my feet as she tried to sweep them from beneath me. We gripped each other's shoulders, our arms tensing to throw the other off balance. Elyssa jerked. I felt her foot against my stomach as she flipped me over while lying on her back. Using the momentum, I finished the flip, landing on my feet, and turned to pin her. She was already up, her foot sweeping low. I jumped. Landed. She finished the spin, her other foot flashing out. I dove forward, off-balance, and landed atop her. We both fell to the floor tangled in each other's arms, laughing.

As we lay on our sides, laughter dying away, I pushed a lock of raven hair behind her ear. "Guess it's a tie."

She nodded. "Probably better this way."

"Better?" I said with a grin. "It's the best. I love you. Thanks for always being there for me."

"As if anyone or anything could stop me." She smothered me with a kiss. "I love you."

I was happy. My family was growing by leaps and bounds. Mom was here. I'd soon bring Ivy here. I felt nearly complete.

Watch out, Dad. You're next.