The door to the Ryan's appartment slid open.
"Rowena, Duke," Karen Ryan greeted pleasantly. "So glad you could come."
"Thank you for inviting us," Rowena replied. "Are Mi and Oli here yet?"
"Yes, Oliver's been here awhile," Karen answered as Rowena, Duke and toddler Billy entered. "Miette arrived not long before you did, though."
"Mum!" Miette greeted cheerfully. "Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas."
"Hey Duke," Oliver said, looking up and noting the gloves. "Congratulations?"
Duke shrugged.
"I always wanted powers, so I really shouldn't complain nwo that I have them," Duke replied. "Still, not touching people kinda sucks."
"Are you a mutant?" Libby asked.
"Umm, yes."
"Hey cool. When did this happen?"
"A few weeks ago."
"We going to see about it on Fairview?"
"You mean you haven't seen the 'mysterious' ads they're been putting on? The episodes are coming on in January."
"Hey, awesome. And no. because when I'm not playing basketball, I'm playing computer games."
"Usually the Sims," Ivan pointed out.
"Simmies are awesome," Libby declared.
"Last time I looked, people did not get abducted by aliens and men did not have little green babies."
Libby cackled evilly.
"Ahem," Yvette cut in, and approched Rowena with a present. "Merry Christmas."
"Thank you."
And thus is was that the Bradocks and the Ryans enjoyed Christmas together.