<span style="font-style: italic">Stella blinked open her eyes as she felt soemthing cold and wet fall onto her cheek. Looking up at the sky, she watched as little snow flurries drifted down from the gray/white clouds above. She was wearing a tight, form-fitting, pale yellow dress and Claude had his head in her lap as they sat beneath a tree in the new castle garden. Slowly brushing her fingers over his cheek, she looked down at him and smiled. "Merry christmas Claude," she whispered before leaning down, kissing his lips lovingly and gently. <br/>His castle was in perfect shape again and the forest around it was growing, living and breathing once again. The walls around the castle were fixed and sturdy, the bone gate now a real, black metal one. Stella had asked for a garden and they had worked on it together, planting everything and helping it grow. Just her and Claude worked on the garden, so they would have something they had done together. Now sitting beneath one of her favorite trees, she was leaned against the trunk while Claude was layed out in the grass with his head in her lap. Enjoying the cool weather as snow lightly drifted down from th sky to rest on the objects below. <br/>Smiling, she took Claude's hand in hers and pressed it against her stomach. Whispering against his lips, "This is your christmas present." A smile broke out on Claude's face and she laughed softly as he sat up, kissing her with more passion and love than before. </span><br/>~~~~~~~~<br/>Suddenly a howl cut through her dream and a loud pounding echoed in her ears. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at Claude. Wincing in pain as she felt him pressing a make-shift bandage to her side. Slightly gripping his arm, she let her eyes close again but she was concious now. "Claude....I love..you.." she whispered in a tired, heavy voice.<br/>~~~~~<br/>Tom landed with a hard thud on the balcony and watched as Claude ran to Stella, scooping her up in his arms. Slowly struggling up, he looked around for something to use as a weapon before choosing a large, long piece of heavy wood. Picking it up, he silently started over to Claude before standing behind him and raising it above his head, ready to strike him.<br/>~~~~~~<br/>Stella glanced up and alarm flashed through her eyes, gripping his arm hard. "Behind you!" she croaked out. Her body tensing as she prepared for a blow.