After they finished their Christmas Eve feast, it was time to exchange gifts.
With so many people, the presents had piled into little mountains around the house, far too many to fit beneath the Christmas tree. Everyone simply carried their gifts onto the carpet and sat on the floor, laughing and chatting as they unwrapped them.
It was rare for the whole family to be together like this and enjoy Christmas in peace. Even the usually stern Bruce refrained from insisting on rules or saying anything to spoil the mood.
Stephanie was chasing Dick around, ribbing him about his recklessness on their last mission. Laughing and horsing around, they bumped into each other and nearly knocked over the plate of cookies on the coffee table. Alfred reached out in time to steady it. "Careful, children," he said, helpless but indulgent.
Nearby, Kate and Luke quietly discussed Gotham's recent public safety situation, occasionally nodding in agreement. Duke sidled up to Damian and watched him unwrap a custom set of art supplies, complimenting how nice they looked. The boy awkwardly turned his face away, but he did not put them away.
Jason leaned by the window, leafing through the books Duke and Luke had given him. Occasionally interrupted by Dick and the others' laughter, he let out a scoff, but refrained from spewing any more venom.
Some gave little gasps of delight as they opened their gifts, some gathered to chat quietly, some sat in peaceful silence, and others teased one another. Their voices overlapped, not noisy, but wonderfully lively.
Bruce sat at the head of the room, his fingertips resting against the rim of his cup, in no hurry to unwrap his presents. He said little, but kept watching the people laughing and playing together.
Cassandra stood quietly in a corner.