Chapter Text
Christmas day dawned the way it always did in the Lawliet household: the kids were screaming with excitement, Truce was running around and wagging his tail in anticipation of his turkey dinner and L and Light shared a sweet kiss under the mistletoe. They hung the mistletoe from the beam just outside the lounge simply because it was one of the most used parts of the house. L and Light freely admitted this to Matt and Mello when they arrived to help sort out the presents. It was a young tradition, seeing as the children were only two, but a tradition nonetheless. Everyone would gather round L and Light's Christmas morning to open their gifts together before heading to Sachiko and Souichiro's for her legendary Christmas dinner.
"Presents!" Naomi squealed, tugging on L's arm to get his attention. She didn't understand why her parents would want to be doing something as boring as kissing when there were presents downstairs waiting to be opened!
"Presents!" Light Junior joined in and tried to climb up Light's leg.
"Okay, okay, Little man" Light laughed as he reached down to pull Light off him. "Do you think Santa Claus has been?"
"Yes" two little voices answered in unison, eyes wide and solemn in their conviction that yes, Santa Claus had been. They had been good all year… well, *some* of the year anyway.
"We have to wait for the others to arrive" L reminded gently as his kids tried to barge into the lounge. Mello's little icing sugar footprints stood out atarkly on the wooden floor and the kids shrieked with excitement at the sight of them.
"He's been!" Naomi declared victoriously.
"I suppose he has" L smiled, "Why don't you do look outside? The reindeer might have left you something"
The kids rushed off giving L the perfect excuse to yank Light's collar and pressed his lips against his. He was excited too. Not for gifts but for the renewal ceremony that was taking place after lunch.
"Mmm" Light mumbled against L's lips, wrapping a hand around the nape of his neck to deepen the kiss. "I love you so much, Baby"
"I love you too" L sighed, eyes sparkling with happiness. He stared at Light and tenderly stroked his face, imagining what things would be like in five years time when they would say their vows again. The kids would be seven then and they would be growing up so quickly…
L smiled at the thought. One thing was for sure, his love for Light would be the same. His love for Light was something eternal and evergreen.
"HO HO HO mother fuckers!"
L and Light shared an exasperated look. "Matt and Mello are here" Light announced with a grin. They walked outside and were greeted by a blast of crisp winter air and Mello in a custom designed Santa outfit. Instead of the usual red and white Mello had decided neon pink and beige were more suitable and had completed his outfit with a pair of purple ugg boots.
'Never change, Mels' L thought as Mello scooped up the kids and planted kisses on their faces.
"Dad!" Naomi was pointing at a pile of glittery 'reindeer poop'.
"Naughty Reindeer" Matt tsked. "Look, they've eaten all their carrots!"
Light junior proudly showed off the empty platter Light had filled with carrots the night before. Light had fed them to the ponies once the kids were in bed and L had 'helpfully' disposed of Santa's mince pie and eggnog.
L craned his neck and saw the others arriving. Naomi, his sweet Naomi, was still in her dressing gown and looking a bit worse for wear. Clearly Raye Junior, who was coming in four, had kept her up half the night.
"Urgh. Merry Christmas" Raye groaned when they joined the small group.
"Rough night?" Light asked as Naomi yawned.
"Mmm. Someone didn't go to sleep until three am, did they?" Naomi gave her son a sharp glance. Raye Junior blushed and scuffed his feet. He could tell his mum wasn't *too* bad at him because she was still smiling.
"Why don't you guys go in and grab a coffee?" L took pity on them, "We'll round up everyone else and meet you inside"
"Bless you, Sweetie" Naomi pecked L's cheek with a kiss, "Any whisky?"
"Top cupboard, Babe, make me one while you're at it, yeah?" L winked at her. Light and Raye met each others eyes and smirked at their other halves behaviour. They were still as thick as thieves! They probably always would be too.
Yuri and Anton eventually stumbled out of their house, a bit bleary eyed and disheveled. Light smirked at the sight of them. No doubt they had been on their customary vodka-fueled Christmas eve bender and were now suffering the consequences.
"Merry Christmas, Ant and Yuri" L said deliberately loudly, "Don't you two look bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning!"
"Ugh, shut up, L" Anton moaned as he massaged his temples.
"Charming" L sniffed with a wicked grin on his face. "No Irish coffee for you then?"
"Suck my dick" Yuri grumbled in Russian, aware of little ears close by.
"No thanks, Light's is the only dick I like sucking on" L returned in perfect Russian, "Kind of you to offer though!"
Souichiro finally managed to drag Sachiko away from the kitchen long enough to watch the grandchildren open their gifts. Everyone gathered round the lounge and tore into their mounds of presents. L and Light watched the kids squeal with glee and smiled at each other. Seemed the kids had been pretty good after all this year.
Naomi handed out the coffees as she watched Junior jump around in excitement. She and Raye had got him the bike he was after and she was already bracing herself for the scabby knees and accidents that were bound to happen. His joy was worth it though, and wasn't having a few bumps and scrapes part of being a kid anyway?
The adults opened their gifts once the kids were happily playing. Sachiko promptly excused herself with a 'The stuffing! I forgot the stuffing!' And Souichiro had no choice but to abandon his coffee when his wife yelled at him to start laying the table.
Christmas was always a busy time of year but this year Sachiko was going the extra mile. The minister who had married L and Light would be arriving in a few hours time for the vows and after dinner she still had the flowers, decorations, candles to light the champagne to-
"Calm down, my dear. It will be fine-" Souichiro tried to soothe his whirlwind wife as she hurried out the door. Sachiko huffed at him and grabbed his arm, frog marching him out the door.
"Calm down? Our son is renewing his vows in three hours time! In our home! It has to be perfect! Now, move your ass, Souichiro!"
Light winced at the sound of his mother hen pecking his father while L laughed sardonically as Souichiro meekly followed her out.
"Heh, your mum is such a legend" L chuckled.
"Sometimes I swear dad needs a medal. I can't believe mum used to be such a traditional little housewife!" Light shook his head in wonder. The last six years had changed everyone but no one as much as his mother. He was pleased by the changes in her and had to admit L was right, she *was* a legend.
"Not anymore. That ladies got *balls*" Naomi butted in and lifted her liquered coffee in a toast to Sachiko.
"To balls" L smirked as Naomi clicked her mug with his.
"Balls?" Mello piped up, "Whose balls?"
"Oh my god" Anton moaned, the smell of whisky making him feel sick. He loved his friends dearly, but right now they were all being very loud and it made him want to curl into a ball and die.
"Balls?!" Little Light said loudly. Light shot Mello a filthy look and made a fuss of playing with Light's new toys.
"Whoops" Mello, utterly unrepentant, shrugged and helped himself to a tot of whiskey straight out the bottle. "Merry christmas all!" He cheered. Matt rolled his eyes fondly as Mello knocked back a few shots and wondered how sloshed he would be before lunch…
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"I hate sprouts" a very intoxicated Mello groaned as Sachiko heaped a pile on his plate.
"They are good for you. You will eat them all up, young man" Sachiko sniffed as she placed an extra few on Mello's plate, just for kicks.
"Yes, Ma'am" Mello sighed, eyes sad as he stared down at the ugly, smelly green balls of crap he'd have to eat.
The family dug into dinner and L got out of eating sprouts by giving Sachiko the 'puppy-dog-eyes' and whining that they really didn't agree with him. Matt snickered as Mello seethed in anger. L shot Mello a triumphant look and smirked at his sprout-free plate.
"Children" Raye reminded, looking at the *adults* and not at the kids who were actually behaving for a change.
"Sorry, Dad" Matt giggled. Naomi smirked at him and decided that actually Raye *was* the dad figure in their group. He was always admonishing L for eating 'too much sugary crap' always lecturing Mello on swearing around the kids and without Raye she doubted anyone would accomplish much. He knew their schedules by heart and was always quick to remind L when he had a hospital check up coming up.
'I love you, you big control freak' Naomi thought. Maybe it was the Irish coffee or the Christmas spirit but she couldn't stop herself nestling into him. Raye looked delighted at the display of affection and kissed his wife tenderly.
"Gross" Raye Junior declared. Everyone knew he wasn't talking about the sprouts.
Dinner passed slowly for L. He glanced at the clock, growing more excited with each passing second. He forced himself to eat since he didn't want to offend Sachiko, but his stomach was churning sheer excitement and it was hard to force it down.
As soon as Dinner was over, Sachiko ordered everyone out so she could begin her preparations. The kids were content to play with their new toys outside, Anton and Yuri were content to find a quiet corner to curl up and die in, but L and Light were a bundle of nerves.
"Its stupid. We've been married five years. Why are we feeling so nervous?" Light wondered aloud as L made another Irish coffee.
"I don't know" L admitted. "I guess it might be because… Well, it's bringing it all back, isn't it? How much has changed since we first met"
Light grimaced as he thought back to those early days of self-loathing and his inability to accept the truth. If L hadn't have smashed into his life so spectacularly would he have ended up living a lie?
Probably.
"Baby, everyday with you has been something I've cherished. Even when we lost our way for a while… I know I say it a lot but you really *are* my world" Light reached for L and pressed a kiss to his hair, "Guess emotions are just running a bit high today?"
"Mmm" L rested his head against Light's shoulder and could have quite easily fallen asleep in his arms. He felt those arms wrap around his waist and hold him tightly and closed his eyes, contentment and a feeling of rightness washing over him.
Light chuckled when he realized L had actually fallen asleep on his feet. Nerves had kept them both from getting a good nights sleep before, so Light carefully scooped l up and deposited him gently on the couch. Hopefully a catnap would help soothe him a bit. Light left L to sleep and went to find Naomi. He'd discovered whenever he was feeling nervous or afraid talking to that fearless force of nature always helped.
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L had no idea why, but he found himself in the peak district. It was a beautiful spring day and he was walking through a wildflower meadow. He felt at peace and the sun seemed to cast a hazy glow over his beautiful surroundings.
'This is a nice dream. I wonder why Light isn't in it though?' L thought. Up ahead he could see two familiar figures sat on a bench. He squinted and his heart skipped a beat as he recognized them.
Quillish and Beyond!
L ran the rest of the way towards them and stared at them as he skid to a halt just metres away.
"Beyond? Quillish?" He asked, frightened he would wake up and find them gone and once again out of reach.
"L" both turned to him and L felt his breath catch in his throat. They were *smiling* and Beyond looked so damn happy! He looked just like the Beyond from all those years ago he had fallen in love with.
Without warning, tears sprung to his eyes as he tried to come to grips with what was happening. This dream was achingly bittersweet and he wasn't sure how he felt.
"This isn't a dream, L. We've called you here to congratulate you and give you comfort. We've been watching over you, every step of the way, and we are so very proud of you"
L bit back a sob as Beyond stood up in that graceful, feline way of his and gathered him into his arms. There was no possessiveness, no lust in his actions, only love and comfort.
"I'm myself again, L. I'm so sorry for everything I put you through, my love. I am so very sorry" Beyond whispered into his ear, "When one becomes a spirit all their pain and suffering they endured in life melts away. I wish I could take back everything I did that hurt you, L, but I can't. The only thing I can do is apologize and try and give you some closure. I heard you, you know, when you and Light came to visit my grave? I tried to reach out to you… I just… I just want you to know that I am *happy* you have found your soulmate in Light Yagami. I wish it could have been me, but I love you enough to let that go"
L clutched at Beyond tighter, his head reeling as he absorbed his words. Tears ran unchecked down his face and the familiar smell of leather and roses washed over him as he breathed it in.
"Beyond, I'm so happy you're *you* again" L finally managed to reply. "Are you happy, my love? Are you really happy now?"
"I am. I'm finally at peace and I want you to be as well" Beyond squeezed him tightly before reluctantly letting go. L was no longer his, and he would never cause him pain again. Like Anton, he loved L enough to let him go. It was fate that he was bound to Light Yagami.
L turned tearfilled eyes to Quillish and accepted a hug from his grandfather. They sat together on the bench and L listened intently as they told him about 'the spirit realm' and how they had been following his journey. Beyond actually cried as he admitted he had been unable to reconcile with J's soul yet, even though he had been trying to reach out to him. L wished he could comfort him, but he couldn't. What Beyond had done to him had been awful, yes, but Beyond had been sick. J was just a vile, nasty person through and through.
"It will be time for you to wake up soon, L" Beyond took his hand in his and squeezed it gently. "I think its rather sappy of Yagami to want to renew your vows every five years… but it's pretty beautiful too"
"It is, isn't it?" L felt so torn. He wanted to stay and talk to them more in this beautiful dream they'd created, but he knew Light would be waiting for him. He had his vows to say and suddenly he wasn't nervous at all.
"What if I wake up and think this was just a dream?" L fretted as his surroundings began to slowly dim and grow hazy.
"You won't. When you wake up it will start to snow"
"What?! But it's sunny outside" L glanced at them both in confusion.
"It won't be when you wake up. We have to go now, L, and you need to return. We love you"
L felt panic seized him as they suddenly faded before his eyes.
"No! Wait! Don't leave me!"
"We love you, L"
Suddenly everything was fading away. The meadows and the hills shimmered before him and L could hear the ticking of a clock. He thought he heard his name but he wasn't sure. Dream lapsed into reality as he smelled the incense Sachiko was burning…
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"L! L! L?!"
L jolted awake, hand outstretched and eyes wide with panic. He didn't want the dream to be over!
"Baby, it's okay" Light soothed. L saw through blurry eyes Light and Naomi were hovering over him, concern on their faces.
"It's going to snow!" L blurted out and lurched to his feet as their words came rushing back to him.
"Uh… okay?" Naomi shot Light a concerned look as L rushed towards the window. He drew the curtain back and gasped in wonder at the soft flakes twirling towards the ground.
"What?!" Naomi and Light hurried over, shocked at this sudden change in weather. How the hell had L even *known* it was going to snow?
"They came to me in a dream!" L was babbling away about Beyond and Quillish and the Lake District in such a fast and excited way it confused both Light and Naomi.
"Honey, that sounds like a lovely dream-" Naomi tried but was cut off swiftly when L shook his head and pointed to the snow. It was swirling down and covering the ground at a pretty fast pace. Naomi was still a bit stunned. The reports had said it was going to be sunny and cold. There had been no inclination snow was due. In this part of Greece snow was rare.
"They told me when I wake up it will snow and that is how I will know it *wasn't* a dream" L grabbed Light and squeezed his hand in his. "I saw Beyond, Light. And he is *better* he isn't sick anymore!"
Light frowned in uncertainty. L looked so radiant with happiness he didn't want to say anything to spoil it.
"It's true, you know. He said you asking to renew our vows every five years was 'sappy but beautiful'" L quoted with a big smile on his face. Light snapped his mouth shut. That sounded like something Beyond Birthday would have said.
Naomi glanced at Light and L and shrugged. She had no idea if what L had experienced was real or not. She supposed the only one who really knew that was L himself and he appeared so at peace and happy…
"Well, I guess that's wonderful" Light pressed a kiss to L's cheek. He didn't know what to think, but he delighted in seeing L so rapturous.
"It's nearly time to say our vows, Light. I'm not nervous anymore. Fuck, I can't be nervous about *anything* anymore. Let's go outside!" L grabbed light's hand and began pulling him out the door. Naomi grabbed their coats and they all walked out into the snow, smiling as it continued to drift down and blanket the ground.
"Fuck me" Naomi whispered, eyes growing wide as she saw the message carved into the fresh blanket of snow.
"Congratulations L and Light. Love, Beyond and Quillish"
"This is impossible!" light whispered, scarcely able to believe their eyes. No one was outside and that message hadn't been there two minutes ago when they were staring out of the window.
"See?" L smiled smugly, "I told you it wasn't a dream!"
Light continued to stare at the words on the ground. Suddenly it all made sense. L and Beyond had made their peace. L had seen proof of the existence of ones soul. No wonder he was so jubilant!
A sense of peace and wonder descended over them as they stood in the snow and watched as the message was slowly covered with fresh snowfall. It had completely disappeared within five minutes but it was burned into their memories. Not one of them would forget it for as long as they lived.
"Guys!"
They turned to find Matt poking his head out of the door. "The minister is here. Woah. The fuck did this snow come from?"
L and Light shared a look.
"A dream" L smiled, "A very lovely dream"
'I will tell them all what happened later. I hope it gives them as much comfort and happiness as it has given me' L thought as they made their way back inside.
Sachiko had somehow transferred her lounge into a sweet smelling haven of flickering candles, beautiful flowers and burning incense.
"This is stunning" L smiled as he looked around. He felt so calm and at peace when he held Light's hand and prepared to say his vows again. Quillish and Beyond were watching from wherever they were, and he knew in his heart from this day forward until his last day he wouldn't be afraid anymore. Not of anything. With Light's love he was utterly untouchable.
"Sit down quietly" Naomi hissed as Junior tried to sneak out to go back to his toys. The family slotted into their seats and even the dogs sat quietly on their beds as the minister beckoned L and Light forward.
"Today we mark five years since L and Light made a promise to one another. They promised to stand together through the storms in life and hold fast to one another. The path they have walked down has not always been easy, but they have remained each other anchor and stood firm against the tide. I cannot express how happy I am to be here to perform this blessing once again" the minister shot the couple a bright smile and they smiled back at her, for her words had touched their hearts. They really were each others anchors through life.
Assisted by Naomi and Anton, little Naomi junior and Light Junior toddled up to the makeshift altar with the rings.
"Thank you, Darling" L whispered as he took the ring from his daughter. The smile on her face was beautiful and he leaned down to press a tender kiss to her cheek.
"Love you, Daddy" Naomi nuzzled against him, little arms wrapping around his neck.
"I love you too, My Sweetheart" L breathed in her babysoft smell and closed his eyes. He was the luckiest man on the planet. He had two beautiful children, a family who had been with him through thick and thin and his Light…
Light ruffled Junior's hair as he handed him the ring.
"Yucky smooching" Junior announced as he jutted his chin and L and Light.
"That is *exactly* what is going to happen" Light grinned. Junior groaned and looked up at Anton as if to say 'Really?' The children returned to their seats and L and Light turned to face one another.
As if the years that had passed between them hadn't happened, Light perfectly recited the vows he had spoken beneath the olive tree on lovers hill.
L repeated his vows but added some new ones, born of more recent experience. His voice sure and eyes steady as he pledged to always be there for Light, to never again take his love for granted and to show him daily how much he treasured him.
Light repeated these new vows of L's, eyes shining down at L as he slipped the ring on his finger. L put Light's ring on and they grinned at each other, their love rejuvenated as their vows rang softly through their minds.
"You may now seal your love with a kiss" the minister smiled, wondering if they were going to get quite as carried away as they had the first time.
Light leaned in and L wrapped his arms around his neck. This time they kissed slowly and gently, their passion was older and more mature now. There was nothing but love in the kiss as they held each other tightly.
'Kinky stuff can wait till later' Light thought with a grin. He pulled away and nuzzled L's nose with his own. The applause from their family and the sweet scent of incense made this moment seem dream like and perfect.
"There was just one thing I forgot to say" L whispered as he tenderly stroked a finger down Light's face.
"What was it?" Light whispered back, caught in the moment. It was just him and L and suddenly nothing else in the world mattered. They were living the sweetest dream each time they held each other in their arms.
"I'm gonna love you forever, Light"
The words held a deeper meaning now they knew forever was a very real thing. Beyond and Quillish had taught them that.
"I'm going to love you forever, L" Light's voice broke as he felt tears fall from his eyes.
They kissed once again and rejoiced in one another, souls finally at peace as they loved and was loved in return.
The snow continued to drift down gently like the silent blessing it was. In the distance church bells rang and together the family returned outside to play in the snow.
Excited shrieks rang out through the muffled silence as old and young alike played together, pelting one another with snowballs.
The children tired after a few hours of playing in the snow and Sachiko led her grandchildren back inside for some hot chocolate and a nap. L, Light and their friends stayed outside as dusk began to fall. The day had passed so quickly but it felt oddly timeless as well.
"Boys, you had better split" Naomi winked at them knowingly, "Sachiko has the kids. Go and enjoy your wedding night"
L shivered with anticipation as Light's eyes gleamed at the words. He had a feeling his husband would make sure he enjoyed every second of it. They said their goodbyes to their family, content with the knowledge they would continue their Christmas celebrations together at Sachiko's.
'We will always be together' L thought as he stood with Light, hands entwined, and watched his family return to the warm haven off Sachiko's home.
Naomi, his fierce, beautiful best friend. Raye as serious and devoted as ever. Matt and Mello, his earnest best friends he would die for. Anton and Yuri…
'I love each and every one of you with my whole heart' L thought as he waved goodbye to them once more before the door closed behind them. He and Light were booked to spend the night at what they know considered *their* spa to celebrate their 'wedding' night.
Light held out his hand and L took it. Neither spoke, they said all they needed to say to one another by the soft look of love and adoration that passed between them.
Together they walked off into the sunset, just as Light had always promised they would…