Mal stood on the bridge looking out into the Black. He was in the middle of his usual rounds of the Serenity but this was a special night, it was Christmas Eve. The crew was sound asleep, full of real food for a change and plenty of inter engine courtesy of Kaylee. Mal had thrown back a couple of glasses himself and now that he was alone memories of Christmas’ past he kept only to himself bubbled to the surface.

Some were good memories of childhood Christmases on Shadow. Christmas days filled with a big tree in the parlor that Mal would watch his Ma decorate, longing to be tall enough to help. Finally on those last few Christmases on Shadow, he went with one of the hands to find a suitable tree to bring home and set up in the antique holder.

On Christmas Eve, Mal’s Ma made sure Mal and the hands attended midnight service at the local church. one period too many The Shepherd would elaborate on the phrase “peace in the ‘verse, good will towards men” in his short homily. There would Christmas greetings to friends and neighbors after the service outside the church, but no matter how warm the wishes the cold night air made Mal long for his warm bed.

Christmas dinner was the biggest meal of the year on the Reynolds ranch. His Ma ,along with Sophia, the foreman’s wife, would cook for days in preparation for that great day. Roasts, casseroles, vegetables and other good things to eat came out of the oven and made the house a torture of heavenly smells.

Pies and cakes would also come out of that oven, including Mal's favorite apple pie .He'd never admit to the weakness now, but he would do anything for a piece of his Ma's apple pie. Even now Mal’s mouth watered at the thought of the exquisite blend of apples, cinnamon and sugar that his mother baked to perfection.

There were, of course presents on Christmas Day. Mostly practical ones, because Mal outgrew or wore down clothes and boots at an amazing rate. There were also hats, gloves and the like.

Every once and while he got a surprise. Mal had been up