“Chun Li? Are you all right?” Ryu asked softly.

“Mommy? How come you’re white?” Lien piped up.

Chun Li didn’t very well want to scream at Ryu in anger and frustration in front of Lien. Maybe…she could get him out of here…away from her.

“I’m okay,” Chun Li assured. “Lien…this is Ryu…a…an old friend of mine.”

Ryu got down on one knee, offering his hand. Lien shook it, smiling.

“Hello,” Lien said in her best grown-up voice. “I’m Lien, and I’m four years old.”

“Really? Are you sure you’re four? You look older…” Ryu smiled.

Lien seemed instantly pleased at the compliment. She turned to her mother. “I’m gonna look for my doll.”

“Oh. You didn’t find it in here?” Chun Li asked.

Lien shook her head. She turned to Ryu. “Are you coming with us for Christmas dinner?”

“I…” Ryu faltered, not knowing what to say. “I’m not sure…I…have to see what else I’m doing today.”

“There’s lots of people. Uncle Yun, Uncle Yang, Grandpa, Uncle Fei-”

“Sweetheart,” Chun Li interrupted gently. “I’m not sure if your family is ready for another guest…”

“Can you call them, Mommy?”

Chun Li refrained from grimacing. Ryu could tell that he was obviously unwelcome. It shouldn’t have surprised him. But at least he got to see again.

“Chun Li…I…I just wanted to say hello. I think I’ll be leaving now,” Ryu picked up his bag.

“You’re gonna be by yourself?” Lien asked, horrified.

Ryu nodded. “Yes. I travel alone often.”

“But it’s Christmas!” Lien exclaimed. “Who’s alone on Christmas? And you’re a friend!” She turned to her mother. “Mommy? Can’t you call Grandpa?”

Chun Li nearly sagged against the doorjamb. How could she argue with that? Christmas was the season for generosity…

Chun Li smiled weakly. “Just give me a few minutes, all right?”

Satisfied, Lien nodded as Chun Li headed to the office of the training hall. It was then in the office that she chose to display the stormy emotions in her. She pounded her fist on the desk.

“D*mmit! What are you doing here, Ryu?” Chun Li pushed her back, away from her face. With shaking fingers, she dialed Gen’s number.

“Hello?” came a male’s voice.

“It’s me,” Chun Li spoke up, without preamble.

“Well, Merry Christmas to you, too,” Yun responded.

“Can you guys accommodate another guest?” Chun Li asked.

“Who the hell could be coming for Christmas dinner?” Yun asked. “Wouldn’t they at least have the decency to call us and let us know, instead of dropping in on you and…” he trailed off.

“Yun?”

“Ryu’s back, isn’t he?” Yun asked.

Chun Li sighed. “Yes, he’s back.”

“And?” he pressed.

“What do you think?” Chun Li retorted. “He just waltzed in here like he was welcome, and-”

“Chun…give the guy a break. It’s Christmas…I know he hurt you…but at least he’s there, right?”

“What’s wrong with you?” Chun Li demanded. “Ryu isn’t exactly your favorite person in the whole world!”

“Look…he came to you without letting you know…on Christmas Day, no less. Ryu’s up to something. So why don’t you hear him out?”

“I can’t believe I’m hearing this from you, of all people. Who cares when Ryu comes to visit me. Christmas is just an ordinary day to him. It’s not as if-”

“Chun Li,” Yun interrupted firmly. “Stop being stubborn. Listen to what he has to say. Trust me on this. And tell Ryu that he’s more than welcome for Christmas dinner.”

“Is there some conspiracy going on that I don’t know about?” Chun Li exclaimed. “First my daughter asks him for Christmas dinner…now you’re telling me-”

“Merry Christmas, Chun Li. You can tell me all this later when you bring Ryu,” Yun cut in cheerfully before hanging up.

Chun Li slammed the phone down, glaring at it. She hated to admit it, but Yun did have a point. And she hated it when he was right. He was nearly fifteen years younger than her, and he was making her sound like a child. Well…maybe she was being stubborn about it. Sighing, she went back to the training hall, where Lien was giving him a tour.

Both looked up expectantly.

Forcing a smile, Chun Li spoke up. “I spoke to Yun…and he says you’re welcome to spend Christmas with us.”

Lien cheered. Then she tugged Ryu towards the house. “Let’s eat breakfast now!”

Two hours later, Lien was watching television in the living room, while Chun Li and Ryu were in the dining room, sipping tea after a hearty breakfast.

“You’re still angry with me,” Ryu spoke up.

Chun Li glanced at him quickly, before staring down at her tea. “No…I just…”

“You haven’t said anything to me unless Lien spoke first,” Ryu reminded.

She cringed slightly. During breakfast, Lien would ask Ryu questions, and Chun Li would ask him a few for the sake of conversation. For a man who was usually so oblivious, he was quite perceptive.

“I remember there was a time when you enjoyed being around me…we would spend hours talking to each other. Sometimes at my dojo, under the stars, sometimes in your apartment…in the guest room, with the lights turned off, the moon being our light…”

Chun Li sighed at the reminder. She was fully aware of those times. Her eyes were troubled, displaying a sadness that she tried so hard to keep hidden.

“Then…there was a time when you wouldn’t talk to me at all…” Chun Li said quietly. “Two weeks after Ken’s Christmas party…four years ago…you were speaking, but the words didn’t make any sense. I tried to ask you to clarify everything, but you just brushed me aside…”

Ryu set his cup down. “Regarding that incident…I-”

“It doesn’t matter anymore, anyway. That’s in the past,” Chun Li cut in.

“Then why are you still angry with me?” Ryu asked.

Chun Li’s eyes flashed with frustration. “You fully expect me to hug and kiss you and thank the heavens that you’re here?” She buried her face in her hands. “It doesn’t work that way, Ryu…”

“Then what does work?” Ryu pressed.

Chun Li peeked at him from beneath her fingers, surprised he said such a thing. “What did you say?”

“I…I’m trying to figure out how to get in your good graces again…I’m trying to make up for Christmas four years ago.”

Chun Li stared at him, her mouth gaping as she dropped her hands.

“I know that what happened was in the past, and we can’t undo it…so I’m trying to make things better.”

“But why? What does it matter to you?” Chun Li asked.

Ryu felt his cheeks flood with heat. “A…A part of me still loves you…and seeing you again…made me realize how much…”

They were quiet for several moments. Ryu glanced at Chun Li to gauge her reaction.

“The old Ryu would have never said anything like that,” Chun Li said softly.

“Four years is a long time for a man to change…”

Chun Li lowered her lashes so he wouldn’t see the confusion in her eyes. Why was this happening now? Chun Li thought she had gotten over Ryu. Could it be that she never truly had gotten over him? Was it possible to love just one man for a lifetime…even if that love could never be? She wasn’t sure about anything anymore.