Howdy everyone. So sorry for not updating. Man, sophomore status isn't all its cracked up to be!

So, last time I asked you guys who your favorite character on Rebels is. And the winner is...'drum roll'...SABINE! Ezra was second, and Hera and Chopper were both tied for third. SABINE FANS, REJOICE!

My personal favorite character on Rebels would be Kanan, simply because he is just so loyal. Think about it; season one he sacrifices himself so the crew could escape. In season two he was blinded by Maul, with a lightsaber, in pain, and his first reaction is to 'Go get Ezra.' Lets be honest, who would not want a friend like that? :p

IMPORTANT; something has just been brought to my attention. On Wattpad, there is a author...who has actually stolen one of my short stories from my series Simple Moments. And sadly, I am completely serious. It is not just similar to mine. I got online and found it just last night. There it was, almost word for word. They only cut out a couple of sentences if you read it(though it did not help to disguise this). Not only that, the chapter following is by another fanfic author on this site, who I am in the process of trying to find since I do not know their username, nor the name of the story. And both of these chapters were posted on Wattpad just within the last month or so. Both of these stories are much older than that. I am not angry as much as hurt by this, for both me and the other author. I don't want to publicly offer the username, but if you want to know message me and I will tell you. I don't want anyone else to have this happen to them.

ALSO IMPORTANT; this is the final chapter of Never let Go. I wish I could do more with this, but sadly with school it has become close to impossible. Even I do not think that this chapter is as good as it could have been. But I just want to say thank you all. You guys are just so, so amazing. Your support absolutely astounds me. Thank you all, and may the Lord bless you. And just remember throughout the remainder of this year; you all are awesome people. Whenever life gets you down, I hope that you will find your peace within the storm. Just do your best to remember your worth.

"Just a bit higher….bit more….No Zeb! To the right, almost there…I got it!"

Finally Ezra got the stand of the star over the very tip of the tree. He pumped his fist triumphantly in the air.

"Yes, it's on!" He carefully slid off Zeb's shoulders as his older brother crouched to the ground. The younger stood back and examined the decorated tree with a grin.

"It looks perfect."

"Well, almost perfect." Sabine corrected. She slapped her hands together and rubbed them eagerly. "Come on dad, hurry up and plug up the lights."

Kanan was standing beside the tree itself. He turned his head and rubbed his beard, as though considering the question. "Well, I don't know. I think that it looks just fine this way…"

"Kanaann…" "Dad!" Both Sabine and Ezra moaned at the same time. Zeb rolled his eyes and muttered something underneath his breath about 'annoying kids.' Hera just laughed.

"Love, I think it might be best if you turn them on. Any longer and I think that they might burst with impatience."

"Ew." Kanan pulled a face of disgust. "I'd rather not clean that up, thank you very much." He smirked at the looks his youngest two sent him.

"Alright, alright! On three….two…..two and a half…..two and three quarters…."

"Kanan!"

Kanan chuckled. "Alright, for real this time. On three…two….one!" He plugged them in.

The multi-colored lights flicked on all over the tree. Its beams were bright, framing the ornaments hanging off the branches, and causing the icicles to glitter in an almost iridescent quality.

They all clapped when they came on. Ezra's eyes were wide at the sight. This was the first time in years that he had seen a Christmas tree up close. He had seen them through the windows of other homes, but nothing could beat being right up next to one. And he was amazed to think he had helped to decorate it. The last time he had….

He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. Man, he missed his mom and dad so much at times like these. If he could only see them one more time, hug their necks. Introduce them to Kanan and Hera and let his parents know that he was okay, that he was being taken care of now. That though he missed them, he understood why they had done what they did. And because of what they had done, he had someone, a friend, a person he was proud to call his sister today.

A hand touched his arm. He tore his eyes away from the tree to Hera's own matching green eyes. It was obvious by her face-her gentle, loving expression-that she knew what he was thinking.

"Are you alright, hun?" She asked, low enough not to be heard over the chatter of the others. Slowly, he nodded, a small grin pulling at the corners of his mouth.

Yes, maybe his mom and dad were gone, but at least he was with people who cared for him.

"Yeah, I'm okay." He thought of something and gestured toward the door. "Come on, we need to finish getting ready. It won't be long until everyone gets here."

"Last one to the kitchen is a rotten egg!" A blur shot past them and out of the living room. Laughing, Ezra took off after Sabine. Hera hollered after them to 'stop running in the house. Fine, fall and break your necks. Their yours not mine!" Kanan laughed, but made sure to back her up with his own shout.

"Listen to your mother, both of you!" The both rolled their eyes, but then laughed as they followed the 'kids' into the kitchen.

"No way Zare, you didn't!" Ezra playfully shoved his friend farther into the couch. Zare just laughed.

"I'm serious! You should've seen the kitchen after that. Needless to say, my mom wasn't too thrilled when she got back."

"I'd say." Ezra grinned. "Hera would've killed me if I set off a rocket in the house. She can be super nice, but when she sets down rules you better follow them. A few weeks ago Sabine had Ketsu over to work on a school project…."

Sitting the lounge chair opposite of them, Sabine groaned and buried her face into her hands. Ketsu from beside her laughed.

"I know. Little brothers for you, right?" She winked. "But wait'll until he brings his first girlfriend home. Then you'll get your payback."

"Girlfriend?" Ezra had heard her. Now he wrinkled his nose in distaste. "Ew. I'd rather stay single for the rest of my life, thank you."

"You liar! What was that girl that you met at the home-school club? Eve, right? So help me, you turn red every time you looked at her and you stuttered when she asked you…"

"Zare? Shut up."

They laughed at Ezra's face, now burning bright red. Fortunately for the boy Hera distracted them.

"Well guys, look who just showed up." She stepped away from the doorway. Someone followed her in, their arms filled with packages and wrapped boxes.

"Grandfather!" Sabine jumped from her seat to run over and embrace the man. He laughed, awkwardly shifting the balance of his gifts to pat her back.

"Merry Christmas 'Bine. Here, can you help me with these?"

Once his arms were free, Cham turned to Ezra. He smiled and spread his arms wide.

"Well, hello there my boy."

Ezra smiled. He stood and approached his grandfather. He held out his hand to shake, only to be pulled into an embrace instead. As his face was pressed into the man's chest he felt his hair being ruffled affectionately.

"So how have things been?"

"They've been good." Ezra was finally released from the hug. His face burned as he heard Zare and Ketsu snicker behind him. Apparently Cham noticed his embarrassment too, as he was clearly trying to suppress a smile.

As this exchange was going on, Hera joined the other adults, who were standing by the tree talking. As she stood by the tree she saw Anakin was laughing at something had said, slapping his shoulder in a brotherly way. Kanan chuckled as well, trying to conceal the wince as he tried to discreetly rub the now tender area.

Ahsoka, standing beside her brother, sighed and rubbed her forehead. She smiled as she saw Hera approached and rolled her eyes.

"Anakin's telling one of his stories again. If I hear any of them one more time, I'm afraid that I might be sick."

"Oh come on!" Anakin slung his arms over her slender shoulders. "Admit it, you just love these stories." He then smirked as an idea occurred to him.

"I know, how about I tell them about the when you were seven and you decided to use Dad's old philosophy book and use it for…"

"I'm sure they don't want to hear about that." She shoved his arm off her. "And if you don't quit, as soon as we get home I'm telling Padme that you were the one that gave Leia the pie the other day when she wasn't supposed to have any sweets."

"Alright!" Anakin threw his hands in the air. "I'll do whatever you ask, just please don't tell her about that."

"Now that's more like it." Now it was Ahsoka wearing the smirk. With the way she and Anakin were acting, one would have thought that they were siblings from birth. But Hera knew that they weren't related by blood. Obi-wan, their father, had adopted Anakin when he was about eight, before taking in the then five year old Ahsoka six years later. Despite the age gap, and the lack of blood relation, the two had managed to grow close and had remained so through the years.

On and on the evening went. The house was filled with laughter as everyone chatted. Snacks were eaten, games were played, and jokes were exchanged.

Then it was time to exchange gifts. Kanan, playfully dawning a Santa hat, elected himself to be the one to pass out the gifts.

"Ezra." The boy himself, sitting on the floor with Sabine and sorting in her new paint kit, looked up. His blue eyes widened in surprise at the package that Kanan was holding out to him. The when the youth didn't imeddianlty take it Kanan's smile dimmed. He now looked concerned instead.

"Kid, you okay?"

Ezra seemed to snap out of his daze. He smiled and scoffed as he took the gift. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" He turned back to the box. He ripped back the paper. Surprise covered his face as it was revealed.

"Alright!" He held it up. It was an old helmet. Unlike most old war helmets, it was white, with blue stripes.

"That came from Rex." Ahsoka said from her place upon the love-seat. A can of soda dangled from her fingertips.

"It belonged to him when he was younger. He thought that it might be something Ezra would enjoy." She nudged Anakin from next to her when he pulled her red curls teasingly.

Ezra fondled the helmet. He lifted it up, carefully lowering it over on his head. It was slightly large on him, threatening to fall forward into his eyes. Still his smile was bright enough to light up the entire room.

"This is awesome! Remind me to thank him when he gets back from his trip." As of now Rex, who was Ahsoka's cousin, was in Canada visiting his brothers.

It was almost an hour later when all the gifts were exchanged. Once the wrapping paper had been cleared from the floor and dumped into garbage bags, Sabine pulled out her keyboard and started to play christmas hymns.

They were almost at the chorus of 'Silent Night' when Kanan felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked down at the face of the blue-eyed teen beside him.

Ezra fidgeted when Kanan's gaze dropped upon him. He lowered his eyes. He dropped something into the man's hand.

"This is for you guys."

Hera, sitting on Kanan's other side, leaned in as her husband unwrapped the small gift. Both smiled at what was uncovered.

It was a picture frame. Inside was a small piece of paper and attached to it were cutouts of different photos. There was one of Sabine and Ezra, the elder with an arm thrown around the boy's shoulders as they laughed. There was one of Zeb, tinkering with a motorcycle. And there was one of Hera and Kanan, the woman leaning into his chest as they both smiled at the camera.

And in the center of it all was a photo of all of them together. Kanan recognized it as the one taken at Sabine's birthday a few months before. Sabine had jumped onto Zeb's back, arms around his neck as they laughed. Hera was beside Kanan with her arm around his waist and the other linked with Zeb's arm. And Ezra stood in front of Kanan, smiling brightly with one of the man's arms draped across his shoulders.

On impulse Kanan wrapped his arm around Ezra and embraced him tightly.

"I love you kid."

Ezra curled up into his side and rested his head on Kanan's shoulder. And Kanan heard the small voice echo back his small sentiment.

Hera leaned on Kanan's other side. He wrapped his arm around her and rested his head on her own, Ezra's gift still sitting in his lap. Together the three of the watched the others. They laughed as Sabine nudged off Ketsu as she tried to mess up her playing. Hera smiled as she watched her father and Zeb, teasing and slapping each others' back. They watched Ahsoka and Anakin get into a verbal match (Ahsoka won).

And for the first time in a long while, everything was at peace.