Bratayley Christmas Novels & Stories

“Merry Christmas.” “Merry Christmas.” The rest of us did the same. Cato stared at his mother for a while but didn’t say anything. He seemed annoyed with her words rather than pleased. But maybe I was reading too much into it. After dinner, gifts were exchanged. Bates handed Cato the present he’d brought in earlier. “Open it.” He practically tossed it at him. Cato ripped open the box and found a blue watch inside he. He turned it over and saw the engraving in the metal on the back. “To my big brother. Merry Xmas.”

What a merry christmas indeed. As the snow fall became an unexpected, full blown blizzard, Christmas was wished over laptops and phone screens. In the same spirit, she called Brody's partner and made Brandon sit through it. Finding out his name made Beth feel a warm sense of purpose. Maybe it was the Christmas magic, but she liked it the feeling. She liked it a lot. Christopher Time. Such a nice name...

he explained, and I nodded slowly in understanding. “That's understandable,” I murmured in response. “So what do you say, habitat, unless you already got plans for tomorrow?” he enquired, and I sighed, running my fingers through my hair as I thought about it carefully. The kids had never actually gone out to have fun on Christmas Eve, and I was sure they'd be happy about this, but why did it feel like I was doing something wrong? Almost like I was betraying Ryan by going out with Farid when he'd made his intentions known.

But the guidance was always limited to Nate’s review times and didn’t include exam days. They have their homeroom Christmas Party on December 20. Nate’s Secret Santa turns out to be Babylee. They gift him a pair of brand-new Nike Air Force 1! When Nate protests about the price, Babylee reassures him that they’re only replica and not original, but they look so legit that nobody can tell otherwise. Babylee explains they’re Triple-A grade and proudly says: “Just let me know if you want more and I’ll hook you up.”

The year before, when Jamie fell sick, they filled half his room with Christmas gifts just to cheer him up. As for me, every year, my Christmas gifts were whatever items Ava no longer needed. This time, it was finally my turn to get something special, but whatever it was, I would never be able to use it. Just then, my uncle, Cole Hale, and his family walked in with their arms full of bags. With smiles on their faces, they went around exchanging Christmas greetings with everyone. Mom immediately went over toward them. "You're here, Cole! Where's Lyra?"

"Oh you have my angel?" Beatriz nods. "Right. Mum promised me we'll be making more cookies tomorrow and you're still joining too with aunt Gemma, uncle Julio and uncle Luis. And since it's Christmas and there will be guests visiting over the house, we'll be baking lots of chocolate cakes together! So we need to go grocery shopping today. Ooooh! I can't wait to see everyone!" Beatriz happily smiled. She loves Christmas like how I loved the thought of it too. I kiss Tate's temple. "She's such a talker. She obviously got it from you."

Kiara After offering Santa his fill of my milk and cookies, we settle down to watch "Home Alone" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." As the night deepens, we change into some warm clothes. Then, Trey prepares hot chocolate, filling thermoses for our Christmas lights adventure. Excitement courses through me as we drive through the illuminated streets, the colorful displays creating a magical atmosphere. As we pull up to the Botanical Garden, I find myself practically bouncing with anticipation.

“Alright Hot Stuff, you ready for this?” Scott asked. Rayan sighed nervously. “About as ready as I’ll ever be…” They were in the driveway of Scott’s parent’s house, which had very helpfully been left clear just for them. Parked cars lined both sides of the street around them. Both Scott and Rayan were in matching and decidedly hideous holiday sweaters, with Rayan’s being several sizes too big to make it easier to get on and off. It was a bitterly cold, clear, and bright Christmas Eve day, and the guest of honor had just rolled up to the annual Kranston Christmas Party and been unloaded.

I have those exact same pyjamas," he teased and I blushed. It was an old pair of striped pyjama bottoms and a red oversized t-shirt that said merry Christmas. I sat down across the table from Brady and he smiled at me. He seemed comfortable in my grandmother's house with the way he lounged in his seat. "Brady just came over to do some work on the porch. I thought I'd fix it," my grandmother explained, "I can't have you falling." "It's no trouble. It's my day off," Brady said, "and anything for my grandma's best friend." "Such a sweet man, ain't he Jane?" my grandmother commented, pinching the grown man's cheek.

A storm behind the smiles. Maybe it was me. Maybe it was him. Lena shot across the room like a chaotic missile, skidding into me with a hug that knocked the breath from my lungs. “Jesus Christ, you look like a Disney princess who failed the survival side quest,” she said, tugging my hood down. “Did he cheat with a girl? A guy? A whole choir? Spill.” I choked on a laugh—weak, cracked. “Guy.” She froze. Then whispered, “Oh sweetie… that is spectacularly awful. Well done. You win Christmas.”