Plight Before Christmas Novels & Stories

“Please, sweetheart… not again,” Jade murmured, staring helplessly at her laptop screen. It was the 31st of November. Christmas was coming fast, and the streets outside Jade’s apartment were already exploding with music, lights, cinnamon-scented vendors, couples taking photos, and kids chasing fake snow. But Jade wasn’t a part of any of it. Inside her cramped apartment, Harper’s cries scraped through the air.

—Ricardo was startled by his father's statement and must have understood that I had premeditated that night. ― I had said that I regretted dying without having the joy of seeing a grandchild born and Manuela revealed that she dreamed of having a child with Ricardo. That's why we made our requests to the Universe and it sent us more than two miracles, but three. My health and my two grandchildren. And now I want to make a toast to my Christmas miracles. Everyone raised their glasses. Alice and I had the fruit juice, but it had the same meaning as the champagne they all drank. Later, after the distribution of gifts, I asked Ric if he was disappointed in me and he replied:

She needed some ideas. As Christmas drew closer, the department store was livelier than before. Some stalls were even selling decorations, garlands, and “Merry Christmas” signs. It was a rare sight, though few people were actually buying. Most survivors were still struggling just to eat. Decorations were a luxury they could not afford. People stopped to look, more for the memory than anything else. For a brief moment, it felt like the old world again, before reality settled back in and dimmed their expressions.

Their unspoken desires, like shimmering stars in the winter sky, danced in silent harmony, carrying the promise of reunion and the timeless enchantment of the season. As Asmo found himself amidst the vibrant tapestry of Christmas cheer, a whimsical thought took root in his mind, unfurling like a mischievous wisp of laughter in the midst of his introspection. Pondering the age-old enigma of Father Christmas, he found himself ensnared in a labyrinth of bemusement, his brow furrowed in mock solemnity as he contemplated the veracity of the jolly old figure who traversed the world in a single night.

Arthur and I join the others in the living room, where a beautiful Christmas tree stands, twinkling with lights and ornaments. We gather around, everyone smiling and chatting, waiting for the clock to strike twelve. There’s a sense of anticipation, and I can feel Arthur’s hand tighten around mine. Finally, the clock strikes midnight, and a cheer goes up. “Merry Christmas!” everyone calls out, exchanging hugs and kisses. Gifts are passed around, and the room fills with laughter and joy. After the gifts are exchanged, we all raise our glasses for a toast. Arthur’s father, a kind man with a twinkle in his eye, leads the toast.

It was Christmas Eve, and the snow was falling thick and fast outside. A lone figure stood in the street, looking up at the sparkling lights on the houses around them. This was not just any figure, though. This was Andrew, a man who had made his fortune in the stock market, and was now one of the richest people in the world. But he wasn't feeling very rich right now. In fact, he was feeling rather lonely. He had no one at home right now. He had no family he could call his. No one to love, no one to love him.

I stand alone on the icy field, turning back every few minutes to look at the road behind me. When my hands grow numb from the cold, I scroll my social media feed and see a recent post from my younger sister, Giada Soave. Holding gifts in her arms, she sits beneath a luxurious crystal Christmas tree with my parents embracing her from both sides. Ivano stands behind her with his hand resting lightly at her waist and his eyes full of tenderness. The caption reads, "Merry Christmas, I'm grateful to spend the holiday with those who love me most!" The comments section buzzes with blessings, praise, and envious messages.

In the back of her mind, she heard a nagging voice questioning whether or not he really wanted to talk to her at all and if he had only said he’d meet her at the tree farm to quiet his excited child. Christmas decorations were everywhere now. Garlands and large, velvety red bows hung from the lampposts, and every shop had a wreath on the door, their display windows covered in red and green. Each evening when the sun began to go down, the entire downtown area would blaze to life with the sparkle of thousands of twinkling, white lights decorating every building, every post, and every tree. Charles Town was absolutely beautiful at Christmas, and even though she longed for the days when she’d wa

Only, not a single person is awake to witness it. This time, Christmas gift to humanity is apocalypse. Santa rushed to make it an early delivery.

Only, “With friends.” I sat in front of the big picture window in our living room with the shades open, only the light of the Christmas tree illuminating the space, and stared at the snow. It wasn’t falling, not right now, but there was plenty on the ground, and the wind would whip up from time to time and stir it, giving the illusion it was coming down again. I thought about how different things were last year. Across town, Drew Peterson’s little brothers would be going to bed soon, probably asking Santa to bring back their sister. Alice and Steve Cook had lost their only child; Christmas would never be the same for them.