Plight Before Christmas Novels & Stories

As good as it was, it was just not something that could continue. It was the beginning of December and Christmas was almost here. I really had grown to hate holidays these past few years. Everyone was always so happy and surrounded by family. With Susan gone and no children, Christmas was just depressing as hell for me. The extent of my Christmas shopping was a present for mother and father in law and one for Beth and Lance. I had no family since I was an only child and my parents were both deceased. I always waited till the last minute to shop and this year was probably going to be the same. About a week before Christmas I got the usual call from my in-laws inviting me for Christmas Dinner.

“Everyone, gather around! It’s time for our traditional Christmas game before we dig into the goodies!” The room buzzed with anticipation as family members began to shuffle toward the living area. Elijah and I followed, and Reese hurried ahead, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. The game was a cherished family tradition—a holiday version of charades. Each person would draw a festive holiday-themed prompt from a hat and act it out, while the others guessed what it was.

Ava chatted about school with Darla Hale, Uncle Cole's daughter, and Jamie fought over the largest piece of roast venison with Declan Hale, Uncle Cole's son. The Christmas feast covered the entire table. Everything from the roast venison to the mulled wine and the gingerbread house was a reminder of the festive occasion, which celebrated the warmth of being with one's family. They raised their glasses, wishing each other a Merry Christmas. The smiles had already returned to every face. It was as if my disappearance had been nothing more than a small footnote of the night. I hovered by the table, watching them with a hollow feeling in my heart. I was already dead—frozen solid out in the sub-z

3rd January, 1999(morning) The Warehouse Lana Its a never ending circle. A repeated sequence I experience everyday, locked up in this room with little or no contact. A hollow feeling in my heart whenever I think about my family, the grief I feel whenever I remember those who died in that bloody Christmas party.

Mrs Willow never mixed business with family but when her stepson insisted she couldn't deny. Christmas was near...and as the city had snow everywhere it was a great time to cherish the Christmas spirit. People roamed around with their children and buying gifts for their loved ones. The decorated reindeers...fake and real were standstill in the streets. The fake Santa was waving the little kids...giving candies to them. At night, the decorated streets with Christmas lights enhanced the view. It was so perfect for Pidge...she was excited.

Too bad she couldn't take one of those home with her for Christmas. Christmas. She'd been looking forward to it, simply for the time away from work, but the highlight of her plans had been a thick stack of romance books and one charity function - she and Jana had agreed to help distribute toys at a home for battered women and children on Christmas morning. Jana had invited her to dinner with her family afterward, but Shelby had declined. She'd gone last year and despite everyone's best efforts, she'd been miserable. There was nothing lonelier than being the only outsider at a family gathering.

"You wanna split a pitcher?" Christine asked Meredith and Bianca as they were seated at their table. Two enthusiastic yesses made her laugh as she ordered. "If we make it through that one, I got the next," B raised her hand. "It's been a rough few weeks." Meredith gave an unladylike snort. "Tell me about it. This close to Christmas, people get insane and unfortunately, CRISIS starts filling up," she sank into the side of the man in her life, Tyler Blackfoot, leaning in as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Your man’s going to spank your ass later,’ he said in his mind before following them. Demie, on the other hand, was still clinging to Aly's arm as they entered the inside of the venue. Christmas decors on every corner, a large Christmas tree was settled on the side with its bright chirstmas lights and a gold star on the top. And with the christmas song played, people smiling at each other, Demie can really feel the spirit of Christmas. Someone meets them, a man who Demie thinks is the same age as Sandro. "Auntie, Merry Christmas," he greeted the woman and kissed her on the cheek.

I asked as I curled up in James’s lap “Not putting up Christmas decorations till after the 1st of December” “Ok guys we have prom before Christmas”

The Christmas market in Evergreen Hollow buzzed with life despite the biting December chill. Strings of twinkling lights draped over wooden stalls, and the air carried the scent of mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and fresh gingerbread. It was the town's biggest holiday event, drawing locals and visitors alike. The 32 year old Lila Voss had come back from Seattle for the season, escaping the corporate grind of her marketing job. Single after a messy divorce, she craved the simple joys of her childhood home, but loneliness nipped at her heels like the wind.