Plight Before Christmas Novels & Stories

I've been ignoring him, but his persistence is becoming problematic. I deleted the message without reading it. The Christmas gala is in two days. The annual event where the city's elite gather to see and be seen, to make deals and alliances over champagne and caviar. I'll need to bring Ava, show her off as my devoted wife, maintain the illusion that everything is fine. She'll smile and play her part because she has no choice. Because I've made sure she has nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to. And I'll stand beside her, touching her waist, playing the role of perfect husband, hating myself a little more with every passing moment.

Felix seems to just need some opening words to start their conversation this morning. "Well, Merry Christmas to you, Felix. Sorry I haven't prepared a present yet. I even forgot that it's Christmas. Felix poured cocoa powder into the mug, he laughed softly and glanced at Mila. "To be honest I forgot too. But Merry Christmas to you too, Mila. It's nice to still be able to celebrate Christmas with someone. I thought I'd be really alone for Christmas." "I guess we're the same. The whole way I thought about it. Actually since the beginning of the month I've been thinking about it, that Christmas this time I really don't have family and friends to spend Christmas with. Thank goodness that I still

Whispers followed me everywhere. "I can't believe she's that kind of person." "The more innocent they look, the wilder they are." "That coat she's wearing? It's Chanel's latest. The rumors on the campus forum must be true." I retrieved my phone to check the campus forum. My entire body was shaking from anger. Sharon actually spread dirty rumors about me on the campus forum. [A Golden Apple on Christmas Day Exposed Our Fake Friendship!] She accused me of flaunting wealth with a golden apple on Christmas Day and scamming them out of an expensive meal.

“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.

"Here, to our family's future success. Cheers!" I crouched in front of the fireplace, staring at the cheap nylon scarf that had already been reduced to ashes. The fire was already beginning to die down, leaving behind just a pile of black ash in its place. Soon, it was midnight, and fireworks exploded in the sky outside the window, the multicolored lights penetrating through my transparent body as people on the streets cheered and wished each other a "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays". I just continued crouching in my corner, facing Mom and Dad who were still making plans about the future, and said lightly, "Merry Christmas."

He still sends me music when I need it most, often times I play it when I am closing up the bar. Christmas is not the same this year for anyone in the house. The church adopted the kids for Christmas and their gifts are wrapped under the tree. No matter how hard the kids and I try, no one seems to be in the Christmas spirit. This year we are utterly alone. There are no big parties that we will attend, and no one comes to visit. I miss my family very much, and I wish I had the money to take the kids back to them. I try to stay positive during this time. There is a roof over our heads, I have managed to keep the lights on, and the kids have gifts. I remind myself that I am better off than some

~ a few weeks before X-mas~ Billie's POV: I can't believe that in a few short weeks it will be Christmas. The holidays have me thinking about all of the orphaned pups that have joined the packs. None of them have any family left to care for them or see them on the holidays. So with that in mind I emailed the other two packs to bring all of their orphaned pups and childless couples with them today. All of the Alpha's agreed to it very quickly deciding this would be the best Christmas gift to all.

Right now, the two were just strolling around the city, holding each other’s hands and their sore wrists tucked under the loose sleeves they had that night. Gryphon had a slight smile as they went, not minding the darkness and the cold around them. It was already winter, and he was thinking about the closest holiday to their calendar. With the fiscal year coming to a close, he should have been more focused on that rather than Christmas. However, the streetlights were promoting a view that plagued his mind. “…where do you want to celebrate Christmas, Andy?” Gryphon asked, looking in the direction of his wife that was eating a hotdog as they walked. As for his, it was already eaten along with

She hissed like a striking snake and walked closer to the railing. To avoid being close to me. “As a matter-of-fact we were quite wealthy.” “Yet, you’re still miserable.” He interjected. She gave him a sharp look. “Yes, I was.” “Why?” She glared at him. Not going to answer that. “I felt for the people on my fathers’ grounds who fought just to stay warm during the holidays while our neighbors feasted and shared lavish gifts.” “The people of Ardae are not hungry during the holidays anymore.” Bast skipped down the last few steps and turned to offer her his hand.

-00- Aciel really never expected that the festival in the town square would be so full and crowded like this. Even Christmas is still fifteen days away, but everyone seems to be impatient to welcome Christmas and ask Santa for gifts. Aciel, who was holding Ciara in his right hand and his left hand holding the handle of the stroller, felt quite confused with his own idea which did not go according to plan. He thought that people would not crowd this festival other than on weekends.