Sothis Christmas Novels & Stories

I said flatly. "Can I be next to you until you do?" He closed the gap between us. I shut my eyes. I was undecided. "I'll take your silence as a yes." He smiled, stroking my shoulders. "I want to kiss you." He breathed. "You can't..." "For now..." He corrected just as Nathan's excited voice shot through the air. Sofia had arrived. "Merry Christmas, Aunt Layla." She drew me into an embrace when I came out of the kitchen. "Merry Christmas, Sofia." I brushed away snowdrops from her hat.

I have never trusted December. People say that sounds dramatic, but those people never watched their parents’ house burn down on Christmas Eve while the rest of the town kept singing carols like nothing happened. So yes,every time snow falls, my skin crawls. And tonight, on December 1st, Hallowpine is drowning in it. Snowflakes tumble from the sky like they’re drunk on holiday spirit, sticking to my eyelashes as I lock up my bakery. Sugar & Sin,the name sounds cute until you realize the only sugar inside is the kind I dump into coffee to survive this town.

_Aria's POV_ I looked at the calendar on the wall. The date looked back at me and my stomach tightened. The dreaded day would come soon. It was the twenty-fourth of December today and the memory still sat fresh in my throat. I could taste it like old blood. I could see the lights and hear the sirens. I remembered what happened three years ago. I remembered everything. I had been looking for scissors to open the Christmas presents when I noticed the black file lying in the corner of the sofa. It did not belong there. The living room was too neat for loose papers. I frowned and set the wrapping aside.

SOPHIA'S POV The living room was awash in the soft glow of Christmas lights. They twinkled gently on the tree, reflecting off the glass ornaments that Alex and Alexia had insisted on hanging themselves. The scent of pine and freshly baked cookies filled the air, mingling with the faint melody of a Christmas carol playing softly in the background.

"I think this might be the best one yet." "It definitely is," Oscar agreed, pressing a kiss to my temple. "Though I'm a little concerned about how we're going to top this next year." "Let's worry about that later," Theo suggested, his voice soft with contentment. "Much later. For now, let's just enjoy this moment." And so we did, five hearts beating in unison, celebrating the two new hearts that had joined our pack against all odds—our Christmas miracle, twice over.

One year later. The house was filled with the soft glow of Christmas lights, their gentle hues dancing across the living room. Emily and Vincent had transformed their home into a cozy haven, with garlands, twinkling lights, and an extravagant Christmas tree that sparkled from every angle. The scent of cinnamon and pine mingled in the air as holiday music played softly in the background, creating a festive, heartwarming atmosphere. This Christmas, their first as a married couple, felt like the beginning of something truly beautiful, a peaceful moment carved from the chaos they’d left behind.

December 25 Christmas arrived, it was something small. Just our friends, our parents and Sophia. Since it was already the 25th, we decided that today we would exchange the gifts. "Merry Christmas, Sophia." I smiled as I gave her her present. She squealed when she opened it. She gave me one of her famous hug that I love. "Merry Christmas, babe." I said while giving him his gift. He opened it and smiled. He told me he loved it. It was a picture of us and Sophia in the middle.

We glided across the ice, our hands entwined. “I've always wanted to ice-skate with you,” Alex said, his eyes shining. I smiled. “Your Christmas magic is unforgettable.” As we took a break, sipping hot cocoa, I asked. “Alex, what's your favorite Christmas memory?” Alex's expression softened. “Meeting you. That's my best Christmas gift.” My heart swelled. “Mine too.” Suddenly, fireworks erupted above the city. Alex swept me into his arms. “Merry Christmas, Layla. Forever and always.”

Midnight sharp. December 24th. Christmas Eve.

Epilogue “I believe in Karma. If the good is sown, the good is collected. When positive things are made, that returns well.” -Yannick Noah *** ~Anna Four years later… Pure white snow blanketed the ground and surrounded trees. I sipped the hot chocolate welcoming the warmth as I sat on the cold porch on a Sunday evening. Life has been smooth and I was happy after a long time. It’s Christmas, Saxon and Gabriel are traveling with their families to Portland this time.