Steve Arthur Christmas Novels & Stories

They reached Tara’s car, and as soon as they got in, Tara squeezed Melody’s hand. As she got into the car, she made a silent prayer, she didn't believe in Christmas no more, but she was hoping for a Christmas miracle. The twelve days of Christmas song was blasting in the car. On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me… “Cheating on a platter of gold.” How thoughtful.

"Are you sure you're okay with this?" Jaxon said low and careful from his place at the door to the living room, his hand resting on the frame. His eyes were on me, like he was trying to gauge whether I meant it when I said everything was fine. I stood at the window, staring out as snow fell in languid flakes, casting a pale luminance over everything in sight. Christmas was looming, yet somehow, it didn't feel quite as festively joyful as it had other years.

A lady wearing a dark woolen cloak with flaming red hair asked, “What would you say to the creator?” I wipe my tears of laughter as I look her in the eyes. She is very pale, with gothic makeup and soulful eyes. I sense that I can be honest with her. “Well, first,it's brilliant. It reflects the dark side of this holiday. It shows the enslavement of reindeer, the oppression of elves and the self-serving nature of one man who takes all of the credit. Also, I'm glad there isn't a cross or a baby Jesus in sight.”

Of course, Orison has something romantic playing on the screen because it’s freaking Christmas. “Dad, I can’t today,” I tell him, and just then, I come face to face with the television screen, and I freeze, my jaw going slack right as my heart comes to halt and drops to the bottom of my stomach. I can’t be seeing right. “Honey,” Dad calls, but my ears have started ringing with the amount of blood that rushes to the organs. I don’t believe in the holidays, but please Santa, please! Tell me that Orison has started a career in pornography, because I can see him on a live field, having sex with someone who isn’t me.

Arthur tells me. “What are your Christmas traditions?” Max asks; he’s finally back with us. “Ah, the Christmas spirit is designed for children. The joy of Christmas for adults is seeing the joy on the faces of the pack's pups. Every November, the adults come together to make an activity advent calendar for the pups. An example of this would be; on the 1st of the month, we decorate the pack land. On the 2nd, we hold our official secret Santa draw. On the 3rd, we write out our Christmas cards. On the 4th, we hold our Christmas fancy dress party, and we always put our Christmas trees up on the 13th. We include activities such as watching Christmas movies, Christmas cookie and cake baking, and a

“I'll find a way to divert her attention, she wouldn't even think about the tree or celebrating Christmas until it's all over." "There'll be no need for that." Arthur said with a broad smile. "How do you assume I'll find happiness when Hayley would be sad? And not just her, everyone else here will be unhappy. When I walked in today, for the first time in a long while…I saw the smiles they had on their faces. The tree made them very happy, and maybe, it’s time I stopped forbidding Christmas inside the house." "Do you mean the other staff members?" "Yes. Them.” Arthur nodded, his eyes shining with happiness. “And you know, Hayley hasn't smiled that widely in a very long time. If a Christmas tr

“Okay, sir.” “Good.” He uttered as he hung up. * Getting back to the office, Arthur found his friend and business partner, Derick waiting for him in his office. A smile curved up his lips and his countenance lit up a little as their eyes met. “Happy New Year, brother,” Derick uttered with a wide grin, walking close to Arthur. “And Merry Christmas,” Arthur answered jokingly, as their hands wrapped around each other in a tight hug. “It’s been how many years?” Derick asked as they disengaged.

Tiny white pieces of plastic simulated falling snow and encircled the jolly soul as he wiggled in a swirling winter wonderland. “That’s pretty cool!” Reid replied, forcing as much fake enthusiasm into his voice as possible. While he attempted to enjoy the holidays for Michael’s sake and though he usually did a pretty good job of pretending, Christmas just wasn’t the same as it used to be. He would manage to get through the holidays, like he always did, but he was certainly one of those people who couldn’t wait to flip the calendar to January.

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.

Laura stared at Steven, he as usual looked extremely handsome in a white three-piece suit. She habitually stared at his side face beside her. “I am glad you’re here,” Arthur said as he stretched his hand to shake with Steven and then hugged him. As soon as Steven’s hand was removed from her waist, she took a step back from him. Steven noticed it and frowned unhappily. “You have invited me, so I had to come,” Steven told him with all smiles at which Arthur said in a confused manner. “Really? But I had invited you to attend all of my exhibitions and still, this is the very first you have attended.”