The Plight Before Christmas Book Novels & Stories

When we got inside, there were still a lot of people but not as many as the roaring people down the street. "Miss, Santelli. You're here," the female wearing the cheapest sheath dress said, her frizzy hair blocking my view. I raised my mental eyebrow when I heard her implied 'you're late' greeting. Playing along I said, "Yes. I'm very sorry. The afternoon traffic was a nightmare." "That's no problem, Miss Santelli. Right this way." She led me to a long table with a chair in the middle and millions of Times Magazine copies stacked nearby. I smiled and gave a slight wave at the people inside the library and took my seat on the chair.

"I forgot that Aunt Hestia's flight is tomorrow! I haven't packed anything yet." Xander grabbed her hand. "What do you need to pack?" "Christmas is tomorrow, and I haven't bought anything." "The housekeeper will do it." "It's not the same. It's always different when you put in effort." Grace rushed, pulling him up, insisting on buying gifts at the supermarket. They arrived at a luxurious mall. Although there weren't many people, quite a few like them came to do some last-minute shopping as Christmas approached. Grace suddenly felt cheeky and insisted on sitting in the shopping cart while Xander pushed, her legs swinging.

I know it is a short chapter but I decided it is still Christmas and I wanted to give you all a little bonus. Have a lovely day More tomorrow Stay safe Love Peyton

It's Christmas day and my little family has a bright future. The End.

That very day we ordered our second Christmas miracle. END

I looked at Caroline standing guard over all of us with the same fierce devotion she once reserved only for battle. Finally, I looked at Desmond. The man who had never stopped choosing me. Then I looked at our son. Fred. The newest chapter of our family's story. A gentle smile spread across my face. Outside, evening slowly began settling across the city. Inside, warmth filled every corner of the room. The night before Christmas, my life had become a nightmare. But because of love, courage and the family we built together, I survived that darkness. Now I found myself surrounded by the people I loved, and who loved me in return.

Mama looked pitiful and shamed, she stared at the makeshift Christmas tree crying, shaking her head. “You guys are fucking horrible, sorry excuse for human beings. Your children are sitting in a cold-ass house with nuke-warm food on Christmas, no Christmas presents, no parents and all you’re worried about is making more money? What are you doing with the money ya’ll make, smoking it?”

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.

“I didn’t move here for friends.” Kaleb came to the mountains to find the peace that still eluded him. “Doesn’t mean you can’t make a few.” Sighing, she turned her head to the flames. “If you did know people, you could help me on the white puppy situation,” she said while shaking her head, then added, “I’ve got her princess dolls and a fairy princess dress and the other small things she asked for. The white puppy worries me.” He didn’t want to think about children’s Christmas dreams. Kaleb remembered another child dictating letters to Santa and waking to the splendor of Christmas morning. And through the pain, he also recalled how he and his wife had worked to make those dreams come true for

The worry didn't disappear—I wouldn't stop fretting until Theo was safely home—but it settled into a more manageable weight. This, too, was Christmas—finding warmth and connection even in the midst of absence, celebrating the family we had while holding space for those who couldn't be with us. Theo would return. The storms would pass. And until then, I had chocolate sauce that tasted like liquid comfort, kings who understood my heart without words, and a kingdom preparing to celebrate despite the hardships of winter. I reached for another biscuit, dipping it into the velvety chocolate. "Tell me about the supplies you've organised," I said, turning to Noah. "Show me how we're taking care of o