Wrapped Up Christmas Novels & Stories

I still had my stuffed animals pressed into my chest. As soon as the girls saw my arms stuffed with the panda and Rudolph they squealed and begged for one. I couldn't deny them and their big puppy eyes, plus carrying two was being a hassle. So I gladly handed over the big panda but kept Rudolph for myself. Knox won it for me and as weird as it sounded I wanted to keep it. We were all currently walking down the street that had been closed for the festival. Christmas decorations lined the buildings and in almost every store front was a Christmas tree perfectly decorated. Christmas music was being played loud enough we could hear it.

That means it's Christmas! “Alpha! Alpha! Alpha!” A group of kids—the ones who helped Jaxon wrap the gifts now placed under the tree—run forward to hug Jaxon's legs. I smile at them as Jaxon carefully puts me down, his arm wrapped tight around my waist to keep me close to him. “You're back!” One exclaims excitedly. “It's Christmas! It's Christmas!” Another pulls at his shredded trousers. “We have to open the gifts!” A little girl pouts.

Finally, the car stopped at a park. With Christmas trees and lights all over the place. So many fun activities are going on. It was snowing. I came down and started jumping, and the loud Christmas music made it more fun. “Merry Christmas!” I screamed. Did he just smile? Zayne was watching me play around. I dragged him into the circle and made him jump with me. This felt so good. “Here, have this jacket. It is very cold.” He removed his jacket and gave it to me, but I was finding it difficult to put it on because of the gloves on my hands.

The snow keeps falling, heavy and suffocating. When I finally gather enough courage to walk home, my nerves are shredded. My thoughts got tangled. My chest tightened I reach my doorstep, fumbling for my keys. And there,lying on my welcome mat—is something small, wooden, and dusted with snow. A Christmas ornament. Hand-carved. Shaped like a house.Burning. A single number etched into its back: 24 The countdown has begun.

"Never say never. Who knows…" Gosh, she was truly hopeless! Not wanting to listen to her nonsense anymore, I ended the call. Later events proved I shouldn't have done that. At least then I could have prepared myself for what was to come. … After the Christmas break, Louis and I both returned to work. The first morning rush after the holidays always resulted in unusually congested traffic. To make matters worse, I seemed to get caught at every red light possible. The trip that usually took no more than half an hour ended up taking me almost 50 minutes.

Jennifer chuckled and retorted mockingly, "CEO? Do you really think she became CEO through her own abilities? Without Jeremiah and me backing her up, she's just a useless loser." Charles looked at Jennifer in disbelief. His eyes were filled with shock and anger. Annoyed by the noise, I told the bodyguards to drag the two of them farther away. I crouched alone by the seaside. The winter wind blowing from the ocean was icy and piercing. Little by little, I scattered Noelle's ashes into the sea. I said softly, "Today is Christmas, Noelle. It's also the day you were born. I'm letting you return to the ocean."

"Ah, lass, it's bad luck is it not, to guess a gift before it is given?" "A hint?" I plead, giving them the best pouty look I can manage. Ben laughs. "Twenty minutes and we'll return for you with or without your wrapped gifts." "Fine." I shake my head. "Now leave so I can finish." They both disappear and I rush to finish wrapping their gifts, excitement making my hands tremble and it takes me three tries to get the wrapping paper to fit. I smooth my hands down my Christmas dress that swirls around my thighs. The rich velvet hugs my curves. I take the rollers out of my hair, pinning up the sides with bright green combs.

The wrapping table. Elara dragged me to it early in the morning while humming a cheerful little tune that made me suspicious. No one hummed like that unless they were planning mischief. The table was covered in supplies. Paper rolls in glittering colors. Ribbons tied like snakes in coils. Shiny bows. Tags shaped like tiny reindeer heads. And tape. Lots of tape. Elara clapped her hands. “This is part of your training.” “Training for what,” I asked. “Christmas survival,” she said with great solemnity. “You must learn how to wrap a present.”

Julia I stand back and watch Riley and Nina put the final touches on the Christmas tree, and then he pulls out a Christmas angel to sit on the top. "Would you like to put this on the top of the tree, Princess?" Nina is still bouncing on her toes. I swear the girl hasn’t stopped since she found out that we had the tree.

Candles adorned with pinecones and holly leaves created a luminous scene, and the aroma of delicious food filled the air. On the walls, wreaths made of holly, Christmas baubles, and red ribbons were artistically arranged. Christmas music played softly in the background, adding an additional touch of charm. The emotion in the house was palpable. Family and friends gathered, embracing and exchanging gifts with radiant smiles. Children ran around, their eyes sparkling with excitement at the promise of presents under the tree. Rylee and I embraced, gratitude in our eyes for another Christmas together. The Christmas House was a haven of love, warmth, and joy, where everyone felt welcome and surro