Lucas interjected, “You’re not that old.” I wasn’t. I continued, “Now, it just feels like a truce descends on our house. It’s a judgement free zone because it’s the magic of Christmas. We all live with magic in our lives as Supernaturals; the poor humans seldomly get to share in it with us. I just feel like we all embrace the magic of the holiday.”
Lucas said, “Your dad should always be proud of you, Dylan. You’re amazing.” I laughed, “See I know this, and so do you. The only person who doesn’t is my dear old dad who is somehow more serious than future Alpha never smiles or laughs oldest Conners over yonder border. Oh, look there he is.”
Lucas groaned, “What did you do?” I skipped over to the border practically cooing like I was talking to a newborn pup, “Future Alpha never smiles and is far too serious about trying to get wrinkles in his young age, what brings you here? Do you require more moisturizer? That would be early, but I have a special supply in case you need more.”
I glanced at my best friend, “I told you he secretly used the moisturizer. I should’ve factored in how much he frowned with the frequency I send him his. Don’t worry, I’ll recalculate and get it right.” Eric growled, “You sent me a glitter bomb to invite me to your Christmas Party! IT IS JULY, DYLAN!”
I replied, “And one can never be too early to get on the calendar of everyone at such a busy time. I’m helping you avoid your mom’s horrid side of the family. Well, just the one cousin really. My party date happens to be when they will choose to celebrate. Now, you get to say we’ve had these plans since July.”
“Who can argue about that? Certainly not your mother who likes to talk about the importance of keeping your scheduled commitments.” I whispered, “I already RSVP’d yes for you and your brothers.” Louder I said, “I’m a giver.”
Eric raised an eyebrow. I nudged Lucas, “He means thank you. That's what that eyebrow raise means. I’m cataloging what his facial expressions mean to a meticulous level so when he’s the Alpha I’m ready to go with the unspoken language signals he sends.”
Eric growled, “You could’ve done ALL of that WITHOUT sending me a glitter bomb.” I corrected, “Not to be nitpicky, but it was a snowball. I’m only telling you so you can say it correctly when retelling the story later to people who will laugh. There will be those taking my humor in the way it was intended.”
Eric shouted, “IT EXPLODED!” I asked, “Have you never thrown a snowball?! Oh dear, you probably haven’t because you never have fun. Don’t worry, we will fix that at my Christmas Party. I’ll add a snowball fight just for you.”
Eric glared at me, but I just smiled back at him. Eventually, Eric huffed and shifted into his wolf, Duke, to run home. He’d just turned sixteen recently and the man’s wolf was practically the Hulk of all the wolves. What was he feeding that thing in the forest?
I commented, “That guy was already so annoying. His human half was already bigger than everyone else. Eric just haaaddddd to go and get a wolf that was massive too. His wolf hasn’t even matured and they are giants.”
I lamented, “It’s his ego, I’m telling you, Lucas. We will have to work on that for you so you get a giant wolf too. Your ego needs to grow so that your wolf will be larger than his. We can’t be slacker hackers behind his mammoth of a wolf.”
Lucas threw his head back and laughed, but I was serious. Jackson commented, “I got a snowball exploding glitter bomb too.” I gasped, “You thought I would leave you out? I can’t believe you waited so long to come out and say hi. Your younger brothers got one too. One can only hope your youngest brother opened it around Mommy Queenie Meanie.”
Jackson sighed, “I can’t believe you call her that.” I whispered, “I’m not the only one who does, because it’s true. I hope she got snowballed. I hope she took it from young Darrin insisting she open it. That’s what happened in my head anyway.” Jackson rolled his eyes and went over to Duke, who had paused waiting for his brother.
I told Lucas, “Well, that was fun. Now, it is time to go home and plan my Christmas tidings of great joy. I’ve decided it shall be named Dylanmas. I have to invite everyone else now that future Alpha everyone follows and does what he says is coming. Plus, I need to send the Conners boys more moisturizer.” Lucas laughed but we headed home. This Christmas Party would be the best one of all.
Glorious Return
July (DECADES LATER)
Dylan was hot and sweaty. I grumbled, “It doesn’t need to be this hot outside. We should live somewhere cold all year round since the cold doesn’t affect Werewolves.” I walked into the Christmas shop in our town.
I greeted, “Hello there, Saint Nick.” Saint Nick laughed, “How’s my best customer doing, Dylan?” I answered, “Dandy and well. Life is good. I have my Lacy, we do bunny hunts these days. If ya know what I mean.”
Saint Nick chuckled, “I do know what you mean. The pack knows Lacy dresses up as a bunny and lets you hunt her. You sent memos about it. Plus, we saw after their BAGG day one time. It’s probably been more than once to be honest.”
I grinned saying, “Which means Dylan had a very happy day.” Saint Nick chuckled, and I walked over to the section where the carolers were. I made it my tradition to buy Lacy one every July. All because I was making Christmas in July our family’s thing.
Both of us bought one present for everyone in our family. It was very easy to convince my mate that Christmas deserved to be celebrated more than just once a year. It caught onto the Lyons family because they were wise souls. Several members of our pack did it as well because it was fun.
Saint Nick came over to me announcing, “So, I’ve been thinking.” I cooed, “Of course you have, Saint Nick. You’re the smartest person I know.” Saint Nick honest to god blushed. Fang, my wolf, chuckled, “He’s pretty funny.” I agreed, “Healways has been.” Saint Nick had been more a dad to me than my own.
Saint Nick carefully said, “I think you should have your Christmas Party for your friends again this year.” I actually felt my heart sputter. Saint Nick continued, “Alpha Eric always came and those Conners boys lips twitched more than once at the fun you cooked up.”
Words caught in my throat. Fang said, “The reason we stopped doesn’t exist anymore.” That was true, because Lacy was back. “I know you all have pups now and you couldn’t do it while you and Alpha Lucas were settling in. My wife and I would be happy to watch all the pups so you can have your party.”
Fang commented, “We haven’t had our party in a while.” We hadn’t. Life had gotten away from us once Lacy came home, and I got to celebrate Christmas with SGAP. We joined family celebrations because of Buttercup and Wesley being mates. The reason Dylanmas stopped happening was because the first Christmas without Lacy had been bleak.
Flashback
Lucas sat down beside me at our big meeting saying, “So, it’s September.” I teased, “I worry about you when you make such observations. It’s mid-September. The month is practically gone now, and you’ve just realized it’s September.”
Ever so serious Alpha from Black Mountain commented, “Where the fuck is the invitation for your damn Christmas Party, Dylan?” Beta McAlister sighed, “We had a way to ask about it that was more subtle.” Alpha never has fun snorted, “I’m not subtle. When’s the damn party?” Fang agreed, “He’s not subtle and Duke is asking too.”
Beta Caleb said, “Yeah, no one would say you were subtle, Eric.” Everyone stared at me waiting for a response. Fangwhimpered in my head. I shrugged, “I’m not throwing it this year.” What was the point? Lacy was gone.
