Christmas was always a time for getting together, a holiday known for spending quality time with friends and family. With Thanksgiving a close memory, it was easy to find oneself in the presence of others to recall the past and tell stories. The gang was no different. Especially growing up together, they had many stories to share and laugh at over such events. And on many occasions they didn't just hang out together, but invited their families to join in any great big celebrations over the festiveness of the holiday.
"… Man… And that was the coolest example of trashcan snowboarding I have ever seen Shag!"
Fred raised a glass and toasted to the beatnik sitting across from him. Laugher rang out from everyone, Shaggy then getting a hair ruffle from his father behind him. Nothing was as nice as that moment; family, warm drinks and stories shared on a cold winter's day.
"Who wants another round?"
Velma shouted out as the laugher was starting to die out, but was enough for her to require being loud. In her hands was a platter of hot chocolate mugs, piping hot and ready to warm up the group. A joyous clatter of agreement came from most of the people present. Velma grinned and went about passing drinks to everyone who wanted them. She even made sure to have extra, just in case Shaggy and Scooby wanted more then a round at once.
"Thank you dear." Marjorie, Shaggy's mother nodded to her in appreciation for the warm drink. Her husband Samuel also took up a new cup with a grin to the youngest member of the gang. He placed his empty cup on the platter when Velma offered to take the finished one.
"Velma Velma!" Daphne waved from where she had been leaning up against her father's legs off the couch. Using her daughter privilege to steal the warmth out of his legs since it was a bit chilly out. She flailed about to get the girl's attention in the bustle of the room. "Over here. I need a refill!"
Velma snickered and wove her way to where Daphne was sitting. Taking a warm glass up in one hand, she balanced the tray in the other. Daphne took the glass graciously, but noticed something on Velma's hand when she offered the cup.
"Hey Velma… What's that?" Daphne commented; pointing to what looked like a red string tied lightly around Velma's pinky finger like a ring. Velma glanced over at the string, holding it up so Daphne could see it better. It didn't look as if there was anything special about it, besides being one of the two main colors of the current Holiday.
"This? I do this ever year for Christmas." Velma said, before getting a look of puzzlement on her face.
"I have a feeling there was a reason, but I forgot about it at the moment." She continued to look confusedly at the dangling string before someone finally spoke up in the room to inform her of the answer.
"You don't remember Pumpkin?" Her own father spoke out behind her making her turn to face him as he spoke. He took a sip of his drink and sighed lightly as he recalled the memory fondly. "I think you had to be around six at the time."
"Is that the time you guys all came to the winter cabin that one year?" Questioned George Blake, thinking back to when the gang were little. The memory was coming in clearer to him as he thought back along the years and Christmas' past to the moment in question.
"Yeah." Piped in Sam from across the way of George, a smile floating above the second cup he was working on as he recalled the story. "The kids had just started doing all the Mystery hunting… I remember it like it was yesterday…"
