Merry Christmas everyone!


Seth was officially stumped. During the entire month of December he couldn't decide on what to get his sister for Christmas. Everyone else had been easy enough, going in with Vanessa and Warren to get Tanu a new potions kit and bag after his old one had been destroyed. He had got Mara and Elise matching mugs and that said "I`m with the Mrs." His grandparents were going to get a new antique chess set to replace their old one lost in the Zyzzx disaster. He had gotten Warren, Vanessa, and Trask new leather gear and Dale a new leather jacket. Even Trask, who Seth didn't really know as well was easier to shop for.

In the past, he had always given Kendra a gift card to a store of her choice and some variety of joke gift, but this year, he felt as though a joke gift wasn't appropriate. In the past year, since he and Kendra had helped to save the world, he and sister had gotten way closer than they ever had before. So, this year he wanted to get Kendra something meaningful, something that reflected that. So, on December 20th, he had finally sought out help from his grandparents.

"Why don't you get her some of the books she wanted? I have a list I can give you." Grandma Sorenson had suggested from her spot at the kitchen table, wrapping presents for the members of the family that had not yet arrived at Fablehaven.

Seth had sighed, explaining that he knew Tanu had forbidden him from stealing that particular idea and left to go see if any of his other family could help him.

Upon entering his cabin, Warren looked up from his laptop at Seth`s question. "Girls like clothes and jewelry, maybe Nessa can help you!" He thanked Warren, setting off to find Vanessa.

Unfortunately, Vanessa informed him that she had already gotten those things for Kendra. "I know that Kendra wanted these new pairs of boots. I can drive you to the store if you want." Vanessa offered as she fed her strange magical creatures. But ultimately, it didn't feel right to get his sister a pair of shoes as a last resort.

So, because he knew he was out of time, Seth made one last trip to visit someone who might know exactly what he wanted.

"Bracken!" Seth yelled as the silver-haired unicorn jogged towards the wooden boardwalk surrounding the fairy shrine.

The unicorn looked around a little perplexed, before spotting Seth.

"Oh hey Seth, what`s wrong?"

"I don't know what to get Kendra for Christmas!" Seth burst out, joining Bracken on the boardwalk.

Bracken smiled amusingly, "Seth, you have 5 days until Christmas! You still don't have a present for her?"

Seth sighed, "I just don't know what to get her! I want to get her something meaningful, something that matters."

Bracken nodded, looking thoughtful, "Okay, I get it. What ideas do you have so far?"

"Nothing!"

Bracken snickered, artfully attempting to hide his laughter with a cough.

"Bracken!" Seth whined, pulling at his arm.

"Okay, okay," Bracken held up his hands apologetically. "You know Kendra better than almost anyone. What is meaningful to her?

"I don't know!" Seth insisted. "She likes sentimental, sappy things."

Bracken grinned, "Think about your favorite memory with Kendra, and then try and get her something to remind her of that memory."

Seth nodded, still a bit lost. "So…" Seth trailed off as a memory came to mind and a smile began to bloom on his face.

"Thanks Bracken!" Seth jumped up and began to run back to the main house, and faintly heard Bracken`s laughter from behind him.


Exactly 5 days later, after Kendra and Seth`s parents had left for a Christmas cruise that both Kendra and Seth had opted out of, it was finally Christmas morning. Seth had woken up early, sneaking down to the living room to deposit his pile of presents under the tree and headed back upstairs to wake up his sister.

About a half an hour later, after he and Kendra wasted time in their room waiting for the rest of the house to get up.

The family headed downstairs to eat breakfast and open presents before more people arrived for Christmas dinner.

Shouts of thanks and excitement filled the room at presents were exchanged and open. Seth had gotten most of what he had put on his list in addition to some other odds and ends. Finally, Kendra got around to opening Seth`s present and her mouth dropped open as she pulled out the giant, stuffed polar bear.

"Is this…?" Kendra trailed off, laughing slightly.

"Remember when we went to that carnival after we discovered Fablehaven for the first time, and you wasted all your money on that stupid game to try and win that giant stuffed polar bear?" Seth asked, hoping that Kendra would share the same memory as he did.

Kendra laughed, "Of course! We had so much fun! I can`t believe you remembered! Thank you Seth!" Kendra got up and gave him a big hug, laughing happily.

"Well," Seth began, glancing over at Bracken who wore multiple ribbons and bows around his neck, who was smiling deliriously at him and Kendra. "I had some help."

Kendra pulled back, sitting down across from him. "Merry Christmas Seth."

Seth grinned, watching his family open presents and eat the Christmas pancakes that his grandma Sorenson and Larsen had prepared, laughing and smiling together. "Merry Christmas!"


Thank you to Wolf Lover27, Jesus saved even me, and FairyGirl22 for the support! It means so much! I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season!

Merry Christmas and happy New Year's guys!