Everybody in Pixfare was getting preparing for the holidays. Christmas Eve, some people gave out to charities, some baked, and traditional music was playing throughout the town. They couldn't believe this was the first Christmas in years.
Derek, however, wasn't so excited for the festivities. To him, it only meant that the curse was getting weaker.
Hilary, one the other hand, was so excited for the holidays. For the first time in the town's history, not only was the school was closed for two weeks until January 8th, another reason was that now Jack was in town, everyone can finally follow the holidays. "I can't wait until Christmas." Hilary told her friends in their chatroom. "I'm so glad that I can spend it with my real dad. What do you guys have planned?"
The kids started talking one at a time about their Christmas traditions and even about family.
"My mama and Abuelita have been busy cooking and baking." Michael said.
"That's cool" Hilary laughed.
"Not just that, but this year, Ivanna is hosting a Christmas party this year, for the first time in 28 years!" Susan said, excitedly.
The other kids replied with excited "Wow's" and "Cool's".
At their apartment, Jack looked at the window and Laura Reed was decorating the Christmas tree in the living room.
'Guess this is my first Christmas in this town.' Jack thought.
"I think you'll like spending Christmas here." She told him. "I got an email that Ivanna's throwing a party." "Me too." Jack said. "I never saw a town so festive for the holidays."
She then realized something. "To be honest, me neither. I can't remember the last time we had Christmas here."
At the Sanders household, the family was decorating the entire house.
"The holidays are here! Very, very exciting!" Audrey said, putting up garlands.
"Yeah, honey. I agree." Freddy said, hanging up the Christmas tree. "I can't wait for Ivanna's party." Riley said.
At the Hernandezes complex, the family was getting ready for both Christmas and Los Posadas.
The kids helped hang decorations and the adults put up the tree. "I'm so excited for Navidad and Los Posadas!" Natalie said as she was getting the Christmas lights.
"Me too." Michael agreed. "It almost feels like we're back home again."
"That's ideal for you niños. Las Posadas and Christmas is a wonderful idea!" Lucy said, baking some conchas, rellenos de chocolate y vanilla, along with Maria, Theodore, Edward, Albert, Gabriella, Diego, Henry, Joaquin, and Angela.
Michael smelled the pastries baking and came into the kitchen. "Mmmm, those smell great!"
Juan and Jimmy were playing dolls with Mina.
"Looks like you guys are having fun." Natalie watched them, smiling.
At the Madison Mansion, the servants and maids were getting ready for the holidays. Nadia was preparing for the holidays herself.
She helped decorate the walls and staircases with wreaths and garlands.
"You're such a great help, Nadia." One of the maids said. "We never got help from your parents."
"No problem." Nadia said with a smile. "I like decorating. It's pretty fun."
At the house, Evelyn and Clark were making the decorations for the holidays.
"This might be your first Christmas since you came home, Clark." Evelyn said, putting up with Christmas tree.
"Yeah, I think it is." He agreed. "It's great to see everyone so festive."
At Ellen's Diner, everyone was loving the Christmas menus, Michelle and Ellen were impressed.
"Wow, Mom. Looks like our holiday menu is a big hit." Michelle smiled.
"Yes, Michelle, it is." Ellen said.
"We should bring some of our food to Ivanna's Christmas party." Michelle suggested.
- At the Hudson household, Paul, Sarah, Ray, and Matt were preparing for Christmas.
"Isn't this great? All of us being together for the holidays." Ray said, smiling.
"I agree, Ray." Sarah said, decorating the tree.
"Me too." Matt agreed. "Say, y'all planning on goin' to the Christmas shindig?"
"Well, we just received invitations for Ivanna's Christmas party." Paul said.
"We've never been to Ivanna's before." Sarah added.
"That's true. Looks like things are still changing around here." Ray said. "
Ivanna, the kids, and the servants were busy getting the mansion ready for the holidays.
"I'm so excited for Christmas!" Barry said, excitedly as he put the Christmas lights on the tree.
"Me too. Especially for the party." Susan agreed, hanging the stockings.
"I'm glad Ivanna's finally throwing a party on Christmas Eve." Barry said, getting the treats for the guests.
"Yeah." Susan nodded. "I hope that Mom and Dad will be able to come."
"But we have to keep a low profile." Barry said.
"Oh yeah. That's right." Susan looked a little disappointed.
In the servants' quarters, Lorenzo, Leonardo, Lucas, and Charlie were making their own traditional Christmas dishes from their countries.
"I sure hope the family will like our food," Lucas said confidently.
"Not only our foods." Leonardo said. "But some guests are bringing their own foods too?" Lorenzo added
"Cool. I can't wait to have some of their food too." Charlie said excitedly.
At the Brooks residence, Martin, Diana, and Alex were decorating the entire house for the holidays
"This is great. Our first Christmas together." Martin said with a smile.
"I agree, Dad!" Alex said.
"Me too." Added Diana. "I can't remember the last time we did this."
"And it's the first time we've gone to Ivanna's for a party." Martin said.
"We're going to a party? Ooh, that sounds like fun!" Diana said excitedly.
"We just got the email this morning." Martin said.
"Maybe I'll get to see my friends there." Alex hoped.
At the Jackson household, James, Melody, and their mother were making the house more festive and cooking some dishes.
"You think the people at the party will like our food?" Melody asked.
"We'll wait and see." Laurie answered.
James then had a strange feeling. "I don't know why, but something about the three of us at Christmas seems familiar."
"Why do you ask?" Laurie questioned her son.
"I don't know. Just a feeling." James shrugged. "Maybe it's just my imagination."
'His memories are returning to him.' Melody thought.
"Never mind. It's probably nothing." James shook his head, dropping the subject.
At Rose's house, she was decorating the house for the holidays while humming 'Deck the Halls' in her head. Soon she went to get the batch of cookies from the oven that she planned to take to the party.
Daniel, Kristen, and Carmen were taking turns cooking, cleaning, and decorating the entire house for the holidays.
"This Christmas is gonna be great, guys." Kristen said smiling.
"I agree, Krist." Carmen said, cleaning the fireplace.
"Me too." Daniel agreed. "I also can't wait for Ivanna's big party."
"Us too!" Kristen agreed as well.
"We never got invited to any of Ivanna's parties before in my life." Carmen said.
Daniel then thought of something. "Yeah, come to think of it, we've never had any parties in town."
"...and my memories returned, and you were named 'Dante' back home." Michael chatted with Manolo.
The dog barked and looked at him, slightly confused. Manolo felt a strong flash seeing himself with Miguel, to whimpering and cuddling his owner in the purple mist, then snapped back to reality. He looked at Michael and started barking excitedly, wagging his tail and licking him on the cheek.
"Aww, Dante!" Michael laughed. "¡Es un milagro de navidad!"
Manolo smiled at the boy with his tongue sticking out.
Jessica was decorating her house for the holidays, when a slender, brown horse, with dark brown mare and tail, dark brown hooves and a light brown saddle, and a pink nose, opposed her. She screamed and backed away, startled. "A horse? How did a horse get in here?"
Jessica then saw a note from Jim, a blue collar, a present box wrapped with a purple bow from 'Kelly', a folded page with a yellow bow, and an invitation from Ivanna.
After trying to decide which one to look at first, Jessica picked up the invitation and read it. "A Christmas party? That sounds like fun."
Jessica then saw the collar that read 'Bullseye' on the silver chain. She looked at it curiously. Why would someone that to send her? She didn't even have a pet.
She looked at the note from Jim, and read it. He had gotten her horse. "Oh, Jim, you shouldn't have." Jessica said, smiling. As a country girl, she always loved horses.
At the shoe shop, Ms. Cordwain was making her shop more festive with Christmas decorations, and some of her traditions back home. She always enjoyed the holidays, but she felt a little sad, knowing that it wouldn't be the same since her family was still cursed.
She could imagine that her family would be still with her in the curse but then went to the kitchen for the baking. As the food was being prepared, she got an idea of taking some to the Christmas party where she hoped to see her family.
Then she went to her room where the dress was laying on her bed. The dress she made was a green and red dress, with a white off-shoulder blouse top with golden tips all over, a beautiful fluffy, purple mold with a mistletoe on top, with a pair of eloquent, black leather high heel boots with golden tips. It was a perfect outfit for Christmas. She only wished that her husband and daughter could be there to spend the holidays with her.
At the Van Buren household, they were getting ready for the holidays as well.
"Like, this Christmas is gonna be awesome, man." Rick said, hanging decorations.
"We didn't have this in years." Mildred wondered.
"I know." Lindsey agreed. "It's great to have something fun happening in this town."
-
Several hours passed, and everyone was getting ready for the party. Even Ms. Cordwain, who was in her Christmas dress and heels and was now at her vanity mirror picking out the right hairdos.
"Which one should I go with, Pepita?" She asked the cat, "Braided bun with a red ribbon or just down with a golden roses wreath?"
The cat meowed in response, picked up the red ribbon in its mouth, and brought it to her.
"Sounds good, girl." Ms. Cordwain said, taking the red ribbon from the cat's mouth and petted her.
Pepita purred and rubbed against her hand, enjoying the attention.
Ms. Cordwain put her hair up in a braided bun with the red ribbon, then looked in the mirror, looking amazed. It had been years since she last danced, and knowing her white streaks hadn't changed a thing since the curse. Her thoughts just made her miss Hector even more. They had made up and gotten back together, and now she lost him again.
The Hernandezes were getting ready for the party.
"I'm so excited for tonight." Michael smiled as he finished getting dressed.
"I know, right?!" Natalie agreed, putting on her gold hoop earrings, along with Manolo, who was admiring himself with his red and green striped collar.
"Looking muy guapo, aren't you, boy?" Michael smiled, scratching Manolo behind the ears.
"Come on, everybody!" Maria said, holding the food and pastries.
"Are you dressed yet? We need to get to the party soon." Edward added, holding the presents.
"We're coming!" The kids answered as they came down dressed in their best clothes. The other adults soon followed after them.
The Sanders were getting ready, and Freddy was fixing his tie.
"Audrey, can you give me a hand with this, please?" He asked.
"Sure, hon!" Audrey said, then finished the tie "...and, finished."
"Thanks, honey." Freddy smiled. "Riley, are you ready?"
"Almost!" Riley shouted, and was finishing her ponytail, complete with a red rose on the left. "Done!"
"Wow, honey, you look great." Audrey smiled.
Hilary was preparing herself for the party and quickly placed her storybook in her bag in case of emergency.
"Hilary, are you ready yet?" Her dad called from downstairs.
"Coming!" Hilary rushed down the stairs, she was beautiful, her dress was medium length red and white.
"You look pretty." He said with a slight smile.
Nadia was getting ready for the party. She put on green eyeshadow, red lipstick, and wore a green sparkly dress.
The limo was honking from outside.
"I'll be right there!" She replied. Nadia soon came outside with the servants carrying the food and presents.
At the Van Buren household, everybody was getting prepared.
"Come on, guys! We don't want to be late!" Lindsey said, wrapping the food to go.
"We're coming, gal." Marco said. "Just helping Mom with the dress."
"Thank you, my boy." Mildred smiled. "Guess this old model ain't what it used to be."
Rose was getting prepared and ready for the party as well. She finished her hair and makeup and then brought her food and gifts out to the car.
At the Hudson household, everyone was getting ready. Sarah wore a navy blue dress with a gold poinsettia brooch. Ray wore his red tuxedo. Paul wore a white shirt, dark blue pants, and black loafers.
"Come on, kids. Let's get going." He called them while getting the presents.
"We're coming!" Ray said fixing his tie.
"Be right there!" Matt called, wearing his simple brown shirt, green jeans, and black sneakers.
"Wow. You guys look great." Sarah said, standing by the door.
After the Diner was closed, Ellen and her daughter were at home getting ready.
Ellen wore a long green dress with gold jewelry.
Michelle was putting on her turquoise medium length dress, beige stockings, and her red high-heeled boots, and was doing her hair and makeup. "Michelle, are you ready yet?" Ellen asked standing by the door.
"Almost." Michelle answered, putting her hair in a ponytail, then started putting on makeup.
"Try not to take too long. We don't want to be late." Ellen went downstairs.
"K, Mum." Michelle said, putting on her green lipstick. "Done!"
Michelle then came down and helped Ellen load the gifts and food into the car.
At the Brooks household, Diana, Martin, and Alex were getting ready.
Diana put on a blue and yellow dress with yellow heels. She then fixed her hair and makeup.
Martin, who was wearing his orange and white tuxedo, and was helping Alex get ready.
"I can't wait to get to the party, Dad." Alex said, excited.
"I know, Alex." Martin agreed, getting Alex his new Christmas outfit.
"A party? We're going to a party?!" Diana was also excited.
"Yes, Diana, you just said that already." Martin reminded.
"I did? Oh, yeah, that's right." She said, touching her head.
"And done." Martin announced, finishing Alex's tie.
"Thanks, Dad." Alex smiled.
At the Jackson residence, James, Melody, and Lurie were getting ready.
"You ready yet, kids? Time to go." Laurie announced.
"Coming!" Melody came in her beautiful silky pink grown, and James in his red and white tuxedo.
"Oh, you two look great." Laurie smiled.
At the Nagasaki mansion, everybody was getting prepared and ready for the party.
"Alright, come on everyone. Our guests are on their way." Ivanna ordered.
"Almost done!" Susan said, getting her hair done.
Barry came down, wearing a red tux. "I'm ready, Aunt Ivanna."
Susan already came out in a dark magenta dress, with an indigo ribbon and bow on her waist, and her hair was in an elegant bun, with violet and lilac flowers all over her hair, and she was already shining through the hallway.
"Wow. You guys both look fabulous." Ivanna smiled.
"Umm, thank you." Susan said, blushing.
"When are our friends gonna be here?" Barry asked.
"Just wait for them, Dash." Susan whispered to him.
Ivanna glanced at the clock. "They should be here real soon."
The cars then parked all over the mansion in parking spots. Soon the doorbell rang.
"Come in." The computer voice said.
The guests looked amazed as the front door opened automatically.
"Welcome to the party." Ivanna said. "The presents will go under the tree, and the food will be at the food table."
Everyone agreed and did as she instructed.
"Wow, Susan." Michael said, blushing and stood still. "Y-you look maravilloso tonight." He noticed her outfit.
"Really? Thanks, Michael." She smiled, also blushing. "You look nice too."
"Hey, guys!" Hilary waved at the kids.
"Hi, Hilary!" They waved back to her.
"I'm so excited for the party!" Hilary said.
"We're glad that you guys could make it." Susan smiled.
"Thanks." Alex said.
"It's great to see everyone all together for the holidays." Natalie commented.
Jack and Laura Reed came to the party.
"Wow." Jack looked around, surprised. "Ivanna really went all out."
"Jack! You came!" Hilary said, running to him for a big hug. "Merry Christmas!"
"Hey, Hil." Jack smiled and went to hug her. "Thanks, you too."
"You kids can go up to the kids' room until dinner." One of the servants said.
"Ok." The kids agreed and then headed upstairs.
They made it to Susan's room, and begin sharing stories on their winter traditions back home.
"Barry and I used to love to play in the snow every year." Susan explained.
"Then what happened after that?" Natalie questioned.
"We usually have a snowball fight." Susan continued.
"Which he/she cheats at!" She and Barry said at the same time.
"This is my first Christmas with my family." Alex said.
"This is my first one too." Hilary added. "Wanna check out on my storybook?" She asked as she got her storybook. "And don't wanna ruin my dress."
"Ok!" The other kids agreed, nodding.
Meanwhile downstairs, the adults were chatting about the holidays.
"This is a pretty cool party." Jack said.
"You never have been to a party before?" Audrey asked.
"Not one like this." Jack shook his head.
"Well, darling," Ivanna said. "You look like someone I've known before."
"Really?" Jack turned to look at her. "I don't think we've met before."
"Nevermind" Ivanna said.
Jack shrugged and went back to mingle with the other guests.
Laura Reed was talking to Brianna and Lucy about Jack.
"It's great to see him fitting in with everyone." Laura Reed said, feeling proud.
"I know. I mean the rumors of him are sometimes suspicious ever since he came here." Brianna claimed.
"But after you get to know him, you see that the rumors aren't true." Laura Reed said.
"I heard that." Jack said, getting some pork tamales, and some Christmas chocolate pudding. "So this is Brianna?" He asked.
The women were surprised to see Jack standing near them.
"Yes, I am." Brianna nodded. "Nice to meet you, Jack." She shook his hand.
"Nice to meet you, too." Jack smiled, shaking her hand.
In Susan's room, Hilary was reading along the Christmas special page of Coco in her storybook.
The other kids enjoyed listening to the story, especially Michael and Natalie.
"This story reminds me of our family's traditions back home." Natalie said, smiling warmly, remembering the Christmas before the cruse. "I've missed them soon much."
"Me too." Michael agreed, nodding. "But at least our family's still together."
Ms. Cordwain put of each three presents for each of the Hernandez family.
"I hope you like these, mi familia." She said softly to herself.
"Hey, Ms. Cordwain." Lucy came over to her "What a lovely and festive dress you have on." She complemented.
"Oh, hi Lucy." She turned to face her. "Gracias. Yours is quite lovely, too."
"Well, gracias to you too." Lucy said, blushing. "Have you noticed anything about Michael when he walked by to your shop?"
Ms. Cordwain thought for a moment. "I've noticed that he's made some friends. I've also seen him out playing with his dog and his guitar."
"I'm glad he had some friends." Lucy said, smiling a little. "But when he saw Angela, Henry, or Joaquin, he called them 'Tía Victoria, Tío Oscar, and Tío Felipe.' So has Natalie. I've overheard them in secret." She explained.
Ms. Cordwain's eyes widened and she froze in shock. 'That means Miguel and Rosa are awake too.' She thought to herself. "Oh, I'm sure it's just a game that they're playing." She said, trying to keep her cover.
"I thought the same." Lucy said. "They even think of you as 'Mama Imelda'."
'Because I am, Luisa.' She wanted to say, but she knew Lucy wouldn't believe her. "Well, in a way, they do feel like family to me."
"I agree." Lucy agreed.
"Talking to Ms. Cordwain?" Edward came in.
Lucy turned to face him. "Oh, hi honey. Yeah, we were talking about Michael and Natalie."
"I've even heard you calling her 'Mama Imelda' just now." Edward said.
"I was saying that that's who Michael and Natalie seem to think Ms. Cordwain is." Lucy explained.
"Well, you're in luck, because I once saw Michael thinking of my mother and father as 'Elena y Franco" for some reason." Edward said.
"The kids certainly have an overactive imagination." Lucy said.
"It'll pass." Ms. Cordwain advised.
"I hope so." Lucy and Edward looked at each other. "We don't want them to get too carried away."
-
Dinner was ready starting, and the parents and kids were seated at the same table. The large dining room table was decorated with a holiday-themed centerpiece, name cards at each plate, and a few candles and poinsettia flowers. Michael got himself some of Maria's chicken tamales, Ellen's meat, Diana's vegetarian salad, a little of Lorenzo and Leonardo's spaghetti and meatballs, and some of Ivanna's exotic Californian almond milk, and sat to his seat.
Everyone else went over to the food table in small groups, served themselves, and then sat down.
"I'm so glad it's the holidays." Michael said.
"Me too." Natalie agreed, nodding.
"What did you get from the food selection?" Michael questioned Natalie.
"I wanted to try one of everything," She pointed to her plate.
"That's amazing!" Hilary said.
"Yeah. Our Abuela always makes us have a full plate." Natalie explained.
After dinner, it was time to dance with their partners, and Ms. Cordwain decided to dance by herself.
Seeing everyone dancing in pairs made her feel sad again. 'I wish you could be here for the holidays, mi amor.' She thought to herself.
Ms. Cordwain then joined in, picking up her dress and twisted and twirled, laughing happily, making her shoes growing marigold petals, and imagine yourself as a young woman, dancing with her husband.
Michael and Natalie watched her in amazement.
"Mama Imelda can dance?" Natalie also looked shocked.
"Si." Michael answered. "She danced while singing 'La Llorona' at the De la Curz sunrise spectacular." He explained.
"Really?" Natalie couldn't believe it. "But I always thought she hated music. She started the ban."
Michael began to explain to Natalie about Imelda's past and her years of dancing and singing, and why she didn't tell her family about it.
Natalie was just amazed, listening to him. It was much different from the story they grew up hearing.
"Looks likes we are getting close to breaking the cruse." Michael hopefully said.
"I hope so." Natalie agreed.
After dancing, they all went to the tree for the gift-giving.
"Alright, everyone." Ivanna said, getting their attention. "It's time to hand out presents. Who would like to go first?"
"Me first." Hilary said. "I got one for Jack." She got a rectangular red box with a gray ribbon and bow on it, and a card reading: 'To Jack, From Hilary.'
"Aw, thanks, kid." Jack smiled. She handed him the present and he began to open it. He was surprised at a mug reading 'Hilary's best hero'. Jack looked at her, feeling both speechless and touched. He gave Hilary a big hug.
Ms. Cordwain was warm-hearted at the moment, then looked at the Hernandez Family. "These presents are from me." She said.
She handed them out to each member of the family, and they began opening the gifts. They were amazed by the presents they've got.
Michael's gift was a pair of black leather loafers. Natalie's were a beautiful, sparkling purple, calfskin flats with bows on them. Angela got huarache sandals with yellow and blue colors. Edward's were a great pair of brown kangaroo-skinned boots. Lucy got a pair of closed-toed, blue and orange Huaraches. Albert's were a perfect green and red sneakers with colorful painted silver laces. Gabriella's were a beautiful gold and black high heels with golden and silver tips. Diego's was a gray and black pair of sandals and loafers. Juan and Jimmy each got matching red and green cars sneakers. Mina's were a beautiful sparkling purple pair of baby boots. Maria's was a pair of beautiful, open pink and blue Huaraches. Henry's and Joaquin's were matching pairs of boots with pockets in them to store everything.
"Wow!" The kids cried.
"These are all wonderful." Lucy smiled.
"Si. Muchas gracias." Added Maria.
"Oh, de nada." Ms. Cordwain smiled, remembering their faces after all those years. For a moment, it felt as though she had her family back.
"Ms. Cordwain!" Michael said, trying to keep his cover. "I got a present for you!" He got out a medium size purple box, with an indigo ribbon and bow, with a card.
She tried to control her emotions and keep her cover as he handed her the present. "That's very nice of you, Michael."
Ms. Cordwain was curious she opened the present and was amazed by a beautiful music box, it was very golden with violet and red tips, she open it and so the mirror along with a dancing couple doing a waltz: a man was tan-skinned, with brown hair and brown eyes, wearing a black and indigo mariachi suit and hat, and the woman was fair-skinned, had long curly black hair, and blue eyes, and was wearing a beautiful, long, off shoulder, and sparkling violet and brown dress, and it was playing 'Proud Corazon' in a lullaby version.
She felt her eyes tearing up and stared at Michael, speechless. She put the box down and wrapped her arms around him in a big hug. "Gracias, Miguelito." She whispered.
After the gift-giving, it was time for another adult conversation, but Ms. Cordwain decided to talk with Michael and Natalie in one of the private rooms.
"Mi niños, I thought we'd never saw each other again. Thank goodness we found each other again." She said, giving Michael and Natalie a hug.
"So did I, Mama Imelda. I really missed you." Michael replied, hugging her back. "I can't believe you've been awake the whole time."
Jack looked curiously at the family, thinking he MIGHT have known them before.