*Chapter 16: Christmas Feast*

Once Whoville got their decorations and everything they need back, the Grinch was invited to Christmas dinner at the May Who house. Since he is a new date of Martha's, he is welcome to the house anytime. The Grinch is wearing the red and white stripe tie to make him look a little festive. Max is with him wearing a red Christmas sweater. The Grinch took a breath and ring the doorbell. Neil answered it and see the Grinch and Max.

"Ah, Mr. Grinch! You made it just in time." He said.

"Hello, Mr. May. Thank you for inviting me to your dinner." The Grinch said.

"Please come in. Both of you." Neil moved so Max and his master could be in the house. There are a few friends around the house. The Grinch noticed Bricklebaum, Molly, the Cat, the Fish, Miss McGerkle, and the Lou Whos. "Dinner is almost ready. Enjoy yourself, Mr. Grinch. Martha is in the kitchen." Neil said.

"Thank you, Mr. May." The Grinch said. Max barked and went over to Cindy and Marco. The Grinch chuckled and look around the living room. He turned to see the kitchen where Martha and Cassandra are. They took out a roast beast from the oven.

"Here, let me." The Grinch said, helping Martha with the cooked roast beast.

"Grinch! You're here!" Martha said with a smile. "Thank you." Cassandra watched the Grinch place the roast beast on the dinner table. She turned to Martha.

"Well, he has really changed because of you." She said.

"Yes. He's really a softy." Martha said. She took off the apron and place it on the counter. She is wearing a red dress and her hair is in a ponytail. She walked out of the kitchen to join the party with her new boyfriend.
Molly stood by the tree, listening to Christmas music, holding her drink. She is wearing a white turtleneck sweater with dark blue leggings. She watched the Whos talking to each other. She saw the Grinch and Martha holding hands.

"Hello, Molly." The Cat greeted. He tipped his hat to her. Molly smiled a little at him.

"Hello, Cat."

"How are you enjoying your stay in Whoville?" The Cat asked.

"It was great. Things couldn't get any better." Molly said. "I'm leaving either in a morning or the day after. Depends."

"It's great to see you again, Molly. I've missed you." The Cat said. "I do wish we could see each other again. I feel bad about making a mess in your household. I understand why we couldn't be together."

"My family was the one who want me to send you away." Molly said. "It hurts when I told you to go." She went up to him and hug him. "I do miss you, Cat. I miss the Things, the Fish, everything we do together." The Cat hugged her back, stroking her back.

"Perhaps sometime we could go out for dinner." The Cat suggested. "And maybe we could be together again. We will talk to your family together." Molly smiled at him.

"I'd like that." She said.
The Fish watched from his bowl. He smiled to himself. They make a cute couple. Same as the Grinch and Martha.

XX

The Grinch and Martha are in her bedroom to have some time alone before dinner. Martha shows him the green rose he gave her. It is still fresh with glitter.

"I wish I could get you something, Grinch. You've given me so much." Martha said.

"Oh, you don't have to get me anything. Besides, you already have. It's you that I want for Christmas." The Grinch told her with a smile. "You make me happy."

"And you make me happy too, Grinchy." Martha said, kissing him on the cheek.

"And...I do have a present for you." The Grinch told her. "But, it's really up to you."

"Hm?"

"Martha, would you like to...live with me? In Mt. Crumpit?" The Grinch asked with a nervous smile. Martha stared at him in surprise. He offers her to move in with him. "Max would like to have someone else around since it's only me and him. If you don't want to, you don't have to. I'm not forcing you to-"

"Oh, Grinch!" Martha hugged him. "Of course I'll move in!" The Grinch laughed as he embraced her. Martha is going to live with him and Max.

"There you two are!" Marco said from the doorway. The Grinch and Martha pulled away to see the boy. "Everybody's waiting for you guys down there. Dinner is ready!"

"Oh, right." Martha said. "We'll be right down, Marco."

"Sure." Marco said with a smirk. "Don't take too long." He walked back downstairs. Martha rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"We might as well get back to the little party." The Grinch. "This is my first Christmas with you all after all. I don't want to miss anything." He took her hand. Martha smiled at him.

XX

Everyone is sitting around the dinner table where the feast awaits. Neil was asked by his wife to cut the roast beast, but he turned to the Grinch and smiled.

"Mr. Grinch, how about you do the honors?" He asked, handing the Grinch the knife and a fork.

"Me?" The Grinch asked. "Well, sure. I'd love to." He took the silverware. He looked at the others. "Um, can I say something first?"

"Oh, sure." Neil said. He took a step back as the Grinch stood to look at everyone who watched him.

"For years, I never had Christmas. Ever since I was a small child, I thought I will never have what everyone else had. Family, friends, and love." The Grinch said. "But then I realize that Christmas is about love. I just have the greatest gift of all. And that is Martha May." He took Martha's hand and have her stand next to him. "She's the only one who brought happiness and love. She cares about who I am, not because of my looks." Bricklebaum started to cry a little.

"That's my friend right there." He whispered to Miss McGerkle.

"Thank you all for accepting me to be a part of Christmas." The Grinch raised his glass. "To kindness and love!" Everyone raise their glasses. Max barked happily and jump into the Grinch's arms to lick his face. The Grinch carves the roast beast for everyone.
He couldn't ask for anything more. He has new friends, and the one who loves him in return. This is the best Christmas ever.