I'll Be Home For Christmas
Dec 23rd 12:45 pm.
Stripe was in his dorm room packing his bag and getting ready to leave for home for Christmas. Stripe's phone then rang while he was packing. "Hello," Stripe said on the phone. "Hi sweetie!" Chris said on the phone. "Hey mum," Stripe said with a smile. "I just wanted to let you know, that it'll just be you, me and your father for Christmas this year," Chris said. Stripe was a little confused by this. "Really? How come?" Stripe asked. "Bandit is going to be with Emily and her family and Radley is working through the holidays," Chris explained. "O-oh," Stripe said in a sad tone. "Something the matter stripy?" Chris said. "No… well I was looking forward to seeing my brothers and Emily this Christmas," Stripe said looking down. "I know sweetie, but me and your father will make it special, are you bringing anyone special? Maybe Trixie?" Chris asked with a chuckle.
Stripe blushed a bit but luckily his mother couldn't see his face. "No mum, Trixie and I are just friends and she already has plans with her family," Stripe explained. "Aw that's too bad I would really like to meet her," Chris said in a sad tone. "I know mum, maybe I can see if she would like to come down for the summer," Stripe explained. "That would be great sweetie, well I should let you get back to packing and I can't wait to see you sweetheart," Chris said with a smile. "Me too Mum I'll see you soon," Stripe said. They then hung up the phone and Stripe continued to pack.
Once Stripe was finished and went to his car. Stripe enjoyed the road and driving well in general. "This is great!," Stripe said while driving. Stripe turned on the radio and was listening to music while driving. "I wonder how Bandit and Emily are doing this Christmas?" Stripe asked himself. "Bet Bandits enjoying the snow for the first time," Stripe added. Bandit had once told Stripe that Emily's family also had a family cabin in the mountains of Oregon in the US. "That's probably where they're spending Christmas," Stripe said to himself as he drove. "But Rad…" Stripe said to himself.
(Flashback)
"Are you sure you're not coming?" Stripe asked on the phone. "Sorry mate… I just… I have to work," Rad said. "Oh alright," Stripe said looking down. "Tell Mum and Dad I love them and maybe I'll see them for New Years," Rad said softly. "Okay, what about Bandit and Emily?" Stripe asked. "Send Bandit my well wishes," Rad replied. "And Em?" Stripe asked. "Stripe… *sigh* yeah… her too… I gotta go I love you little brother," Rad said then hung up the phone quickly. Stripe looked down and hung up the phone as well. Stripe knew Rad was still hurting from Emily and didn't want to push it. "Stripy, could you help me in the kitchen," Chris said to her younger son. "Sure thing mum," Stripe said, now going into the kitchen.
(End of Flashback)
Stripe sighed as drove along the road. Stripe then stopped at a gas station and grabbed some gas. Stripe was looking at a magazine until he heard someone call his name. "Stripe!" Said another blue Heeler. "Uncle Billy?" Stripe said, looking at the blue Heeler. "What are you doing here?! I thought you were in college!" Billy said, grabbing Stripe in for a hug. "It's Christmas vacation uncle Billy, I'm actually going home," Stripe said while being squeezed by his uncle. Billy was Bob's kid brother although he liked to drink a bit but was a funny drinker. Billy burped and let's stripe go. "Really? I was heading there too! But uh my trucks broke down," Billy said moving to the side showing his truck. "Uncle Billy, what happened to your truck?" Stripe asked.
Billy then burped again and then explained. "Just a little Joey mate hopped right in the middle of the road," Billy explained "and that's how your truck broke down?" Stripe asked, confused. "Well I swerved out of the way and lost a tire," Billy explained. "Where's your Brother's? Or are they at home already?" Billy asked. "Oh! They… well Bandit's with his girlfriend and her family and Rad's working," Stripe explained. "Oh, well in that case we should get a move on mate!" Billy said as he got into Stripe's car. "You're coming with me?" Stripe asked. "Of course mate! You are my favorite nephew of the five!" Billy said with a burp. "But there's only three of us," Stripe said as the gas pump was done. "Right, right, let's get going!" Billy said, sitting in the front seat.
Stripe sighed and got into his car and left the gas station. "How's college mate?" Billy asked. "It's fine," Stripe said. "Any special girl mate?" Billy asked with a sly smile. "Uh er there's this one girl," Stripe said. "Really now? Where is she at?" Billy asked as he took out a flask. "Oh she had plans with her family this Christmas," Stripe explained. "Have you made the first move with her mate?" Billy asked. "No… we're just friends," Stripe answered. "Just friends?! Come one Stripes! I had at least three girls when I was your age!" Billy said, drinking his flask. "Three?" Stripe asked. "Yep! And only one had a restraining order against me," Billy said while drinking. "That's not hard to believe…" Stripe said under his breath.
"Hmm? Did you say something mate?" Billy asked before taking another drink. "Nothing," Stripe said while driving. "So how's Brady with that girlfriend of his?" Billy asked. "You mean Bandit?" Stripe asked. "That's what I said, Bandit," Billy said. "You… nevermind he's fine," Stripe answered. "And Brad? Is he seeing anyone?" Billy asked, taking a drink again. "It's Rad and no not right now," Stripe said while keeping his eyes on the road. "Yeah? Ugh I remember being your kid's age and your dad would always get the girls," Billy said looking out the window. "Yeah?" Stripe asked. "Oh yeah Stripes it's always been that way but I love your dad," Billy said about ready to fall asleep. Stripe remembers all the crazy Christmas's his uncle would pull and his father would get mad.
(Flashback)
"Are you sure you can do the crackling mate?" Bob asked Billy. "Of course I can mate, I only watch you and our other three brothers do it," Billy said. "Right mate, just don't burn it," Bob said as he went into the house. Stripe, Bandit and Rad were playing with their toys that they had received for Christmas. "Are you sure Billy has it covered Bob?" Chris asked her husband while she was also cooking in the kitchen. "Yeah he should be fine," Bob said while opening a cold one and then something exploded outside shaking the house. "What the?!" Bob said, rushing outside. Stripe, Bandit and Rad also went outside with their father. "Billy!" Bob shouted in anger seeing his brother covered in smoke.
Billy coughed and then looked at his brother and smiled. "I think it's done mate," Billy said with another cough from the smoke. "Shower! Now!" Bob shouted with a low growl. The kids then started laughing at their uncle as he went through the house to go to the bathroom to wash off. "My carpet!" Chris said as Billy went to the bathroom. "Sorry Chris I'll get clean when I'm done!" Billy said from the bathroom. The kids continued laughing and even rolled on the ground laughing.
(End of Flashback)
Stripe smiled at the memory as he drove. Stripe looked over and saw that his uncle was sleeping. Now in Brisbane Stripe stopped at a pay phone and called his parents "hey uncle Billy," Stripe said, waking up his uncle. "Yes mate?" Billy said, now waking up. "I'm going to call my parents on this pay phone, do you want anything?" Stripe asked. "Nah mate I'm fine," Billy said sitting back in his seat. "Alright," Stripe said getting out of his car and walking over to the pay phone, "Ooh a Inflatable Santa," Billy said wagging his tail.
"Hey mum, I just wanted to let you know I'm in town," Stripe said "great sweetie could you pick up some yams? I know your uncle loves them when he gets here," Chris said while cooking. "Funny story about uncle Billy mum, I'm actually with him," Stripe said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh really? Let me guess a Joey ran in the road," Chris said not surprised. "Yeah! Wait, how did you know?" Stripe asked. "Every other year it's the same Joey that's on the road, nothing new sweetie," Chris said. "Right, alright mum I'm going to call Bandit and wish him a merry Christmas," Stripe said with a smile. "Okay sweetie and don't forget the yams," Chris said with a smile. "I won't mum, I love you," Stripe replied. "I love you too sweetie," Chris said, hanging up the phone.
Stripe then got more change and then called Bandit. "Hello?" Bandit said on the phone. "Hey brother," Stripe said, wagging his tail. "Hey mate," Bandit said, wagging his tail. "Is that Stripe?" Emily asked, looking at her boyfriend. Bandit nodded looking at Emily with a smile. "Merry Christmas Stripe!" Emily said with a laugh. "Merry Christmas Em!" Stripe said while blushing on his side of the phone. "Where are you mate? Are you at mum and dads?" Bandit asked on the phone. "No not yet I have to pick up some yams for uncle Billy who is also with me," Stripe said. "Uncle Billy huh? Hopefully nothing has exploded yet," Bandit said with a chuckle. "Nope, nothing has exploded yet," Stripe said with a chuckle. "I wanted to wish you a merry Christmas mate," Stripe said looking down.
"Thanks mate, merry Christmas to you too," Bandit said softly. "Has Rad talked to you?" Stripe asked. "No unfortunately, he really won't talk to me or Emily," Bandit said looking at Emily who was in the living room with her parents laughing and watching Christmas movies. "I actually thought we were all going to be together for Christmas," Stripe said in a sad tone. "I'm sorry mate, I just wanted to impress Emily's parents this Christmas and I'm really getting along with them," Bandit said, still looking at Emily who looked back at him with a warm smile.
"I'm actually thinking about asking her to marry me," Bandit said quietly. "Really?! That's great Bandit!" Stripe shouted. "Not so loud mate," Bandit chuckled. "I really love her and always have and I think it's time," Bandit said with a smile while sitting looking at Emily. "Congrats mate," Stripe said looking up and seeing that his uncle was gone from the car. "Um, I should go mate, our uncle isn't in the car anymore," Stripe said, now looking for their uncle. "Alright mate merry Christmas and tell Mum and Dad I love them," Bandit said. "Will do mate, take care," Stripe said, still looking for Billy. "You too mate," Bandit said and then they both hung up the phone
"Uncle Billy?" Stripe said, looking around for his uncle. "Run mate!" Billy shouted while shoving something in the back seat of the car. "Run?" Stripe asked, confused. "Bring back that Santa back!" Said a dog running up to them. "Uncle Billy!" Stripe shouted, now getting into his car and trying to start his car. "Come on Stripes! Drive!" Billy said worriedly. Stripe kept trying his car but it wouldn't start. "Stripes! Christmas isn't going to wait mate!" Billy shouted. "Why did you take Santa!" Stripe said, panicking. "It'll look good in your dad's yard mate!" Billy shouted. Suddenly the car roared up to life and then they sped away down the road.
"I think we lost him mate," Billy said looking behind them. Stripe was breathing hard with his heart almost bursting out of his chest. "Why uncle Billy?! Why?!" Stripe shouted while driving. "Just think mate, just think how this Santa will look in your dad's yard," Billy said with a laugh. "My dad has tons of stuff in the yard!" Stripe shouted.
"Besides mate I didn't get him anything for Christmas and this was perfect!" Billy said with a smile. "So you stole it?!" Stripe asked in a panic. "Nah mate I left some money for it," Billy said now looking forward. "We could have got one at the store!" Stripe said while going into a parking lot. "Ah didn't think of that! well mate this will be a great story to tell your kids some day!" Billy said while laughing. "Barely into my second year of college and I'm already a criminal," Stripe said with a sad look. "Ah cheer up Stripes you'll make a fine young dog with a little fun added to your résumé," Billy said while laughing.
"Ugh!" Stripe said parking the car. "Stay here! I have to get yams!" Stripe said getting out of the car. Stripe shuts his car door and goes into the store. Stripe comes out of the store and gets in his car. "Any trouble finding the yams mate?" Billy asked. "No!" Stripe said starting his car and started driving. "Come on Stripes you can be that mad mate! Wait, are you mad?" Billy asked. "Stripe! It's just Stripe uncle Billy," Stripe said, annoyed. "But I've always called you Stripes mate," Billy said. "But I'm not five anymore!" Stripe groaned. "Come on mate you have to admit it was funny," Billy said with a chuckle. Stripe was about to get mad and then he really thought about it. Stripe then burst out laughing to the point he had to pull over and laugh. Billy also started laughing with his nephew and the two sat in the car and laughed about the situation.
After laughing they realized they were at the house already. "Uncle Billy?" Stripe said, looking at his uncle. "Yes mate?" Billy asked, wiping his eyes from laughing so much. "Thanks for coming with me," Stripe said with a smile while looking at his uncle. "Your welcome mate," Billy said, placing his hand on his nephew's shoulder. "We should go in," Stripe said, unbuckling himself. "Yeah we should," Billy said, also unbuckling himself. Billy then grabbed the inflatable Santa from the back and then they went up to the house. "Merry Christmas everyone!" Stripe said coming into the house. "Merry Christmas Stripy," Chris said from the kitchen. "Merry Christmas son, merry Christmas little brother," Bob said looking at his son and baby brother. "Hey mate!" Billy said, giving his oldest brother a hug. "Hey! I saw the same Santa at that Christmas tree lot down near the store," Bob said looking at the inflatable Santa. Stripe and Billy looked at each other and giggled. "What's so funny?" Bob asked. "Oh nothing dad," Stripe said, trying to keep a straight face. "Oh well anyways mate your mum needs those yams," Bob said. "Oh yeah," Stripe said, going to the kitchen. "I swear I've seen this thing before," Bob said looking at the inflatable Santa. "Let's catch up mate," Billy said, taking Bob away from the inflatable Santa.
"Merry Christmas boys!" Chris shouted through the house.
The End.
Kodiwolf321 A/N: As promised the second Christmas Short is here! This one dives in the past with Stripe coming home for Christmas and well we got to meet Bob's Baby brother! Tell me what you think! And I'll see you soon!
