It was a few weeks before Christmas, and during that year, there had been lots of changes for Lionel, Cherry, and Thor, as well as for their children. For one, they had some new siblings, both via adoption and biological. The parents decided to use a bit of magic to decorate their house to make it more festive and ready for the upcoming winter holidays which were always a treat to endure for both young and old, even if the snow was more of a hassle for adults than it was a pleasure for children. It was also very exciting for the new members of the family to experience their first Christmas together with their new family and no one could wait to get started.
"Well, you guys, this is going to be an interesting Christmas season this year." Cherry said to Thor and Lionel as they got their decorations put up with colorful lights, snowmen in the yard, decorations to lure Santa Claus to their house, and a whole lot more, especially indoors.
"That's putting it lightly!" Lionel replied as he held David and Elyse in his arms.
"The kids will be home any minute," Cherry said. "Then we'll have the next rest of the month and some of January with hot chocolate, gingerbread cookies, and gift exchanging."
"I'm pretty thrilled about that myself," Thor nodded. "I hope the kids are being patient back in school at least."
"Oh, yeah," Cherry chuckled a bit. "They're probably driving their teachers crazy already."
At LJ and Zofia's school, they sat as patiently as they could in their desks as the teacher, Mr. Trivia, announced the History of The Christmas Truce back in December 24th, 1914 during the first World War as the clock seemed to move very slow for them.
"C'mon... C'mon...!" LJ winced internally.
Zofia was even having a tough time during her class with Mrs. Helperman, though that class seemed more fun compared to LJ's class as she had the students play Secret Santa and they began to exchange gifts with each other. She tuned out most of the excitement as she stared at the clock while Leonard, the son of the teacher and an occasional friend of hers, talked about trying to impress the girl of his dreams: Leslie Dunkling. School on the day right before Winter Break was always a struggle and challenge for any student, even ones who liked school.
It was even worse for the school that the teenagers went to, which was more privileged and rich compared to the other schools in the county.
"Now does anyone have any questions before the final bell?" Headmistress Fairgood smiled as she stood with her daughter, Jane, as there was a holiday party going on in the gym.
"I don't think anyone's listening anymore, Mom." Jane smiled sheepishly.
And Jane was right, especially since everyone else was focused on having a blast at the holiday party before they left for their Christmas Vacation. Gil grunted as he was on his hands and knees, looking very uncomfortable and unfortunate with Harry on top of him, though he was struggling too as Uma stood on top of him and she was reaching for the clock hands, trying to move them to the 12 and the 3 before the three looked over at their Headmistress and grinned sheepishly and innocently.
"You three... I worry about you sometimes..." Headmistress Fairgood sighed and shook her head.
"No sweat, Headmistress," Uma smirked. "Gil, Harry, and me were just making sure that the clocks are working properly. I know how much deadlines mean to you, ma'am."
"Mm-hmm..." Headmistress Fairgood smirked a bit.
"I'm just looking forward to a real Christmas," Mal said to Felicity. "Me, Carlos, Jay, and Evie never had a real holiday back home."
"We could barely afford anything." Carlos added.
"Sometimes we had to score some treats at The Five-Finger Discount." Jay nodded.
"Well, this year, you don't have to worry about that," Felicity smiled at them. "We'll have a real family Christmas this year together."
"I hope so," Mal replied. "But then again, anything that gets us a few weeks away from Audrey and her parrot pals is alright by me."
Audrey and the Dee Dee twins hissed at Mal. Mal just glared at them in annoyance.
"Well, I'm sure this family Christmas will be very special this year and I look forward to spending it with you guys," Felicity replied as Gil and Harry yelped before Uma crashed and landed on top of them and they were all on the floor together. "I also heard we might be going on a trip very soon."
"Oh, you guys are leaving?" Jane asked as she walked by.
"Probably, yes." Felicity replied to the headmistress's daughter.
"Aw... Carlos, I was hoping you and I could visit the orphanage together to see those kids we love seeing so much," Jane pouted softly. "But if you're too busy, I'm sure Jake and the others will understand."
"Jake..." Carlos whispered softly as he thought about the first time he had met the kids that he, Jane, and Jane's good friend, Wendy Darling, visited occasionally, especially one who was like a little brother to him, chuckling as he remembered playing "Pirates" with the boy as soon as they first met. "Uh, I guess I could stop by for a little while."
"Great!" Jane beamed as she gave him a hug. "They'll be so happy to see you!"
Carlos's eyes widened from the hug before he chuckled and turned bright red in the face.
"I'm going to miss you all so much this term... We had such a good time together!" Headmistress Fairgood started to say, sounding like she was going to cry. "I can't believe I won't see any of you for a whole entire year!" she then giggled suddenly. "Little end of the Fall semester humor for you, dears. Don't worry! The month and a half will fly by before ya know it!"
"Uh, Ms. Fairgood, I don't mean to interrupt, but...?" Mal spoke up as she pointed at the clock as it was literally seconds close to 3:00 now.
Headmistress Fairgood looked over. "Oh! I see... Proceed then..." she then told the students.
"Five!" The teenagers began.
"Four!" LJ and Zofia added in their respective classrooms.
"Three!" Cherry counted.
"Two!" Lionel added.
"One!" Thor soon concluded as every clock in town struck 3:00.
The school bells rang and soon, everyone began to rush off to have fun and enjoy their Winter Break.
"See you next year, my little lovelies!" Headmistress Fairgood called out, waving to the students as she stood next to Jane.
LJ and Zofia waited out in front of their school as they would go home with the teenagers when they would come by to pick them up as they used to do the same with Felicity until the minivan would ride over.
"Well, until we meet again..." Sandra said to LJ.
"Hey, you take care, alright?" LJ told her.
"I said I wouldn't cry," Ichabod sniffled. "But Scraggy and I will try not to forget ya over the break, bud!"
Scraggy soon jumped out and hugged LJ a bit.
"Aw, I'll miss you guys too, but it won't be forever." LJ reassured.
"Winter Break is always an adventure," Sandra remarked as she crossed her arms. "You just try not to cause too much trouble before the school year starts again next month."
"I just hope our new brothers and sisters will be jolly instead of rotten based on what I've heard about them." Zofia whispered to herself.
"Me? Cause trouble? Sandra, look who you're talkin' to!" LJ smirked. "Now where's Kimberly? Anybody seen her?"
"I think I saw her with some of those Flower Scout girls over there." said Gengar.
"Those three?" LJ narrowed his eyes.
"They're troublemakers, I can tell," Zofia replied. "Maybe we should go and rescue Kimberly real quick, Brother?"
"I got this covered," LJ replied as he threw out a PokéBall, which burst open. "Fishy Joe, ready to go?"
"You betcha!" The Marshtomp declared. "Let's go deliver some Season's Beatings!"
"Be careful!" Zofia called out to the Marshtomp.
Fishy Joe soon took off and came to see Kimberly with the three bad girls.
"You think you're cool?" Sasha scoffed, crossing her arms at Kimberly as she stood between her lackeys: Erin and Tabi. "You make me sick."
"I can see all you three are getting for Christmas is giant lumps of coal." Kimberly glared.
"Works for us anyway," Sasha smirked. "If some coal is pressured enough, it can be turned into a diamond~"
"Yeah, that or cubic zirconia." LJ remarked as he stepped up with Fishy Joe.
The Flower Scouts soon turned around.
"Hi, LJ." Kimberly smiled and waved over to him.
"Hello, Kimberly." LJ smiled back with a nod.
"The loner witch's kid again?" Erin asked once she saw LJ.
"Looks like it." Tabi replied.
"But we're not scared," Sasha grinned as she crossed her arms. "Right, girls?"
Erin and Tabi mumbled nervously.
"RIGHT, GIRLS?!" Sasha repeated sharply.
Erin and Tabi then quickly and nervously agreed with her.
"Fishy Joe, let's use that move we've been improvising!" LJ grinned.
"You got it!" Fishy Joe declared as he began to scoop up snow and throw it.
The Flower Scouts smirked darkly towards Kimberly before yelping as they got hit by the snow.
"Hey! Who threw that?" Sasha complained.
Kimberly stepped out of the way before smiling as LJ brought her to safety.
"I have, not like you're gonna do anything about it though." Fishy Joe glared at the Flower Scouts.
"Oh, yeah?" asked Erin. "Maybe we'll get our own Pokémons for Christmas, and then we'll see!"
"Uh-huh, riiiight." LJ rolled his eyes before he helped Kimberly onto Marshtomp's back.
The Flower Scouts sneered as Kimberly hugged LJ once she got comfortable.
"You'll pay for this, Witch Son." Erin glared.
"Just wait 'til next year!" Tabi added.
"You're on our list~" Sasha added darkly.
"The check's in the mail, stinkbugs," LJ remarked. "C'mon, Kim; we can go wait with Zofia until Mom and Dad show up."
"Okay, LJ," Kimberly nodded. "This is going to be an interesting Christmas."
"You said it." LJ replied as Fishy Joe took them back over to the school entrance.
"I swear... There's something funny about that Scott Leadready kid..." Zofia commented to herself as she waited by herself before looking over to her brother and his "special friend" coming back.
"Hi, Zofia!" Kimberly greeted.
"Greetings." Zofia nodded.
"So, how much longer 'til Mom and Dad get here?" LJ asked as he recalled Fishy Joe into his PokéBall.
"Hopefully real soon," Zofia replied. "I can't wait much longer."
"I'll keep you guys company until they come if you want." Kimberly smiled.
"Thanks, Kim." LJ and Zofia approved.
"I hope Flick and the other teens got out of school okay though." Zofia then said.
Speaking of which, some random music began to play as Felicity, Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos made it out of school.
"I'm feeling giddy, So full of cheer, This always happens, This magic time of year~" Mal began to sing with a smirk.
"We're lighting candles, We're trimming trees, We're spinning dreidels, Spin one for me~" Jay soon added.
"I'm dreamin' reindeer, I'm drinking 'nog, I'll make a snowman, In the backyard~" Evie added.
"I'm standing under the mistletoe, My lips are puckered~," Carlos sang, holding mistletoe before Jane and Wendy dashed away together, giggling. "Hey! Where'd you go?~"
"Santa, Santa, we'll behave, Quit those silly evil ways, I can't wait to celebrate, Let's celebrate~," Felicity soon joined in. "We're jolly to the core~"
"Jolly to the core, Sleigh bells in the sky, Carolers on my door, I'm feeling so much joy~," The five teens sang together, having their own musical moment together. "It's time for love not war, I'm jolly to the, Jo-Jolly to the... Core~"
"It's time for giving, so what you got?~" sang Jay. "Oh, I'm just kidding...or maybe not!~"
"I've got my eye on, that wicked dress~" Evie continued. "I've got a wishlist too, I must confess~"
"Let's not forget, To tell the Elves~" added Terry. "We think of others, Not just ourselves (oh no)~!"
"And the greatest gift (what's that?), To every boy and girl (hey, hey)~" Uma added. "Peace on Earth, Around the world!~"
"Santa, Santa, we'll behave, Quit those silly evil ways~," Mal and Evie sang together. "I can't wait to celebrate, Let's celebrate~"
"We're jolly to the core, Jolly to the core~" Everyone sang together.
"Sleigh bells in the sky, Carolers on my door~," The girls sang together. "I'm feeling so much joy, It's time for love not war, I'm jolly to the, Jo-Jolly to the, Core, Let's celebrate, We'll behave~"
"Feeling so much joy, 'Cuz we will always be~" Jay sang towards Lonnie. "Jolly to the core, Jolly to the core~"
"Sleigh bells in the sky, Carolers at my door~" Evie smiled, singing as she brought out her tablet to sho Brock's face.
"What're we singing about?" Brock asked in confusion before Evie sighed at him.
"I'm feeling so much joy, It's time for love not war~" The teenagers all sang together. "I'm jolly to the, Jo-Jolly to the, We're jolly to the core, Jolly to the core, Sleigh bells in the sky, Carolers on my door, I'm feeling so much joy, It's time for love not war, I'm jolly to the, Jo-Jolly to the, To the core, Jolly to the core~" they then concluded as they sat together and posed like they had shot a music video together.
"Hey!" Chip called out.
The others looked over at him and Felicity turned bright red in the face, squeezing her hands together nervously.
"Great song, guys," Chip smiled. "Happy Holidays!"
"Heh... Happy Holidays to you too, Chip." Felicity smiled as she blushed deeply.
"So, you planning anything for this season?" asked Chip.
"Well, my family and I will be out of town for a bit," replied Felicity. "But we'll still be here a couple days before we leave, you know?"
"Oh... Interesting," Chip nodded with a small smile. "I'm gonna help my mom cater this big Christmas party."
"Christmas party?" Jay smirked as he leaned in suddenly, leaning over Felicity and pressing down on her head unintentionally. "Tell me more~"
"Jay!" Felicity grunted and groaned.
"Well, it's invitation-only of course," Chip replied. "I hope Mama and I make shortbread cookies that I can have~" he then beamed. "I just love shortbread cookies."
"I'm partial to sweets myself." Carlos said as he stepped in, coming to Felicity's side.
"You guys have no sense of personal space!" Felicity complained in the background.
"Yeah, it's gonna be great," Chip smiled. "Of course with presents and a lot of great treats and food and gifts!"
"In that case, we might just drop by!" Jay replied.
"Seriously... GET OFF ME!" Felicity grunted.
Jay and Carlos grinned sheepishly and backed away.
"That's better." Felicity narrowed her eyes.
"Who's this party for by the way?" Mal asked Chip before mumbling. "No doubt for Princess Audrey."
"If you don't mind us asking." Evie added.
"No one too fancy or special," Chip smiled. "It's for Ben and his family."
Mal turned at the sound of that. "...Ben is throwing a party?" she asked in surprise.
The others smirked a little bit, especially Uma.
"I mean, not like I care..." Mal then said, acting like she didn't care as she stood by, checking her nails.
The others just chuckled from her surprise and excitement.
"Yeah, he was hoping to have everyone from school show up with their families and anyone else," Chip nodded at the purple-haired girl. "It's gonna be the party of the century apparently."
"Oh... Well, that sounds like fun." Mal then said, trying to play it cool.
"Hopefully it is!" Chip smiled. "You should drop by, Ben would probably wanna see you there."
"Uh, yeah, sounds good," Mal nodded. "Thanks, Chip."
"Sure thing." Chip smiled, letting them look at his invitation to see what it looked like.
Felicity took the invitation. It had a wreathy green border with red ribbons in the corners with golden writing which said "YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE FRENCH RESIDENCE'S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION" overtop of a fireplace of the family of Ben and his little sister Clarice and their parents standing in front of the fireplace, looking festive and happy and inside were instructions such as the party starting at 5:00 Friday, December 18th at their house. There would be ice-skating, a fantastic feast for everybody, singing carols to each other, eating cookies, building snowmen, and a whole lot of winter fun for everyone from ages 1 to 101 with catering by The Potts Family.
Jay made an impressed whistle. "Talk about swanky..." he remarked.
"So, you guys can come," Chip replied. "I mean... If you want... And if Ben invites you..."
"It sounds like a very glamorous gala." Evie beamed as she looked at the invitation.
"Especially since Ben's family will be hosting." Carlos nodded.
"Well, I hope you guys can make it then," Chip smiled. "And especially you too, Felicity."
"I... I... I... I..." Felicity stammered, blushing, unable to say anything else.
"Oh, she'll definitely be there," Mal smirked as she came beside Felicity, wrapping her arm around the dark brown-haired girl. "We're all kind of an entourage, you see. If you invite one of us, you invite all of us~"
"Awesome!" Chip replied. "Can't wait to see you there!"
Felicity grinned sheepishly.
Chip beamed and ran off to go to his mother's car.
"Careful, Chip, dear! You could slip and fall!" Mrs. Potts warned her son as he rushed into the car.
"Sorry, Mama!" Chip called back as he came into the car, luckily not slipping or falling before waving to the group behind him as he fastened his seatbelt and rode off with his mother back home.
The others smirked a bit around Felicity.
"So, Flick, you wanna taste his cookie dough?" Mal teased Felicity with a smirk. "You wanna wrap him up in garland or a Christmas bow? You and Chip gonna go on a sleigh ride together? It's lovely weather~"
"So, Mal, do you wanna dance with Ben?" Felicity soon smirked back.
"FOUL!" Mal cried out then as Felicity grinned impishly and the others surrounded her now.
Just then, they heard a horn honking. Turning their heads, they saw the Moltenschwartz Minivan pulling up near the curb.
"Hey, kids!" Lionel called out the window. "We're here!"
The Moltenschwartz kids cheered and they soon rushed inside the van, leaving school grounds.
"Ready for Winter Break?" Thor asked.
"Yeah!" The kids beamed, even the teenagers.
"Then let's go!" Thor nodded as he went to drive them back home.
"This is my new attempt to impress Ben," Audrey smirked at her best friends, the Dee Dees as she wore a very large pink fur coat as she stood on an icy pond with brand new skates. "I'll wow him with my new skates and skate circles around that miserable old Mal. I was taught by the great Jacques and Josee themselves."
The twin blonde girls applauded Audrey as she skated along before the van rode by, splashing them all suddenly in large piles of snow, making them look like snowmen.
"YOU WILL PAY!" Audrey wailed at her misfortune.
The kids had a laugh at that.
"Alright, next stop, we pick up your little brother and sister," said Lionel. "Hopefully they haven't been outside for too long."
"You didn't leave them home alone, did you?" Evie gasped as she cupped her face with her hands, looking horrified and nervous.
"Of course not!" Lionel replied. "They're waiting at their school!"
"Oh... Good..." Evie smiled in relief.
"You don't think we're bad parents, do you?" Thor chuckled.
"Certainly not." Evie then said, crossing her arms with a small smile.
"By the way, I have to make a quick visit somewhere soon..." Carlos said, turning red in the face bashfully as he tapped his knuckles together. "Nothing big or major though."
"Is it that place you visit with your girlfriend?" Cherry asked.
"Jane and I are just friends, ma'am," Carlos smiled bashfully, turning a bit redder. "But yes..."
"Alrighty then!" Lionel replied. "Maybe we can stop by when we've got LJ and Zofia."
Carlos grinned bashfully.
"I just hope there aren't any troublemakers down there too." Thor remarked.
"Oh, no, no," Carlos shook his head. "I get along with the kids alright, especially Jake, or I should call him 'Captain Jake'. He really feels like a little brother to me sometimes when I'm not home with you guys."
"Aw, that's sweet." Cherry commented.
"Yeah... It is, isn't it?" Carlos smiled.
"Very much," Cherry nodded. "I just hope you kids aren't being too naughty for Santa."
"Never." The kids promised.
"That's what I like to hear," Cherry approved. "Surely the same is happening at The Li'l Rugrats Daycare Center with David and Elyse."
"Yeah; they looked a little nervous, but hopefully they're more comfortable with being away from us," said Thor. "Even if it IS for a little bit."
"Can I pinch their cheeks?" Evie asked.
"Not until they're a little bit older, Evie," Cherry advised. "You might pierce their skin with those nails of yours."
"Yeah, Evie." Mal teased her friend as she glanced at her nails.
"All right, pack some warm clothes, anything for the long trip, and your good manners," Thor told the kids. "'Cuz when we hit the road, there's no turning back until later."
"Will do!" The kids replied as the van drove up to the elementary school parking lot.
"So who put the star on top of your school tree?" Cherry asked the teenagers.
"Chad." The teens replied like it was obvious and typical.
"Ah... Of course..." Cherry rolled her eyes.
"Popularity seems to always win down there," Mal scoffed. "I never cared much about popularity."
"That's easy for you to say," Carlos smirked. "It's obvious that the most popular boy in school really likes you."
"Who?" Mal blinked.
"Ben." The other four reminded.
"...I don't think I'm his type..." Mal pouted as she blushed.
"I honestly think that Chad boy should go out with that Audrey girl," Cherry smirked to the teenagers. "They're both very shallow and vain that they would probably have a date in a House of Mirrors together."
Lionel chuckled at that.
"MOM! DAD!" LJ and Zofia called from outside in the pick-up lot. "OVER HERE!"
"We're coming, dears!" Cherry called back before smiling. "Making great time."
The teenagers smiled back, very excited about this family Christmas. LJ and Zofia soon grabbed their stuff and came to the van so that they could start their Winter Break too.
"Feliz Navidad." Kimberly told LJ and Zofia.
"Feliz Navidad!" LJ and Zofia replied to Kimberly, whose parents had come to pick her up, as they got into the van.
The three waved at each other and they soon split up to go spend their Winter Break with their family in their own special way.
"Don't worry, Carlos, we'll get you to where you need to go," Cherry said as Carlos bit his nails nervously. "Just remember, we're going out of town for the holiday."
"Yes, ma'am." Carlos nodded.
"It'll be nice to see our fine-feathered friends again," Mal smiled. "I had fun with them for the most part. Especially with April, May, and June. They were pretty cool."
"Though I used to think twins and triplets were more or less the same person," Jay shrugged. "Like those Smee twins at the Mall."
"I was hoping you'd know better than that, Jay," Thor replied as they drove away from the elementary school. "But I know it's gonna be a fun Christmas this year with our brand new family. I just hope they don't mind the extra company."
"During this time of year?" replied LJ. "They'd probably appreciate it a lot!"
"Yeah... You're probably right." Jay chuckled.
"Hopefully you get lots of nice presents from Santa Claus too." Thor smiled hopefully.
"Right... Santa Claus..." Mal said, not believing that story.
"Well, duh!" LJ replied. "I got my list done after Thanksgiving dinner, and I sent it off to the North Pole on Black Friday! Plus, Fishy Joe, Titanus and I have all been extra-good this year!"
"I sent my list too." Zofia remarked.
"I didn't see you writing, when did you send your list?" Jay asked her.
"December 25th." Zofia replied.
'HA! That's the day of Christmas!" Jay smirked.
"December 25th last year!" Zofia smirked back, sticking her tongue out.
"Aw, man!" Jay complained. "Who knows if I'll get everything on my list in time since I took LJ's route?"
"You still have plenty of time," Cherry reassured him. "And I'm sure you'll all get what your little hearts desire as long as you promise to be nice instead of naughty."
"We promise." LJ and Zofia replied, and David and Elyse babbled in agreement.
"Good," Thor nodded. "We should all have a Merry Christmas this year though."
"Hopefully better than old Nora and Luther Krank anyway." Cherry mumbled to herself.
"So should we get our stuff before we get going?" asked LJ.
"Yes," Cherry nodded. "You have today and tonight to get ready for the big trip, so gather your things, say your goodbyes, do anything you need to do."
"We already got our stuff ready and packed while you were in school." Lionel added.
"I'll make some snacks for the road." Thor smiled before dashing off into the kitchen.
And so the kids piled into the house, then went about grabbing everything that they would be needing for their trip.
"Oh, this should be a great Christmas," Cherry said before mumbling. "Unlike the year that The Joker took over TV after his infamous Christmas escape from Arkham Asylum."
"Boy, that was quite the caper, eh?" Lionel chuckled.
"Tell me about it." Cherry smirked at the memory.
"Speaking of Gotham though... I hope Terry has a good holiday too." Thor remarked from the kitchen.
"Yeah... Hopefully with his new friend Uma." Cherry nodded.
"Ah, they'll be okay," Lionel replied as he got a bag packed for David and Elyse. "Terry's a good kid, and Uma's got a good heart, even if she is a little rough around the edges. They'll balance each other out nicely."
"At least she's not as sour as her mother can get sometimes," Cherry rolled her eyes. "Though that woman's life sometimes is, for lack of a better word, crap."
"I'm sure Terry can turn them both around if they're lucky," Thor advised. "Not to mention Terry himself is in a much better mood after we found him and taught him about his amazing new life."
"That's true." Cherry nodded.
Eventually, everyone was all packed and ready with their stuff.
"Can I go see Jane now?" Carlos asked, feeling his fingers itching.
"Very well, Carlos, we'll see you later then." Cherry nodded.
"Thanks!" Carlos beamed as she dashed off suddenly, trying to be careful through the snow and ice which the kids only seemed to like while the adults were complaining about it. "Oh, I gotta go see Jane... Can't let her down..."
Two kids, a girl with blonde hair in a ponytail with blue-green eyes in an orange coat with earmuffs, and a bulky looking boy with spiked hair in a green sports jersey with dark blue jeans and red sneakers, wearing a hat and scarf, smiled as they made a snowman together before Carlos ran right through it.
"HEY!" The boy glared at him. "I'm gonna pound you for that!"
"Sorry, I can't stop, I gotta see my dream girl!" Carlos called back as he kept running as he simply continued on his way to the orphanage.
Everyone else decided to wait for him back home. Carlos kept running before yelping as he tripped before sliding across the snow.
Jane was shown to be with her very dear and best friend in the world, Wendy Darling. "I do hope Carlos comes over soon," she then said with a small smile. "And I hope you and your family have a great Christmas."
"I know we will," Wendy smiled back. "We always have the best Christmases ever."
"Ja-a-a-a-a-ane! Look o-o-o-o-o-out!" Carlos cried out as he suddenly slid over, but didn't ambush the girls and groaned as he slid over in front of his feet. "...Hi, girls."
Wendy giggled as she cupped her mouth.
"Hi, Carlos," Jane smiled before giving him her hand and helped him up to his feet. "Carlos, I think if you wanna go sled riding, you should use a sled first."
"Yeah, I gathered..." Carlos replied as he was now upright. "I figured I could visit you and hang out until we're ready to go."
"Oh, how sweet," Jane beamed. "Isn't that sweet, Wendy?"
"Very sweet," Wendy smiled. "Jane, you're so lucky to have a thoughtful boyfriend. I'd love to have a boyfriend~"
"Heh... I'm sure you will someday, Wendy." Carlos smiled back politely.
"Thanks, Carlos." Wendy beamed at the sentiment.
They soon came inside of the orphanage to visit the kids there as a tree was put up in the center of the main foyer with decorations all around and the kids running around in excitement of the upcoming holiday.
"Do you have the star, Izzy?" asked Jake as he and his friends gathered around.
"Yay-hey, yes way!" Izzy declared as she brought out a little yellow paper star to put onto the tree.
"Careful up there!" Cubby warned.
"It's okay, I got it!" Izzy smiled as she made her way up there.
Jane, Carlos, and Wendy were on their way inside, smiling warmly.
Izzy stuck her tongue out as she soon put the star on top. "Got it!" she then beamed.
"Oh, that looks perfect, you guys." Jane smiled warmly at the young ones.
"Thanks, Jane!" The trio replied. "Hi, Carlos! Hi, Wendy! Merry Christmas!"
"Aw, you're so sweet~" Jane beamed.
"Merry Christmas to you too, kids." Wendy smiled warmly.
"I just came by to say hello real quick and I won't be here for the next while until after Christmas." Carlos told Jake, Izzy, and Cubby.
"Aww... But why?" The trio pouted a bit.
"I'm gonna travel outside of town to celebrate my first real family Christmas with my new family," Carlos replied. "But don't worry. I'll be back again someday very soon, I promise."
"And you'll help us fight the pirates?" Jake asked hopefully.
"Aye-Aye, Captain Jake," Carlos smiled as he saluted the boy he was closest to. "We'll swab the deck with 'em and make 'em walk the plank to the hungry crocodiles too!"
"Ohhh, yeah!" Jake laughed. "Well, we can't wait until then!"
"Skully says he'll miss you too!" Cubby replied, clutching a small plushie that looked like a green parrot.
"Aww..." Carlos smiled as he patted the green parrot's head. "I'll miss you too, Skully, but don't worry. I won't be gone forever."
The three kids hugged Carlos good and tight as he smiled warmly down at them.
"You guys have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year," Carlos beamed. "Be good now."
"We will!" The three kids smiled innocently.
"Such good little tykes, aren't they?" Carlos asked the fourth wall with an endeared smile before chuckling. After that, Carlos left and headed back home to rejoin his siblings.
The kids told Carlos goodbye and wished him a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Jane and Wendy smiled and waved as they stayed at the orphanage a bit longer before they would go back home themselves.
"Such a sweet boy." Wendy smiled at her best friend.
"Indeed." Jane smiled back and nodded in agreement.
A brown dog nearby tugged on a small bell.
"Oh? Merry Christmas to you too, Bucky!" Wendy replied with a smile.
As Carlos made it back to the house, he saw LJ asleep in the armchair, with David in his lap, playing with the TV remote. "Where is everyone?" he then asked.
"Getting ready for the trip," Jay said as he walked by, slapping him on the back suddenly. "You should too. I mean, assuming you and Jane said goodbye already." he then smirked.
"Yeah, we did," Carlos smirked back. "I assume it went as well as you and Lonnie saying goodbye to each other."
"Uh... Yeah..." Jay glanced away bashfully.
"Great! So it all worked out for everyone." replied Lionel as he came inside.
"Yeah, it did, Mr. Molt-I mean, Dad," Carlos nodded before beaming a bit. "Feels good to say that word~"
"You never knew your father, huh?" Felicity remarked.
"I've never met him, I've never seen him, I don't know anything about my dad," Carlos shrugged. "Though now I have two that are looking out for me."
"Don't you forget it." Cherry nodded.
"Okay, so is everyone finished with their extra business?" asked Lionel. "And be sure to use the restroom beforehand. It's a pretty long drive."
"We are!" Most of the others replied.
"This is your last chance," Cherry reminded. "Evie, I'm afraid video chatting with Brock will have to wait as soon as we hit the road."
"Aww... But why?" Evie pouted.
"Sorry, Princess Blueberry, but there's no WiFi on the road," Cherry said before whispering. "Plus you already talked to him before, during, and after school."
"I'll miss him and he misses me." Evie kept her pout.
"I know, but you can talk to him later," Cherry reassured. "Spend Christmas with your new family. I'm sure he wants to do the same with his own family."
"...Yeah, okay." Evie said softly.
"Even if he's still working on reestablishing terms with his family," said LJ as he yawned. "Told us he was gonna spend his Christmas with Ash and Emi this year."
"I'm just gonna miss him so much." Evie pouted.
"We know you will, but you'll both see each other again soon," Cherry coaxed. "Now, are you all packed up?"
"Yes, ma'am," Evie nodded. "I packed all of the appropriate outfits and make-up."
"...Good," Cherry replied, though hesitated slightly since she knew Evie would probably overpack. "We're all set to go then."
"Okay, everybody into the car!" Thor called up the stairs.
Everyone soon dashed off to go where they needed to go right in the car.
"All right, if we hurry now, we can make it before sundown," Cherry said as she checked her watch. "Though it IS winter, so night fall's usually at 5:00, so... Maybe not."
"Either way, at least we'll make it," Lionel replied as he climbed in. "Now let's go!"
And on that, the doors were closed and locked as they drove off away from home to celebrate Christmas and their vacation together for the wonderful holiday.
Jay glanced out the window as they passed by the cemetery. He could see some people going over there to wish a Merry Christmas to their deceased loved ones before he stared at the ground with a grave sigh. "Merry Christmas, Mother." he whispered to himself as they began to leave town and head on down to Duckburg.
David reached over and patted him on his shoulder as they drove off.