Hey everybird! What's up!?
So two more chapters for this story, this chapter and the next will be the last for this year's short Christmas story.
And then after that, well I'm thinking of starting a new series, well not actually new because I did try it before, but want to do so again. Anyway, for now lets focus on this current tale and get back to it!
Chapter 3: Joining In
A couple of days have passed since Tomada woke up, coming back to his senses as he was finally back with friends, all safe and sound, the falcon getting back to his old self thanks to plenty of rest and well good food. However he still remained mostly alone in his own space, not feeling too comfortable around his friends since well he felt very bad, not being able to forgive himself. And he was still alone, by one of the windows, as the beginning of Christmas Day came, the sun slowly rising and breaking through the clouds above the town.
"Finally, the day is here!" Tomada heard Tiago shout as the falcon turned to see Tiago, followed closely by his sisters and then their parents, as well as Alex come up, into the living room where the Christmas tree was, the presents that have yet to be ripped open, just waiting around the tree.
"Slow down Tiago." Jewel called to her son as Tiago simply raced froward still and began looking through the pile of gifts, joined right after by Carla, who was most likely looking for anything music related.
Lastly Bia joined in the frenzy while Blu and Jewel just stayed back and watched, while they did have gifts waiting themselves, they already had the perfect gift, each other, nothing could ever be better. Meanwhile Alex looked around and spotted Tomada looking on to them, which caught the falcon by surprise, Tomada quickly turning his head around and hoping Alex didn't notice, but he did as the Scarlet came flying over to him.
"Hey Tomda, Merry Christmas buddy, what are you doing here?" Alex asked.
"Oh, I'm not so sure I should join in Alex, I don't know anything about your holiday you share with Blu and your family." Tomada coming up with the best answer he could think of.
"Seriously Tomada?" Alex smirked. "Come on, I know you, that's not the reason you're not joining in."
"Okay fine…" Tomada sighed. "I still feel guilty about everything, I left without so much as saying a word to any of you, I didn't even have the courage to say goodbye and yet you all accept me back so easily, like nothing happened."
"Tomada, it's like I told you before, we're just so glad you're back and you're my friend no matter what, nothing will ever change that and you have a chance to make amends." Alex replied. "Now come on, the day just got started and I promise you'll have a lot of fun." Alex holding out his wing for Tomada to take.
"I guess it can't hurt to try." Tomada managing a little smile as the two friends glided down to the living room floor, where the three young teens were enjoying their new gifts while Blu and Jewel were still looking, but turned as they heard Alex and Tomada come.
"Hey Tomada, how are you feeling?" Jewel asked, looking past Blu at the falcon.
"I'm doing alright Jewel, feeling a lot better thanks to all of you." Tomada answered as the footsteps of Linda could be heard as she arrived in the living room.
"Oh, you're all awake now, good." Linda smiled. "Hey boys, want to help me cook up some breakfast and some cookies for later." Linda requesting some assistance, but first…
"You good with the kids Jewel?" Blu answering his mate.
"I'm fine here, go enjoy some time with Linda." Jewel giving her permission as Blu gave Jewel a kiss on the beak before going off to the kitchen while Alex talked to Tomada.
"Want to come too Tomada, baking Christmas cookies is always fun." Alex offered.
"Sure, I guess I can learn." Tomada joining in as the two flew to the kitchen where Blu and Linda were already getting started, cooking up some Christmas themed pancakes.
As soon as breakfast was done and everyone ate, it was time to bake cookies as Linda got the batter ready while Alex and Blu got the assortment of cookie prints, such shapes like trees, angels, stars, to cut into the cookie dough. While Linda was making the dough, using such ingredients like flour and cinnamon, Tomada decided to watch as Linda made it and well as Linda threw in the flour, some of it blew up and traveled into Tomada's beak. Tickling his beak, causing a funny feeling up there, Tomada breathed in and out before giving out a mighty sneeze, making the flour bits that went up his beak to come flying out. Then flowing back down on the falcon, turning his feathers more of a white color from the black as it was made him look like a ghost.
Seeing him from their spot in the kitchen, Blu and Alex couldn't help but laugh, trying very hard not to show it, but failing of course. Tomada looked himself over and well had to admit it himself, he did look silly covered by the flour as he felt his cheeks go red.
"Come on buddy, why don't we go get you washed up, can't have you all messy like this." Alex offered to take the falcon to the bathroom and a sink in which he can quickly wash off the flour before it stuck to him.
As the two flew out together, Jewel and the kids were still by the tree, enjoying their own time as Alex and Tomada came on out, Jewel and the kids seeing them.
"What happened to you Tomada?" Jewel, just like Blu and Alex, having a hard time to contain her laughter.
"A little mishap with the cookie batter." Alex answered first.
"Hey Uncle Alex, Uncle Tomada, you should look up first at what you're underneath." Bia pointed out as the two looked up to see a mistletoe and well Alex brushed knowing what that meant, but Tomada didn't of course.
"What is that?" Tomada cocked his head at the strange little green decorated plant and wondering why it was hanging above.
"It's a mistletoe buddy…" Alex started to explain. "When two people or birds in our case, are below it, they have to kiss each other…
"Seriously?" Tomada asked. "And do we have to do it?"
"I guess hugs are also fine." Alex thought. "It's not really a strict rule." Alex suggested as Alex came froward, giving the larger bird a meaningful, friendly hug as Tomada hugged back.
He really did love Alex, not in the heavy romantic way like he did with Sorrel once, but more like in a brother kind of way, for they really were like brothers s the two enjoyed the hug. Of course since Tomada was still messy some of the mess got onto Alex and as the two broke the hug, Alex's red feathers have almost turned white from the flour.
"I was planning on taking a birdbath later anyway." Alex shrugged off. "Now come on buddy, lets get washed up before Blu and Linda do all the cookies without us." Alex hurried as they lost some time.
Flying off to the bathroom, the two took turns washing themselves off in the sink, before drying themselves up with a couple of small towels. Finishing up, their feathers were a bit all over the place, still making them look funny, but least they got the flour off.
"So you're glad you joined in instead of being by yourself?" Alex asked his falcon friend.
"I must admit, you share some weird traditions, but I'm actually having a lot of fun so far." Tomada smiled as he tried rearranging his feathers to look more normal.
"And we're just getting started buddy, eating the cookies, watching Christmas movies, having snowball fights, and much more, by the time we're done, you're going to wish we did this every day." Alex said happily as the two finished up and rejoined Blu and Linda in the kitchen, the two having waited.
And so the rest of the day went on, with everything Alex said would happen taking place, Tomada having more and more fun. Soon enough night began to fall, with everyone tired out from celebrating, including Tomada, who even for such a bird with a great amount of stamina, was feeling quite exhausted. Everyone headed off for bed, Blu and his family taking to their guest room, where they slept on the bed there. However Tomada still stayed on the couch in the living room, where the fire in the fireplace was still alight, he felt warm and safer here for some reason as Alex noticed.
"Hey buddy, you're not going to come sleep with us?" Alex asked.
"No, I like it here, it's rather cozy." Tomada answered, snuggling up more to show he was alright as Alex flew on over instead of joining the rest of the family.
"Than I hope you don't mind if I stay with you buddy." Alex told his friend, Alex grabbing his own blanket and getting next to his friend.
"You sure Alex?" Tomada wondering.
"I'm sure, trust me, you're going to want the company." Alex assured the falcon before yawning. "Goodnight Tomada, love you buddy." Alex wished before closing his eyes.
"Love you too Alex." Tomada yawned back as he also started to fall asleep, looking froward to the best sleep he had in awhile and when he woke up, it was going to be a good day.
And I'll leave it there for next time!
Hope you enjoyed thus far and looking to the final chapter in this short tale!
With that…
See everybird later!