CB does not belong to me [though I wish it did], which is why I write on here instead of publishing my stories in book form.
So sit back and enjoy reading "A Holiday to Remember". Next posting is whenever I finish!
Sorry about not posting for a while. Words were said to me, I got depressed, and on top of that, my beloved kitty was diagnosed with cancer. He's still with us, for now, and is doing all right, but I highly doubt he'll last for another few months.
So sorry for the delay, but here's part seven, and part eight will be out when I finish it, and so on and so forth. Book Four: Tainted Melodies will be uploaded more after I finish this story here. :3
Part Seven – 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
A bright, glorious day met them all as they awoke. Fresh snow had fallen, covering the grounds in a powder of cold. Cubs hurried from their beds to downstairs, and rushed outside of their homes to play in the fresh snow, laughing and causing trouble. A few even gathered up some snow, brought it inside, and dumped it on their parents' faces before jumping on them, pulling them from their slumber.
Laughter and "good morning"s filled the air, and coffee began to brew in the pot. Mothers dressed their cubs, while fathers stood over the stove cooking a mighty breakfast for their little clans, a few scratching their bums as they yawned loudly and complained about being up so early.
The table was set; oatmeal, eggs, bacon, and sausage were some of the items served with a healthy glass of orange juice. The babes nursed from their mothers, while their older siblings ate their delicious meals and talked up a storm about what would happen that day, how excited they were for Santa Claus to finally arrive; how good they had been all year.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
Once breakfast was finished, dishes cleaned and dried, and a few last minute gifts to others wrapped, the families began walking out their doors, only to light up with delight as they were greeted with a two-horse drawn sleigh, complete with a random driver from the country. Piling on board, each family was brought to the Hall to greet one another and excitedly talk about the little surprise, all surprised when they found out that the drivers had been hired and paid for by none other than Beary, Fēnglì, Jewel, and Helen, who had pooled their earnings together to give everyone a Christmas Eve surprise.
Happy greetings were shared, the drivers tipped – they would return back to their farms, only to return again later that evening to take everyone home – and all went inside. Today was the day they would finally decorate their massive tree together as one big family. Even the Barringtons had arrived from in town. The only ones not there were the Stones, who were spending the holiday with James' family, who had come in from various states.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
Laughter and merry filled the Hall with joy as the family gathered together to spend the day decorating their magnificent, sixteen-foot-tall tree. Boxes of ornaments were brought in and set about, while water was added to the tree base to keep it fresh. Plans had already been drawn to plant the tree after the holiday, to let it grow like trees from years past. They had made sure that a majority of roots had been kept on the tree, and the roots were being kept under the stage – the tree was going through the trapdoor towards the front of the stage, leaving the stage to mainly support it. The presents would be packed in front of the stage, where the branches overlapped, leaving the gifts still "under the tree".
Beary and Jewel grinned, staring at their tree, thinking about the day before, where they had finally decided to take the plunge together and start dating. No one else knew the real reason why they wanted this tree, but most suspected.
Beary slipped his paw in Jewel's, and kissed her cheek. "Time to start decorating. We get the top half."
"Really? I'd rather be on the bottom," she teased, tapping his nose.
He blushed so hard that his voice stopped working.
Dex, who had been walking by that very moment, cracked up. "Dude, she's got you by the jingle balls! Oh, my God. You are so red."
"I'm a bear. You can't see me blushing," he huffed.
"Actually, considering your face has white fur, it's kinda easy," Dex laughed, slapping his shoulder. "You poor thing. Only sixteen, and your girlfriend's already got you wrapped around her finger."
Beary sputtered and growled at him, but fell into a purr when Jewel tickled his chin.
Dex shook his head. "Ah, young love. You'll normalize soon enough." He wandered away.
Beary shot him a scowl and batted Jewel's paw away. "You're incorrigible."
"Aw, but that's why you love me." She licked his chin and trotted off to find the decorations for the top.
He rubbed the spot and smiled. "Indeed it is," he murmured with a smile. He had found things to be a lot easier and smoother between them since they had admitted their feelings to each other finally. He was happier and less afraid... while Jewel became more incorrigible, much to his amusement. Even his nightmares hadn't bothered him last night, his mind instead filled with dreams of her.
Humming a little tune, he followed her over to the decorations and grabbed a large ladder – setting it up with Fēnglì – and together, the three of them began working on the top of the tree, while the older bears worked on the middle, and the bottom was left to the cubs to decorate with Helen, Trista, Trixie, and Méngméng – basically the females that couldn't be on ladders because of their pregnancies or, in Helen's case, lack of balance. Henry was supervising and occasionally helping out his wife.
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
One by one, the sections were done over the course of several hours until the tree was finally done. Then finally, the star was placed on top by Beary and Jewel – as it was fairly big – and all stood back to admire the mix-match tree of sparkly garland, balls, and ornaments mixed with homemade edible garland, crafted balls, and homemade ornaments. Somehow, it looked beautiful.
Lunch was made and served – simple sandwiches and cocoa – and naptimes for the cubs and the pregnant she-bears [plus Helen] started as they were led back to the Taylor cabin. Everyone else began bringing wrapped gifts in from the practice room and setting them up around the tree, placing them with care, yet also with a precision that made each one stand out instead of blending in.
Most gifts were boxes, but a few looked like different shapes, such as a rocking horse or a plush animal.
Beary blinked when he came across one of the odder packages, this one with air holes, and it was addressed to him. "Air holes?"
"Well, yeah. You should probably open it now, actually," Jewel laughed. She looked at the adults, who just stared at them. "Since it's in a box with holes."
Beary lifted it and gave it a few sniffs before opening it, laughing when out popped a white kitten with black paws and ears. "Awe! You got me a new kitty?"
"Tabs could use a friend to play with," she grinned, watching him interact with the new kitten. "Bob Harley brought him over earlier for me. His name is Tao."
Beary placed the kitten on top of his head and grinned. "You're going to make me a crazy cat lady!"
"I'm pretty sure you'd need a sex change for that, Beary," she snorted and kissed his nose.
"Awe, they're so adorable. Already picking out a pet!" Zeb grinned, watching them.
Tennessee frowned. "Picking out a pet?! Jewel!"
"What? I was getting the kitten for him even if we weren't dating, Dad!"
Beary rolled his eyes. "Now I have a new hat," he laughed, glancing up at the kitten that had curled up on his head. "So fabulous."
Jewel laughed, then blinked when she looked into the box and found another kitten. "Wait, what? I only asked for one!" She picked the little solid black kitten out and studied her. She had thick brown fur for just a little thing, and green eyes. "I'm going to name you Cocoa."
Beary snorted. "Someone's been drinking too much Hot Chocolate."
"Excuse you, it's freakin' delicious."
He shook his head. "Weirdo!"
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
With the presents all safely displayed and mixed, the adults and teens sat down on benches and relaxed, now that the mound of gifts were finally dealt with. The conversation turned to the charity concert that would be happening on the 27th, and the acts that would be performing – a few of them debuting, including Fēnglì, Jewel, and Beary's little band, JCB.
Some of the acts included:
- JCB - debuting
- The Country Bears
- Celaya
- Rascal Flatts
- Carrie Underwood
- Taylor Swift
- Pepso – debuting
- Whiskers – debuting
- The Biashocks – debuting
- Etc, etc
The Biashocks was a band that Beary and Jewel knew, as they had met before at Henry's studio and school, and always liked to make challenges and bets. In fact, they had made one with JCB for the upcoming concert. Winner [who gets the most applause] gets to perform with The Country Bears as an opening act for their next tour. Even Henry and the band had agreed to the deal, so Beary was determined to win, if only to spend more time with his father; to show that he wasn't just a screw up.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
Afternoon snacks wereserved, and the younglings and pregnant ladies were returned to the Hall, laughing up a storm at something Zak and Riley had done.
"Tennessee, your sons are ridiculous," Trixie grinned, watching as they threw their food at each other.
"Boys, boys! Behave! No throwing your food and making a mess!" Tennessee cried, trying to make them listen to reason. Darn cubs.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
Meanwhile, Beary was trying to get back his sandwich from Jewel, who was playfully holding it above her head away from him. He laughed and tried to get it back, but she brought it down and took a big bite out of it. "Ha!"
"Gah! Jewel!" he cried. "My sandwich!"
She grinned and continued to eat it. "Mine now." She glanced up at the kitten sleeping on her head and smiled. "Cute little Cocoa."
Beary scoffed and looked at his own kitten, who was on his head. "Tao's better," he teased.
"Don't let Tabs hear you say that, honey. She'll eat another fish."
Beary shrugged. "Don't got any more fish for her to eat."
"Well, that's certainly true," she laughed. "Tabs took care of that!"
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
Beary laughed and looked at her in amusement. "You're so mean."
She poked his nose. "Oh, very mean indeed."
He suddenly snorted. "Your little Cocoa just peed on you, Jewel."
"WHAT?!" She looked shocked as her head felt warm and wet. "Aw, man!"
Beary almost fell off his chair with laughter. He picked up his kitten and grabbed Cocoa. "I'll put them in Papa's office and let them mess up his things."
"Yeah, and then you can help me wash my head."
He paused. "Wouldn't it be better for you to just take a shower?"
"We don't have showers at the Hall, remember? So I'm going to need your help in the kitchen sink."
"Uh, yeah, sure."
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
Jewel leaned back over the kitchen sink from where she was laying on a moveable table that had been locked in place. "I can't believe Cocoa did that."
"Well, I can't quite blame her. She's just a kitten." Beary wandered over to her and got the spray hose ready and to a good temperature. "I'm going to use dish soap on your head, by the way." He pulled of his sweater and draped it upon a stool.
She 'mmmed' and purred, looking him up and down, focusing on his clothes-less upper body appreciatively. Since he had been going to the gym to stay in shape, and could lift almost three-hundred pounds, he was very fit. She knew she looked good, too, as she joined him at the gym often, and could lift about two-hundred-fifty pounds. "Go for it. Work your magic."
He blushed. "Jewel!"
She snorted. "Okay, there was nothing perverted about that one!"
"Uh-huh." He laughed and smiled as he began spraying her with the hose and soaking her head, washing the cat pee off it. He rubbed slowly, trying to not hurt her with his claws, and also to give her a massage. "How's that feel?"
"Mmm… Have you been taking massage lessons?"
"Well, you know it helps Mama with her shoulders and back, so yes, kinda," he responded, grabbing the dish soap and working it into her hair. "First time with a head, though."
"Well, you can rub my head anytime, C-Bear," she teased, closing her eyes and continuing to purr.
"I think I shall, then," he smiled.
"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
Out in the main room, Jade and Ted stood watching the two in the kitchen, and Jade smacked Ted over the head. "Why don't you do anything romantic like that?!"
He blinked and looked at her. "Woman, I've written Billboard Top 100 songs for you! How is that not romantic?!"
"Psh, anyone can do that!"
"Just like anyone can give massages!"
"Will you two just get a room already?" Zeb asked, laughing as he watched them argue.
"Shut up, Zeb!" Ted growled at the same time Jade said, "shut up, Zoober!"
Zeb rolled his eyes. "So, what, I'm only known by my stage name around you people? Yeesh."
"Apparently, yes," Mèngmèng teased, kissing his cheek and nuzzling him playfully. "But you'll always be my Alec, Mr. Seillean."
"And you'll be my Mrs. Seillean," he responded, rubbing her nose with his own.
"See? That's what I mean!" Jade complained.
"Well, why don't you become Mrs. Bedderhead, then, and get this out of the way so I can call you such?" Ted retorted.
"I've been trying for years! You won't set the damn date!"
"Well, why not New Years Eve, then?"
"Wait, what? Of this year?! Are you crazy?!"
"Well, a bit. Maybe for you. Maybe just plain crazy in general."
"What about the honeymoon?!"
"Well, you and Aiden can come with us to the rest of the tour and see the country! I think that'd be a glorious honeymoon."
"Yeah, but, Ted, you realize that if we went out to eat, we'd be hounded, right?"
"Yes, but, Jade, do you realize that'd happen no matter what? I'm a very famous singer, and all the babes want me."
"Are you trying to get beat up by my father and brother?"
Ted's eyes widened and he looked over at Ray and Jesse, who were glaring at him. "Um… No, not really…"
"That's what I thought. Fine. New Year's Eve, you crazy bear."
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
"So Ted's finally getting hitched. Means I don't have to share a room with him anymore!" Fred laughed loudly. "So tired of listening to him complain."
"Yes, but now you'll have to share with Aiden, you doof," Ted laughed, putting an arm around Jade.
"What about Henry?"
"Helen and Lyra are coming, too, remember?" Zeb spoke up. "At least that's the rumor." He looked over at Henry, who nodded. "See?"
"So then who is going to keep loverbirds out of trouble?"
"Mèngmèng's staying here, remember? Plus, you have the Stones and the Barringtons. All you have to do is split them up while we're gone, and boom! No babies," Zeb grinned.
Henry blinked. That possibility hadn't even crossed his mind!
"Are we even going to have room on the bus for everyone?" Tennessee commented with a frown. "That's four extra people…"
"Psh, that's not too bad. A little cramped, but… I think I can rent out a bus from the company," Henry laughed. "Just this once until we get one to own. It'll have beds, so…"
Tennessee's eyes lit up. "Then we can bring the boys!"
Trixie nodded enthusiastically. "And Zeb can bring his twins!"
"It would be nice… and Mèngmèng could join us this time! She's got nothing else she can do here…"
"Oi! What about me, Papa?" Fēnglì complained, throwing a piece of crust at him.
Zeb laughed. "You have school, young one, as do Beary and Jewel. But your mother is pregnant, and perhaps this will be easier on both of us."
Mèngmèng nodded, excited. "I'm tired of just sitting around! Let's go exploring! And I'll have Jade AND Helen with us!"
Jade laughed and patted her head. "Of course I'll be going with you. Girls in one car, boys in the other. Make me want Ted more at night for sure."
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
Fēnglì laughed. "Well, in that case… Fine. But where am I to stay?"
"You three will be fine here. You'll have school to keep you busy, and you'll check in with the Barringtons every day."
Allison nodded. "That sounds like a plan, actually."
Ray frowned. "So you're keeping three teenagers here alone."
Henry laughed. "No, Big Al is still here. He'll be back soon enough from Salt Lake City – you know he's on his honeymoon. He'll be watching over them here, but I think a few days will give them some responsibility."
"Or those two time to be all over each other," he grumped.
"Raymond," Cassandra laughed. "Calm down. I highly doubt that they'd do something like that so soon. They seem like proper young bears who want to take things slow."
"That's what they want you to think. As soon as we're gone, they'll be all over each other."
"You don't know that for sure, love."
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
Norbert agreed with Cassandra. "We trust Beary to behave."
"It's not the boy I'm worried about, but that girl. She is very… excitable."
"That's just how she is," Trixie argued, glaring at him.
"Improper? She'll get herself in trouble that way. Damn teenagers."
"We were teenagers once, Sunshine." She poked his nose and laughed. "They'll be good if this lot is trusting them so much. Does that not say anything?"
He sighed. "Fine, fine. Do what you want. I'm just giving my two cents." He shrugged and went back to his sandwich.
Helen looked in at the kitchen where Beary was now drying Jewel's hair off, and then helping to put it back into her new hairstyle of the different ponytails. He was happy at last, and she didn't want to disturb that. Trusting him here with minimal watching was a great show of belief in him, and she knew he knew that.
Her eyes fell on Lyra, who was wrestling with her nieces and nephews, and her smile grew.
His eyes - how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
Afternoon turned to evening, and with evening came the family photo shoots in ugly Christmas sweaters after their main outfits. There would be family, couples, kids, and then a group photo.
Getting the children to sit quietly together was a pain in the rear end, though, as they either tackled each other, wouldn't sit still, or caused some sort of trouble. Even Lyra was not immune to the mischief as she would bite an ear or two, much to the amusement of everyone else.
Zeb was the one taking the photos, having set up his lighting and carefully lighting the scenes in front of the big tree.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
Families were next, and everyone gathered around in their little groups, with the Bedderhead family finally arriving and posing with their sons, Jade, and Aiden. The Taylors took up their spot next, all together at last and standing proud. They were followed by the O'Neals, the Seilleans, Barringtons, Falcos, and lastly the Matthews.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
Couples came next, and Jewel had to pull Beary into posing with her a few times, and after a few pictures, he got into it and hoisted her on his back for a piggyback ride, grinning proudly as he held her. He was making sure to take a bit more time with theirs, as he knew that Dex had something special planned for his and Roxi's shoot.
"Get off the stage, loverboy!" Zeb shouted playfully as he took pictures of Beary twirling with Jewel on his back.
Beary grinned and did so, setting Jewel down when they got to the bottom floor. He poked her nose, then pointed up at the stage.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
Dex stood nervous beside Roxi as Zeb reset the lights for their skin tones to not blow them out. He reached into his pocket, fingering the little velvet box with the ring. He knew how he wanted to do it, but at the same time he sweat at the thought of doing it in front of everyone else.
He knew Roxi had no idea as she rambled off playful poses to him, only half of which he paid attention to.
"You two ready?" Zeb asked from behind his camera after fiddling with the settings.
Roxi nodded and posed jokingly, leaning on his shoulder with one of her legs bent upwards like a love-struck girly girl. "Come on, Dex! Pose with me, you dork!" she laughed as the flash went off.
Dex instead poked her nose. "I have a better idea." He swallowed, and then plopped down on one knee, holding the box open to her.
A hush fell across the Hall as eyes fell on the two on the stage, with Zeb still taking pictures, trying to get every reaction he could.
Roxi was startled for a moment, before grinning and taking the ring and sliding it on her finger. "About damn time, Dexter Barrington! I thought I'd have to ask you myself!" she laughed, pulling him up and kissing him full on the mouth to the whooping and yelling of Beary and Jewel.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!
Hours later, Henry closed the book and smiled, looking around at all the sleeping cubs and smiled brightly. So precious and young. To have so many here, still believing in the magic. And now, it was night and time for all to sleep. Today's events had been exhausting, but the day was at last done, the story told, and it was time to relax.
Please review, as I want to know what you all think! Thanks for reading! See ya next time!