A/N: Some Christmas things for you! If you think this is just another fluffy chapter, think again. This is where most of the conflict and future adventure forms. But, if you're all ready for Christmas like I am, you're in luck. Hopefully, I can stay on the first page of this category, and get some reviews. Hope you enjoy this!

When They Entered My Life

Chapter 5

I immediately jumped on my bicycle after school; my pockets were clinging from the money within. I find it strange that I decide to ride my bike in a snowy Ohio December. But, I don't have a driver's license, and I don't walk. Finally, Christmas Break had started, 3 days till Christmas, and I had a good 2 weeks off from school. Just before, we had a small party, with snacks and even a Christmas themed movie to watch. You had the option to dress in your pajamas to school, but I passed; it seemed to 'Elementary School' to me, since I did that back then.

In my pocket, I had saved up about thirty dollars, either from allowances or kids paying for my drawings. I normally just drew my fellow peers in a unique cartoon style. It started as doodles in my notebooks, then to students paying five dollars for me drawing them. It's quite a business I'm working. With all the money, I was going to make the ponies' first Christmas a good one.

My first stop was at the dollar store. It's pretty old, but all their stuff is cheap, so that's why I always get my simple necessities there. First thing I saw in the window was a miniature tree, about three feet tall, for only a couple dollars. So, I snatched it up as I walked in the door. I than thought I needed something to decorate the tree, didn't I? So, I picked up a box of simple multicolored lights, for two bucks. There were some ornaments of reindeer and sleighs, which were a couple of cents each. Finally, a perfectly sized metal star, $1.50.

With only fifteen or twenty dollars left, I decided to get them gifts, too. Rushing to the toy section, there were quite a variety of tiny, plastic toys. Most of them were outdated, though; so outdated, that there were G3 ponies. I pretty much understood their personalities so well, that I was out of those isles within ten minutes. I had a couple of gifts back home I would be willing to give them, too.

I walked up to the cash register, with the middle aged man standing there, as usual. I came here enough that everyone there knows my name. As I loaded everything onto the counter, the male asked a dreaded question that I wasn't prepared for.

"So…who are you buying these for?"

My eyes started to dart everywhere; trying to comprehend an answer. "I'm buying these for my family." I stated. Actually, for a lie, it was basically true. As soon as I said that, I clutched my bags, and made my way outside. After stuffing my bags in my backpack, I zipped on my bike to my destination.

…

When I finally made my way to the front door, after storing the bicycle in the garage, I could practically hear the giggling fillies from out here. Smiling, I turned the knob. As soon as I heard the cackling from the living room, I assumed they were watching Spongebob or Fish Hooks, or just some cartoon. Then, I heard the announcer from the transitional bumper call out. "We'll be right back, on The Hub!"

Oh no. Oh, god, no. I darted into the main room in the house, and instantly located the mares on the couch. "Girls…what are you watching here?"

They saw the fear in my tone, which might of frightened them a bit. "W-we're just watching this show called 'Pound Puppies'." Fluttershy barely whispered. "I think it's kind of funny." I exhaled greatly. Thank god it wasn't My Little Pony. Though, I should've been more cautious. What if MLP happened to be up next, or a commercial was to show up.

"I know you girls like this, but you just can't watch it" It hurt to get those words out, but I managed to, and change the station to some other kid network.

I could just see the hurt in their eyes. "And why can't we? It seems appropriate to me." Twilight shrugged. Small utterances left my mouth, since I couldn't quite find the words to use.

Finally, I thought of a reasonable answer. "There's just some shows on this channel I don't like you watching. On Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, I turn it off early, so you don't get the bad shows, okay?" They nodded. "Now, I've got to get some work done privately upstairs for a while. Mom won't get back till six, so you girls can just sit here and watch some television prefect for you."

"Okie, dokie, lokie, Nicole!" Pinkie Pie beamed, then to tune away from me and transfer her entire attention to the cartoon now playing. I grinned at her, and turned to make my way back upstairs, with the bag of presents at my side. Yep, they're my family, all right.

…

I spent the majority of my first afternoon of vacation upstairs, patiently covering all the selected goodies for my little ponies in red and green wrapping paper. I suck at this, but in the end, I believe I did a good job. Picking up a permanent marker, I scribbled all the mares' names on their specific present. Sometimes, I'd forget if this was one's gift or the other, so I had to make a sneak peek inside the paper to make sure. Afterwards, I set up the lovely Christmas tree in a corner of my room, it standing tall and proud. Remembering the assorted decorations, I took the time to locate a proper spot for that desired ornament to go. It took a while, but it looked pretty proper. I saved the star for the ponies to put up, since it may their last Christmas ever, and certainly not mine. Grabbing a small blanket, I wrapped it around the base of the tree, and carefully rested the boxes underneath.

By then, it was about five o'clock. Around here, by that time, it's already dark. Swiftly making it towards the door and turning the radio on to 94.1 in one solid motion, I stuck my head over the banister. "Girls! Come up here, I have something to show you!" I shouted in anticipation.

When each of the ponies heard them being called, they bolted up the stairs, excited to see what was awaiting them in my bedroom. As opened the door to their own personal wonderland, they were not disappointed. The small tree stood in its place with its own flare. The music playing had an essence of sleigh bells in the background. I could see all the beauty of it glistening in their large eyes.

"What 'en the hay is this?" Applejack questioned, having no clue what may be going on right before her.

I couldn't keep all the happiness bottled up inside of me remain there forever. I calmed down with a small exhale. "Girls…Merry Christmas"

I crawled over to the small tree, since I had found myself fall onto my knees at some point. The fillies followed me, small gasps escaping when they saw every last detail, but in the poor lighting. Instantly remembering, I slowly and dramatically took the plug and gently clicked it in the electrical outlet. With that, the tiny specs of light in the tree illuminated, and exposed its true color inside.

The lights had, however, also exposed the small gifts underneath. "Ooh! It's the presents!" The pink earth pony shrieked, about diving into the bounty of shiny boxes.

"Not yet, Pinkie Pie!" I simply laid a hand over her chest to stop her in her place. "We don't open these until Sunday, Christmas Day. It's tradition to wait until that day to open these. It's always been."

Pinkie groaned. "Aww! It's going to take forever until it's Sunday! How long, again?"

We all laughed with her curiosity.

Rainbow Dash, who had been shaking her presents, trying to identify it, turned her head to her pink friend. "It's only Thursday! It can't be that long!"

"I still have one thing to cover." I reached into my backpack, and pulled out the scrap of metal in the shape of a star. "Who wants to put the star at the top of the tree?" A large amount of hooves went up like rockets. "Alright, then. How about everypony helps me put it at the top?" Cheers erupted in pure happiness. The unicorn ponies, earth ponies, and myself stationed ourselves on the floor, holding up each of the ends of the star. While the other two pegasi waited for us to hold up the star high enough so they could grab an end, to place it carefully on the tip top of the tree. It successfully went on, and we just stood back to observe in its beauty. The ponies in awe, myself in pure joy. I felt the corners of my mouth turn up, but I couldn't remove it; it was stuck in that smile. I cannot remember the last time I smiled this much. All I can say is: they are my family now. I've really token care of them to the point where I could call them my children or pets. But just as long as they are happy Sunday, I'll remain happy Sunday.

A/N: Where's the conflict, you may ask? Well, I'm planning to have actual Christmas Day in the next chapter, when I had planned on it being in this one. But that'd be too much content for one chapter. I've also just reached over 10,000 words for this story! This is the longest story I've ever written, though, it's not a one shot. Okay, I'll see you next time! Please review! And I say PLEASE.