Chapter Twenty-Five

Christmas Cheer

Needless to say, the denizens of Litwak's Arcade were delighted to see their comrades return safe and sound. A number were eager to ask for the story then and there, but Sergeant Calhoun waved them away.

"Later," she insisted. "We all need a bit of rest right now."

Not that they would get much rest, however, once the evening of the 24th came. The festivities commenced that night with the grand appearance of Santa Claus- this time played by an over-enthusiastic Zangief. The 25th itself brought the parade, followed by a massive gift-giving extravaganza in Game Central Station. Sugar Rush being the kind of game it was, its characters were quite into the notion of gifts. The only exceptions were Otis and Floyd who, while quite happy to give, were loath to receive.

"We've been through this before," Otis had said to Vanellope, who had made one last desperate effort to pick the two paddles' brains for what they might want for Christmas. "We're getting the best present ever every day of our lives."

"Yeah," Floyd had added. "We get to sponge off of you for nothing."

And so Vanellope had given up in despair, leaving the two Pong paddles to laugh good-naturedly at her rueful expressions.

The biggest surprise for Vanellope, however, had been the invitation to Gene's penthouse party.

She had almost dismissed the letter as a fraud, so unexpected was its arrival. But she had read it once more and sure enough, it had been in Gene's handwriting. Yet so baffled had she been that she had gone straight to Ralph to ask him about it.

"I don't know, Vanellope," Ralph had said. "I guess he wanted you there."

"But he's never invited me to one of his Christmas parties," she had replied. "What's changed?"

"I think Gene's changed," Ralph had continued.

Vanellope had looked thoughtful at this. "Really?" she had said at last. "He still seems as stodgy as ever."

"It's a subtle shift," Ralph had replied. "He's loosening up a little. But he's still Gene. So I'd be on your best behavior if I were you."

"So I should stay boring, then?" Vanellope had asked.

Ralph had then winked and said: "Just don't do anything…unexpected."

Vanellope had gone home still confused, but nonetheless determined to accept. However tedious she expected the party to be, she could not forget the Mayor of Niceland's timely arrival that had saved her and Ralph's lives. She could not in good conscience say no to the man. So she had sent a reply indicating her acceptance of the invitation, before returning to her other tasks.

Christmas Day wore on, and the time for the party rapidly approached. Vanellope glanced down at her turquoise hoodie, brown skirt, and unmatched striped leggings. She sighed. As much as she preferred these clothes, there was no possible way she could show up to Gene's party in them. However uncomfortable it made her, she would have to wear her pink princess gown.

At least I'm not the only one who'll have to dress up. Ralph's going to wear his tuxedo.

The clock struck six-thirty; she had half an hour left before she had to be at the penthouse. Sighing once again, she selected the gown from her wardrobe and changed into it.

She stepped in front of her dresser mirror and looked herself up and down. The dress still seemed rather garish for her tastes. Not that she lacked a more decorative side. She certainly had one, or she wouldn't have bothered wearing the various candies in her hair. But it was still so-

Vanellope shook her head. It's just not me. And the collar's still too tight. Oh well, I'll just have to live with it.

She stepped away from the mirror and towards the door. Down the hallways she went, down flights of stairs, through the castle gates, and across the bridge. Waving briefly at the Oreo guards, she headed across the plains of Sugar Rush, taking care not to stumble into any puddles. Through the wire she went, completing the Surge Protector's check when she reached the end. Straight for Fix-It Felix Jr.'s wire she headed. The carts were waiting, empty, silent. She climbed into one and pulled the lever, sending it down the wire at a leisurely speed until it rolled to a stop inside the game's internal station. The clock struck six fifty-five.

Five minutes.

Carefully, Vanellope clambered out of the cart and turned towards the penthouse. Spotting a line of guests, she fell into step behind them.

"Good evening, princess," said a familiar voice.

Vanellope turned slightly. "Sarge?"

She almost hadn't recognized Calhoun. Felix, who was walking beside his wife- him, Vanellope had expected to see in a suit. But somehow, despite having seen it a few times before, the sight of Calhoun in an evening ballgown still surprised her.

"What are you looking at, kid?"

Vanellope gave a small laugh. "I'm just so used to seeing you in your armor," she admitted.

"Yeah, well, we all have to make sacrifices," said Calhoun. "This is Gene's party, and he mandated formalwear."

They had reached the entrance to the penthouse. Gene greeted the guests personally at the door. When Vanellope's turn came, he paused briefly.

"I…thanks for coming," he said after a moment. "I appreciate it."

Vanellope nodded politely -it was the expected thing to do, she reasoned- and proceeded into the penthouse.

The party itself was hosted in the main celebration room, where the Christmas tree had been set up. Various small packages were set under it, intended for various guests. Vanellope observed them briefly, before letting her eyes drift over the crowd, searching for Ralph. She spotted him to one side, sipping a glass of champagne. She moved towards him.

"Now what?" she whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

"We wait for the music to start," said Ralph.

"Music?"

At that moment, the main lights darkened. The disco lights flared on. From the other side of the room, an 80s pop tune began blaring from a set of speakers. Vanellope's eyes widened in surprise.

"Gene's got some swag," she said quietly.

"He can be an interesting guy at times," said Ralph, taking another sip from his glass.

At that moment, Gene himself walked by. "We're just getting started, of course," he said. "There'll be some karaoke later on; everyone's welcome to try." He pressed a package into Vanellope's hands.

"Save you having to dig around under the tree," he said before moving off.

Vanellope weighed the package in her hands. It was small, rectangular in shape. She couldn't imagine what it might be.

"You can open it, if you like," said Ralph. "He won't mind. Just do it quietly."

Stepping back against the wall, Vanellope tore the wrapping paper open. "A wine glass?"

"A well-intentioned gift, at least," said Calhoun, arriving beside them with Felix. The handyman was looking extremely concerned.

"Uh…ma'am," he said. "I..."

"Yes, Felix?" Calhoun asked, looking at him. "Can you finally tell me what's bothering you?"

"I've been so relieved and all, being back with you, that…I plumb forgot to get you a present."

"Oh, no worries," said Calhoun. "You already gave me one."

"I did?"

Calhoun sighed. "Of course you did, numbskull. You showed up again. What more of a Christmas present do I need?"

Felix looked shocked for a moment, before a dreamy smile spread across his face. Vanellope laughed briefly, before returning her attention to the wineglass. She was still looking at it when Gene wandered by again.

"Ah, you opened it," he said, looking everywhere but at Vanellope's face. "Best I could do in a hurry. Thought maybe you could drink your strawberry cola or fizz, or what-have you out of it…"

Vanellope gently set the glass down on a nearby table, before throwing her arms around the startled mayor. Gene blinked, taken aback.

Slowly, he wrapped his arms around Vanellope.