Contributed by vivitoru

***

As far as Alto had always been concerned, Christmas was just a popular holiday whose sole reason of existence was urging people to buy gifts: an ode to consumption which, at least, had the merit to bring families together for a warm evening during this harsh winter.

And yet, in spite of his initial reluctance, his anticipation grew as the days passed and the first snowflakes fell from the real sky. Seeing the now healthy and back to business songstress happily decorating their apartment proved to be a much more enticing scene than he had expected and he soon found himself merrily joining her.

A smile graced the pilot's lips as he recalled the fond memories.

Alto couldn't deny the fun he had while they put on as much ornaments as it was humanely possible on the indigenous plant they used as a Christmas tree. Even shopping, an occupation he usually loathed had been a pleasant one, regardless of the numerous of bags she had him carrying afterwards.

It must have been Sheryl's enthusiasm rubbing off on him but he now thought he could understand why she seemed so eager for the long-awaited day to come.

He shuddered as another gust of chilly wind reminded him how cold it was out there.

Yes that was the only plausible explanation for what he did. She infected him with all her Christmas craze to the point he couldn't think straight. There was no other way to justify how he ended up freezing in the street while everyone else was probably gleefully opening their presents.

It certainly wasn't how he had envisioned their first Christmas Eve together.

Once again he reached for the doorbell and hoped the galactic fairy would just let him in before he turned into a snowhime.

He knew he was fully responsible for his predicament but he still prayed to the deities to help him pacify his furious other half. They were supposed to celebrate on this special day.
The only sound he could hear from the inside was the wondrous voice of his girlfriend covering an old Christmas theme coming through the speaker of his computer. Talk about setting the mood.

With a defeated sigh, Alto pressed his forehead against the locked door. What had he been thinking anyway?

He knew he should have gotten her a ring instead of the leather suit and whip Luca had advised him to get.