Not knowing what to make of Maggie's cryptic response Luan chose to ignore it, "Sorry I left you alone so long I had to put Lisa and the twins to bed; I reminded them Santa was watching, that got them to sleep, I guess you could say they're clause-trophobic"

Realizing sUnsure he was rambling Luan shoved a cookie in her mouth and shut up.

It didn't seem to have bothered Maggie because she was just looking at Luan and smiling, actually smiling not something the goth was prone to giving up easily.

Chewing the cookie slowly Luan wasn't sure what to say, swallowing she cleared and started to speak, "How would you feel about. . ."

"Yes," Maggie answered before Luan could finish then apologizing, "Sorry you were asking something?"

Bemused Luan finished her thought, "ditching this icicle stand to go hang out in my room."

"I'd love to," Maggie said then asked, "Do you think anyone will notice?"

As Luan began to answer she was interrupted by the sound of a raised voice from the other room, "Not if we go now while everyone's distracted by whatever that is," Luan said confidently.

Sneaking out of the kitchen through the hallway they reached the stairs just in time to see Luna head hurriedly out the front door.

Most of the party guests seemed distracted and Lynn, Lincoln, and there friends were attempting to covertly look out the window at something without being caught.

Luan gestured silently to Maggie that the coast was clear and they scurried silently up the stairs.

As they went Luan noticed that the mistletoe from the hall was missing, she hoped Luna was okay but knew she'd find out later.

Opening the door to her shared room she presented it proudly to Maggie, she and her siblings had adorned the room in black for the occasion, she'd even busted out some Halloween decorations.

There were bats and skeletons with little Santa hats even Mr. Coconuts had been given a goth makeover.

Gesturing to a sheet she'd hung up on the wall Luna said, "I borrowed Lisa's projector and hooked it up to my laptop I downloaded some festive horror movies; Santa Claws, Frost Bite, Rabid Reindeer."

Looking to to her girlfriend to measure her response she saw that Maggie seemed conflicted; Luan really hoped she hadn't messed this up.

"There's something I need to tell you," Maggie said, Luan could tell from her tone it was something she was having trouble saying.

"It seems like you figured out I'm not into this whole holiday season and I'm sorry." Maggie said earnestly.

"You don't have to be sorry it's fine," Luan said trying to reassure her girlfriend.

"It's not, but it's sweet of you to say," Maggie sighed taking a seat in a pile of blankets and pillows then beckoned for Luan to join her.

"I know you love this time of year so I think it's only fair to tell you why I don't," Maggie reached out taking Luan's hand for strength before going on, "When I was eight my dad left me and my mom around Christmas,"

Looking at Maggie a flash of anger surged through Luan, she could see Maggie was physically holding back tears but she didn't interrupt she just squeezed her girlfriends hand.

"I haven't seen him since then not a present or even a card, mom tries but," Maggie sighed again, "I get this way around my birthday as well that is until my mom hired you."

The pain was fading from Maggie's face, "I'm starting to think maybe you can make anything tolerable."

"I am a Christmas crack up that's for sure," Luan said laughing at her own pun.

"I've got one more confession," Maggie said, Luan wasn't sure how much more she could take but she put on her listening face.

"I'm allergic to mistletoe but I don't think I need it for this," before Luan could say anything Maggie leaned over and kissed her.

It silenced Luan she didn't know what to say.

"If I'd known it was that easy to stop your puns." Maggie said chuckling.

In response Luan hit her lightly with a pillow then asked, "Are we going to have a silent fright or not."

"Oh well," Maggie said wistfully, "it was nice while it lasted."

When Sam walked out Luna froze for a moment then acting on instinct ran out the door after her without putting on a coat.

When she got to the porch she could see Sam had already reached the end of the walkway.

"Please dude just give me a chance to explain." Luna begged calling after her.

Stopping in her tracks Sam didn't turn around she didn't want Luna to see the tears freezing to her face.

Trying to come up with the courage Luna didn't get the chance before Sam started talking.

"You know Lunachick," Sam said her anger having fizzled, she only sounded hurt now which was worse, "Out of everyone, I thought you were the one person who wouldn't treat me different but I guess I was wrong."

That was a blow right to the heart, Luna couldn't believe she'd allowed her cowardice to cause Sam to feel like this even for a moment.

Knowing what she had to do Luna clenched a first and said, "Can you turn around Sam?"

"I don't want to," Sam replied, she knew that it sounded childish but she didn't care.

"Please?" Luna asked nervously; Sam must have heard something because slowly she gave in and turned around.

It was a bit of a punch because Luna now saw the hurt on Sam's face but only for a moment because her expression turned to one of puzzlement.

"What are you doing?" Sam asked not at all sure what was happening now; Luna was holding the disheveled looking sprig of mistletoe above her own head.

"What do you think luv?" Luna said in her goofy British accent forcing a smile.

"Really?" Sam asked not quite believing what was happening but starting to walk back towards the porch.

Shrugging Luna started to lose all false bravado, "Yeah if that's okay with you I."

Closing the distance Sam cut Luna off with a kiss, when it finished Sam smacked Luna on the head lightly and said, "You know your a dummy right?"

Catching her breath and having turned beet red Luna laughed and said, "Yeah I know brah."

Noticing Luna wasn't wearing a jacket and had begun to shiver violently Sam sighed and said, "That's okay because I think your my dummy."

Inside the house the party was beginning to wind down when Lincoln heard a sound coming from outside.

Without drawing attention he got Ronnie Anne and Clyde's attention.

Sneaking outside and clambering awkwardly through the snow they peered into the garage window where they saw Luna was singing Silent Night while Sam accompanied her on guitar.

Lincoln looked to the others and nodded he knew what they needed to do, after all he was the man with the plan.

As they started to wrap up the song Luna and Sam were surprised to hear singing coming from outside.

The garage door began to rise and there standing outside were all the remaining party guests with two notable exceptions.

They'd come out to join them and brought the party with them.

Smiling Luna looked at Sam and asked, "Do you think you have another set in you?"

"I think I just might Lunachick," Sam said smiling back.

Everyone crowded into the garage where the party was given new life and to everyone's chagrin Lynn Sr. broke out the cowbell.

Inside the house only two girls were left stirring, Maggie watched Luan burrow her face into her shoulder during the scary scenes and said, "Merry Christmas Kooky."

Luan looking into Maggie's eyes cleared her throat and in a gruff voice said, "Bah humbug Spooky.

A tolerable 2018 and related seasonal bric a brac to you all and to all a good etcetera.

Comments appreciated.