December 23

Ted and Audrey's families ate French toast for breakfast. Then they made plans to go Christmas shopping. They decided to go to the mall back in Thneedville.

They got in their car and drove to Thneedville. Christmas music is playing on the radio. Right now, it is playing "Let It Snow" by Dean Martin. Audrey was humming along.

"Everyone," Ted's mom said. "When we get there, the mall's going to be crowded because a lot of people are Christmas shopping, so stay close."

"Oh, we will," Ted replied. "Malls are always crowded with shoppers around the holidays every year."

When they got to the mall, it was just like Ted's mom said. The parking lot was crowded with cars parked by people are shopping for Christmas.

"Okay, here's what we'll do," Audrey's dad planned out. "Audrey, you will come with me and mom to shop what you want to give to Ted. And Ted, you go with your mom and grandma to shop what you want for Audrey."

"Will do," Audrey and Ted said at the same time.

With that said, the two families went their separate ways to buy what they wanted for each other.

In the mall, Ted's family passed by people standing in a line waiting to tell Santa what they want this year. They went into the make-up store of the mall and bought shampoo and hair conditioner for Audrey's parents. Ted bought red lipstick for Audrey.

In another part of the mall, Audrey's family was in the bookstore. They bought a few books and magazines. They even bought a book called "The Night Before Christmas".

The families have been shopping until around 11:30. They decided to have lunch at the mall's restaurant. Ted and Audrey had pizza while their parents had fried chicken.

When they finished eating, they went back to their car and drove back to their cabin in Truffula Valley. The radio was playing "Feliz Navidad". Ted and Audrey sang along. When they finished, their parents congratulated them, impressed by their singing.

December 24

It is now Christmas Eve. Ted, Audrey and their families were relaxing in their cabin, listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas shows.

"Ted, Audrey," Audrey's dad said. "There's something special we would like to do with everyone in here tonight before we go to bed.

"What is it?" Ted and Audrey asked at the same time.

"We'd like to read you "The Night Before Christmas". I read it to Audrey every Christmas Eve when she was little."

"Awesome!" Audrey exclaimed.

By evening, the evening sky was pitch black. Ted and Audrey's families were gathered in the living room to hear Audrey's dad read "The Night Before Christmas". Everyone was present: Ted was sitting beside Audrey with his arm around her shoulder. Audrey's mom was beside her as well. Ted's mother and grandmother sat on another couch. Ted's dad sat in a chair in the living room and was about to begin.

He looked at the others to make sure he had their attention. He opens the book and clears his throat as he began to read.

'Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a mouse

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas will be there
The children were all nestled snug in their beds
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads

And mama in her kerchief and I in my cap
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter

Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash

The poem was 50 lines in length, long enough that it took 10 minutes to finish. Due to this, Audrey fell asleep by the time her dad came to the final line, so he read quietly in almost a whisper, "But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

Once he finished, he closed the book and stood up from his chair.

Ted was awake the whole time Audrey's dad read. Ted picked up his sleeping girlfriend and held her in his arms. He carried her to his bedroom and tucked her in the bed. Then he got dressed for bed and climbed in next to Audrey. He smiled upon seeing his girlfriend sleeping peacefully, gave her a soft kiss on the cheek and dozed off to sleep with his arms wrapped around her.