A/N:
Good day to all, Rattlesnake here. Welcome to the third Chapter of Snow Hound 2. I know. I wasn't, originally, going to make a sequel. But, if I can make It Snows in Hell 2 better than its predecessor. Why can't this one be better than the first Snow Hound?
So, without further adieu. On with the show!
End of A/N.
Hellmas Day had finally arrived. For Snow and Loona. It was the one day of peaceful slumber for the married couple. Knowing their one-year-old daughter was still asleep in her cot. And, their two teenage daughters were still asleep in their beds. Loona was just content with clinging close to her husband. And, snoring lightly with her head laid on his chest. She was content with the life she had now with her husband beside her.
Snow, while laying face-up, and with Loona's arm draped across his scarred-up chest whilst looking at the ceiling. Was seen smiling in his sleep. He longed for days like this when he could just relax with his wife in bed. No worries, and no fears for anyone's safety.
I heard the sounds of keys rattling against the front door downstairs. And, hearing the hushed voices Snow recognized Austin and Mercedes trying to be sneaky downstairs. He sighs with a smile never leaving his face at what they were planning.
Hearing hushed footsteps bounding up the stairs to Eliza and Winter's room. And, upon hearing the excited, yet muffled, giggles of his daughters following behind Austin and Mercedes. Snow feigned going back to sleep when he heard the lock being picked to their bedroom and, Austin, Eliza, and Winter slowly walked into his and Loona's bedroom. The three teenage children of Snow knew they weren't going to surprise their father. But, their mother? That was a different story altogether.
"Wyn, you're up."
Winter cracked her knuckles and neck before preparing her jump that would get her mother to jump half a mile in fright and surprise. She may be in her early teens now at the age of fifteen. But, When it came to Hellmas time. Winter was still a huge kid at heart.
"INCOMING!"
Snow knew then to move out of the way of his daughter and, pull Loona underneath Winter for the surprise attack. This woke Loona up with a scream of laughter at her daughter tackling her mother and hugging her tightly upon landing.
Snow couldn't help but chuckle at the sight before him. It was almost like when Winter was an adorably small pre-teen all over again. Seeing his son and daughter laughing at their sister and mother laughing together, Snow speaks to his two older kids from his spot in bed.
"Merry Hellmas to both of you."
Austin nodded while Eliza hugged their father. They kicked their kids out of the room so they could change out of their nightclothes. Snow couldn't help but laugh at the woman in the bed beside him flopping back down and, trying to go back to sleep.
Sometime Later
Once Snow was dressed and had, finally, dragged Loona out of their bed to get changed. The sight before the two was one of amazement for Snow. And, a look of shock for the hound upon seeing their lounge area filled with people they cared about.
"There they are! Welcome to the land of the unliving you two."
Loona flipped off Balthazar after he had said this. When she walked into the room and took a seat next to Charlie and Eliza. Snow got up to grab a few cups of coffee from the kitchen for Balthazar, Charlie, Loona, and himself to drink. The Genesis lived for days like this. Even though one of his kids had moved out. And, his three daughters still lived with him and Loona. Snow could only see the little faces that once looked up at him and their mother in wonder the day he handed them their gifts on their first Hellmas together as a family.
Balthazar too looked at the teens and one tot that he once saw as mere children and, pains in his, once, angelic ass. Now, he saw them as he saw Loona, Snow, and Charlie. They were his friends now.
Kitchen
Stood in the kitchen with Snow and Loona with a pack of Jersey Devils being passed around by the homeowner between the three of them. Balthazar accepted one. Even though his preferred choice of smokes was called 'Smokey Mountain'. While the three were smoking their cancer sticks. Snow is the first to speak up with his question to the black-winged bodyguard of the princess of Hell.
"How's life as Charlie and Vaggie's bodyguard Bal?"
Balthazar looks at Snow. After taking a long drag of his smoke. He answers directly to the male before him. While also directing his comment towards Loona beside him.
"Honestly, Lazarus… it's rewarding. There have been no issues with the position. And, honestly. I'm bored."
Snow chuckles.
"Not used to not going to war, huh Bal?"
Balthazar nods slowly. He hated to say it but, since the whole incident with Zerachiel. He'd been charged with protecting Charlie and her wife with his life. But, when the peace fell over Hell. He'd gotten complacent without a threat to deal with. Luckily, he enjoyed it to some extent.
"I'll get used to it eventually, Lazarus. For now, I'm just happy enjoying the easy jobs."
Snow merely chuckles at his friend's well-paid predicament. Before he can speak, however, Charlie walks into the kitchen.
"Okay, Bal. I need you to head back into the lounge. Loona and Snow need some time to prepare the food for everyone. Isn't that right?"
Snow nods. Receiving a kiss from Loona before she exits with Balthazar and Charlie. He set to work preparing the Christmas dinner for everyone.
Sometime Later
Set the table with the help of his sisters and girlfriend. Austin had never seen so many jovial faces together in a long time. Eliza was helping in the kitchen with their dad. Mercedes was preparing the chairs with Winter for everyone to sit at the table once the food was ready.
Since embracing normality after helping his dad and the team retrieve Evie. And, the fact he had a normal family life now with the hound he had loved since he was sixteen. He was just your average big brother now to Eliza, Evie, and Winter. His parents had worried about him fitting in with the other denizens and their children after surviving the silent angel in Heaven. But, he had shocked them all by thriving unperturbed by the fact he had a robotic leg now.
He stared at his girlfriend from her spot placing the last chair under the table. She catches her boyfriend staring at her. Causing her to smile bashfully before blowing Austin a kiss. The male smiles warmly back at his beloved hound from his spot setting up the entertainment system for later after dinner.
Cassiel is seen ready for a light novella she received today from Kai as a gift. While said husband was in the kitchen helping their son and oldest granddaughter with the turkey. She took the time to acknowledge Winter when she asked.
"Whatcha reading grandma?"
Cassiel smiles warmly towards her granddaughter before indicating for her to join her to read the book with her. Obliging the elder's request. Winter got comfortable on the arm of the chair her grandma was seated in.
Soon, Snow and Kai appear through the archway that separates the lounge and the kitchen. And, with his hands clapping together, Kai calls out.
"Soups on everybody. Come and grab a plate from Snow and take your seats. I'll be bringing the food in shortly!"
No one needed to be told twice. Everyone grabbed their plates from Snow as he stood handing the porcelain plates out. Everyone managed to grab a seat next to anyone they wanted. The couples, Mercedes and Austin, Kai and Cassiel, and Charlie and Vaggie all made sure they had a seat together. Eliza, Winter, and Octavia sat at opposite sides of the table across from each other.
This just left two empty chairs. One was at the side of Evie's high chair between Eliza and Loona's seats. The other was the only chair at the head of the table that was left open for Snow to seat himself down diagonally from his wife. Bringing in the food by himself. Eric could see the hungry faces of everyone who anticipated the food being brought to the table. Once it was all set up. Snow says with a smirk at the mouth's watering at the food he had made by himself.
"Don't just sit there and gawk guys. Dig in!"
The male couldn't help the laugh in his voice watching everyone scramble for the food on the table in a civilized manner. Once everyone had the food on their plates. They tucked into their meals before them with satisfied smiles.
"You've outdone yourself again, Dad. You've gotten better in your old age."
Eliza says with a smile which, in turn, earns her a light slap to her arm from her mother while, she too, was laughing along with everyone at Eliza's jab towards her father. Besides the odd joke and, the pulling of Hellmas crackers between every one of them. It was a fun time for everyone as they ate and made merry with each other.
After Dinner
With bellies full and, many a beer consumed. It was time for a Snow family tradition to have a game night in the home. Something that resulted in another Snow family tradition when game night got heated. And, when Snow and Balthazar got, a little too competitive.
It ended up with two brawling friends, drunk out of their faces, being cheered on by the kids out in the yard. It would typically end in a draw when both males drew blood from each other's faces. Or, Loona and Charlie had to get between them and hold them back.
An outsider's perspective would involve the royal guard being called to arrest the two males. Only, when Austin and Eliza explained their dad and uncle got too competitive. And, the guards knew it was the hero of Hell and the princess's royal guard brawling. They just laughed and joined in with the betting pool. Mercedes had made nearly six thousand dollars each Hellmas from bets alone. But, once the fight was over in the usual draw. Mercedes had to pay back double to whoever said it would end in a draw. Loona would always walk away twelve grand richer. Balthazar and Snow would laugh with each other after it was all said and done. And, while the two were being cleaned up by Charlie and Loona.
That Night
Cleaning up after dinner. And, saying goodbye to their guests. Loona and Snow were the only ones in their home. After Austin and Mercedes had gone home. And, Eliza, Winter, and Evie were in their respective beds. While in the middle of cleaning. Snow catches a glimpse of the photo on the top of the fireplace. Smiling warmly and, catching Loona's attention with what he was looking at. He asks warmly.
"Where has the time gone, honey? What happened to our babies?"
Loona, walking over to Snow and cuddling into her husband's side, smiles up at him when she replies with equal warmth to the male beside her.
"They're all grown up now, Snow. But, they're still our babies."
Snow nods. He couldn't help the tears falling from his eyes at the image on the fireplace. The image was on Snow and Loona's wedding day. Front and center on the image. Eliza, Winter, Austin, and Evie were stood by Snow's side. While Moxxie, Millie, Blitzo, and Octavia were stood by Loona's side in the photo. Next to that photo. There was one of Blitzo holding his newborn granddaughter, Evie. But, there was one picture that made Loona shed a tear too.
In the middle of the pictures that lined the wall. One photo stood out. It was a family portrait that Charlie had commissioned an artist to draw for them when they'd returned from the war against Zerachiel. Snow and Loona sat in the middle whilst holding hands. Eliza and Winter were sat in front of their parents. Behind Snow and Loona, Austin held baby Evie. The smiles looking back at them were one of a family that would look out for each other for many years to come.
Placing the portrait back onto the mantle piece. Snow looks at his wife, and she does the same as she did with Snow. They'd been through tough times together as a couple since Snow arrived in Hell on New Year's Eve in the year 2020. Despite all of that. And, despite the hardships and tribulations they faced. Snow and Loona would stay together through thick and thin. And, through the good times, and the bad. The two had each other's backs until the end of time.