Merry Christmas everyone, at the time I published this it's not quite 2025 yet, Happy New Year if the new year started in your part of the world. I know this isn't Christmas, but I was always told that until the new year begins, it's still technically Christmas time. Now just like the Halloween chapter, this one is published out of order. However it will be a couple of chapters until I can rearrange the chapters in the correct order. I still couldn't let Christmas pass without publishing the Christmas chapter. Anyways, enjoy!
11 Louds a Leapin.
Ah Christmas. The most peaceful and magical time of year. A time for miracles, peace on Earth and Goodwill towards men. And let's not deny, getting all the stuff you can get while the getting's good!
Will was outside shoveling snow. His winter attire was a black overcoat and a blue scarf that matched the same color as his favorite jacket. He had black gloves on his hands and a black cotton hat on his head. Orange galoshes were on his feet as he worked.
I will admit. Shoveling snow isn't my idea of a good time to celebrate Christmas Eve, but I can usually get over it for this special day.
Will finished up and stood at the end of the sidewalk to admire his hard work. The walkway and his property's share of the sidewalk is clear of snow.
"Ahhh." Will sighed as he smiled and breathed in the fresh winter air. "AHH!" He yelped as something cold smashed into his back.
"Hahahahahaha!" Laughed the deep voice of his dad. Will looked at Nicholas standing in the snow. He laughed and had a small pile of snowballs rolled up next to his leg. Will understood what he did as cold snow slid off his back. The snowballs Nicholas rolled up were bigger than normal snowballs. They were the size of footballs.
Nicholas was also wearing outdoor winter clothes. A black coat, not so different from Will's brown leather gloves on his hands and the same colored galoshes on his feet.
Will smirked. "Oh yeah old man? Two can play at that game!" Will challenged. He jumped behind their tree and started to roll up snowballs of his own.
I am at a disadvantage, Dad's large stature allows him to make oversized snowballs. However, his large form is also a disadvantage. He becomes a huge target.
Will stepped out from behind the tree, he tossed the snowball up and down as he took aim. Nicholas had his large snowball. The two smirked at each other and opened fire. The two laughed joyously as they fired their ammo at each other. Will took a hit to the left arm as Nicholas took a few hits to his large belly.
Will threw one more snowball at Nicholas but he sidestepped and dodged and it flew and smashed into the large plastic Santa Claus decoration sitting on the top of the midsection of the Loud's roof. Causing it to fall over, slide off the roof and hit the ground.
"Uh oh." Will said. Nicholas was looking and also looked terrified of possibly damaging the neighbor's property.
"I'll take the fall for this." Nicholas sighed. "I egged you on to have a snowball fight."
"Thanks dad." Will said, feeling relieved. Nicholas went to the shed to get his step ladder, and not soon after Lincoln stepped out of the Loud's Lincoln's winter clothes was a red coat with matching red gloves, and an aqua colored scarf. Beige colored snow shoes, and a brown cap.
Lincoln inspected the fallen Santa as Will ran over to him.
"Merry Christmas Lincoln."
"Merry Christmas to you too." Lincoln replied. "What happened here?"
"It was my fault." Nicholas said as he appeared behind the two boys with his ladder. "I'll get it back up."
"Mom would normally go crazy." Lincoln said. "However she's having trouble with the decorations inside the house to notice something like this."
"Lucky me then." Nicholas chuckled.
"LOUDS! TURN DOWN THAT MUSIC!" Shouted the voice of a grouchy old man.
Will focused on his ears and he could hear Luna strumming her acoustic guitar and poorly singing made up lyrics.
"Mr. Grouse is in the Christmas spirit." Lincoln said sarcastically.
"Ba' humbug." Will mocked Mr. Grouse with a soft chuckle.
Remember Mr. Grouse? The Louds other neighbor who is very grumpy and only seems to respect my dad? For some reason he seems extra grumpy on this day. I'd feel sorry for him if he wasn't grumpy the rest of the year.
Mr. Grouse shouted again. "LOUDS TURN OF THOSE LIGHTS! NO ONE CAN SLEEP!"
"It's the middle of the day." Will said to Lincoln, indirectly responding to Mr. Grouse. "No one's trying to sleep and not many lights are even on." Lincoln changed the subject. His voice was sounding excited.
"Anyways, come with me." He said. "I got something special I was waiting for just this day." Will followed Lincoln around to the Loud's backyard and they opened the shed and Lincoln dashed inside and walked out with a huge sled. It was a classic looking sled made of wood and metal railings underneath. Finished with a fine red color on the wood. On the top of the front side of the sled was the product name.
"Fearsome Flyer 8000?" Will said, reading the name of it aloud.
"Yep. I affectionately call him 'Big Red.'" Lincoln said, giving the sled a hug. "We've been waiting all Winter for the perfect sledding conditions!" Lincoln pointed to a large snowbank piled up near the rear window.
Since the Loud's home is so huge, the back of the house doesn't get a lot of sunlight. If there's a lot of snowstorms, which there were lately. The snow will pile up.
Lincoln took one step towards the snowbank but once he did Lincoln screamed as he was snared up in a net that was attached to a rope dangling from the gutter from the roof.
"Woo Hoo!" Lana cheered. Her head and arms popping up out of another snowbank. She threw her arms up cheering. "My Reindeer net worked! Sorry Lincoln, I'm just getting ready for tonight." Lana loosened the rope holding the net Lincoln's trapped in, causing Lincoln to fall hard on his rear. Will opened the net letting Lincoln out. "I'm gonna catch a Reindeer and keep it as a pet!"
"I don't think Santa would like you capturing one of his Reindeer." Will advised. Lana weighed the options upon hearing this.
Lana pondered. "A flying Reindeer at the risk of coal for the rest of my life? Or presents? Neh, A flying Reindeer would be so worth eternal coal." Will only shook his head at Lana's response.
Suddenly a loud crash was heard in the front yard. Will, Lana, and Lincoln looked to see an orange car sunk into a pit, trunk first. The car's horn was blaring and seemed to be stuck. Will and Lincoln looked at the wreckage nervously. The large Santa Clause that Nicholas knocked over before was set back up on the Loud's roof. He was nowhere to be seen, so he must've returned home.
"WOO HOO! My Reindeer Pit worked!" Lana cheered, she decided to help the stuck car. "Uh, don't worry buddy! I got a winch!" Lana dashed towards the car, to tend to the wreckage she caused.
Will warned Lincoln. "You better pray that whoever is in the car doesn't sue you guys. Worse, Lana doesn't get arrested."
"I'm praying the same thing." Lincoln said nervously.
Seriously, if I were Santa, Lana deserves to be on the Naughty List just for this incident alone!
Lincoln and Will went to the Loud's slide. Will rolled up a huge snowball and fastened it to the bottom of the slide, giving the slide a jump at the end. Lincoln climbed up at the top of the slide and put his sled down and sat on it.
Will praised Lincoln's thinking. "I gotta admit, this is a very clever idea."
Using the slide and have me give it a jump at the end? For a kid I never would have come up with this when I slid around on a sled!
"Thanks." Lincoln replied. Lincoln had a green bicycle helmet under his arm and put it on his head. "Let's do this!" Lincoln gave the sled a push and he laughed and cheered joyously as the sled zoomed down the slide with great speed. The sled flew off the jump Will made and landed safely on the ground and continued to freely glide on the surface of the snow.
That is until the sled hit a huge rock, causing Lincoln to scream as he was sent flying off the sled. Lincoln landed face first into the snow, the sled itself was also sent flying into the air and over the fence and landed in the backyard of Mr. Grouse's property. Lincoln pulled his face out of the snow. Will ran to his friend to check on him.
"You ok?" Will asked as Will used his hands to examine Lincoln but his friend pushed Will's hands away.
"I'm ok." Lincoln answered. Lincoln cried when he saw where his sled landed. "NOOOOOOO!"
"It landed in Mr. Scrooge's yard!" Will sighed in sadness.
Mr. Grouse, anything that lands in his yard he keeps, always declaring, "My Yard, My Property!"
Lincoln put on a serious scowl. "Well, I'm not about to let Big Red get taken away. Especially on the first day of Christmas Vacation!" Will and Lincoln nodded at each other.
Hey, he's my best friend. That sled means a lot to him and if I can help him get it back, I would.
Will and Lincoln rushed towards Mr. Grouse's chain link fence and attempted to climb over. Lincoln's shorter and he struggled to lift himself, Will managed to get a leg on the top of the fence.
"LOUDS!" Mr Grouse screamed. The sound of his close voice caused the two to slip and fall into the snow in the Loud's yard. Mr. Grouse was actually at his top floor window yelling at the Loud's house. Which wasn't unusual. "TAKE DOWN THAT EYESORE! YOU'RE BRINGING DOWN THE PROPERTY VALUES!" He was referring to the Wacky Waving inflated Tube Men that Mrs. Loud fastened to the roof of the house. Mr. Grouse closed the window and went into his house until he was out of sight.
Will and Lincoln picked themselves up out of the snow and dusted off white powder.
Lincoln sighed. We're gonna need some help to get Big Red back. He took out a Walkie Talkie and contacted Clyde.
"Clyde, come in!" Lincoln called Clyde.
"Hey Lincoln." Clyde responded in the static voice from the electronic. "Just working on my mistletoe." Clyde spoke in a cool smooth voice. "This year, I'm not gonna squander my chance for a holiday smooch from Lori." Both Lincoln and Will rolled their eyes in response to this.
Lincoln responded in a slightly irritated tone. "I'm rootin' for you buddy, but can't it wait? I got a code six emergency!" Clyde's voice changed to a panicked voice as he knew what that code meant.
"Oh no! What went over the fence this time?" Clyde's voice paused but suddenly changed to an excited tone. "Was it Bobby?" Lincoln and Will looked at each other with surprised faces.
Never thought I'd hear something rather shocking from Clyde.
"Negative, it was Big Red." Lincoln answered, His voice turned serious. "Put on your snow boots. "It's time to put, 'Operations Scale the Fence and Retrieve Big Red Before Mr. Grouse Finds it and Takes It Into His House Forever and also Think of a Shorter Name for this Operation.' Into action!"
"Sorry! I got stuck in a turtleneck." Clyde apologized. "I didn't get any of that. Can you repeat it? Never mind. I'm on my way!" Lincoln cut off the conversation and began to think.
"We'll need to see where Big Red Landed." Lincoln concluded. "Will, you're taller, can you see it?" Will peered over Mr. Grouse's fence and could see a slight hint of the sled sitting behind a large faded, red wheelbarrow full of chopped logs.
"Kind of, it's by Mr. Grouse's firewood."
"We need to know for sure, we need my binoculars." Lincoln said. The two boys went inside the house. Will followed Lincoln and caught hints of the weird antics the other Louds were doing.
Lucy and Lynn are lifting up the couch, obviously looking for presents. Every year, they tend to tear the house apart to peek at presents before Christmas. Unfortunately Lori has a similar problem. Although to her it's like a vice, like an addiction. According to Lincoln, Lori isn't really interested in what's in the boxes, she just loves the rush one gets when you rip the paper and open the box up.
"Where is my tinsel? Has anyone seen it?" Mrs. Loud called out as she was digging through boxes of Christmas decorations.
Just like outside. Mrs. Loud's fanatical decorating knows no bounds inside. Although she has problems hanging stockings around the fireplace, because with so many kids, they can't all fit on the top of it.
Will and Lincoln walked up the stairs but Will heard Leni call to Will from behind before he could follow Lincoln into his room.
"Hey Will." Leni said in a sweet voice. Will turned to see Leni standing before him posing. What she was wearing was causing Will to blush. Her usual light green dress was on but it was barely visible. Leni's body was wrapped entirely in Mrs. Loud's white tinsel. Her waist had a red Christmas ribbon tied up in a gift knot. In her ears were earrings with Christmas light bulbs dangling from them. The left ear was green while the other was red.
I can't put my finger on it, but Leni looks so pretty wrapped up like that. The tinsel makes her look like a snow princess and it's only accentuated by the fact the tinsel is reflecting light, making her look so shiny.
"Do you like my Christmas outfit?" She asked in a rather coy voice.
"Yeah, it looks beautiful." Will answered shyly. He reached behind his head and scratched his hair shyly.
Leni responded with a squee. "Thanks! I worked so hard on it, I had to get rid of my first outfit." Leni leaned in and whispered. "I cut up mom's tablecloth into stripes and sewed it into my dress. My earrings were two red tree ball ornaments." Will imagined it in his head.
"I bet it looked just as beautiful as well." Will laughed, this caused Leni to blush and laugh with him.
"BUSTED!" Luan called, causing Will and Leni to jump in surprise. Luan just appeared out of the bathroom door, with the same sudden jumpscare-like ability that Lucy has. Luan was dressed as she normally does, however she's wearing fake reindeer horns on her head. "Leni! You took all of Mom's tinsel. I'm telling!"
"Nonono!" Leni begged in a nervous voice.
"Hahahaha! I'm just ribbon ya!" Luan joked as she pulled on the ribbon around Leni's waist. "Haha! Get it?" Leni and Will sighed in relief. She took out a counter and pushed the button on it, causing it to click and 'up' the number on it by one. "That's ten!"
Luan seems to believe she can make the '12 puns of Christmas,' it's as annoying as it sounds.
"Ugh." Will and Leni groaned together at the same time. Luan went down stairs leaving the two alone again. Luna was sitting in her room on her bed and strumming an acoustic guitar. She was singing rather poorly.
"Christmas time is totally rad, I want those gifts so I wont be bad. UGH!"
Luna also makes up a Christmas song every year. Interestingly her best songs are ones that are about the true spirit of Christmas instead of the material side. I wonder why she doesn't just start with that.
Lincoln came out of his room with his binoculars. "I got em! Let's go!" Will was about to walk away from Leni but he wanted to say something.
"Hey, um. I've been working on a gift. I don't know if you'd like it."
Leni gave Will another squee. "Oh thank you! Where is it?"
"It's at my house. I'll give it tomorrow on Christmas Day." Will said, chuckling his cheeks turning a deeper shade of pink. "Right now though, I gotta go rescue a sled." Will followed Lincoln downstairs and back outside. Will climbed onto the top of the slide and peered into the binoculars.
Looks like Big Red is wedged into a snowbank next to Mr. Grouse's wheelbarrow. Will explained. Lincoln was standing next to Will on the ground.
"HEY LINCOLN! HEY WILL!" Clyde shouted, popping in front of Lincoln's face causing both him and Will to jump in surprise and fall to the ground. Clyde appeared, again like Lucy's ability to suddenly appear around people. Will landed softly onto the snow unharmed.
"I see you toned down the mistletoe this year." Lincoln said. Clyde's winter gear was a blue jacket with matching gloves and hat. Clyde's hat had a single deer antler tied on it, with a mistletoe tied to the top of it. The plant dangled in front of Clyde's forehead.
Last year Clyde had a full blown afro wig on his head, made up entirely of mistletoe. I don't know why but it attracted birds and they attacked him.
"Just don't forget what Batman and Catwoman said about mistletoe and a kiss." Will warned.
"Yeah yeah, they're both deadly." Lincoln dismissed.
"So what's the plan?" Clyde asked. Lincoln took a stick and drew pictures in the snow. Three stick figures and a house with a 'G' in it, a sled above it and a line in between the house and the stick figures.
"Ok. Clyde, you're going to go to the front yard and sing Christmas Carols to Mr. Grouse." While he comes to yell at you, Will and I come and hop the fence and take Big Red back.
"Strategic Genius!" Clyde cheered. Clyde ran to Mr. Grouse's front door and took out his walkie talkie. "Turtledove to Sled-Man Walking and Krampus. I'm in position."
"Copy that Turtledove." Lincoln responded. Will understood that Krampus meant himself.
"Wait, why am I Krampus?" Will asked.
Lincoln shrugged. "Well, you do get angry and you do punish those who wrong us."
I'm the angry one? I thought that was Lola or Lori? Although, yeah, it's usually me or Lynn who beats up the bullies.
"Fair enough." Will sighed.
"Commence caroling." Lincoln ordered into the Walkie Talkie.
Will and Lincoln started hearing Clyde singing Christmas carols at Mr. Grouse's front door. They hopped the fence into Mr Grouse's yard, they heard Mr. Grouse yelling at Clyde to stop singing mixed with Clyde's caroling.
Lincoln slid on behind a tree and Will moved towards the wheelbarrow. Unfortunately Will slid on the slick snow and accidentally knocked the wheelbarrow over. The loud sound of the wheelbarrow falling over and the wood inside falling out. Mr Grouse walked towards the front yard but Clyde dashed in front of him and sang louder to keep Mr. Grouse distracted. Unfortunately Mr Grouse pushed Clyde away and kept going.
Lincoln dashed to Will and the two scrambled to put the wheelbarrow back up and to fill it with the wood that fell out. Unfortunately it was too late, they had to hide behind Mr. Grouse's shed as he discovered Big Red. He picked it up.
"Whoever lost this in my yard!" He shouted towards no one in particular. "My yard, my property!" He took the sled and walked with it back into his house.
"Huuhhh." Lincoln sighed as he and Will came out of hiding. He felt defeated after his sled was now and forever out of his hands.
"Sorry." Will apologized for messing up Lincoln's attempt to take the sled back.
Clyde reunited with them and they left Mr. Grouse's yard and sat on the Loud's front porch. The three looked down and out.
"I can't believe I lost Big Red." Lincoln sighed. Clyde placed his hand on Lincoln's shoulder. Luna then walked out the front door and was still trying to make up her Christmas carol. Just like before, her guitar strumming as well as her lyrics and voice sounded off.
"Merry Christmas, Honey. If you don't have a gift, I'll gladly take money. I wrote it down on my Christmas list, If I don't get my prezzies, I'm gonna get-"
"LOUDS!" Mr. Grouse yelled, cutting Luna off. "Knock off that racket!" was dressed in his own outdoor gear as he took out his car keys and went to his car. Lincoln, Will, and Clyde's faces lit up as Mr. Gourse was leaving his home.
"Clyde!" Will! Lincoln cheered. "Do you see what I see?"
"A star, a star, shining in the night?" Clyde answered. Will tilted his head at that answer.
That's oddly specific.
"No, Mr. Grouse left, I can sneak into his house and take Big Red back!" Lincoln said in an excited voice.
"You can't do that!" Clyde objected. "That's Mr. Grouse's property!"
"But that sled is my property!" Lincoln countered.
Will agreed. "Yeah, not everything is his just because it lands on his lawn. I'll just slip through the doggy door and grab Big Red and he'll be none the wiser."
"But what if you get caught and go to jail?" Clyde cried.
Will assured Clyde. "That won't happen, even if he does catch Lincoln and call the cops, no way they'd take him to jail."
I honestly don't know. I'm not a lawyer, but it seems insane that they'd throw a child in jail to take back what's his.
"I need you Clyde to watch out for Mr. Grouse to return." Clyde nodded to Lincoln and Lincoln dashed off, back into Mr. Grouse's backyard and found the doggie door in his back door and slid inside his house.
"Why does he have a doggie door?" Will questioned. "He doesn't have a dog." Clyde just shrugged in response. "I suppose you're only needed for this job."
"Absolutely! I'm very reliable." Clyde said. Puffing out his chest and looking bold.
"Alright then, I'm gonna head inside." Will said as he walked into the Loud's home, leaving Clyde alone to watch out for Mr. Grouse.
It's quite cold out. I think Mrs. Loud would be ok if I had some of Mr. Loud's 'special' hot cocoa. He has a kettle of it on the stove which he leaves out for his kids.
As Will entered the house, before he went to the kitchen he saw Mrs. Loud sitting on the sofa with her feet up. Will was surprised to see Lola giving Mrs. Loud's bare feet a foot massage.
"Hello Will." Mrs. Loud said, sighing in relaxation.
"Hi." Will answered. "Does Mr. Loud have some hot cocoa on the stove?"
"He might, he's in the kitchen working on his figgy pudding." She answered.
It's special because he mixes it with a different extra ingredient every year. The first year I moved here, it was mixed with pumpkin, last year it was cinnamon, so who knows what's in it this year.
Will had to address something he was seeing with Lola.
"You know Lola I didn't know you knew anything about massaging." Will said to her.
"There's a lot of things about me you don't know." Lola answered, in a slightly smug manner. "I'm being nice aren't I mom?"
"You're being a real sweetie hun." Mrs. Loud said. Lola breathed a sigh of relief.
"You hear that Santa?" Lola grumbled. Shaking a fist in the air."
Will shook his head and walked into the kitchen.
I suppose Lola knows she's quite naughty so she's trying to pack in enough 'niceness' to get off the naughty list in one day.
"You're wasting your time!" Lisa warned as she walked from the hallway and turned to walk up the stairs. She had an oversized candy cane in her hands with a few bites taken out of it.
Of course, Lisa, being at times, the insufferable know-it-all, must ruin Christmas for her siblings. I do believe Santa won't give children who don't believe in him any presents, if they're nice, they won't get coal at least.
Will saw an oversized gift in green wrapping paper next to the sofa. Lori was staring at it with hungry eyes.
"Hey Lori." Will said. "Still fighting the urge to open gifts huh?"
"Yes. It's not easy." Lori said, her voice is deep and full of need. "Bobby sent me this huge box. The note on it said to open immediately, but I mustn't." Lori's voice turned dramatic. As she clawed at the box like a cat. If she had claws she would inadvertently be ripping the paper. "If I start with one I won't be able to stop! I must resist!"
"You're doing great. Don't give up." Will said, chuckling lightly.
Will went into the kitchen and found what he's looking for. The kettle letting out steam on the stove. However, Mr. Loud was stirring something in a pot on the stove also.
"Hey Mr. Loud." Will greeted as he grabbed a cup and walked up the kettle, which made Will stand next to Mr. Loud.
"Merry Christmas Will." Mr. Loud said. "I'm trying to perfect my figgy pudding! Are you here to try my special cocoa?"
"I can't let the year pass without trying some." Will answered as he poured some from the kettle. However Will's nose turned up as the smell of the pudding was rather rancid.
I don't really know what figgy pudding even is. However isn't a foul smelling food a sign that it's poorly made?
"Wanna try some?" Mr. Loud held out a spoon with some of the pudding on it. The dessert's stench was too overpowering for Will to give it a shot.
"Um. Sorry Mr. Loud. I gotta try your cocoa!" Will said nervously. He immediately downed some of the hot liquid. He winced as he forgot to blow on it to cool it off first.
"MMMMM!" He cried with his mouth closed. As he swallowed the drink. His face seemed to instantly change to one of enjoyment as he was able to taste the sweetness of the secret ingredient.
"Easy son!" Mr. Loud warned. "That stuff is hot."
"Duly noted." Will replied, his mouth hung open and he was fanning his tongue. "That tasted great though! What's the ingredient this year?"
"Glad you asked." Mr. Loud said with a big smile. "I added a pinch of vanilla extract."
"It works very well!" Will complimented.
"Now, about the figgy pudding." Mr. Loud started to push again.
"Sorry, I…" Will tried to object but Mr. Loud shoved the spoon into his mouth, essentially forcing Will to eat some. Will actually tasted something that tastes like a mix of spice and fruit, specifically raisins and cinnamon.
Actually this isn't that bad, but it's not good either.
"It's just fine." Will said with a weak smile on his face. Of course Mr. Loud could read between the lines of Will's comment.
"Still needs work huh?" Mr. Loud thought as he placed his finger on his chin. He went back to the stove and kept working on his pudding.
Will finished his cocoa and set his cup in the sink to be washed. He walked out the back door, he walked around the front yard and Clyde was nowhere to be seen.
"Huh, Where'd Clyde go?" Will thought out loud. "I hope Lincoln got his sled back." He continued to walk back to his home. He opened the door and found Agnes and Nicholas leaning on each other with warm drinks in their hands. They sat in front of the TV watching a video that's just a yule log in a fireplace with beautiful Christmas music in the background. Agnes and Nicholas were in matching green Christmas sweaters with Santa Claus in his sled being led by his reindeer.
I suppose if you're gonna have a romantic Christmas eve in front of the fireplace, but you don't have one, a fake one will have to do. I am jealous that the Louds have a chimney, for this cold time of year one would be nice. I better not disturb them.
"Merry Christmas Will." Agnes said to Will, not taking her eyes off the video. Will was trying to sneak around them but of course it was futile.
"Merry Christmas to you too." Will answered.
Agnes and Nicholas kissed each other as they both got up and smiled at Will.
Agnes spoke, her voice having a hint of excitement. "Hey, we were thinking. Maybe you'd like to open your present tonight."
"Really?" Will asked as excitement and anticipation filled his body. The two adults nodded. Nicholas went to their medium sized Christmas tree and took out a present wrapped in red paper and topped with a green bow.
Will took the box and ripped the paper off. Agnes and Nicholas watched as they held each other.
I had a feeling that to them watching me open a gift was like watching their children be excited to rush to their toys on Christmas morning. Of course dad watched me do this many times, but for Agnes, this is the first time for her. It must mean a lot to her even though I'm not actually her son.
As Will opened the box inside it was an accessory stand for his bike. A cup holder for the handlebars and a cell phone mount.
"Wow! This is great! I like it!" Will said with a big smile to Agnes and Nicholas. "Thank you both!"
Agnes explained. "We picked this specifically because not only will it make your bike rides more enjoyable, but when you get old enough to drive, you can make adjustments to it so you can safely use it as a cell phone mount on the dashboard or cup for your car."
"Thanks you guys!" Will said as he rose and gave Agnes and his father a hug. The three were filled with warmth, and the adults placed their hands on Will's back.
I know I never really talked about it, but I actually am really excited to get my license. I mean I won't have to bum rides off people, especially Lori.
"Merry Christmas son." Nicholas said warmly as petted Will's hair.
"You to dad." Will replied as the three broke the hug. Agnes changed the subject.
"So, how about that gift you're working on for that girl you like?" She asked, giving Will a teasing look, this caused him to blush.
"It's ready. I just gotta give it to her tomorrow." Will said. "You think she'll like it?"
"You worked hard on it." Nicholas said. "Even if she doesn't like it she will appreciate it."
"I suppose you're right." Will said. "Leni is sweet like that."
Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Will went to answer it and it was Lincoln. He had a sad look on his face.
"What is it?" Will asked. His voice was soft as he understood that Lincoln's face showed perhaps not distress, but sympathy.
"Can I come in?" Lincoln asked. Will let Lincoln in and Anges and Nicholas welcomed him.
Lincoln sat on the couch. Big Red is dead.
"What?" Will gasped. Will knew that Lincoln was talking about his sled, but Agnes and Nicholas thought he was talking about a living being. They seemed freaked out more than Will was. Will quickly assured them what Big Red really was. The adults breathed a sigh of relief. Agnes and Nicholas decided to leave the boys alone since they're talking about something that's not their concern. They went into the kitchen.
"I tried to get him back by sneaking into Mr. Grouse's house. You saw that. I almost made it out but Mr. Grouse caught me and the surprise of it caused me to drop Big Red and he broke into a million pieces."
"Oh Lincoln, I'm sorry." Will said in a sympathetic voice. "You got caught though? I thought Clyde was supposed to be watching you. I did notice he was missing but I just assumed you got Big Red back."
"Clyde got launched by one of Lana's Reindeer traps. It was a catapult so he was launched six blocks away. Mr. Grouse was gonna call my parents to get me in trouble, but he couldn't reach them. He made me sweep his floor because I hid in his fireplace and I tracked soot on his floor."
"So what happened?"
"I saw a picture of him on his fireplace that was him at my age. In it he was holding a sled not much different than Big Red. He got a phone call but it was from a family member of his, turns out he's also from a big family. He said he can't go see them for Christmas because he can't afford to travel to see them."
"That's rough, even if he's a mean old Grinch." Will sighed.
I suppose there's always a reason for someone who's angry all the time. It's usually because they're sad on the inside.
Lincoln piled on more heartache. "It's even worse. He hasn't seen them in five years. He hasn't seen his many nieces and nephews in such a long time and he's apparently very close to them."
Makes sense, I don't know Mr. Grouse very well, but I do know he was married once but he never had any kids.
Lincoln then smiled. "I got an idea. I already talked my sisters into it, as well as Clyde and his dads. I need you, your dad and Ms. Johnson to pitch in."
Will leaned inwards. "What do you need us to do?"
It was nighttime, the decorations and Christmas Lights of other people's houses lit up the darkness that melded into a beautiful blanket when mixed with the starry sky above. There was no light on in Mr. Grouse's house. Odds are he was just sleeping.
A beautiful choir was starting to sing outside his front door. The singing was loud to try and get his attention.
"Ooooooh-ooooooh-oooooh-ooooooh!"
Mr Grouse opened his front door with a very angry look on his face. However his face softened as he was in utter disbelief at what he was looking at.
All of the Louds, Clyde and his dads, Will along with Nicholas and Agnes were standing at the sidewalk at the end of his walkway. Everyone, except Lily and the Loud parents were holding a lit candle in their hands as they sang to Mr. Grouse. The Loud parents were holding two large boxes full of Christmas decorations.
Luna took the lead in the song as the others kept up the chorus.
"I used to think that Christmas was"
"About the wish list filled with stuff"
"I never really needed anyway"
Lori took out a remote and pushed a button on it. This caused Mr. Grouse's house to light up with Christmas lights. It appears that his house was decorated without his knowledge.
"But as long as we're together, it's a holiday"
Everyone sang along together now, Luna took out her guitar and began to strum on it.
"It's not what you get, it's what you give"
"We've got the spirit, clear and loud"
"Ditch the list, hug who you're with"
"'Cause that's what Christmas is all about!"
"It's what you give, not what you get"
"We've got the hard part figured out"
"This year will be the best one yet"
"'Cause that's what Christmas is all about!"
"Merry Christmas from the Louds!"
"HO!"
Everyone huddled together forming a wholesome pose as Mr. Grouse looked at the scene made especially for him, his face showed he was completely blindsided by such a kind act from his neighbors that he constantly yells at.
I have to admit, this was just as fun as Lucy's Corn Maze. Although I can't help but think I was singing to more people than just Mr. Grouse.
Lincoln walked forward presenting Mr. Grouse with a gift wrapped box.
"Merry Christmas. Mr. Grouse." Lincoln said.
"We all chipped in and got you something." Lana said. Mr Grouse opened it and inside was a thin piece of paper.
"It's a bus ticket." Luna explained.
"So you can go see your family for Christmas tomorrow." Luan added.
"And since you can't be with them tonight, we're bringing our families to you!" Mrs. Loud said. She and Mr. Loud were holding boxes full of Christmas decorations in front of their faces, they moved them to look at Mr. Grouse directly.
"How about it neighbor?" Mr. Loud offered.
Again I can't help that this was meant for more than Mr. Grouse, Mr. and Mrs. Loud acted as if they were specifically hiding their faces and were revealing them for the first time. That's all incredibly strange.
Mr. Grouse at first looked really angry at the mob outside his house, but his expression softened and to a smile.
"You guys made this the best Christmas ever." He said in a soft, and happy voice. "I'd say you all earned permanent spots on Santa's nice list."
"Even me!?" Lola gasped.
"Even you." Mr. Grouse responded, to his surprise Lola dashed at Mr. Grouse's leg and hugged it tightly causing him to look like his space was violated.
Everyone went inside Mr. Grouse's house and the party began with many people setting up decorations. Clyde's dads along with Agnes and Mr. Loud were working in the kitchen setting the table and preparing food.
"Chow time in five people!" Mr. Loud announced.
"Before we sit down, there's something I'd like to say." Mr. Grouse announced, he got everyone's attention for a speech. "Well, I know I haven't always been the friendliest neighbor. I'm sorry about that. You've all given me so much tonight. Now I'd like to give something to you." He opened the mini cupboard under his staircase. All the stuff Mr. Grouse confiscated that landed in his yard over the years, all spilled out onto the floor. Everyone gasped happily as their things were returned. Will dug through the things and recovered a red frisbee.
This was the thing me and Dad would throw back and forth to each other during the warmer seasons. Unfortunately Dad threw it too hard and it landed in Mr. Grouse's yard. Oddly enough my dad could've asked for it back. Dad's the only one my dad actually respects.
Will turned to see Clyde silently praying under the mistletoe. Lori approached him with a sly look on her face.
"Clyde, you know what you're standing under, don't you?" Lori asked in a teasing tone. Clyde just stood still and shook, utterly frozen in place as Lori leaned in and kissed Clyde on the cheek. Merry Christmas Clyde.
"And….to all….a good night." Clyde struggled to say. His head swayed around like he's light headed as he fainted and collapsed onto the floor.
Way to go Clyde. I suppose his wish came true, although I hope he doesn't expect her to leave Bobby for him.
Everyone sat down together for a nice Christmas Eve dinner. The nice warmth of kith and kin as the true meaning of Christmas was fresh in the air.
The next day, Christmas day, Will went to the Clouds with a poorly wrapped present in his hands. His face looked incredibly nervous.
This is the gift I made for Leni. I've never been more nervous before in my life.
When Will approached the front door. It opened up, he didn't need to knock on it. Lincoln came bursting out of the door with a new sled in his arms.
"Merry Christmas Lincoln." Will said.
"Merry Christmas Will." Lincoln answered.
"Got a new sled?" Will asked. The sled looked very similar to Big Red.
"Yeah, a Fearsome Flyer 1000." Lincoln said. "There's only one person I know who owned one of these." Lincoln nudged his face towards Mr. Grouse's house, they saw him loading the trunk of his car, dressed like he's about to go traveling.
"Thanks for the gift Mr. Grouse!" Lincoln called.
"Don't thank me, thank Santa!" Mr. Grouse winked. He turned to Will and smiled. "Also I can put in a good word for you about when you're ready to stop being lazy and get a job. It's always nice to have references!"
"Uh, thanks?" Will shrugged.
I suppose, He respects my dad for his work ethic. He just doesn't see it in me, and wants me to have it as well.
Lincoln went around back to the back yard to enjoy his new sled as Will walked inside the Loud's House, Lincoln, left the door open for him. Will took in the sight of all the Louds enjoying their presents. Will was making his way through the crowd, he needed to get upstairs since Leni was nowhere near the crowd of people, or the kitchen. wishing everyone a merry Christmas as he passed by. Bobby was standing inside of a large box, however his eyes looked almost zombie like, and he also looked incredibly hungry and thirsty.
"What happened?" Will asked Bobby.
Bobby answered in a hoarse voice. "I didn't know what to send Lori for our first Christmas, together so I decided to send myself."
Will was baffled. "You wrapped yourself in a box and mailed yourself to this house?"
"Yeah." Bobby said. "Lori loved it."
I seriously wanna know how he pulled that off, but for now I got a present to give.
Will rushed upstairs and knocked on Leni's and Lori's bedroom door. Leni answered it as she was applying makeup on her face.
"Merry Christmas Leni." Will said blushing.
"Merry Christmas Will!" She replied.
"I um…..I have a present for you." Will said nervously. "I don't know if you'll like it, but I made it myself." Will offered Leni the present Leni's face lit up with excitement as she instantly grabbed it.
"Oh Will! This is so sweet! Thank you!" Leni said happily. This reaction made Will blush more. She tore the paper and opened the present to see a sweater. It was Leni's traditional light green color, there was no picture but etched into the wool, in big yellow letters was her name, 'Leni Loud.' Her face sunk a little, she still held a smile but Will could tell she wasn't really into the present all that much.
The truth is, the sweater was quite poorly made. The size was two sizes too big for her, there were mistakes in the stitching which left oblivious crossings and minor holes in the wool and the letters were not in consistent size.
"It's…..nice?" Leni said. Trying to sound kind but was confused about the quality.
Will confessed. "Look, uh. I never made any clothing before, so I decided to make a gift for you personally instead of buying one. I know you like fashion so I decided to make a piece of Clothing for you. I just got the tools and I watched make Youtube videos on how to make this sweater. So I'm afraid it all shows."
Leni's face warmed up. "It's ok. You tried, that it's the thought that counts. This is a nice gift though at any rate. Thanks Will. I hope what we have planned for you arrives soon." Will's face lit up at that sound.
"A gift. From all you guys to me?"
"Yeah, Lisa's been working on it, then suddenly Her, Luna, Lori, went off to go find it, or something. They didn't tell me what it was for some reason." Will smiled as he knew the reason.
Unfortunately she would accidentally blab to me and spoil what they had planned. I said it before, but it's really nice to have people in your life that look at you like family, even if you're not actually family.
"Thank you guys." Will sighed. as he looked up towards the ceiling.
Merry Christmas Everyone! And A Happy New Year!
A/N That is my Christmas special. Hope you enjoyed it. Before signing off I gotta ask. How many of you saw Sonic 3? I did and I thought it was really good. What did you think? Let me know in a review or a PM. Happy New Year to you all! Hopefully 2025 will be a great year for us all.