I ring the bell, and in my head I hear a conversation that wasn't mine.
"Why didn't Zare come?" I hear my father ask.
"She thought you'd be disappointed that I'm no longer with Kiara," I hear Chetan's voice.
"What!?" I hear the shock in my mother's voice.
"More like she felt like you guys would think, she stole me from her."
"No, we know how demanding the mark mates' feelings are," my father says.
"Well, I'm glad I can tell her you guys understood when I return back to the forest."
"I really wish she was here," my dad says.
"That would take a Christmas miracle," Chetan says.
All the voices stop in my head. "I'm sure you made the connection. I am Kris Kringle, and Christmas miracles are my specialty."
I feel the smile take over my face.
"Just ring the bell again, and you will be transported with your family."
I look over at the rest of the pack, and they all smile. I know that I must be with my fiance. My hand very slowly shook the bell.
Everything spins around me in a fast motion, and I feel like I'm on some type of roller coaster ride. I see colors and lights everywhere, but then everything stops. and I smell the familiar smell of my mom's cooking.
"Oh my Zare," my mother gives me a big hug. At this moment, I am so very grateful for my Christmas miracle.
Over dinner, I retell the story of Kris Kringle and the Christmas Bell, and I fill Chetan in on all the Christmas creatures who showed up in the forest. He was fascinated by all of them, even the handsome Nutcracker.
It's finally bedtime, and I lay in my childhood bedroom next to my fiance, who I haven't seen in days and I missed so much. He brings his lips to mine, and I kiss him passionately, letting his lips overwhelm me.
"I am so glad we could spend Christmas together." He says once our lips pulled apart.
"Me too."
"But next year we're definitely staying in the forest, so I can see all these cool characters I've missed."
We both laugh hysterically. "It was definitely a trip."
You get to choose the ending this time!
Ending one:
I dash upright in bed, rubbing my eyes, I yawn at a fresh new morning. The dreams again filled my night, but this time they were magical about Christmas time. I look over at Chetan, who's still asleep, and I notice Ajay outside by the fire. Wait till I tell them about the elves and the Nutcracker I dreamed of. But most importantly, wait until I tell Chetan I dreamed Ajay let us leave Sandy Shores, what a hoot that's going to be.
Ending Two
I wake up to a beautiful Christmas morning, my nose already smelling breakfast, but the scents were way closer than I thought they would be.
"I brought you breakfast in bed for Christmas."
"You are the best thing I could have ever asked for."
Chetan gave me a stack of pancakes, and they were decorated with green and red sprinkles, and had a pile of Cool Whip on top.
"You made this."
I couldn't help the smile on my lips hearing his laughter.
"I'm not that good, your mom made it, I just served it to you."
"It's the thought that counts."
"And this one's all mine," I see Chetan holding mistletoe in his hand, and he places it above our head.
He kisses me sweetly, and I am thankful to be with my Christmas Prince.
The End
Merry Christmas, love Kayla Ellen