Book 1- Beginning Adventures

Chap 24- Christmas

-- LAST CHAPTER EVERYBODY. I hoped you liked the book. Make sure to read the sequel if you haven't already! Thanks! --

Ivy's POV

Time really has passed since last year. Age 15 strolled by quicker then anything. Nothing really changed. I went to school, I helped Sonic and the others, played games and did normal basic everyday things. 

Christmas break came along and the famiy decided it would be a good time to just relax with each other. It was mutually decided that fighting would be to a minimum, mostly because they wanted my Christmas to be alright, but also they just didn't want to ruin the holiday spirit.

We all went into the woods to look at potential Christmas trees. The variety was overwhelming: large trees, small trees, round and full or choppy and stump. There were plenty of perfect trees in the woods that we all agreed would make an excellent choice. We agreed on one a couple days later, and Knuckles helped Sonic chop it down and bring it to the house. 

We all chipped in to decorate the house. Cream, Tails, and Amy decorated the walls and doorways with Christmas lights, and the rest of us did the tree. Mom bought us eggnog and made some cookies so we wouldn't be running on empty stomachs. It was, so far, an excellent Christmas.

Christmas Day came around and I was trying to sleep in. From the hall I heard some running, then the jingle of the bells on the door and the familiar noises of Chao and Cream. I stirred in bed, trying to block out the noises. I was actually very tired. 

I heard more voices as time went on. Sonic and Knuckles showed up, then later Rouge and Silver and Blaze. I continued to stay in my room, not ready to get up. 

I heard a knock on my door. It was Shadow.

"Everyone's here, if you're ready," he whispered through the cracked door.

"I'll be there in a sec."

He closed the door and I got out of bed, pulling my hair back and going into the living room. Cream and Cheese danced around the room, singing some Christmas carols. Sonic tried getting Knuckles to sing along, but Knuckles scoffed and told him to be quiet. 

"Ivy's awake! I heard Amy say, coming into the living room from the kitchen. Everyone looked at me and wished me a merry Christmas.

"Merry Christmas, guys," I responded, smiling. "Are you ready to open presents?"

Cream merrily responded yes, along with Tails and Sonic, who were rushing to the tree. Shadow stood in the corner, watching. 

A swarm formed and huddled around the tree, everyone looking for their gifts. Wrapping paper flew about the room and exclaims of delight were muttered from multiple people. I sat next to Shadow on the couch, drinking some eggnog. I smiled, and, although he didn't show it, I knew Shadow thought it was quite a funny sight as well. 

Merry Christmas, Shadow, I thought. 

He smiled, not responding. By his silence I knew he said it back. 

"Shadow, there's stuff for you, too! Come open it!" Sonic beckoned happily, setting aside Shadow's gifts. "You, too, Ivy! Come on!"

Shadow stood and glanced over to me, and I nodded over to the gift, indicating him to go open his things. He finally walked over, sat on the floor, and opened his gifts with everyone else. I joined him after I drank the rest of my eggnog, sitting on the floor and pulling over my gifts to open them.

All the presents were finally open and everyone was experimenting with their new items. They all gathered in a circle, sharing what they received and saying thank you's to their gift givers. 

"Christmas isn't over yet," I added to the group, standing up and going into my room to grab a box. I came in and the group shuffled excitedly, waiting to see what was in the box.

"I wanted to give my gifts to you personally," I said, opening the box. I listed everyone's name, handing them their gits. They looked at them all with admiration, examining their contents. 

I made each of them small glass bottles, each with a photo for memory and something inside they really liked. I was really into personal stuff. They all thanked me and gave me a huge hug, then went to get some eggnog and breakfast. 

It wasn't the most marvelous Christmas that it could've been, but it was with them, and that's what made it special. My years with them have made my life the best it could be, and that alone was the most perfect present I could receive. I was looking forward to the years I would keep spending with them, with Shadow, and everyone else. I knew it would always be perfect to me, and I couldn't wait. 

Thank you all for reading (and sticking with me and my long hiatuses and such)! Make sure to ready the sequel if you haven't started, and I hope you all liked it! Happy Wattpadding!