The Wounds We Heal

Chapter sixty-seven: Christmas Crazy!

"At least we can decorate later," Snowflake said before plopping onto a pillow too.

"You love Christmas just as much as I love sheet ghosts!" Ned stated smugly with a smirk.

"So? We both like 'A Christmas Carol' for different reasons," Snowflake retorted matter-of-factly.

"Too bad there were no sheet ghosts in the story," Ned said with slight disappointment. "The Ghost of Christmas Future kinda was. Just... creepy."

"But at least we enjoy the holiday for the joy it brings," Snowflake replied casually.

"Why are we talking about this?" Chase wondered a little more openly than he would've liked, and the looks he got made him fall silent once again.

"Why?" Ned asked curiously. "It's fun!"

"Yeah. Christmas has snow, lights, and decorations, presents, being with family and friends, and other stuff," Snowflake commented, thinking about anything related to the holiday.

"And a grumpy man who gets visited by three ghosts to change his mind about Christmas!" Ned added happily. "Plus it gives me a good reason to be a ghost. The fabric keeps us nice and warm from the cold."

"Yeah, but warmth. Not spooky. Then again, cookies and biscuits can be warm too after they come out of the oven," Snowflake countered simply.

"Yes, but we usually wait for them to cool down," Ned responded.

"Aww.. now you're making me hungry!" Rubble groaned, almost hearing his stomach growl.

"Oops, sorry" the two husky siblings said simultaneously.

"Ummm. Anybody else hungry?" Snowflake asked.

"Well yeah.." Chester supposed. "I mean we haven't eaten breakfast yet.. 'cause we got so busy taking care of the decorations."

"Oh good point. Looks like we need a fuel up!" Rocky figured, rolling back over off his back.

"Way ahead of you!" Ryder smiled, setting a few bowls down then disappeared for the rest.

"Cool!"

"Awesome!"

"Thanks, Ryder!!" Were some of the various responses among the team.

"Thank you!" Snowflake chimed in, as she waited for Ryder to get the other bowls of food.

"I bet after this we can dive right back into decorating.." Zuma figured. "And get some wicked Christmas songs going while we do it!"

"Yeah! I am soo looking forward to caroling this year.." Rocky agreed, continuing to eat.

"And what about all the cheerful decorations! And presents! And all the laughs and chuckles while sledding down Jake's Mountain!" Marshall piled on.

Joy.. Cheers.. Laughs.. UGH!!! Chase thought in the back of his mind.

"Exactly! This is going to be awesome!" Snowflake exclaimed, her tail wagging.

"As long as the storm doesn't bother us again," Ned hoped as he ate his food.
"Actually, is this the first Christmas I've had with you pups?" Snowflake asked, thinking for a minute.

"It is for me. I've rarely been here during the holidays," Ned said thoughtfully.

"I thought you've never been here at all until now?" Chester wondered, receiving his food from Ryder when he returned with the final few bowls.

"True," Ned replied before he kept eating.

"WAIT!" Snowflake exclaimed loudly as she realized something. "Our siblings! Our owners! How will they know we're staying here?! We need to tell them! Unless we can get back home in time," Snowflake retorted, feeling a bit nervous.