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By journey’s end, the bizarre encounters had piled up. But Xanther reassured me it was par for the course. “Yule magic can only do so much in foreign realms,” he explained with an unconcerned shrug.
I laughed as I imagined next year’s Christmas letters: “You’ll never believe it, Mom and Dad, but I actually SAW Mrs. Claus!”
Xanther grinned too. “Well, they wanted to believe right? This just adds to the mystique.”
Despite minor hiccups, as morning sunlight glittered off snow-blanketed rooftops, I felt deeply satisfied. Playing even a small role in creating Christmas magic for so many had filled me with profound purpose. For the first time, I truly felt I belonged in this mythic world at Xanther’s side, keeping the traditions alive.
“You were splendid, my dear - a true natural,” Xanther praised, pressing a kiss to my sooty cheek.
Chapter Seventeen
Noelle
Dawn’s rosy fingers were just streaking the horizon as our sleigh ship glided back into Earth’s atmosphere, the last gifts delivered. My feet ached and back throbbed from hauling sacks up and down countless chimneys, but my heart overflowed with joy. Playing even a small part in creating Christmas magic had filled me with profound purpose.
With a last fond glance downward, I turned my focus determinedly forward. The time had come to embrace the future rather than dwell on the past. Xanther gave my hand a supportive squeeze as our sleigh climbed higher, carrying us onward.
Before long, we had gained enough altitude to exit Earth’s atmosphere and re-enter open space. Xanther dismissed the main sleigh ship and crew back to Yule with hearty thanks and congratulations on a job well done. Their raucous caroling faded into the endless stars as the bright red craft shrank then winked from sight.
In their wake remained only Xanther’s small personal sleigh, just big enough for the two of us. My Mrs. Claus disguise had been shed, allowing me to breathe freely.
“One last stop before we head home ourselves,” Xanther announced with an enigmatic smile. Curiosity rose as he piloted the craft in a graceful arc back toward the Earth’s surface. Where could we possibly be going now?
My unspoken question was soon answered as familiar streets and homes spun into view below. Of course - my parents’ house! My heart quickened, torn between joy and trepidation. What would my family think seeing me again after all these months away?
But Xanther’s calm confidence as he set our sleigh down gently in the backyard reassured me. He gave my hand an encouraging squeeze before we made our way around to the front door, boots crunching through freshly fallen snow.
My gloved knuckles had barely grazed the painted wood when it was flung open. There stood my beaming parents, somehow not looking the least surprised to see us.
“Welcome home, sweetie!” Mom cried, pulling me into a rib-creaking hug. Over her shoulder, Dad’s grin nearly split his friendly face. Before I knew it, we were all embracing and talking over each other excitedly.
“Come in, come in!” Dad urged, clapping a supportive hand on Xanther’s back. Soon we were bundled by the fireside, clutching mugs of hot cocoa and exchanging stories, my anxiety forgotten.
Turned out Xanther had sent word ahead that we would be stopping by for Christmas, though strictly forbidding any peeking at presents under the tree before our arrival.
Laughter and nostalgia flowed freely as I opened photo albums to show Xanther my most embarrassing childhood pictures. He listened intently, committing each treasured memory to his endless mental file on the customs of this planet he loved so well.
Before long, the rest of my family arrived - siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces and nephews all piling joyously through the front door. They greeted me with tears and smothering embraces, voicing their love and support for the new life I had found.
Soon the house overflowed with delicious smells and raucous chatter. Xanther fit right in, conversing sports with my uncles and magic tricks with the children. His laughter filled every room as he generously shared his spirit and joy.
When at last we sat down to eat, I was nearly levitating with happiness at being surrounded by all my loved ones again. Xanther caught my eye and gave me a wink as if to say, “You see? I told you they would welcome you back with open hearts.” He knew me better than I knew myself sometimes.
The sumptuous meal finally finished, the children begged Xanther for stories. He obligingly launched into colorful Christmas tales handed down for generations on Yule. Their faces glowed brighter than the tree lights as they hung on his every word.
Too soon, delectable desserts had been devoured and the last gift wrap shredded and scattered. My youngest niece lolled against my shoulder, fighting valiantly against sleep as Xanther described the elaborate crystalline castles of his homeland.
Reluctantly, I glanced out at the darkening sky. It was time we should depart and let my family get some well-deserved rest after this exhilarating reunion.
Sensing my thoughts, Xanther brought his current story to a close and began making polite farewells to everyone’s loud protests. But I could tell my love was exhausted from bringing so much joy and magic on this endless day.
Hugs and farewells blurred together as I promised each dear relative I would visit again soon. My niece finally surrendered to slumber amidst the torn gift wrap and scattered tinsel. At last we made it out the door, my parents waving merrily until we rounded the corner.
Safely back at my old house, I let the joyful tears fall freely as Xanther wrapped me in his strong embrace. “This was the most perfect Christmas, thanks to you,” I choked out.
Exhaustion soon dragged at my limbs, but I fought hard against sleep’s seductive grasp. But the steady glide of the sleigh soon became too soothing to resist. My head sagged against Xanther’s sturdy shoulder as I sank gratefully into vivid dreams where we danced together under Yule’s brilliant auroras. The universe aligned perfectly at last.
I woke sometime later as we passed through those same psychedelic curtains of emerald and violet light. Yule spread out serenely below us, welcoming its wayward residents home.
