"This...this is a charm bracelet?"
I smirked as she looked up at me, and I revealed mine I'd been hiding with magic. It morphed into view, the golden chain carrying various charms that twinkled in the light.
"I figured that as sisters, we should have something we could share. Plus, it's a good way to remind ourselves that no matter the distance, there's someone in another world who remembers your worth."
Alice's eyes watered as I gave her an appreciative grin. "You've helped us a few times Alice, and I just want you to know that you're really powerful and an amazing role model. You may not see it, but you're someone I look up to and I can't wait till we can actually hangout as well so we can enjoy a good time of celebration."
"Plus, you're loyal," Mia acknowledged. "You didn't need to aid Brianne, or anyone for that matter, when you arrived here, and yet you did. You always asked Professor Phoenix if we were okay and if we needed assistance."
"You wanted us to still be able to do our own thing yet were willing to stop your own conquest to ensure we and our student body were safe. That selfless act deserves recognition. And you're an amazing friend and deserve to be treated with a few gifts from our hearts," Miya concluded.
"So Happy Birthday Christmas, Alice," I cheered.
"Happy Birthday Christmas, Alice!"
"You guys..." she whispered as tears streamed down her face. The lights dimmed then, and my smile widened before I looked at the door as the golden flames of candles caught our attention.
"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Alice. Happy birthday to you." All the guys emerged from their hiding spots, Westley holding a large cake. The flames illuminated his face as his eyes were directly on Alice, who was completely shocked as they reached where we were crowded on the couch.
"We couldn't celebrate your birthday the way we wanted to this year, so we figured a Christmas Birthday celebration was in order," Westley revealed with an appreciative smile. "Happy Birthday Christmas, my love."
"You sneaky peacock," she muttered with tears streaming down her face. "Thank you. Thank you, everyone!"
We all clapped and cheered before the festivities began. We'd finished eating cake and catching up with the others when Professor Phoenix made a melodic whistling sound that got our attention.
"Dinner's ready."
"Wait, what?" All of us looked at her from head to toe, completely shocked to see her wearing an apron with her hair up in a ponytail.
Ms. Electra's laughter came from behind her before she wrapped her arms around Professor Phoenix and hugged her. "You've been blessed this Christmas holiday to enjoy the fine cooking masterpieces of my sweet love, Auror- AH!"
Professor Phoenix elbowed her away before she summoned a spatula and literally hit her head with it. We all stared in shock as Sebastian came over to stand on Professor Phoenix's left side.
"That's what you get for taking a bite of the Mac and Cheese," Sebastian concluded.
"I thought she wouldn't know!" Ms. Electra argued. "Aurora! Spare me."
"You realize my sense of smell is strong, right?" Professor Phoenix huffed. "What did I say about eating before we all say grace?"
"You're a dark god! You don't say grace!"
"The holidays are an exception," she reasoned.
"That's the stupidest thing I've hea-AH!" Ms. Electra ran to avoid the flying spatula before she swiftly made a U-turn and hid behind Sebastian.
"Seby! Save me!"
"What have I said about calling me that?" Sebastian groaned.
"Yes, yes. You like when Starlight calls you that in your foreplay adventures, but aside from that, my lover is going to kill me!"
"Foreplay adventures?" I pondered, and Mia and Miya giggled.
"Time for a new lesson in the realms of sex!"
"No," all nine men declared while Alice began to laugh.
"Why are all of you guys blushing?"
"We're not!" the guys argued, and all four of us girls looked over to observe their flushed expressions.
"Oh, this is going to be another period moment, isn't it?" Mia concluded.
"Period moment?" Alice asked.
"Oh ya. Guys always get uncomfortable at the period discussion," Miya concluded.
"It's been tested," I voiced and gestured to the guys as they cringed. "Let's observe Exhibit A."
"That's hilarious!" Alice laughed.
"Witchlings," Sebastian called out to get our attention. "Dinner. Now."
"Ugh, you make it seem like you're their dad," Ms. Electra groaned.
"And you have a better idea?" Sebastian countered coldly.
"Of course," she replied and looked at us. "Whoever's last to the table is losing fifty points from their final grad-"
We abandoned everything and rushed to the table. Everyone but Alice sat at the massive marble table that was filled with various plates of food.
Alice blinked in shock before she looked at our professors and pouted. "Do I count, and if I do, can we try again?"
We began to laugh at Alice's innocent expression while Ms. Electra walked over to pat Alice's shoulder. "Hmm. Since we're good friends with Ms. CloverSpell and because it's your Birthday Christmas celebration, I'll let you off the hook," she said with a wink.
"Yes!" she cheered and skipped over to the dinner table to sit next to Westley. "Food!"
We all prepared to eat before Professor Phoenix, Sebastian, and Ms. Electra took their seats at the end of the table. After being served a glass of wine each, Professor Phoenix rose up.
"Let's take a moment to be thankful that we're together this holiday season and are graced with food, shelter, and the gift of life."
We all took a moment of silence before she raised her glass up.
"Cheers to an amazing Christmas."
"Cheers!" We lifted our glasses and clinked them together with those around us. With special thanks to all three of our amazing chaperones for the home-cooked food, we dug into the amazing meal.
I looked at Alice, who was across from me, her eyes taking in the laughter and slight chaos all around before she met my gaze.
"Thank you," she mouthed and showed me her wrist with her new bracelet.
This was a Birthday Christmas celebration I'd never forget.
9
Farewell Circumstances Of Loss
~FINNICK~
* * *
"Done," I whispered as I took in the final product of my sketch. I analyzed it carefully. My lips couldn't help but curl as I could finally acknowledge that everything was in place.
This was the perfect image I'd been struggling to get on paper throughout this holiday, but with the sudden strike of inspiration after our final lunch at this place, the ideas rushed in, and thus, my afternoon was gone.
I can't believe I finished it.
Lifting my eyes up, I took in the wash of pastel pinks and oranges that took over the sky and oozed into our bedroom. All our stuff was packed and magically teleported back home thanks to Professor Phoenix.