Glorious Return
July (DECADES LATER)
Dylan was hot and sweaty. I grumbled, “It doesn’t need to be this hot outside. We should live somewhere cold all year round since the cold doesn’t affect Werewolves.” I walked into the Christmas shop in our town.
I greeted, “Hello there, Saint Nick.” Saint Nick laughed, “How’s my best customer doing, Dylan?” I answered, “Dandy and well. Life is good. I have my Lacy, we do bunny hunts these days. If ya know what I mean.”
Saint Nick chuckled, “I do know what you mean. The pack knows Lacy dresses up as a bunny and lets you hunt her. You sent memos about it. Plus, we saw after their BAGG day one time. It’s probably been more than once to be honest.”
I grinned saying, “Which means Dylan had a very happy day.” Saint Nick chuckled, and I walked over to the section where the carolers were. I made it my tradition to buy Lacy one every July. All because I was making Christmas in July our family’s thing.
Both of us bought one present for everyone in our family. It was very easy to convince my mate that Christmas deserved to be celebrated more than just once a year. It caught onto the Lyons family because they were wise souls. Several members of our pack did it as well because it was fun.
Saint Nick came over to me announcing, “So, I’ve been thinking.
” I cooed, “Of course you have, Saint Nick. You’re the smartest person I know.
” Saint Nick honest to god blushed. Fang, my wolf, chuckled, “He’s pretty funny.
” I agreed, “He always has been.” Saint Nick had been more a dad to me than my own.
Saint Nick carefully said, “I think you should have your Christmas Party for your friends again this year.” I actually felt my heart sputter. Saint Nick continued, “Alpha Eric always came and those Conners boys lips twitched more than once at the fun you cooked up.”
Words caught in my throat. Fang said, “The reason we stopped doesn’t exist anymore.” That was true, because Lacy was back. “I know you all have pups now and you couldn’t do it while you and Alpha Lucas were settling in. My wife and I would be happy to watch all the pups so you can have your party.”
Fang commented, “We haven’t had our party in a while.
” We hadn’t. Life had gotten away from us once Lacy came home, and I got to celebrate Christmas with SGAP.
We joined family celebrations because of Buttercup and Wesley being mates.
The reason Dylanmas stopped happening was because the first Christmas without Lacy had been bleak.
Flashback
Lucas sat down beside me at our big meeting saying, “So, it’s September.” I teased, “I worry about you when you make such observations. It’s mid-September. The month is practically gone now, and you’ve just realized it’s September.”
Ever so serious Alpha from Black Mountain commented, “Where the fuck is the invitation for your damn Christmas Party, Dylan?” Beta McAlister sighed, “We had a way to ask about it that was more subtle.” Alpha never has fun snorted, “I’m not subtle.
When’s the damn party?” Fang agreed, “He’s not subtle and Duke is asking too. ”
Beta Caleb said, “Yeah, no one would say you were subtle, Eric.” Everyone stared at me waiting for a response. Fang whimpered in my head. I shrugged, “I’m not throwing it this year.” What was the point? Lacy was gone.
Alpha so serious jolted asking, “That’s what you have to say? Caleb called me by my name and you’re just going to say you’re not having your party?” I asked, “What else is there to say? There’s no Dylanmas this year. You guys can throw your own parties.”
Fang huffed, “I want Lacy and Kiara back.” Yeah, I did too but we hadn’t found them. Everyone was staring at me. I urged, “Alpha never has fun and whose schedule is jampacked, we should get this meeting started so you can continue your world domination.”
The stoically serious man warned, “This is not the end of this discussion.” I teased, “You can’t make the world your oyster all the time.
I’m not having a party this year and here I thought you’d be happy.
” Alpha always gets his way argued, “Yes, you are throwing your party. It’s your thing and I’m there every damn year, aren’t I?
” I shot back, “Things change. Lucas, we look like slackers not starting our meeting on time.”
Lucas looked worriedly at me but got things moving.
Fang warned, “Duke is definitely planning something.” I snorted, “The man and his wolf are always planning something. It won’t matter what he does, the party won’t be mine.
He can try to throw his own.” Then I’d desperately try not to fix it all for him because he was no party planner.
Flashback Ends
I came back to the present and kissed Saint Nick’s cheek.
I told him, “You are a brilliant man, Saint Nick. I need you at the party though. I’ll make sure your suit is conjured by a precious Fairy.
It will be TOP of the line and the best thing that has ever happened.
I will get someone to watch all the pups while the parents play.
Because let’s be honest we all need this. Being a parent is so hard.”
“SGAP definitely needs it. He’s over there being all serious and leveling up every six seconds. There are Fairies around, and I myself have a dash of the fun blood. Which I cannot believe I didn’t guess when they came into our lives.”
Saint Nick chuckled, “Dylan, it’s not the Fae blood in you that made you be fun. It’s what’s right here.” He pointed at my chest. Fang puffed up in my head. Saint Nick continued, “You’ve always had a zest and joyous outlook on life.”
I agreed, “That’s true, even though it disappointed some people.
” Saint Nick replied, “Some people are insane for not seeing you for who you are. You’ve had something special in you that we could all see.
You have your fun, but you get stuff done.
You’ve always been the balance, and I think your friends need that in their lives now more than ever. ”
I gave him a hug then clapped him on the back twice.
I admitted, “Making you proud has always been a goal of mine.” Saint Nick sincerely said, “There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by that I haven’t been proud of you.
Even when you laid down in a doghouse for your mate. I was damn proud of you that day.”
I teased, “That feels like an odd moment to be proud.” Saint Nick disagreed, “Your love for your mate was on display that day. I told my pups and grandpups to look at you and the Alpha because that’s what you do when you’re in love.
Sometimes you mess up, but you show up for your mate.
No one will ever be perfect, but you have to work at your relationship to grow your love.
It doesn’t just work out because fate gave it to you. ”
“It requires hard work, but it’s worth it. You come away with a house fortified on the life you built together. Because when the pups are grown, you’re left with the person you built that house with. It can erode if it’s not built with care.”
“You and Lacy built that house with care. So, you keep fortifying it, Dylan. Show up and love her as she loves you. Keep having fun, like with your Christmas Party. I know Lacy looked forward to it every year.”
Fang whined in my head, and I knew I made a face.
Saint Nick gently tapped my shoulder saying “Yeah I know why you stopped hosting the parties, Dylan. Lacy ran away and you stopped celebrating. She’s back now though and has been for some time.
Bring the fun back to the season for the both of you. Hell, the area as a whole.”
I saluted him, “I have been challenged, and I SHALL rise to the occasion. That’s what my Creepy Ninja’s have taught me.
One is probably here lurking to be in the know because they somehow know Dylanmas.
I will plan the perfect friend’s Christmas Party comeback.
I’m having visions of sugarplums dancing in my head. ”
Saint Nick squeezed my shoulder, “I knew you would. How’s my boy?
” I replied, “You have so many, but you mean our too precious for this world Danver. He lurks around with exactly what I need at all times. He watches my pups like a hawk, and I adore him. He’s the best and I keep giving him raises. In fact, I think Danver needs another.”
Fang agreed, “He definitely does.” I linked Lucas, “I’m giving Danver another raise.
” Lucas replied, “Ok.” I sighed, “Lucas, you’ve got to ask questions.
It will make you happier in the long run.
” Lucas reasoned, “You’ll give him the raise you want, and I will agree to it. There is no point in asking why.”
I grumbled, “There is always a point in asking why. It is a question that holds knowledge.” Lucas argued, “Ok, but I still know you’ll explain and I’ll agree.
My way is efficient.” I teased, “I try so hard with you, but you just can’t foster the question asking element to your life. It’s why you have me.”
I selected the new caroler for Lacy. Saint Nick chuckled, “Lacy has had her eye on that one for a while.” I replied, “I know. She thinks that I don’t notice such things but I do.
I notice every single little thing about her and always have.
I don’t know why she wouldn't just buy it for herself, but I shall solve that mystery later. We have the money for her to buy all the carolers she desires.”
Saint Nick chuckled, “Then what would you buy her?” I admitted, “I have a plan for that. See, I know that you have a guy that makes things for customers. I would make her one of a kind carolers to continue adding to her collection. It will never die. This is the tradition that will live on in infamy.”