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Sonic held the door open while Aleena, Maria, and Kit walked in with their bags.

“Thanks for letting us stay, Sonic.” Aleena said. “I know it’s a full house.”

“It’s fine, Mom.” Sonic replied. “It’s Christmas.”

Shadow and Tails carried the bags for Christmas dinner.

Manic, Surge, and Sally carried the presents in.

“We’re happy to help with dinner too.” Sonia said.

“Oh, yeah, we’d love to.” Manic added.

Sonia whipped around to face Manic. “No.” She scolded. “You are not messing with our turkey for views and likes.”

Manic sighed.

“Ah, and I bought a fez and sunglasses just for this.” Sonic whined.

“I thought you said it was gross, Manic.” Kit said.

“Yeah, but the photo Surge posted went viral.” Manic replied. “It’s a living, I guess.”

Sonia shook her head. “I’ll be glad when your brains finally mature in a few years.”

Aleena laughed.

“Age doesn’t always equal maturity, Sonia.” Tails said.

Sonia groaned.

“Okay, sis. You can show them to their room.” Sonic said. “Tails and Sally can get started on dinner. I’ll help Manic and Surge with the presents.”

“This way.” Sonia said, leading the way to the basement. “We bought some collapsible partitions so you all could have a little privacy.”

Sally handed the present bags to Shadow.

“Okay.” Sonic said. “Alright, we’re all set for tomorrow. We can just watch a movie tonight.”

Tails put the refrigerated items in the fridge. “Maria said she wanted to see Jingle all the way.”

“Perfect.” Sonic said.

Shadow groaned.

“We’ll watch Die Hard later, Shadow.” Sonic said.

*

-the next day-

The family gathered at the table for dinner.

Manic pointed at the roasted bird with his fork. “What kind of bird is this?”

“Goose.” Aleena said. “Kit suggested it.”

“I thought roasted goose was a traditional Christmas dinner.” Kit said, shrugging.

“Why?” Surge asked.

“I dunno; I heard it somewhere.” Kit replied.

“Well, it looks delicious, Mom.” Tails said, grinning.

“Thanks, Tails.” Aleena replied.

Shadow carved the bird and served everyone.

“So… are we having piggy pudding too?” Kit asked.

Everyone except Kit and Manic laughed.

Manic furrowed his brow. “What is so funny?” He asked. “Piggy pudding is in that stupid song.”

“It’s figgy pudding, with an ‘f’.” Sonic said.

“Yes, I made fig pudding and fruit cake.” Aleena replied.

Surge looked at Kit. “Where are you getting these ideas?”

Kit shrugged. “I don’t remember.”

Manic sipped his water. “So it really is figgy pudding?”

“Yes, pig pudding isn’t a thing.” Sonic replied. “You get song lyrics wrong all the time, Manic.”

“One time, big deal.” Manic said, rolling his eyes.

“You thought ‘Monster’ was called ‘Lobster’ for years.” Sonic said.

“I wish none of you had corrected him.” Surge replied.

“That’s one of several.” Sonic said, helping himself to some mashed potatoes.

“Okay, you made your point.” Manic muttered.

“So we’re playing white elephant, right?” Maria asked.

“Yeah, we’ll draw numbers after dinner.” Shadow replied.

*

The family gathered by the tree.

Shadow picked up the tv remote.

“No, we’re gonna play music.” Sonia said, holding her hand out to Shadow. “Besides, Die Hard isn’t a Christmas movie.”

“It is too.” Manic insisted.

Shadow handed the remote to Sonia.

“We’re playing white elephant.” Sonia said. “We just need background music.”

“No Animaniacs cd or the Mystery Science Theater 3000 Christmas songs, Manic.” Aleena said, handing Sally the bowl for the numbers.

“Mom, please, don’t put on that stupid Chipmunk Christmas album.” Sonic begged.

“It’s a family tradition.” Aleena replied. “You loved it when you were little.”

Surge and Sally chuckled.

“Oh, you should’ve seen them.” Aleena said, turning to face Surge, Sally, and Shadow. “They’d bounce around, clapping their pudgy little hands. It was so cute.”

“We were babies.” Sonic replied. “We’re adults now. Can we stop with that before we have kids?”

“Okay, Ma, you can play your cd if you let me play my new favorite Christmas song.” Manic said. “No, it’s not the Animaniacs or MST3K.”

“Okay.” Aleena replied.

Sonia handed Manic the remote.

Sally sat the bowl on the table. “Okay, everyone draws a number.” She said, putting the pen on the coffee table. “Aleena, you go first.”

Aleena drew a number as the song started. She glanced at the TV. “I knew you liked Skillet, but I didn’t think you’d like the slow songs.”

“Yeah, it’s definitely out of your usual style, Manic.” Sonia said, drawing a number. “I’m surprised you like it.”

“You somehow missed the controversy behind the song?” Shadow asked. “People have been going insane over it for days.”

“What’s so controversial about it?” Sonia asked.

“You’ll see at the third minute mark.” Shadow said, drawing a number.

Finally, everyone drew a number and announced it.

“Okay, it’s Kit’s turn.” Sally said.

The metal section of the song started.

Manic smirked.

Sonia and Aleena’s jaws dropped.

Aleena grimaced. “Should’ve known.”

“I see why now.” Sonia said. “I didn’t expect screaming in a Christmas song.”

“I know.” Manic replied. “I’d buy a whole Christmas album if it was all like that.”

Sonia sighed. “So who’s turn is it?”

Kit picked up a present.

Manic and Surge exchanged glances.

“My turn.” Surge said, getting up. She took Kit’s present.

“Manic?” Sally asked.

Manic took Surge’s gift.

Sonic raised an eyebrow. “That’s your own gift.” He said. “What did you get? A bar of gold.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Sally replied. “It wasn’t against the rules. Your turn, hon.”

Sonic picked up a box.

*

The game was finally over.

Manic wrapped himself and Surge in the blanket he got.

Surge slipped twenty dollars into her pocket.

Sonic noticed the money in Surge’s hand. “I knew it.” He said, pointing at the money. “You hid twenty bucks in the blanket and schemed to get it back.”

“I guess we were too obvious.” Manic said.

“You got the hot sauce kit for your chili dogs.” Sally said, moving her heated blanket out of the way. “Why are you complaining?”

Sonic shrugged. “Just saying it would’ve been cool.”

Maria opened her soap and lotion gift pack. “I can’t wait to try this.”

Sonia got up. I’ll make everyone some hot chocolate with my new kit.” She said, walking to the kitchen.

Tails and Kit opened their dinosaur model kits and got to work.

Shadow opened his cookie tin. “So can we put on a movie?”

Surge opened her popcorn tin and set it between her and Manic.

Aleena put on Home Alone for everyone.

Sonia brought the hot chocolate in and handed it out to everyone.

Shadow shook his head. “Why are we watching this?”

“It’s more family friendly.” Sonia said, sitting down beside Shadow.

“We’re adults.” Shadow replied.

“At least it’s not a Christmas story.” Sonic said, putting his feet on the coffee table. “Remember when we all watched it thinking everyone else wanted to watch it?”

“Could we at least watch Christmas vacation?” Shadow asked.

“Again, it’s not a family movie.” Sonia replied.

“What about Jack Frost?” Sally asked.

Manic spit out his hot chocolate. “Heck no.”

“Oh, I know.” Maria said. “That movie always makes me cry.”

“Years ago, someone switched the videos when we rented the movie.” Aleena said. “Instead of the Michael Keaton movie, we got the horror movie.”

Sally cringed. “I’m surprised they’re not afraid of snowmen.”

Aleena nodded. “I know; they had nightmares for a week.”

“I’m kinda with Shads.” Manic said.

“Tell you what, you boys can stay in tomorrow and watch your movies.” Sonia said. “The girls will go shopping.”

Surge raised her hand. “I’d rather watch movies with the boys.”

Manic put his arm around Surge. “I love you so much, babe.”

“Okay, but we’ll be out of the house and you won’t have to go shopping.” Sonia said.

“Fine with me.” Shadow replied.