Chapter 1: Christmas at the Olson House

Eary awoke a bit earlier than usual. It had been only a week since his and Luke's return. But the Olson home had never been more festive.

The night of their return, their mother was already unpacking all of the Christmas decorations. The newly reformed family all helped. It was a joyous reunion brought together perfectly by the magic of Christmas.

As Eary crept out of his room, his faithful companion, Mote, floated to his side. The small, blue, long eared moteling inquired. "Now what do ya think ya doin'? You know damn well, peekin' at the gifts is my thing!" Eary hushed the moteling. The rest of his family couldn't hear him. But Luke, who also shared active Nocopo D.N.A, could. As he didn't want to wake the young man asleep on the couch, he whispered to Mote, "Keep it down, big mouth. Im trying to sneak downstairs to cook breakfast for everyone. And i dont need you waking Luke up."

Mote scoffed but agreed, vanishing, as he tipped toed down his narrow stair case. As they entered the living room, Eary noticed the couch absent. Looking to his right, passed the dining table, the kitchen was already lit up. Luke and their mother, Delia, had beaten Eary to the punch and were already cooking.

Eary walked toward the pair. His heart warmed by the sight. His mother had never looked happier, and Luke seemed unburdened. With a yawn, Eary lamented. "Hey, you stole me idea." He giggled warmly. His mother smiled back. "I have just the job for you, then, young man!" She smiled and handed Eary the box of instant pancakes.

Smiling back, he took the box and proceeded to set up. As he gathered ingredients, Mote couldn't help but chime in "Hey now, what ya thinkin', kid? Grab the vanilla extract! What kind of animal do you think I am? I ain't eatin' ANY pancake without it."

As he mixed the batter and, of course, took the moteling's instruction, he carefully poured out four dollops. The sizzle of the pan distracted from the arrival of Mitchell, the boys father, and Josh, Eary's fraternal twin.

As he approached, Mitchell grinned wide and addressed his family. "I thought I smelled something good!" He stated in a chery mood. He had also experienced the same elevated mood as his mother since their return.

Josh moved past his father and took a seat at the family's island counter, took out his phone, and began texting. Josh's face twisted in unease. Eary flipped pancakes, trying to pay him little notice. But in truth, it was all he could focus on.
Josh placed his phone down in frustration. He glanced around anxiously. Eary, flipping the pancakes, inquired, "Is everything ok?" Josh looked at Eary, soberly he replied."No, everything's good." Eary smiled and nodded nervously.

The moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. Mitchell quickly walked to answer. After a brief exchange, a bundled figure entered. Eary rose from his seat. "Hey guys! Merry Christmas." A muffled female voice replied through her scarf."Merry Christmas. Sweet baby Jesus, it's cold out there. Taking off her winter apparel, Alice slowly emerged from the get-up.

"A bit much?" Luke joked, from behind the sizzle of the frying pan. Alice snarked back. "It's cold out there!" Joining the family at their kitchen island, Delia greeted the girl."Merry Christmas, Alice. I'm glad you could make it. Alice smugly smiled at Luke. Shifting her attention, she replied, "Thanks, Dee. You too." Delia continued."We were just about to have breakfast, and then we're off to church." Alice nodded politely as Luke smiled and rolled his eyes.

After their festive breakfast, the family, plus one, headed to assist the Bennetts with their Christmas churchly duties.

Arriving at the modern cathedral, the family was greeted by Ephraim at the door. "Merry Christmas!" Ephraim cheerily announced. The Olson's unanimously replied back in kind. Inside, the family shook off the Toronto cold and made their way to the back room. As they moved through the back hallways, the very same Eary and his friends had just staged a daring rescue a week earlier.

"Things are back to normal now, but..." A chill went down Eary's spine as thoughts of the two remaining Scions flooded his mind. "Hey, you ok?" A familiar voice pulled Eary from the moment. "Y.. yeah. I'm fine." Ephraim shone a concerned gaze. "You sure?" He replied quietly as the Olson's entered the staging area.

Jumping back in suprise, the moment was interrupted. "Hey Olson's, Merry Christmas!" Brian announced in a jovial holiday mood. Recollecting himself, Eary placed his hand on Ephraim's arm. Giving him a light squeeze, he nodded softly to his friend. Ephraim's concern didn't shift as his smiled and nodded back softly.

As the party broke, Alice quickly moved in on her friend. "So, how's it going?" Eary nervously replied. "Good." Quickly changing the subject, he stated,"I'm glad you could be with us this Christmas." Alice nodded."Thanks for having me. It beats the ice boat my mom is on, gathering info on illegal whale poachers." Ephraim gasped."Wow, Alice. That's so cool." Alice sighed, and with a morose tone inquired."How long is church anyway?" Ephraim responded quickly."Oh, it starts at eight and runs tell noon." Alice sighed.

Mote manifested and inquired, "Hey, Alice! Yous wanna come with me and get sloshed on sacramental wine?" Alice winced."Maybe later, Mote."Suit yourself! Makes this boring church crap bearable." The little moteling exclaimed as he hovered away into nothingness. "So magical." Ephraim gasped watching the exchange. "What did he say?" Asked Ephraim in wonderment. Eary smiled awkwardly. "Eh, him? I think he needs to use the can." Eary nodded nervously. Ephraim patted him on the back. "My parents bought extra wine." Eary giggled in relief."Thanks."

As church's Christmas mass was underway. Mote managed to find Eary in the pew and passed put in the youngsters lap. Pastor Brian, of course, made a large deal of Eary and Luke's return, unharmed no less. After the gathering and adoration of the little old ladies, he just could dodge this time. Eary and his family returned with the Bennetts to their home.

Sitting in the living room, the community of families engaged in their yearly gift exchange. Eary had acquired several last-minute gifts, Mitchell leaned in and whispered, "We didn't do a lot of chirstmas shopping this year." Eary smiled and nodded."I understand." His dad wasn't lying either. Josh's was just a sparce.

"Reliving the nightmare of having a child disappear, again. Certainly ruined the holiday spirit. But now you'd never know it. " Eary thought as he grabbed a small box labeled from Josh to Eary. "Oh, what's this?" He exclaimed, looking towards his brother. Opening the small box, Eary removed a small red whistle. It's a rape whistle. In case you get abducted again." "JOSH!" Mitchell and Delia scolded. Eary blew the whistle *SHREEK* "Thanks, works too." After an awkward pause and several other exchanges.

Eary got to Ephraim's gift. "I hope you like it." Unwrapping the neatly wrapped rectangular package. Inside was a small photo album. Eary's eyes teared up as he opened the first cover. Ephraim instructed, "It's all the pictures of us as kids. I picked out my favorites." Eary flipped through the album. It was a menagerie of their youth. From days at camp, to trick or treating. Even some of the pictures from his days doing treatment were there. Eary was lost reminiscing when he heard his father make a big deal out of the golf ball set Josh had gotten him. Eary leaned in and whispered to Ephraim, "Thank you, I love it."

As the gifts came to a close, Luke announced, "I have a special gift I wanna give." He rose from his seat and gestured for Eary to follow. Outside, Eary couldn't believe his eyes. Luke stood next to a slightly banged up 1967 red Mustang. Eary frozen, barely could manage to spit out "T.. that's a really cool car, Luke." He could feel his heart beating hard in his chest. Luke replied flatly, "Glad you think so." He quickly tossed a set of keys to Eary. Catching them, Luke continued, "Cause I got her for you." Eary quickly embraced his eldest brother. Luke pulled back and said, "Now I don't want you walking all over. It's dangerous right now. So take your car!" Eary smiled and nodded as tears streamed down his face. Getting into the driver's side, he did the customary photo's everyone took with their first car. Afterward, he Josh and Ephraim sat around admiring the old beauty.

*Ping* A text interrupted the trio. Examining his phone, he read, "Hey babe, where are you. I was at your house. I have something for you. Eary smiled. Although Decan had asked for some time to end things with Laura. Eary had been understanding. This, however, surprised him. "I'm at the Bennett's house with my family right now. You could probably swing by." Ephraim inquired."Something up?" Eary shook his head."No, it's just Decan." With a big smile, he continued "He has something for me." "Oh" Ephraim replied earnestly. "I thought he and Laura were still..." "Oh they are. Yeah." Eary interrupted. It was true that Decan did have a girlfriend. But Eary knew it was only a matter of time until he broke up with her. "He had only stayed because of all the work she did to bring him home." Eary thought to himself. "And he can't dump her around Christmas. Not after so many years." Eary glanced back to Ephraim and smiled."We're just friends." He nodded."Ok." Eary didn't have to wait long, as a few moments later, Decan Arrived.

Exiting his vehicle, he announced, "Hey guys, Merry Christmas." Josh hollered back."I've been texting you all day! Why haven't you responded to me? I must have sent you, like, forty texts!" Decan sighed."Yeah, my phone died. We've been doing mad family stuff." Josh nodded as Decan continued to Eary. "How's my little fellow abductee?" Decan joked as he awkwardly gave Eary a hug. Feeling a small box slip into his pocket, he smiled and nodded.

The four conversed about school, Bright Hope, and Eary's new car. Ephraim broke the moment when he asked, "How's Laura doing this Christmas?" Decan nervously replied."Ah, she's good. She's with her family." Eary cleared his throat and flashed Ephraim a glare. "I'm sure Decan wants to get in from the cold, then answer questions." Decan grimaced."No, actually, I gotta run. Wasn't supposed to be out this long." Josh exclaimed."You just got here!" Decan nodded."I know, I know. Bit, I just wanted to see you all in person. That's all." Decan departed, but gave Eary a confident wink as he drove past. "Oh, i didn't even mention my car!" Josh groaned."Decan doesn't care about your car, Eary. He came to see me." Ephraim placed his hand on Eary's back. "C'mon, let's get inside. It's getting cold." He exclaimed softly.

The night wore on, until late hours. Luke and Alice had already departed, and when the rest of the Olson's packed up. Out in front of Eary's new car, Eary had just about to enter when Ephraim approached. "Hey airbear. Got a second?" Eary replied."Yeah?" Ephraim sighed."It's just." He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. "The thing earlier with Decan. I was just being protective." Eary smiled,"I know. I just don't want Decan to know I told you about us." Ephraim nodded."I don't want to see you living with more secrets, Eary." "I don't either. Thanks, Eph."

The boy waived as he drove back home. As he drove home, feelings swirled both old and new. "What if Decan doesn't leave Laura." The thought left a sinking pit in Eary's stomach. Pulling into the driveway, Eary remembered the small parcel from Decan. He quivered in excitement as he quickly opened the package. Inside was a locket. As he opened the brass oval trinket, he found a photo of him and Decan. "It's from the night we sang on stage. Our first date!" He swiftly put on his new gift and headed inside. Assured in his conviction.