*Here you go! The Christmas chapter I promised to make! Here's the gist of it all. Vivi is invited to a holiday party at her new office where she is allowed to bring her family. Unbeknownst to them, her new co-workers are anything but ordinary.*

Happy Hoildays readers! Vivi Strauss here and ready to give you some cheer! Let me give you the download of what has went on this year.
So...Eddie and I have been in a great relationship for awhile. Not to mention we now live with his niece Andrea and his grandson infected friend Max. We have been adjusting well to the new family format and it's been super busy! Now I work at the Life Foundation with my new boss Carlton Drake whom I met at the library. Today we are heading to our company Christmas party! He allowed me to invite my family to join in all the fun!
I think that's when things went downhill.

"Are you sure this is a good idea? We can always stay home and watch movies."
"No! We were invited to the party and we are obligated to go! Besides, this is my first office party..."
"Wow, us cops already did ours! You guys are late!"
"Shut up Max! You don't know how to party unless it involves cute girls."

Vivi rolled her eyes at her family's craziness. They were all dressed nicely for the vent they were heading to. Vivi wore a nice purple dress with long sleeves and black heels. Andrea managed to fit into one of her old green dresses and black boots. Both the men wore tuxedos with matching ties. Eddie was holding all the gifts for the Secret Santa exchange. Andrea was fixing her hair, tying tinsel to make it more festive. Max tucked his sweater inside his pants. They were on the bus towards the Life Foundation Christmas Party at her boss' house. Carlton Drake himself invited her and the entire family for some festive fun. Of course what she didn't know is that this was all a plot to get closer towards her.

"I don't like this Carlton Drake guy." Eddie said, his face in a scowl. "He doesn't seem right..."

"I'm with Uncle Eddie. He sounds evil." Andrea said, taking out her phone.

"Plus, his name just screams evil! Carlton Drake is also a big man with a big company!" Max put out, waving his hands. "This just seems suspicious."

"Guys! We are not going to judge based on opinions or appearances. Mr. Drake is a kind gentleman that is helping me in this time of need." Vivi interjected as they walked out of the bus to the large house. "The best you guys can do is stay on your best behaviors and try not to screw up!"

Eddie poked her nose in a teasing mamner. "No promises, but we will do our best."

Vivi smiled and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks babe. I owe you one."

Before they could even touch the door, it swung open to reveal the dashing smile of Carlton Drake. He examined the group before his eyes landed on Vivi. His heart raced rapidly as he started to heat up more. Throwing this party was his idea of trying to kill Venom and get Vivi. But there was also another reason for him throwing this party...

Stay focus Carlton. She is right there, with her red hair, beautiful eyes, skin that looks smooth...
You are not helpin with this situation. I'm not sure it is a good idea to reveal the other symbiotes to her. I know she has one inside her, but this might be a bit much.
If you want to initiate this plan of human/symbiote relationships, we need to start with this one! She will be ours, her human body for you and her everything for me.

"Hey Carl-Mr Drake thank you for inviting me and my family!" Vivi said, holding out her hand to shake. Carlton blinked and took her hand in his own, making him blush by the sudden contact. A growl was heard as he made eye contact with Eddie. All at once their symbiotes started flaring up and wanting to fight. The time would come soon, but today was a time to celebrate.

"That's no problem Vivi. Might I add that you look ravishing tonight. Love what you've done with your hair!" He said, planting a kiss on her hand.

Vivi giggled, making Andrea roll her eyes. Mania voiced her own opinion too, feeling a need to gag. Toxin was confused and constantly bugging Max about what was going on. Meanwhile, Eddie was smiling with gritted teeth while Venom roared on the inside.

"Shall we go inside? I have the music started up, place the gifts on the table, and go mingle." Carlton gestured at the room, making the family gape. The house was much better than their little apartment by a long run. The foyer itself was nice and polished. Reefs hung from the banister along with ribbons. A large buffet table with exotic foods spread out for everyone to see. Tons of people were chatting around the living room, workers from the Life Foundation.
"This is quite the turnout. Never expected to see this many people working here." Andrea commented, eyeing the buffet table. "You mind if we get up in that yummy food?"
"Go right ahead! What's mine is yours tonight." Carlton said, waving a hand. "Try out the Belgian Chocolate fountain while you are over there too."
Andrea gave her uncle a smirk before grabbing a plate and walking to the table. Eddie was about to grab Max, but he had wandered off to flirt with some of the female scientists.
"Are you okay Eddie? You seem out of it tonight." Vivi gave him a worried look. "We can always leave if you don't want to be here."
"As a matter of fact-!" Eddie started to say before he was interrupted by an irritated Carlton.
"Say Vivi, why don't you go into the living room area while I catch up with Eddie here?" He flashed her a charming smile. "I've read some of his articles and was curious about some things and topics."
Vivi blinked, surprised at this. "Oh! Okay then, I'll catch up with you two later then." She walked off, leaving the two to glare at each other.
"I know you have one too. How about we make things easier and take this outside?" Eddie growled, feeling Venom starting to cover his body.
"I wholeheartedly agree. Riot and I have some unfinished business with the both of you."
They walked outside before letting their symbiotes take over.
"You do realize that if we cause a scene here, we will surely cause mass panic." Venom told his companion, gritting his teeth.
"I do not plan to. I just wanted to talk to the loser himself." Riot gloated, feeling a surge of superiority. "That woman of yours is beautiful to gaze upon. It would be a shame if a better symbiote were to take her for himself."
"Stay away from her!" Venom growled as he pinned Riot to the ground. "I can hardly stand your host as it is, so killing you will bring twice the satisfaction!"
Riot grinned, pushing Venom off of him. "You don't have the best track record with females. Betty died because of you. Ann left Eddie and you for a better man. What will happen to Vivi once she leaves your sorry butt? She'll be needing comfort from someone she can trust. Carlton has already begun to get her attention."
"Then I guess I'll just have to protect her from ever being swayed by your lies. I know it was you that framed me for that murder. Once I prove that I am innocent, I am coming for you!" Venom then let Eddie back in control.
"You have a pleasant evening Carlton Drake. Better enjoy it while it lasts." He said, leaving the symbiote and his host to resist throwing daggers at his back.

Vivi shyly walked through the crowds of people in the room. Everyone was dressed a certain way and had a certain flair to them. Gifts were stacked in a massive pile on the other side of the room. She had never felt so out of place in such a fancy place. Growing up in the country didn't help either. She had to read several books on social cues and how to be in a party setting. But to the side, a special group of people were chatting. The one of the females of the group caught Vivi's eye and walked over to greet the girl. Her red hair was curled up and cascaded down her back. She wore a nice yellow dress with matching heels.

"Hey, you must the newcomer. Mr. Drake told me about you coming from a job that didn't appreciate your gifts." She said, letting the auburn girl sit down with the group. "My name's Donna, I work in the special forces unit! I'm kind of the leader of this small batch of miscreants."

"Don't listen to her too much, she means well." The guy next to Vivi said, giving her a small smile. He wore a green tuxedo and had combed brown hair. "But it's a pleasure to meet you too. I'm Ramon by the way."

"I'm Leslie, I love what you did to your hair." The other girl of the group commented. She too had a purple dress on and her hair was black and in a bun.

"And I'm Carl, the real leader of this unit." The man behind her said, giving her a soft smile. His tuxedo was yellow and his hair was black too. "Must feel weird being the new girl. I was once new to this place too."

"Well...I just not sure I'm used to this kind of setting. Everything is so strange and new to me. I don't want to sound naive, but I feel like a child." Vivi lamented, sighing loudly.
Donna rolled her eyes. "Please, I see the way the boss looks at you. You must be pretty stupid not to notice that."
"Donna that was uncalled for!" Leslie gave her a look. "Obviously Vivi has a crisis on her hands and doesn't know what to do."
"Want my opinion hun? Don't be afraid to take this city by storm! Show them that you have power and dominate any problem that comes towards you!" Donna grinned widely.  "Make em scream your name!"
"She has a point. You should take this new direction in a positive light." Ramon put out. "How about when you come into work on Monday we help you around the base?"
Vivi sighed and smiled at her new friends. "That would be lovely." She stood up with a newfound respect for life. "Thanks guys, I needed this pep talk. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a boyfriend to find!" Waving goodbye, she left the four to watch her leave.

"Oh she has a boyfriend? Then why does the boss want us to watch her?" Leslie wondered aloud.
"Perhaps she is more useful than we first perceived her to be." Carl narrowed his eyes. "I did sense a power stirring within her."
"No way, you don't mean she has one of the symbiotes inside her!" Ramon said, almost feeling bad for the girl.
"Looks like we have a new member to recruit. Maybe she'll help us get rid of Spider-Man and our wretched father Venom!" Donna said, feeling her symbiote slowly come out. "It won't be long before we force her into our ranks!"

Vivi walked back to the main foyer with a pep in her step before running right into her boss.
"Hey Mr. Drake, sorry about that! Guess I wasn't watching where I was going." She apologized.
"No need Vivi. Besides, I too was deep in thought. Also, please call me Carlton when we are alone." He said, placing a finger under her chin. "I never got the chance to give you my Christmas gift I got for you!"
Vivi gasped as she felt something get placed in her hands. A small red box with a gold ribbon on top rested in her hands. She opened it up to find a ring with a red ruby on top of a gold band. "Oh Carlton! This is beautiful! You didn't have to do this!"
The man smiled and slipped the ring onto her smooth, slender finger. "Consider this a thank you for keeping me company at the library. With this ring, I give you a promise of protection and happiness."
Vivi hugged the man, making him almost fall over. "Thank you so much! If it hadn't been for you, I would've never gotten a new job or recovered my ground."
Carlton smiled and saw Eddie watching from the corner of his eye. His smile turned into a smirk as he hugged her tighter and sniffed her hair. Eddie was fuming, knowing that his rival had gotten ahead of him. It didn't matter, he would not have this upstart millionaire businessman best him.

Vivi was loyal to him and Venom. No one would change that.