I know that it's Spring rn lol. The beginning of this book takes place during the Winter, so back when I started writing this, I added a Christmas chapter. On my Google Doc, this is the last part that I had written, so from now on It'll take a bit longer to post chapters (maybe). I hope you enjoy!

Several weeks had passed and it was the day before Christmas. Thankfully, Varian had overcome his illness and was up and about again like before. After explaining the situation to Quirin, he pleaded with Emma and Varian to stay in his line of vision when playing outside, which made annoyed Varian.

Since Christmas was coming in less than a day, Emma desperately wanted to figure out how to show Varian that she appreciated him.

"Oh, Mercury, what am I going to do?" Emma sighed as she stroked Mercury's soft fur. "There's so much I can give Varian, but I'm just not sure what would pass as the perfect gift…"

Mercury only mewed in response.

"I'll go shopping today and search every shop," Emma declared. "I'll need some help first…" Suddenly, an idea hit her. "And I know just who to ask!"

Time Skip

"Varian, I'm going shopping!" Emma announced. "I'll be back soon!" Varian poked his head around the corner of the kitchen.

"Do you need any help?" Varian asked eagerly.

"Uh, I'll be fine," Emma said nervously. "Don't worry about it."

Varian's eyebrows furrowed. "Oh, ok. I'll see you later, then!"

"See you later!" Emma beamed. She shut the front door and let out a sigh. My cover was almost blown!

"Emsy, are you ready to go?" Cassandra asked.

"Cass, Raps, you're here!" Emma cheered. "Let's get going! I'm ready."

As the three were strolling through Old Corona, Rapunzel kept asking Emma about Varian, while Cassandra led them to each of the shops responsibly. They were about to visit Uncle Monty's candy shop, but they thought better of it.

Time Skip

After hours of searching, Cassandra asked Emma, "How long is it going to take for you to pick out something?"

Emma examined a snake plushie, then set it back on the shelf. "I'm sorry! Varian's gift has to be perfect. He has to know that he means a lot to me." She picked up another item from the shelf before putting it back.

"Doesn't he already know?" Rapunzel wondered. "You don't have to buy him anything. Just tell him yourself."

Suddenly, Emma spotted something that caught her eye. She scooped it up in her arms and hugged it tight. "This is perfect!" Emma squealed.

Time Skip

Later that night, Emma was in Varian's room putting last minute touches on her gift for Varian when she heard a knock on the door. She jumped which caused some of her items to spill.

"Em, can I come in?" Varian's voice asked from the other side of the door.

"Uh, s-sure! Just give me a minute please," Emma panicked as she frantically gathered her things and hid them under her blanket. Varian opened the door slowly.

"My dad said it was time to go to bed," Varian explained. He sat down on his bed and slid under his blanket. "Good night and Merry Christmas, Emma!"

"Merry Christmas!" Emma replied as she got ready to sleep herself. She couldn't wait for tomorrow.

Time Skip

"Emma, Emma! Wake up!"

Emma could hear Varian's cheerful voice bounce excitedly as she tried to fall back asleep.

"Varian? What…?"

"It's Christmas, silly!" Varian yanked on her arm. Emma jolted wide awake and slowly stood up.

"You sound like a little kid, you know?" Emma laughed. "You remind me of how my little brother used to act on Christmas before he…" She didn't finish that thought.

Varian clenched onto Emma's arm and dragged her out of the bedroom and down the stairs.

"V, you don't have to drag me!" Emma protested. When they made it to the living room, Varian released Emma and bounced happily to the Christmas tree that they had decorated a few days before. The only difference was that there were presents underneath this time.

"Wow, there's so many!" Emma breathed.

"I know, right?" Varian nodded. "Dad always gets as much as he can. What about your family?"

It took a minute to respond, but Emma replied with, "There's usually not this much at my home. Everyone gets one gift per year. That's the rule."

Varian's expression softened. "Oh… I didn't realize. I guess they're always strict."

Suddenly, Quirin muttered, "What're you kids doing up so early?"

Emma and Varian turned around to face a very tired Quirin.

"Dad, the sun rose a while ago!" Varian rolled his eyes. "C'mon, it's Christmas and we have Emma to celebrate with this year."

"Alright, alright!" Quirin laughed. "I guess we can get started."

Quirin gathered two boxes and gave one to Emma and the other to Varian. "Here you go, kids!"

Varian and Emma unwrapped their gifts with enthusiasm.

"Cool! More beakers!" Varian chirped. "Thanks, Dad! I'm definitely gonna need these."

Meanwhile, Emma held a sketchbook in her arms and said gratefully, "Thank you, Quirin! How'd you know that I like to draw?"

Quirin smiled. "Let's just say that's my little secret."

Varian then snatched a gift and handed it to Quirin. "Here, Dad! It's a gift from Emma and I."

As the gift-unwrapping proceeded, Emma began to feel warm and bubbly inside. She had never spent a Christmas like this before and it made her feel even more grateful that she had Varian and Quirin.

"I got one more for you kids and it's for you to share," Quirin announced as he handed the two a small box. When the box was opened, Varian and Emma's eyes widened at the sight. Inside the box lay four small dolls. There was a doll that looked like Varian, one that looked like Emma, and two that resembled Mercury and Ruddiger.

"These are incredible!" Varian gasped. "I didn't know you could make dolls."

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me," Quirin said. "You two can decide the ownership of the dolls."

Emma's eyes sparkled. "They're so cute!! I wanna hug them forever!"

Varian laughed, "Sounds like something you would say."

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Emma remembered. "Varian, I have something for you. Just wait a minute while I go get it." She raced upstairs and grabbed the gift she had put together for Varian the night before. As she made her way back to the living room, she sheepishly grinned and said, "I was working on it last night, so it's not wrapped up, but I hope you'll like it."

She handed it to a surprised Varian.

"Woah, a photo album!" Varian beamed as he skimmed through it. "That's so cool! Where'd you get the pictures?"

"You'd be surprised how many more of them Rapunzel has in her bedroom. She's an extreme fangirl..."

"I love it, Em! Thank you so much! Varian hugged Emma with gratitude. "You're the best!"

Emma could feel herself blushing.

Suddenly, Varian pulled himself out of the hug. "That's why I got you something as well! Take it."

He held out a small box. Emma unwrapped it and her heart skipped a beat. There were two silver necklaces inside the box; one had Emma's name written on it and the other had Varian's name on it. As Emma carefully lifted the necklaces up, she noticed that together they made the shape of a heart.

"They're friendship necklaces," Varian explained. "I-I know it sounds girly and all, but I asked Xavier to make them. You're my closest friend and I'm glad that you've stayed by my side these past few years."

"Thanks for everything, Varian. You're the best friend anyone could ask for," Emma smiled. She fit the necklace with her name on it around her neck. She handed the other one to Varian, who did the same. Emma held out her necklace in front of Varian. "Best friends forever!"

"Best friends forever," Varian chuckled as he connected the necklaces together. Quirin watched them from a distance, smiling at the bond his son and his friend shared.

Word Count: 1368