A festive cheer. A festive joy. Laughter and delight filled the atmosphere and glistened in people's hearts like the sparkling Christmas tree lights. An assortment of wrapped gifts were settled beneath the natural pine needles, their wrapping and ribbons varying in shades of red and green. On the kitchen counter, sided by tall candles with flaming wicks that shook and shivered, was another assortment of Christmas treats and snacks. Gingerbread shaped cookies. Strawberry and blueberry tarts with few pieces remaining. Lollipops made to look like little Stantler with ribbons tied around the base of their heads. Marshmellows that looked like snowmen. 

A Christmas melody played in the background of active conversations. Sleigh bells ringing. Starly in a pear tree. Grandma got run over by a Stantler. The children always sang loudly when that one played, their joyous laughter filling the air. Sometimes, the parents would join in. But mostly, they were busy drinking eggnog, playing Christmas themed games, and catching up on all the fun activities of the past year. Some of this sat before the fireplace, kept alight by a small Charmander with a red and green ribbon tied around her neck and a Santa hat upon her head. She seemed to enjoy the constant attention from the children's cooing and fawning over her adorable little outfit. In all these places, adults conversed and detailed their past journeys.

Did you hear about Henry's surgery? I heard that Delilah finally got pregnant. Beautifly and I finally won our first contest last month! The conversations were endless. It was a delightfully joyous time for all of those involved in the Foster's Christmas celebration. As typical of the rehabilitation group, their Pokemon had also been invited to join in on the celebration, though some were required to stay outside (the house wasn't that big, after all). Christmas lights sparkled and glittered along the outdoor fences and each and every Pokemon had been given a special treat suitable for their type. Some had even been given gifts to share with each other.

Yes. Yes. Once again, it surely was a joyous time for all. And Caroline was no exception. Within the warmth of their home, she wore a sleeveless red and black plaid dress that reached down to her knees and fit snug with a black ribbon around her waist. She wore a headband with red antlers and a silver necklace with a minimalistic Christmas tree around her neck. With her mother and father, she laughed and joked in the active socialness of their evening. Many of the visitors were people whom she'd not seen and the joy she felt listening to their recent activities was unparalleled. The day couldn't get any better.

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