Christmas in Vigila was always interesting. The guild believed in the more give back, gift giving, and spending time with family and friends more than the Christian reasons to the holiday. Though others who were religious weren’t made to feel bad about it, just questioned and teased in a loving manner. It just meant that the guild had its own traditions for this time of year.

One tradition was that the guild would host a large party for old and new members. Names were drawn for Secret Santa along with pictures given since most of these people who came no longer living in the guild house. Yet somehow Shane got someone who lived in the guildhouse. It wasn’t just one of his new friends, it was his dark, Chrystal. He had until the 21, the day of the party, to buy the gift and have it wrapped nicely. The only problem was that he was already shopping for her, they only agreed to give eachother one gift.

Chrystal wasn’t an easy person to shop for. She never really voices what she wants as a gift even when asked. When he asked around about what to get for Chrystal, everyone recalled how she never really talked about things she wanted or needed most of the time. Yet when she was given gifts she was always grateful and loved them. He ended up making a list of things he knew Chrystal loved. He took it with him everywhere and would go shopping and looking for gifts that would suit her.

***

Chrystal smiled as she worked on wrapping both the necklace and bracelet for Shane. She was given his name out of everyone who was going to be at the party in the Secret Santa drawing. She only thought of how lucky she was when she was given his name, not how strange it was. She smiled at the thought of giving the bracelet to him at the party then waiting for Christmas day to give him the necklace.

“There’s no way Shane’s gonna hate these! He’s always wearing a bracelet or a necklace. Hell he has tanlines on his wrist.” Chrystal smiled as she finished up with wrapping.

She admired her handy wor as she held it up, she smiled to herself once more before putting it in her desk drawer. She didn’t want anyone getting their hands on it, especially Shane.

“Just one more day til the party with outside guild members.” She announced to herself.

***

Shane sat up on his bed, looking at the giftbox that was wrapped up in red and and green. He was worried that his dark wouldn’t like it but he couldn’t do anything about it until tomorrow night. Maddy stood there, reassuring him that the gift would be perfect for her.

“It’ll look beautiful on her.” She said with a baby in her arm.

“I hope so, it took we all week to find this.” Shane said as he put it on his bedside table. “You putting Asline to bed?”

“Yes and you should get to bed. You have a day tomorrow and a date with your dark!” Maddy teased.

Shane laughed and bid his sister and his niece a good night. He put the gift on the nightstand. He needed to get rid of the negative thoughts for the night and get some sleep.

***

The day flew by for Chrystal as she helped with cooking and setting everything up. She was grateful that Samara didn’t make her greet everyone that came into the door. When Leia told her to go get ready, she skipped out of the kitchen and ran up to her room.

“Just gotta get showered and dressed, and then be down before Shane gets here.” She smiled as she pulled everything out.

In her closet was a dark teal dress and a grey furry shrug hanging on the same rack. Under it was a pair of black dress boots that went to her knees that matched the dress, she wasn’t a fan of heals and her flats weren’t stocking friendly. She grabbed her dress and placed it on her bed. She pulled out the box with the bracelet and put it on the desk.

“Only a few more hours then the party and possibly, pranking the ones who don’t live here.” She said before going to shower.

It was an hour later when Lawrence saw Chrystal stepping out and locking her bedroom door. A small green and gold box in her hand.

“Gift for your secret santa?” He jokingly asked.

“As a matter of fact, yes! I got Shane as my person, lucky me because I had so many idea!” Chrystal smiled.

“Let us know when you do give it to him so we can take pictures of you two kissing.” Anthony joked.

Chrystal blushed and looked away in panic. They were extremely careful about showing affection in the guild, mostly to save Shane from being harassed by them. She started to think back to when they were at the guildhouse and kissed or hugged a little to long.

“Dude, it was only a matter of time you two got together.” Spencer told her.

“No one’s mad at ya, it’s a good thing you two are together.” Hayner reassured her.

“You need to be selfish, maybe Shane can teach ya that!” Anthony added.

“We’re just happy for you.” Lawrence hugged her.

He felt Chrystal let out the breath she’d been holding, grateful that she didn’t have to hide it anymore. The five walked down to the ground floor, amazed by the large turnout for the party this year. They looked at one another and all agreed to head to get food before there was none.

“So, food then hide out in the basement or something?” Hayner asked.

“Yeah, let’s hang in that office we turned into a private movie room.” Anthony suggested.

Chrystal kept an eye out for Shane as they walked to the large buffet table setup with more food than normally served at a Vigila Party. She was sure by the end of the party it would all be gone, especially the cakes that sat out, ready to be both admired and eaten. They build their plates full of food and grabbed bottles of sodas before heading off to the private movie room.

“I love these parties but man too many people!” Hayner said as they shut the door.

“No kidding. Remember our first year when we had those horrible vampires making comments about Chrystal’s looks.” Spencer reminded them.

“Yeah, what happen to them?” Chrystal asked.

“Garrett dumped wine all over them. One of them was wearing a very white cashmere sweater and the wine that was dumped on them was red then both he and Icarus kicked them all out.” Lawrence laughed.

“Oh yeah, she looked like she couldn’t hold her blood!” Chrystal giggled.

The group laughed as a tv show started up, an er show that took place in chicago. The five were entertained by it and was glad to have caught the christmas episode and recorded it. About ten minutes in, there was a knock and Shane walked in. The five cheered and welcomed their friend in. Hayner motioning him to sit next to Chrystal. Shane nodded and sat down, his gift in hand. Spencer asked who he got and Shane said it was actually Chrystal.

“Giving the gift is at random. That's why we’re given pictures so we can find them and give it to them.” Hayner explained to Shane.

“No one will judge if you give them here or in a private place.” Anthony added.

Chrystal smiled, blushing a little when the two told him that, next to her was the gift she got him. She picked it up and handed it to him, wondering if he wanted to open it now or later.

Shane took it and handed her his gift. He didn’t say anything as they exchanged gifts. He only nodded to her, as if saying yes go ahead and open it.

Chrystal smiled as she open hers then let out a gasp. It was a choker with a moon painted on the pendent. It was large enough to hide the bite scar on her neck. She asked for him to put it on, to which he gladly did so.

“I love it, thank you!” She said as she kissed him on the lips, in front of her friends.

Anthony tried to go for his camera but Hayner stopped him.

“Just gonna say it’s about damn time.” Spencer said.

“You two are cute together.” Lawrence added.

Shane blushed and smiled, thanking the two. He open his gift and smiled when he saw it was a new bracelet.

“Your old one looked worn down.” Chrystal stated.

“Thank you, bunny.” Shane said as he put it on, he saw it covered up his scars on his wrist.

They kissed once more before Spencer announced he wanted to finish the show before Icarus found out where they were hiding out. Chrystal laughed and told him to start the show up again.

Out at the party Samar’s stood looking a little to proud of herself as she sipped her wine. Icarus noticed this and went to as his wife what was going on.

“Oh I plotted a way to get those two to confess.” Samar’s said.

“Hope your plan worked because my mistletoe didn’t.” Icarus commented.

“Neither one worked, we saw them kissing at the winter fair.” Leia confessed to the two.

“Yep, who won the bet?” Garrett jokingly asked.

“I believe Spencer… We’ll have to give him money after the party.” Icarus said.

“Damn, thought this one would be easy.” Samara said.

Icarus let out a laughed as they finished off their drinks. They were just happy their daughter was happy.