everyonelives | but oh what a year

That's the goal! A holly jolly Christmas where everyone goes home happy.

[Even if it will end in her having to take an unexpected trip to Boston.

Alice's face falls. "Oh no. Can we fix it?" It isn't that she doesn't appreciate the tampon angel. She understands the family history. But she likes the star too.]

( "It is the best time of the year," she says. "Thank you. For all your help. I know we still have miles to go before we sleep, but, everything you've done, I can't thank you enough."

In the other room, Wynonna winces. )

Well, your mother may have been practicing with throwing stars and that star was not for throwing. And now it's not for Jesus worship, either. But, Tampon Angel is forever!

["I was happy to help," Waverly smiles, before tugging on her hand. "C'mon. Let's get you a drink."

Alice sighs, but nods her understanding.]

I know, Mom. I am not impugning the honor of Tampon Angel. Promise.

[She glances back over her shoulder to make sure the person she wants to talk about is not listening distance before opening with:]

So. This Dolls guy.

( Wine, please, Waverly.

You better not impugne! )

What about "this Dolls guy?"

Should I get used to the stick up his butt or does he actually believe in the word fun?

[Alice raises an eyebrow.]

He... lukewarms up.

( That she can remember. )

He's ex-military, ex-prisoner, ex-smiling... ( And simply: ex... ) I promise, he knows where to find the fun when he wants to. He just plays by the book and you were taught to throw the book out.

Mmm.

[She will try not to judge her because she does want her mom to have friends and she seems? Happier? But this guy?

This guy?????]

Okay. We'll see if he gets to room temperature.

Yeah, about that. He's part dragon, so... he brings the heat. Just saying.

( The tampon angel balanced, she steps down. )

How have things been with your dad?

Good.

[Because it has been, oddly.]

We've been talking. And Rebekah's been really nice. I think she really wants me to like her, but she doesn't have to try so hard because I do. But it's also nice that she tries. Is that weird?

You love your dad and you want to get along with his wife. It's not weird. And she loves him and you're his kin. I just hear happy, normal, and healthy. Which is something you're overdue for, kid.

( Sometimes, she feels like she didn't do the job she should. She knows she raised Alice. And other than the end of high school queen bee weirdness and Archer, she'd been there. )

Edited 2026-02-22 18:49 (UTC)

I've always had happy.

[She was never unhappy. She loved her mother, even if her life is a little unconventional.]

Normal is a little weird though.

Let's be honest, hundreds of years old dad and thousands of year old stepmom? Not that normal. We're miles away from normal.

( As is her mother and her aunt's legacy. Even her mother's unconventional traveling. Her time in a psych ward. Her aunt's half angel! )

Truth.

[Alice can't disagree there.]

Even more with the witch best friend and her witch friends.

[And the potential boyfriend who works for a government organization.]

Her witch sister. Their vampire-witch family. Face it, kid. We're never gonna escape the weird and I wouldn't want to, anyway. Just give Dolls a chance. He may not loosen up, but he will at least - flex.

( She makes a face at the implications. )

He's good people and we trust him and good people need people.

( Even if they lie about their whereabouts for 17 years. )

Okay. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

[She pauses.]

But if he's coming to Christmas next year, he better have more Christmas spirit.

We'll have three hundred and sixty-four more days to work on him.

( Adal follows Waverly back into the room, having gotten a beer for dolls as well.

"Who else are we waiting for? The timeless cowboy?" )

Yep.

[And with perfect timing, there's a knock on the door.]

That is probably them now.

[And she will call into the rest of the apartment as she goes to answer the door.]

I got it!

He usually goes by Doc or John-Henry. He answers to asshole, too.

( Adal pops an eyebrow.

"When he's being an asshole."

Doc holds Henry on his hip, standing next to his wife. All three have adhered to the dress code. )

Hey guys. Hi, Henry. Merry Christmas!

["Merry Christmas, Auntie Waverly."

Waverly smiles as she steps back.]

C'mon in and make yourselves at home. I'll take your coats, and food is in the kitchen.

["Wonderful," Rebekah says with a smile. "Where should we set the gifts?"]

Hello, Waverly. Merry Christmas.

( Doc steps inside and sets his son down, unzipping his coat. After, he takes care of his wife's and then his own. )

["Gifts can go over by the tree."

Waverly points and Rebekah follows, bags in hand, but stops short when she sees the two unfamiliar faces in the room and she raises an eyebrow.]

Oh. New faces. Rebekah Mikaelson. Pleasure.

[Might as well meet all the new people. Dolls holds up his hand, which has a beer in it by now. "Xavier Dolls. Likewise."]

Oh yes, my husband mentioned you. Congratulations on your return from the dead.

( "Adal," she says, stepping forward and offering a hand to shake. "I've been working with Waverly." She doesn't mention that of course she knows who Rebekah is and what she is (and isn't). She's basically in front of vampire royalty (former.) )

Dolls graciously accepted the invitation, though he seems to have missed on the dress code. We were given quite formal instructions.

[Rebekah just assumes everyone knows here. It's better that way and sometimes she gets a fun surprise!]

And I personally have never met a dress code I wasn't willing to adhere to. I don't understand it, but I do think it's nice not to be wearing terribly uncomfortable shoes for a change.

[Dolls gestures to his ugly Christmas sweater. "I like to think I'm plenty festive."

"Even Charlie got a onesie, dude," Alice comments from the kitchen. "It just makes you look lame."]

( "There's a time and a place for heels," Adal says. For her, it's often, as she is wearing heels as they speak.

"Ugly Christmas sweater does not a Christmas onesie make." Wynonna says.

Charlie joins the festivities late, having questioned the onesie laid out for him, but ultimately deciding to play the part. He comes into the kitchen first, for coffee.

"Morning, Alice," he says, feeling a little silly, but generally ready to be a good sport. "Am I the last one?" )

["Yeah, but not by much." Alice smiles at him, before gesturing to the Mikaelson-Holliday family. "You know my dad, right? This is his wife Rebekah and their son Henry."

Rebekah waves her hand in a small wave.]

A pleasure. Have you been in New York long?

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