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“Alright, everyone put forward your contribution,” Luz said.
Into the middle of their circle, Luz placed a plastic grocery bag with several handfuls of wet crackly yellow grass, Vee placed a pot of vibrant green pet grass she kept for her turtle, and King placed a lumpy paper grocery bag stuffed to the brim with red demon realm grass.
“Wow! Good job, King!”
“Can human realm camels eat demon realm grass?” Vee asked.
“Oh, um. Well, they are magical camels? So I think it’s probably fine,” Luz replied.
“Where did their magic come from? I didn’t know there was any magic in the human realm,” King said.
“I think it came from angels? Or an angel? I don’t remember all of the Nativity details…”
Camila stepped over to the circle of kids seated on her carpet and ruffled Luz’s hair. “We don’t know where their magic comes from. Just that they belong to the three kings who saw a magnificent star in the sky,” she gestured above herself theatrically, “and knew something special had happened, so they rode their camels from far away to meet the baby Jesus and present him with gifts. And now they visit kids all over the world, bestowing them with gifts to celebrate that night!”
“Oh yeah! I forgot about the star.”
“I think the camels will love all of this grass,” Camila assured. “Why don’t you mix it all together?”
King stood and looked into Luz’s bag skeptically. “Are you sure this frozen dead grass is good enough? This is my first time being visited and I want to make a good impression!”
“Grass from our yard was always good enough when I was a kid,” Luz said with a shrug. “I don’t think camels are very picky.”
“They aren’t,” Camila agreed. “But they do get very hungry, so make sure to fill up those shoe boxes!”
“Okay!” King agreed eagerly, grabbing fistfuls of grass in his tiny paws and dropping them into the three shoeboxes Camila had supplied, the other two giggling and joining in.
Camila looked behind herself to see Eda standing back quietly in the doorway between the kitchen and the living room. Camila smiled warmly and joined her.
“Thank you for including King,” Eda said softly, not making eye contact and fiddling nervously with her hook.
“Of course! He’s family!” Camila looked at Eda meaningfully. “You both are.”
Eda glanced at Camila, meeting her eyes. “Am I?”
Camila raised an eyebrow. “Yes,” she said firmly. She hooked an arm around Eda’s elbow. “How about some drinks for the grown-ups while the kids do their thing, eh?” she asked as she turned Eda around and marched her into her kitchen.
Eda chuckled. “Okay, I’ll bite. Whad’ya got?”
Camila surveyed her fridge. “Well, I’ve got white wine, but I’ve also got some boozy Ponche Navideño I could really use some help drinking.”
“I don’t know what that is, but boozy is my style.”
Camila chuckled, pulling out her homemade Dominican eggnog and fishing a few stemless wine glasses out of her cabinets.
They clinked glasses before each taking a sip.
Eda raised her eyebrows, looking into her drink. “This is really good.”
“Of course it is! Everything Dominican is good.”
“The people certainly are.” Eda blushed. “At least, the two I’ve met so far,” she mumbled.
Camila smiled and gestured for Eda to sit with her at the kitchen table. “That’s very sweet,” she said.
Eda chose not to respond, instead taking a long drink from her glass and sitting down. She wiped a bit of white foam from her upper lip. “So, do three magical kings riding camels really visit kids all over the world, bestowing them all with gifts in one night?”
“Ah, no. When the kids go to sleep, I’ll take out some of the grass and move it around like camels were here. I’ve got presents hidden in the closet in the basement. Luz knows, but I wanted to keep the magic alive for King and Vee for their first year, at least.”
Eda frowned. “I don’t know if I like lying to King.”
“You aren’t. I am.” Camila fingered the gold cross she wore around her neck, more out of habit than any kind of religiosity. “And maybe I’m wrong,” she added. “There are a lot of things I thought weren’t real before this year.”
“Wouldn’t you notice if gifts you didn’t buy appeared out of thin air?”
Camila chuckled. “Yes, of course. If you want to tell him—”
“No, it’s okay. He should get to have the full tradition. And we did the Santa thing, didn’t we?”
“Yes. It’s been nice having you two around for the holidays. Raine as well. It’s too bad they couldn’t come tonight.”
“Eh, they have a standing get together with their old students from their rebel group. They are devoted to them. I swear sometimes it's like we have an additional three adult children.” She leaned forward, eyebrows raised, as if to tell Camila a secret. “You know, I used to be a loner. I never expected to have so many kids.”
Camila laughed. “You are telling me! I had six teenagers living in my house.”
“That’s right! How was that?”
“It was chaotic but, to be honest, I miss them.”
Eda’s face fell slightly and she glanced towards the kitchen door. “I get that.”
“Thank you,” Camila said softly.
“Huh?”
“For taking in Luz. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Of course I did.”
“Not everyone would have. Anyways, I’m glad she found the witch mom she needed.”
“I’m not her mom.”
“Who ever said a kid couldn’t have two moms, huh?” Camila shoved Eda’s shoulder playfully. “If I had to pick someone to co-parent with, you are a pretty good choice.”
Eda pursed her lips, holding back a smile. “I’m kind of a mess, but thank you.”
“What, like I’m not a mess?”
Eda took a long swig from her glass. She wiped at the nog mustache that formed.
Camila took a drag from her own glass, letting the familiar cinnamon and spiced rum flavor mingled with creamy goodness fill her chest.
“Did you do this growing up? Put out grass and wait to be visited by three strange gift-giving men?”
Camila choked on her drink, coughing and sputtering as she laughed. She cleared her throat enough to speak. “I did!” She rubbed her throat, trying to massage away the burn of rum and cinnamon. “I was very invested in it. Do you not have any traditions like that in the Boiling Isles?”
Eda grinned. “Well, we do give gifts at the Solstice, but there are no legendary strangers involved. You have to admit that is a little weird.”
Camila nodded in amusement. “Yes, it is. But,” she shrugged, “I kind of like the anonymity. I mean as a gift giver. It is nice to just see the happiness without the burden of credit. Maybe that sounds strange, I don’t know.”
“Nah, I kind of get that actually. You know, when we were first dating, a long time ago, when we were basically still kids, Titan,” Eda shook her head in disbelief, “Raine used to give me gifts from a secret admirer. I knew it was them, it was so obvious. But it was sweet. And I, of course, had to pretend I didn’t know, which I think was less embarrassing for them somehow?” Eda started laughing. “Actually, I don’t get it, I like getting credit for things!”
Camila joined Eda’s laughter, enjoying the levity and comfort of it. Laughing with Eda was impossibly nice. Camila had forgotten how much she missed having adult company. She scooted her chair closer to her, feeling warmth in what she hoped was a growing friendship. “Well, even if the kids don’t give you credit for helping me out tonight,” she said. “I will be sure to give you plenty.”
Eda’s smile widened, her gold tooth prominent. “Does receiving credit for my hard work of putting some presents under a tree come with more of this delicious, uh, whatever this is?” She swished the remaining eggnog around in her glass.
“Absolutely.” Camila took the liberty of refilling Eda’s glass, along with her own. “Just as long as we don’t get too drunk to do our one job.”
“Sounds great,” Eda replied, holding her glass up for another clink.
Camila woke up with her head pounding and a crick in her neck. There was something hard lodged into her back. She shifted to try to dislodge it and instead found herself flopping to the floor with an unceremonious fwump. She opened her eyes to see the leg of her basement coffee table, which she had thankfully not collided with. She groaned as she sat up, leaning against the foot of the couch. She couldn’t remember how she had gotten to the basement. She felt behind herself and grabbed the hard thing. It was an empty bottle.
She gazed at it, puzzled, then set it aside and blinked irritably at the insistent sunbeams streaming through the funny half windows at the top of the walls.
Sunbeams.
Her eyes snapped open wide, sudden clarity hitting. They’d gotten too drunk to do their one job.
She turned to see Eda twisted in an impossible pretzel, one leg slung over the couch back, her one arm sticking out from underneath herself. Camila stood over her, trying to decide the best way to wake her. In a panic, she swatted her in the face with a throw pillow. Eda sputtered, jolting up in a puff of hair and limbs. “What in the Titan’s—” she burst before cutting herself off and blinking up at Camila, who was still holding the pillow in a daze. Eda’s face fell in realization and she facepalmed. “Ow.”
“We have to get the presents out before the kids wake up!” Camila whispered urgently.
“Mmm, yep. I got that. Ugh. Remind me never to drink again,” Eda responded, smacking her lips and flattening her unruly hair.
“Eda,” Camila said firmly, her fingers trembling on the pillow. “I never wrapped the presents.”
Eda looked up in shock. “You never wrapped the presents?”
“I knew you were coming over! You were supposed to help me!”
“You never told me that!”
“I! Well! No, I didn’t!”
“It’s okay,” Eda said wildly, standing and tugging at her rumpled dress.
“Santa María, Sagrada Madre de Jesucristo—” 1
“We just won’t wrap them! They don’t need to be wrapped. It’s modern. Sustainable! Isn’t sustainability something you humans like?”
“Yeah! Yeah, that could work.”
The presents were not in the closet she had stashed them in. “No me digas.” 2
Camila closed her eyes in forfeit. This was it, she was the worst mother ever. The presents were just gone.
“What are we looking at?” Eda asked over her shoulder.
“Nothing. The absolute nothing we have for the kids.”
“Nuts.”
“Yeah.”
“Well. Can’t we improvise?”
“With what?”
“I don’t know! I can run back to the Owl House and see if I have any decent junk lying around—”
Camila shook her head, frowning. “No. I was really intentional about those gifts. I just need to tell the kids.”
“And ruin the magic of the Three Kings?”
“These kids know real magic. I was never going to compete with that anyways.”
Eda placed her hook on Camila’s shoulder firmly. “No. No. You will compete with that and you do compete with that because you are amazing.”
Camila shook her head, gently removing Eda’s hook. “The jig is up, Eda. It’s better not to lie to the kids anyways, right?”
“Well. Maybe this lie is okay. I got on board with it, didn’t I? We could say the Three Kings got delayed. There was a storm or some confusion about the lunar calendar?”
“This is not a lunar holiday. And they are magic, they can’t be delayed.”
“Pff, I can promise you that magic does not solve everything.”
“I’m going upstairs to face the kids.”
Eda huffed but Camila was determined. She climbed the stairs, thinking of the coffee she could make that might calm her nerves and dull her headache before she had to break the bad news. The thought was so powerful, she could almost smell the coffee already.
“Wow, you two look like you had a rough night.”
“King!”
“What? They do! Didn’t you warn your mom that Eda can’t hold her liquor?”
“Hey! That’s not true!”
“Well… it is a little true.”
“I’m just glad you didn’t end up on the roof again.”
“Would you like coffee, Mami? Ms. Eda?”
“Thank you, Cariño,” 3 Camila said, accepting the steaming mug from Vee. She had not expected the kids to be awake already, waiting patiently on the couch. She had not expected fresh, already brewed coffee. What she had least expected was the wrapped presents under the tree and the shoe boxes missing grass. She pulled Luz aside, leading her into the kitchen while Eda continued to argue with King about her drinking habits.
“Mija, did you do this?” she whispered.
“Nah, it was Vee’s idea to make the coffee. We tried to wait, I promise we did! But you two slept really late. I’ve been distracting King from poking at the presents, though.”
“No, did you do the presents? And the grass?”
Luz raised an eyebrow. “Nice try, Mami,” she said, patting her shoulder condescendingly. “I have to say, you pulled out the stops this year. The camel saliva was a good touch. Was that Eda’s idea? And the note! Sorry we already read it. You should have put it in an envelope if you wanted us to wait.”
Camila blinked at her daughter in utter confusion. “¿De qué hablas, nena?” 4
“The Three Kings stuff you left out? Are you okay? How much did you drink last night?”
Camila shook her head frantically. “I don’t remember doing anything.”
“So a lot.”
“What note? What saliva?”
Luz furrowed her eyebrows. “Mom, you are kind of freaking me out.”
“I have to see this.”
“Okay.” Luz gently turned Camila around by the elbow, guiding her back into the living room. Camila surveyed the scene more closely. There were the three presents, beautifully wrapped in her wrapping paper. There were the shoe boxes, messy and missing grass. And Luz was right. There was some kind of thick, clear gel or liquid hanging off the boxes. On the t.v. table was a mountain of assorted candy, candy Camila was sure she hadn’t bought, and a note on what appeared to be old fashioned parchment? With the most beautiful calligraphy Camila had ever seen. She caught Eda’s gaze and pointed an accusatory finger, but Eda shook her head.
She picked up the note. This was a very elaborate prank if that’s what it was. The note was written in Spanish, which ruled out a lot of people.
A las Familias Noceda y Clawthorne—
Es un placer y un honor visitarlos en esta última noche navideña. Son familias legendarias de su propio derecho y no hay una distancia tan lejos que no gozamos de viajar para dejar unos regalitos modestos. Los dulces vienen de los rincones del mundo humano; ojalá que a todos les gustarían. Los camellos apreciaron la variedad de grama: ¡que divertido! Muchas gracias.
Mil bendiciones a sus familias. Específicamente a los ahora en La Casa Noceda: Señorito King, Señorita Vee, Señorita Luz, Señora Clawthorne, Señora Noceda, Owlbert, Stringbean, y Turtle Seven, a los en La Casa Búho: Señor Hooty, Señore Whispers, y Fiddlesticks, y a todas las otras miembros de sus familias de sangre y no. Que reina la paz en sus vidas. Felíz Navidad y próspero año.
Sinceramente,
Los Reyes Magos: Melchor, Gaspar, y Baltasar
P.D. A Señora Noceda: las cajitas envueltas tienen nuestro y sus regalitos. Si quiere que los niños saben cuales son de usted, simplemente piensa y unas notas aparecerían. Si quiere que nosotros recibamos todo el crédito, aceptamos la carga. 5
Camila was suddenly very certain that she was still asleep.
“Can I see the note?” Eda asked, peering over Camila’s shoulder. Camila opened her mouth to translate. “That’s funny,” Eda said before she could. “It’s written in runes? No.” She took the note in hand and shook her head. “Letters now.” Camila watched as Eda flipped the note, scanning the parchment. “I’ve never seen magic like this. I mean, it looks like a regular illusion, only it’s different.”
Eda had to be pulling her leg. Camila had fallen asleep and Eda had done all this. How would Camila be able to tell if the magic was strange?
“Can we open the presents now?” King pleaded. “We’ve been waiting all morning!”
Camila took a sip of her coffee. She turned to King and smiled brightly, as if this was a totally normal year where the real Reyes Magos actually visited, as was mundane and usual. “Of course! One at a time. King first, since you are the youngest. Just let Eda and I sit down so we can be your audience.” Camila perched on the couch, gesturing for Eda to join her.
King squealed in delight and picked up the gift with his name on it.
“Are we sure King is the youngest? Maybe he should go last,” Luz teased.
“Weh?” King exclaimed, looking dolefully at his sister.
Luz smiled and winked. “Just kidding! You are definitely the youngest at heart! Go ahead, Little Bro.”
King brightened and tore the paper happily. He first pulled out items that were not Camila’s: a small mesh bag of what appeared to be potpourri, a fancy soap, and a gold brooch. “It’s a clasp for my new cloak!” King exclaimed at the last one. “It’s shaped like an owl, just like yours, Eda!”
Eda looked at Camila in question. Camila shook her head, bewildered. If it hadn’t been Eda, then…?
King pulled the final item out. He looked at the hand painted thing, confused, turning it in his paws. “It’s a Christmas ornament!” Luz explained. “For a Christmas tree!”
“It has my name on it!” King exclaimed.
“Aw, ‘King Clawthorne’! I love that! And the year!” Luz looked at Camila slyly and gave a little thumbs up.
“Alright,” Camila prompted, “Vee next!”
Vee’s box had the same strange mix of potpourri and soap, except her gold item was a pair of hoop earrings. “Wow!” she said, shapeshifting little holes in her ears to put the earrings in through. Next she pulled out her ornament. Camila tensed, gripping her coffee tightly as she braced for her reaction. “‘Vee Noceda’,” she read softly. She looked up at Camila, tears welling in her eyes. “Do they know that I’m not really—”
“The Kings don’t make mistakes,” Camila interrupted.
Vee nodded, smiling smally as she stroked the ornament.
Luz gave Vee a side hug and smiled widely at Camila.
“Well, I guess it's my turn. I have a few guesses as to what it could be,” Luz teased. She pulled out the potpourri and soap and a set of gold cufflinks. “Woah, cool! Perfect for next Grom!”
Camila found herself blushing and avoiding looking at the woman next to her as Luz pulled out her ornament. Luz’s face softened in surprise as she studied the ornament quietly. She looked up at Camila uncertainly. Camila gave a minute nod. “‘Luz Noceda-Clawthorne’,” Luz read slowly. “Thank you—” she glanced at her siblings and redirected her address to the sky. “Thank you Reyes Magos,” she said. But she looked again at Camila and smiled.
Heart beating too fast, Camila exclaimed, “Well! Wasn’t that exciting! Why don’t we dig into that candy? And maybe some cocoa?” Camila glanced at Eda for support and saw that the woman was covering her face. “Eda?”
“‘M fine,” she growled, wiping away her tears.
“Ah, why don’t you kids run to the kitchen and pick out some mugs for your cocoa?”
The kids obliged, leaving Camila with Eda. She let out a heavy breath.
“The Kings don’t make mistakes, huh?” Eda asked, refusing to make eye contact.
“The ornaments were me,” Camila whispered.
Eda nodded too many times. “Figured.”
“But everything else— you definitely didn’t do this?”
Eda shook her head and sniffed, pulling herself together. “I can’t do magic anymore, remember?”
“How do I know you aren’t just lying about that note being magic?”
“Look at it again for yourself. It might change for you, since you are bilingual.”
Camila picked up the note and thought very hard only in English. A shimmering fuzziness took over the parchment and there it was, the note exactly the same but translated. “When you read it, does it have a ‘P.S.’?” Camila asked Eda.
“Yeah.”
“What does it say?”
“‘To Ms. Clawthorne: We are sorry to take the credit, but we are certain your family is thankful for you regardless.’ And they’re right! I can’t even get credit from you!”
Camila laughed, feeling delirious. She believed it. It was unbelievable, but she believed it. “How about credit for giving me riotously fun, perhaps irresponsible and dangerous, but nonetheless good company?”
Eda smiled wide, her gold tooth glimmering. “I’ll take it.”
The two hooked elbows and joined their children in the kitchen for cocoa, Camila dazed at experiencing yet another wondrous and mysterious event, but mostly exceedingly thankful for her beautiful family, both in her kitchen and out.
[1] Saint Mary, Holy Mother of Jesus Christ (expression of shock)
[2] Don’t tell me (like You’re kidding me)
[3] Term of endearment, like “Love” or “Sweetheart” (literally “love” or “care”)
[4] What are you talking about, girl?
[5] To the Noceda and Clawthorne Families—
It is a pleasure and an honor to visit you on this final Christmas night. You are legendary families in your own right and there is no distance so far we would not enjoy traveling to leave some modest gifts. The candies come from the corners of the human world; we hope you like them. The camels appreciated the variety of grass: how fun! Thank you very much.
A thousand blessings to your families. Specifically to those currently in the Noceda House: Mister King, Miss Vee, Miss Luz, Ms. Clawthorne, Mrs. Noceda, Owlbert, Stringbean, and Turtle Seven, to those in the Owl House: Mr. Hooty, Mx. Whispers, and Fiddlesticks, and to all the other members of your families of blood relation and not. May peace reign in your lives. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (literally ‘Prosperous New Year’).
Sincerely, The Three Kings (literally The Magic Kings): Melchior, Casper, and Balthazar (Anglo names).
P.S. To Mrs. Noceda: the little wrapped boxes have our and your (formal you) little presents. If you want the children to know which are from you, simply think and some notes will appear. If you want us to receive all of the credit, we accept the burden.