Ding,Dong

"Hello, welcome to our shop!" A man said to a young woman.

"Oh hello, such a nice shop you have!" The woman said and looked around. Then suddenly a voice was heard "Daddyyyy!!!" A young girl screamed and came running to the man, who immediately lifted her up." What happened princess?" He asked her. "Mommy is mad..." She whispered." Oh.... My dear Ember you are on your own on this one…" The man said and put Ember down. "Daddyy?!"Ember yelled, and her mother appeared from the back of the shop. Ember and the man gulped and looked at her."Mommy" "Honey" They said. "Ember come here"She said, and Ember couldn't help but go. Her mom looked mad but she suddenly started tickling Ember."You little trouble maker come here" They started laughing and the shop was filled with warmth and laughter.

Later that night

"Babyyy?" The man said a bit loudly from the bedroom."What's wrong Theo?"The woman said from the bathroom,since she was getting ready for bed."Hurry up.."Theo whined like a child and she giggled. Theo immediately got up and went to the bathroom. He back hugged her and rested his head on her shoulder."Come on Maya...Lets go to sleep,we also have to go tuck in Ember."He said and kissed her neck."Ok ok how impatient".

After a while they got ready and went to Ember's room. When they got in they met Ember's tired eyes."What took you so long mommy?" Ember asked and finally laid down. Theo and Maya sat besides her, tucked her in and gave her a kiss on the forehead."Good night love" "Good night princess!" They said and left the room.

After a month.

"Bye bye,come by again!" Theo said to a customer.

"How are you holding up honey?"Maya asked and Theo gave her a reassuring smile."I am perfectly fine,how about you?" He asked and Maya replayed the same thing. They never got tired of their jobs no matter how difficult it would get. Now that Christmas was around the corner things were getting a bit out of hand but they always managed.

"Look daddy, i made a new Christmas decoration!!!"Ember yelled as she was running to them.

"Oh my god, that's so good!" Maya told her and patted her daughter's head. Ember had a talent, making Christmas ornaments. Even though she was really young she made excellent and unique decorations that Theo and Maya sell.

After a while of praising their daughter a family came in the shop. "Oh hello,welcome to our shop!"Theo said and got back at his position.

"Hello!I would like to see some Christmas toys."A woman said and Theo said with a big smile."Sure,follow me". A man,probably the father of the child that came in with them,stayed behind and admired the decorations."Those are amazing!"He said and Maya laughed."Would you like to see them from a closer look?"She asked politely and the man agreed immediately. Ember was holding what she made and then she noticed a little boy.

"Oh hellooo!" She said and approached the boy.

"I am Ember,nice to meet you! What's your name?"

"Oh...Hello, my name is Ash"

The parents couldn't help but giggle at the sweet interaction of their kids

"So do you live here or did you came for Christmas vacations?"Theo asked them.

"Oh...We just moved in and we decided to take a look around. Your shop really caught our eyes,its amazing!" The man said. "Well nice to meet you! I am Maya and he is my husband, Theo. This cutie here is Ember" Maya introduced her family.

"Well nice to meet you too! I am Joy and here is Josh. And of course my little prince Ash!"Joy said with a warm smile.

"Well whatever you need, we are here!" Theo said and they continued talking for a bit. After a while they exchanged numbers and they left." See you again soon!" Maya and Theo yelled. "Bye bye"

"How lucky we are to meet such kind-hearted people "Joy said and Josh couldn't help but agree."Heh, our dear Ash might make his first friend. She looks kind and really sweet. Can't wait to get to know them more!" They said and walked back home.

Those days were busy for Theo and Maya, after all Christmas were just a few days away. The only sound in the shop was the little bell on the door,it never stopped ringing. After countless hours they closed for the day."Ugh....I wonder how busy we will be on Christmas Eve.."Maya said as she rubbed her forehead."We will manage,like we always do"Theo said and hugged her.

Ember couldn't help but be sad for her parents, they were getting more and more tired as the days passed. Theo noticed Ember in the corner sulking and smiled. He went near her and picked her up."Why is my angel sad?"He asked and Maya also join them."Well... I feel like I am burden...Is there something i can do to help mommy?"Ember asked on the verge of crying."Oh my goodness!Ember you shouldn't be thinking like that."Theo said and Maya immediately hugged her daughter."Honey, you know how much we love you"She said and teared up a little. "So is there anything i can do?"Ember asked with hope."Hmmm..." Theo and Maya looked at each others eyes and smiled.

The next morning came and and the shop was full.

"Mommy! Daddy! Look i made another one!!!"Ember yelled, refering to a new Christmas ornament."Haha...i knew this job would fit her"Theo said."I guess great minds do think alike"Maya said and smirked looking at Theo."You are lucky we are in the shop darling..."He said and went to help the customers."Heh....This man will never change"

And just like this Ember felt happy, being able to do something for her parents. Time passed and the shop began to quiet. "Ahem...Hellooo?"Joy said. "Oh...One second please!" Maya said from the the storage."Oh of course" Joy yelled and started to look around ."It's so beautiful.."She admired the shop. "Hello,welcome back!" Maya said. "Hi, i came to greet you since i was in the neighbourhood.."Joy said and Maya immediately understood something was off."Is something wrong?"Maya asked worry in her eyes."Well....You know Christmas is literally tomorrow...and..."Joy was embarrassed to say what was in her mind but Maya caught to it."Hmm... Tomorrow we are free and ahem...if you would like we could spent Christmas together!"Maya said and smiled. Joy almost teared up as she hugged Maya.Well, they didn't had anyone here and they were sad to spent Christmas just the three of them. Joy and Josh wanted Ash to have someone around him in his age...

"Heh...no need to worry. Like we said we got you guys. And Ember will be very happy to have a friend,trust me!" Maya said and patted her back.

"What about Theo?" Joy asked and Maya couldn't stop laughing."Oh please, he is a kid in disguise, he loves getting to know new people."

"Ok! Thank you" Joy said.

"Heh... See you tomorrow!" Maya said .

Tomorrow would be AMAZING.

It was finally Christmas! Theo and Maya burst in Ember's room and hugged her."Hmmm.... HMM It's CHRISTMAS!"Ember yelled as she hugged her parents."Yes indeed! Good morning my angel!"Theo said and Maya kissed her on the cheek. "Ok let's quickly get ready, we are meeting with Joy and her family" Maya said and walked out of the room. Theo got up and followed Maya and Ember quickly started searching what to wear.

She found a cute red with green dress and wore it."Okei i am ready!"Ember wispered and sat down to her bed again waiting for her parents. Maya went to the kitchen to check on the food they were making,since there was no way they would go empty-handed. Theo got ready and went to the kitchen."Come on baby,we are going to be late. Leave this to me"He said and looked at the food."Thanks,you are a savior!"Maya said and walked upstairs."Mhmm i know." Theo said and smiled. They finally got ready and started driving to their house.

On the other side, Joy was nervous in case she didn't prepare everything on time."Honey,calm down. Today isn't a day to be nervous, you should be happy. Here let me help!"Josh said and he quickly set the table, and he brought the gifts they bought for Maya,Theo and Ember. Ash was already ready and patiently waited. They were done just in time when they heard the bell ring."OH I WILL GET IT!" Ash yelled and after checking who it was he opened the door."Welcome! Merry Christmas!" Ash said with a warm smile . Everyone wished Merry Christmas and got in. They exchanged gifts,laughed and had a pretty good time. After eating the adults were cleaning up the table so Ash and Ember were alone. "Kids,you can go up to Ash's room. We will call you later,when we finish up here."Joy said. Ash grabbed Ember hand and lead her to his room. Ember quickly sat on the bed and Ash laughed."I really like the gift you got me!"Ash said and smiled "Likewise!"Ember said and grinned. They talked for a while and noticed they had quite a lot of commons. "We are friends now! Promise!"Ember said."Heh..Ok promise"He said as they pinky promised. Soon after Maya and Theo called Ember. Ash and Ember hugged goodbye and left.

Until the holidays end, the two families met up almost everyone. It would be either Joy going to the shop or Josh or they would meet for a coffee.

The kids played most days together and talked for hours about random things.

Just like that the holidays passed and the school started for Ember and Ash. Maya and Theo put away the Christmas decorations from the shop and brought out the usual decorations they had.

Since Ash moved there recently Joy and Josh decided to enroll him in the same school as Ember. The two kids were absolutely excited that they were going to attend the same school.