Page 12 of Brewing Up Christmas

“It’s beautiful,” someone whispered from the crowd.

The children squealed with excitement, running around the tree in circles, while the adults stood back,admiring the scene with wide smiles and quiet laughter. Eli stepped back, letting the moment wash over him, a deep sense of satisfaction settling in his chest.

And then, just as he was about to turn to Nolan, it happened.

The Christmas spirit meter appeared right beside Eli’s head, glowing brighter than it ever had before. The red liquid inside bubbled and churned, rising rapidly until, with a sudden burst of energy, it shot to the very top. The meter exploded with a flash of light, tiny sparks of Christmas magic swirling around Eli like confetti.

“Did you see that?” Eli gasped, his eyes wide with surprise.

Nolan, who was standing just a few feet away, blinked at him in confusion. “See what?”

“The meter!” Eli exclaimed, still trying to process what had just happened. “It maxed out—full Christmas spirit!”

Nolan shook his head, a slow smile spreading across his face. “I think you’ve officially had too much holiday spiced beer, my friend.”

Eli laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. He couldn’t explain it, but he knew—knew—that the town had reached its peak holiday cheer. The whole place was practically overflowing with Christmas spirit. He could feel it in the air, in the warmth of thepeople gathered around him, in the glow of the lights twinkling across the tree.

But even in the midst of all the joy, Eli couldn’t stop his thoughts from drifting back to Angelina. Where was she? What was she doing right now?

As the town celebrated around him, Eli couldn’t help but feel that the real magic wasn’t just in the tree or the lights or the cheers of the crowd. It was in the connections—the friendships, the community, the love that had filled the square tonight.

He glanced around the crowd one more time, hoping to catch a glimpse of Angelina’s dark hair, but she was nowhere to be seen. He sighed softly, shoving his hands into his pockets, letting the warmth of the moment wash over him.

The tree glowed brightly in the square, the town coming together beneath its light. And though he couldn’t put his finger on it, Eli knew there was still more to come—more magic, more connection, and maybe, just maybe, another chance to see Angelina.

Angelina’s Return

The tree lighting had gone off without a hitch, and the square was still buzzing with energy—kids running around with sticky fingers from cookies, adults chatting and laughing with mugs of cider in hand. Eli stood near the base of the tree, watching it all unfold, the glow of the lights casting a soft warmth over the town. He should have been riding the high of success, but a part of him felt... unsettled.

And then, there it was. A soft tap on his shoulder. Eli turned around, and his breath caught in his chest.

Angelina.

She stood there, looking like she’d just walked straight out of a snow-covered dream. Her eyes sparkled in the glow of the tree lights, her lips curled into a playful smile as she met his gaze.

“Well,” she said, her voice smooth as ever, “looks like you pulled it off.”

Eli blinked, momentarily thrown by how radiant she looked. “Angelina,” he breathed, his pulse quickening. “You made it.”

She stepped closer, her smile growing as she glanced up at the tree, its lights twinkling against the night sky. “I had to see it for myself. You’ve done a great job.”

Eli smiled, his chest swelling with pride. “Thanks. It was a group effort.”

Angelina turned her gaze back to him, her eyes twinkling with something mischievous. “It’s more than that,” she said softly. “You’ve filled the meter. The town’s spirit is back, and you’ve earned your reward.” She tilted her head slightly, watching his reaction closely. “Your transformation—it’s over.”

Eli’s heart skipped a beat, and he opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out right away. He was thrilled, sure. But in that moment, standing there with Angelina in front of him, the news didn’t feel as satisfying as it should have.

“You don’t seem all that excited,” Angelina teased, raising an eyebrow.

“I mean, I am,” Eli said, rubbing the back of his neck, his voice trailing off. “It’s just... I’ve gotten used to all of this. The decorations, the people...” He paused, his gaze locking with hers. “You.”

Angelina’s smile softened, her playful demeanor faltering just slightly. “Oh?”

Eli exhaled slowly, his hands shoved deep into his pockets as he took a step closer. “It’s not just about the magic or turning back to normal. I’ve actually... started to care about the town. And you.”

For a moment, the sounds of the celebration faded into the background, leaving just the two of them standing in the soft glow of the Christmas tree lights. The air between them felt charged, but not in the way it had been before. This was different—quieter, but heavier, too.

Angelina’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile, though her eyes searched his face. “So, you’re telling me you’re not thrilled to be getting rid of those pointy ears?”

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