Page 54 of Prize for the Alien Grumpus

Sam beams up at him, her blue eyes sparkling in the passing Christmas lights. "Everybody thinks Christmas is about getting presents and lights and stuff." She settles back against the leather seat. "But it's really about being nice to people, especially your family. Sometimes you even have to be stupid snowflake number four so your mom can take pictures."

My throat tightens at her words. Last week's school pageant flashes through my mind - Sam in her cardboard snowflake costume, waving from the back row with such joy despite not getting a speaking part.

Gregor shakes his head slowly, the weapon in his lap forgotten.

"A mere child understands Ataxia's message of love more than I ever will," he whispers.

The familiar streets of our neighborhood blur past the window as my boss - my alien boss - looks at my daughter like she's just explained the mysteries of the universe. And maybe she has, in her own eight-year-old way.

Gregor barks something harsh and guttural to the driver. The alien language makes the hair on my neck stand up. I pull Sam closer, breathing in the familiar scent of her strawberryshampoo. Please let us get out of this alive. Please let Krampus find us.

The limo glides through the dark streets. Sam's tiny hand finds mine, squeezing tight. Each turn feels like we're getting further from home, until the car slows to a stop.

"Get out." Gregor's voice holds none of the warmth from moments ago.

My hands shake as I reach for the door handle. The cold night air hits my face, and I blink in confusion. We're back in my driveway. The Christmas lights still twinkle, the craters in my yard still smoking from the earlier battle.

"Tell Krampus he is a criminal and I cannot let him go free." Gregor's scales ripple beneath his human disguise. "But you and your offspring have nothing to fear from me, Melanie."

His gaze shifts to Sam, and something almost gentle crosses his alien features. "And you, little one. Thank you."

The limo purrs away into the darkness, leaving me staring after it with my mouth hanging open.

My fingers shake as I dial my parents' number. The phone rings three times before Mom answers.

"I need you to watch Sam tonight."

"Melinda, after what happened-"

"Mom, please. I know what you saw was... weird. But I need you to trust me right now."

"That monster-"

"Is the man I love." The words tumble out before I can stop them. My heart pounds against my ribs as the truth of it hits me. "And he's in trouble."

Silence stretches across the line. I press my forehead against the cool window glass, watching Christmas lights twinkle across the neighborhood.

"Please, Mom. I've never asked you for anything like this before."

"We'll be there in ten minutes."

I rush upstairs to Sam's room, where she's already pulling on her winter boots.

"You're going to save Krampus, aren't you?"

"Yeah, baby. I am."

She throws her arms around my waist. "Good. He needs somebody to love him."

My parents arrive in record time. Dad doesn't meet my eyes, but Mom pulls me into a fierce hug.

"Be careful," she whispers. "Whatever that creature is-"

"His name is Krampus. And he's not a creature, he's..." I swallow hard. "He's everything I never knew I needed."

The truth of those words settles into my bones. All those years of failed relationships, of trying to find the perfect man. And here he was, blue fur and all, breaking out of a cryo pod in my office basement.

I grab my coat and keys. The Christmas lights blur as tears fill my eyes.

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