23. Epilogue A Joyful Future

Epilogue: A Joyful Future

F ive Years Later in the Jingle All the Way Shop

Joy

Five years have passed since that fateful Christmas when Grum and I first met, clashed, and then fell in love. I stand in the doorway of Jingle All the Way, watching the bustling streets of the Integration Zone across Maple Street. The transformation is breathtaking.

Our little shop has expanded, now occupying two storefronts. The upstairs has been converted into a year-round community counseling center, where Vakra and Tyler, now in college studying social work, run programs for at-risk youth. They’re engaged, their love story a testament to the bridges we’ve built between humans and Others.

The barbed wire fence that surrounded the Zone is finally gone. In its place are colorful murals depicting the history and culture of both humans and Others. It’s become a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from all over the city who come to mingle, learn, and appreciate our unique community.

The Others continue to fight for equal rights, but in the meantime, they keep their joy and maintain their traditions. The annual Winter Holiday festival has become a major event, drawing visitors from all over the city and beyond. I changed the name after that first year, happy to be even more inclusive to all members of the community on both sides of Maple Street.

As for Sykes and his criminal enterprise, justice was served, but not without a fight. The trial lasted months. He was rich enough to hire lawyers who dragged things out as long as they could. In the end, the evidence we collected, along with testimony from some of his former associates who turned state’s witness, proved overwhelming.

Now, Sykes is serving a lengthy prison sentence alongside several of his former parolees who have ended up back behind bars. From what I hear, he’s not living an easy life.

The funds he embezzled have been redirected back into the community where they’re sorely needed. We’ve seen new schools built, single-family homes popping up where tall tenements once stood, and job training programs established. The quality of life in the Zone has improved dramatically.

Mr. Frost, to everyone’s surprise and relief, was cleared of any wrongdoing. It turned out he had been investigating Sykes independently, suspecting corruption but lacking hard evidence. Our actions inadvertently provided him with the proof he needed. Since then, he’s become one of our strongest allies, using his influence to promote integration and equality. His annual Frost King Ball is now solely dedicated to fundraising for the Integration Zone.

Chief Brokka steps out of the fire station across the street, catching my eye. He gives me a nod and a smile. He and Grum have mended fences, probably due to Grum’s change of heart. Now, Brokka, his wife Marissa, son, Na’tunn, and daughter, Thalia, are regulars at our family barbecues.

A commotion draws my attention. I turn to see Bold, still head of Zone security, helping a group of children decorate the enormous Christmas tree in the square. His usual stern expression is nowhere to be seen, replaced by a soft smile as he lifts a little naga girl to place a snowflake near the top.

We don’t use stars anymore, since orc tradition is four-pointed, Christian tradition is five-pointed, and Jewish tradition is six-pointed. We decided snowflakes are all-inclusive, just the way our celebrations are.

“Mama! Papa! Look what I made!”

I turn to see our three-year-old daughter, Holly, toddling toward us, a slightly lopsided paper snowflake clutched in her tiny green hands. Her amber eyes, so like her father’s, sparkle with pride.

Grum scoops her up, his face softening in that special way reserved only for his little girl. “It’s beautiful, sprout. Just like you.”

I lean into Grum’s side, our little family a perfect unit. “It’s amazing, sweetie. Want to hang it in the window?”

As Holly nods enthusiastically, the bell over the shop door jingles. Kam and Emma walk in, their daughter Sari racing ahead to tackle Grum’s legs.

“Uncle Grum! Aunt Joy!” she trills.

Emma laughs, one hand resting on her very pregnant belly. “Sorry, guys. She’s been excited about helping decorate all day.”

I wave off her apology. “The more, the merrier! Isn’t that what the holidays are all about?”

This is a good time of year to reflect. My journey with Grum hasn’t always been easy. We’re two different species and come from such different backgrounds, of course we’ve had our share of arguments and misunderstandings. Particularly in the early days when we were still learning to communicate and compromise. But each challenge has only made our bond stronger, our love deeper.

As our friends gather, filling the shop with laughter and chatter, I’m struck by how far we’ve come. From a divided community to a thriving example of integration and acceptance. From strangers brought together by circumstance to a family bound by love and shared experiences.

Grum catches my eye across the room, and I see his gaze change from the happy family male to the mate who wants this impromptu party to end so we can put Holly to sleep and start our own intimate lovefest in bed.

“Look at the time. Have we had enough merriment for one day?” I glance at my phone with a meaningful look, not embarrassed in the least if my friends know exactly what I’d like to be doing with my husband the moment our daughter conks out for the night.

“Speaking of merry,” Kam says with a mischievous glint in his eye, “remember when our resident Grinch here used to growl at anyone who even hummed a Christmas carol?”

Brokka laughs. “Oh yes! And the time he tried to ‘accidentally’ break the music speaker at the station two days before Christmas?”

“Hey now,” Grum protests good-naturedly, “I was just testing its durability.”

“Right,” Thornn chimes in, “just like you were ‘testing the structural integrity’ of all those wreaths I hung up.”

“Face it, big guy,” Emma teases, “you’ve gone soft. Next thing you know, you’ll be leading the caroling group.”

“I draw the line at singing,” Grum huffs, but I catch the smile he’s trying to hide.

“Don’t worry,” Kam quips, “we won’t tell anyone your secret—that underneath all that green grumpiness beats the heart of a true Christmas elf.”

The room erupts in laughter, and even Grum joins in. These moments, filled with friendship and joy, are what make life special.

I know that this—this moment, this life, this love—is the greatest gift of all. And it all started with one grumpy orc, one Christmas-obsessed human, and a whole lot of holiday magic.

I guess my Grinch didn’t steal Christmas, he saved it.

Here’s to many more Merry Christmases and happy holidays to come.