Of Mistletoes & Stranger Woes: A McCallum Xmas Tale (Patreon)

Snowflakes cascaded and drifted down to the ground. A blanket of pristine white beauty covered the ground, and it was a lovely contrast to the decorations strung up around the neighborhood. The holiday season was here again, and the McCallum family was doing their best to enjoy it. Their lives had changed with the virus, but they'd banded together to adapt and grow. Differences and difficulties provided new opportunities for each of them to evolve and change. They all agreed that making the most of this special time of year was imperative. So, Pam had talked it over with Chad, and they decided to try to have their friends over for a little party.

It was December twenty-third, and Pam had been busy trying with the hustle and bustle of preparing. Their tree was up and trimmed, lights of blue, green and red blinked merrily around the branches, and various gifts rested beneath. Eggnog, cider, cocoa, and some spirits were prepared and sitting on the table, and a wide selection of foods had been set out for their guests. Cookies and other sweets were placed off to the side, and all that was missing was their guests. Pam had invited several people from work, Victoria had asked to invite Stewart, and Chad had wanted to invite some of his more loyal customers and friends. They'd be arriving shortly, and the festivities would begin soon.

Within no time, their guests began funneling through the door and out of the cold. Everyone wore Christmas sweaters, warm clothes, heavy coats, hats, and scarves as coworkers and friends entered their home. The sound of chatter and fellowship soon filled the house as everyone stopped to talk, share stories, and laugh.

Chad sat on the table, waiting to greet and entertain his fellow tinies as they were deposited in their designated area. The evening was off to a great start, and Chad felt right at home amid his favorite season. Friends, family, and festivities were near the top of his list of favorite things. The area for Chad and the other tinies was decorated as a miniature Christmas village, complete with intricate furniture, houses, and fake snow.

David and his Mrs.’s were the first to arrive, and Chad was shocked to see his friend again. He hadn't seen him since the morning before he fell ill, and Chad had no clue that his friend had caught the virus. David was handling the changes well, but not without his fair share of trials. He and Heather were still together, but their lives, much like Chad and Pam's, had forever changed by David's shrinking. Heather tended to misplace and overlook David, much like Pam with Chad, and as a result, David had found himself in some rather uncomfortable and humiliating situations. However, they'd managed to stay together and overcome and grow closer.

It was Heather's sister that was the real issue. Elizabeth was never David's biggest fan, but things took a rather drastic turn once he shrunk. Anytime she'd come over, she would always find a way to put David in danger. David had endured being sat on, shoved into shoes, and outright abused by Elizabeth. Thankfully, Heather believed David when he finally told her about what Elizabeth had been putting him through. It had led to a rather ugly falling out between the two sisters, but Heather had chosen David first. David's story had been quite the downer, but it did have one silver lining. He and Heather were recently engaged. It was a massive step for the two of them, but one that was wonderful to hear. David had chosen a date in the spring, and despite his and Elizabeth's differences, he wanted her to be part of his and Heather's union. It was a gesture that meant the world to Heather, and the two had been trying to figure out a way to bridge the rift between them all.

Sophie, one of Pam's closest and oldest friends, came in carrying her current boyfriend. The guy was the same age as Chad and was surprisingly open and relaxed about his relationship with Sophie. They'd met after a breakup, and Sophie had found him on a park bench where he'd been living for nearly two days. Derrick was his name, and he was absolutely mad about Sophie. It was refreshing to see, and it made Chad feel good that Sophie had managed to find someone special. Derrick was relatively quiet but made up for his silence with a friendly disposition.

The house filled up quickly, and the party was in full swing within the hour. Chad and Pam had planned a few games for everyone to enjoy, and they'd sprung for some prizes for the winners. It wasn't much, but it added another layer of fun to their get-together. Chad and the other men partnered with some of the women to be able to partake in the games. The first one was a holiday word search. Various carols, Christmas movies, and other Christmas themes were used as the objectives. Heather and David finished first, and the two won themselves a gift card for one of the local restaurants. Things seemed to be going swimmingly for a change, and Chad let himself relax and enjoy the merriment.

It was a half hour later when things took an unexpected turn for Chad. Pam was busy entertaining their guests and friends from work, and most of the guys were swapping good and bad stories. David had asked Derrick about his relationship with Sophie, and Derrick shared vague details about their more intimate moments. Chad sat off to the side and listened, hoping to glean some insight into restoring his and Pam's sex life. Derrick was going over ways to please his significant other without endangering one's life when someone suddenly grabbed Chad off the table. It was surprising and disorienting, and Chad felt a wave of anxiety rush over him. Sure, it could have been Pam, but she knew how much the unknown rattled him. Who was this, and what did they want from him?

While Chad was spirited away by a stranger, Pam was in the kitchen talking with Jody. It was just the two of them at the moment. The bulk of the party was congregated in the dining and living room. Jody had found what was perhaps the ugliest Christmas sweater to wear for the occasion. Another of Chad and Pam's games was a contest to see who had the ugliest sweater. Jody's was bright red with white zigzag stripes, a picture of Rudolph on the front, and a series of lights that worked when she flipped a switch in her pocket. Rudolph's nose was a big bright red bulb on the front, and his antlers were attached separately to the sweater. Jody had thrown on a pair of dark jeans and boots to stave off the cold, but she also had a couple of antlers atop her head. Pam thought the ensemble was altogether thoughtful, festive, and adorable.

"You really shouldn't have gotten me anything, Jo," Pam said as she put the bottle of merlot down on the counter, "I didn't get anyone anything this year except Chad and the kids."

Jody shook her head and smiled, "Pammy, you threw this whole party and welcomed us all into your home. This is more than enough; you're always there for me if I need you. For the last time, stop apologizing for not getting me anything."

Pam sighed as she leaned back against the counter. Jody looked her up and down as subtly as she could. Pam's outfit was festive and beautiful. A blue and red sweater vest over a red and green striped long-sleeved shirt. The word Noel was sewn onto the sweater, and a pair of golden bells were beside the embroidery. A long red skirt and a couple of black knee-high boots adorned her lower half, complete with two freshly polished buckles on the feet. It was simple yet fitting for Pam. Moments like these were almost bittersweet for Jody. Between Pam's looks and her big heart, it was a constant reminder of why she pined for her friend. However, she didn't want to come between her and Chad. They had something special, and while Jody still felt Chad didn't deserve her, he'd been good to her and good for her.

"I know, but I usually try to get you and the girls something," Pam sighed, "It's just been such a chaotic and crazy year. Honestly, I can't believe it's already almost over."

"You've had a lot on your plate, hon," Jody said, "Between Chad and Bram shrinking, spearheading the new programs at work, Anna's school, and your usual stuff, I'm just surprised you've managed to hold it together as well as you have. You're a real inspiration, Pammy, and I'm not just saying that. I'd have lost my shit months ago, but here you are, still going strong in the face of everything."

Pam smiled as she turned to pour herself a glass of hot cider from her crockpot. "I think you're exaggerating a bit there, Jo," Pam said as she held the warm cup in her hands, "I came pretty close to falling apart there for a while. In truth, if it weren't for my family, the girls from the group, and you all, I don't know where I'd be. I was on the verge of a breakdown not too long ago."

"Those girls seem really nice," Jody said, referring to the women from Pam's group that had come tonight, "I'm glad you've got others looking out for you, Pammy. You know I'll always be here for you if you need anything, though."

Pam smiled and took a sip of her cider before walking over and hugging Jody. "I know, and that means the world to me, Jo," Pam said.

Jody was caught off guard by Pam's hug, and the two women stumbled back two steps. She wrapped her arms around Pam and held her tight. What she wouldn't give to be able to stay like this, but she knew it would have to end soon. Glancing up, Jody spotted an age-old Christmas tradition hanging above their heads. She couldn't help herself as she brought it up, "I'm happy to do it, Pammy, but do you see what I see?"

Pam looked up and followed Jody's gaze. Her cheeks flushed as she spotted the mistletoe hanging just above the two of them. "Jody," Pam chuckled nervously as her eyes locked with her friend's.

A wave of nerves crashed over Jody as she felt suddenly guilty for even bringing up the small decoration. "It's a silly old tradition," she said nervously, "We don't-mmph!"

Pam closed the gap without warning or another word, and Jody was taken by surprise. The kiss was small, but Jody couldn't help deepening it. To her shock, Pam reciprocated the gesture as Jody slid her tongue between Pam's lips. This was the first kiss Pam had experienced before Chad shrunk. It was more than a little confusing for Pam, but the warmth and affection felt incredible. It was something that had been lacking in Pam's life for a while now, and while she didn't fully understand it, it felt almost right. Yet, at the same time, it felt wrong. It wasn't that she was kissing another woman, but it felt like cheating on Chad. Pam broke the kiss after a couple of minutes, and Jody's eyes fluttered as they separated and stood in awkward silence.

Jody swallowed nervously as she looked at Pam and saw the almost mortified look on her face. "Pammy, I'm sorry," she blurted out without thinking.

"No," Pam said, shaking her head and forcing herself to look her friend in the eyes, "Jody, I don't want you to apologize or to feel bad. I initiated that kiss, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it. Please, please, don't make this into something awkward."

Jody felt conflicting emotions as she stared at her friend and crush. She wanted to tell her everything, but she also wanted to run from her and hide. She'd wanted this for so long, but she'd been terrified of rejection for just as long. Now that they were here, she felt more afraid than ever. "Pam, I-" Jody started, lost for words, "I should go. Merry Christmas, Pammy."

Pam's hand shot out and grabbed Jody's as her friend turned to try to hurry out. "Jo, wait," Pam said, pleading, "Please don't go. It's Christmas, and I don't want this to push one of my best friends away."

Jody faltered for a moment before sighing, "Pammy, I don't want to make things awkward or ruin the evening. It's probably for the best that I split, hon."

"Jody, listen to me," Pam said sternly, "It's Christmas, and I'm not going to let you spend it alone. I'm not sure how to describe what just happened, but I'm not going to let it spoil anything. I'm not upset at you, so why are you acting like I am? Please stay."

"Pam, I-," Jody started before sighing, "I can't say no to you. Please, believe me when I say I'm not trying to come between you and Chad."

Pam shook her head, "I know that you goof. This is something we can talk about later, though. Let's enjoy the evening while we've got it. Do you think we can do that?"

It almost hurt more than being rejected to pretend that nothing had happened. Still, it wasn't as though Pam was turning her down. Maybe there was still a chance; if nothing else, Jody now had a memory she'd cherish. In a way, their kiss was its own little gift from Pam. "For you, I can do that," Jody finally said, relaxing as she made her peace with her choices, "Come on, let's go check on everyone else."

While Pam and Jody wrestled with new feelings and awkward moments and found some resolution, Chad was enduring his own unique and uncomfortable experience. His unknown captor opened her hand as she closed the door to one of the kid's rooms and locked it. Chad had never seen this woman before, but she was dressed in the spirit of the season. Red and white striped leggings, a Christmas top that resembled an elf, and a small green pointed hat atop her raven-colored hair. Chad stared up at her in confusion and mild fear. There was a look in her eyes he'd seen before, and it didn't bode well for him. He remembered the same look in Pam's eyes the night she'd used him as a personal pleasure toy.

"Okay, Andie, I know we said we'd wait, but I just can't take it any longer," the woman said, her voice dripping with lust and desire, "Show me how much you want me, Andie!"

Whoever this was clearly had mistaken Chad for someone else. He tried to think if he'd met anyone named Andie or even Andrew, but his train of thought was broken as the stranger threw herself onto the bed with Chad rolling around in her hand. Chad's world was thrown into further chaos as the woman practically ripped her bottoms off. Chad was roughly jostled around her hand and rolled by her fingers as she lay on her back. She bent her knees as she brought the hand holding Chad to face her womanhood. It was a harrowing and awe-inspiring sight and one that Chad was still terrified of. The scent of this woman's arousal was palpable. Her lips were practically dripping with anticipation, and Chad froze in the face of his flashbacks.

He waited to be thrust into her folds, but she held him close. He could feel the heat radiating from her womanhood, and Chad desperately wanted to find a way out. Her hand acted as a barrier to keep him from escaping, though. He was trapped staring into the maw of this giantess. "Come on, Andie, don't keep me waiting!" the woman said, urging him forward ever so slightly, "We don't have long before someone notices we're gone."

What exactly did she expect him to do? Chad's mind raced as he tried to figure out a way to appease the titan before him. He didn't want to do this, not just because of his previous horrific experience. It felt wrong and like he was cheating on Pam. However, he knew that if he didn't act quickly, this woman was liable to take matters into her own hands. Without another option, Chad tried to remember what Derrick had suggested. His whole body trembled with uneasy anticipation as he stepped closer to her hungry pussy. He told himself this was to spare himself further pain, but it did nothing to erase his guilt as he went to work.

Starting slowly, Chad pressed both hands against her lips. They sunk in as though they were being absorbed, and he did his best to remain calm in the face of true terror. Chad hesitated a moment too long, though, and his unknowing tormentor grew impatient. Overcome by want, she took hold of Chad and pushed him into herself. Chad was submerged in the confines of her womanhood, but she kept a firm grip on his little body. She pumped him in and out, and Chad seized every opportunity to breathe the little air he could. She worked fast and furiously, swirling him around closer to her clit as her want burned brighter into an insatiable need. Chad was dragged upward, back down, and along every inch of her pussy. It was demeaning and humiliating, but there was nothing he could do to stop her.

The entire experience was a reminder of just how powerless he was in the face of a giantess. It was like a Christmas nightmare; all he could do was ride out the embarrassment and humiliation. Thankfully, this woman kept true to her word about the time. His time inside of her was brief, but it felt like an eternity to Chad. The choking sensation and the lack of oxygen were both hauntingly familiar to him. The scent of this stranger surrounded him and clung to his nostrils. He felt dirty even before she climaxed in a tsunami of juices threatening to wash him away. Harrowing and exhausting, Chad was just glad the nightmare was over. His tormentor panted as her body went slack, and Chad was held tightly in her hands.

However, there was one silver lining despite the feelings of adultery washed over him. He'd managed to survive and thought of Pam the entire way through. Maybe in time, he could figure out a way to close the intimacy gap that the two had been suffering from. He laid in the palm of this woman's hand as she recollected herself. Part of him wanted to carry this experience to his grave, but then he remembered his vows to Pam. No, he'd have to tell her about this. It wasn't just his vows, either. The last time Chad kept something from Pam, they'd begun to grow apart. He dreaded the conversation, but he knew it had to be done.

"Whew, that was amazing, Andie," the woman sighed as she sat up, "We should probably get back, though. Come on, let's get you cleaned up before we head back."

Chad didn't say a word in response as the woman set him down on the bed and redressed herself. It wasn't like there was anything he could say or even anywhere he could go. Whoever this raven-haired woman was, she pulled her bottoms back on quickly, and she and Chad were off and out of the room in no time. The sounds of the party continued to fill the air as she slipped into the bathroom with Chad. She turned the faucet on and gently cleaned him up. She was amazingly gentle for someone who had, only moments ago, used him so roughly. It was still demeaning, but Chad was thankful to be free from the layer of film that was developing on his body. Without another word, the stranger planted a light peck on his body and hurried back to place him where she'd stolen him from, to begin with.

Chad rejoined the rest of his fellow tinies and tried to act as though nothing had happened. Of course, there was the third degree from David and the others about where he'd been, what happened, and who that woman was. Chad did his best to play it off as casually as possible. A young man with thinning hair pulled him aside later, though. "I think my girlfriend might have mistaken me for you, man," he said quietly, not wanting to call unnecessary attention to their already awkward situation, "I'm really sorry, dude. Kaitlyn met your wife through their support group, and she's been kinda struggling with sex addiction."

"You're joking," Chad balked without thinking, "I mean, oh boy, that came out wrong."

The man, Andie, Chad guessed, just laughed, "No, that's actually a pretty common reaction. I promised her we'd spend some quality time together after the party, but she's got a thing about possibly being caught. I was worried she might try something, but I never guessed she'd grab the wrong guy. I hope you're alright, brother."

As long as Chad had been alive, he'd never simultaneously heard something so open and casual. It was somehow refreshing and off-putting at the same time. Chad shook his head and decided to try to remain amicable with the young man, "I'm fine. I've been through worse. I'm just a little nervous about telling my wife what happened."

"Shit," Andie sighed, scratching the back of his neck, "I can try to help explain everything to her if you want. Kaitlyn has been going to those meetings for a little over a month now, and part of the reason she started was her sex addiction. You're married to Pam, right?"

"That's right," Chad nodded, "I don't want to put you in a tough spot, though."

"My girlfriend just used you, and you're worried about putting me in an awkward situation," Andie said, unable to stop himself from chuckling, "You're either the nicest guy on the planet, or you've got a strange sense of humor."

Chad smiled and shook his head, "This wasn't your fault. It was a simple mix-up, and it's not your place to make excuses for someone else. I need to be the one to tell her, not you. You'll have enough of an embarrassing talk when you tell Kaitlyn that she grabbed the wrong guy. Don't worry; this will stay between the four of us. Just maybe try to let her know to double-check before she gets started. I never even had the chance to object or correct her."

"Yeah, that sounds like Kait," Andie sighed, "Alright, man, I'll respect your wishes. I know that things took a pretty unexpected turn, but thanks for inviting us into your home. The holidays have always been a tough time for me, and before I met Kait, I was sure things were gonna be worse this year. It makes a guy feel good knowing there are still good people out in the world, even with everything going on. Knowing Kait, she's probably going to be overly apologetic and feel terrible about what happened. She's a sweet girl, really."

"Just tell her that mistakes happen and that I'm not mad about it," Chad said, trying to assure Andie.

"You're too kind," Andie said, "I'll let her know, but I'm sure she's gonna be pretty mortified. Merry Christmas, Chad."

"Merry Christmas to you too, Andie," Chad said with a smile.

The party went on for another hour before everyone started to funnel out slowly. Chad spent the remainder of his time catching up and sharing stories with friends, both new and old, and Pam entertained everyone else. Anna and Bram returned as the last guests took their leave; they'd spent the evening with Rose to give the adults some time to themselves. Victoria had gone to pick them up and walked in behind them as Pam was cleaning up. Outside of a couple of unusual moments, the evening had been a rousing success. Neither Chad nor Pam mentioned what had happened to them, but it weighed their minds. Unbeknownst to either of them, they'd each decided to address it before Christmas morning.

Another hour went by as Pam finished cleaning. Victoria and Anna helped her finish, and soon the McCallum family had retired to their respective rooms for the evening. Chad had been working up the courage to speak candidly with Pam when they walked into their room. Before he could speak up, Pam beat him to the punch, "Chad, I need to tell you something."

She cradled him in her hands as she sat on the bed, and he could already tell something was bothering her. Pam tended to wear her heart on her sleeve, but her eyes always gave away her feelings. There was a look of guilt and sadness in them that Chad hated to see. "I actually need to talk to you too, Pam," he said.

"Can I go first?" Pam asked, "I'm sorry, it's just that something happened tonight that I don't want to keep from you."

Chad felt a little concerned, but he could certainly understand her position. "Uhm, yeah, that's fine," he said, "Whatever it is, I'm sure it's fine, Pam."

Pam bit her lip and looked away before blurting out, "I kissed Jody tonight. We were in the kitchen, under some mistletoe, and she pointed it out. It was just supposed to be a quick kiss as a joke, but it turned into something else."

Chad wasn't expecting this, but he wasn't angry about it. He was confused, sure, but he wasn't upset by the news. "Did you like it?" he asked without thinking, his male brain immediately curious.

"I-," Pam started before faltering and looking away, "I don't know, maybe? Chad, please believe me when I tell you that I am not even considering anyone else but you. It was just…it had been so long since I'd had a moment like that with anyone, and I got caught up in it and those feelings."

"Pam, I'm not mad," Chad assured her, "Confused, yes, but I'm not angry at you for kissing Jody. As long as you're not going to leave me for another woman, I'm not going to hold that against you. Besides, I think what happened to me might trump that."

Pam looked down at him and smiled before asking, "What happened?"

"Okay, this isn't easy to say, but I'm just going to go for it," Chad sighed, passing the point of no return, "So, one of the girls from your group mistook me for her boyfriend. Pam, I want you to know I never got the chance to stop her, correct her, or anything before she…well, had her way with me. I didn't have a choice in the matter, and this woman thought I was someone else!"

Pam stared down at him for another minute, and for once, Chad couldn't read her face. Suddenly, she smiled and laughed lightly, "We are quite the pair, aren't we? I'm kissing other women, and you're getting intimate with another girl from my support group. It was Kaitlyn, wasn't it?"

Chad still couldn't tell if she was mad, but he nodded and replied, "Yeah, yeah, it was. You're not mad?"

Pam chuckled and shook her head, "I was worried that she might try something with her new boyfriend when I invited her, but I didn't think she'd do it, let alone grab you by mistake. I'm not thrilled that it happened, but I can already tell you feel bad about it. I'm just glad you're okay, honey. You're right, though. I think yours does indeed trump what happened between Jody and me."

"I love you," Chad sighed, "I don't know what I did to deserve someone as amazing as you."

"I could say the same thing," Pam countered.

"On the plus side of everything," Chad said, "I think I might have learned something from my little outing. I think…I think that maybe you and I should try to, you know, fool around again sometime soon."

"Chad, you don't have to do that," Pam shook her head, "I'm perfectly happy just being with you as we are."

"It's not about having to; I want to," Chad said, patting Pam's thumb, "I think we could handle it now, as long as you're sober. Plus, I think it could be really good for us to rebuild that level of intimacy that's been missing between us. I know we tried a while back, and I was too scared, but it's about trust. I trust you more than anyone else and want to make you happy."

"Chad, I-I don't know what to say," Pam said, tearing up a bit by his moving sentiment, "If you're sure about it, then I'll happily give it another shot. Not tonight, we've got a big day tomorrow, and I think we should try to figure out a system, so I know if something is too much."

"Agreed," Chad said, "We should probably get to bed. The kids may be older, but I'm sure they'll still be up early to open gifts."

"Too true," Pam said, scooting over to place him on her nightstand, "Anna is still like a little kid on Christmas morning. Odds are, she'll be in here when the sun's coming up."

They said their good nights to one another and crawled into their respective beds. With unburdened hearts and minds, the two drifted off to sleep. As Pam predicted, Anna was in their room by six in the morning to wake them up. Pam dragged herself out of bed, with Chad soon in hand, and the three of them met Bram and Victoria in the living room. Their gifts were piled around the tree, and Victoria handed out the presents. Chad and Pam sat on the couch, Victoria and Anna on the floor and Bram rested on Victoria's shoulder. Chad and Pam loved watching their kids' faces as they opened their gifts. It wasn't the things that made this season special; it was the time with friends and family. It was the look of joy on Anna, Bram, and Anna's faces that warmed both of their hearts.

With that, dear readers, we conclude another little holiday excursion. The McCallum family continues to grow closer, despite the difficulties of their ever-changing lives. Big or small, some things never change. The holidays were at the top of this list for Chad and his family.

We hope this little seasonal bonus reading finds you all well, and we want to take a moment to wish you all a very merry Christmas and an extremely happy new year!

From:  Khal & GhostWritersInTheSky