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One of the advantages of having such a large house is that it is very easy to accommodate large gatherings for celebrations. Celebrations such as a certain reindeer finally recovering from a taxing illness and returning home after months spent in the hospital.
The Holiday mansion was filled to the brim with friends and family. Most of the population of Hometown had turned out to celebrate as well as some family members Noelle rarely sees. Asriel and Dess both were able to return from college and attend, with Dess showing off the bright diamond ring that signified their engagement.
Noelle spent a good portion of the afternoon and early evening catching up with family and introducing Susie to the members of her family she hasn't met yet. As the party wore into the night, more and more people began to head home, having had their fill of festivities. The few people that remained were Susie and the Dreemurrs. The adults were more than a little drunk by this point and were clearly showing it. Everyone was comfortably settled in the living room, Asgore and Toriel on one end of the couch with Asriel and Dess on the other, Clarice and Rudy snuggled comfortably in the love seat and lastly Noelle in Susie’s lap in the armchair. Kris was splayed out on the floor and looking dubiously conscious.
“When was the last time we were all together like this?” Asgore asked.
“Most likely before the eldest children left for college,” Clarice replied.
“It’s certainly wonderful. I believe Noelle was still wearing her braces,” Toriel remarked.
Upon hearing this, Susie perked up and looked down at Noelle. Noelle, for the most part, was covering her face with her hands and glowing brightly.
“You had braces? Is that why you were barely smiling in any of those photos your mom showed me?” Susie asked. The only response she got was a muffled groan of embarrassment. Kris cackled from the floor.
“Reminds me of how Kris used to run around wearing that horned headband. Little fella really wanted to be just like their big brother,"Asgore remarked. Kris bolted upright and shot their father a look of utter betrayal which he laughed off.
"Oh please. Dess-" Clarice paused to catch the pillow said daughter threw at her in an attempt to interrupt her. The attempt was futile. "Slept with a nightlight until she was well into her teenage years. I find that more adorable."
Dess threw another pillow at her mother but in her embarrassed rage missed completely and smacked Asgore directly in the face. The large goat didn't even flinch and only laughed harder.
“Remember how Asriel used to play model for Dess and Noelle? He looked so cute in a dress,” Rudy commented. Asriel joined his fiance in throwing pillows at his future in-laws. There was little effect.
By this point, Susie was laughing uproariously. Not only were these stories themselves hilarious but the reaction from each individual certainly added to it. As a bonus this provided excellent ammo for future use. Deep down, however, Susie felt a strange sort of melancholy. While the parents were certainly enjoying the embarrassment they were causing in their children, underneath it all was unbreakable love. It’s quite different from how her parents treat her, insults and barbs meant to cut deep and harm, rather than these silly stories meant to embarrass from a place of love. It made Susie feel like an outsider, someone who didn’t fully belong. What she would give for a chance to truly belong to this family.
A few more embarrassing stories were passed around, some thankfully being aimed at the older half of the room. Eventually the topic circled around to the upcoming wedding.
“It truly is a wonderful thing to have our families officially joined. We’ve been family in all but name since before any of the children were born,” Toriel says, reminiscing about when she first met Asgore and Rudy.
“Indeed it is. Speaking of,” Clarice turns to Susie, who jumps. “When are you planning on proposing to Noelle? We all know it’s coming and I certainly can’t wait to call you my daughter.”
Noelle, who’s soul left her body around the time her father shared that she believed it was called the Specific Ocean for all of fifth grade, only reacted with an embarrassed groan. Susie, on the other hand, had managed to avoid any blows to her dignity all night and was severely caught off guard by this sucker punch. She stammered for several seconds, blushing a bright magenta.
“Why must you embarrass all of us? We’ve done nothing to deserve this,” Asriel spoke up, granting Susie a temporary reprieve.
“Oh that’s easy. Beyond the whole ‘taking care of and nurturing and raising’ bit, a parent’s most important duty is to embarrass their children,” Rudy answered. He was greeted by several sounds of agreement from both his wife and the Dreemurr parents. All four then turned to look directly at Susie, who would have fled the room if her girlfriend was not comfortably situated in her lap.
“I… Uh… Haven’t thought that far yet?” Susie answered.
“That’s quite alright, my child. We all know it’s going to happen eventually,” Toriel said. Once again sounds of agreement sounded throughout the room, this time coming from everyone but the couple in question. Susie buried her face into her girlfriend's hair, said deer staring directly up towards the ceiling as if asking the Angel what she ever did to deserve this. Kris began telling the story of Susie tripping down the stairs at the school’s entrance due to her being too distracted by a laughing Noelle and Susie began to regret the only throwable object within arms reach was her girlfriend. She settled for telling everyone about the time Kris fell out of a tree and got their belt stuck on a branch and couldn’t get down.
That little voice deep down seems to have been thoroughly smothered by a sense of belonging and embarrassment it seems. It was wonderful to finally have a family that loves her.
The Next Morning
Unsurprisingly, the four eldest members of the Holiday-Dreemurr family were severely hung over. They all were currently sitting around the kitchen table in the Holiday mansion, the Dreemurrs having spent the night in a guest room. The children, however, were to young for alcohol and were therefore not the slightest bit hungover. Sleepy yes but not currently regretting every life decision they’ve ever made.
“Can you all please quiet down? It hurts to think,” Rudy asked.
“Unfortunately we can’t, Dad,” Dess responded.
“After all,” Asriel chimed in. “A child’s duty is to cause headaches for their parents.”
A round of cheers went up from the others, prompting the parents to all groan and bury their faces.