The main core of Christmas is tied with Christianity. However, the more general meaning of Christmas, giving others gifts and spending time with family, has become cross-cultural over the years. That was why Christmas is celebrated in places where Christianity isn't the dominant religion. On Heiya Island, the main festivity was the Dongzhi Festival, which is the winter solstice festival for most of Eastern Asia. 'Dongzhi' literally means 'winter's arrival', marking the turning point of the shortest day where the day starts to get longer. Dongzhi is about honoring the ancestors as well as eating with living relatives, not unlike other winter solstice celebrations in other parts of the world. Though while the Dongzhi Festival was taking place, other people on Heiya Island were preparing for Christmas.
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"Do you think we should have gotten a bigger tree?" asked Tuxing. The tree in question was a small artificial pine tree. The ornaments on it were mainly red, gold, silver, blue, and green. It was standing in an unused corner of the house.
"It's fine," said Nate, "I know you girls aren't Christian, so there's no need to shove some big Christian symbolism in your faces."
"You aren't the only Christian who's going to be here," said Tuxing.
"Lenard will enjoy seeing you more than the decorations," said Nate, "And I'm betting Mikey will care more about the presents under the tree than the tree itself."
"I hope they like Chinese food," said Tuxing, "We probably won't be able to get them a traditional Christmas dinner here."
"You should be more concerned for how much dinner needs to be prepared," said Nate, "We're going to have a pretty full house."
"True," said Tuxing, counting on her fingers, "Huoxing will be bringing Gang and Fang. Jinxing will finally be introducing us to her mystery boyfriend." Apparently, the snow leopard had managed to form a connection with one of the Interpol agents, (after hours, of course) and was ready for him to meet the rest of her family. "And of course, Muxing will be bringing Li-Wei. Do they have two stomachs or just one?"
"I think only one, but I'm not sure," said Nate, "Speaking of Muxing, you know got her gift?" They had done a Secret Santa this year with randomly drawn names and suggestions of what to get the recipient. It was a bit of of an open secret that Muxing will be getting some seductive lingerie, though no one was either confirming or denying it.
"How do I know you didn't get her gift?" asked Tuxing.
"Because I already have a wife," said Nate.
"That's very true," said Shuixing, coming up behind Nate and hugging him.
Nate enjoyed his wife's embrace before saying, "Shuixing, you did get enough food for the big dinner this weekend, right?"
"And plenty of snacks as well," said Shuixing, "After all, I'm eating for two now." She rubbed her still-flat belly. It would take another two months for it to become noticeable.
"And you're going to be producing more milk than we'll know what to do with," said Nate.
"So make ice cream," said Shuixing.
Tuxing watched the two water buffaloes with sisterly pride and a little envy. Would she and Lenard be like that someday? Yes, they were different types of tigers, but they were still compatible. How much longer before Huoxing and Jinxing convert their boyfriends? Will Muxing end up mating with Li-Wei long before Tuxing and Lenard reach the next step of their relationship?
Tuxing forced herself to calm down. The future doesn't have to all happen at once. Liao wasn't in a rush to find a boyfriend, let along a bond-mate. And it wasn't like they were all pressed for time. Tuxing wasn't going to rush Lenard, especially since Lenard was still taking care of Mikey. The two of them were staying for Christmas break and Tuxing wasn't quite sure if that meant the remainder of the year. It was still plenty of time to spend with each other.