All we need is a Christmas tree. Or, I want to believe that’s all we need. I know things are bad. My baby and I are all alone. Every day could be our last. If starvation and freezing temperatures don’t take us, the carnivorous aliens roaming our world are sure to eventually. But all I can do is get through the day. I tell myself the same thing every day. But not today. It’s days before Christmas eve, and if it’s the last thing I ever do, I’m going to get my baby boy his first Christmas tree. Today is the day I push past my despair and loneliness and make it the best first Christmas my boy could have. And though that task is proving to be near impossible for me, it’s not for our furry protector. He hides himself from us, never speaking, never showing himself no matter how badly we want him to. Just guarding our woods. Watching and protecting from afar. I don’t know it yet, but our protector is just as determined as me this Christmas. Previously published in the Stars, Snow, and Mistletoe anthology, This story is a standalone Galactic Order Short Story at 12.5k words. It is not necessary to have read the Galactic Order series to enjoy this novella but would make for a more enjoyable read. *Warning. For readers 18 years and older. Contains explicit sexual situations, dark themes, language, and violence.*