(advent) Friday, December 20

“Schrodinger, Jack, did you want some tea?” Molly leaned her head out of the kitchen and looked at the two of them as they snoozed by the wood stove. There had been fitful spits of snow all day, and the cold (a thank you from Old Man Winter, Molly was sure) had kept most people from coming out to the store. Well, that and the fact that the next day was the Snow Queen’s ball. Everyone was prepping for that. The result was a tea room that only held the hound and the CrossCat.

 

Molly was actually glad for the respite, because it meant that she could concentrate on decorating the other gingerbread houses for Sunday without worrying about being interrupted. Decorating the houses always brought her back to college, and the cake decorating course she’d taken, which had been one of her favorites.

 

But decorating was a grueling task, and her back and shoulders needed a break.

 

Jack declined, preferring to snooze next to the stove, but Schrodinger, after a moment of consideration, got up and stretched before joining her in the kitchen. Molly pulled out their personal mugs and filled them with hot water before dropping in a Christmas tea bag and an Earl Grey tea bag. She moved the most recently finished house to the sideboard to finish hardening, and set the mugs on the island.

 

“Are you hungry?” she asked.

 

Schrodinger considered that question too as he watched the steam rise from his steeping tea. I think so, he said finally. I don’t remember the last time I ate, which means it’s been a long time since you ate too.

 

“Guilty,” Molly said, chuckling. “This is a good chance to try my new scones.”

 

His ears perked up. Are these the ham and cheese ones?

 

“Yes.” Molly took two of them out of the refrigerator and put them on a small tray, which she slid under the broiler. “You get to be the test subject who can actually tell me what you think,” she said. “I send a batch to the Station with Drew earlier, but he hasn’t gotten back to me.”

 

They’re probably busy with all the guests coming in for the Ball, he reminded her. I’ll be surprised to see Drew before tomorrow night.

 

“Me too.” Molly pulled two plates out of the drawer and pulled the tray out from the oven. The fragrant smell of cranberries and ham filled the room, and she sighed happily.

 

You are amazing, Schrodinger said, watching as she cut the scones in half, revealing the oozing interior.

 

“Don’t say that until you try it,” she warned. “It could be a bad idea.”

 

“If by bad idea, you mean you shouldn’t eat too many, because your clothes won’t fit, then I agree,” Aunt Margie said from the doorway. “Those smell amazing.”

 

“Would you like one?” Molly didn’t wait for her to answer, but handed her one of the plates and got another scone from the fridge.

 

Aunt Margie put the plate firmly back in front of her niece. “You eat first,” she said. “I know you haven’t eaten much today, because you’ve been decorating. I can wait five minutes.”

 

Molly didn’t argue, but lifted one half of the scone to her mouth. The scone itself was buttery and sweetly tart, the cranberries bursting in her mouth, and the savory ham (from one of the local farms, which had also supplied the cheese) and melted cheese were a nice counterpoint. “Yes,” she said, after swallowing. “These are definitely staying on the menu.”

 

She turned back to the oven after taking another bite and pulled Aunt Margie’s scone out.

 

Yes, I agree, Schrodinger said. You should do some turkey ones too.

 

“Oh my gods, turkey with stuffing.” Aunt Margie’s eyes lit up. “Or mashed potatoes.”

 

“That might be a bit hard to put in a muffin,” Molly pointed out, but her mind was already racing through possibilities. “Although maybe a taco one, with cornbread. Or a pizza one.”

 

Aunt Margie took a bite of scone and sighed happily. “I think these are better than your sandwiches, to be honest,” she said.

 

“They’re more labor intensive, though,” Molly pointed out. “Bread dough is easy.”

 

“True.”

 

Schrodinger finished his scone and sipped at his tea. You could probably do it as a loaf, you know, he said. And serve slices.

 

“That would work,” Molly agreed. “Maybe after Christmas we’ll experiment a bit more.”

 

Sounds good to me.

 

“Speaking of sounds, I think we have guests,” Aunt Margie said, as the front door banged open and happy shouts were heard. “Today was the school party, wasn’t it?”

 

“What gave you the first clue?” Molly asked, chuckling. “The shouting, or the banging?”

 

“Molly, Molly, Molly, we brought you a present!” Lily shouted, as she and Zoey barged into the kitchen. “Look, look, look!” She shoved the wrapped box into Molly’s hands, then hugged both Aunt Margie and Schrodinger.

 

“Oh, what is this?” Molly opened the gift and pulled out an apron, decorated with all sorts of cookies and cupcakes. “Oh, how lovely! Did you guys make this?”

 

“We picked out the fabric,” Zoey told her, dancing around excitedly. “Mrs. Collins sewed it for us! Do you like it?”

 

“I love it!” Molly gave them each a hug. “It’s the best Christmas present ever!”

 

“Yay!” Lily and Zoey said, bouncing around her. “We hoped you’d like it!”

 

Molly slipped the apron over her head and tied it off. “I’ll wear it right now!”

 

Jack, woken up by the noise, came in and was immediately mobbed as well. Molly let them be loud for a bit, and then clapped her hands together. “Okay, okay, time to do the Advent Calendar and then let me finish decorating!”

 

They rushed over to the Calendar, hunting feverishly for the golden number. “I see it, I see it!” Zoey called, touching the number 20 where it nestled in the pipe of one of the snowmen. Then they all stepped back as the snowflake zoomed out of the Advent Calendar and whirled madly around the room.

 

In its wake was a long white ribbon that floated down onto Lily and Zoey’s outstretched hands. On the ribbon, in red and white candy-cane letters, it read, “Today is a sweet day! It’s cold and clear and just right for a snowball fight!”

 

Which will be perfect to run off all their energy, Molly thought, as the girls cheered and Jack barked. “Okay, then follow the snowflake!” she called, cutting through the noise. “Don’t forget your coats and hats and mittens!”

 

To their credit, both Lily and Zoey grabbed Jack’s and Schrodinger’s coats on their way out the door, still following the snowflake. Molly shook her head and looked at Aunt Margie, who was still sitting and eating her scone placidly. “Will that tire them out, do you think?”

 

“Eventually,” Aunt Margie said. “Now, since it’s quieter, how about a cup of tea?”

 

<><>

“Hold still, Jack!” Lily said, as she struggled to get the straps tied on the hound’s coat. “Hold still!”

 

But the snowflake is going to disappear! The hound gave a mournful howl but stopped squirming.

 

“It’s not! It never has before!” Zoey said, as she snapped the last clasp closed on Schrodinger’s plaid coat.

 

Indeed, although it was vibrating rapidly and spinning through a rainbow of colors, the snowflake hadn’t moved forward from the position it had taken right outside the store. Once Jack and Schrodinger had their coats in place, Lily and Zoey pulled their hats and mittens back on and they all burst out into the cold December sunshine that had burst through the clouds.

 

It was only noon, so there was plenty of light to see the snowflake by. It led them back down the street to the park, and even before they got within sight, they could hear the whoops and shouts of joy. “Who’s down there?” Zoey shouted.

 

“I don’t know!” Lily shouted back. “Let’s go find out!”

 

As they turned the corner, they saw a massive snowball fight going on in the park. Snowballs were flying fast and furiously, and for a few moments, they just stood and blinked, watching the game.

 

There’s Drew! Schrodinger said suddenly. Over by the statue!

 

Zoey looked and saw Molly’s tall boyfriend, snow coating most of his dark hair. As she watched, he aimed and threw a snowball, hitting another boy square in the back. Then Drew ducked the return throw, already scooping up another handful of snow for another snowball.

 

The snowflake was still hovering in front of them, and Zoey wondered if it was as excited as they were. That would explain the colors! As she watched, it split into two different snowflakes that hovered in front of her and Lily.

 

Oooh… Jack said, his tongue lolling out as they put their hands out and two perfect snowballs landed in their mittens. Who do we hit first?

 

It was a good question. As Zoey still didn’t know a lot of people in the Cove by sight, she looked over at Lily, who was considering her options like a general. After a few moments, she pointed over to the group that Drew was in. “Let’s do this,” she said, grinning, and shared her plan with the others.

 

Oh yes! Jack and Schrodinger took off towards Drew, weaving through the flying snowballs with skill and grace. Zoey and Lily followed, ducking a little less successfully. By the time they made it to where they wanted, both of them were splattered with snow and laughing hysterically.

 

“Ready?” Lily whispered, and Zoey nodded. Lily looked up and shouted, “Hey, Drew!”

 

As he looked over, they both let go with their snowballs and hit him squarely in the face. He staggered back, and then fell backwards over Jack and Schrodinger, who were positioned perfectly. Lily and Zoey cheered, and then squealed as his friends rallied around him and pelted them with snowballs.

 

For the next hour, they traded snowballs and shouts, enjoying themselves immensely. Finally, Drew threw his hands up in defeat, and everyone jumped on him, bringing him down into the snow. Lily and Zoey tried to help wash his face, but they were laughing too hard to do more than hold him down.

 

“I surrender, I surrender!” he said. “Let me up before I drown!”

 

Let him up! Schrodinger said. Molly won’t feed us if we drown him!

 

“Okay, okay!” Luke reached down and pulled Drew to his feet. “I’m not giving up Molly’s food!”

 

“Good to know you value something,” Drew said ruefully, brushing ineffectively at the snow that coated him. “Let’s go see if she’ll feed us now.”

 

Zoey realized that she was hungry, and nodded. “I bet she’ll have something good!”

 

Drew smiled down at her. “She always does!”

 

“Something good” turned out to be grilled ham and cheese sandwiches on Molly’s herb and cheese bread, spread with a tangy mustard. And she had steaming mugs of hot cider with sticks of cinnamon to stir it, something Zoey had never seen before. She seemed unsurprised to see Drew and Luke joining the others as they trooped into her kitchen through the back door.

 

“I’m glad you chose the back,” she said, looking at the line of melting snow that they had tromped in. “Aunt Margie would have killed you if you’d come in the front like that.”

 

“Give us a little credit,” Luke said. “We knew that.”

 

Molly laughed and started handing out mugs as everyone shed their wet overclothing. They had to send Jack back outside to shake himself off, but then they all settled down to enjoy the good, warming food.

 

As she ate, Zoey looked around at all the houses Molly had decorated. They were all similar, but each one had something that made it unique. Some had snowmen in the front yards, or decorated Christmas trees. There were wreaths in all the windows, and lights were piped along the outside edges.

 

“Are you done with all the houses?” she asked Molly.

 

“All done,” Molly said. “The only thing I have left to do is make the marzipan presents for the sleigh.” She looked at them. “Which is why, if you want to help, I have another project for you.”

 

All four of them perked up. “What project?” Lily asked.

 

Molly went into the pantry and came back out with a huge bowl of fluffy popcorn. “Who wants to help me make popcorn snowballs?”

 

“Me!”

 

Zoey looked surprised – Drew and Luke had joined in as enthusiastically as she and Lily had. Molly laughed and pointed to the counter, where she had a stick of butter waiting in a butter dish, and a pile of sheet pans. “Someone grab that stuff, and follow me,” she said.

 

Drew took the pans and Lily lifted the butter dish down carefully, and they all trooped into the tea room. Molly set down the bowl of popcorn, then went back into the kitchen and came out with a pot in her hands. She carefully poured the contents of the pot over the popcorn, and then, to Zoey’s surprise, coated her hands in butter and reached in to stir the popcorn all around. As she did so, Zoey realized there were chopped nuts in with the popcorn.

 

“This is how you do it,” Molly said, demonstrating. “It’s not hot, so you don’t have to worry about that. Make sure your hands are well coated in butter, so the popcorn won’t stick to your fingers.” She scooped out a handful and shaped it into a ball. “Like this. Then put it down on the wax paper. Can you guys do the rest?”

 

They all nodded, and she left them to the task. Zoey giggled a bit as she coated her hands with the butter – it felt so weird! But as she took her first handful of the sticky popcorn, she realized it was definitely needed.

 

“Now remember,” Luke said, winking at her. “We’re not allowed to eat it all, Drew. Not yet.”

 

Drew, who had a piece of the sticky popcorn half-way to his mouth, glared at Luke before defiantly popping the piece in and chewing.

 

“No eating all the popcorn!” Molly called from the kitchen. “And that includes you, Drew!”

 

They all laughed and began to roll popcorn balls.

 

After they had finished and trooped back into the kitchen to wash their hands, Molly handed them bowls of silvery white sprinkles to put on the snowballs. “You could use coconut, but not everyone likes that,” she said. Then she gave them small treat bags with silver snowflakes on them and green twist ties, to put all the snowballs in, as well as a big bowl, and sent them back out.

 

They quickly developed a system – Zoey and Lily would each roll a snowball in their bowl of sprinkles, then drop it into the bag that Drew and Luke held out for them. Then the techs would twist the bag closed with a tie, and hand it to Schrodinger and Jack, who would put the finished snowballs into the big bowl.

 

By the time they had finished, Molly had finished the last of the marzipan packages for the sleigh, which was decorated with snowflakes and lights. “Great job!” she said, moving the sleigh to the sideboard. “Now, you can take two each home, and don’t forget that we’re meeting here tomorrow before the ball!”

 

“How could we?” Lily bubbled, dancing around. “We’re going to the Snow Queen’s Ball!”

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. You can comment here or there.

(advent) Saturday, December 21

“I can’t wait to see what everyone else is wearing!” Zoey told her mother as they walked up the steps to CrossWinds Books. “I’ve never been to a ball before!”

 

“Me either,” Donna admitted. “Have you, Peter?”

 

“Nope,” he said. “But it sounds like it’s going to be fun – all my customers have talked about nothing else for the past week!”

 

Zoey thought her parents looked wonderful. Her father had rented a crisp black tuxedo with a dark purple vest, one that matched her mother’s dark purple ball gown. In addition, Donna had a lovely dark purple plaid shawl, shot through with silver, wrapped around her shoulders, and she’d French-braided her dark hair with a silver ribbon.

 

She looked down at her own purple dress and sighed happily. Her dress had a silvery overskirt of lacy snowflakes, and her mother had found her tights that matched. And instead of her normal braids, she had a French braid as well, with purple ribbons that trailed down her back.

 

As they stepped into the store, Zoey saw everyone else was already there: Nathan and Corrine, Lily and Jack, Drew and Molly and Schrodinger. And of course, everyone was dressed up.

 

“Zoey!” Lily cried out, rushing over. “Look at my dress!”

 

Her dress was a bit longer than Zoey’s, and a lovely pale pink that echoed the flush of her cheeks. Her hair wasn’t long enough to braid, but Corrine had gotten her a matching headband with a bow that held her hair back from her face, and her pink tights had stars all over them.

 

“You look lovely,” Zoey said, and hugged her.

 

“You do too!” Lily said, hugging her back. “And look – we found tuxedos for Jack and Schrodinger!”

 

The hound and the CrossCat came over and Zoey had to admit they looked sharp. The tuxedos had black bow ties and white shirtfronts, and both had top hats as well, although Jack didn’t look pleased with his. It’s not really me, he complained, shaking his head.

 

“I think you look very handsome,” Zoey told him, and he stopped.

 

Really?

 

“Really,” she said. Then she looked at the others. Corrine had a darker pink dress on that matched Lily’s, and Nathan was dapper in his black tuxedo with tails. Drew had a similar set of tails, and Molly was elegant in a dark emerald dress that had several tiers of skirts that dropped down in handkerchief layers that floated around her. They all looked wonderful, and Zoey felt very proud to be part of this grown-up party.

 

Schrodinger stood up and stretched, his top hat tilted jauntily to one side. Let’s do the Advent Calendar now, before our ride gets here, he said, and trotted into the kitchen. The others followed him, and started looking for the 21.

 

Schrodinger found it, blended into the side of the cottage in the background, and pressed his paw to it. As they stepped back, the painting began to crumble, not just in a small square, but all of the picture, and there was a strange whistling sound. Then a huge gust of cold air came out of the wall and Zoey felt like she was enveloped in her own personal snow storm. She threw up her arms in self-defense, covering her face and closing her eyes until it was over.

 

Once the wind died, she put her arms down and opened her eyes cautiously. The Advent Calendar was back to its normal state, but as she looked at Lily, she saw…

 

“Stars!” she said in awe, reaching out to her friend’s face. “Lily, you have stars in your hair!”

 

“Not stars,” Lily said, reaching out to Zoey. “Snowflakes! You have them too, Zoey!”

 

We do too! Schrodinger said, looking at his fur, which was covered in the glittering snowflakes.

 

For the ball! Jack agreed. This is perfect!

 

The adults agreed when they came out of the kitchen. The magic snowflakes sparkled in hair and fur, and both Jack and Schrodinger’s top hats were dusted with them as well.

 

“Now, let’s go to the ball!” Drew said, and offered his arm to Molly. The others followed them outside, where Old Man Winter’s sledge was waiting for them.

 

Like everyone else, Old Man Winter had cleaned up for the ball. His normal clothing had been traded for a tailored dark grey suit, and there was a bunch of ivy and holly pinned to his lapel. A matching bunch was pinned to the band on his bowler hat. “Hop in!” he boomed, waving to the sledge. “We’ll arrive in style!”

 

“Just keep the sledge on the ground, please,” Corrine said as she climbed in. “I heard what happened the last time.”

 

“Aw, Mom, it was fun!” Lily said, pouting. “I like flying!”

 

“Tonight is a night for flying across the dance floor, not the sky,” Old Man Winter said. “But don’t worry, Lily. There will be plenty of other rides we can take.”

 

“Yay!” Lily snuggled into the warm blankets with Zoey.

 

The night surged around them as the reindeer leapt forward and raced out of the Cove’s downtown area, towards the outskirts. The Snow Queen’s Ball was held every December in a special clearing in the forest, Lily had said, where the Snow Queen created a magical ball room in the outdoors for one night. Everyone in the town came to the ball and enjoyed themselves.

 

“But kids aren’t allowed usually,” Lily had said. “We’re the first ones in a really long time.”

 

“Wow.” Zoey had been impressed. Now, as the reindeer pulled them through the evergreens, she found herself nearly vibrating with excitement. A magical ball! This was the best ever!

 

The sledge slowed, and she looked up to see…nothing out of the ordinary. Just an open clearing in the woods coming up ahead of them. Was this it?

 

Just wait, Schrodinger told her, and winked. Just wait.

 

Old Man Winter stopped the sledge right in front of the opening into the clearing, and they all got out. Interestingly, when they stepped down, they didn’t sink into the snow – it was as if there was a clear solid sheet atop it, but not a slick one. Definitely magic, she thought, tapping one toe against the hardened snow.

 

Lily took her hand. “Come on!” They stepped through the opening in the trees and then Zoey gasped.

 

As soon as they stepped into the clearing, the air warmed up as if they had walked into a house. The snow became a marble floor, and the trees became columns around the edge. Above them, however, the clear night sky, ablaze with thousands of stars, was clearly visible.

 

“Wow,” Zoey said, as she looked around. “Wow.”

 

On the other side of the room was an ivory throne, looking as if it were carved from ice, and on it sat Jade, the Snow Queen, in a gown of finest silver. She had a filagreed crown of silver on her head, and she was smiling at all of her guests. Looking around the room, Zoey saw that it was full of people talking and laughing in their finest evening clothes.

 

As they came in, music started from somewhere nearby, and the adults went onto the dance floor. Schrodinger led Jack, Lily and Zoey over to where he usually hung out – near the food, Zoey saw, but not so close that they were in the way. The Snow Queen had thoughtfully placed a large pile of cushions for them to hang out on.

 

I don’t usually dance, Schrodinger said, settling on a cushion. But that doesn’t mean you girls shouldn’t. Jack and I can watch you here, and not all the dances are couples dances.

 

The first one was, though, so they settled onto the cushions to watch. Zoey saw her parents dancing cheek-to-cheek and remembered that her grandmother had once told her how Donna and Peter loved to dance. They didn’t dance much anymore. I wonder if they could dance like this in our living room.

 

The next dance was faster, and Molly and Drew swooped in to pull Lily and Zoey out onto the dance floor. From then on, they danced and laughed and ate, until finally the Snow Queen stood up and clapped her hands, calling for attention.

 

“Unfortunately, friends, the time has come for the last dance,” she said regretfully. “As much as I would like to dance and celebrate with you forever, this night must end. Ladies, come into the center of the dance floor with me.”

 

Lily pulled Zoey back to the cushions, where Jack and Schrodinger were waiting. “What are they doing?” Zoey asked them.

 

This is the last dance, Schrodinger said, as the Snow Queen came down from her throne and went to the center of the room. Just watch.

 

Every woman in the room joined her, and they all slipped off their right shoe and left it in a pile. Then they retreated to the edges of the room, and the guys came in.

 

Each man takes a random shoe, Schrodinger explained. They have to find the woman it belongs to and that’s their partner for the last dance. And one lucky man gets to dance with the Snow Queen. If she really likes him, or sees something in him, she’ll give him a magic snowflake that never fades.

 

“Molly has one of those on her tree!” Lily said. “I’ve seen it!”

 

Yes, the Snow Queen gave that to her, Schrodinger said. Luke has one too.

 

“I wonder who will get it this time!” Zoey said, watching her father bend over. He came up with a glittering white shoe, very different from the shoes Donna had been wearing, and started to look for the owner.

 

I think he’s got the Snow Queen’s shoe! Schrodinger said. That’s the same shoe Luke got!

 

“Oooh.” Zoey leaned forward, eyes shining. “I hope so!”

 

In short order, it turned out that Peter did have the Snow Queen’s dainty slipper, and he placed it gently on her foot before leading her out onto the floor. Drew had gotten Donna’s shoe, and Nathan had managed to get Molly’s. The music started again, the lights dimmed, and the final dance of the Snow Queen’s ball whirled around the room under the stars.

 

At the end of the dance, the Snow Queen brought Peter back to his daughter, and to everyone’s surprise, she knelt down. “I’m so very happy that you four were able to come,” she said. “Normally, I only give one snowflake, and it is a very special one. But this year, I will give four.” And she put her hands together, then opened them. Out floated four perfect silver snowflakes, one for each of them, and Zoey and Lily took them.

 

“Thank you,” Zoey said, swallowing. “This is amazing.”

 

To her surprise, the Snow Queen actually winked at her. “Magical, even?”

 

“Magical, even!” Zoey agreed.

 

The Snow Queen stood then, and turned to the crowd. “Thank you all once again for a lovely evening. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

 

The ride back to the bookstore was quiet – Lily and Zoey were both very tired, and they snuggled down with Jack and Schrodinger and their precious snowflakes. By the time the sledge stopped, Zoey was all but asleep.

 

Then she heard her mother gasp, and forced her eyes open. When she sat up, rubbing at her face, she saw her mother crying on her father’s shoulder, and a fireman with soot on his serious face.

 

“I’m so very sorry,” he was saying, in a raspy voice. Zoey could smell the smoke coming from him. “By the time we got there, the house was fully engulfed. We managed to keep it from spreading, but the house itself is a total loss.”

“What?” Zoey said, confused. “What happened to our house?”

 

Donna turned to her daughter and put her arms around her. “There was a fire, sweetie,” she said brokenly. “While we were at the ball.”

 

“A fire?” Zoey thought of her bedroom, her toys and the lovely decorations that Santa had put in their front yard. “How?”

 

“We don’t know yet,” the fire chief said. “I think it may have been an electrical issue.” He looked very tired, and very sad. “I’m so sorry.”

 

With that, Zoey realized that it wasn’t a dream. Her home was gone.

 

She burst into tears.

 

<><>

Now what do we do? Schrodinger asked Molly and Drew, as they watched the two cars pull away. Corrine had taken charge of everything, taking Donna and Zoey with her, Lily and Jack to the Barretts’ house. Nathan and Peter had followed them, and now, it was just Molly, Drew and Schrodinger standing on the front steps of the bookstore.

 

“I don’t know yet,” Molly said, shivering a little in the cold. “Corrine will take care of them tonight, and we’ll figure it out tomorrow.” She looked at Drew. “Did Chief Eliot say anything else to you?”

 

Drew shook his head and draped his coat around Molly’s shoulders. “Just that they think it was an electrical issue. He’s pretty certain that there was no foul play.” He sighed. “It was just bad luck.”

 

Poor Zoey, Schrodinger said, hanging his head. How will Santa find her now?

 

“Santa will know she’s at the Barretts’, don’t worry,” Molly said firmly. “And now, let’s get home.” She looked up at Drew. “I think we’re going to need to make some phone calls.”

 

“Agreed.” He nodded. “It’ll be tight, but I think we can pull together enough to make sure that they have a great Christmas, despite this.”

 

Really? Schrodinger asked, looking up at them.

 

“Really,” Molly said.

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. You can comment here or there.

(advent) Sunday, December 22

“So that was the last one, and they’re all delivered,” Drew said, dropping the order forms on the island. “Sarah said to tell you that you are amazing.”

 

Molly smiled up at him. “She says that every year.”

 

“That’s because you do something amazing with gingerbread every year,” Drew replied, kissing the tip of her nose. “Have you heard from Corrine yet?”

 

“Not yet.” Molly glanced up at the clock. “I’m expecting them soon, though.”

 

As if her comment had summoned them, Molly heard the front door open and Jack came running into the kitchen, followed by Corrine, Lily and a very subdued-looking Zoey. Schrodinger came in right behind them, and went straight for Zoey, butting his head against her thighs urgently. She knelt down next to him and buried her face in his fur.

 

“How’s it going?” Molly asked Corrine quietly, as Lily knelt down next to Zoey and hugged her. Jack hovered nearby, his tail still for once.

 

“It was a rough night,” Corrine admitted. “But they went to sleep eventually. Nathan went with Peter and Donna to look at the house today, and now I’m heading out to get them some things.” She looked at her sister-in-law. “Do you mind watching them for a while? I need to do some running around.”

 

“Not at all,” Molly said. “Do you need me to get anything?”

 

“I don’t know,” Corrine admitted. “The fire chief said it was a total loss, so I’m assuming that they’ll need everything, including a new house. But I think Donna’s hoping they can salvage something.” She shook her head. “This is horrible.”

 

“Agreed.” Aunt Margie had come in while they were talking, and now she said, “I’ve already spoken to some of the shop owners today, Corrine. You tell Peter and Donna to let us know what they need. The Cove takes care of its own, after all.”

 

“I’ll let them know.” Corrine gave Aunt Margie a hug, and then turned to the sad group sitting on the kitchen floor. “I’ll be back in a bit, kids, okay?”

 

“Okay, Mom,” Lily said. “We’ll be fine.”

 

Once she had left, Molly looked at Drew and Aunt Margie, then said, “Are you guys ready to open the Advent Calendar today? Maybe that would cheer you up, Zoey.”

 

“What’s the point?” Zoey cried. “Everything is ruined!” And she got up and ran out into the tea room, with Jack and Lily on her heels.

 

Aunt Margie and Molly started to follow but Schrodinger stopped them. Let us handle it, he said. We’ll get her calmed down. Maybe we’ll do the Advent Calendar tomorrow. And he went out as well.

 

Molly did follow, but only to the doorway of the kitchen. She watched as Zoey threw herself down on the dog bed next to the wood stove and began to sob. Jack and Schrodinger laid down on either side of her, bracketing her, and Lily sat by her head and stroked her hair, saying something to her. Molly couldn’t tell what, but she was touched by the solidarity the little group shared.

 

“Poor kid,” Aunt Margie said, coming up beside her. “This is hard for her.”

 

“Yeah, but she’s got good friends,” Molly said. “And those are worth their weight in gold.”

 

“Very true. Well, I’ve got some more phone calls to make.” Aunt Margie patted her niece on the shoulder and went back out to the front desk.

 

After watching for a few more moments, Molly turned around and went back into the kitchen, where Drew handed her a cup of tea. “You know me too well,” she said wryly, accepting it. “What are we going to do, Drew?”

 

“You’re going to drink your tea, and then you’re going to bake,” he said, picking up his own mug. “Because that’s what you do. And once I’m done with my tea, I’m going to take my day off, and head out to talk to some people, so that we can make sure that the four special people out in the tea room have the best Christmas they have ever had.”

 

“Because that’s what you do,” Molly said, leaning against him. “I’m so glad you came to the Cove, Drew McIntyre.”

 

“So am I, Molly Barrett, so am I.”

 

After he was gone, Molly rinsed his mug, refilled her own, and opened her refrigerator to see what her options were. After pulling out butter, cream and jam, she went to the pantry and gathered up cookie supplies. Baking would soothe her soul.

 

Two batches into the jam thumbprints, Schrodinger came in and hopped up on his customary stool. That smells very good.

 

“Thank you.” Molly dusted off her hands and poured him a cup of Earl Grey tea. “How’s Zoey doing?”

 

She and Lily are asleep. Jack is watching them – he said Zoey had nightmares all night, so neither of them got a lot of sleep. He leaned over and lapped up a bit of his tea. I have a feeling that she’ll have nightmares for a while.

 

“We can hope not.” Molly told him about what Aunt Margie and Drew were doing as she continued to drop balls of dough on the cookie sheet in front of her.

 

We have good friends.

 

“Indeed we do.” Molly pressed each cookie down with the back of a spoon, then switched to her melon baller and put a divot in each. Schrodinger watched as she filled each divot with strawberry jam, and then put the entire sheet in the oven, pulling out the one in there.

 

I should go back to them, he said, finishing his tea and jumping down. I think she needs all of us.

 

Once he was gone, Molly sighed, and went over to the Advent Calendar. She wasn’t sure it would work for her, but it was obvious that something needed to be done. “I know I’m not the one who’s supposed to be looking, but they aren’t able to do this today, and they really need something special.”

 

She scanned the picture, and after a few moments of looking, found the golden 22 floating in a cloud. Molly touched the number, hoping it would work, and waited.

 

The picture crumbled under her touch, and Molly leaned in and whispered, “I don’t know what you can do to help, but please. They need something extra special.”

 

Then she stepped back, and watched as the familiar snowflake floated out. Rather than going towards the tea room, though, it floated in front of her for a moment.

 

“Can you help?” she asked.

 

In response, the snowflake glittered in a variety of colors, and then went to the back door. Molly let it out, and watched it zip away.

Originally published at The words of Valerie Griswold-Ford. You can comment here or there.