“You do realize that this house is going to be insane tonight, right?” Molly said, grinning, as they climbed out of the Range Rover.  The Barrett household was ablaze with lights and the shouts of children could be heard even in the driveway.

 

At least they are happy shouts,  Schrodinger pointed out.  And besides, it’s Christmas Eve!  It’s supposed to be a time when you are packed in tightly with your chosen family, right?

 

“Something like that.” Drew chuckled.  “Well, let’s go in!”

 

Nathan met them at the door, helping them carry in all the bags, boxes and other things they’d brought with them.  The house smelled wonderful: pine boughs mixed with savory flavors wafting from the kitchen, where Corrine, Donna and Mrs. Barrett were busy making dinner.

 

“It smells great!” Molly said, dropping the bag of bread she’d brought with her on the table, and kissing her mother on the cheek.  “What can I do to help?”

 

“Actually, I think we have it under control, believe it or not,” Mrs. Barrett said.  “I was about to suggest a glass of wine while we wait for the stew to finish cooking.”

 

“Sounds wonderful,” Corrine said, already pulling glasses out.  “Molly, did you remember to bring the Advent Calendar?”

 

“As if Schrodinger would let me forget!” Molly accepted the glass of wine.  “It’s in the living room.”

 

“Then let’s go and see them open it,” Corrine suggested, once the wine was poured.  They all agreed, and went in search of the children.

 

They were already in the living room, helping Drew and Nathan put the presents under the tree.  Every year, Molly was amazed at how many presents managed to fit under the tree.  This year, with the addition of the Allards, the tree had all but disappeared behind the wall of wrapped gifts.  And Santa hasn’t even shown up, she thought to herself.  We’ll be lucky if we can walk in here tomorrow morning.

 

“Molly!”  Lily had caught sight of her, and came barreling over.  “Did you remember to bring the Advent Calendar?”

 

Molly widened her eyes in mock surprise.  “We were supposed to bring that?”

 

She’s teasing you, Schrodinger said hastily, as Lily drew back in horror and Zoey stood up, both of them with their mouths open.  It’s in the corner.  I wouldn’t let her forget it!   He went over to where Drew had put the precious calendar behind an armchair.  See?

 

“Oh good!” Lily said, as she and Zoey went and pulled it out, propping it against the chair before kneeling in front of it.  “I wonder what it will do today!”

 

All the adults watched as Schrodinger and Jack joined the girls and looked for the elusive number 24.  Finally Schrodinger said, There is it!  Beside the driver in the sleigh!  He reached one paw out and touched it to the spot, and the painting crumbled.  The magical snowflake floated out and up, glittering in the light of the Christmas lights, and then started to head towards the door.

 

“Follow it!” Zoey shouted, jumping up.  They ran out, nearly running over Peter and Donna, who scrambled to get out of the way.

 

“Don’t forget your boots if you go outside!” Donna called, and then shook her head.  “I don’t know if they heard me!”

 

“Let’s go watch!” Molly suggested, already heading that way.

 

It appeared the children had heard – their boots were gone, as well as their coats, although their hats were still on the pegs by the front door.  The adults went out onto the porch and watched as the kids ran down the driveway.

 

“Where did it go?” Lily shouted, concerned.  “Where did the snowflake go?”

 

“I don’t know!” Zoey shouted back.  “It’s never done this before!”

 

Schrodinger turned back to look at Molly.  Do you know where it went?

 

She shook her head.  “Are you sure it’s gone?”

 

Positive!  It came out here, and then it VANISHED!  Jack sat in the snow and howled mournfully.  We shouldn’t have stopped for our coats!

 

Molly was about to answer when she spotted a truck coming up the road, with a suspiciously bright hood ornament.  “Are you sure?” she said, pointing.

 

All four of them turned, and then shouted in joy as they saw the snowflake perched on the hood of the mail truck.  As the truck turned into the driveway, the snowflake flew up and exploded into a fall of sparkles.

 

“Don’t mob her!” Corrine said, as they ran towards the truck.   “Let her get out!”

 

Molly went and got the tin of fudge she’d made for the mail carrier, and to her surprise, the kids actually let Zette get up to the porch before they asked her if there was anything for them.  “The snowflake brought you!” Zoey said.  “Didn’t it??”

 

“It did!” Zette agreed, grinning.  “And I’m sure there was a reason!”  She tapped one gloved finger against her cheek thoughtfully.  “Now, why was I coming out here again?”

 

“For fudge,” Molly said, offering the tin.  “Merry Christmas!”

 

“Oh, definitely!”  Zette accepted the tin and tucked it in her bag.  “But I think there might have been another reason.  I just have to think a few moments…”

 

Did you bring us letters?  Schrodinger asked, putting a paw on her leg.  Maybe?

 

“Letters?”  Zette frowned, but Molly could see the twinkle in her eyes.  “Oh, yes, letters!”  She reached into her bag, and rooted around for a bit.  “Here we go!  One for Lily Barrett, one for Schrodinger CrossCat, one for Jack Barrett and one for Zoey Allard.”  Handing them around, she then tipped her cap to the adults and went back to the truck.  “Merry Christmas!”

 

“Let’s go in to read them,” Corrine suggested, opening the door.  “Where it’s warm.”

 

Once they had shucked their hats and boots, they went back into the living room and read the letters out loud.  In each, Santa had thanked them for their notes, and asked if they’d continued to be good.  Then he closed with telling them that he’d see them that night, and hoped that they would leave out some of Molly’s special cookies for him.

 

“You DID make the special cookies, didn’t you?” Lily asked anxiously.  “Didn’t you?”

 

“I did,” Molly assured her.  “They’re safely wrapped up and in the fridge, with a big note that says to not touch, because they are for Santa!”

 

Zoey was looking at her letter.  “There’s a PS on mine,” she said, then read, “PS – Don’t worry about not being home for Christmas.  I always know exactly where to deliver the right gifts.  And as to your amended list, I did receive it, and I can promise you that I’m working on it.  S.”  She looked at her mother.  “But I just sent that yesterday!”

 

Yes, but you gave it to the Snow Queen, Jack reminded her.  That got it there really fast.

 

Santa and the Snow Queen are very close, Schrodinger agreed.

 

“Family, in fact,” Molly said.  “So I’m not surprised at all.”

 

“What did you ask for?” Lily asked her.  “On your new list.”

 

“A new home,” Zoey said.  “Do you think Santa can do that?”

 

“If anyone can, Santa can,” Molly told her.  “Remember, this is the Cove.  Anything can happen, especially around Christmas.”

 

Later that night, after the kids had gone to bed, the adults sat in the dining room, drinking more of Nathan’s wine and talking.

 

“Do you know, before tonight, I would have never believed that Santa could bring a new home to us,” Donna admitted.

 

“You didn’t believe in Santa at all, so that’s not a surprise, dear,” Peter reminded her.

 

“True,” she said.  “But now – well, I wonder if there will be a new house under the tree tomorrow.”

 

“I hope not,” Nathan said, chuckling.  “There’s no room!”

 

They all laughed at that.  Once they stopped, Drew said, “I think you guys will be in your own house before long, though.  The word has gone out into the community, and, well, the Cove takes care of its own.”

 

“Even though we just moved here?” Donna shook her head.  “That’s so amazing.”

 

“That’s the way it is,” Drew said, putting his arm around Molly.  “I learned that the year I moved here.  There’s a lot of rumors about taciturn New Englanders, but I have to say that I’ve never met any.”

 

“I was really concerned about moving Zoey in the middle of the year,” Donna said.  “But I’m very glad now that we did.  Even if we did lose everything.”  She looked around the table.  “We’ve gained so much more.”

 

Later that night, after the others had gone to bed, Molly went to indulge in a tradition of her own: sitting in the living room with only the Christmas lights to illuminate the room.  She sat on the couch with one of her mother’s quilts wrapped around her and listened to the snow fall.

 

“Hiding?” Drew asked, coming in.

 

“Not really,” Molly replied, moving over to give him some room.  “I just needed some quiet time.  And I like the lights.”

 

“Me too.”  He wrapped an arm around her and she leaned her head on his shoulder.  “What are you thinking about?”

 

“Not much, really,” she said.  “Just sitting.”

 

“You know what would be nice?”

 

“What?”

 

“To have everyone over to our place next year.”

 

Molly chuckled.  “We’d need a new place, then.  The apartment won’t hold all of us, and neither will your room at the Station.”

 

“Maybe we should start looking, then,” he said, snuggling her closer.

 

“A house is a pretty big step,” she said.  “Are you sure you want to take that step?”

 

He kissed the top of her head.  “I think I’m ready to start settling down.  I don’t want to live anywhere else.”  Drew paused, and said,  “Or with anyone else.”

 

Molly felt a thrill along her nerves.  “Well, we might have to go house-hunting then.”

 

“Sounds good to me.”

 

And as they sat there in the light of the Christmas tree, Molly thought that this might just be one of the best Christmases ever.  And Santa hasn’t even come yet…