\u201cYou guys, you guys, guess what happened last night!!!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Zoey tore into the kitchen, her eyes shining and her long braids (sporting red bows with snowflakes on them, Molly noted) streaming out from under her hat. Schrodinger and Molly had been enjoying a late morning cup of tea, but they both turned to her and her mother, who followed after her daughter with an amused smile on her face.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What?<\/em> Schrodinger asked, his eyes wide. What happened?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSomeone came and decorated our whole front yard!\u201d Zoey told him, hopping from one foot to another. \u201cIn the dark! And we don\u2019t know who!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Molly said. \u201cWhat did they do?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey put lights on our tree! And wrapped garlands of ribbons and lights all around the railings of the porch!\u201d Zoey paused to catch her breath, then continued, \u201cAnd they put a sleigh – a real sleigh! – in the front yard, and filled it with wrapped boxes that look like presents! And there are two reindeer that are attached to the sleigh – they look just like the reindeer that Lisa brought yesterday!\u201d She clapped her hands together. \u201cIt is the best Christmas present I\u2019ve gotten, ever! And then they rang the doorbell, so I ran to get it, but there wasn\u2019t anyone there! Just the lovely, lovely decorations!\u201d She looked at Schrodinger and Molly. \u201cDo you think Santa might have sent someone?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think it could be a very good possibility,\u201d Molly admitted, smiling to herself. Her friends had risen to the challenge beautifully when she\u2019d called them yesterday. In addition to the lights that she and Schrodinger had brought, Sue had offered garlands, Lai had brought more lights, and Lisa and Neil had shown up with not only the sleigh, but the two reindeer as well. When Noemi had seen it, she\u2019d wrapped several boxes in the car as the others had set things up, so they had something to put in the sleigh. And Drew and Luke had shown up with the biggest part – a small magical generator to run all the lights that the Station had donated. The look on Zoey\u2019s eyes when she\u2019d answered the doorbell and seen the decorations had made the hour before in the cold all worthwhile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He works through a lot of people,<\/em> Schrodinger agreed, looking not at Zoey, but at Donna. It doesn\u2019t make it any less his magic, though.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Donna looked thoughtful at that, but Zoey grinned. \u201cI knew it! I knew it!\u201d She danced around the kitchen. \u201cI just knew he was real! I wish I could get to meet him!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMeet who?\u201d Lily said, coming in with Jack.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMeet Santa!\u201d Zoey grabbed her hands and spun her around. \u201cHe sent elves to my house last night, and they decorated!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cHe did?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes! Mom has pictures on her phone!\u201d Zoey laughed. \u201cI was wrong, Lily! He does exist, and he\u2019s watching out for us!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShow me!\u201d Lily begged, and Donna obligingly got out her phone and showed the pictures of the front yard. \u201cWow. That\u2019s awesome, Zoey!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know!\u201d Zoey nodded. \u201cI\u2019m so glad we moved here. And now we get to open today\u2019s window for the Advent Calendar!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As one, they moved over to the calendar. While they were looking for the number, Donna came over to Molly and said quietly, \u201cThank you, and please, thank all your friends for us too. What you did last night was amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re very welcome.\u201d Molly smiled, her voice equally quiet. \u201cThe look on her face when she opened the door was all we needed.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWho do we give it back to after Christmas?\u201d Donna asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo one.\u201d Molly\u2019s smile widened at her look of surprise. \u201cThose are all for you guys. The manual for the generator is in a plastic ziplock bag under the presents in the sleigh.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSeriously?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSeriously.\u201d Molly nodded. \u201cPlease, don\u2019t try and give it back. We want you to have it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Donna\u2019s eyes filled with sudden tears again. \u201cI thought it was going to be horrible to move up here, away from everything we knew,\u201d she said, after a moment. \u201cBut you and your friends have welcomed us in a way that our old town never would have. Thank you, for making this so easy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly took her hand and squeezed it. \u201cThank you for letting us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI found it!\u201d Zoey shouted suddenly. \u201cWhose turn is it again?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly and Donna watched them all look at each other. I lost track,<\/em> Schrodinger admitted, and Jack, Lily and Zoey all nodded. So you do it, Zoey. You found the number.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, that\u2019s fair,\u201d Lily said. \u201cGo ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey reached out and touched the number 15, which had been hidden in a cloud of smoke coming from the chimney of the cottage. The painting fell away, and out floated the familiar magical snowflake.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today, it started spinning as soon as it was fully away from the painting, and by the time it was over their heads, it was a blur. Then it stopped spinning, and they saw it had become a musical note.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Music swelled from the note, and it began to float around the kitchen, rocking in time to the familiar music that Molly could almost recognize\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat is that carol?\u201d Donna said, as the song continued. \u201cI swear I know it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMe too,\u201d Molly said. \u201cBut I can\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJolly Old Saint Nicholas!\u201d Lily shouted. \u201cWe did this song last year in school!\u201d She frowned. \u201cWhat does that mean, though? Why play this carol now?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI hear music!\u201d Aunt Margie said, coming into the kitchen. \u201cWho\u2019s playing that carol?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe snowflake from the Advent Calendar!\u201d Lily said. \u201cWhat does it mean, Aunt Margie?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt means someone knows things they shouldn\u2019t,\u201d Aunt Margie said mock-severely, but Molly saw the twinkle in her eyes. \u201cThis date has been a closely guarded secret for some months!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why?<\/em> Jack asked. What\u2019s happening today?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, you know, Aunt Margie, it\u2019s a magic Advent Calendar,\u201d Molly said. \u201cPerhaps the magic told them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHrumph.\u201d Aunt Margie sniffed. \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll have to ask my guest later today if he\u2019s got something to do with it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today? Santa\u2019s really coming today?<\/em> Schrodinger demanded, and when Aunt Margie nodded yes, all four of them cheered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll be here later today, but I was hoping I could get you four to help me get everything ready,\u201d Aunt Margie said. \u201cIf you can do that, you\u2019ll get to be in the front of the line.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYay!\u201dLily said, and grabbed Zoey\u2019s hand. \u201cWhat can we do to help?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly and Donna went up with them, more to see what the set-up looked like than anything else. The mailbox was still against the wall, but in front of the fireplace, she\u2019d set up a large red wooden throne with a white and red cushion on it. Two tables were against one wall, and Molly made note of how much room she had to put out goodies later. She\u2019d made a lot of Italian Wedding Cookies the day before, as well as scones, the herb breads, sugar cookies and peppermint snowballs. And there was the urns of cider, hot water and hot chocolate that she\u2019d put out as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Aunt Margie had taken Lily, Zoey, Schrodinger and Jack over to the throne, where she said, \u201cYou guys did such a good job with the snowflakes for the windows that I thought you could do the same with Santa\u2019s throne. There is paper and scissors and glue here. Can you decorate this for me?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh yes, Aunt Margie!\u201d Lily said, and Zoey nodded vigorously. \u201cWe\u2019ll make it awesome!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly caught Aunt Margie\u2019s eye as she went back downstairs and grinned at her. She couldn\u2019t wait to see when Santa came in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <><><\/p>\n \n \u201cOkay, how about this one?\u201d Zoey asked, holding up a shiny snowflake that she\u2019d cut out of a gleaming silver wrapping paper. Aunt Margie had left them with a ton of wrapping paper and glue, and they\u2019d quickly made a bunch of snowflakes. Then they\u2019d split up: Lily and Jack were on one side, with Jack holding the snowflakes on until the glue dried once Lily had placed them. Zoey and Schrodinger were doing the same on the other side.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let\u2019s put that one up higher,<\/em> Schrodinger said, patting the spot he was thinking of with one paw. Like here.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLooks good!\u201d Zoey dotted the back of the snowflake with glue, and then carefully pressed it into place. Then Schrodinger put his paw in the center of it, holding it in place.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Next!<\/em> He said, dropping back down. What one do you want to put up next?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey looked at their pile of snowflakes. \u201cHow about the blue one?\u201d she suggested, pulling it out. This one was a bit smaller than the others, but she\u2019d loved the patterning on the paper – various shades of blue, in wavy lines that suggested sea water, or the sky on a clear sunny day. \u201cLet\u2019s put this one up.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I really like that one,<\/em> Schrodinger agreed, looking back up at their side of the throne. Let\u2019s put it more in the center.<\/em> He hopped back up and pointed out a spot.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo you really think it\u2019s actually Santa coming today?\u201d Zoey asked him, as they continued to glue snowflakes to the throne. \u201cOr will he send a stand-in?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For the last two years, I\u2019m sure it\u2019s been Santa himself,<\/em> Schrodinger told her. He definitely doesn\u2019t ACT like a stand-in.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey wondered. She\u2019d seen the Santas in the malls before, but her mother had always told her it was someone else, that Santa Claus didn\u2019t exist. Granted, that had been before they\u2019d moved to the Cove. Maybe this really would be the real Santa. She resolved to ask him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n People started coming up the stairs as they finished up, pasting the last of their snowflakes on the back of the throne. Zoey had noticed Molly coming up several times, and now she saw that the two tables on the opposite end of the room were covered with baked goodies. There were three tall containers too, and she realized those probably held hot drinks. Molly was pretty amazing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re so lucky,\u201d she said to Schrodinger, as they started to clean up the remains of the snowflakes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBecause you get to live with Molly. She\u2019s so magical – you probably don\u2019t even notice the magic anymore, because you\u2019re so used to it.\u201d Zoey sighed. \u201cI\u2019d love to have magic.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Schrodinger head-butted her playfully. Give it time. You\u2019re in the Cove, after all. There\u2019s magic everywhere here.<\/em> He looked over at the cookies. But yes, I like living with Molly. She\u2019s very much like a CrossCat, you know. I think she was born in human form by accident.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Zoey thought about that.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If not, she\u2019s the most catlike human I\u2019ve ever met,<\/em> Schrodinger said. And her food is wonderful.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Well, that Zoey couldn\u2019t argue with. Everything that Molly touched seemed to taste better than anything she\u2019d ever had before.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just don\u2019t get her mad,<\/em> Schrodinger said. Her gifts get a little wonky when she gets mad.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey was about to ask what he meant, when Aunt Margie came back up the stairs. \u201cOh, how wonderful!\u201d she exclaimed, looking at the throne. \u201cYou guys did a great job.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDoes that mean we get to be first to talk to Santa?\u201d Lily asked, bouncing excitedly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt does,\u201d Aunt Margie said, nodding. She looked at her watch. \u201cIn fact, we should start having people line up. He\u2019ll be here any minute!\u201d She turned to the crowd of people that had come into the room, and clapped her hands together. \u201cSanta will be here soon! So everyone, back behind the line!\u201d She pointed at the two tall silver poles that had a red velvet rope hanging between them. \u201cLily, Zoey, Jack, Schrodinger, you get to go first, as I said, because you\u2019ve been such a huge help.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They got into line, and Zoey realized that there were a lot of adults in line too – even some without kids! She saw Molly and Drew waiting, talking to some of their friends. \u201cHow come there are adults in line?\u201d she whispered to Lily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily blinked at her. \u201cBecause they want to talk to Santa,\u201d she said, as if that explained everything.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, yes, but I thought Santa only brought gifts to kids,\u201d Zoey said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Not in the Cove,<\/em> Jack told her, shifting his weight from one side to the other. She could tell he wanted badly to wag his tail, but it was a bit crowded, and he knew how hard his tail could hit. So he wiggled a bit instead. Santa brings Nathan and Corinne something every year.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly too,<\/em> Schrodinger said, and Lily nodded. It\u2019s just the way it is.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI like it the way it is,\u201d Zoey said, and began to think about what she would ask for. She\u2019d known what she wanted, but now, with this new knowledge, she began to ponder what to ask Santa to bring her parents.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She looked around again. The line stretched through and around the racks of books, and down the stairs. How was Santa going to even get in?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just as she was going to ask Lily this, the fire in the fireplace, which had been merrily burning along, startled them all by rising up in a great roar, and then dropping to barely anything. Then it roared again, and the flames parted, and a man in a red suit trimmed with white fur dropped down from the chimney and hopped out into the room.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey\u2019s jaw dropped. How could anyone BUT Santa do that? As Aunt Margie hurried forward to greet him, she looked closely. His white beard was beautifully combed and hung down over his belly like a snowfall. His coat was long and a dark crimson, rather than a true red, matching his hat, which was currently perched rather jauntily over one ear. His blue eyes twinkled as he embraced Aunt Margie, who was clearly an old friend. In short, he was nothing like she\u2019d ever seen before. Definitely not a stand-in. This had to be the real deal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Santa and Aunt Margie conferred a few minutes, and then he nodded. As he settled himself on his throne, she turned to the crowd and said, \u201cAll right, folks, you know the rules. No pushing, no shoving, no behaving rudely. Santa will stay until he\u2019s seen everyone. If you want to take a picture, please make it quick. And yes, Molly says she\u2019ll refill the cookies as soon as she can!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everyone laughed at that, and Molly shouted out, \u201cYou just have to promise me that I won\u2019t lose my place in line!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Lai told her. \u201cWe\u2019ll keep it for you!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everyone laughed again, and then Santa said, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Molly – I wouldn\u2019t leave without talking to you!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLuckily, you don\u2019t have to do anything yet,\u201d Aunt Margie said. \u201cNo one\u2019s wanted to get out of line to eat anything!\u201d She grinned. \u201cAnd now, here we go!\u201d She ceremoniously unhooked the velvet rope, and looked down at Lily, Zoey, Schrodinger and Jack. \u201cYou four did so much work today. Go ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily pushed Zoey ahead of them. \u201cYou go first,\u201d she said, and both Jack and Schrodinger nodded. \u201cYou haven\u2019t had a chance to talk to him before. You first.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou sure?\u201d Zoey said, and they all nodded again. A warm feeling of love for her friends suffused her. \u201cYou guys are the best.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She turned and went up to Santa. He smiled down at her. \u201cWelcome to the Cove, Zoey.\u201d He reached down and helped her climb into his lap. \u201cHow are you enjoying your first Christmas here?\u201d When she goggled at him, he chuckled, and she felt the sound reverberate through both of them. \u201cDon\u2019t look so surprised. I AM Santa Claus.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure?\u201d Zoey said. \u201cI mean, Aunt Margie could have told you that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cVery true,\u201d Santa agreed. \u201cShe could have.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo how do I know you really ARE Santa?\u201d Zoey asked. \u201cI mean, I really, really want to believe. I\u2019ve seen the magic.\u201d She sighed. \u201cBut Mom has always insisted that you don\u2019t exist. So\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo you don\u2019t want to doubt your mother, but you can\u2019t doubt what your eyes tell you, is that it?\u201d he said kindly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes! That\u2019s exactly it.\u201d She looked up at him earnestly. \u201cPlease, how can I know?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou have to trust, Zoey.\u201d He touched his chest. \u201cThe only way to really know is to believe.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She sighed. \u201cThat\u2019s really hard to do.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf it were easy, the world wouldn\u2019t be in as difficult a place as it is,\u201d he said to her. \u201cNow, what would you like for Christmas? Besides a CrossCat, because I can\u2019t give you one of those. I don\u2019t gift sentient beasts.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey\u2019s eyes widened. She hadn\u2019t even told her mother or father about that wish! If that wasn\u2019t proof that the man whose lap she currently sat on was Santa, she wasn\u2019t sure what was. \u201cAn easel,\u201d she whispered to him. \u201cAn easel and some actual canvasses, so I can do something special for Mom and Dad, and for Molly. The spot where the Advent Calendar is will need something to hang there after Christmas, and I\u2019d like to give her something.\u201d She smiled up at him. \u201cCan we do that?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s doable,\u201d Santa said, smiling. \u201cIf you are a good girl, and believe, then I think you will be pleasantly surprised Christmas morning.\u201d He reached into the bag at his side and pulled out a candy cane, which he handed to her. \u201cMerry Christmas, Zoey.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMerry Christmas, Santa,\u201d she said, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before she jumped down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily went after her, and then Jack. Schrodinger was the last of their group to go, and then he joined them where they were sitting on the hearthstone in front of the fireplace.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo what do you think?\u201d Lily asked Zoey, as they watched everyone come up and talk to Santa.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAbout what?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAbout if he\u2019s really Santa,\u201d Lily said, and Zoey turned to look at her. \u201cDo you believe?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey thought about it. \u201cHe knew something that no one could know,\u201d she said finally. \u201cIf he isn\u2019t Santa, then I\u2019m not sure who he is. So yes, I do believe he\u2019s the real thing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I think you\u2019re right,<\/em> Schrodinger said, purring happily. There\u2019s really no one else he could be.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily looked satisfied as well. \u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then Zoey saw something she\u2019d never thought she\u2019d see. There, standing in line with Corinne, was her mother. \u201cLily, look.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Lily said, looking over at the line.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy mom\u2019s in line.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCool!\u201d Lily said. \u201cSo\u2019s mine!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, you don\u2019t understand.\u201d Zoey shook her head, amazed. \u201cMy mom has always said Santa Claus doesn\u2019t exist. She never let me write to him before, or let me do anything like that. And now, she\u2019s in line.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Cove has a way of convincing everyone that Santa Claus is real,<\/em> Jack told her. I\u2019m not surprised that she\u2019s changed her mind. And that\u2019s the sign of a real adult – to be able to do that, when given facts that contradict your current worldview.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey watched her mother approach Santa. Donna\u2019s face had a mixture of emotions on it: apprehension and awe fought for dominance as she sat down on his knee. Then Santa leaned in and whispered something to her: her eyes opened wide, and her mouth opened in shock. Zoey wondered what he said. Then Donna shook herself, smiled and leaned in to whisper something back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s possible,\u201d Santa said, and handed Donna a candy cane. \u201cWelcome back, Donna. Welcome back.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cYou guys, you guys, guess what happened last night!!!\u201d Zoey tore into the kitchen, her eyes shining and her long braids (sporting red bows with snowflakes on them, Molly noted) streaming out from under her hat. Schrodinger and Molly had been enjoying a late morning cup of tea, but they both turned to her …<\/p>\n