Thursday, December 25<\/p>\n
Molly had awoken early, the habit of years, and had slipped from the bed without awakening Drew. Schrodinger was sleeping in a pile with Lily, Zoey and Jack in one of the guest rooms; Molly peeked in the room, but they were all still asleep as well. So she went downstairs, made a cup of tea, and went into the living room.<\/p>\n
Their living room was huge, and the coals from the night before were still banked. Molly coaxed them back to life, then plugged in the Christmas tree. With the softly glowing lights making the room sparkle, she curled up in the window seat to watch the sun rise.<\/p>\n
There was little to see, though. Clouds had continued to come in, building a thick wall that blotted out the moon and stars. Molly sipped her tea and enjoyed the silence, knowing that soon it would be shattered. There were more presents now under the tree, wrapped in the traditional red and green tissue paper that Santa used, which told her that the jolly elf had come and gone.<\/p>\n
She heard a noise, and turned to see Jade coming to join her in the seat. The Snow Queen was dressed, to Molly\u2019s delight, in soft pajamas that were covered fall leaves and holly berries. \u201cMay I join you?\u201d she asked, and Molly moved her feet, inviting her in.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the Snow Queen wears pajamas to bed, just like a mortal?\u201d Molly teased gently.<\/p>\n
Jade laughed. \u201cOf course I do! Mortals have some of the best ideas, after all!\u201d She looked out the window. \u201cTime for one of my Christmas presents for the Cove.\u201d<\/p>\n
Molly watched as Jade raised a hand and whispered something under her breath. Silver-white sparkles flowed from her fingertips and out through the glass, swirling up to the clouds. In a few moments, snow started to fall, tiny white flakes that danced on the breeze.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow it looks like Christmas,\u201d Molly said, as the snow started to pile up. \u201cFinally.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s thanks to you that we have a white Christmas,\u201d Jade said, looking over at her friend. \u201cYou\u2019ve pulled off a Christmas miracle. You found the good man hiding in Jack\u2019s soul, and gave him back to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Molly flushed a little. \u201cLike I said before, Jade, Jack did all the work. I just showed him how to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you believed in him, when no one else did,\u201d Jade said, leaning over and putting a cool hand on Molly\u2019s. \u201cI\u2019d even given up on him. But you didn\u2019t, and I wouldn\u2019t be here if you hadn\u2019t. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou would have done the same for me,\u201d Molly told her, clasping her hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely.\u201d Jade nodded. \u201cIf you need anything, Molly, please let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Molly was about to reply when a shriek of absolute joy echoed through the house, followed by the sound of running feet. Lily and Zoey burst into the room, followed closely by Schrodinger and Jack. \u201cSanta came!\u201d Lily shrieked.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd it\u2019s SNOWING!\u201d Zoey added. \u201cChristmas is perfect!\u201d<\/p>\n
Their calls brought everyone else to the living room, yawning and rubbing sleep from their eyes. Molly, Corrine, Donna and Jade brought out tea and coffee cakes, and then the present unwrapping began.<\/p>\n
In the middle of the chaos, Old Man Winter showed up with even more presents and, to Lily and Zoey\u2019s delight, Ember. The entire living room was full of chaos, noise and cheer, and Molly loved every minute of it.<\/p>\n
At the end, there was only one more box under the tree, and Lily pulled it out. \u201cTo Drew and Molly, from Jack and Jade,\u201d she read, then brought the box over to Molly. \u201cOpen it, Molly, open it!\u201d<\/p>\n
Inside the box was a key. Molly pulled it out and looked quizzically at Jade, who was snuggled in Jack\u2019s arms. \u201cDid I miss something?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
It was Jack who answered. \u201cNo,\u201d he said, chuckling. \u201cThat\u2019s actually the key to my log cabin. We thought you might like a honeymoon there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally?\u201d Molly\u2019s eyes went wide. \u201cBefore or after you add the kitchen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter,\u201d he promised. \u201cJust tell us when.\u201d<\/p>\n
Molly glanced back at Drew. \u201cWell, I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you all that we\u2019ve set a date,\u201d she said, and Drew nodded. \u201cWe\u2019ve decided that Saturday, July 18, 2015, we\u2019re getting married.\u201d<\/p>\n
The room erupted into cheers. Molly turned to Schrodinger. \u201cYou\u2019ll be our ringbearer, right?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
Of course!<\/em> the CrossCat said excitedly.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we\u2019d like you two to be our flower girls,\u201d Drew said, looking at Zoey and Lily, who nodded enthusiastically.<\/p>\n \u201cJack, would you escort them down?\u201d Molly asked the hound, who thumped his tail in agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cThen it\u2019s settled,\u201d Molly said, smiling. \u201cJuly 18.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s actually one more gift we have,\u201d Jade said, looking at Jack. \u201cFor Schrodinger.\u201d<\/p>\n For me?<\/em> Schrodinger said. Where?<\/em><\/p>\n Everyone looked around. There were no more presents under the tree.<\/p>\n Jade grinned and beckoned the CrossCat over to the window that looked out over the front yard. The sleigh that Drew had painted sat among the snow drifts.<\/p>\n \u201cWe couldn\u2019t get a pony,\u201d Jade said. \u201cBut we talked to a certain friend of ours, and we hoped this would be acceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n Hitched to the sleigh with a silvery harness covered in bells was a large reindeer, ribbons on his large rack and a Santa hat perched on his head.<\/p>\n Is it\u2026is it\u2026?<\/em> Schrodinger couldn\u2019t even get the words out.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is,\u201d Jade assured him. \u201cYou only have him for today, as he has to go back to the North Pole after that, but I think we can manage to get a few flights in today. What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s the best present EVER!<\/em> Schrodinger jumped up on Jade, purring ecstatically. Let\u2019s go!<\/em><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Merry Christmas, everyone! \u00a0I hope you enjoyed this year’s Advent calendar, and as a special gift, start looking for a new Advent story on July 12, as Molly and Drew get ready to wed! \u00a0I hope to see you then!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thursday, December 25 Molly had awoken early, the habit of years, and had slipped from the bed without awakening Drew. Schrodinger was sleeping in a pile with Lily, Zoey and Jack in one of the guest rooms; Molly peeked in the room, but they were all still asleep as well. So she went downstairs, made …<\/p>\n