Saturday, December 19<\/p>\n
\u201cMolly, are you ready? Tim and Doug are here!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m almost done!\u201d she called back, putting in the silver snowflake earrings that matched the silver snowflake pendant that hung on a delicate chain around her neck. Her long hair was braided in an intricate French braid, held in a crown with more silver snowflakes set on bobby pins. She checked her lipstick one last time, then turned to get her evening bag from the bed.<\/p>\n
As she descended the staircase, Molly saw Drew, Doug, Schrodinger, and Tim waiting for her in the entryway. The humans were all in fitted tuxes with vests and bow ties, and the CrossCat was resplendent in a vest and tie as well. He and Drew were in the sapphire colors they had worn for the wedding, while Tim and Doug had chosen a seasonal dark green that went with both their coloring. Molly watched Drew\u2019s eyes widen and smiled.<\/p>\n
Her dress was similar to the dresses her bridesmaids had worn at the summer wedding, in the same rich sapphire fabric. But where their dresses had come to their knees, Molly\u2019s gown hugged her curves all the way down to her ankles. There was a gathering of fabric at the top of her right shoulder, and a train cascaded down her back to slither down the stairs behind her, whispering secrets as it did. The front of the dress had silver shot through the bodice, and the long silver strands spiraled around her several times before hitting the hem. \u201cDo you like it?\u201d she asked shyly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look exquisite,\u201d Drew told her, meeting her at the bottom of the stairs and offering her his arm. He leaned in close to her and whispered, \u201cI half-want to cancel, so I don\u2019t have to share you with anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could,\u201d she murmured up to him, leaning in as well. \u201cSend Schrodinger with Doug and Tim, go back upstairs\u2026\u201d Molly let her voice trail off suggestively.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re an evil woman,\u201d he said. \u201cYou know that we can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
She chuckled and kissed him. \u201cSoon enough, my love. Soon enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once she had her coat on, they all piled into the Jeep and headed out. \u201cPavel and Ella are meeting us there,\u201d Drew said. He looked over at his cousins. \u201cThis is going to blow your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen it, at the wedding, remember?\u201d Doug said from the back seat.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s still going to blow your mind,<\/em> Schrodinger said. Trust us.<\/em><\/p>\n The line of cars heading towards the Snow Queen\u2019s Ball was the first indication to Tim and Doug just how big an event this was. They made it up to the drop-off point, and piled out.<\/p>\n Come on!<\/em> Schrodinger said, shaking with excitement. Come on!<\/em><\/p>\n They all laughed and followed him down the path towards the large doors which indicated the ballroom. \u201cIt\u2019s still cold,\u201d Tim pointed out to Molly quietly. \u201cI thought you said it wouldn\u2019t be cold?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou aren\u2019t inside yet,\u201d she said, laughing a little. \u201cGive it a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n As soon as they approached the white marble columns that framed the entrance, the heavy oak doors opened on their own, noiseless as they passed over snow as soft as a plush carpet. Molly and Schrodinger let the way into the entry, where snow gave way to white marble floors covered with an soft white carpet.<\/p>\n \u201cSee?\u201d she said, pulling off her coat and handing it to the coat check girl. \u201cIt\u2019s not cold in here, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n In fact, it was pleasantly warm, even though the night sky glittered overhead where the ceiling should have been. Tim and Doug craned their heads up, bemused.<\/p>\n \u201cSo what holds up the columns?\u201d Tim asked.<\/p>\n Molly grinned. \u201cMagic, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d he echoed, shaking his head. \u201cI\u2019ll remember eventually, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s forgetting again that not everyone has grown up with magic,\u201d Drew said, taking Molly\u2019s arm. \u201cCome on. I want to see what the theme is this year.\u201d<\/p>\n They went down the short hallway and stepped into the ball room. Molly drew in a breath, amazed.<\/p>\n For her wedding, they had done a fall color theme. She\u2019d expected some version of snowflakes and fall leaves, a nod to Jack Frost and the Snow Queen, but not the way she saw it now.<\/p>\n The floor was white, with leaves strewn artfully around. Rather than the marble columns that Molly remembered from before, now there were live trees rising all around the edge of the room, their branches heavy with snow. Long garlands of holly and ivy were interspersed with garlands of nuts and brilliant red and gold leaves, twining around the tree trunks and being draped from limb to limb. Interspersed with these were old-fashioned lamps that had candles burning in them. They looked like wrought iron, though Molly was willing to bet they weren\u2019t. They might have even been illusions, but they looked real enough. The band sat to one side of the raised dais, on another dais, behind a fence that was composed of delicately filagreed snowflakes, tuning up their instruments. And then there were the thrones.<\/p>\n Two this year, of course. One was the beautiful crystal throne of the Snow Queen, looking as if it were carved of living ice, flickering like a faceted diamond in the light of the candles that lit the room. Beside it was a heavy throne of oak, as solid as hers was ethereal, covered in carved leaves and nuts. Molly had wondered what Jack\u2019s throne would look like.<\/p>\n Off to the side of the Snow Queen\u2019s throne was a third chair, not quite a throne, but very close. This one was made of stone, not crystal, and had a fur thrown across it. Doug nudged her and asked quietly, \u201cWho is that one for?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOld Man Winter, I\u2019d imagine,\u201d she murmured back. \u201cLook, there\u2019s room for Ember next to it.\u201d Indeed, there was something that looked like a supersized version of Schrodinger\u2019s bed at the tea room. \u201cThat\u2019s probably where Schrodinger will spend the evening.\u201d<\/p>\n I\u2019ll wait until they get here, though,<\/em> the CrossCat said. It\u2019s not polite to sleep in someone\u2019s bed before they get to the party.<\/em> He ran a large paw across his whiskers and looked around. When do you think that will be?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNot long now,\u201d Molly said, looking at the delicate watch on her wrist. \u201cIt\u2019s just about time to start.\u201d<\/p>\n As she said that, the band began to play a swing version of \u201cWe Need A Little Christmas\u201d and the crowd applauded. A door opened behind the thrones, and the Snow Queen and Jack Frost came out into the room.<\/p>\n \u201cWow,\u201d Doug said softly, and Molly smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, they have that effect on people.\u201d<\/p>\n Jade, the Snow Queen, was dressed in a dress of the palest purple silk, a color that was very nearly white, but with the faintest blush of lilac in it, a long gown that swirled around her like snow clouds. Her long silver hair was loose, flowing over her shoulders, and her coronet held it back from her face. Long ribbons floated off the back of the silver coronet of snowflakes, and as they ascended the dais, Molly could almost smell the scent of peppermints and snow dancing on the air.<\/p>\n Her consort was dressed in a dashing coat and tails of dark green, which suited him perfectly, and brought out the purple in Jade\u2019s dress. He had a snowflake pinned to his lapel, rather than a flower, and a coronet of snowflakes that matched the Snow Queen\u2019s. Molly thought he looked more dashing than he had in a long time.<\/p>\n \u201cWelcome, my friends,\u201d Jade said, her clear voice cutting across the music and the murmurings of the crowd. \u201cI\u2019m so happy that once again you are here to celebrate the season with us.\u201d She smiled at Jack, reaching for his hand, as she continued, \u201cPlease, dance, make merry, and enjoy yourselves. Let the party begin!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on,\u201d Molly said, tugging Drew over to the dais as the band started a new song. \u201cI want to say hi to Old Man Winter and Ember before we dance.\u201d<\/p>\n And I want to snuggle,<\/em> Schrodinger said, leading them around the edge of the room. Besides, I think they\u2019ll have the best vantage point to watch from anyways.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019re right,\u201d Molly agreed. Once they got closer, however, she realized that they\u2019d lost Tim and Doug.<\/p>\n \u201cThey decided to dance,\u201d Drew said, pointing with his chin at the two men, dancing slowly on the dance floor.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Doug was worried that he couldn\u2019t dance,\u201d Molly scoffed. Then she smiled. \u201cThey look so happy together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Drew agreed, pulling her closer. They watched Tim and Doug for a moment longer, then let Schrodinger pull them towards the stone chair, where Old Man Winter had taken his seat.<\/p>\n \u201cWondered when you three would get over here,\u201d Old Man Winter said gruffly, but Molly saw the twinkling in his blue eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cAs if we\u2019d miss seeing you,\u201d she said, hugging him and feeling the icy chill that always surrounded the Spirit of Winter. \u201cYou old fraud.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have a reputation to maintain, you know,\u201d he huffed, but he hugged her back.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but that reputation includes being wrapped around the fingers of some little girls,\u201d Drew pointed out, shaking the hand Old Man Winter offered him. \u201cAnd being able to be bribed with orange scones. Pardon us if we\u2019re not scared of you any more.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpeaking of,\u201d Old Man Winter said, looking around. \u201cWhere are Lily and Zoey?\u201d<\/p>\n Babysitting,<\/em> Schrodinger told him, rubbing up against his legs before heading over to the bed, where a large green dragon had settled herself. Hi Ember! Can I join you?<\/em><\/p>\n Of course,<\/em> Ember replied, making room for the CrossCat, who clambered up and snuggled in among her coils. We can watch together. But I\u2019m bummed that Jack isn\u2019t here.<\/em><\/p>\n He stayed to help Lily and Zoey<\/em>, Schrodinger said.<\/p>\n Old Man Winter looked disappointed. \u201cBut then who is going to swipe shrimp from the buffet for me?\u201d he said plaintively, and Molly laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019ll manage,\u201d she said, laying a hand on his arm. \u201cBesides, you don\u2019t have to stay here. You could always go over to Peter and Corrine\u2019s and watch movies with them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not a bad idea,\u201d Old Man Winter said, considering. \u201cAre they making pizza?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe they might be,\u201d Molly said.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll just slip out for a bit,\u201d the Spirit said, casting an eye towards his daughter and her consort, who were laughing at something. \u201cThink they\u2019d miss me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll cover for you,\u201d Molly assured him.<\/p>\n He winked at her and then turned to Ember. \u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n Go<\/em>,the dragon said dryly. I\u2019m perfectly capable of taking care of myself here.<\/em><\/p>\n Old Man Winter grinned and hurried back out of the room. Molly and Drew laughed, then went over to the thrones.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is my father going?\u201d Jade asked shrewdly, looking at him.<\/p>\n \u201cTo get pizza, I believe,\u201d Molly said, chuckling. \u201cHe said he\u2019d be back later.\u201d<\/p>\n Jade rolled her eyes, and Jack looked interested. \u201cPizza, huh? Where\u2019s he going for that?\u201d Then he saw the look on Jade\u2019s face and added hastily, \u201cI\u2019m just curious, of course. I wouldn\u2019t dream of going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe went over to check on Lily and Zoey, who are babysitting this evening,\u201d Molly said.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course he is,\u201d Jade said. She shook her head. \u201cYou know, he\u2019s really going to destroy his reputation as a wild Spirit if he doesn\u2019t watch out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo late,\u201d Drew said. \u201cEveryone in the Cove knows his secret.\u201d<\/p>\n As they chatted, Pavel and his mother came up to them. Ever the fashion plate, Pavel had gone all out this time: his tuxedo was black as night, and his tie and vest were a matching black. Beside him, Ella was radiant in a champagne dress, a shawl over her shoulders, and she had a lovely corsage of champagne roses on her wrist.<\/p>\n \u201cYour Majesties,\u201d Pavel said extravagantly, bowing low before them. \u201cMay I present to you my mother, Ella Chekhov?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019ve been upgraded,\u201d Jack murmured to Jade, who laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cPavel, you irrepressible scamp,\u201d she scolded, coming down off the dais and embracing him. \u201cI didn\u2019t know you were bringing your mother!\u201d She turned in a flurry of ribbons and silk to Ella. \u201cWelcome to the Ball!\u201d<\/p>\n Ella looked a bit surprised at the embrace, but she recovered quickly. Then again, it was hard to resist the Snow Queen\u2019s charm. \u201cThank you!\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m having a wonderful time in the Cove – I can see why Pavel is setting down roots here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSetting down roots?\u201d Jade looked closely at Pavel. \u201cIs this true?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s true,\u201d he confirmed. \u201cI think I\u2019m buying the house I\u2019m renting right now.\u201d He winked at Molly. \u201cNow, I just need to convince Molly to leave the tea shop and be my personal chef.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot going to happen, sorry,\u201d she said, grinning. \u201cI\u2019m not built to be a personal chef. Besides, Cook would knife me in the back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHardly,\u201d Pavel said.<\/p>\n Ella turned to Molly and Drew. \u201cWhat a wonderful place you live in,\u201d she said. \u201cDid you know, I went downtown with Pavel today, and had the most amazing time. We walked all over, and met so many people!\u201d She shook her head. \u201cAnd they were all friendly! My village, not so much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the Christmas season,\u201d Molly said.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it\u2019s the Cove,\u201d Jack said, coming down as well. \u201cTrust me, Molly. The Cove is unlike anywhere else in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think so, but I\u2019m biased,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cMolly, dance with me?\u201d Pavel asked her, holding out his hand.<\/p>\n She accepted, and he swirled her out on to the floor. \u201cI wanted a chance to talk to you alone,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWithout my husband? You cad,\u201d Molly teased him.<\/p>\n He laughed, and it was an unforced, Pavel laugh that thrilled through her. \u201cNo, without my mother, actually,\u201d he said. \u201cI wanted to ask you a favor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d Molly said. \u201cI\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t even know what it is,\u201d Pavel said.<\/p>\n \u201cDoesn\u2019t matter. You asked a favor, and I\u2019ll do it.\u201d She cocked her head. \u201cNow, what did I just agree to?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo have us to lunch tomorrow,\u201d Pavel said. \u201cBecause I have a proposal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat you can\u2019t give me now?\u201d Molly eyed him. \u201cWhat are you up to, Pavel?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll see,\u201d he promised, and gave her a wicked grin. \u201cYou\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n And he refused to say anything else, all night. Molly danced with all her friends, the evening passing in a blur of music, champagne and magic. All too soon, the Snow Queen clapped her hands together, calling for the last dance.<\/p>\n Doug found her shoe and led her out onto the dance floor. \u201cDid you have a good time?\u201d she asked, as the band played \u201cThe Christmas Waltz.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had an amazing time,\u201d he said, holding her gently as they moved through the motions of the dance. \u201cI really wasn\u2019t sure what to expect, but it wasn\u2019t this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow do you understand why Drew stayed?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I knew why he stayed, as soon as I met you,\u201d Doug said, chuckling a little. \u201cI could tell how in love he was.\u201d He looked over at his cousin, who was dancing with Lai. \u201cBut now I understand why you wouldn\u2019t leave.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook over there,\u201d Molly said, nodding over his shoulder. He spun her around and then gasped.<\/p>\n Tim was dancing in the middle of the floor, the Snow Queen in his arms. She was talking to him, her eyes bright and happy.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a good thing,\u201d Molly told him. \u201cShe likes him, and you. It\u2019s a great honor to share the final dance with the Snow Queen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does it mean?\u201d Doug asked her.<\/p>\n \u201cIt means you\u2019re home,\u201d Molly said, and hugged him. \u201cIt means you\u2019re home.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Saturday, December 19 \u201cMolly, are you ready? Tim and Doug are here!\u201d \u201cI\u2019m almost done!\u201d she called back, putting in the silver snowflake earrings that matched the silver snowflake pendant that hung on a delicate chain around her neck. Her long hair was braided in an intricate French braid, held in a crown with more …<\/p>\n