Sunday, December 20<\/p>\n
\u201cSchrodinger, can you go and get the door, please?\u201d Molly said, as she flipped over the French toast over on the griddle. \u201cI think Drew\u2019s still in the shower, and I can\u2019t leave these.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course!<\/em> The CrossCat hopped down from his chair and headed to the door. She heard the door open and then he said,\u00a0Pavel! Ella! Come in – Molly\u2019s making her famous French toast! \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cFamous French toast?\u201d Ella asked, as they followed Schrodinger back into the kitchen. \u201cFor us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019m not sure how famous it is, but I think it\u2019s pretty good,\u201d Molly said, flashing them a grin. \u201cPardon my pajamas. Sunday after the Snow Queen\u2019s ball tends to be a quiet day around here, and I just didn\u2019t feel like getting dressed.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s how you know you\u2019re really family<\/em>, Schrodinger said, climbing back into his chair. He dunked his pink tongue into his tea. Because Molly\u2019s comfortable enough to let you see that she\u2019s in love with flannel pajamas.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cDarn right,\u201d Molly said, not embarrassed at all. \u201cFlannel pajamas are amazing.\u201d And she was quite fond of the pair she was currently wearing: they were red and green plaid, with golden swans all over them. Drew had given them to her for her birthday, and Schrodinger had given her the green socks to match.<\/p>\n \u201cThey look very comfortable,\u201d Ella said, taking the seat that Pavel held out for her. \u201cI don\u2019t blame you at all, Molly.\u201d<\/p>\n Molly flashed her and Pavel a smile. \u201cThank you. Tea?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would love some,\u201d Ella said. \u201cIf it\u2019s not too much trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI keep a kettle on in the morning, so it\u2019s no trouble at all.\u201d Once she was sure the French toast was set for a few moments, Molly took the copper kettle off the back burner and brought it over to the table. She and Schrodinger had set the table before they\u2019d gone to the ball the night before with her favorite holiday china set: bone white china, covered with wreaths and holly berries. She filled the cups with hot water and asked, \u201cWhat kind of tea would you like?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever you would like to serve,\u201d Ella said, then looked at her son as he laughed. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you see that cupboard on the wall there?\u201d Pavel said, pointing to a large wooden cabinet on the wall. \u201cThat\u2019s full of Molly\u2019s tea collection.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Ella\u2019s eyes went wide. \u201cAll tea?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll tea,\u201d Molly confirmed. She set the kettle back on the rear burner, then opened up the cabinet, showing off all the neat boxes of tea. \u201cWhat do you like?\u201d<\/p>\n I recommend the Earl Grey,<\/em> Schrodinger said. It\u2019s the best.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWell, then I shall have Earl Grey,\u201d Ella said, smiling over at the CrossCat. \u201cI must have the best!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll take my usual,\u201d Pavel said, getting up to get the black tea he preferred. \u201cLet me get everything.\u201d<\/p>\n Molly turned back to the French toast, which was almost ready. \u201cSo I didn\u2019t use my normal Texas toast for this,\u201d she said, transferring the slices to a plate, then pulling the last set of slices from the custard next to the stove and put them on the griddle. \u201cBut I think you\u2019ll like this just as well, Pavel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you use?\u201d he asked, as he brought the filled tea balls over to the table.<\/p>\n \u201cBlueberry bread,\u201d Molly said, and chuckled as she heard him suck in his breath. \u201cAnd we\u2019ve got real maple syrup from our own trees out back that Schrodinger and Drew tapped this past spring.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs there anything you guys can\u2019t do?\u201d Pavel said, shaking his head. \u201cI swear, you could be on a deserted island and be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s because Molly\u2019s a kitchen witch. They never starve<\/em>, Schrodinger said wisely. So neither will we. Unless you make her mad, of course.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s making Molly mad? And why?\u201d Drew asked, coming downstairs.<\/p>\n No one, I don\u2019t think<\/em>, Schrodinger said. But I was warning Pavel not to.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a lesson I think he knows pretty well,\u201d Drew said, winking at Pavel on his way to kiss Molly. He\u2019d changed into jeans and a sweater that Mrs. Barrett had made him. \u201cHe\u2019s not likely to get on her bad side.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHardly,\u201d Pavel agreed. \u201cI have seen her mad. I would rather face sea serpents in heat in the middle of the ocean, during a raging storm, in a rowboat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s an image,\u201d Molly said, after returning Drew\u2019s kiss. She handed her handsome husband the plate of French toast, and then piled the last few slices on the top of the plate. \u201cTake that to the table, please, and I\u2019ll follow with this.\u201d She then opened the oven and pulled out a tray of bacon and sausage.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is amazing,\u201d Ella said, looking at the food, then she smiled at her son. \u201cI see now why you want to live here, Pavel.\u201d<\/p>\n As they settled in around the table, Molly looked around her bright kitchen and sighed happily. The sun was shining in through the windows, making the wooden walls glow warmly. The big table gathered them in together over the fragrant tea and French toast, filling her heart.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is how I always pictured my home,\u201d she said, putting together a plate for Schrodinger. \u201cFull of happiness and good food.\u201d<\/p>\n And it\u2019s the best home,<\/em> Schrodinger said, watching her cut up the French toast for him. I don\u2019t ever want to leave.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNo?\u201d Pavel said, sounding surprised. \u201cSo you won\u2019t be traveling anymore, my friend?\u201d<\/p>\n Traveling, yes, but not living elsewhere, I don\u2019t think.<\/em> Schrodinger drank a bit more tea, and then sucked a piece of sausage into his mouth. I don\u2019t even think I\u2019d return to the den. I\u2019ve put down my roots here.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat about later? Don\u2019t you want a family of your own?\u201d Molly asked him.<\/p>\n Sure. I\u2019ll bring them back here.<\/em><\/p>\n That statement, in Schrodinger\u2019s typical factual style, caught her as she was taking a drink from her tea mug, and Molly almost choked. Drew had to rescue her cup as she coughed, and Pavel pounded her on the back. Schrodinger and Ella watched in faint alarm.<\/p>\n Are you okay?<\/em> The CrossCat asked nervously.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Molly said hoarsely, shaking her head. \u201cI just wasn\u2019t expecting that, that\u2019s all.\u201d She smiled down at Schrodinger. \u201cI think it would be lovely for you to have a family here too.\u201d<\/p>\n Not for a while, though. I haven\u2019t met the right girl.<\/em><\/p>\n Molly didn\u2019t want to ask how he planned to meet that right girl, as there weren\u2019t that many CrossCats that came through the Cove. Then again, I have no idea how old Schrodinger actually is, and at what age they breed,<\/em> she thought privately. And I have to admit, the thought of little CrossCat kittens is adorable.<\/em><\/p>\n They ate in silence for a while, each wrapped in their own thoughts. Then Molly said, \u201cSo, Ella, what did you think of the ball last night?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was amazing!\u201d Ella said, her blue eyes lighting up. \u201cI had no idea that anything like that could even be possible. The woods, the room, the Snow Queen.\u201d She sighed happily. \u201cIt is a memory I will treasure. I even learned to dance!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Mother, if you decide to take me up on my offer, you can go every year,\u201d Pavel said.<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d Ella smiled at him, the light fading from her eyes. \u201cBut I\u2019m just not sure, dear heart. The Cove is much bigger than I\u2019m used to. And I do love my home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut why?\u201d Pavel asked her, setting his fork down. \u201cWhy would you want to return to that place, with all its memories?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause they are my memories, my son,\u201d Ella said gently. \u201cAnd not all of them are bad.\u201d She looked down at her plate. \u201cYou were born there. I met your father there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy father, who abandoned us,\u201d he reminded her.<\/p>\n \u201cYour father, who gave me you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Pavel sighed. \u201cI know, I know,\u201d he said. \u201cBut my grandfather was there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPavel, it\u2019s not always easy to leave your home,\u201d Molly said, reaching over to lay her hand on his. \u201cIt\u2019s a big decision.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d he repeated. \u201cAnd I will respect your decision, Mother. But I am buying the house here.\u201d<\/p>\n Yay!<\/em> Schrodinger said, bouncing in his chair, and Molly grabbed his plate before his paws landed in it. We\u2019ll have a full-time Pavel!<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWell, when I\u2019m not at sea, yes,\u201d Pavel told him, chuckling. \u201cAs you said, this is where I want to set my roots down. Although I think there will not be a wife in my future.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou never know,\u201d Molly teased. \u201cI\u2019m sure if nothing else, Lily would love to marry you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHer father might not like that, though,\u201d Drew said thoughtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cTrue,\u201d Molly said. She laughed at the look on Pavel\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cSome day, you will meet a good girl,\u201d Ella said placidly, picking up a piece of bacon. \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll see, Mother, we\u2019ll see.\u201d Pavel looked at Molly and Drew. \u201cConsidering the example Molly and Drew have set, she\u2019ll have to meet a high standard.\u201d He pushed his plate back and said, \u201cAnd she\u2019ll have to be able to cook.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s good, considering what you consider cooking,\u201d his mother said tartly. She winked at Molly. \u201cMaybe I should move here just to make sure you aren\u2019t living in this kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll just have to do chores to pay for his keep,\u201d Molly said, grinning. \u201cI can find all sorts of things for him to do, especially this week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy, are you especially busy this week?\u201d Ella asked her.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s the week before Christmas,\u201d Molly said. \u201cThe bookstore will be busy, and I usually make a bunch of stuff for our Christmas dinner as well. But honestly, no busier than usual.\u201d<\/p>\n Ella looked at Pavel. \u201cThen maybe this isn\u2019t a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Drew asked, looking at the two of them. \u201cWhat idea?\u201d<\/p>\n Pavel said, \u201cMother and I talked last night on our way home from the Ball, and,\u201d he paused, toying with his fork as he apparently collected his thoughts, \u201cwe\u2019ve decided to go to my grandmother\u2019s this week.\u201d<\/p>\n Molly, Drew, and Schrodinger all gaped at him. After everything they\u2019d heard in the past month, the quiet admission was stunning.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we were hoping that you would come with us,\u201d Ella said, looking at them. \u201cAs moral support.\u201d<\/p>\n Of course we will!<\/em> Schrodinger recovered first, and he looked at Molly and Drew. At least for some of it, right? We have to be home for Christmas Day, because we\u2019re hosting it here. But we could go for some of it.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not usually too busy after the Snow Queen\u2019s Ball, and I\u2019m sure I could convince Mal to let me have some time off,\u201d Drew said, after thinking about it for a few minutes. He looked at his wife. \u201cWe could have Nathan and Corrine come Christmas Eve, and set everything up\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Molly looked from Drew to Schrodinger, and then over to Pavel and Ella. All four of them were looking hopefully at her.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me talk to Aunt Margie,\u201d she said slowly. \u201cI think we can do it, but I don\u2019t want to promise anything without talking to her, and to Corrine.\u201d She looked at Pavel. \u201cDo you think we could be back for Christmas Day?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking Christmas Eve, actually,\u201d he said. \u201cI know how important your family is to you, Molly, and what I\u2019m asking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we\u2019re asking,\u201d his mother corrected. \u201cIt\u2019s a lot, Molly, and if you feel you can\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to say that,\u201d Molly said, getting up. \u201cBut I can\u2019t make a decision yet, without talking to them. Let me make some phone calls.\u201d<\/p>\n It took some time, and a little bit of wrangling (Mal was more disappointed than either Aunt Margie or Corinne, and Molly had to promise him a full basket of her turkey cranberry scones), but eventually, everything was set. Molly threw them all out of the house, telling them that if they wanted to leave tomorrow, she had to cook.<\/p>\n Before he left, Pavel gave Molly a hug. \u201cThank you,\u201d he murmured. \u201cIt\u2019s time for my biological family to meet my chosen family. It wouldn\u2019t be right to go to see my grandmother without you, Drew, and Schrodinger.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh Pavel,\u201d she said, hugging him back. \u201cI\u2019m so glad we\u2019re able to do this with you.\u201d<\/p>\n He winked at her on the way out. \u201cAnd just think of the fun we\u2019ll have.\u201d<\/p>\n Molly shook her head. \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m afraid of.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sunday, December 20 \u201cSchrodinger, can you go and get the door, please?\u201d Molly said, as she flipped over the French toast over on the griddle. \u201cI think Drew\u2019s still in the shower, and I can\u2019t leave these.\u201d Of course! The CrossCat hopped down from his chair and headed to the door. She heard the door …<\/p>\n