Tuesday, December 22<\/p>\n
It was snowing when Molly awoke, and for a moment, she couldn\u2019t remember where she was. The bedroom that Brynna had shown them to the night before was smaller than their bedroom at the farm, and the sounds of the waves against the rocks beneath them was something she wasn\u2019t accustomed to.<\/p>\n
Now, it mixed with the familiar sound of snow against glass windows, an intriguing combination that pulled her from dreaming.<\/p>\n
Drew was still asleep, as was Schrodinger, but Molly found herself squirming out of the warm blankets, not wanting to stay in bed for some reason. She pulled on her robe and her slippers, and went downstairs to the kitchen.<\/p>\n
To her surprise, Brynna was also awake, sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea in front of her, watching the snow fall out the windows. The kitchen was at the rear of the house, facing the cliffs, although due to the snow, Molly could only see a small ways out beyond the yard. \u201cGood morning,\u201d the woman said quietly. \u201cYou\u2019re up early.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy days usually start early,\u201d Molly said, in an equally quiet tone. \u201cWhat time is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSeven o\u2019clock,\u201d Brynna said. \u201cThere\u2019s tea in the pot, if you would like.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d Molly took one of the clay mugs from where they hung on the wall, and poured herself a cup of dark, fragrant black tea. Then she took one of the seats at the table, and she and Brynna watched the snow fall in silence for a while.<\/p>\n
\u201cPavel says you\u2019re the reason he came,\u201d Brynna said finally, breaking the silence. \u201cThat you convinced him to give me a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPavel likes to exaggerate sometimes,\u201d Molly said, flushing a little. \u201cI just reminded him that family should have a second chance, and that he shouldn\u2019t just trust his grandfather\u2019s stories, that he owed it to himself, to Ella, and to you to find out first-hand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brynna nodded, looking sad. \u201cI suppose I shouldn\u2019t be surprised at how deep Willem\u2019s hatred ran, but I am. We were very, very much in love once.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey say there\u2019s a thin line between love and hate,\u201d Molly told her.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, they do.\u201d<\/p>\n
After another moment or so, Molly said, \u201cIt\u2019s none of my business, but if you don\u2019t mind my asking, what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
Brynna sighed, and sipped her tea before replying. \u201cWillem and I married very young, against our parents\u2019 advice. We were so in love, though. And for a long time, all we needed was the sea and each other.\u201d She looked out at the snow falling. \u201cThen I had Ella, and we thought our family was complete. One of us would stay with her, and the other would take the ship on runs. It was perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then?\u201d Molly prompted her, when she stopped.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Ella was about 12, we started to go out again together. She hates the sea, and so we\u2019d leave her with the neighbors, who had a daughter her age,\u201d Brynna said. \u201cWe assumed she\u2019d fall in love and marry someone in the village, and we\u2019d continue to sail. And then the accident happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked over at Molly. \u201cWe\u2019d been out longer than we meant to, and one of the big winter storms hit as we were trying to get back to the harbor. Now, we didn\u2019t really ply the Sea Roads much – we didn\u2019t have a navigator who could plot us a course at that point, so we were just on our sea. It was cheaper to run, too – no need to charge Gate engines, but it also meant that we couldn\u2019t jump onto a Sea Road if the weather got too bad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Molly nodded, although she wasn\u2019t quite sure what the woman meant. She knew the Sea Roads acted a bit differently than the land-based Roads, but she\u2019d never really ventured on them, so she didn\u2019t know how different they were. \u201cSo you were caught?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were trying to get into a sheltered harbor, to let the storm pass us,\u201d Brynna said. Her hands tightened around the mug of tea. \u201cWillem insisted on being at the wheel, since he was stronger than I was. Our first mate was with him, trying to keep the ship stable. And then we were hit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI still don\u2019t know,\u201d Brynna said. \u201cIt could have been a rock – we were close to land, although not close enough, I don\u2019t think. It could have been some debris from another wreck. But something hit us hard, and we nearly foundered.\u201d She swallowed. \u201cWillem and the first mate were hit by the wave as the ship wallowed. We lost the first mate overboard, and for a moment, I thought we\u2019d lost Willem too. Then we found him pinned against the side of the ship.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Molly asked, her eyes wide.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomehow, Paul and I – he was our second mate at the time – managed to get the ship into a cove,\u201d Brynna said, shaking her head. \u201cI still don\u2019t know how. Luck was on our side. But we lost two more sailors before we did, and the ship was badly damaged. Willem had been knocked out, so we didn\u2019t know until later how bad his injuries were.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPavel said he always limped,\u201d Molly said, remembering. \u201cAnd was usually in pain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was the least of his injuries,\u201d Brynna told her. \u201cHe hit his head so hard that something broke in there. He couldn\u2019t stand on a ship anymore – couldn\u2019t bear to feel the movement of the waves. Even on land, he said he could feel it, and it made him sick.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt first, I tried to continue on, and I consoled myself that he could now stay with Ella. But he started to drink, to dull the pain.\u201d Brynna sighed. \u201cHe began to blame me for the accident. Said I wanted to take the ship from him, that I was jealous of his ability, of how good a captain he was. And then he hit me.\u201d
\nMolly closed her eyes in sympathy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt didn\u2019t actually hurt physically – he\u2019d been drinking enough that he had little strength,\u201d Brynna said. \u201cIt was more the mental pain. How could he do that? How could he strike me? How could he hate me that much?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t you,\u201d said a new voice, and Ella joined them in the kitchen. \u201cAnd it really wasn\u2019t him anymore. It was the drink.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know,\u201d Brynna told her, reaching out a hand to her daughter. \u201cBut at the time, it was shocking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you left,\u201d Molly said, getting up and getting a mug for Ella. Then she turned to the refrigerator, looking for the breakfast fixings that she\u2019d brought with her.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot immediately,\u201d Brynna said. \u201cI told myself that it was a fluke, that by the time I\u2019d returned next, he\u2019d be better. But of course he wasn\u2019t. And then Ella got pregnant, so I was torn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told her to go,\u201d Ella said, taking Molly\u2019s seat. \u201cPavel\u2019s father had already left, and I knew that the sight of Mother drove Father insane with rage. So I told her to go, to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI still wish I had insisted you come with me,\u201d Brynna told her. \u201cYou have no idea how much I regret not doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t leave him,\u201d Ella said, shaking her head. \u201cNot alone. He would have died so quickly.\u201d Then she chuckled. \u201cBesides, you know how much I hate ships.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could have made a fast run,\u201d Brynna said. \u201cAh well. It\u2019s over and done now.\u201d She smiled at her daughter fondly. \u201cNow we can start making up for lost time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Ella agreed.<\/p>\n
\u201cMolly, you don\u2019t have to do that,\u201d Brynna said, starting to get up as she realized Molly was cooking on the wood stove.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, probably not, but I enjoy it,\u201d Molly said, waving her back. \u201cTrust me, I\u2019m a kitchen witch. This is my specialty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t argue with her,\u201d Ella said. \u201cJust sit back and enjoy the food she turns out.\u201d<\/p>\n
By the time the boys straggled in, Molly had turned out a feast of bacon, eggs, and cranberry scones that she\u2019d brought from the Cove. \u201cNow you see why I want to kidnap her,\u201d Pavel said, looking at the spread before him. \u201cI know you didn\u2019t bring all of this with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Molly flashed him a smile. \u201cI brought the scones. Your grandmother had the bacon and eggs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot this much bacon, I\u2019m fairly certain,\u201d Brynna said, blinking. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve seen this much bacon in one place in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI may have stretched it a little,\u201d Molly admitted. \u201cI don\u2019t do it very often, but I can.\u201d<\/p>\n
The front door opened, and a male voice called out \u201cBrynna? Did I miss breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot at all!\u201d Brynna called back, and after a moment, a stocky man with a short, greying beard came into the kitchen. He stopped at the doorway, blinking confusedly at the mass of people he encountered.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t aware we were having guests,\u201d he said, looking at Brynna. \u201cDo you know them?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, they just showed up and cooked breakfast for us,\u201d she said dryly. \u201cI decided not to let the opportunity go by to let someone else cook.\u201d<\/p>\n
He laughed, a hearty, unforced laughter that was contagious, and came in to give her a kiss. Then he looked around. \u201cI\u2019ll bet this is your daughter, Ella,\u201d he said, and Brynna nodded. \u201cI haven\u2019t see you in years.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHello, Paul,\u201d she said, getting up to give him a kiss on the cheek. \u201cIt\u2019s been a long time, hasn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it has,\u201d Paul said. \u201cBut I don\u2019t recognize anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is Pavel,\u201d Ella said, indicating her son.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy grandson,\u201d Brynna added proudly. \u201cA captain, just like myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs if he could be anything else,\u201d Paul said, looking Pavel over. He held out his hand. \u201cGood to meet you, Captain. I\u2019m Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy husband,\u201d Brynna said. \u201cMy second husband.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pavel looked at her, then at Paul. \u201cYou married him before my grandfather died,\u201d he said, and Molly couldn\u2019t tell what emotion colored his voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Brynna said, not sounding at all repentant. \u201cAlthough in my defense, the man I married died when he lost the ability to go to sea.\u201d She sighed. \u201cPaul was my first mate for a very long time, before we got married. He was the one who reminded me that life was not all bitterness and anger.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pavel continued to look at Paul measuringly for a long time, not responding. Paul continued to stand, his hand outstretched in welcome, not pressuring the younger man. Molly found herself surreptitiously crossing her fingers that the pirate wouldn\u2019t take this new information badly. He\u2019d just started to warm up to his grandmother\u2026<\/p>\n
Pavel?<\/em> Schrodinger said softly, coming up to his friend. Are you okay?<\/em><\/p>\n Pavel didn\u2019t move until the CrossCat\u2019s soft paw landed on his leg, then he shook himself, and (to Molly\u2019s relief) clasped Paul\u2019s hand warmly. \u201cThank you,\u201d he said. \u201cFor taking care of my grandmother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been my pleasure,\u201d Paul told him, then pulled him into a rough bear hug. \u201cIt\u2019s good to finally meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you,\u201d Pavel said, clapping him on the back.<\/p>\n Then Brynna introduced Molly, Drew, and Schrodinger to her husband, and they sat down to eat Molly\u2019s meal.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat were your plans for today?\u201d Paul asked them, as they lingered over cups of tea and hot chocolate.<\/p>\n Molly shrugged, looking at the others. \u201cDid we have plans?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have to start the baking,\u201d Brynna said. \u201cAnd there\u2019s decorating to do, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n We can help!<\/em> Schrodinger said, perking up at the words. We love decorating!<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI promised to have Molly, Drew, and Schrodinger back to the Cove for Christmas Eve,\u201d Pavel said, and looked at his mother and grandmother. \u201cThey\u2019re hosting their own family Christmas Day.\u201d<\/p>\n You could come back with us. We have plenty of room.<\/em> Schrodinger looked at Molly pleadingly. Don\u2019t we?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOf course we do,\u201d Molly agreed. \u201cYou would all be more than welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust be aware that there will be pandemonium Christmas morning,\u201d Drew said. \u201cWe\u2019ll have not only Lily and Jack, but Ryan and Kaylee.\u201d<\/p>\n And Zoey is coming over later!<\/em> Schrodinger bounced in his chair. So we can all spend Christmas dinner together!<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe wouldn\u2019t want to intrude\u2026\u201d Brynna said, and Molly laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t be,\u201d she assured the woman. \u201cJust be aware, you won\u2019t be able to sleep in very late.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynna and Paul exchanged glances. \u201cIt\u2019s up to you,\u201d Paul said, shrugging. \u201cI go where you go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet me think about it,\u201d Brynna said finally. \u201cIt\u2019s a wonderful offer, but I don\u2019t know.\u201d A faraway look came in to her eyes. \u201cI haven\u2019t been to the Cove in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n We\u2019re having ham,<\/em> Schrodinger said. And turkey. And Molly\u2019s made anadama rolls for dinner! And there\u2019s going to be PIE!<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat kind of pie?\u201d Paul asked him, and Molly saw the twinkle in his eyes.<\/p>\n Molly said she was going to make a blueberry pie, a chocolate cream pie, an apple pie, and a mincemeat pie!<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cMincemeat pie,\u201d Paul said, rubbing his tummy. \u201cI haven\u2019t had mincemeat pie in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n Molly makes the best mincemeat pie,<\/em> Schrodinger said, slipping out of his chair and sidling up to stand in between Paul and Brynna. And if we\u2019re really, really good, she\u2019ll make a cheesecake too.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cCheesecake too?\u201d Paul reached over and took Brynna\u2019s hand. \u201cHow can we refuse?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure you have room for us?\u201d Brynna asked Molly.<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely,\u201d Molly told her. \u201cWe have a big farmhouse. It will be a pleasure having you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen let\u2019s do this – we\u2019ll have our own Christmas dinner here tomorrow, if you ladies don\u2019t mind helping me. Then we can all go back to the Cove for Christmas Eve there,\u201d Brynna said.<\/p>\n TWO Christmases? We get TWO Christmases this year? Best year ever!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Tuesday, December 22 It was snowing when Molly awoke, and for a moment, she couldn\u2019t remember where she was. The bedroom that Brynna had shown them to the night before was smaller than their bedroom at the farm, and the sounds of the waves against the rocks beneath them was something she wasn\u2019t accustomed to. …<\/p>\n