{"id":1681,"date":"2016-11-30T14:35:18","date_gmt":"2016-11-30T19:35:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1681"},"modified":"2016-11-30T14:35:18","modified_gmt":"2016-11-30T19:35:18","slug":"advent-day-0-a-new-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vg-ford.com\/?p=1681","title":{"rendered":"(advent) Day 0, a new year!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"snow-full\"<\/a><\/p>\n

-Just so you all know, I\u2019ve taken some timing liberties with this. Kaylee is now 5 years old – I\u2019m going to be fixing it in the actual books so she doesn\u2019t go from baby to 5 in six months. Just go with it for now.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Wednesday, November 30<\/span><\/p>\n

“Thank you for letting me come over,” Jade said, accepting a cup of tea as she settled on to one of the stools in the kitchen at CrossWinds Books. The Snow Queen was in one of her more casual outfits for her outing today: a long riding habit, in dark brown, with snowflakes edging the hems. Her long white blonde hair was pulled back into a simple braid, and there was no sign of a coronet or tiara. She was obviously just Jade today, and not the Snow Queen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Molly McIntyre preferred her that way. The Snow Queen was an amazing creature, and her ball was the highlight of the Christmas season, but she was also faintly intimidating, especially to a mere kitchen witch. Jade was just a friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

And friends were always welcome in Molly’s kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n

“You know you’re welcome any time,” she said now, bringing over a plate of strawberry scones and her own cup of tea. “What brings you out?”<\/span><\/p>\n

Jade’s face darkened. “Nothing good, I’m afraid, although I wish it wasn’t true.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“What?” Molly asked, her pulse quickening. “Is everything okay with Jack and Old Man Winter? And Ember?” She glanced at the open kitchen door. “Should I close that?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“No, they’re fine, and no, I’ve already taken care of that,” Jade said, sipping her tea. “I know they worry if you close the door, so I’ve just made it so no one can overhear us.” She paused, and said softly, “I need your help again, Molly.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“You know I’ll do whatever I can,” Molly said. “What’s going on?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Caliban.”<\/span><\/p>\n

That one word brought back a flurry of memories. Caliban, a spirit of summer, had been one of the two suitors for the Snow Queen’s hand two years ago, and hadn’t taken it well when she chose Jack Frost over him. “Caliban?” Molly repeated. “I thought he was gone? Wasn’t he in jail?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Only long enough to regain his strength, apparently,” Jade said bitterly, and then sighed. “I’m sorry. Let me explain. You know how I renew the protections around the Cove every year at the ball, right?”<\/span><\/p>\n

Molly nodded. The energy raised by the Snow Queen’s Ball went to power the magical protections the Snow Queen and her allies had placed around Carter’s Cove back when the town was first started.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Well, if you remember, those protections were set up by myself, Jack, Herse, and Caliban,” Jade said. “I just received word from King Medron that someone broke into the prison last week and freed him.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“And you think he might be coming back here?” Molly said. That was a horrifying thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

“His father thinks he might,” Jade said. “He’s been banished from his realm, but it’s obvious he has supporters from somewhere. And since he had a hand in the protections around the Cove, they can’t keep him out if he decides to attack.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“So what do we do?” <\/span><\/p>\n

“We’re going to have to redo the protections, but this time, I think it should be Cove inhabitants who do it,” Jade said. “I was hoping you would be able to help me.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“What does it involve?” Molly asked, her mind whirling. This was not what she needed right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Basically, we need to make a web around the Cove. I can save the power from the ball on the 17th and cast the final spell on Christmas, which will make it even stronger, but I need help setting up that web.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Molly chewed on a scone as she thought. “So you need things set up? Like what kind of things?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“It can be anything, really, as long as it’s important to the person or persons doing the creation.” Jade looked at Molly. “What are you thinking, Molly?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Do you remember the advent calendar you did for Lily and Zoey a few years ago?” <\/span><\/p>\n

Jade blinked, surprised. “Yes, of course. Why?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Can you do something similar?”<\/span><\/p>\n

The Snow Queen looked at her for a long minute, and then broke into a smile. “You want to have them create the markers.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Yes.” Molly nodded. “But it won’t be Zoey this year – she’s gone to Pennsylvania with her family to spend the holidays there. Lily’s devastated, and while she’s got her little sister, it’s just not the same. Something like this, that they could both do, would be great.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“And children have more power than most adults for magic,” Jade added. “I like this. Schrodinger will be three – it works best if there are four, though. Is there a friend that they know that could help?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“I think so, yes. The Fables just moved to town – Gideon is five, the same age as Kaylee, and he and Kaylee have become fast friends. I’m sure his parents wouldn’t mind. They should be in later today, and I can talk to his mother to make sure,” Molly said. “Why wouldn’t Jack count, though? You know he’ll want to help.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Jack is a very smart dog, but he’d be the first to tell you that magic is not something he’s suited for,” Jade said, smiling gently. “He’ll help, definitely, but for this, we need at least three humans. If nothing else, to help moderate Schrodinger.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Molly had to laugh at that. The CrossCat was very enthusiastic when he got going, and rather than reining him in, his best friend Jack usually urged him on. “Very true,” she said. “I’ll talk to Kiaya and Zeke when they come in. Can you do a calendar in a night?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“I can, yes, and Jack and Old Man Winter will help me.” Jade finished her tea and stood up. “I’ll have it delivered here tomorrow.” She reached out and laid a hand on Molly’s arm. “Thank you, my friend. You always have the answers I need.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Molly blushed. “Not always,” she said. “Do you really think Caliban will come back here?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“I don’t know,” Jade admitted. “But let’s not assume that he won’t. While the children work their advent calendar, Jack and I will work with Pavel and Old Man Winter to protect the Cove this season. Let us worry about Caliban.” And then, in a flurry of snowflakes that seemed to arise from nowhere, she was gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Molly sat and finished her tea, then went out into the tea room. Schrodinger was off with Drew for the day, helping him pull out Christmas decorations at the farmhouse. But the Fables had just come in, and Molly wanted to talk to them while the information was still fresh.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Hey, guys!” she said, smiling at the young family. Zeke was the new head programmer at WCOV, the Cove’s radio station, and his wife Kiaya was a writer. Their five-year-old son Gideon had adapted to life in the Cove very quickly, although Molly hadn’t been that surprised, seeing as they’d come from another CrossRoads Town. “How’s it going today?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Good!” Gideon said cheerfully, running towards her. Then he stopped and looked around. “No Schrodinger?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“He’s at the farm today, helping Drew get all the Christmas stuff out,\u201d Molly explained. \u201cBut I think he\u2019ll be in with me tomorrow!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t tomorrow your day off?\u201d he asked, tilting his sandy blond head at her, his hands on his hips.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is, yes, but I think I\u2019ll come in and bake,\u201d Molly said, laughing a little at his seriousness. \u201cWant to come in and help me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan we, Mom? Please?\u201d Gideon turned and begged. \u201cI need to see Schrodinger! I haven\u2019t seen him in DAYS!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Kiaya and Zeke both laughed. \u201cYou saw him Monday, buddy!\u201d Kiaya said. \u201cBut yes, we can come in tomorrow. I can write here just as easily as at home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYay!\u201d Gideon said, pumping his fist in the air. \u201cCan we go and look at books now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey Gideon, I have a favor to ask you first,\u201d Molly said, getting down on one knee to be more at his level. \u201cDo you know what an Advent calendar is?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a special way to count down to Christmas,\u201d Molly explained. \u201cThe Snow Queen was just here, and is sending over a magical advent calendar tomorrow, and I was hoping you\u2019d help Lily, Kaylee, Jack, and Schrodinger with it. Do you think you can do that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes!\u201d Gideon said, nodding. \u201cI\u2019m good at helping!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat would it involve?\u201d Kiaya asked, putting a hand on her son\u2019s shoulder. \u201cYou should always ask that first, Gideon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat would it involve, Molly?\u201d Gideon asked her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, but last time, it involved magical snowflakes and all sorts of fun adventures, and making things,\u201d Molly said. She looked up at Kiaya and Zeke. \u201cLily and Zoey loved it, and so did Schrodinger and Jack.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Kiaya looked undecided. \u201cI don\u2019t want to impose, though\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t be,\u201d Molly assured her. \u201cTrust me. And you guys are here so much anyways – it\u2019s a fun way to celebrate the season.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, then,\u201d Kiaya relented, and Gideon cheered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zeke took Gideon upstairs to look at books (and say hi to Aunt Margie, who was supervising Uncle Art as he set up the Christmas tree in the main room) while Kiaya settled down at a table with her computer. Molly brought her out a cup of tea and a plate of cookies, and said, \u201cDo you have a moment, before you start?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Kiaya said. \u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGideon doesn\u2019t need to know this, but I wanted you and Zeke to know,\u201d Molly said, and Kiaya raised one eyebrow. Her thick hair was currently grey streaked with purple and blue, and it was amazing. Molly wished she had the courage to do half the things Kiaya did with her hair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs there something wrong?\u201d Kiaya asked quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet, I hope.\u201d Molly briefly explained what had happened two years ago, and then outlined what she and Jade had come up with. \u201cSo they will take care of Caliban, and I know for a fact that Pavel will help keep everyone safe here,\u201d she finished. \u201cBut he will be doing magic, as they go through this calendar. Are you okay with that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have to talk to Zeke,\u201d Kiaya said. \u201cI don\u2019t think it will be a problem, especially since you and Drew will be there.\u201d She looked at Molly. \u201cYou will be helping them, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. They\u2019ll be doing most of this right here – it\u2019s the perfect place, and central enough,\u201d Molly said. \u201cAnd just think – you\u2019ll get a lot of writing done too!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhich will be good,\u201d Kiaya admitted. \u201cI\u2019m on deadline, and it\u2019s been hard to concentrate with the move.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019ll let you get busy,\u201d Molly said, getting up. \u201cLet me know if you need anything else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She went back into the kitchen and called her sister-in-law. Corrine was more than happy to drop the girls off at the tea shop the next day, and agreed that they could help the Snow Queen. And then she called Drew.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey handsome, how\u2019s the unpacking going?\u201d she asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey beautiful, it\u2019s going. We\u2019re trying to decide what to put in the sleigh this year,\u201d Drew said, and then laughed. \u201cSchrodinger said to tell you that since we have snow this year, he wants a sleigh ride.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think we can manage that,\u201d Molly agreed. \u201cAsk him if he\u2019d like to help the Snow Queen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoing what?\u201d Drew asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAn advent calendar to keep the Cove protections from falling into the wrong hands,\u201d Molly said, and told him about Jade\u2019s visit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s in,\u201d Drew said. \u201cAnd so am I. She\u2019s delivering it tomorrow?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what she said,\u201d Molly said. \u201cAnd I was coming in anyways, to bake for the bake sale. It\u2019s as good a time as any, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<><><\/span><\/p>\n

This is a special Advent story this year – every day, at the end of the day\u2019s story, there will be an activity for you to do along with Lily, Kaylee, Schrodinger, Jack, and Gideon. I hope you have fun with it!<\/span>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

-Just so you all know, I\u2019ve taken some timing liberties with this. Kaylee is now 5 years old – I\u2019m going to be fixing it in the actual books so she doesn\u2019t go from baby to 5 in six months. Just go with it for now. Wednesday, November 30 “Thank you for letting me come …<\/p>\n

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