December 19<\/p>\n
Molly was singing in the kitchen. Schrodinger lay on his cat bed in the tea room, in front of the gas fire, and listened to her. When she was happy, he was happy. And she was most definitely happy today.<\/p>\n
This had been the first Snow Queen\u2019s Ball Schrodinger had attended, although he\u2019d heard stories of them before. Everyone who traveled the Roads near Carter\u2019s Cove had heard stories of the famous ball, and his uncle had actually lived in the Winter Palace for a few years. He thought about last night, especially how Molly had danced and danced, her face alight with enjoyment, and how beautiful the music had been. There had even been a few other CrossCats there, and he\u2019d gotten to get some news from home. His sister had had another litter. Schrodinger wondered if he should try and get back to the Lair for a few days. Maybe after the new year. Once I\u2019m sure Molly\u2019s all set.<\/i><\/p>\n
She and Drew had stayed up late, so the fact that she was singing in the kitchen was a bit amazing to him. He\u2019d gone to bed when they\u2019d come in from the dance, but they had stayed up, dancing and drinking tea in the kitchen, until the wee hours. In fact, he wasn\u2019t sure she\u2019d actually slept at all. She\u2019d woken him up at 5:30 am and they\u2019d done breakfast together, then come down to the store.<\/p>\n
Now, Schrodinger wondered what would happen next. He liked Drew. But there was still the problem \u2013 was Drew SA? Or was SA someone else? If he was someone else, would Molly still choose Drew? Schrodinger heaved a sigh.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s an awfully heavy sigh,<\/i> another voice said, and Schrodinger looked up as a large black dog, with an adorable four-year-old girl in tow, came ambling over to him. He willingly moved over to let Jack flop down with him on the bed \u2013 Aunt Marge had invested in the large sizes, so there was plenty of room for all three of them. Lily laid down between the two of them, snuggling in.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Schrodinger?\u201d she asked, stroking his soft head. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t look this sad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not sad,<\/i> Schrodinger said. A little worried, though.<\/i><\/p>\n
Why?<\/i> Jack asked. It\u2019s nearly Christmas.<\/i><\/p>\n
I know, and I\u2019ve been good, so I\u2019m not worried about that. I\u2019m worried about Molly.<\/i> He told them about SA, and the cards with the Christmas carols, and the three Gate techs. So I\u2019m worried that she won\u2019t want to choose SA, or that somehow, we\u2019ve messed it up,<\/i> he finished, putting his head on his front paws. What if this isn\u2019t something Santa wanted them or us to do? What if SA is someone else completely, and it\u2019s not someone good for her?<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cThen she won\u2019t choose him,\u201d Lily said, with complete confidence. \u201cShe\u2019s good like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Besides, do you really think Santa won\u2019t have been keeping a close eye on this?<\/i> Jack added. He\u2019s SANTA. And he rules December. You know that.<\/i><\/p>\n
Not really,<\/i> Schrodinger said. This is my first Christmas here. CrossCats don\u2019t celebrate Christmas.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cReally?\u201d Lily looked at him. \u201cWhat do they celebrate?\u201d<\/p>\n
Winter Solstice,<\/i> he said. We light a fire in the morning, and keep it lit all through the day and night, so the sun will come back. There are presents given, at the end of the day, but not from Santa. From family and friends.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cSounds like our home,\u201d she said. \u201cMommy and Daddy have been very busy, getting the house ready. Grandma and Grandpa are coming up, and it\u2019s very cool! Mommy\u2019s in now, getting some last Christmas presents.\u201d She leaned in and whispered, \u201cI think she\u2019s getting Grandpa another book. And some tea.\u201d<\/p>\n
Molly said she was ordering cookies too,<\/i> Schrodinger said. Special ones, but she wouldn\u2019t tell me what kind.<\/i><\/p>\n
Lily squealed and clapped her hands together, while Jack thumped his tail. Molly\u2019s cookies are the best!<\/i><\/p>\n
Schrodinger was about to respond, when he saw Aunt Marge go into the kitchen. In her hands was a familiar red envelope, and he sighed again.<\/p>\n
What?<\/i> Jack said.<\/p>\n
What if she\u2019s not happy with who SA is?<\/i> Schrodinger asked. What if he breaks her heart? What if\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
Jack thumped his tail again, cutting Schrodinger off. You can play the what-if game all you want, and make yourself crazy,<\/i> he advised. Or you can enjoy the season and trust that Santa has everything well in hand. I suggest the second alternative.<\/i><\/p>\n
You are wise,<\/i> Schrodinger agreed. I think\u2014<\/i><\/p>\n
An absolute squeal of glee cut through his thought, and all three of them looked to the kitchen. Schrodinger could just barely see Molly, who was spinning around, clutching something in her hands. Let\u2019s go see what that is!<\/i> <\/p>\n
They all bounded into the kitchen, and arranged themselves around Molly. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d Lily asked, looking up. \u201cDid you get a good present?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did!\u201d Molly said, laughing at the hopeful faces in front of her. \u201cWould you guys like a cookie, and then I\u2019ll share it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes!\u201d Three voices chorused, and Aunt Marge, who had moved to the side of the kitchen when they tumbled in, laughed as well. Molly turned and took three sugar cookies, sparkling with icing and colored sugar, from the rack behind her and presented it to the three. Once they were settled, she picked up the envelope she\u2019d set down and opened it again.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook,\u201d she said, pulling out the most glorious snowflake Schrodinger had ever seen. Obviously magic, it shimmered and glowed in her hand. \u201cSA sent me one of the Snow Queen\u2019s own snowflakes for our tree! Isn\u2019t it amazing?\u201d<\/p>\n
It was. The Snow Queen very rarely gave away her snowflakes, and those who got them rightfully treasured them. This was very old magic, Schrodinger knew; to enlarge a single snowflake, then make it eternal. Molly had been given an amazing gift.<\/p>\n
Jack nudged Schrodinger and said quietly, I don\u2019t think you have anything to worry about. The Snow Queen and Santa are very close, and this proves that she, at least, approves. She always knows who gets her snowflakes.<\/i><\/p>\n
True.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cWhat does the note say?\u201d Aunt Marge asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cDear Molly, thank you for the dance. It was as wonderful as I could have hoped. You were beautiful. Here\u2019s something to remember the night by. SA.\u201d Molly looked up, her eyes shining. \u201cAs if I could ever forget it.\u201d<\/p>\n