I’m sorry, but I finally, FINALLY got the breakthrough I needed! \u00a0You guys…<\/p>\n
I KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS!<\/p>\n
Tomorrow, more writing!<\/p>\n
<><><><><><><><><\/p>\n
\u201cAm I late?\u201d<\/p>\n
Lai rushed into the kitchen, the door banging behind her. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry!\u201d she said breathlessly. \u201cI had a conference call run long!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re fine,\u201d Molly said, setting another cup and saucer in front of her. \u201cWe haven\u2019t started yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh good.\u201d Lai sank down onto the stool and looked at the others around her. Noemi, Sue and Schrodinger were perched on their own stools, and Molly was standing in her normal spot between the island and the ovens. She put a stainless steel tea ball into the cup in front of Lai, and then poured boiling water into the porcelain tea cup. Fragrant steam rose from the cup, to join with the other fragrances of tea and cider and chai. \u201cI was worried you\u2019d start without me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNever.\u201d Molly looked around at them, then did something she\u2019d never done before: she went and locked the kitchen door. For the next twenty minutes, nothing would go in or out.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right,\u201d she said, clicking the lock and then turning to look at her friends. \u201cNothing we say here goes outside.\u201d<\/p>\n
They all looked at her a bit apprehensively.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I\u2019m going to say is going to go no further than this room,\u201d she warned them. \u201cI\u2019m about to cross one of the biggest influences in the Realms, and if you don\u2019t want to go with me, that\u2019s fine. Just let me know now, and I\u2019ll let you out.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a couple of moments, the room was quiet except for the ticking of the clock and the strains of Christmas carols from the radio she kept up on a shelf near the door. Then Sue broke the silence.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d she said firmly. \u201cWe\u2019re in this together.\u201d Lai and Noemi nodded.<\/p>\n
You know I\u2019m not going anywhere,<\/em> Schrodinger said. So let\u2019s get started.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou guys are the best,\u201d Molly said, and meant it. \u201cSeriously.\u201d She went back to the island and cupped her hands around her tea mug. \u201cOkay, here\u2019s the deal.\u201d<\/p>\n Between the two of them, she and Schrodinger filled in the Terrible Trio on what they\u2019d found out.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, Old Man Winter kidnapped Drew to what\u2026force him to help destroy the Cove?\u201d Noemi asked, her eyes wide.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Molly said. \u201cI think the Snow Queen set Drew up to be kidnapped so he could get Old Man Winter to change his mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWow.\u201d Sue sat back, clearly stunned. \u201cThat\u2019s\u2026kind of cold.\u201d<\/p>\n She\u2019s more than just a figurehead<\/em>, Schrodinger said. She\u2019s got her own Realm to rule, and she\u2019s influential in thousands more. If she needs to sacrifice Drew to save the Cove, she will. But I don\u2019t think that\u2019s what she\u2019s doing.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cSo what IS she doing?\u201d Lai asked. \u201cDo you really think she thinks he can change Old Man Winter\u2019s mind?\u201d<\/p>\n I think so<\/em>, the CrossCat said, nodding. And I think she may be right.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cSo what do you intend to do?\u201d Sue said, looking at Molly.<\/p>\n Molly and Schrodinger exchanged glances, then she said, \u201cI\u2019m going to go after Old Man Winter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n All three of the Trio looked at her in horrified admiration, and she giggled a bit in spite of herself. \u201cNot like that! You guys should know me better than that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo what are you going to do when you find him?\u201d Noemi asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to help Drew,\u201d Molly replied. \u201cI\u2019m going to convince Old Man Winter to spare the Cove, and release Drew.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, at least we know your self-confidence is intact,\u201d Lai said after a moment. \u201cWhere do we fit in?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI need to know more about Old Man Winter,\u201d Molly said. \u201cI need to know more than we do right now.\u201d She looked at Sue. \u201cDo you have anything at the Museum that might help?\u201d<\/p>\n Sue frowned. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d she admitted. \u201cThere are some archives that I haven\u2019t been in, ever. I have the keys to them, but the Director seems to prefer that they stay forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can help you go through them,\u201d Noemi said. \u201cI\u2019m on break for the next two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds good,\u201d Sue said. She looked at Molly. \u201cWe can start this afternoon, if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo so,\u201d Molly said. \u201cSchrodinger\u2019s going to go and see if he can find Old Man Winter.\u201d<\/p>\n Try?<\/em> The CrossCat\u2019s tail swished. Please. No one can hide from me.<\/em><\/p>\n Molly stroked his head fondly. \u201cI know. Just remember, you need to make sure that he\u2019s not going to do something bad to you.\u201d<\/p>\n He won\u2019t. I\u2019m too fast.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAnd what is Schrodinger going to do when he finds Old Man Winter?\u201d Lai asked.<\/p>\n Molly smiled. \u201cHe\u2019s going to invite him over for tea.\u201d<\/p>\n <><><\/p>\n \u201cWait, she did WHAT?\u201d<\/p>\n Drew stared at the computer screen, aghast. He\u2019d been checking his email when the message from Father Christopher asking him to a Skype session had popped up. Since the only person he was really forbidden to communicate directly with was Molly, he\u2019d clicked on the link. Now he was regretting it.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what Margie said,\u201d Father Christopher told him. \u201cSince Molly never locks the kitchen door, it piqued her curiosity. Especially considering who was in there with her.\u201d<\/p>\n Drew sat back in the chair, stunned. \u201cShe\u2019s going to try and find Old Man Winter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what Margie said,\u201d Father Christopher repeated. \u201cAnd honestly, I wouldn\u2019t put it past her.\u201d<\/p>\n Me neither<\/em>, Drew admitted to himself. And that\u2019s what scares me.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThanks for letting me know,\u201d he said out loud. \u201cYou have the one for tonight taken care of, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Father Christopher nodded. \u201cLuke is delivering it after he gets off shift.\u201d Then he sighed. \u201cWhat are we going to do with her, Drew?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll take care of it,\u201d Drew said. \u201cJust trust me. And see if you can distract her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll do my best.\u201d<\/p>\n Once the priest signed off, Drew sat for a few minutes longer, staring at the blank screen, wondering what the heck he was going to do. Molly could be stubborn, that he knew and loved about her. But sometimes she picks the worst things to be stubborn about!<\/em><\/p>\n With a sigh, he got up and wandered out into the hallway, heading for the courtyard behind the house. He and Old Man Winter had brought the dragon out of the clearing to find a sleigh waiting for them, a long dogsled-type vehicle. No dogs, though – Drew and Old Man Winter had pulled the sled back to the cottage, trying their best not to jar the dragon\u2019s injured leg. They\u2019d brought her into the stables, where there were huge box stalls full of soft hay. No horses, but plenty of stalls, and the dragon fit perfectly in one.<\/p>\n Drew went out there now, shrugging into a heavy flannel shirt as he did. The dragon preferred cold temperatures, so the stable was minimally heated.<\/p>\n You are troubled.<\/em> Her blue eyes were as calm as her mental voice. Someone is worrying you.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cMy girlfriend is trying to find me,\u201d Drew said, kneeling down to check the bandages on her leg. Old Man Winter had left the medications and salves in the next stall after giving the young tech instructions on what needed to be done to keep the wounds from getting infected. Now, Drew peeled back the soft bandages and peered at the jagged cuts. \u201cNo infection,\u201d he said approvingly.<\/p>\n Old Man Winter is a good healer.<\/em> She arched her neck, watching him while he spread salve gently on her leg. As are you.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just a good technician,\u201d he said, putting the salve aside and picking up a fresh bandage.<\/p>\n You are a good man,<\/em> Drew McIntyre, she said, dropping her head onto his shoulder briefly. And you are worried about your girlfriend. Tell me why. I am a good listener.<\/em><\/p>\n And she was. As he wrapped the bandages about her leg, Drew shared everything: what the Snow Queen had asked him to do, what he\u2019d planned for Molly, and what he\u2019d just found out from Father Christopher. \u201cSo I don\u2019t know what to do,\u201d he finished. \u201cHow can I keep her safe?\u201d<\/p>\n Sometimes, you cannot,<\/em> the dragon said. Sometimes, you have to let her keep you safe.<\/em><\/p>\n Drew stopped, thinking about that. He\u2019d always wanted to protect Molly. That felt right. But in this instance, maybe she\u2019d have to keep him safe too.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d he said to her. \u201cFor listening.\u201d<\/p>\n I am Ember,<\/em> she said, leaning forward to put her head on his shoulder. And I am very happy to have met you, Drew McIntyre. I think you have great things ahead of you.<\/em><\/p>\n Then she winked at him. As long as you can survive this December, that is.<\/em><\/p>\n <><><\/p>\n \u201cMolly? Schrodinger?\u201d<\/p>\n Molly heard Luke come into the kitchen as she pulled together boxes for the scones she\u2019d made earlier. \u201cI\u2019ll be out in a second!\u201d she called, reaching for the last set of tins. Then she came out, grinning. \u201cLooking for something hot on your way home?\u201d<\/p>\n Luke\u2019s cheeks were flushed with cold, and he grinned back at her as he shucked his coat. \u201cI won\u2019t say no,\u201d he agreed, putting his packages on the island. \u201cThe wind is wicked out tonight! I hope you guys have a ride home!\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded as she put a heavy ceramic mug full of steaming cider in front of him. \u201cAunt Margie won\u2019t let me walk alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Schrodinger?\u201d Luke asked, one eyebrow raised.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s off wandering,\u201d Molly said, waving one hand vaguely. \u201cHe does that from time to time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I hope it\u2019s warmer where he\u2019s wandering.\u201d<\/p>\n Not likely<\/em>, Molly thought, but smiled at him. \u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019ll tell me all about it when he gets home.\u201d She eyed his bags. \u201cDid some Christmas shopping, huh? Is there a little black box from the jewelers in there?\u201d<\/p>\n He flushed. \u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n She leaned in. \u201cSeriously?\u201d<\/p>\n Paper crinkled as he reached into one bag and pulled a long black velvet box out. \u201cDo you think Sue will like it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Luke, I think she\u2019ll love it.\u201d Molly took the box and gazed in awe at the sapphire bracelet nestled into the velvet. \u201cSeriously.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAwesome.\u201d Luke took the bracelet back and grinned at her. \u201cI have something for you too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShocking,\u201d Molly teased him. \u201cYou don\u2019t say.\u201d<\/p>\n The ornament this time was blue, just like the sapphires in Sue\u2019s bracelet, with pearl connecting beads, and it was attached to a narrow wrapped box with the red envelope. She opened the envelope first.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to watch this with you so we could get ready for next week,\u201d she read out loud. \u201cI hope you enjoy it still. We\u2019ll watch it together, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n The package contained a DVD of the Nutcracker. Molly smiled. \u201cHe remembered.\u201d When Luke looked puzzled, she explained, \u201cLily is in the ballet at her dance school next week. Drew and I have tickets to go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hope he\u2019s back by then.\u201d Luke drained the rest of his cider and shrugged back into his coat. \u201cSee you around, Molly.\u201d<\/p>\n <><><><><><><><><\/p>\n There will be much writing tomorrow. MUCH WRITING. \u00a0But now, I have a scarf to finish.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I’m sorry, but I finally, FINALLY got the breakthrough I needed! \u00a0You guys… I KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS! Tomorrow, more writing! <><><><><><><><> \u201cAm I late?\u201d Lai rushed into the kitchen, the door banging behind her. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry!\u201d she said breathlessly. \u201cI had a conference call run long!\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re fine,\u201d Molly said, setting another …<\/p>\n