Looking for a Story

Tommy nervously walks into his new school's cafeteria. It should be illegal to make kids move in the middle of the school year. He stands just inside the door, unsure where to sit. The secretary had offered that he could have lunch with her if wanted, but that seemed so lame. “Hi, Tommy!” a girl with pigtails suddenly stands beside him, her name’s Lilly if he remembers right. “Hi, Lilly right?” He shuffles in his spot.  “Wanna sit with me today? I was the new kid a few months ago and it was brutal, so I thought I could sit with you till you find your crew.” She shrugs.  “That would be cool. I used to go home for lunch in my old town, but it was too far away and Mom didn’t want to drive across town four times a day.” He follows her through the cafeteria. “Ah there’s a lot of kids who have that problem, there are only like five kids in our class who go home for lunch so it shouldn’t take you too long to find your group.” She sits in a quiet spot in the cafeteria where they can see the whole room.  “So where's your group?” He asks pulling his lunchbox out of his bag.  “Oh my gosh, you have an old-school metal lunchbox! That’s so vintage and so cool!”  Lilly’s eyes widen.  “Oh yeah, it was my uncle’s.” He shows it off.  “I love vintage stuff, my grandma runs a little shop and I help her some weekends.” She beams.  “Sounds like somewhere my mom should go, she loves that stuff.” He eats his sandwich.  “I’ll bring you grandma’s card.” Lilly smiles and goes to bite in her sandwich. “Oh! You asked who my group is, I don’t have one.” She shrugs, “I’m one of the smartest kids in class, so everyone likes me, but I don’t really have a group to hang out with.”  “I was the smartest kids in my old class. So maybe I’ll give you a run for your money.” He smirks.  “I could use the challenge and a better partner.” She huffs. “I hate when kids only wanna work with you because you're smart but don’t wanna do anything.”  “Oh! That’s the worst! I had that problem all the time.” The two kids chuckle and eat in silence, the sound of the cafeteria becoming a dull hum.  Tommy and Lilly become inseparable friends, they take turns being the top of the class and when elementary school gives way to middle school, the teasing starts, but no matter how many kids make fun of them for being in love they stay friends.  “Did you hear everyone today making a big deal about the dance?” Lilly scoffs. “Yeah, I don’t get it either.” Tommy pauses, does she want to go? Maybe I should ask. “Do you want to go? I know the girls seem to be making a huge deal about it.”  Lilly sets her lunch down, “Honestly? No, I don’t like loud noises, and dances have loud music.”  “Right, you don’t even like movie theatres.” He nods.  As the dance gets closer, thanks to the internet kids make big shows about asking each other to the dance. Tommy can’t figure out why but it bothers Lilly, so with his mom's help, he makes a plan. He slides his lunchbox across the table.  “You're giving me your lunch?” Lilly raises her eyebrow.  “No, just open it.” Tommy smiles.  Lilly opens the box and finds a daffodil, Lilly actually hated lilies, and a note, Movie Night at My Place this Friday? “Oh, Tommy! Thank you, I’d love to!”  “I’ll even let you pick the movie.” He smiles, “I figured if we both weren’t going to the dance we could still do something fun.” He then steals his lunch box back, “But you still can’t have my lunch box.  And tradition is born, Tommy and Lilly didn’t go to dances but instead, they took turns hosting movie nights. From middle school to high school, the two stayed close, even though they did find groups of their own, as high school didn’t give them many classes together.  It wasn’t uncommon for their new friends to assume they were dating or wanted to date. Tommy and Lilly never could give a straight answer as to what was happening between them, they just didn’t talk about it, until Sr. Prom came around.  “Tommy, did you see the Prom Queen and King voting list?” Lilly stares at her phone. “No, we aren’t going, so I wasn’t gonna bother looking.” He sets down the lunch tray his mom sent up.  “Look!” She hands him her phone. “How!?”  He quickly reads through the list, “We made the cut?” He burst out laughing. “Well jokes on them.” Tommy glances over at Lilly's rather distraught face. “Hold up.” He reaches into his book bag and pulls out his lunchbox.  “I didn’t know you still used that thing,” Lilly says, still not understanding what's going on.  “I don’t, but I was gonna sneak this into your locker.” He rubs the back of his neck.  Lilly opens the box and reads, “Lilly, I know we don’t do dances, but if you wanted to prom and wasn’t going to say anything, will you go to prom with me? PS: Yes, I want my lunchbox back.” She looks at him, “You want to go to prom with me?”  “Duh, you’re my best girl, I’d spend a day at the mall with you if you really wanted to.” He pauses, “And if you don’t want to go to prom because of the loud noises, Mom says she and I can turn the backyard into our own dance floor.” “You won’t even go to the mall with your mom…” She looks back at the lunchbox and lifts the Lego daffodil out of the box, “Best girl? My old movie taste is affecting you.”  “I mean it, Lilly. If we go to prom I want it to be with you on my arm as my honest-to-goodness date. Not my friend, but my girlfriend. So what do you say?” He holds out his hand.  She blushes, “I am willing to try prom with your house as a backup if the noise is too much” She takes his hand, “I’d love to be your girlfriend.”  “You mean it!?” Tommy picks her up and spins her around.  “Yes, I mean it!” She laughs and hugs him tight.  *** They didn’t last an hour at prom before they made their way to his backyard where they finished their dance.  The metal lunchbox wasn’t used again for a few years after a relationship stood the test of distance, college, finals, and levels of stress but when Tommy did dig it out again, he intended to let her keep it, if she said yes to the rig she found inside.

During the confusing days between Christmas and New Year's, a knock interrupts Ivy, who is binge-watching the Christmas movies she hasn’t had time for thanks to work. Uncuring from the warmth of the pile of blankets she has herself under, she slowly makes her way to the door. “Chris! What a lovely surprise! Come in out of the cold!” She feels her face warm. She and Chirs haven’t seen each other since before Christmas. “Hey Lady Noel,” he glances around her space. It looks like I’m interrupting some pretty serious RR.” He smirks. “Hey, the office is closed for such a small window this time of year, so I have to make the most of it.” She grins and invites him to join her at the table. “Did you want some hot chocolate, or were you just popping by?” “If you don’t mind the intrusion, hot chocolate sounds lovely.” He hangs his coat on the back of the chair. “I don’t mind, I feel like the movies are rotting my brain. And! I’d love to hear how your Christmas went.” She busies herself with the kettle and finding mugs. “Oh, it was just like every other Christmas. Mom and Dad got me a few gifts and we spent most of the day helping the little opening presents. Becca loved the journal, by the way, thank you for that. How did your gifts go over?” “Really well! Everyone loved them!” She beamed as she set two mugs on the table. “You know hot chocolate seems to be becoming our thing.” “So it is.” He takes a long sip and then wraps his hand around his mug. “So can I ask why you stopped by? I didn’t think we were at a social call level.” Ivy teases. “Well I hadn’t seen you since the carol festival, and I wanted to ask you something, and a phone call or text just seemed lame.” He tilts his mug back and forth. “Well, you have my attention.” Ivy leans in. “So I know it’s still December.” Ivy nods, her face warming, “But I was wondering if you had plans for New Year's? I found out that the Museum is doing a New Year's Around the World party, and I asked the guy to hold two tickets for me. Because I know I would rather ring in the new year getting to know you and trying out different traditions than sitting at home with my family.” “You're asking me on an actual date? Not just some fill-in for a family event?” Ivy feels the blush and takes a sip of her drink trying to have her face, she likes Chris, but… “If you want to be technical the date can start at 12:01 January first.” He flashes her that charming smile. “That would keep me within my rules.” It’s her turn to tilt her mug back and forth. “I sense there is a but at the end of that sentence.” He leans in. “It’s just… I don’t do casual relationships.” She makes a point of looking him in the eye, “I know we’ve spent this month going to events together, but I didn’t view those as dates, I viewed it as helping out a new friend.” “What if I wasn’t asking for something casual?” Chris overs his hand across the table. Ivy stares at it for a beat, “But you're here on temp work.” She sets the mug down leaves the table and walks over to the calendar, making space between them. Chris doesn’t move at first, “And the guys I work for always offer me a permanent job once the temp contract is done, I could stay.” He pushes his chair away from the table. “I can’t be the reason you stay here.” She turns away. She hears him get up, “And what if you were? It’s not like I’m giving up a dream job or perfect life to move to some backwater town for you, and even if I was, would that really be so bad?” She can tell he's close behind her now, “And, I grew up here, my family is here, my adorable niece is here, if anything you're just a fantastically wonderful bonus about finally coming home.” He places a hand on her shoulder, silently asking her to turn around. She faces him, “And if it doesn't work out? I won’t be the reason you run out of town in the middle of the night, nor will I give up everything to get away from you.” “I think we are getting ahead of ourselves here, I’m asking for a date, no plans need to be made right now, I want to keep getting to know you better and we have till February to worry about me staying.” He lets his hand fall from her shoulder, taking her hand in his. “I’m just asking for a chance, that's all.” Ivy bites her lip, thinking about the fun not dating dates they’ve had throughout December, would it all change when the magic of Christmas wore off? Would he get tired of her and leave like everyone else? Was it worth the risk? “Alright, Chirs Kringle you got yourself a date.” His face lights up, “You mean it? I promise we’ll have a great time and if you decide you hate the party, we can come back here and watch all the cheesy movies you want!” “Don’t make promises you can’t keep now.” She laughs. “I don’t break promises.” He says with a tone more serious than the moment required. “So I’m learning.” She gives him a soft smile. He drops her hand, “I’ll let you get back to your RR, and I’ll see you on New Year's, I’ll pick you up at 5:30 and we can get dinner before the event?” She picks up his coat. “I’ll be ready with bells on.” She winks. “Now that, I’d love to see.” He laughs as she walks him to the door. “Thanks for taking a chance.” “Don’t thank me yet. You might regret it.” She laughs nervously. “Somehow I doubt I’d regret an evening with a beautiful girl like you.” He winks and walks out the door. Ivy waits till she hears his car drive off before she bursts into giggles and skips back to her pile of blankets, before she turns her movie back on she pauses for a moment to embrace the love story she might just be starting.

Avery hands her mom her Christmas list, at eleven, she didn't put any toys on the list. She was too old for that. Her mom reads it over, “A cable knit sweater, earrings, charm bracelet, earbuds, and a new water bottle. All very grown-up things, honey.”  "Yeah, well my friends and I made our lists together." Avery shrugs. “Are you sure you don't want to add something to do on Christmas day? Your brother and sister will both get toys on Christmas and you may want to ask for something to do, a puzzle, a craft, or even a toy.” Her mom hints handing her back her list.  Avery holds her hand up, refusing to take the list back, “My friends didn't put those things on their lists, Mom."  Her mom gives her a gentle smile, “I know dear, but your friends aren't here are they?" Avery hesitates, “No, I'm happy with the list.” She nods, convincing herself as much as her mom. "Well, alright then dear. If that's what you want.” Her mom shrugs and sticks the list on the fridge.  The next Saturday, Avery was hiding in her room, headphones in, music blasting. Why did school have to get so close to Christmas! She is so tired! Her mom knocks on her door, and pokes her head in, "Honey? Since you are so grown, wanna help me create Christmas magic?”  Avery feels a rush of excitement, but tries to play it off, “Ya, sure that's cool or whatever." She jumps off her bed and follows her mom to the car.  "I need your help deciphering your siblings' Christmas lists.” Her mom chuckles and hands Avery the lists in poorly written crayon. "Insisted of writing them themselves this year. So anything you know would be great.”  As they find a parking spot at the shopping center, Avery solves about 80 percent of the list. Which is as good a start as any. As they wander through the toy aisle, Avery pauses, "What ya looking at Honey?” Her mom calls from a few feet ahead.  "Oh just the Barbies, Ella and I always get Barbies on Christmas and we play with them while Tommy and Dad play with whatever toy he got.” She picks up the Barbie she knows Ella really wants, "I guess I should tell her I didn't ask for one” she kicks at the ground.  “That is the downside of growing up, I suppose." Her mom steps back, “If I was going to ask for a Barbie for Christmas, I’d pick that one" She points to a Barbie in a bright pink blazer. " How about you?”  “Mom, I'm too old for Barbies.” She rolls her eyes.  “Maybe you are, but I still think they are fun, so come on, which would you choose?" Her mom places a hand on her shoulder. "Fine, the Minnie Mouse fan one, cuz she'd fit in with the rest of my Minnie Collection, and Ella wouldn't take it.” She shrugs, “We should keep moving. We've still got a lot to find."  As Christmas gets closer, Avery begins to wonder if she made a mistake, not asking for something to do on Christmas. But she wouldn't let her mom know she was right. And she did promise Ella as part of her Christmas gift she would play Barbies on Christmas. It was like a tradition or whatever. So she won't be bored. However, she did end up back at the store with her dad. She wanted to get mom a Christmas gift that wasn't from the three of them kids. After all, she is getting older. "So kiddo, what did you want to get your mom?”  She looks at the floor, “It’s kinda stupid." She mumbles, the closer they got to the section of the store the more she thought her mom would hate it.  “Hey, don't talk about your ideas that way. I'm sure she'll love it.” Her dad encourages as he follows her through the store. Avery stops in front of the display, her dad smiles, “I see, you're sure?" Avery nods, “I think it's perfect."  Christmas morning is bright and clear and the family's a mountain of wrapping paper and each gift is open. Avery hands her mom the gift she bought, “Oh honey you didn't need to get me anything extra."  She shrugs, “Dad isn't the only one who can make Christmas Magic for you." Her mom tears away the paper, “Oh! This is so fun! Ella, look what your sister got me!”  “You got mom a Barbie!? Now Mom can play with us too!” Ella grabs the box from her mom and looks on and on about the fun pink jacket she is wearing.  Soon the wrapping paper mountain is in trash bags and toys are ready to be played with. Avery sits on the couch as she watches her brother and father zip around the living room with his new remote-controlled car. While her sister and mom unpack their new Barbies. Maybe the regret is settling in.  Before she finds an excuse to go to her room to hide for even a few minutes, her mom hands her one more wrapped gift. "But I opened all of mine already."  Her mom winks, “Maybe this one got lost." Avery slowly opens it, and her smile gives her away, the Minnie Mouse Fan Barbie, it's even cooler than it was in the store. "Thanks, Mom. Maybe, I'm not too old for toys just yet.” Avery slips onto the floor and joins her mom and sister in playing with their new Barbies.

Brooke is someone who loves Christmas. She adores it, her house is full of decorations. Christmas music is always on her playlist, and as soon as it is socially acceptable, she blasts it for all to hear. She loves all the parties, the get-togethers, events, and fundraisers. She saved money for Christmas all year to make Christmas as magical as possible. However, this year something is different – she is tired and burnt out.  She glances once more at the calendar, she is officially closer to Christmas than she is to the beginning of the month. And somehow she hadn't had a night at home since December first. Between working the occasional late shift and Christmas events, she hadn't had a quiet night at home, yet this year. And it just felt wrong.  That's when it dawns on her, this was the only night she had nothing going on. “How did I do that?” She asks the empty room. “Is that why I am so spent?” Her phone dings, it’s her mom – reminding her, there was an event at the church tonight, some sort of ladies' tea fundraiser thing she hadn't RSVP to because she genuinely couldn't remember if she had something going on this night or not. She could get ready and go, she could pick up an ornament on the way…But the idea of staying home curled up under a blanket with a warm cup of hot chocolate and a Christmas movie feels too irresistible. She types out her reply, “Hey Mom, uh, I forgot to RSVP for that. I know I could just show up but  I'm honestly feeling pretty spent, so I think I'm just going to stay home tonight.” She takes a breath and sends the message.  Won't everybody be so disappointed in her? Won't they think less of her if she didn't show up?  She always went to the ladies' teas. She shakes her head and starts her kettle. She then decides to make some popcorn. Sure popcorn wasn't the best supper option, but for a movie night, it was perfect. She could add some cheese and apples alongside to make it a little healthier. Brooke listens as the butter and oil melt, adding the popcorn slowly it starts popping and the kettle starts to whistle. She adds some milk to the bottom of her cup and mixes in the hot chocolate powder, the sound of the water pouring into her mug makes her feel all cozy inside. Soon the popcorn is done and her cup of hot chocolate is warm and toasty in her hands. Using her foot to click on her heated blanket, she carefully sits down on the couch. The blanket starts to warm, and she begins to scroll through the thousands of Christmas movie options. Did she want to watch something new or something old? While she scrolls through the listings on the TV, her mind once again, begins to wander. Such a shame you're going to stay home   instead of going to that party with all your church friends . You could make time for little Tommy's Christmas play, but can’t make it to a church event? Brooke tries to stop the spiral, but it’s so loud. Why have you burned all your energy on silly Christmas events, like work parties and friends events so that you can't go to this one event? You waste time shopping… “Stop it!” She shouts slamming her mug on the side table, “It's not a problem that I take a night off. There are hundreds of Christmas events in the city alone every year. And I cannot possibly go to them all. I love Christmas, and I'm sitting here burnt out because I have not given myself a night off this entire season. I'm not a failure for wanting to take a night off!” She covers her ears as if that will stop her mind from racing with guilt. Your mom could make time for it, and wasn’t she just as busy? Weren’t all the ladies at the event just as busy as her? Why was she so important she could take a night off? After all, wasn’t the reason for the season to be busy?  She freezes, and the spiral stops.   Her frustrations pour over, “No. No, it's not, nothing about this season is supposed to be about this ridiculous over-the-top busyness! A young woman had been going about her business when an angel showed up and told her she was going to have a baby who would save the world. The man who was supposed to marry her had been sleeping when the angel interrupted his dreams to tell him to marry the girl and help her raise the Messiah. People were too busy the night that Jesus showed up to notice. Nobody knew the Savior had come that night. Except for some Shepherds in their fields, who were sitting out in the calm and the quiet of the night when angels interrupted their normal routine.  There is nothing in the Christmas story that demands, this particular busyness. If anything, it demand us to take a break and slow down because if we all spend our days being busy we might just miss it!”  She pauses – we might just miss it, other than at church listening to advent readings and a sermon series leading to Christmas. Had she actually thought about the reason for the season? She reached over for a church bag which sits on the other end of the couch. She can spend a few minutes reading through the different accounts of the Christmas story. Just as she was about to open her bible, her phone dings, another text from her mom. “Good call, sweetheart. Taking a break is important this time of year and you've been so busy. I'm glad you're taking a night off.” She responds, “Me too Mom, me too.”  Silencing her phone, she opens her Bible and begins to read about the reason she celebrates. The reason this season was her favourite in the first place.

Ivy has one simple rule. No dates until after Christmas. She had long since decided that being single at Christmas was a fate worse than being single on Valentine's Day. Every Christmas function she went to, somebody had a nephew, a cousin or a brother she just had to meet as if she had time for first dates in December. Who has time to date in December? She has nieces and nephews to spoil, not to mention gifts for the rest of her family. She also has at least one event a week leading up to Christmas. How could anyone think a new relationship in December was a good idea? So why had she been so foolish as to give her plus one invite to work’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Party to her closest friend at the office? Maybe she blindly thought her friend who had only been married for two years had remembered the struggle of being single at Christmas time. Leaning against the wall nursing a cup of warm punch, proves Ivy had never been more wrong. “There you are, Ivy!” Becca rushes over to her, dragging who Ivy assumes is her brother over. “This is my brother Chris! He's in town doing temp work until February and I think the two of you will totally hit it off! So Chris you're going to take care of my best friend tonight because all these games are partnered up and you're technically speaking, her date!” Before Ivy can agree or argue, Becca walks back to Harvey who shrugs and mouths an apology.  Ivy stands there dumbfounded, she’s been tricked and she knows it. “Hi, I'm Ivy.” She smiles. “Please tell me that Becky didn't lead you to believe that I was in on this whole thing. And that I think this is a first date.”  Chris laughs. “Ah, so you weren't here last year?”  “No, I started in March. This is my first Christmas party.” Ivy sips her punch. “Ah, yeah see, Beck does this every year, she gets a single girl to agree to let me be their date and attempts to get me to fall in love and stay in the city. Instead of doing temp work and leaving at the end of February.” He shrugs, taking a sip of his punch. “She does this every year and you keep coming? Ivy raises her eyebrow.  “Food’s fantastic, music's good. And hey, I usually get to meet a pretty girl in the process.” He winks, and Ivy will not blush for a man she met less than ten minutes ago! “But seriously, who has time to date in December?” “Thank you!” Ivy huffs. “They just don't get it. They want us to be happy and in love.” Chris laughs, “Yeah, but hey, we can at least humour them, right?” Ivy gives him a look, “Come on, you gotta admit, it would be fun to make her think she is so smart and was right about us.”  “I mean, maybe a little bit.” She fidgets with her cup. “Alright! To having the time of our lives!” Chris offers her cheers. “And at the night's end, I will walk you to your car. And if I've impressed you with my competitive edge and Christmas knowledge, we'll do some Christmas shopping later in the week, and if we can get through our shopping lists in a reasonable time frame, we’ll get hot cocoa!” He leads her over to where the party games are happening.  “Oh, already coming up with a first date idea?” Ivy smirks.  Chris holds his hands up in surrender, “No, no. It's practical Christmas shopping with the girl my sister is going to try and set me up with so I might as well get ahead of it.” He winks. “After all, you can't tell me you're already done.” Ivy had to admit, this guy is smooth and definitely Becca's brother. The two of them were cut from the same cloth. “Well, no.”  “So we might as well do it together? It gets everyone off our backs and you have a free date to use for all of December's events.” he gives a mock bow. Ivy giggles, “Do you do this every year? You seem be having a lot of fun.”  “Not every year, but with Becs having my niece, she is determined to get me to stay after my temp contract is done, so if I keep hanging out with you.” He says in a teasing tone.  “You won’t have to go on any other dates?” Ivy offers.  “Yep, it’s purely selfish.” he jokes, as they find a spot in the growing circle. “Alright, if we do well at these games, I’ll take part in your plan.” Ivy challenges.  To Ivy’s surprise, she and Chris thought a lot alike, they kill it at Christmas Heads Up. Thanks to Chris's impressive Christmas Carol knowledge, they win Christmas Carol Trivia. Due to Ivy's years as a mall gift wrapper, Ivy’s impressive speed wrapping skills, so they claim the prizes for the fastest and best-looking gift. They walk out of that party with the most prizes Ivy has ever won at an event.  “May I walk you to your car? I would hate for my lovely lady companion to slip and hurt herself on the ice and those shoes do not look ice safe.” He offers her his arm. “You may, but only because I'm parked right next to your sister who I assume you drove with.” She takes his arm and almost slips, he smiles but says nothing of it.  “Correct, so did I win the shopping excursion?” He guides her around ice patches.  “Smart move, not calling it a date.” She counters. “Come on, there must be a day when you get off early this week, and you were planning on going shopping. It's the second week of December. There's no way you're leaving it till the last minute.” He grins.  She caves, “Wednesday, Central Mall, Three pm. Meet at the door or I’ll start without you and good luck finding me in the mall.”  “Perfect. I’ll be there with my shopping list in tow. And if we conquer our shopping lists in under two hours or less, I will treat you to hot chocolate. And maybe if you're having such a great time, I can convince you to go to dinner with me.” He stops next to her car. “You think you’re smooth. I'll give you that Mr. Chris Kringle.” She smirks as she unlocks her car, and he opens the door before she can. She gets in without arguing. “Ooh, nicknames, I like it. I’ll come up with one for you by Wednesday. I’ll see you again, Ivy.” He closed her door and waved for his brother-in-law to unlock their car. Ivy isn't sure if it’s the cold or if she is actually blushing. She can’t be, there is no way. This man she'd met a mere two hours ago made her blush. This is not a Christmas movie, this is not how the real world works. But Wednesday came and at three o'clock, she pulls into the mall parking lot and he was standing by the main entrance, “Ready to shop till we drop Lady Noel?” “You know just because I called you Chris Kringle does not mean you need to find me a nickname.” She rolls her eyes, as they walk in. “I like to keep people on their toes.” He shrugs and pulls out his list. To Chris's credit Ivy finds his shopping strategy impressive. He shops with a plan, he has a list, a strategy and it works pretty well with the way that she shops. They make it through the lists in record time. He even had tips for the gifts she wasn’t sure about, “Does he use this brand already?” He holds up the tool she was thinking about getting for her brother-in-law. “I honestly don't know. I just know that he needed this particular tool and nobody was gonna buy it for him.” She shrugs, staring at the shelf of tools. “Well, this brand is more reliable and it's actually cheaper. So I would buy it. And if he prefers the other model, then cool, get a gift receipt and you can pay him the difference between the two tools.”  “I can see the logic.” She takes the cheaper tool hoping for the best.  Next, when at the bookstore, she grabs the newest book by her little sister's favourite author, “Um, is she a big reader?” Chris stops her.  “Oh yeah, the biggest!” She laughs thinking of her sister disappearing into a book on Christmas Day.  “I’d get her the hardcover. Any reader unless they explicitly say they prefer paperbacks, would always prefer the hardcover. And besides you saved money and your brother-in-law's gift you can splurge for your sister.” “Alright, fair enough. Other than picking up my parents' spa day gift card, I’m done, you?” Ivy starts to walk towards the till. “Uh, other than I don't have a gift for Bec. Everything on her list connected to the baby, but I mean, she deserves to have a gift, just for her, don't you think?” He shrugs. “Absolutely. Here.” Ivy hands him a book from her small pile. “She kept talking about this journal, we’ll stop by the stationary store before we get that hot chocolate you promised. And I’ll get her a spa afternoon, and Auntie Ivy will babysit.” “Oh, smart. She gets a break and you get an afternoon with an adorable baby! Thank you for the idea.” They pay and walk out of the store, “And you're saying I earned a cup of hot chocolate with you.” He teases. She rolls her eyes, “Don’t push your luck, Chris Kringle.” She leads the way to the coffee shop. Ivy kinda hated to admit it, but Chris is fun. She’s enjoying spending time with him, maybe she could see him again - for a strictly practical reason. “Hey, you said  that if you kept seeing me it would keep Becca off your back?” He smirks and nods, “I, um - I need a date for a church Christmas event. Otherwise, I will be set up by at least four different ladies in my church.”  “You got it, name the time and place I’ll be there with bells on.” She starts.  She cuts him off, “Please no bells.” They both laugh, “Thank you! I'll tell the ladies at Bible study I'm bringing a date this year, saving me from grandsons and nephews and brothers visiting town.”  He picks up the mugs, signalling the end of their time together, “Hey, I temporarily move here - I'm not just visiting. I'll be here, well after December.”   She watches him take the mugs to the bin, “You're right. You will.” Ivy smiles, and this time the hint of blush is real, and could not be blamed on any cold.

Gracie huffs as she takes in her new placement on the Christmas tree. As a hand-stitched angel ornament made with care for the little girl of this family, she resented being on the bottom of the tree. For the last four years, no matter where the little girl places her on the tree after the kids go to bed the mother of the family rearranges the tree and Gracie ends up back here. The mom mutters something about “Soft ornaments belong where small hands and animals could reach.” So what, she protects the more delicate ornaments?  She was an angel after all, shouldn't she be allowed to be near the top of the tree? Wasn't that where angels belong? Despite her grumbling, there wasn't much she could do. She just hung there.  Thanks to the cat's occasional nuzzling and her attempts not to react she was closer to the edge of the branch than she would like. As presents were piled under the tree she, like last year fell off the tree, trapped behind a present. She lies stuck on the ground, the only to be found once Christmas is long gone like always.  But this year the children seemed more interested in what was under the tree, “Izzy look this one is for you!” Gracie hears the older brothers call to their little sister.  Gracie listens as the kids giggle and shuffle presents around and Gracie can see past the presents for the first time in weeks. Gracie wishes she could move or talk to get little Izzy’s attention but that would break the rules so she stayed still. “Do you know what it is?” Izzy shakes her presents.  “No idea” One of her brothers teases, “It’s not like I was with mom when she bought it.”  “Hey now, no spoilers for Christmas!” the oldest brother reminds the middle brother and shoos him away. “What do you think it is Izzy?”  Gracie listens as the little girl comes up with crazy ideas of what her mother might have bought her. But before she put the present back, “Hey! What’s that?” Chubby little figures reached under the tree and grabbed hold of Gracie,  “My angel fell!”  “Oh, that's too bad Izzy, here I’ll help you put it back on the tree.” Her brother offered.  “It’s an angel shouldn’t we put it higher on the tree?” Izzy reaches up.  Her brother shakes his head, “I don’t know kid, Mom says the soft ornaments belong on the bottom of the tree.”  “Because of me and the cat… I know, I know. But it’s an angel.” She huffs.  “Do you really wanna mess with mom’s perfect tree?” Her brother teases.  “Good point, but I’m taking my angel to my room!” Izzy cups Gracie in her hands and darts down the hall.  Izzy carries her newfound treasure into her room and carefully hangs Gracie on her bedpost. “There! That’s where you belong!” Well, Gracie wasn't so sure, “Angels belong up on the trees.” She speaks without thinking.  “What was that?” Izzy stares at her. Gracie froze, careful not to make any more noise, “You talked! I heard you!”  “No, you didn't.” Gracie mumbles.  “You did it again!” Izzy picks Gracie up again, “Do all ornaments talk?” No use fighting it now, “Well, not all ornaments,” she explains, “Just ones that are made with love and care.”  “Grandma made you for me, and she loves me! She tells me I’m her special little girl!”  Izzy jumps up and down. “And her love for you made me talk,” Gracie explains while being jostled around.  Izzy paused “Do you want to be in here?” “I'd rather be on the top of the tree.” Gracie sighs.  “We already have a big angel on top of the tree.” Izzy shugs as if that somehow fixes it. “Well, I know, but I wish I could be closer to her. I'm an angel. Isn't that where we belong?” Gracie exclaims. “Well, I don't know.” Izzy shrugs. “I think so. Can you help me?” Gracie pleads.  “Well, I don't know. You've heard what Paul said, what if Mom gets mad that I moved an ornament and I can't reach the top of the tree…” Izzy paces around her room. “What if I just threw you up on the tree?”  “That sounds painful.” Gracie cringes, picturing herself falling the tree again. “You're right. Hold on, stay there.” Izzy puts Gracie back on her bedpost and grabs a book that Gracie couldn’t quite make out.  Soon Izzy was back, dragging her Paul into her room. “Will you read me the Christmas story?”  “Again? Seriously, you heard it on Sunday, and you had mom read it to you last night.” Paul sits on her bedroom floor, “Isn’t there another book you want to read?”  “No, I want this one. Please!!” She looks at him with big pleading, eyes.  Paul rolls his eyes and takes the books, “Alright fine you win.” Izzy beams and sits next to him.  Gracie listens, she tries to figure out how this story was supposed to help her get up on the tree. She hears about an angel telling a young girl she was gonna be a mother, and an angel telling the girl’s soon-to-be husband not to leave her. Then she hears how the couple had to walk to Bethlehem even though the baby was due soon. Gracie wasn’t sure she understood, how does this connect to the gifts and the tree she sees every year?  Then the night, the little baby was born angels filled the sky sharing good news for all people, that this baby had come to save the world. Gracie began to wonder, but Izzy voiced her thoughts.  “Is that when we put an angel on top of the tree? Because they shared the good news” She interrupts Paul.  “I guess so.” Paul shrugs, “I don't see why not. They came to tell us about Jesus, who loves us and saved us.” “He came as a baby. Just like us! We learned that in Sunday school!” Izzy smiles proud she remembers. “Yep, and when he grew up he made a big difference for the whole world.” He ruffles her hair, “And when you're a bit bigger you’ll learn more about that change.”  “Thank you for reading to me but I’ve got something to do now.” She shoos Paul away.  Laughing he makes his way out of the room, “You’ll never make sense to me, Izzy. But happy to help with whatever that was.” “See angels are special. And that's why you go on the top of the tree.” Izzy collected Gracie in her hands and headed to the kitchen, “Mommy I want to move an ornament!” “Which one do you want to move my dear?” Her mom turns to face her daughter.  “I want to put the angel Grandma made me near the top of the tree because that's where Angels belong!” She stands up tall.  Her mom looks like she might argue about moving the ornament, but her husband looks up from the table, “I think that's a great idea honey! Here, I’ll help you!”  “Yay! Izzy leads her parents to the living room.  “But babe, the tree…”  “Can look chaotic my love, the kids don't care about perfect trees.” He picks Izzy up.  “Ya, you’re right. Boys! Come move a few ornaments around on the tree!” The boys come running and the family rearranges the tree. “There you go, right where you belong.” Izzy winked at Gracie.  Izzy never told anyone about Gracie talking to her and never heard Gracie talk again but every year that little hand-stitched angel sat near the top of the tree and made sure her kids knew why angels belonged there.

Susie's quilt frame is as constant as a piece of furniture in her living room. Every quilt she'd ever made had spent time there. Each quilt is worked on as she watches TV, listens to her grandchildren play or simply enjoys a quiet night as her husband reads a book a few feet away.  Each quilt, is a piece of art, weaving in stories and memories in each unique pattern. Starting with baby blankets, every newborn is wrapped in a quilt made with love and ends with quilts made to protect the new couple from cold nights. She made quilts for graduation, with pieces of fabric from different points in their life. She’d even made a quilt after a great tragedy to share with someone she'd never met. Each one, unique and special. Susie takes time with her quilts, they are not to be rushed. After all, there's nothing more special than a Grammy quilt. Or at least that's what her grandchildren say. People asked her to pay her for her quilts but her quilts were always gifts, and she couldn’t afford to charge for them. It’s her favourite pastime, her favourite hobby. She takes time to plan each one out. Inevitably, when mistakes are made, she finds a way to make it work. She'd laugh and claim,  “I never said, I was good at math.”  She takes time to teach your granddaughters who took an interest in this skill set of hers. Her daughter claims “This trait must have skipped a generation.”  Eventually one or two of her grandkids came to her with well-loved quilts. If the quilts are doomed, and if making a new one simply wasn't a good enough option. She would find a way to use the old quilt in the new one. Not wanting any memory to feel insignificant.  She’d even restored a quilt or two for a friend, copying someone else’s style to help keep their memory alive.  After all those memories could not be lost.  In her cozy, little sewing room scraps of quilts gone by were everywhere. She cuts them into smaller squares to make a patchwork quilt.  She can’t help but remember all the memories of quilts and clothes made in this room from slings for a broken arm to matching dresses and matching quilts to help ease moving into big girl rooms. Quilts made for weddings, babies, and graduation, it has all happened here. Her little room feels warm and safe. She tucks away pieces of her grandchildren's lives, fabric from her children's days gone by.  She smiles and runs her hand over the fabric, “Someday, if my memory goes, I hope you'll hold all my memories for me.” Pulling the thread creating another pattern in and around the squares, “Pass them on to the kids.” Pausing her stitches she pulls out her phone and flips through her photos; photos of each kid receiving their quilts. “I hope they know, just how much love I stitched in.”

“So I discovered something about myself.” Arthur sits across from his best friend Bethany, fiddling with his wristwatch.  “Oh?” She looks up from her book, her blue eyes sparkling like sapphires in the warm light of the coffee shop. “You know there are like 100 ways this conversion could go, with an opening line like that.” She scrunches her nose the way she always did when giving him a hard time. Gosh has she always looked this cute? He clears his throat, “Fair point. I think it’s a good discovery.”  “Will I think so?” She sets her book down.  “I hope so?” He takes a breath, “You know how after my last break up, I said no girl ever felt quite right?’  “I do remember that. Did you figure out why?” She leans forward, he can almost see constellations in her freckles.  “I think it’s cuz–none of them are you.” He gives her a sheepish smile.  She immediately leans back and looks out the window, his heart sinks,  “You’re three years too late.”  “Late?!” His voice is loud enough several other guests look over at them. He shrinks down. “Late? What do you mean late?” “Art, come on, I was in love  with you in high school.” She puts air quotes around the word love.  “You– you never said anything.” he hold his hands out confused.  She sits up straight, “You know how you had Phys Ed right before our science class?” He nods, “I always had your favourite granola bar in my bag because you were always hungry. I don’t eat granola bars, I bought them for you.”  “But you did stuff like that for Jacob too.” his mind is racing, she had liked him when they were in high school. Had she moved on?  “You had English right after, whenever you had a presentation, I always had gum for you because it calmed your nerves. I had braces until weeks before we graduated.” She closes her book, clearly whatever assignment she had brought with her was no longer important.  “Well–those are just nice things you do for people. You were–are always so kind.” He starts, and she holds her hand up.  “I memorized how you liked your coffee so that if you texted me that the carpool would be rushed, I could make it for you. Two sugars, even though you claimed to like your coffee black. But your mom would always steal a sip or two of both you and your dad's coffee, and she hated the bitter taste. You always said when you didn’t live with her you drink it black, but you can’t because it reminds you of home.” She let out a sigh. “Why didn’t you tell me directly? How was I supposed to pick up these little things?” He stares in disbelief.   “You either had a girlfriend, recovering from said girlfriend or were hopelessly invested in another girl. Life isn’t a romcom or TV show where you confess you’re feelings and everything magically everything works out for you. I wasn’t going to try to break your relationship up or take advantage of your heartbreak. I figured if you wanted me, you’d notice me as more than just one of the guys.” She shrugs.  “Well, I know now, can’t we try now?” He extends his hand to her. “No.” with one word his heart felt like it shattered. “Art, I can’t. After we graduated, I moved on, happy to be your friend and support you from a distance.”  “But Beth– Is there someone else?” That had to be the reason.  Bethany, shakes her head, “No, but I’m happy alone. I get to have all kinds of adventures, meet all kinds of people and do whatever I want. I’m happy.”  “But we could find happiness together.” He offers. “Maybe.” She shrugs, “Or we’d be miserable and we’d come to hate each other and lose one of our long-standing friendships.” She puts her book in her bag, “I don’t resent you for not noticing me – anymore. I used to, but I let it go. We’re in college, Art, we have a lifetime to find and fall in love. There is no deadline.” “So you are saying there is a chance?” He can feel the hope rise in his chest.  She stands, slinging her bag effortlessly over her shoulder, “Don’t hold your breath Art. Maybe there was a reason our feelings were like ships passing in the night. I’ll see you on Christmas break okay?” And with that, she walks out of the coffee shop, taking his heart with him.  Three years later Coffee in hand, Arthur scans the coffee shop, he doesn’t see anyone that reminds him of Bethany, but she still could be here. If he remembers right, she had dropped out of college and had been travelling and writing for the last two years, so they really hadn’t been home at the same time, he sat in their spot facing the door. She’d asked to meet up, she wouldn’t bail on him. Sure, the last time they’d met here was– awkward. But they had both been at Jacobs's wedding and that had been fine– they’d even shared a dance.  He pulls out his phone to text her when a motorbike parks in front of the shop, and the passenger hops off–it can’t be. Bethany takes off her helmet and shakes out her hair. She looks so different, her hair is pink, and in a pixie cut. The driver lifts her hand to his helmet as if to kiss it. She waves and watches him take off.  When Bethany walks in, Arthur waves. She joins him after getting her own coffee, “Hey, long time no see stranger.” She sets her helmet on the seat beside her.  “No kidding. I thought you said motorcycles were death traps.” He points to the helmet.  She shrugs, “Depends on who driving” Her smile gives her away, and he notices the ring on her finger. “Are congratulations in order?” He smirks and she happily shows off her ring.  “He asked me last weekend, and no we have no plans yet, it’s been a whirlwind of a week” She looks down at her ring.  “I’m happy for you, Bethany. You look really happy.” He pulls out his phone to show her the ring he bought for his girlfriend. “It should arrive in a few weeks.”  “Oh, it's gorgeous!” Bethany looks at him, “I bet she’ll love it.”  “I hope so. Not that I’m worried she’ll say no.” He puts his phone down on the table. “Looks like we found a place to dock.”  Bethany smiles, “Yeah, looks like we did.”

Lindsey felt her life had become dull. When was the last time she felt the thrill of anything? Every day was the same, wake up, go for a walk, eat breakfast, work, lunch more work, supper, attempt one of her many hobbies bed, repeat, over and over. Sure she and her roommate did fun things on the weekend, but even that felt dull now. Was this just adulthood? Would life always be this grey? What happened to the colour of childhood? The spark of teenagehood? Surely she couldn't have spent the last two decades, wanting to grow up just for her to see grey! She'd done what everyone said, she went to school, got the job, the apartment, everything was safe, and sure was it boring! She wanted to get her colour back. But she drew a blank, what could she do? She was an adult now, she could do anything she wanted, and maybe that was the problem. There was nothing risky in doing whatever she wanted, no risk no reward. So she'd create her own risk... She would sneak out and watch the sunrise! She always wanted to try that as a teen. She would see if she could sneak out without her roommate finding out. This was her most ridiculous idea. But why not? Who was it going to hurt? Friday night came and to her surprise, her roommate passed out during the movie. Rather than risking it, Lindsey paused the movie and headed to bed. Setting her alarm for some ridiculous hour. To her surprise, she got up with ease. She found' her comfiest sweater, and carefully slipped out of her room. The apartment was still dark, except for the glow of the TV, her roommate hadn't woken up. This added a level of difficulty. Lindsey listened – her roommate was snoring, good she was still in deep sleep, slowly moving across the living room, before Lindsey made it to the entryway, "I'd better steal a blanket." she whispered. Carefully she made her way to the basket, grabbed her favourite one and made her way quietly to the coat closet. She tip-toed around all the shoes trying not to trip she made it out the door. Walking through the quiet apartment building she could feel her excitement growing. She raced to her car in the cold, she should have used her command start, cranking the heat she headed out. Soon she pulled into the parking lot of her favourite coffee shop, she didn't even know they were open this early. She got a hot chocolate and a fresh donut. She headed to her favourite spot by the river and sat on the hood of her car and watched the sun come up. She inhaled deeply and watched as the sky filled with colours and suddenly the world no longer felt so dull. She sat there till her body went stiff. She climbed back into her car and headed home. When she walked in the door she smelled bacon, "Where were you? I woke up on the couch and the house was too quiet." Her roommate offered her a plate. "I went out!' she smirked, "Don't worry about it."

Jenny Jetson had made quite a name for herself as a crime fighter, even as a teen she'd fought some crazy scientist dudes. But now she was in her early 30’s. She was still a crime frighten only now she worked as an officer no more crazy stunts or gadgets made by a 15-year-old wiz kid or with her now husband at her side. She had two children who knew nothing of her teenage crime-fighting days. But that didn't mean the town forgot or her 13-year-old niece. So when the invite to be in the town's annual parade came up again her niece would not let her say no. "Come on Auntie Jenny! Your kids should know that their mom is a hero!" "So is their father." Jenny reminds her. "Yes, babe, but unlike you, I have let the town honour my crime-frightening days. You always avoid them, " her husband teases as he heads back to the office. "Gee why would a young mom want to avoid being the center of attention when one of her villains was never found? I can't have him find my kids because I'm dressing up as my teenage crime fighter." She huffs and gets ready to toss the invite. "Auntie wait." Halley grabs the invite. "So don't go as your teenage self. Let's get you an updated look! You're still a crime fighter after all. And if that villain is dumb enough to show up at the parade he'll see you still strong and ready to fight.'" "You really want me to do this huh?" Jenny sits next to her. "Well, duh, you like the coolest relative I have, and Mom won't let me give her a new makeover, so why not on my superhero Aunt?" Halley rolls her eyes as if it is the most obvious thing. "I'm not a superhero," Jenny whispers. "I always thought you were,” Halley says in that trying-to-still-be-cool teenage way. "Fine, I will," Jenny admits defeat. Hallye jumps for joy and with the kids loaded into the van they head to the mall. Halley looked at photos of her once teenage Aunt. "Cargo pants and a crop top really Auntie?" "Hey it was the style back then!" she said defensively. "Still no cargo pants or crop tops," Halley says with a hint of disgust. “I've had two babies sure then. No arguments here. Though cargo shorts would be great with the kids now." She starts to joke. "Oh my gosh no-” Halley rushes out. "You need something sporty. But age appropriate.” Soon they pull into the mall, and Halley leads Jenny to stores she’s never been in before. She tries on clothes she would never even take into a dressing room. Some of it made her feel amazing and others reminded her of all her teenage anxiety about her looks. Eventually, Halley finds the perfect outfit that blends Jenny's old look and what was hip and cool, and when Jenny makes that joke Halley just rolls her eyes. "Just because you are my coolest aunt doesn’t make everything you do cool." They finished their mall trip with ice cream. "You're going to look so cool in the parade. I'm gonna get my friends to make signs and we're gonna cheer so loud." Halley beams as she helps Jenny load the kids into the care. Jenny smiles and glances in the review mirror, her two young kids nod off blissfully unaware in the backseat. A small pit grew in her storage what if she was making a mistake? The feeling of unease never went away. On the day parade, she waves from the float while her children play safely with her family, ideally lost in the shuffle. They are safe or they are supposed to be. An explosion went off, and everyone went for cover. Jenny attempts to get off the float and help when she hears "Mommy! "Her son cries out, she sees both her son and daughter being lifted into an all too familiar flying pod. "Dr. Grason!" her teenage self would have shot a grappling gun and flown through the air to follow him. But she wasn't her teenage crime-fighting self, she was a mom and she knew something Dr. Garson didn't, she had trackers on her kids. "Catch me if you can miss all that!" He cackles and takes off. She leaps the rest of the way off the float and finds her husband, "The taker is working right?" He nods, watching the dot moves on the scream." "I'm sorry the kids were in the group but he grabbed them while the explosion went off I couldn't get to them fast enough." "Love, he planned this, don't blame yourself.” Jenny looks at Halley "Looks like the look gets a test run."