“It’s nice to see him smile,” Ms. Stella says. Aiylin blushes and gets back to Tinley. “Have you ever made one of these Tinley?” she asks, sitting down with her.
“No, Ma’am.” She is vibrating with excitement.
“It’s called a lebkuchen. It’s a ginger cookie. You can make them as gifts for people you care for. Usually, they are made into the shape of Saint Nicholas or a heart. People write messages or decorate them with white icing. Mostly, my family loves to dip them in chocolate or white powdered sugar.”
Tinley smiles, “I know what I’m making. Are you making one?”
“Of course. Let’s get started.”
Ms. Stella pulls the first batch out to cool. These are the regular shaped small circle cookies for dipping. Once they are cooled, Aiylin will powder them and dip some.
“Can you cut my shape for me?” Tinley asks.
“I can try. Tell me what you want.”
Tinley whispers in her ear, and she bursts out laughing. “I will do my best.” They work for the next two hours on the desert and then clean up the mess.
“Why don’t you go change before dinner, Tinley,” Aiylin suggests.
“I’m a mess,” she laughs and skips from the room.
“You both are. Go on and change, I’ll finish up in here,” Ms. Stella says.
“Thank you, Ms. Stella.”
Aiylin wanders into the foyer after changing into her wine-colored dress and glances outside. Who would’ve thought that three feet of snow would be such a gift? She closes her eyes and whispers a prayer, asking the Lord to watch over her family as they make their way home.
“Are you thinking of making a break for it?” Elizabeth asks from behind her.
Aiylin smiles and turns to look at her.
“Not at all, I was just thinking about how lucky I am to be here sharing this day with all of you.”
Elizabeth smiles, “Thank you. Come help us finish decorating. Tomorrow, we will get the tree. If we can walk in the snow. It’s already starting to melt a little.”
“Is it?” her heart sinks a little as she glances outside again.
The house is starting to feel like the holidays. Aiylin walks with Elizabeth through the foyer to look around and smiles at the holly trimming the tables and window settings.
“Everything looks beautiful. What can I do?”
“We are in desperate need of some music,” Sebastian calls.
Aiylin laughs and sits at the piano while they begin packing up the boxes. She plays and works on a song, while they work around her. The ornament boxes are left out, for the three Christmas trees they will be cutting down the next day.
All the staff is working with Elizabeth and Sebastian to arrange the wreaths on the doors. Candles are placed around on the mantle place with colorful blown glass beads strung into the pine garlands creating a beautiful display.
Aiylin messes with different keys until she finds a melody she loves. Looking around, she is inspired by this family and place. Closing her eyes, she starts to play from her heart.
The moment she strikes the first note, all work stops. They watch in awe as she plays, and Aylin is lost in the song. Tinley walks over and sits beside her, watching her hands with intense concentration.
Elizabeth wipes a tear away, touched by the simple beauty in her song. Sebastian presses a kiss to his Mother’s head, and she stares at her son as he sits next to Aiylin and pulls his daughter into his lap. Watching them together, “This is my wish,” she whispers. “I wish for him to find a love that stops time and fills his soul with the peace of knowing he is home.”
Everyone drifts back to work, and Sebastian watches Aiylin give Tinley a lesson. After a few tries, Tinley laughs in delight when she's able to play a basic version of Jingle bells.
“Good job, Tinley!” she praises.
Sebastian helps count the wood and deliver it to each bedroom, making sure they have enough to keep the house warm. He straps on snowshoes and walks to the woodpile with Stanley to help carry more to the front porch.
“How long do you think the snow will last?” he asks.
Stanley glances around at the thick white blanket.
“Hard to tell. It’s already starting to melt, but it’ll refreeze tonight. I’d say another five days if you’re lucky.” He grins at Sebastian and claps him on the back before heading back inside.
Sebastian laughs and follows him inside.
“Daddy! Come sit. Desert is ready!” Tinley urges and grabs his hand.
“Give me a second, my heart. I need to dry off.”
Elizabeth is in the great room next to the fireplace, with a blanket over her legs when Sebastian walks in with Tinley.
“Where’s Aiylin?” he asks.
“Sit down, Daddy!” Tinley says with a giggle.
“What’s all this?” he laughs as he sits down.
Tinley runs to the door to meet Aiylin when she walks in. They whisper for a few seconds before Aiylin nods at her before she walks over carrying a plate with a towel over it. “Daddy, this is for you. I made it. Happy Christmas, early!”
Tinley pulls the towel off with a flourish and Sebastian frowns as he looks at it. Aiylin holds her breath and bites her lip as Tinley nervously shuffles from foot to foot.
The scent strikes him first. Christmas spices blended in a heavenly aroma. “Is that a bear!” he grins as he picks it up.
“Yes!” Tinley claps her hands, shouting with excitement.
“That’s wonderful,” he laughs.
“Your next, Oma!”
Aiylin walks over and offers her a small plate with a sample of lebkuchen. “I hope you like these. They are a tradition at our home for the holidays. Some are milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and dusted in white sugar.”
“Oh,” Elizabeth’s eyes shine with tears
