Chapter 8: A Winterfest with Some Challenges

While Charles is busy chasing treasures, his daughters are busy being teenagers. While developing their very different interests, they're also the best of friends, playing videogames, hanging out with their friends, and spending hours staring into their phones.

 


Willow still likes it best in her garden, however, even in the dead of winter, though sometimes she overdoes it and her mother needs to remind her that she can die of exposure if she isn't careful.



And while Willow is focusing her energy on the garden, Sandy has...other priorities. Mainly Rory, who she has a major crush on and who spends more and more time at the house. Sandy definitely wants it to be more than friendship, but she's not sure how to make that move, so every time things get a bit more intense, she chickens out and make light of it instead.

As Winterfest rolls around, Charles has arranged a Winterfest tree for them. He and the kids spend most of the day decorating it together, while Candice prepares dinner in the kitchen.

It looks spectacular, if they may say so themselves, when there is only the top left to add. "Can I light it while you do that, dad?" Willow asks, eager to see the thing lit up so she can admire the lights, only to have it in flames the next minute! Oh no!

They are so completely in shock that they don't even try to run to safety, or put out the flame, they just stare as the tree is completely incinerated.

Then they remember to panic! Neo is mostly sad and does what he always does, pull away. Charles tries to calm everyone down by telling them he didn't put the presents under the tree yet.




Then he goes to get another, but with few ornaments left, it just isn't the same. But Charles insists that they all sing carols at the tree anyway.

By now, no one has the energy for guests, so the family eat the tofu-turkey Willow insisted on themselves. "They can be glad for that, at least," Neo mutters under his breath.



He cheers up a bit when mom and dad starts handing out presents, giving him a violin.

Just then, Father Winter walks through the door with more presents for everyone. Willow's jaw drops. She never believed in Father Winter and here he is! In person! Her heart begins to beat faster. And even more so when his first gift is for her!




"A camera?"
"To record all your beautiful flowers, so you can remember them in winter when they are asleep," he answers. Willow almost swoons, giving him the biggest hug ever!"




As he sits down to join them, after giving everyone else their present too, she pesters him with questions. About his life, immortality, how you become Father Winter, what other immortal beings there actually are.

He's not to impressed by their tree, but understands when they tell him why it looks so sad. "A fire is always a tragic thing, but at least all of you are safe and together. That is always what is most important. That is what Winterfest is all about. Family, unity, togetherness." Willow has never heard anything so clever. So much better than the crap boys her own age sprouts (regardless of what Sandy thinks about Rory). She lifts her new camera to snap a photo of Father Winter, just to hear his "ho, ho, ho" as he walks through the door, almost completely hidden by the tree.
"You can still see him," she insists later when friends question his existence. "Right there between the branches."
"Sure, Willow, sure. If you say so."