Chapter 20: Love is a Losing Game (or why advice is not always easy to listen to)

Winterfest is at the door, and at Willow's and Christmas' house, preparations for this evenings' celebration is well on their way. Willow has arranged for a tree, and as she gets up in the morning, Christmas cannot help but to start decorating it with the garland she's made of popcorn and cranberries.



As Willow wakes up, ready to start breakfast, Christmas is already well on her way and convinces her mother that breakfast can wait until the tree is ready.



After breakfast, as Willow pays the bills and tends to the many plants in the garden, greenhouse and sunroom, Christmas tries to teach herself how to ride a bike to pass the time before everyone in the family will be here.



Finally! They're here! In the kitchen the Tofurkey is waiting, and everyone is gathering around the living room with the stereo playing winter music on the highest of volumes. And look at how nice the tree turned out.






But even in the middle of Winterfest celebrations, you can persuade grandpa to teach you more about riding a bike - inside the house! Best day ever!




20 photos in one party is a lot, especially when your subjects refuse to stay in place, or turns their back, or go stand behind an object, but Willow does manage a few good selfies with her mom.



By the time Father Winter arrives, Christmas is just as tired as she was last year, but she still babbles on about her Winterfest, the party and all her experiences. Willow stays on the sidelines, watching her daughter with the father she doesn't know. She notices that Father Winter has started to look older - which is strange for an immortal being. Has he decided to retire and let age run its course?



The next morning, Christmas is at it with her bike again, and lo and behold, she's mastered it! In triumph, she rides her bike around the neighborhood, then falls laughing down into the snow and start making snow angles.




As Willow fits a bell Christmas has gotten for Winterfest to the treehouse, Christmas is off building a snowpal, who she names Gertrude.

Then she convinces Willow to play shipwrecked with her. "Look out for any ships, they might be our only rescue!"



By the end of the day, she has maxed out all children's skills:

But she still takes the time to try and practise on the violin her grandfather gave her. Luckily (or so Willow thinks) she grows bored quickly and leaves it forgotten on the floor. Willow hopes she will never pick it up again. A musical prodigy she is not.



For New Year's Eve, the house fills up with friends of Willows. And a co-worker, who for some reason Willow will never understand sabotages the food. Rude! Willow is quite sure she will never invite her again, though she says nothing about it now. No need to make a scene.



Willow has a new outfit for the night, which she quite likes.



Even Christmas is still up when they're counting down to midnight, even if she is almost dead tired by then.




In Oasis Springs winter isn't quite as harsh, and the Springs family still spends most of their days outside, even in the evenings.



But things are changing here too. Rory has finally made cadet, and Sandy, having worked so hard, has finally completed her training and become a fully fledged astronaut.



And with their promotions, they're hoping of buying a slightly bigger home. They're saving up everything they have, but when Willow hears of her sister's promotion, she gifts her the missing money.
"You should really try growing produce, it's really lucrative, especially dragon fruit. I could give you one to start with," she says.
Sandy is at a loss for words.



What she isn't, is lost for action. She and Rory has been eyeing the house across the street for a while, and now they can finally afford it. And not long after, she and Rory are packing up the house while Sunny is at school, getting ready for the move.
"A last kiss to say good bye to the house?" Rory suggests. Sandy is not slow to agree.




And then they're off, with just a short walk they're at their new home in a matter of minutes. It's a newer house, more modern, but still in the same style as the neighborhood.



Inside, everything is crisp, clean white, gray and a daring red for the kitchen. Sandy is not at all fond. The house needs to be redone to fit their style. When they're finished the only thing exactly the same is the flooring. The new look makes Rory want to break out in song.





It is a more spacious house, especially the kitchen (which might be a bit too big for their needs) and living area (which they appreciate). But the bedrooms are a bit smaller, but the two bathrooms more than make up for that. But it's the outdoor space that has convinced Sandy of this house. A bit smaller, but much more inviting than the one they left behind. Here they can all enjoy their outside space, and as spring is quickly moving towards summer it's getting warmer every day.




For Sunny, it's much easier having all of his friends over now that the living room is bigger and there is space for everyone. But while he is hoping for something... more... with Lauryn, she seems to be hoping for something more with Skyler and while Sunny tries, and tries again, he's met with no at every turn.



But instead of giving up, he digs in deeper, deciding that Love Day is the right day to do something about his crush. So he confesses his crush, and invites her to the Love Day Dance, so that everyone in the class can hear. Surely she can't tell him know then?



His dad has more luck with love day.



So after dinner, Sunny confess his failures and ask his dad for some advice, although once he gets it, he's not sure he likes it.
"A no is a no, there is nothing more to it. She turned you down, fine, respect it. Move on."
What does dads know, anyway?