Chapter 50

Day 224

Today was the first day of winter. 

After Yasmin and Ebrahim left for school, I quietly celebrated Marissa's and Michael's birthdays with just the three of us at home. 

Marissa aged up with the trait: Adventurous.

Michael aged up with the new trait: Easily Impressed.

Since Marissa and Michael didn't have school today, I took them to the Four Seasons Sports Club (will be uploaded soon :).

OUCH!

Yasmin and Ebrahim joined us when school was over.

I dropped the kids off at home before I went to a party thrown by Sheila Caspian.

I was starving and Sheila burned the meal, then the kids texted me saying a deer ended up in our house! I used that as an excuse to leave the party. 

After a little deer wrangling, I tucked into some of my leftover lasagna before snuggling down for the night.

Day 225

On my way into town I decided to stop by the werewolf's castle and thank him for the Halloween treats he gave the kids.

I had scarcely begun to chat with him when he announced he needed to go to work and he took off on all fours.

I headed to the mall first wanting to talk with Maz. I thought we should be clear that we were just friends. I ran into Rafe; he is a food vendor for the winter festival.

Maz wasn't in the pet store, so I hung around the mall a bit waiting. 

I drove to Maz's apartment and he wasn't there either.

So I decided to swing by the hair salon and get my hair cut and then I treated myself to some playtime at Kitty's Casino.

The kids were fine at home, so I headed back for the mall to see if Maz had shown up.

Maz was at the mall and surprisingly was not to happy with me when I mentioned I thought we should just be friends. But I managed to smooth things over and we parted on good terms.

Since the kids were tending to themselves quite well, I headed for the Ice Lounge for a bite to eat and some dancing.

Day 226

After the kids left for school, I went to work on their early Christmas presents. I saw how much they loved Gigi and I wanted to add another pet to our home. I found a beautiful cat listed on the shelter's website and filled out the application to adopt her.

While I was waiting for the new kitty to show up, I checked the mailbox and found a gift from Maz accompanied by a note that read, "I was thinking about you and thought you might like this. Call me!" It was dated from before I told him I just wanted to be friends. That explains his reaction.

The shelter employee showed up with our new kitty that I named Noelle. I set about getting her things together.

Once Noelle was settling in, I got back online to select part II of the early Christmas present. There weren't any dogs on the shelter's website that appealed to me, so I found a local breeder that had an adult Boston Terrier to adopt.  And that is how Beany came to join our household.

I made the kids an early dinner before I took off to another party.

The party wasn't very lively and I was starving so I headed for the local bistro to dine.

As I was leaving the bistro, so was another diner. Mr. He's-so-fine's AKA John Scorpio and I hit it off immediately!

Mr. Scorpio is a witch with a girlfriend named Maebe. Normally I don't pursue an attached man, but now and again I've been known to toss common sense right out the window. It was too cold to chat outside so we went down the street to the Little Lennon Cafe. Once there we danced, chatted, flirted and smooched until they closed down for the night.

Day 227

After breakfast, I called and invited John over. Then I told the kids they needed some fresh air and sent them to ice skate on the pond next to the house.

Is that a wand in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

The kiddos came home and I whipped up Teppanyaki Filet Mignon for dinner.

John did the dishes before slow dancing with me in the kitchen. Brownie points!

I received another present from Maz with the same exact note in the mail. Awkward.

I sat down to play the keyboard before I went to bed. I don't think I've played since I lived in Winter Wonderland with Matt. As I played, I felt a rush of memories invade the wall I have erected around my heart. It's hard for me to remember those days, when I hoped and trusted for more. I miss the coziness, the surety of a happy future. Bereft, I abruptly quit playing and went to bed.

Day 228

Christmas Day!

Noelle playing with a stray cat in the snow.

Oh dear, the mailbox held a number of surprises today. I received very "friendly" letters from George Crownroyal, Bowen Broker and Maz. I received two gifts with accompanying letters from John and a man named Harry. Is my name written on a bathroom wall somewhere?

I decided to host a gift giving party. Ebrahim magically cleaned our house while I cooked like mad, because I didn't know that the guests were bringing food with them.

Mah cookies are the best!

Uh, Maz, that is my daughter you be eyeing!

I'm afraid to ask LOL

Sheila says, "Santa sucks!"

I smooched John under the mistletoe before telling him that he is going to be a papa.

Marissa had been carrying Gigi in her pocket and Gigi escaped, but I found her in my bedroom.

It was a very Merry Christmas for the Storey family!