TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

"Judy, I don't think this is such a good idea," a small white vixen frowned with worry as she stooped to look at the doe.

The bunny had crawled under the large, decorated pine tree in the entrance hall. Using her small size, she wiggled and climbed her way up. The two fox kits could track her progress as the branches moved and shifted.

"Really, the cook should have known better," said Nick.

He moved closer to the tree, using his sensitive nose to pinpoint his friend. She was about a quarter of the way up and moving towards her first target: A brightly decorated sugar biscuit shaped like a candy cane!

"It's true! She wouldn't let us have any biscuits from the kitchen, so she should have know we would find them here. It's lodganickle!" Judy pushed the biscuit off the branch into the waiting paws of Nick.

"Lodganickle?" Asked Skye as she accepted the treat. Both foxes turned their eyes back to the tree to follow the bunny's progress again. Nick personally had his eyes on the tree shaped biscuit.

The sound of paw steps caused the trio to gasp, with the tree going still. Nick and Skye whipped around, the vixen hiding her biscuit behind her back. Jack came from the direction school room, struggling with a heavy volume in his paws. The cousins looked at each other with a sigh of relief.

"I think she means 'logical'," he said. The book was dropped onto the floor as his blue eyes looked up at where he thought Judy would be, "and, Judy, you are most certainly going to be in huge trouble. Also, a stocking for me, please!"

Nick wandered over to the hare kit who had flopped down in front of the giant Christmas tree. A snowflake fell from it's branch halfway up. Skye, with her own biscuit now locked in her mouth, dove to catch it.

"What's this?" The todd nudged the book with his hind paw as Jack pulled a pencil and paper from his pocket.

"It a book of maps and trade routes! I've been reading about this Santa everyone keeps talking about! I figure if he does travel around the world in one night, then I can probably track where he'll be and when!" The striped hare consulted his notes briefly before shooting back up to dash towards the study.

Nick turned to his cousin, who had been trying to track the bunny still climbing the tree. Meeting eyes, they shrugged and kept watch for the falling biscuits.

"Ah-ha!" Both foxes and a tree branch jumped as the hare returned. The next book he held was considerably smaller, though certainly much more dull than the first. "I found a book of time zones!"

Giving a very un-Jackish squeal of delight, Jack threw himself on to the floor and resumed his research. The vixen watched him with a a fond smile on her muzzle and sighed. Then yelped when Judy's antics dislodged an ornament off it's perch and onto her head.

"…sorry, Skye…" came a muffled voice a bit over half way up the tree.

Rubbing the sore spot between her ears, she looked up in time to catch the stocking and tree shaped biscuits as they fell.

Nick took both treats from her and sat next to Jack, offering him his biscuit and trying to comprehend what was in the book. The hare seemed to be having problems, too.

"This doesn't make sense!" He said with a huff.

Skye wandered over to them with a mouth full of biscuit as the branches of the tree parted to reveal a pair of bright amethyst eyes.

"What doesn't?" Asked Judy. Jack looked at his notes and bit into his treat with his brow furrowed. He chewed furiously as he collected his thoughts.

"This Santa mammal everyone is so excited for!" He put his paw on the North Pole and traced what he thought to be the most logical route. Crumbs fell from his whiskers as he gazed down. "It would take hours to go from here to here and that's the closest stop! Then he would have to visit all the homes there and leave presents?"

He pushed himself up to sit crossed legged. Arms folded stubbornly, he shook his head and huffed again.

"I'm not buying it!" Another bite of stocking vanished into his mouth.

Skye chewed thoughtfully while Nick tilted his head at the little hare. Behind them, the tree swayed dangerously as the bunny doe spotted more biscuits.

"Papa and Mama told me he flies!" Both the vixen and buck looked at him as though he turned blue. Ears dropping, the todd took a nervous bite from his biscuit. "What? He's a magic reindeer with a flying sled."

Skye scoffed. "No he isn't!" Paws went to her hips as she turned to Jack. "He's actually a polar bear and his sled is pulled by eagles!"

The tree began to bend, with Judy grunting to reach for a biscuit decorated like a snowbunny.

"My mama and papa say he's an arctic hare who works with all his lemming elves!" All eyes went to the top of the tree. Two black tipped ears where sticking out, covered in pine needles. The tree noticeably swaying, Judy's three companions all gapped as the majority of the biscuits fell with the ornaments only trembling slightly on their respective branches. Thank Serendipity for their wire hooks!

"Uhh, Carrots?" Nick crept up to the tree, collecting the decorated treats as he did. "I think you should come down now. We have all the biscuits and Jack is right, we're going to be in very big trouble if-"

"Someone were to walk in and catch you up the tree, pinching it's decorations?"

Jack and Skye yelped in surprise, with the vixen jumping behind the hare and crouching low to hide. Francine Wilde took in the scene, with the pilfered books sprawled open and the little muzzle and eyes sticking out from behind Jack's ears to her son standing in the middle of a biscuit massacre. Her green eyes landed on the bent tree and the small bunny who could just barely be seen towards the top of it.

The three kits hastily shoved their remaining bits of biscuits into their mouths.

"Now, Miss Frankie, I know this looks very naughty," began Judy, "but there is a very good explnition for this!"

With a smile and a sigh, the older vixen moved closer, carefully stepping over the broken biscuits.

"I think you mean explanation. Which I would love to hear, Miss Judy," Francine then let her smile drop, "particularly the part that has you climbing the Christmas tree."

A small tug at her skirt drew her eyes from the bunny descending to her son looking up at her with wide green eyes.

"We were half starved, Mama. And the cook denied us food!" Nick said, ears straight and voice as sweet as the stolen treats they scarfed down. Jack and Skye nodded furiously with bulging cheeks and big eyes. Judy had coached the three of them on the wide eyed technique, perfect for moments like this one.

Unfortunately, Francine had years of teaching under her belt and was unswayed.

"So you stole biscuits from the tree?" Three pairs ears dropped in guilt.

Her own perked at the sound Judy's paws hitting the floor, the older vixen looked to each kit. Skye had crept from behind the hare and was at least looking abashed. Nick merely stroked his tail and dropped his gaze to the floor as Judy crept up next to him to hold his paw. Jack, it seemed, had lost his attention from Francine and was frowning at his notes and books.

"Well, let's fetch a broom. And we need more biscuits for the tree," The vixen sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. A small crunch had her repressing a shudder. "Judith! Quit eating biscuits from the floor!"

The grey bunny looked up with her mouth full and reddening ears. The fox kits giggled while Jack gave a frustrated groan. Standing up, he threw his pencil down in agitation and stomped one small hind paw.

"I wasn't aware you were so passionate about this, Jack," Francine smiled questioningly at the little hare, who turned his surprisingly hard gaze to her.

"This makes no sense! This Santa is defying the very ideas of logic!" He gestured to his work and huffed again. "He's using his odd stories and rumors about him create confusion and trick us into leaving treats for him and I, for one, am NOT falling for it!"

Slamming his fist into his other paw, the hare kit turned on his heel and stomped out of the entry hall. Three very confused foxes and one bunny were left in his wake. Snapping to her senses, Francine herded the remaining kits towards the kitchen to begin clean up.

…..

Ian Wolford was fast asleep. Maybe it was the snowy winter, maybe it was the bottles of wine he had shared with the Bogos and Claudia, or maybe it was the fact that he had the next two days free. But Ian felt so snug and secure in his warm and cozy bed. His sleep was so sound and peaceful…

….taptaptap….

The grey wolf grunted and buried his head into the pillow.

…taptaptaptap….. "Miss Claudia?"

The whine that escaped the wolf at the sound of the familiar voice was almost painful. Of course he would pick their first day off in weeks to come by and bother them. Ian's sensitive ears picked up on movement in the other room as the tapping continued.

"Miss Claudia Tiger-lady!"…..taptaptaptap… Unable to resist the sweet pleas of the kit tapping on their door, Ian pushed himself up from his warm bed and trudged out of his room to the front door.

Two bright blue eyes blinked up at him from the freshly fallen snow. Were it not for the black stripes and small pink nose, the little mammal would have been invisible. Shaking his head slightly, Ian reached down to pluck the shivering hare kit from his snow pile and brought him inside. He held him close to transfer some warmth to the cold hare in his paws.

"Jack, what are you doing here this early?" Gathering a bit of terrycloth from the kitchen, the wolf sat at the table with his little companion on his lap.

"I wanted to ask Miss Claudia things!" Jack peeked out from under the cloth as his ears were dried. Ian gave a low chuckle as the formerly frozen ears regained their warmth.

"What sort of things couldn't wait until later?"

"Santa things!" That caused the wolf stop and give a curious glance at the hare. "Every one in the manor is too busy to talk. Nick, Judy, and Skye tell different stories about him. And I just did some reading and there's no possible explanation for being able to deliver all those presents in one night!"

Sighing, Ian finished his task, just as Jack's ears bolted upright and turned towards the remaining bedroom door. It cracked open and two amber eyes peered out at the duo. With a tired smile, Claudia Fangmeyer left her room and headed to the fireplace. The slight chill of the cabin needed to be remedied.

Bouncing off Ian's lap with a happy chirr, the little hare darted for the tigress. Since he had stowed away with Skye's family and landed in Bunnyburrow with them, Jack had been enchanted by Claudia. Mostly because he had never seen another mammal with stripes.

He came to a stop at her knee and climbed up. She handed him some kindling to hold while he explained his predicament. Her still groggy brain processed something about Santa, lemmings, reindeer, and, for some odd reason, biscuit stealing.

"And..and then, uh, Skye said he had eagles and flew? But, uhm, Judy, umm, said he was a hare, um, like me?…. But I don't think that's true." He said his piece as the tigress and wolf nodded patiently. He was usually more composed then this.

"Jack?" Claudia carefully leaned over to start the fire as Ian brought a large kettle over. Wide blue eyes blinked innocently up at her as she finished her task and set the kettle into place before she stood, the hare being nestled onto her shoulder. "Do you not believe in magic?"

The wolf smiled as he busied himself with three mugs and a treat he had been saving for an occasion like this: hot chocolate! He had been given the opportunity to go into Bunnyburrow proper, with it's busy little marketplace, and had found a cart selling it for the season.

Just what the little kit needs, he thought happily, a bit of sugar to spark his imagination.

Jack's brow wrinkled as he considered her question.

"At the mountain, we tell stories of Martin and his magic sword. And my parents say that our home has a magic aura to it that pulls in warriors," he nimbly climbed from one shoulder to the other as she processed what he said, "but I don't believe that."

Claudia smiled kindly as she took a seat at the table. Ian went to rescue the now whistling kettle, bringing it to the table where the mugs waited.

"Why is that?" Ian asked as he poured.

"Because they're stories!" Came the slightly indignant response. "They are supposed to be lessons for us to grow and learn. But this seems a like we're being tricked out of our biscuits!"

Both Claudia and Ian exchanged glances and smiles. Their little friend was indeed an old soul. The other kits on the estate, Judy and the fox cousins included, were excited about the yearly visit from Santa. Whatever form he took, he always left a smile pile of gifts, one present for each litter.

The Wildes said they never decorated for the season, saving it until Christmas eve. Their son would fall asleep and wake up to a cheerfully decorated cabin and tree, the plate of butter biscuits made for Santa nibbled at. They could never afford to get Nick a proper gift, though the utter joy on his little face showed he did not care one bit.

Ian gave each mug a thorough stir. The scent of the sugary drinks caused the little pink nose to twitch as Jack cautiously climbed down from his perch. One large mug was handed to the tigress with another being pushed in the hare's direction. He watched suspiciously as the older mammals took tentative sips of their steaming, hot mugs, before turning to his own.

One small sip, mindful of burning his tongue, and the hare's eyes widened in delight. Unable to lift the full mug, Jack settled for sucking at the rim to enjoy his first taste of hot chocolate.

This would be wonderful with biscuits! He thought.

"Is it so hard to believe that there is a mammal so good and loving, he uses magic to make the kits of the world happy?" The tigress watched as Jack raised his face from the mug, a layer of chocolate coating his upper lip and whiskers. "Jack, stories like this are based on truth. While I'm sure some details are a bit far fetched, that shouldn't take away from the fact that Santa brings hope to a lot of little kits out in the world."

"Yeah! And the treats left for him are our thanks for doing a good job!" Ian took another sip of his hot chocolate while the hare pondered their words. "Do they not have Christmas on the mountain, Jack?"

The kit slowly shook his head, staring into the mug. "Miss Claudia? You said stories like that are BASED on truth?"

The tigress nodded with a smile at her little friend. But the wolf suddenly tensed, seeming to know what was coming.

"How old is this story?" Claudia beamed at him, not noticing the frantic shake of Ian's head as she answered.

"Very, very old. I heard it from my parents and they heard it from theirs, so on and so forth." The mug now empty enough for him to lift, Jack took another drink as he considered what was said. Ian buried his head in his paws as she continued. "I was always told he was a white tiger so he could blend in with the snow as he went to and from the homes."

The hare set his now empty mug down, his face thoroughly covered with the sweet drink. The terrycloth was used once more to scrub himself of the sticky drink on his face. He stood and held out a tiny paw to the wolf, who looked up and accepted it with surprise and worry.

"Thank you, Mr. Ian. That was very yummy and I'm happy you shared with me," he turned his wide eyes to Claudia and marched over to give her a paw shake too, "and thank you Miss Claudia. I think I have my answers now."

Puzzled, the tigress watched their guest hop off the table and walk very thoughtfully to the door. He had to jump to unlatch and open it, before turning again to the pair still sitting at the table.

"Thank you again for hosting me and I'm sorry to bother you so early!" Without waiting for a response, Jack left, struggling to close the door behind him. Ian left his seat to shut it properly. His paw rested on the close door for a moment as he heaved a sigh. He shook his head and ran a paw through the fur by his ears. Claudia's voice caused him to turn his weary gaze to her.

"What was that all about?" She asked as she started to gather the empty mugs. Brown eyes narrowed at her in pity. For all of her positive qualities, she couldn't quite read mammals like he could.

"Other than you telling him that Santa doesn't exist, not much," he said, letting loose another sigh. She gave him a look of alarm and paused to think over her words.

"No I didn't! I simply told him-"

"That the story is so old that there would be no way for such a magnanimous mammal like Santa to still be alive and, after being told the many different species everyone says he is, you had to add your own. You, in so many words, just told the worlds least imaginative kit that Santa doesn't exist. Two days before Christmas."

Horrified, Claudia sank into a chair. Tears forming, she brought her paws up to her muzzle.

"I did! Didn't I?" The wolf nodded his head sadly and went to wrap his arms around her. "Do you think his mind could be changed? That maybe I can find some way to convince him Santa is real?"

Ian smiled at his friend. "Well, he's eight and used the word 'aura' properly in a sentence. I think it's going to take a lot to convince him Santa exists."

A sudden though flitted through the tigress's mind. What mammal did they know who could be passed off as Santa? The only thing all the stories had in common was that Santa was an arctic mammal. Built for cold weather and snow. Which meant Adrian Bogo was out and Mr's Wilde or Frost were not options. Jack had shared space with them long enough to know their scent.

A sudden knock at the door and Ian's permission for the mammal to enter distracted Claudia from her thoughts.

"Hi, guys! Sorry to barge in like this, but Julius and I wanted to know if you would like to join us for breakfast before we go on duty," the Arctic wolf smiled at the pair at the table.

Claudia and Ian simply stared at him before turning to each other with smiles on their muzzles. Devin Howlstein wrinkled his brown in confusion as they turned back to him, still smiling.

"What?"

…..

Skye sat down with a thump after the last of the biscuits were cleared from the floor. Judy had insisted that the other three had no hand in her mischief, something Nick and Skye had tried to deny. Francine, a headache forming from their insistence on sharing the blame, had sentenced Nick and Judy to the kitchens.

They were to help the cook remake every biscuit that had been stolen from the tree and assist with cleaning up after dinner. Skye and Jack were to straighten the school room and all four were banned from spending excess time in the entry hall until Christmas. Now all the little vixen had to do was wait for her friend to return from wherever he had vanished to.

The sound of giggling caused her to raise her head. It came from the parlor and was low enough to peak her curiosity. She pushed herself up and followed the sound to the doorway and peered in.

The large parlor was decorated with evergreen wreaths and holly. Candle sticks graced the mantel and sashes of silver and gold were draped across the furniture. An entire wall was devoted to stockings, each with a name sewn. Skye and Jack had been added some days ago, next to Nick and Judy's. A smaller tree, this one free of biscuits, sat by the piano. With the still newly risen sunlight pouring through the windows, the room was quite a picture.

But it was the sight of Mr. Bogo and his wife that drew her attention. Camilla sat cooing in the corner, a sticky candy cane in her tiny hoof as she watched her parents. Mr. Bogo had Essi in his arms and was carrying her around the room. Every few steps he would pause with a glance up at the ceiling and smile roguishly.

Essi would laugh lowly and gift him with a tender kiss. It was a short kiss every time, both bovines mindful of the house full of innocent eyes. But each one made the usually stern cape buffalo beam happily at her. The process was repeated several times, much to the vixen's confusion. It wasn't until she followed Mr. Bogo's gaze to the ceiling when she realized what they were doing.

Some sneaky mammal ( Lord Hopps, no doubt) had taken several boughs of mistletoe and hung them in various spots around the parlor. Skye heard the Hopps' staff whisper about a party in the room on Christmas eve. No doubt there would be many souls there who would benefit from the kissing bough.

Her eyes suddenly spotted several bundles of the plant waiting on a chair to be distributed through out the estate. Secure with knowing that the Bogos were properly distracted, Skye crawled to it. Tugging a small handful free from the others, she hurriedly snuck away.

She admired the mistletoe in her paws as she walked back to the entry hall. But her revery was quickly broken by the sound of paw steps. Shoving the mistletoe into the pocket of her dress, the vixen looked up to see Jack walking glumly towards her.

"You missed the clean up, Jackie," she accused, folding her arms and frowning at him. He dropped his ears as he looked up at her with sad eyes that made her face soften.

"Sorry, Skye," he raised a paw to scratch the back of his neck, "I had something I needed to find out…." Her hare friend sighed before looking at her curiously. "What did we get punished with?"

Skye closed the gap between them, linking her arm with his as she pulled him from the hall. She lead him down the corridor, past the study, towards the school room. Cousin Frankie had been allowed to excuse the kits for the holiday and the room was quite disheveled.

"Ta da!" She released his arm to show off the untidied room. "We just have to organize it. Nick and Judy are on biscuit duty."

"I think they got the better end of the deal," the hare murmured darkly. But the two friends set to work. Books were straightened, paw paints and paper were put away, and tables were put in order.

All the while, Skye felt the mistletoe burning a hole in her pocket. Her paw would wander to it as though afraid it had snuck away to rejoin the bunch she had pulled it from. Her blue eyes would dart to her companion and slight blush could be felt in her ears. Just as quickly, they would return to her task.

"What's that?" Came Jack's voice, breaking her thoughts on what to do with her prize. She looked to see what he could be speaking of, only to find his gaze on the pocket in question. A quick glance down showed the plant had poked a few leaves out while she had been cleaning.

He wrinkled his brow as he approached her, his eyes still on her pocket. One paw dove in to shove it out of sight as she stammered out an explanation.

"Oh, um, well…..hahaha, it's nothing really," she smiled nervously as Jack met her eyes and twitched his nose, raising his eyebrows as he patiently waited for her to continue, "It's, ummm….m..s..toe…"

The last word was so quiet and garbled, Jack had to put all his focus on it to understand. "What's mistletoe?"

The question was almost as ludicrous to Skye as him asking who Santa was. Everyone knew mistletoe!

"What do you mean, 'what's mistletoe?'?" She cried. "It's mistletoe!" She pulled the plant from her pocket in indignation and shoved it under his nose. "You kiss under it, you silly hare!"

A quick glance at the plant she held out to him and the small hare dissolved into giggles. Skye glanced at him in alarm as he doubled over as his mirth grew. She knew he was odd, even for a hare. But today, it seemed her friend had reached his peak!

"What in the name of sugar biscuits is so funny?" She demanded as she rested her paws on her hips.

Jack was still chuckling as he rightened himself, before looking at her with happiness.

"I knew what it was. Your face was just priceless!" She started slightly as he reached for the mistletoe. "I didn't know you kiss under it though…." His ears, which had been folded in front of him, suddenly stood straight and flushed red. He met her gaze again, this time with less humor. His paws clenched around the plant as he gulped.

"Uhhh, yeah. That's what the grown ups do," she said shyly. "Well, my dad and cousin John give me kisses on the cheek. They say it's good luck to kiss a pretty maiden under it so…" She kept her gaze down in her embarrassment as she explained.

Imagine her surprise when she looked up to see Jack had lifted the mistletoe over his head. He looked no less embarrassed, the blush adding an almost rose quality to his nearly white fur. The black of his stripes seemed to stand out further as he nervously cleared his throat. He gave a shy smile as she looked at him with wide eyes.

"For luck?" He asked, just a tiny bit of hope showing in his voice.

Skye shyly closed the distance between them and leaned down to press a clumsy kiss on his lips. The kiss was held for barely a heartbeat, but Jack's eyes went wide. She figured he had expected a kiss on the cheek, and perhaps maybe that was her intention.

But stolen mistletoe called for stolen first kisses. Barely a heartbeat long. Hardly a thing to base an epic love story on. Especially considering the vixen pulled away quickly, snatched her plant from his now slackened paw, and dashed out the door.

Leaving a very dumb struck Jack, who was beginning to think maybe this Christmas thing wasn't such a bad idea.

…..

"That's a lot of biscuits, Carrots," Nick's tired voice drifted through to the ears flopped over Judy's head.

The cook had not been pleased to see them return to the kitchen. Even less so once she heard that the lovely Christmas treats she had worked so hard on had either been eaten or destroyed. The cream colored rabbit had towered over the two guilty kits, shaking her head as the stammered their apologies.

The todd had been passed off to Jezzie, who rolled sheet after sheet of butter dough. Nick was given one tray and prompted to start his cut outs. Judy was tasked to mixing up the icing that would be used. Place next to the cook, Mrs. Meadows, the little bunny doe sat on her stool, in an apron too big, her paws already dyed and tired of the constant stirring.

And Nick quickly learned that the buttery dough did not like being handled too much. Not enough pressure used in cutting his shapes, the excess dough tore the would be cookies. Having to ball it up and start again, it was becoming increasingly hard and greasy.

Several frustrating hours later, several dozen biscuits were decorated and ready to take their places on the tree. Mrs. Meadows was begrudgingly impressed.

Wee little devils they are, but they put my best workers to shame when they set their minds to it, she thought.

As a reward, Jezzie rolled the last bit of dough out for the two kits to cut for themselves, Jack, and Skye. Both chose the bunny cutout, with the cook skillfully trimming two and adding a bit of extra dough. The results were two biscuits shaped like snowfoxes.

They giggled as they accepted their long awaited sweets, these tasting much better than the slightly stale ones that had decorated the tree. All that was left was to find their friends. Hopefully before the temptation of an extra snack each set in.

Making a dash from the kitchen, they giggled and pushed each each other in search of Jack and Skye. Tiptoeing across the entrance hall, their first stop was the parlor. The happy duo chased each other through the entrance, nearly colliding with Mr. Bogo.

Casting a patient smile at the two kits, he looked into the parlor with soft eyes before nodding at them and proceeding on his way. The first gentle note of the piano stole their attention from the cape buffalo to Essi. She played with no real tune in mind, though with baby Camellia holding herself up with piano bench and cooing, none seemed necessary.

Her eyes lit up at the sight of the two kits who raced towards her.

"Aye! My little friends!" She beamed at them before turning her adoring eyes to her daughter. "I've been practicing a new song! A dear friend of mine wrote it and I was hoping to play it at the party tomorrow night. Would you like to hear?"

Nick jumped up on to the bench, mindful of the little hoofs gripping the seat. Judy stood next to Camellia and waited eagerly.

"Oh the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we've no place to go

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

Her playing was halted by Nick crawling into her lap, his bright green eyes watching her hooves move dexterously. Though all eyes turned to the doorway as Skye came dashing through it. Her ears seemed slightly pink and her eyes didn't leave the floor as she rushed over to the piano.

She smiled at Judy and Camellia, accepting her biscuit without a word or explanation of her whereabouts. Essi gave her a politely confused look, which cleared up when a dazed Jack joined them. He was also a bit more pink in the ears and cheeks, though he seemed to walk with an odd gait. As though he single handedly fought off a whole troop of giants.

Nick looked from him to his blushing cousin before rolling his eyes and focusing back on the piano. He gave Essi's hooves an impatient tap, which made her grin down at him. Unable to refuse one her biggest fans, music once again filled the room.

"When we finally kiss good-night

How I'll hate going out in the storm

But if you really hold me tight

All the way home I'll be warm

And the fire is slowly dying

And, my dear, we're still good-bye-ing

But as long as you love me so

Let it snow, let it snow, and snow."

Judy and Nick happily swayed and followed the notes with their eyes. Jack stood next to Camellia, still gripping the bench, his smile a bit more smug than normal. He made his biscuit dance in front of her, much to the calf's delight. Skye still stared down at the floor, her ears flat against her head. Though her tail was happily swaying behind her.

The sky outside had gradually been getting dark and cloudy. As the song they played had promised, the heavens opened and it snowed, snowed, snowed.

…..

John stretched his arms over his head lazily. With the fall of the first snows, the herb gardens really needed only basic upkeep. Pruning could harm the plants ability to grow new leaves, so the todd merely monitored their health. This winter seemed to be the laziest he had ever had.

To fill the quiet days, and his own need to do more then farm, he had taken to sewing tree skirts. Kit's play, really. Though rejected in the city, his skills as a tailor had lead to so truly marvelous clothing. This just kept his hands busy and nimble. Even if it was a bit mind numbing.

With his wife at the manor, his son and Skye most likely making mischief with Jack and Judy, and his cousins enjoying their separate books, John felt contentment teetering on boredom.

I should not have that fourth cup tea! He thought ruefully, I feel as though I'm going crazy with boredom.

A swift knock on the door drew his attention. Matthew and Vivian raised their heads in confusion as John set his sewing aside to answer. He nearly jumped with fright at the sight of a tigress taking up most of the doorway. Claudia ducked her head and gave a polite smile to him.

"I apologize for disturbing you, Mr. Wilde," she said, gracefully stepping inside, followed closely by Ian and Devin.

"Not at all!" The todd happily accepted his unexpected guests, closing the door and heading towards the kitchen. "Tea?"

"Please!" Ian smiled at the fox couple who looked up in wonderment at the larger predators. "We actually came to ask a favor of you!"

John laughed good naturally as he pulled the already prepared kettle from the fire. The heated water was added into a waiting teapot. It joined the mugs that were placed on a tray, along with a small bowl candied chestnuts his cousins had brought. Setting their refreshments upon the table, he noticed the Arctic wolf eyeing the candy.

"Try one, my good chap! Best decision you'll make today!"

The wolf delicately accepted one and chewed carefully. Claudia and Ian couldn't help but remember Jack's expression after his first sip of hot chocolate. Though at last ten times his size, Devin's wide eyed look was almost as adorable as the hare kit's.

All thanking John for his hospitality, Claudia crouched to be eye level with him.

"We were wondering if the rumors were true? That you were a tailor?" Her eyes went wide as John's ears and eyes dropped sadly, "ARE! You are a tailor."

The todd smiled and sighed, before looking back up to tigress.

"Once upon a time, I was. But these days, I am but a humble herb farmer," he flicked his gaze over her shoulder to the wolves scarfing down the chestnuts. He just then noticed the canvas sack at Ian's feet. "Out of curiosity, why do you ask?"

Devin and Ian paused and looked over at Claudia, who pulled a folded bit of paper from her coat pocket. Ian scooped up the bag and handed it to John, who looked mystified and glanced over to his still dumbstruck cousins. They gave him a shrug as he took the paper from the tigress's paws.

He stared blankly down at it after it had been unfolded.

He could not remember that last time his heart beat so fast.

He felt as though maybe he would faint. After he threw up and cried with relief.

But he resisted those actions. And settled for performing a victory dance so unbecoming of a husband and father, Francine would have left him with their kit had she seen it.

Laughing maniacally, John bounced up and down with glee. Rubbing his hands together, he turned his sparkling brown eyes to the Arctic wolf.

"When do you need it by?"