Christmas is a time for family, and being with his family was what Peter longed for the most. He was counting down the hours until he could return to his wife and children. It was Christmas Eve and he found himself stuck in the Police Station preparing to interview a suspect. He knew his attention should be solely on the case before him but he just couldn't concentrate, his mind was riddled with guilt. Since being promoted to Sergeant he was spending more and more time away from his family. He hardly saw the children. They hadn't visited his parents in a while or even spoke to them over the phone. He felt trapped, and would give anything to get out.
"2 o'clock Sarge!" Echoed a voice from the interview room.
Peter nodded in acknowledgment, "Be right there!" He said as he walked along the corridor. Before entering the room he glanced out of the window, the sky was pure white. The winter had been very mild up until now but he could see that the clouds were about to burst.
"When yer ready Sarge!" Came the voice once more.
Peter took one more look, savouring the sight, for the next three hours would be spent in the interview room interrogating the suspect until they forced a confession from him. The time slowly ticked through, Peter fired question after question at the suspect who after time began to show signs of weakness. Suddenly his story was beginning to crumble, cracks were beginning to show.
"Face it, you have no leg to stand on. Your story is full of contradictions. Your alibi has testified against you." Taunted Peter. "Everyone has turned on you. You have no one. When it came down to it, time in prison just wasn't on their Christmas list."
Peter signalled for the police officers to take the suspect back to his cell. His head retreated to his hands, five hours had past, he was exhausted.
"It can't be seven o'clock? Please tell me that is not the correct time?" He shouted as he ran back through the corridor.
"Oh no Sir, it is wrong" Replied Officer Neal. "That clock is slow. It is in fact eight o'clock!'
Peter scrabbled for his things, his shift was meant to finish at five. "Camilla is going to be so upset!"
"She'll understand Sir!" Consoled Officer Neal.
"You don't know my wife, Neal. She's had to put up with so much, I am sure this will tip her over the edge!" Quivered Peter as he exited the station.
"Merry Christmas Sir!" Shouted Officer Neal as his Sergeant disappeared into the street.
The wind had picked up and the streets had been laced in a blanket of frost, causing Peter to constantly slip as he charged home. After a short while he reverted to walking along the grass verges, it felt as though he was walking on glass, it crunched under every step, almost stabbing straight through his boots. The grass ended so he had to brave the pavements once again, he was like a new-born foal, losing balance, regaining last minute then losing it once again. Basically he slid the rest of the way home. He looked to the sky, it was still as white as it was before. He earlier anticipated that when he emerged from the interview room he would be met by a Winter Wonderland. He was now rather disappointed in the mere sprinkling of frost. He had hoped for a full snowstorm, not for his pleasure but for his children. Neither his son or daughter have ever witnessed snow. Well in fact Freddie has, but the poor boy was too young to remember it. After a few more lengthy slides, Peter was finally outside his front door. He could hear Chummy and Freddie inside but couldn't quite make out what they were saying. He fiddled for his keys and burst through the door.
"Daddy!" Screamed Freddie as he broke from his mother's grip. "I waited up for you!"
Peter held onto Freddie so very tightly, quickly glancing towards Chummy, she looked very tired as though she had been battling with Freddie for him to go to bed.
"Come on you, we best be getting you to bed!" Peter winked as the two walked towards the staircase. He pecked Chummy on the cheek as he passed, she smiled a fragile smile, turned and wandered into the kitchen.
"Will it snow tonight Daddy?" Asked Freddie as he and Peter skipped up to the bedroom. "You will have to ask Jack!" Replied Peter.
Freddie stopped still on the top of the stairs and turned to his father, confusion had grown on the young boy's face. Peter just smiled and lifted him into his arms.
"Daddy, whose Jack?" Freddie finally asked, as his Father gently dropped him to the bed below.
"Whose Jack? Well Jack Frost of course. Jack is the person in charge of Winter and…"
"The snow?" Interrupted Freddie..
"Yes he brings us the snow. He and his three brothers are in charge of the seasons. His older brother John brings us warmth."
"In the summer!" Giggled Freddie.
"Then you have Jasper, he is in charge of Autumn. He makes the leaves change colour. Then finally you have James. He is the baby of the family. He is in charge of Spring. He helps new things grow and brings new life." Laughed Peter as he tucked his son up tightly, Peter then walked to the window, the curtains were open ever so slightly.
"Daddy, did James bring us Edie?" Quizzed Freddie. Peter suppressing a laugh just gently shook his head.
Freddie settled down in his bed, Peter edged toward the door but Freddie had one final question that would lure Peter back in; "How does Jack make it snow Daddy?"
He positioned himself on the end of Freddie's bed; "He casts a spell on the clouds, filling them with millions of small soft snowflakes!" Peter kissed the head of his sleepy son. "I'll let you into a little secret!" He leans in closer to Freddie and whispers into his ear. "Each snowflake contains a wish. If you catch a snowflake that wish is then yours!"
"But Daddy, where is Jack? How can I ask him to make it snow?" Asked Freddie eager for an answer.
"All you have to is hope, Jack will do the rest! He once again kissed Freddie's forehead and then backed away to the door.
"Please let it snow! Please Jack! Please let it snow!" Repeated Freddie as he closed his eyes and brought his hand together.
"Merry Christmas!" Peter said lovingly as he switched off the light and left the room, as he turned he was met by Chummy. "And what are you going to do if it hasn't snowed by the morning? Peter he's going to be heartbroken."
Peter did not reply, instead he took the hand of his wife and dragged her to their bedroom window. He positioned her in the middle and flung open the curtains, revealing The Winter Wonderland that had finally taken over Poplar.
"Camilla, it has already snowed! I noticed it as I was adjusting Freddie's curtains!" Joshed Peter rather smugly.
The couple stood for a short while admiring the beauty. The snowfall became heavier, soon the streets were laced in much more than just a blanket of frost, it was covered in a quilt of snow. Peter and Chummy were so excited to see the look on their children's faces when they wake.
"Don't think any of this changes the fact that you are three hours late mister!" Laughed Chummy as she kissed her husband. "To make up for it you can wrap all the presents!"
The couple headed for the living room, Peter fetched the paper and Chummy gathered all of the presents she had earlier hid. Peter was finally home with his family and in his eyes nothing was going to spoil Christmas Day for the Noakes.