I stood far away from Anthony and Elizabeth's family. I didn't want to interfere. It was their time to mourn. I was just here to say goodbye. I knew that some of the family didn't know I existed they just thought I was someone's kid, but never really asked who or cared. I would keep my word to them. I would look after them make sure they didn't do anything stupid. I do not think that I could ever be any of their friends, like I had with Elizabeth and Anthony. They were really special and seeing their kids and grandchildren I just see them. That would be too painful to see them and it's not them.

"Yule," a voice said from next to me. I looked over and saw that it was Junior. Anthony Junior, he was the first born of their kids and probably the most like his father. Looked just like him and everything.

"Junior," I replied.

"Join us." He said taking my arm. "You're just as much family as any of the rest of us." He led me towards the crowd.

"I'm not…"

"You are." He stopped me and looked me right in the eyes. "You protect me from monsters under my bed. You've protected all of us. You saved Lily when she almost killed herself falling out of that tree. You lived as a human for years to keep us off the street when dad lost his job. You're part of this family Yule. Whether you like it or not," He smiled at me. "You are our guardian. We wouldn't be here without you."

I was speechless. I'd just helped my friends. I never really expected for them to know what I was doing. I just did what a human was supposed to. I guess they might have thought of me to be an Aunt of some sort, but I never let them know that the money had been from me. Lily hadn't even seem me catch her. I didn't think I was to be a big part of their lives.

"I…"

"You're Aunt Yule you know." He told me. "The amazing Aunt that I've told stories to my children at night when they went to be and now they tell their kids. If you ever want to stop in you're now Aunt Yule's grandkid. We'll always support that story."

"Thank you." I gave him a hug. I hadn't ever really been a part of a family.

After the funeral I ended up sitting on a park bench. I held back the snow and was just able to cry slightly. I watched people walk by. I had to compose myself before leaving. I wasn't sure where I would go. It had been awhile since I really lived for myself. I had caused snow storms but other than that I usually sat in my home and stayed there. Right now it seemed like that place would be too sad for me. Elizabeth called my home the fortress of solitude, mostly because I was alone and all I did was think when I was alone. Right now I didn't want to think I wanted to live.

For years I couldn't make friends. I lived happily creating small snow storms. Watching the humans celebrate me one day a year slowly but surely my 'holiday' so to speak would diminish, but not truly. Now the winter solstice isn't really celebrated. It is usually acknowledged. There isn't much that they know about it. Just that sun moves and then winter comes or something like that. I asked Elizabeth and Anthony once what humans thought of the day and they hadn't known.

I heard a sigh and the bench creaked beside me. I looked over at my new bench partner. "I won't bother you just need a short rest." She shoved her huge backpack down.

"You are travelling?" I asked curious.

"Kind of," she took a swig of water. "I'm more...exploring…no…what's that word…when you're looking for something…"

"Searching?"

"Yes! Thank you." She replied.

"What are you searching for?" I asked curious.

"It's a bit personal, but I'm not just searching for that. I'm looking for my purpose. I'm looking for my life. I've been living in the same small…well not really small but tight community forever." She replied. "I want to see the world, experience life, before I go back to live out my days there like everyone else."

"Can I come?" I asked. "I won't get in your way at all, but I can't stay here much longer. Something is telling me to go."

She sat and gave it a long hard thought. Her face was easily read. "Sure." She said. "I could use some company."

I smiled. "I'm Yule." I held out my hand for her to shake.

She took it and shook it as she said her own name, "Pearl."