"Are we ready?", Imogen grinned at her daughters who were waiting at the end of the stairs.
"Yes Mummy." Ava smiled as she hopped from foot to foot.
'I know that move poppet. Are you excited or do you need the bathroom?"
Ava thought for a second, "I'm very excited. And I need to pee pee."
Her mother laughed, "Off you go then, we won't leave without you."
By the time Ava arrived back Constance had joined them.
"Where are we going?"
Abby was also very excited and curious. It had already been a great Christmas Eve morning. They had gone swimming, then while her sisters had napped she had helped her Mum prepare the vegetables for dinner the next day. Around ten minutes earlier Stephen had arrived with Sarah and Jamie. Along with her grandparents they were all apparently going on an excursion that involved wearing nice dresses, warm coats and having their wellies just in case.
"It's a surprise honey. Right, let's go."
The group divided up between two cars and pretty soon Imogen was following her father down the road. After thirty minutes they pulled up outside a large building in a rural area.
Imogen took Zara out of her car seat and whispered into the tiny ear, "This might not be entirely your thing Sweetpea but your sisters and Mama will love it. Please be good and I promise you'll enjoy what happens next. Okay?"
"Okay Mummy." Zara leaned over and kissed her mother on the nose.
"Darling, what's this?", Constance knew what was coming later but this was a surprise.
"Well, we haven't had a proper lunch so we're having afternoon tea. Stephen mentioned they do a really good one here and we thought it would be a nice treat."
They were shown into a beautifully decorated room where a large round table had been set up for them. Ava's eyes were like saucers as she saw the food on the other tables. Once she was situated between her Mama and Granny she beamed at everyone around the table, "Well this is very nice."
"Glad you like it. Wait until you start eating."
Stephen was right, Ava squeed with excitement when she saw the mini sandwiches and cakes come out. She happily swapped her chocolate cake for Abby's strawberry ones and ate every last bite. Like her Mama she loved tea and thoroughly enjoyed her caffeine free version.
Meanwhile Zara was on her best behaviour. She adored Stephen and spent the entire time sat on his lap, laughing at the funny things he was doing to entertain her.
Two hours later everyone was ready for the next adventure. The location they were at belonged to friends of Stephen's. It was a working farm but during December it became a winter wonderland which was one of the most popular attractions in the area. Luckily he had been able to call in a few favours to give his family a special day out.
"There's more?" Ava asked in amazement.
"Oh yes poppet. We're going see some animals and then we're going to meet someone very special."
When exiting they ran into the owners who spent a few moments chatting with them. Just before they left they called Stephen back.
"We had to make a last minute substitution but the replacement seems good. He might not have all the details memorised though."
"That's okay, I doubt they'll realise."
The animals were in fact reindeer and the children, including Abby were mesmerised by the beautiful creatures.
"This is so cool."
Zara who was in her sister's arms agreed. She loved animals and these were even more interesting than dogs and cats.
Imogen and Constance held hands and watched the scene. There was nothing better than seeing their children's faces alive with excitement.
"Come on my dears, you can say goodbye before we leave. There's someone else you'll want to meet."
Abby laughed as she saw where they were heading. She had a feeling this would be better than any Santa the girls had seen before. She wasn't wrong.
"Ah, it's the Drills. Well now, you're even more lovely than you were last year."
The man with the long beard and red suit chuckled as Ava and Zara stared at him with their mouths hanging open while Constance held their hands.
"Say hello girls."
"Hi Santa." Ava recovered first.
"Ava, thank you for my lovely letter. I see you've been very kind this year, helping your sister with her words and being her friend. Zara, you do like to get into mischief but I know you're a very good girl. Oh and Abby, you might be a teenager now but I know how much your mothers appreciate how helpful you are with the little ones. You are a marvellous big sister."
Abby blushed while her Mum exchanged a glance with Stephen. She was impressed that her brother had thought to pass on such lovely information.
"I have a little gifts for you three now but the elves and I will deliver the rest of your presents tonight. Remember though, we can only deliver them if you're fast asleep, Magic, as you will come to know has certain little quirks that we must respect."
Constance started slightly as she brought Zara up to receive her gift. Had Stephen told his friends that she and the younger girls were witches?
"There you go Zara, I hope you enjoy it. You're almost two now, a little bit older than your Mama was when I knew her. I haven't seen you for a long time Constance, it's good to see you looking so happy."
"Excuse me? I don't believe I know you."
'Oh we met a very long time ago. I remember you though, such a happy little girl. I'm sorry things didn't stay like that for you but I am glad to see you so content now. Your mother would be very proud of you."
Realising that she was shaking slightly, Constance placed Zara down on the ground where her daughter immediately ran back to show her family the package in her hands.
"I don't understand? You knew my mother? You know me?"
"Oh yes, I know a lot of people. I'm sure you must think I'm a quack but I promise you I am not. I'm a very old man, I have seen a lot in my life and I can tell you that nothing makes me happier than seeing a loving family. That's what you have. Promise me you will cherish them always."
Constance looked over at where her daughters were crowded around Imogen. "Oh I do, I will. Thank you for being so kind to my girls. I don't even know your name."
The man smiled again, "My name is Nicholas and being kind to your family is no hardship."
There were so many more questions she wanted to ask but instinct told Constance it would be pointless. Besides, the girls were eager for her to join them.
"Thank you Nicholas, you've made my family very happy."
Nicholas sat back in his chair as the Drill girls and their family waved goodbye. There was one thing he could do that he hoped would make that lovely family, one member in particular, even happier.
"Even I was convinced he was real." At Imogen's dig Jamie coughed to cover his slip up. "I mean not just one of his helpers like in other places."
Luckily Ava hadn't noticed. "Wow, we met Santa. This has been the best day ever."
"And you still have Christmas day to come poppet." Imogen lifted Ava into a piggyback as they said goodbye to the reindeer and walked back to the cars.
Once they arrived home she noticed Constance looking very thoughtful out of the corner of her eye. "Sweetheart, are you okay?"
"Hmm, oh yes. What an unusual man. I wonder if he was a Wizard, I got a strong sense of magic from him."
"As did I.", Amelia agreed.
Stephen shrugged, "Could be, They had to make a last minute change, for the better I think. I only gave basic information, nothing about magic. I'm glad you enjoyed it though. Shall we do it again next year?"
"Definitely." Imogen's answer was immediately echoed by Abby as they entered the front hall.
"Well, we'd certainly like to." Sarah and Jamie smiled at their friends. "We might need some extra tickets though."
There was confusion for a second until Constance realised what Sarah had meant. "No?"
"Yes. It's finally happened. I'm pregnant."
There were hugs all round. Everyone knew how hard the past year had been for the couple as they tried for a baby.
"Wait a second, you said some?" Abby asked the question after she had hugged Jamie for a second time.
"Good listening skills squirt. We found out yesterday, it's twins. Identical, sex unknown and due near the end of April."
"Oh goodness. How wonderful." Imogen embraced her best friend tightly. This was the best Christmas present she could imagine.
"Thank you all. It was worth the wait. We're going to tell our families tomorrow, they're all spending Christmas at Sarah's parents so we'll get them altogether."
"Your mother will be happy." Imogen knew that Jamie's parents, as Tom had been, were dying for grandchildren.
Jamie agreed, "It will stop her asking when we're going to get married for a while anyway. We'd better hit the road. We'll be back on the 28th for Christmas number two, okay Abs?"
Abby grinned, "Yeah, it's tradition. I love you both. They're two lucky babies."
Sarah hugged her. "Thank you Abby and you and your sisters will always be welcome. Our babies will need cousins to play with."
"Yay, babies." Ava was very pleased by what she understood. "Can we get a baby?"
Imogen and Constance blushed while everyone else snorted.
"Not just now little one. Say goodbye to Jamie and Sarah and then it's time for dinner and baths."
Everyone said their goodbyes. Amelia, Tom and Stephen were staying over and Davina and Elizabeth were due to arrive the following morning. Although they had enjoyed their afternoon tea it seemed like a long time ago. Nobody was bothered about cooking so Tom and Stephen went to pickup a Chinese takeaway.
"I have something else for you." Stephen grinned across the table at his father and sister after they had eaten. "Well, you in particular. although I think everyone else will enjoy this, especially you Abs."
Abby was intrigued and quickly moved to the sitting room once she and her sisters were in their new pyjamas as Christmas Eve tradition dictated.
Stephen looked around at everyone. "Alright, well, as you know I was helping Dad sort out the attic at home and I found a box with some interesting things. Namely videos from when we were kids that I've transferred onto a memory stick that's in your DVD player. I'm hoping that you'll see this as a trip down memory lane and nobody gets upset." He looked at Amelia.
"Of course not. I never want to replace your mother and I'd love to see what you and Imogen were like when you were children."
"Immy?"
Imogen smiled back at her brother, "I might cry a little but please, I'd like to see them."
Once he was settled down with his family Stephen pressed play. The screen was instantly filled with a party scene.
"It's my birthday. How old was I Dad?"
Tom was misty eyed as he looked at the image of his first wife and children on the screen. "Five Pumpkin. you loved that dress and insisted on wearing it at every opportunity."
"Oh Darling, you were so sweet, look Zara has your hair." Constance held her wife's hand, she was loving seeing Imogen like this.
Zara may have shared a resemblance with her Mummy but it was something else that caught everyone's attention. Abby looked from Ava, to Imogen then back again.
"Ava sounds exactly like you."
"She really does." Stephen had noticed the similarity straight away.
Imogen couldn't deny it and as Ava climbed into her lap she beamed with pride. She knew Ava and Zara were her children but in particular with Ava, even though she had her Mummy's eyes and nose it was always the resemblance to Constance that was called out first. It made sense with the height and dark hair but she couldn't deny how special this felt.
"We're the same." Ava cuddled closer.
"Same voice princess." Tom leaned over and ruffled his granddaughter's hair. "It's funny, I'm so used to your Mummy's voice that I forgot what she sounded like when she was little. It's good to remember."
And remember they did. It was bittersweet to see Rose on the screen but Tom, Imogen and Stephen were grateful to have these memories they could share with their family.
For Constance it was fascinating to watch this woman she felt like she knew even though they had never met. She could see mannerisms that she recognised in her wife. Rose's smile reminded her of Zara and she couldn't help but wonder if any of her own mother's traits had come out in her and her daughters.
It had been a lovely trip down memory lane but it was soon time for little girls to have their baths and go to bed. Luckily Zara fell asleep after a cuddle and a quick story while Ava, who was slightly more excited, lay awake in bed with her doll Katie at her side.
"You need to go to sleep little one. Remember what Father Christmas said. He can only bring your presents if you're asleep." Constance lay on the bed next to her little girl and stroked her hair in soothing motions.
"Will you stay with me 'til I have dreams?"
"Of course. You close your eyes and think of nice things, like Pixie and Morgana and toast with jam for breakfast."
By the time Imogen entered the room Ava was fast asleep with a big smile on her face. She pulled Constance up and held her as they watched their sleeping child.
"Jamie and Sarah have all this to come. I'm so happy for them."
"As am I. It will be interesting to see how Ava and Zara react to two babies. I don't think Ava remembers much about life before her sister came along."
Imogen moved closer, "I doubt it. Sweetheart, what Ava said earlier about another baby. We did say when Zara was two, she nearly is."
"We did Darling and i know we were thinking of four but Zara's birth was so hard on you and…"
"Shhh, yes it was tough but Dr Ravenscroft has said that there's no guarantee it will happen again. I love our babies but I think we have a little more love to share. I'm thirty eight now, I'd like to be finished by the time I'm forty, We have some time to think about it but I can't lie, I'd love another baby with you."
Constance, despite her reservations felt the same way. "Let's get Christmas and New Year out of the way and then on our next night alone we'll talk about it properly."
That was enough for Imogen.
Later on Constance lay awake for a long time holding Imogen, committing every little movement her wife made to memory. The words from Nicholas earlier were playing on her mind. Had he really known her mother? How? She sighed as she settled down to go to sleep. She would probably never know.
It was lucky that she had managed to get some sleep as Christmas morning was quickly upon them. Abby woke first and crept into Ava's room where she "accidentally" made enough noise to wake her sister. By half seven they had collected Zara from her cot and were knocking on their parents door.
"Merry Christmas." All three girls jumped on the bed where they received kisses and cuddles.
"And to you. This is my favourite moment of the whole year." Imogen couldn't stop smiling as she watched her family together. The two youngest girls were so caught up in the excitement that they hadn't even noticed the stockings at the end of the bed.
"Ahh," Zara pulled out the mandarins, tiny teddy bear and washable marker set from her stocking. Meanwhile Ava gasped at her own things, getting very excited by her satsumas, colouring pencils and dolly's hairbrush.
Meanwhile Abby was very pleased with her fruit, iTunes voucher and paintbrushes. "Thanks Santa." She winked at her mothers before handing over the card she and her sisters had been working on. It was a mix of photographs and drawings. The colouring in may have been uneven and Zara may have gotten over zealous with the orange marker but to Constance and Imogen it was perfect.
"Thank you. We will always keep and treasure your cards." Constance kissed each beaming girl before admiring the card again.
Judging by the smell that was wafting upstairs Tom and Amelia were already cooking one of their legendary Christmas breakfasts.
"Let's eat."
They entered the dining room to find Davina and Elizabeth had arrived and were helping lay the food out.
"Merry Christmas." they laughed as they were immediately engulfed with hugs from the young girls.
Tom also entered the room carrying a plate of waffles which he placed on the table, "Shall we eat first or..?"
Imogen kissed her father, "Let's eat, they'll be too distracted otherwise. I don't think we'll get away with it next year mind."
As always it was a lively breakfast. There was music playing in the background and lots of talking and laughter as they savoured the lovely food. Eventually it reached the point where nobody could wait any longer.
"Let's see what Father Christmas left you shall we?"
Ava looked confused. "He left me a brush and an orange?"
"Oh Ava, he's left you more than that. Come with me." Abby took her sister's hand and led her into the living room.
"Woooooowwwwww."
While Constance and Imogen hadn't gone overboard there was no shortage of gifts. Abby, Ava and Zara each had their own pile and once everyone was comfortable it was time for them to open their gifts.
"Who bought Zara a drum kit?" Imogen couldn't believe her eyes. Or ears.
"We're a musical family, it's never too early to start." Tom didn't even look sheepish as his daughter glared at him.
"On your head be it. It's staying in your house."
The drums were cast aside as Zara was distracted by the toy dog Davina and Elizabeth had bought her. Meanwhile Ava was overjoyed at the large tea set she had just opened.
"We can have tea parties Mama."
Constance wrapped her arms around the excited girl, "I look forward to that. Are you happy?"
"Yep."
"So am I." Abby was thrilled with her art supplies, books, clothes and toiletries. She was also excited to receive vouchers that she could spend in the January sales.
"We're glad you liked everything honey." Imogen looked around the room. None of the adults had done badly either. She and Constance still had gifts to exchange but as was tradition now they would do that the following day when the girls went with their grandparents to visit Amelia's family.
As with every other year Imogen and the children had created a memory book that they would give to Constance later that night. Although everyone knew about the books, Imogen and Abby had decided that the giving part was a mothers/daughters moment. This years book contained many memories such as Zara's first word at eleven months, "Doggy." There were pictures of Ava on her first day at nursery school, Abby's thirteenth birthday and many other family events and notes from the year. Constance would love it.
One of many presents the couple were very pleased with was the gift they had received from Stephen which was a voucher for two nights away at a very nice hotel.
He had shrugged off their thanks. "You're always doing things for me and I wanted to show you I appreciate it. Give me a bit of notice, I'll make sure I'm off work and I can mind these little troublemakers. If that's okay with them."
"Of course but we're not troublemakers, well I'm not." Abby grinned at her uncle. "Are we done?"
'I thought so but there's a big box in the back, pass it over will you Dad." Imogen looked at the name on the box that was wrapped in subtle red and white striped paper. "It's for you Sweetheart."
Constance looked around the room, "Thank you. Who is it from?" When nobody answered she was even more intrigued and carefully tore off the paper before opening up the sturdy brown box.
"Oh."
At the sound Imogen immediately knelt next to her, "What is it?"
"It's. It's. Oh goodness."
Constance was completely white and trembling as she looked through the box.
"Mama, you're scaring us." Abby joined her mothers and gasped as she saw what was causing her mother's reaction.
"Constance, what is it dear?" Amelia too was worried, she couldn't tell if this was a good or bad reaction.
"My mother. These are her things. Magic books, diaries, notebooks, letters, even details of where she is buried. All things I asked for but my father said they had been destroyed. I knew he was lying. There's photographs as well. Darling look."
Imogen took the photograph from the shaking hands. At first glance it could have been Ava but she realised it was Constance being held by a smiling Florence on her first day on earth. For all those years her wife had only three pictures from her time with her mother. Now there were dozens more, loose pictures, albums all with little notes and references on the back.
"Look Ava, it's Granny Florence." Abby was feeling emotional herself as she looked through the pictures. Her Mama looked so much like this woman it was uncanny.
"She's pretty like Mama. Where is she?"
Imogen held Ava close, "She's in heaven with Nanny Rose poppet. And I bet they're the best of friends, bonding over how much they love you and your sisters."
"I love them too." Ava kissed her mothers before playing with Zara in the paper pile.
There was so much to look through that Constance was feeling very overwhelmed. She picked up a diary and flicked through the pages, stopping at one entry that made her heart soar.
"My beautiful baby is fast asleep next to me. She's tired herself out today. she's so mischievous, full of life and energy. Every day is a new adventure for her. I know my marriage to Duncan has been a disaster but I can't regret it because it gave me my Constance. If I could, I'd have another three or four little ones just like my Sweetpea. She makes every day special and I already know she's going to make a difference to the world."
"Sweetheart, what beautiful words. You know she loved you. This is just further proof of that. And your mother was right, you have made such a difference to the world, magical and non magical. I'm just amazed that she called you Sweetpea, like I call Zara, it's such a perfect co-incidence."
Abby glanced over the neatly written words. "That could be Zara she was writing about. I was right." At her mothers' curious look she elaborated. "I said to Granny one day that I thought that Zara was like you, or like you would have been if you'd been allowed to have a proper childhood. You are both so curious and have a real sense of fun even though you hide yours from everyone apart from us. I'm happy I was right."
"So am I." Constance whispered as Zara, having heard her name came over to see what was happening. She leaned down and kissed her youngest child's thick blonde hair and thought, not of what she had lost but what she had gained.
"I'm so happy for you. I know how much it means to you." Tom was choking up as he watched the scene in front of him. He loved Constance very much had become a true father figure to his daughter in law. Seeing her get a piece of her past like this was incredible but he had a question. "How did it get here though? Your father hardly had a change of heart and broke in here to leave it last night did he?"
"There's an envelope", Elizabeth pointed to the bright red envelope that Imogen quickly picked up to find Constance's name on it.
"Shall I read it?" At the nod she started.
"Constance,
It was a surprise to see you yesterday, a very pleasant one though, my only regret is that it took so long. I apologise for that but sometimes you have to allow fate to run its course and yesterday was our time to meet again. As I told you my life has been very long but in my youth I had a friend named Arthur and he and his wife Clara had a beautiful daughter named Florence. I watched her grow from a gentle, loving girl into a very powerful but still gentle witch. I was never sure why she married Duncan Hardbroom, but she did and even though he didn't treat her well, she received the greatest gift of all. You.
"I know she had to leave you at a very young age which made her so sad. Before she died she brought you to my home to see me. It was nowhere near Christmas but she wanted you to have a special moment together. You pulled my beard and laughed and played with my cats and dogs and we had a lovely afternoon together. I knew who you were as soon as I saw you yesterday, the resemblance to your mother and grandmother is uncanny.
I am a powerful Wizard Constance, apparently the most but, like you, I don't like to boast. I also don't quite work in the way many people believe I do. They're not far off though.
You know as well as I do that I cannot bring your mother back to life. I could however use some magic to retrieve what is rightfully yours from a certain, not so nice, Wizard's house where it has been for all these years. It's not stealing, it belongs to you and can now be passed down to your daughters, many years in the future.
You may wonder how I knew what to do and how to do it. That I cannot tell you, some secrets must be kept forever.
I hope this gift brings you peace and happiness, I also hope to see you and your family again some day. If you ever happen to be in the North Pole please come and see me. I'm not hard to find.
Merry Christmas,
Nicholas.
"Surely he's not…?" Stephen was having trouble closing his mouth, as was everyone adult in the room.
"Santa, Mama got a letter from Santa." Ava couldn't see what the fuss was about.
"Perhaps so. I don't care who he is, he gave me what I have been looking for for all these years and I am so grateful to him. I have all these pictures, papers and letters that I can keep and treasure for the rest of my life. I would like to visit her grave in the new year when I've had time to take this all in. But I don't want to spend today living in the past, my mother wouldn't want that and I have lots of time to look through them properly over the coming days. Right now I want us to create some new memories. What do you say we get dressed and take Shep and Wendy for a walk in the park while dinner is cooking? I'm sure certain people would like to take some pictures to add to our collection."
That sounded good to everyone. One of the many advantages to having witches in the family was that there was no danger of fire or food overcooking as they worked up an appetite.
Just before they left Constance felt a tug on her top, she looked down to find Zara staring up at her.
"I love you Mama." the toddler stated clearly.
"And I love you, my clever girl. I will spend the rest of my life showing you, Mummy and your sisters just how much."
"We know Sweetheart." Imogen embraced her wife. "Let's get some air and tonight we can talk about this, I'm just so happy you have all your mother's things and Abby and I would like to go to the grave with you whenever you're ready. What a stroke of luck that we met that man yesterday."
Constance thought about it as she pushed Zara in her buggy. Had it really been down to luck or fate? Perhaps magic had a bit more to do with it. Either way she felt a sense of peace washing over her. She would like to see Nicholas again one day, to thank him and to ask him more questions about her mother and grandparents. But if that day never came she knew she would always keep her promise to him. Imogen and their girls would be cherished always.
She watched them all enjoying the crisp December morning. Abby and Stephen were walking Shep and Wendy. Ava, wearing the fairy wings Abby had made for her, was holding her grandparents hands as the entered the park. Imogen was her side, holding her arm and radiating love while Zara sang little songs to them from her buggy.
It would be the easiest promise she ever had to keep.
A/N Thank you for reading. And thank you to everyone who has continued to read about the Drills. To those of you who celebrate it, Merry Christmas. To those of you who don't, I hope you enjoyed a little magical fluff anyway. And to those of you, who like me are not feeling too festive this year, I hope this helped just a little.