I know it's really short. I just didn't want anyone to think that I had given up on this story.
"You're a natural, Zanna." Said Meredith, as she held tightly to the little girl's hands and led her around the rink slowly.
"This is fun." Said Susannah, smiling.
"I'm glad you enjoy it. It was one of my favorite things as a child." Said Meredith.
"Am I supposed to call you Mommy now?" asked Susannah, as she looked up at Meredith.
"You don't have to, Zanna. Only if you want to." Said Meredith, as she continued to skate backwards, guiding Susannah carefully around the ice.
"Okay, well, Mommy, can you teach me to skate without holding hands?" asked Susannah, grinning. Meredith smiled and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Of course, Zanne." Said Meredith, leading her to the side of the rink, where a bunch of walker-like contraptions sat. Meredith grabbed one, and placed it around Susannah.
"Hold on to the front, and move your legs just like mine." Said Meredith, dramatically demonstrating forward skating for the little girl.
"Okay." Said Susannah, holding onto the walker and imitating Meredith's movements. As she started to go forward, just as Meredith said she would, she grinned.
"I'm doing it! Mommy! I'm doing it all by myself." She screeched, smiling.
"You're doing a wonderful job." Said Meredith, smiling as she skated ahead of Susannah.
They skated non-stop for two hours and with much effort, Susannah could skate completely un-supported.
"Can we get some hot chocolate?" asked Susannah, as Meredith untied her skates, and slipped her little boots onto her feet.
"Of course we can." Said Meredith, as she took her own skates off, and put her boots back on. Meredith picked up both pairs of skates, and walked with Susannah back to the skate counter.
"Did you girls have a good time?" asked the young man at the register.
"Yes!" screeched Susannah, hugging Meredith tightly. Meredith sighed and nodded, handing the man the skates.
"I'm glad you had such a great time." He said, as Meredith reached into her pocket for her wallet.
"I skated all by myself." Said Susannah, blushing as she hid behind Meredith.
"Did you? That's great. I look forward to seeing you back on the ice sometime soon." He said, smiling.
"Can we come back sometime, Mommy?" asked Susannah, as she pulled on Meredith's jacket.
"Of course, Zanna." Said Meredith, as she handed the cash to the young man.
"Would you like a candy cane, young lady?" he asked, as he handed Meredith her receipt. Susannah nodded vigorously, and took a candy cane from the container the man held out to her.
"Thank you." She said, softly, as she examined her candy cane.
"You're welcome. Have a wonderful Christmas." He said, smiling.
"You too." Meredith and Susannah said simultaneously. They walked out towards the warm little coffee house, Susannah waving to the young man the whole way. He looked on from his stand, and waved to her as well.
As soon as they entered the coffee house, Susannah looked at Meredith, and smiled.
"He was nice. Wasn't he, Mommy?" said Susannah, blushing.
"He was very nice." Said Meredith, laughing softly as the realization that Susannah had a crush set in.
"Can I get hot chocolate to put my candy cane in?" asked Susannah, giggling.
"That sounds delicious, Zanna." Said Meredith, as they waited in line at the counter.
"I know." Giggled Susannah.
"Why don't you go get us a seat?" Said Meredith. Susannah nodded, and walked off to find a booth. Meredith stepped up to the counter and placed her order, and then walked back to where Susannah was sitting.
"I ordered us a piece of chocolate cake. I hope that's okay." Said Meredith, smiling as she sat down across from Susannah, who had already discarded her jacket, scarf, hat, and mittens onto the seat next to her.
"I love chocolate." Said Susannah, smiling.
" I know you do." Said Meredith, laughing as Susannah licked her lips.
Meredith and Susannah returned to the trailer at four o'clock in the afternoon. They had skated, enjoyed hot chocolate and cake, driven around the island of Bainbridge to look at Christmas decorations, gone into the small town to have lunch, and then shopped for some last minute Christmas gifts. As Meredith pulled into the drive, she looked back and saw that Susannah was fast asleep. Meredith parked, and carried the little girl up to the trailer, and then walked inside and set her down on her bed, and then took off winter clothing. She walked over to the kitchen table and found a note from Derek.
Meredith,
I've gone out to run a few errands. I will be back by five.
I have a babysitter for Zanna, and we will be going to dinner at seven.
I love you,
Derek.
Meredith smiled, and set the note back down. She walked back out to the car and grabbed the bags that were currently sitting in her trunk. Once inside, she set them at the table, and grabbed the silver wrapping paper. For Susannah, she wrapped up beautiful teddy bear, a pair of ballet slippers, and a number of nice hardcover children's books. For Derek, she wrapped a nice sweater, a new Ipod, and a few other various gifts, including the beautiful ornament that Susannah had picked out for Derek just that afternoon. For the very first time in her life, Meredith was looking very forward to Christmas.