The Cosmic Law of French Toast by Meowser Hotchner

Day 13: Snowmen


Aiden couldn't stop just running to the windows, jumping up and down in excitement. Even his little two year old heart knew that snow was new, and snow was fun, and he wanted to go outside and investigate.

"Mom, mom, mom," he insisted, just repeating the word. "Out."

"Not right now," she replied, sitting at the kitchen table with a stack of bills.

He ran back to her side, tiny legs carrying him ably across the floor. She could not believe how big he was getting. It was incredible.

"Mommy," he pleaded, huge eyes staring up at her, begging. "Out!"

"Soon," she told him.

"Now?" He asked.

"I have to finish this," she said.

Big beautiful eyes filled with crocodile tears. Aiden was such a master manipulator.

"Mommy," he said, lower lip starting to tremble. "Out?"

She couldn't believe how much her heart melted, even though she knew that he was partially faking it.

"Okay," she said, pushing her chair back.

All sign of tears evaporated as Aiden squealed for joy, jumping up and down and clapping his hands together.

Getting him into winter clothing was a process. She checked his diaper first, then started to pull another sweater on top of his blue shirt.

He wiggled, impatient.

"We have to get our warm clothes on first, Aiden, or we can't go out," she told him.

"Okay," he said.

She helped him into his brand new coat and snow pants that Jim had seen last week on sale and bought without a second thought.

She pulled a hat over his little head, and gloves onto his wiggling hands, trying to clap together for joy. Boots were the last things she put on him, marveling at how small his feet are, yet how much bigger compared to last year or the year before.

"You sit here," she said. "Stand by the door while I get dressed too, okay?"

He nodded, staring out at the white world.

She hurried to dress, pulling on a tank top instead of a bra, and two sweaters over it. She didn't have snowpants so she pulled on two pairs of sweats instead, and prayed that they'd be enough and she wouldn't be completely soaked at the end of this adventure. Gloves and a hat completed the look before she ran downstairs, discovered Aiden standing where she left him.

"Come on," she said, taking his hand and opening the door.

He tugged away from her after they got off the porch, running forward into the heaps of snow, laughing all the while, his body almost exploding in spasms of chuckles and giggles as he rolled about.

"You like snow, don't you?" She said, laughing as she watched him.

"Snow!" He chortled, making fists of it and letting it spray over him. "Snow!"

He struggled to his feet again, making progress through the drifts across the yard. Melinda followed him, and grabbed for his hand before he got to the edge.

"Don't go into the street," she reminded him, bringing him back to the area right in front of the porch.

She sat down on the steps, just watching as Aiden toppled around in the snow, making snow balls and letting them fall over himself.

He was so happy. She knew that she'd remember this day forever.

Getting an idea, she hurried to the garage, hearing Aiden's laughter and knowing that he was fine as she tugged a sled out.

"Look at this!" She announced, holding it up as she came back over to him.

"What is it?" He asked, eyes huge.

"It's a sled," she said. "It's magical."

"Ooh!" He replied, clapping his hands.

She set it on the ground. "Come on, baby, get on."

She carefully settled him onto it, and then started to carefully pull him around the yard.

He's ridiculously pleased by this new game.

And Melinda loves him for it. Children could be pleased so easily.

He got bored of the sled, eventually. She thinks of the day that she'll introduce him to sledding down hills and knows that he'll never be bored of sleds again.

He's getting tired, but he doesn't want to go in yet. It's getting to be dinner time. Melinda should go in and prepare something.

Not yet. There's one more thing they have to do.

The snow is the perfect texture, which is rare for a fresh fall, but it's not quite cold enough for it to be powdery.

It's still sticking.

So she starts to roll together a snow ball.

Aiden is bored at first, not paying attention, but as it gets bigger he runs over, jumping up and down.

"Ball!" He said.

"I'm making a snowman," she declared.

He watched her carefully, and she wondered what he was thinking.

As she placed a second ball on top of the first, Aiden's eyes widen.

"Dad!" He exclaims.

"Yes!" She said.

With that, he starts off, rolling his own ball. It's clumsy and crumbly but he grins. "Me!" He declares.

She finished Jim, and then helps Aiden finish his own.

They've just completed Melinda when Jim's car pulls into the driveway, signalling the end of his school day.

Aiden starts to clap, jumping in place as Jim gets from the car, looking tired but he's smiling, and he smiles wider when Aiden runs to him, clinging to his legs.

Jim swings Aiden up into his arms, embracing him and tickling him, and bringing back the giggles.

Melinda walks forward and Jim embraces her, too.

"I see you had a busy afternoon," he whispers, his face warm against her cold one.

"Yeah, Aiden and I've been out here for hours," Melinda confesses.

Jim glances enviously around the yard. "Sledding too," he says. "How about we take him to the hill this Saturday?"

"He'll love it," Melinda agreed, meeting his lips for a quick kiss.

Aiden, ever the copycat, smushes his face near theirs, getting himself caught in the middle of it. Jim kisses one fat cheek, and Melinda kisses the other, and they meet each others' gazes in between.

And they're just one little family. Or two, Melinda thinks, glancing at the snowmen.