Hello and welcome to day 12! We're halfway through this series of stories! Thank you to Strandstorken for your help with this, to everyone reading, and thank you to Hawk, 2NYwLove, SmackedCaskett, ChibiDawn23 and lemonpiegirl for your reviews :D Yes, Hawk, I think Flack's middle name is trouble ;D

At twelve noon on Christmas Day, in the Taylors' house and their neighbourhood, the power went out.

'My movie's gone!' Holly shrieked as the oven darkened and the lights faded. A strange stillness settled over the house.

'Power cut. Great,' Stella groaned and Mac heaved a sigh.

'Guess we shouldn't be surprised given the amount of snow we've had.'

'I don't suppose the turkey's had time to cook through?' Stella said without much hope.

Mac shook his head. 'Neither have the potatoes or the rest of the vegetables.'

Holly bounded through, outraged. 'Mommy, daddy, my movie has gone!'

'We heard you,' Mac said dryly and explained what a power cut meant, which outraged their daughter even more.

'But I was watching Tangled. I want the power back.'

'So do we, baby, but we might have to wait a while for that. All the snow has probably brought down the power cables which the electricity travels along, and the people who fix it likely won't be able to do so right away.'

On Christmas day, in the middle of a blizzard, that was virtually a guarantee.

'How about we go and play with some of your new games and toys? And I think there are still some presents you've not opened yet,' Stella said, thinking about the mountain of gifts the little girl had received.

At the thought of more unwrapping, Holly brightened instantly and trotted after Stella. Left in the kitchen, Mac began to make contingency plans.

As the afternoon light faded to twilight, he went to find his wife and daughter, who were busy making an army of plasticine cats to fight an army of plasticine dogs.

Stella looked up with a grin. 'We're making good use of Uncle Sid's gift.'

'I see that.' Mac nodded. 'But I have a mission if anyone wants to accept?'

Holly's head snapped up at the word 'mission'.

'I can do missions, daddy.'

'Think you can help me find supplies for a special Christmas dinner by candlelight?'

'I sure can!' She bounced to her feet, beaming.

'Making use of your Marine training?' Stella smiled. 'What do you have in mind?'

Mac simply looked at her with a glint. 'Wait and see. Holly and I have a mission to complete first.'

Holding up her hands, Stella said, 'In that case, I'll leave you guys to it.'

'We got this covered, mommy.' Holly stated with her arms folded, and Stella burst out laughing, while Mac's mouth twitched.

'Let's go, kiddo.'

They marched off.

It didn't take long for Stella to be banished to the home office with a flashlight, which she took with good grace, despite burning curiosity. Assorted bumps, rattles and flashes of light fuelled it and she came close to peeking out many times.

At last, a knock – several thumps from Holly's fist – came and she leaped up to answer it.

'Mommy, dinner is served,' Holly announced, sweeping her arm in an elaborate gesture. 'Follow me.'

Stella followed.

In the living room, a brilliant array of tiny lights greeted her, flickering and glistering. Strings of fairy lights festooned the walls and Mac had hung flashlights that cast glowing pools on the floor. On the coffee table he and Holly had spread an assortment of plates and food, and from somewhere Mac had even rooted out a small paraffin stove which held a saucepan, tendrils of steam rising from it.

'Wow…' Stella breathed, 'This is amazing.'

Holly turned her face up to her. 'Do you like it, mommy?'

'I love it. You two have done a super good job.'

'Glad you like it,' Mac stepped forward, smiling. 'We've got blankets, too, plenty of food, although it's not quite the usual Christmas dinner…'

'But very special all the same.' Stella kissed him, hand to his cheek. 'It's fabulous, my love.'

Snuggled between her parents, blankets wrapped around them all, Holly declared with a mouthful of food, 'This is the bestest Christmas dinner ever!'

At that moment, the power returned in a blaze of electric light and stridency of bleeps and buzzes. A wail of dismay broke from Holly. Looking at Mac who nodded, Stella got up to switch off the lights while Mac dealt with the appliances. And soon peace was restored.

'Who needs power when we've got candles, paraffin and flashlights?' Mac said, throwing a grin at Stella over Holly's head.

'And me!' shouted Holly.

'We've got everything we need,' Stella said, drawing them all into a hug.

I hope you enjoyed today's story, do please let me know with a review! Lily x