Shelter from the Storm
a/n This chapter will not make sense unless you've read the previous chapters &/or my other fics like The Price is Right. But you might enjoy it anyway. AU/ OC.
57 - Snowman
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"No, you can't go out to play, it's too cold." Olivia Stewart spoke gently but firmly.
Ranger's little daughter stood hands on hips and glared. Her foot in its tiny UGG boot hovered in an almost stamp. "But I want to go out to play in the snow! I want to make a snow man."
''I know. But it's too cold.''
The now famous Polar Vortex had finally reached the east coast on Sunday. First snow, then frigid temperatures closed in on New Jersey and New York. Officials frantically cancelled meetings, events and school classes. And since Ranger had had the foresight to whisk Stephanie off to Costa Rica for a winter getaway, when Zoë 's school closed down, the little girl was sent off to stay with her ''Aunt Olivia" for a few days. Entourage uselessly included, of course.
Killer the pug was tucked into a cozy polar fleece basket with Olivia's three pugs; all four were snoring softly. The bodyguards and nanny were in front of the TV, watching season two of Sons of Anarchy. And Zoë was in the big open kitchen with Olivia - - restless, bored and cabin-feverish.
Now she said firmly, ''I must go out right now and make my snowman. Uncle Anthony gave me a snowman kit for Christmas and if I do not use it RIGHT NOW, the snow will melt.'' Tears threatened.
Anthony's gifts this year had been possibly inspired and definitely unique. Julie adored her red and black plastic ladybug kite. A chance to be a child a bit longer, instead of a too cool teen. And Zoë loved the silly snowman kit, a box filled with fake coal, a cheap scarf, a polyester felt top hat. Plastic twig arms. Olivia glanced at the row of aqua Mason Jars on her counter. They were just about the only touch of color in the white room and on top of one of the old zinc lids sat her son's gift to her: Fred the Tea Man tea infuser. "Put your orange pekoe in his pants and enjoy!"
The notion of her billionaire son doing his Christmas shopping, last minute no doubt, at Bed Bath and Beyond made Olivia grin. She tried to picture her son actually walking through such a store. MIB bodyguards in tow. The mind boggled. Was he wearing shorts? Flip flops? In the snow?
Now Zoë was on snowman crusade. Olivia refocused on the little girl who told her, ''In fact Uncle Anthony is supposed to be here to help me build the snowman.''
"Uncle Anthony is at work.''
Big eyes. "He works? Like - - a job?''
LOL. Even the kids think her son is a slacker.
"Yes, honey, he has a job.'' Or two or three. Olivia knew not to ask for details - -
''Like daddy?''
''Yes. Like your daddy.''
''Huh.''
- - and hoped Zoë even at age five had a similar mindset. Just in case, the experienced mom/ aunt offered a distraction. "Maybe later after lunch it'll be warm enough to go out. We'll see, okay?''
''I guess.'' The pout continued. Silence while the little girl assessed the situation. Then, "Look, Auntie Livy. The snowman kit doesn't have a carrot for the nose. Do you have a carrot?''
Olivia did a fast mental inventory of the contents of her Sub-Zero's veggie bin. "No...but I have really pretty orange felt. You could make a carrot! While you wait for it to warm up.''
''Not too warm.''
''No but more than 5.''
''Soon I'll be more than five.''
''True. But you can be five for awhile first.''
They entered the large studio where Olivia painted her giant white canvases. On the work table she found a bin of felt, and handed over a square of orange wool. "How's this for a carrot?"
Zoë's eyes got wide. "Okay. Oooh, that is so pretty.''
Olivia patiently showed Zoë how to fold and cut out a long pointy felt carrot. She threaded a needle and helped Zoë sew a few stitches. The little girl seemed competent enough and after watching for a few minutes, Olivia turned to her own interrupted work.
She was doing watercolor illustrations for a book.
They worked together in happy silence for awhile.
Zo asked, "Now what?
"Hmmm? Oh here's stuffing, just shove a bunch in with this chopstick.'' Tongue tucked in the corner of her rosebud lips, the little girl worked with fierce concentration.
The carrot completed, the little girl brought it over to be admired.
"Excellent," nodded her aunt.
''Well, I am all finished now." Zoë peered at the table easel and little pans of paint. "Whatcha doin'?"
"I'm making pictures about a story.''
''What story?''
"It's a Christmas story. Do you want me to read it to you?" Olivia held her breath, expecting the little girl to insist on reading the manuscript herself. Zoë at five was precocious. But the child just nodded.
"Okay."
The two cuddled up on the old [white] sofa, wrapped the cashmere afghan snugly around them. Olivia read the tale of the little tree who went to the beach.
At the end, Zoë again had the big teary eyes. ''That is so sad.''
''No it's not. The tree was so happy...and loved. In the end."
''But it's so cold out on the beach now.''
"Yeah. Let's have lunch. How about grilled cheese ?"
"With bacon inside?"
Ranger, forgive me?
"Sure."
''And canned pink tomato soup?''
"Oh yes!"
''Aunt Olivia, after lunch can we bake oatmeal cookies? You always make oatmeal cookies when it snows. Daddy told me.''
Pleased the snowman was forgotten, Olivia smiled. ''Sure we can do that.''
''Excellent. Right after I build my Frosty.''
Her father's daughter. Relentless.
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the end, series tbc
You can read the Christmas story on my blog, and see photos of the Xmas list gifts. Link is in my profile.
Thanks for reviewing!