Hello everyone.

I've written syoc-stories a few times before. They're fun, but I don't want to start another story that ends up like 50 chapters. Anyway, I came up with this Christmas story, and people can send in characters that are guests at Grey House.

Here's a first chapter/ preview.

(This is set during season 5. Sam and Cassie are married, they all- including Nick and Grace all live at Grey House)

It was now a few days before Christmas, people were filling up Grey House for the holidays, and the worst blizzard anyone had ever seen had hit Middleton.

Then, at least a few times a day I found myself only standing by the kitchen window and looking outside on the falling snowflakes.

This snow was bad enough, but I kept on having a feeling it was only going to get worse. And my feeling usually had a point no matter what it was about.

And right now I had a feeling about the dark skinned man that was coming up the porch, carrying someone who seemed more or less unconscious. And I had a feeling that she hadn't just fallen asleep in the car.

"You must be Mitchell." I went into the hallway just as he came in. "I'm Cassie Nightingale, welcome to Grey House."

"I'd shake your hand… But that's correct… and I have my hands a bit full… Keira baby? Keira? Are you awake?" There was no noise from Keira. "You poor thing…" He was almost whispering that last. "Can I go put her down and then come back?"

Keira, wearing a dark red winter coat had her head resting towards her dad's shoulder and her hood pulled over the curly hair. She was just as dark skinned as her dad, but still the little I could see of her face seemed strangely pale.

"Of course."

I looked over all of the keys I had for the rooms. A lot of the rooms were booked now for Christmas but I had found a room for these two at the end of the hallway upstairs and handed Mitchell the key while I pointed.

"Do you need any help carrying anything… anyone?"

"No… well… I have my hands full so I guess it would be nice if you could come along and unlock the door. Because, knowing myself- I'd drop and hurt her if I tried."

"Of course…" I took the key and led him up the stairs and down the hallway. "Here you go…"

I watched the two as Mitchell went into the room, then carefully- as if she had been made of glass laid Keira down on the bed, and just as carefully got off her jacket and mittens. Meanwhile he didn't speak but then turned towards me.

"She…" He said at last but still seemed to hesitate. "…She gets worn out. She gets seizures… Anyway. Yes." He reached his hand forward and I took it. "I'm Mitchell Jacobs, this is my daughter Keira."

Some people would tell me that I could always have the right thing to say. But right now I didn't. As I carefully- as if she could have broken from my vision looked at her pale expression towards the sheets and then turned to her dad.

"If you want any help and have any other bags. George can help you carry…" I said at last. "…If you'd like to stay here with her… Is there anything else I can do for you now? Whenever someone comes here we'd like for them to feel like home."

"No." His voice just sounded so tired and I got the feeling that he really did have to fight to even keep his eyes open. "But that sounds good. I'd like to stay here with you. At least until she wakes up you know."

"Of course."

To write anything more is hard since I don't have the characters yet. So I'm looking forward to see them. I think I'll leave the syoc open for a week so next Sunday/ Monday. And then get back if there's anything else I need or want.

I write a lot for seizure/ Epilepsy awareness. I promise that won't be the main storyline of this story. Mitchell and Keira will have parts of the story just like any other characters…

Now, the most important things when you fill up for a syoc- be original, be creative and have loads of fun.

The form is at the top of my profile.

Edit as of November 29th 2023, Mitchell and Keira's looks have been changed to make room for anyone who isn't white and blonde.