Legal Disclaimer: I own my stuff, but not the original source material. That belongs to whoever. Also, the opinions and interpretations I use here may not reflect the same in said whoever that owns the source material. Look, I'm just a poor college librarian. Suing me isn't going to get you anything but tears.
Warning: This work may be offensive to some readers. Feel free to back out if need be.
Author's Note: Have something fluffy.
Submitting Info:
Stacked with: Ministry (Winter Year 1); RAVEN (2023); MC4A (Winter Year 5)
Individual Challenges: Old Shoes (Y); Bucket Listing (Y); Two Cakes (Y); Eating Cake (Y); The 3rd Rule; Ship Sails; Lunar Era
Ministry Challenges: FSF [Day 11] (Lily/Marlene)
RAVEN Challenges: Settings [66](Front Room); Items [99](Pillow); Colors [99](Navy)
Other Challenges: Zee Monthly [Day 16](Eat)
Other MC4A Challenges: Ship (n/a)[FaMed2 (Parent/Teacher)]; Chim [Rick]("Louder than Words" – Tick, Tick, Boom; Life/Death);Fire [x3](Kidding); TWT (NB Harry Potter; Golden Era)[Task#3 (Lake/Pond)]; Hang [Phrase 4] (n/a); Soup [Let](Prompt); Swap [Shoes (Navy High Heels); Bedding (Lilypad Pillow; Lime Slice Pillow)]
Representation(s): Lily Evans/Marlene McKinnon; Evans-McKinnon Children; NB Harry; Christmas
Primary & Secondary Bonus Challenges: Sweetest Burn; Tootsie
Tertiary & Generic Bonus Challenges: AC (Tactile); SHoE (Brood; Terse); SS (Schooner); Share (Ameliorate)
Word Count: 475 words
(^^)
Solstice Night
(^^)
It was a cold winter's eve and snow blanketed the entire village of Rowena's Ravine in the county of Devon. Even the multistoried cottage that sat near where the lake and forest met was covered in the deep white stuff. The full moon overhead bathed everything in a soft white glow. It was rare that the moon was full on the Solstice night, but it just added to the quiet beauty of the holiday.
Safely inside the warm shelter, Marlene and Lily snuggled together on a pillow-pile in front of the crackling fire. All five of their children were snuggled around them, even the oldest two who had declared that as teenagers, they were too old for such things. Outside, the wind whispered through the frozen trees, and the evening was full of peace.
The children oohed and aahed at their gifts, admiring each of them with the same elated joy that only a child can show. Between gifts, they all snacked on blackberry jammy dodgers, bits of cheese, and slices of summer sausage with crackers. Only very strong and focused vanishing charms kept their little nest from becoming invested with crumbs due to the messy way that kids tended to eat when filled to the brim with excitement.
From the pile of blankets and pillows, Marlene and Lily watched their children carefully, admiring the way their eyes lit up at the sight of each new toy or book. The oldest one, Harry, particularly loved the new shoes they had gotten him. Marlene had already promised that she would give him lessons in how to walk in the navy high heels.
They were so wrapped up in their little world that they barely noticed when their twins (Ayla and Zara) took the pillows shaped like slices of citrus fruit and began smacking each other with them. Just as rambunctious as the twins, the second oldest (Sabine) grabbed a pillow shaped like a lily pad to retaliate. Soon it was all out war between four of the five siblings. The youngest stayed safely out of the way between her mothers.
The fire continued to dance merrily in the hearth, warming the room that was already full of love and joy. The snow outside only added to the magic, and Marlene and Lily looked on with a satisfied smile. Their children were happy and content, and for once, the world felt just right.
The night passed slowly and as the children fell upon their pillows and beds, Marlene and Lily glanced at one another, smiling. They had done a good job and that was all that mattered. They were two women who had been brought together by circumstance and had once almost been separated by a terrible war. As the fire died down and the house slowly grew still, they shared a moment of contentment and peace.