Page 2 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

“She’s upstairs in her room. She’s not feeling well.” Linnea tried to hide the concern in her voice but failed.

“What’s wrong with her?”

“I’m not sure. I thought I’d take her to the doctor after the holidays if she doesn’t get better.”

Linnea started up the stairs, motioning for Hilde to follow her.

Marigold’s bedroom was the first one at the top of the stairs. Linnea opened the door with a flourish.

“Look who’s here, Marigold.” She waved to Hilde.

Sleepy-eyed Marigold blinked owlish eyes as she sat up in her bed. Her room was decorated for a small princess with pink walls and princess furniture. She had a canopy bed with twinkle lights strung up to give the room a warm, inviting glow.Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeerplayed on the television across from the girl’s bed.

“Hi, auntie,” she said around a giant yawn.

“Hello, princess. I brought you a gift.” She handed her the small package as her sister exited the room.

“Can I open it now?” the girl asked. A bright smile was on her face.

“Yes, of course.”

“Mummy doesn’t let me open presents on Christmas Eve,” she said as she stared down at the package with the plaid bow.

“Well, this can be our little secret.” Hilde pulled up a plush stool and perched on the edge of it.

Marigold giggled and pulled open the ribbon, then shoved aside the paper. The lovely scarf shimmered in the soft light of the room. She hadn’t imagined it then. The material really did have a luster to it.

The girl stared at it for a long moment. It occurred to Hilde that the scarf was a much too grown-up gift for her. Perhaps she should have gotten her a plush toy instead. But she pulled it out of the wrapping and held it up, then cradled the soft material against her cheek with a smile.

“It’s soft,” she said.

“Let me help you.”

Hilde took the scarf and wrapped it around her neck in a stylized fashion making the young girl appear far more older and sophisticated than she actually was. In her mind’s eye, she had a vision of the girl grown and just as beautiful as ever.

“There, now,” Hilde said.

“Thank you, auntie.” She granted her a smile and sounded grown up.

Hilde always thought she was wise beyond her years. She was somewhat of an old soul, so the gift of the scarf appeared to be appropriate for her.

“Are you going to tell me a story, auntie?”

And then just like that, she sounded like a little girl again.

Hilde grinned. “Of course, I am.”

Marigold sat up straighter in the bed, her eyes alight with joyful anticipation. “What story will this be? One about Christmas?”

“Even better. One about Christmas and a pair of magical shoes.”

Before she started, her sister came in with a cup of steaming tea for her and hot cocoa for Marigold. She kissed her daughter on the head.

“Aunt Hilde brought me this gift!”

“I see.” She fingered the soft material. “It’s lovely,” and then to her sister, “and so grown up. She’s only six. And I thought we agreed no presents on Christmas Eve.”

Hilde merely shrugged. She sipped her tea, giving Marigold a wink over the rim.

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