December started off slowly, but picked up and whip lash speed on the 12th when we heard a loud cackle and the lights turned off!
On the hunt, we saw a mysterious blur. What could it be?
Kristen found the light and turned it on, but whatever had made the blur was gone.
We both agreed that we had an exciting story on our hands.
On the 17th, Kida told us she had heard a muffled shouting noise and wanted our help looking for its source.
We identified the noise as coming from a cardboard box in the middle of the floor, which we worked together to open.
Inside was a doll!
Kristen was shocked and thrilled to discover that her twin sister Ivy had come to stay!
Together, we stood up the box and got MyLittleMegara to open it.
It was a very happy reunion between the two sisters.
On the 21st, Ivy made a new friend...
... and I wouldn't be surprised if a certain something sparked between them.
On the 24th, everyone celebrated the wedding of Belle and Adam.
Everything was going smoothly...
... right up until Flynn asked for the bracelets. Annabel, who was supposed to be holding them, practically began to cry. "I can't find them anywhere! I had them this morning but now they're gone!"
Flynn and Rapunzel saved the day by loaning their bracelets to the couple and the wedding proceeded.
In keeping with doll traditions, Belle presented her bouquet to the doll she thought was the most likely to get married next: Anna.
Blushing, Anna took the bouquet and sat back down.
The Beasts were able to forget the missing bracelets in light of their new life, but Kristen and I knew that the red blur of a trickster had to be behind this, too.
On Christmas, I asked Anna and Rapunzel to tell their stories in addition to writing down my own.
Anna celebrated her morning with Elsa, but had a surprise for Kristoff in the afternoon.
Elsa was happy to keep him occupied while Anna got her surprise ready.
Anna told me that Kristoff was thrilled with his new sled.
"I smiled, feeling... not shy, but quietly pleased. Kristoff walked all the way around the sled, taking in all the details. 'You did all this for me?' he asked, as though he was starting to see just how much he means to me. I told him that of course I did, and he looked back at the sleigh with an expression of happiness on his freckled face.
'Thank you!' He still sounded thrilled. Then he pulled me into one of his amazing bear hugs.
My excitement bubbled over and I pulled away. 'Get in!' I exclaimed, 'Get in and tell me how you like it.' Looking slightly amused, he obeyed my order. Then he just sat there, drawing it out. 'Well?' I finally burst out, impatient as ever.
'I like it,' he said, not looking at me, 'I like it a lot. But there's something- um, someone- that I like even more. I mean, I love you- er, I would love... that is to say...' He broke off and looked at me shyly. 'If you want, we could take a ride together.'
Had Kristoff just said that he loved me? 'I love you, too,' I beamed, 'and there is nothing I would like more than to ride with you.'
His entire face lit up as I sat down.
I snuggled into his shoulder, taking in the comfort of the warmth of his cheek on my forehead and the homey, woodsy smell of his clothing. I decided that this was the absolute best way to spend my Christmas evening.
Evidently, he felt the same way, because I felt his lips brush against my forehead, quick as lightning. It was a fairly clumsy kiss, but that made it even more special somehow."
Anna had set out a sheet of tissue paper to make up for the absence of real snow, so she and Kristoff were just going around in circles on that.
"We had just finished a discussion of chocolate cake when Kristoff became quiet. As if by magic, he pulled a small black bag from... somewhere.
'You know,' he said softly, 'I have a gift for you, too.'
'Oh, you didn't have to! This sleigh ride is more than enough- I don't want anything else. You don't need-'
He cut me off. 'Yes, I did. I needed to do this very, very much.'
I took the bag with slightly shaking hands, not from cold or fear but from hope.
As I opened it, I saw Kristoff's expression change in the corner of my eye. He looked almost scared.
My mittened hand felt something small in the bottom of the bag. Something... circular... I pulled my hand out of the bag and saw a simple silver bracelet.
'Anna of Arendelle,' Kristoff started, any traces of fear gone, 'will you marry me?'
'YES!' I all but screamed, 'yesyesyesyes, oh, Kristoff, yes!' A tear of joy slid down my face. Kristoff's soft mitten brushed it away, lingering on my cheek for a moment.
Carefully, I pulled off my left mitten. Kristoff slid his off, too, and took my small hand in his large one. He slipped the delicate bracelet onto my wrist.
'Thank you,' he breathed.
I pulled my glove back on, leaving a gap for the shiny metal to gleam through.
'Kristoff,' I glowed, 'thank you. Thank you for believing in me and for your unbelievable hugs. Thank you for the times you've comforted me and for the times you've come to me for comfort. Thank you for staying a constant support in my life and for... for everything else...' I trailed off.
For a moment, I thought he might cry, but instead he hugged me like he had never hugged my before. I was engulfed in a sea of fleece, his face buried in my hair.
He slid back and just looked at me for a moment, then pulled me to my feet, one gentle hand at my back.
We moved forward at the same time then stopped, centimeters away from each other. It was as though my sister had frozen us, caught up in the magic of the moment.
He was the one who moved in.
As we kissed, Kristoff cradled my head like I was a china doll rather than a plastic one.
I reopened my eyes. Kristoff's chocolate eyes never left my green ones.
This time, I kissed him."
***
Anna's Christmas certainly was amazing, wasn't it? Rapunzel's was sweet, too... and it's just as well that they didn't have snow!
Flynn managed to persuade Rapunzel to go outside, even though it was very cold (she hates winter.) She was worried, but trusted him. Flynn got his Punzie a warm cloak, and then they went dancing under the stars together.
They are just the cutest.
I will admit right now that my Christmas was not very romantic. Some of you are probably very glad for that and are sick of romance. I told Herc to have a Merry Christmas, but I don't think he heard me since he was asleep with the doll flu. Doll flu is highly contagious, so I didn't stick around, let alone kiss him.
Esmeralda surprised me instead with a new journal to write posts in!
We ended up having a sleepover using the washcloths where she'd hidden my present as bedding.
I just love this journal!
It's covered in pictures of cartoon Meg and me, Meg!
It's Been A Real Slice.
Meg <3
