A Christmas to Remember - Continued

The next day, school was once again closed due to the snow and ice affecting the heating. Lily couldn’t wait to see Sophie. She hurried through breakfast, barely tasting the toast her mother had buttered, and threw on her coat, determined to reach her best friend’s house before the frost melted from the windows. When she finally found Sophie in their usual meeting spot by the old oak tree in the park, Lily’s heart was pounding with excitement. “You won’t believe it!” she exclaimed, eyes sparkling with wonder. “I had the most incredible dream last night. Willow, my old dog, came back to me in a dream; he took me on a sleigh ride. We flew across the stars! There were reindeer, and we landed by a lake where so many children were waiting… it was so real, Sophie, it was like magic!”

Sophie frowned and crossed her arms over her chest, her expression stern. “Lily, it was just a dream,” she said, with that matter-of-fact tone she often used when she wanted to sound older than her years. “You know Santa isn’t real, and neither is magic. I told you that yesterday.”

“But it felt real,” Lily insisted, her voice trembling as she recalled the warmth of Willow’s paw in her hand, the sound of sleigh bells echoing in the night. “It was more than a dream, Sophie. I could feel the wind in my hair, and the snowflakes, they were cold on my cheeks! And the children… they were so happy, even though they had nothing.” Lily’s voice softened, her eyes drifting away as if seeing the scene unfold once more. “It was like Willow was trying to show me something, telling me Christmas is real.”

Sophie sighed, rolling her eyes. “It was just your imagination.” But as she turned to walk away, something in Lily’s expression made her pause. “Why does it matter so much to you, anyway?” Sophie asked quietly, her voice softening just a little.

“Because… because maybe if we believe, even a little, it means we haven’t lost something important,” Lily whispered, clutching the locket around her neck that she had received last year for Christmas. She looked up, her eyes bright. “It means that maybe, just maybe, magic can still find us.”

Sophie stared at her friend for a moment, the snow crunching beneath her boots as she shifted uncomfortably. “You’re such a dreamer,” she muttered, but there was a flicker of doubt in her eyes. “Maybe… maybe you should tell me more about Willow. What else did she say?”

A smile began to spread across Lily’s face as she realised that, despite everything, maybe Sophie hadn’t completely let go of her belief in Christmas. “Well, he told me that sometimes, the things we can’t see are the most real of all,” Lily began, and as she recounted every detail of her incredible journey, a faint glow of wonder flickered in Sophie’s eyes.

“I don’t care what you believe, I know Santa is real.” Said Lily.

As the morning unfolded, Lily and Sophie wandered through the park, their breath visible in the crisp air, as if each exhale carried a piece of the magic Lily had spoken of. They trudged through the snow, kicking it off from under their boots sending tiny sprays of snow scattering into the air, glittering like diamonds. Lily’s words flowed like a river, painting the dream so vividly that even Sophie couldn’t help but get swept up in it. They found themselves at their favourite bench, an old wooden seat with peeling paint, overlooking a small frozen pond. It was their secret place, the one where they shared their hopes, fears, and dreams. Today, it felt different. Lily reached into her pocket and pulled out a tiny bell on a red ribbon. It jingled softly in the stillness of the morning air, and Sophie’s eyes widened. 

“Where did you get that?” Sophie asked.

“It was there on my windowsill when I woke up,” Lily explained, her eyes shining with wonder. “It was from Willow’s collar. I thought it was lost. I know it was. I think Willow wanted me to have something to remember, something to remind me that it wasn’t just a dream.”

Sophie gingerly reached out and touched the bell with the tip of her finger, half-expecting it to vanish. When it remained, solid and real, she felt a shiver run down her spine. They spent a couple of hours that day, sitting on the bench, talking about everything and nothing all at once. They shared stories of Christmases past, how Lily leaves cookies and carrots out every year, swearing she once heard sleigh bells in the middle of the night. For the first time in a long while, Sophie allowed herself to be swept up in the nostalgia, in the possibility that perhaps, there was more to the world than what she could see. The girls decided to head back to Lily’s house, where the scent of cinnamon and pine filled the air. Lily’s mother prepared hot chocolate for them, and the two girls sat by the crackling fireplace, warming their hands around the steaming mugs. The warmth seeped into their fingers, and it felt like the magic from Lily’s dream was wrapping itself around them, pulling them closer.

Sophie glanced at the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree, her eyes reflecting the tiny stars of red, green, and gold. “Do you think Willow will come back?” she asked, her voice soft, almost fragile.

Lily nodded confidently. “I believe he will,” she said. “I think he’s always been there, waiting for us to notice him.”

Sophie stared into the flames for a moment, her thoughts swirling like the embers dancing in the hearth. Then she looked at Lily, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “You know, Lily,” she said, “maybe Santa doesn’t have to be real for Christmas to be magical. Maybe it’s enough that we believe in each other.”

Tears stung Lily’s eyes, and she reached out to squeeze Sophie’s hand. “That’s the most magical thing of all,” she whispered. They sat there, fingers entwined; two best friends who had found their way back to believing in something bigger than themselves. Snow began to fall softly outside, blanketing the world in a shimmering layer of Christmas magic.

That night, as Lily lay in bed, once again hoping for a dream as exciting as the one she had experienced the night before. Lily was about to close her eyes when a soft, ethereal glow filled her room, casting an otherworldly luminescence upon the walls. Startled, she sat up and gasped, her heart beating rapidly.

A shimmering golden envelope appeared, as if out of thin air. It hovered in the air for a brief moment before gently descending onto her bed. Lily’s eyes widened in astonishment, her breath caught in her throat. She reached out cautiously, her fingers trembling as she picked up the envelope.

The envelope was unlike anything she had ever seen before. Its paper felt metallic, and it was adorned with intricate designs of snowy landscapes and reindeer. The ink shimmered like the stars on a winter’s night. With a mix of trepidation and curiosity, she gingerly opened it. She removed a beautifully crafted invitation.

“Lily,” it began, the letters dancing in elegant calligraphy, “You’re invited to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus and discover the magic of Christmas. Be in your room on the night of the 23rd, and all your questions will be answered. 

P.S. you can bring a friend.”

Astonishment washed over her, followed by a wave of curiosity and, perhaps, a glimmer of hope. Can this be real? Lily pondered, her doubts still lingering in the corners of her mind. What if this invitation held the answers she had been seeking all along? Lily knew she had to embark on this extraordinary journey to the North Pole. She clutched the invitation tightly to her chest, the mix of scepticism and wonder reflected in her eyes. Little did she realise her life was on the verge of transforming in unimaginable ways and the magic she had questioned might be even more genuine than she had ever conceived. But how was she to get there? As the golden invitation rested in her trembling hands, Lily’s mind raced with questions. Her heart whispered to her, urging her to embrace the possibility that magic still exists in her world.

“What do you think, Mr. Fluff?” she said softly, addressing her stuffed bear, who had witnessed her doubts and now the strange occurrence in her room. Mr. Fluff sat on the nearby nightstand, his button eyes seemingly alive with curiosity.

Lily realised she had no choice but to accept the invitation, with Mr. Fluff as her silent witness to this strange event. The glow of the room seemed to beckon her toward an adventure she had only dreamed of before. Gathering her courage, she made her decision.

“I’m going,” Lily declared to Mr. Fluff, her voice filled with both trepidation and excitement. She carefully replaced the invitation in the envelope and placed it in her drawer next to the unfinished letter to Santa for safekeeping. As she settled back under her covers, the room gradually returned to its normal state, the soft glow fading away. Lily’s thoughts raced as she thought of the journey ahead. She pondered what she would say to Santa if she really met him. The questions which had plagued her for the last couple of days now seemed trivial in the face of this unexpected opportunity.

The next morning, Lily burst into the kitchen, her cheeks flushed with excitement, waving the envelope in her hand. “Mum! Look what I’ve got!”

Her mother, rolling out cookies at the counter, turned with a smile. “What is it, darling?”

“It’s an invitation!” Lily’s voice quivered with barely contained joy. “To visit Santa! At the North Pole!”

“Really?” Her mother wiped her hands on her apron, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. “That sounds magical. Tell me more.”

Lily bounced on her toes, her words tumbling out in a rush. “It says I can bring a friend. Oh, Mum, can I? Please, can I go?”

“Let me see it… where did this come from?”

Lily handed over the envelope, “It just appeared, last night. I was lying in bed and it just appeared in a glowing light. I knew Santa was real!” She exclaimed.

“Are you sure it just… appeared?”

“I promise mum, it was just like magic.”

Her mum pondered the situation for a few minutes, ‘it certainly feels special.’ She thought. The invitation glowed in her hands and sent a shimmer of magic through her fingers. Her mother’s smile widened. “Of course, not everyone gets an offer like this. Who do you want to take?”

Lily’s brow furrowed in thought. “Sophie! Maybe I can get her to believe in Christmas and Santa again.”

“That’s a wonderful idea.” Her mother nodded approvingly. “Santa’s workshop, wow I bet it’s a sight to see.”

Lily’s eyes shone. “Do you think we’ll see elves? And the reindeer?”

“I’m sure you will.” Her mother chuckled.

“Really?” Lily’s voice rose in awe.

“Just remember, it’s a special place. You must be on your best behaviour.” she said with a loving smile.

Lily nodded vigorously. “I will Mum. I promise!”

Her mother pulled her into a warm hug. “I know you will, darling. This is going to be an adventure you’ll remember forever.”

Lily hugged her back, her heart swelling with excitement. “Thank you, Mum. This is the best Christmas ever!”

“How are you going to get there?”

“I don’t know? It says we have to be in my bedroom on the night of the 23rd.”

“Then you will have to do just that. We will have to see what we can do to rekindle Sophie’s belief in Santa. I’m sure she will enjoy the experience more as a believer.”

Later that morning whilst on her way to school, Lily practically floated on air, her heart fluttering with anticipation. She was unable to contain her excitement to share the incredible magic of the golden invitation with Sophie, her unwavering best friend, who had been her confidante through every adventure, big or small.

During playtime, Lily spotted Sophie sitting on a swing, lost in thought as she pushed herself gently back and forth. Lily approached her, the precious invitation clutched in her hand like a treasured secret.

“Sophie!” she called out with enthusiasm, her voice carrying the excitement bubbling within her.

Sophie looked up, her eyes meeting Lily’s with a mixture of curiosity and affection. “Hey, Lily,” she greeted her friend with a warm smile, “what’s got you so excited today?”

Lily took a deep breath, her heart pounding with anticipation. She decided to share her newfound discovery, no matter how unbelievable it might seem. “You won’t believe what happened last night,” she began, her voice a hushed whisper filled with wonder. 

“You had another magical dream about Santa?” A hint of sarcasm in her tone.

“No, I received an invitation, Sophie. An invitation to meet Santa Claus at the North Pole!”

Sophie’s eyes widened in surprise, and she hopped off the swing to join Lily. “Santa Claus? Are you serious, Lily?”

Lily nodded passionately, her red hair bouncing with excitement. “I couldn’t believe it myself, but it’s real! The invitation appeared in my room, and it was filled with magic. It says I can go to the North Pole and meet Santa to discover the true magic of Christmas!”

Sophie’s brows furrowed, her scepticism evident. “Lily, are you sure about this? It sounds so... unbelievable.”

Lily understood her friend’s hesitation. After all, she had been grappling with doubts about Santa herself. “I know it’s hard to believe, but it happened. And we’re going,” she declared with newfound determination.

“We’re going? And how are we supposed to get to the North Pole? Get real Lily.”

“Look, here’s the invitation.” She said, holding up the golden envelope. “It says we must be in my room on the night of the 23rd. You could tell your mum we are having a sleep-over at mine before Christmas.”

Sophie gave an unbelieving smile. “Are you sure this is not from Willy Wonker?” she scoffed, examining the golden envelope.

“It’s real, I tell you. I would never tell my best friend a lie,” she insisted.

Sophie studied Lily’s earnest expression, her doubts giving way to curiosity as she examined the envelope again and then its contents. “If it’s real,” she said cautiously, “It could be an incredible adventure.”

Lily’s eyes sparkled with gratitude as she embraced her friend. “Thank you for understanding, Sophie. I couldn’t do this without you.”

Sophie returned the hug warmly. “Of course, Lily. Friends stick together through thick and thin.” She said, her disbelief remaining at the forefront of her mind.

Lily nodded, her heart warmed by the unwavering support of her best friend. “I promise, Sophie, it’s real.” Her eyes were alive with excitement.

That night Lily was in her bedroom her excitement continued to build, and she meticulously prepared for her journey to the North Pole. She packed her warmest clothes, her trusty notebook, and a pen to document her extraordinary adventure. 

Outside, the world was blanketed in snow, a serene white canvas that seemed to echo her own anticipation. The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through her window, casting a dreamlike quality over her room. She peered outside, watching the snowflakes gently descend, each one unique, just like the incredible journey that awaited her. Her excitement was evident, yet a part of her mind grappled with the reality of it all. Meeting Santa Claus was a childhood dream, one which seemed too fantastical to be true. But the magic in her heart, fuelled by the enchanted invitation, whispered promises of a reality beyond her wildest dreams.

The house was quiet. Lily climbed into bed, snuggling under her cozy blankets. Her thoughts wandered to Sophie, wondering if she too was lying awake, pondering their impending adventure. She closed her eyes, trying to will herself to sleep. Images of the North Pole danced in her mind, a land of endless snow, magical elves, and the jolly, red-suited Santa Claus. She imagined them exploring this wonderland, their laughter echoing amidst the snow-capped trees and sparkling icicles. As sleep finally began to claim her, Lily felt a sense of peace. With these thoughts warming her heart, Lily drifted into a deep, restful sleep, her dreams filled with visions of the magical journey ahead. The snow outside continued to fall, blanketing the world in its serene, white embrace, as if mother nature herself was preparing Lily for her magical journey to the North Pole.