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Well after dawn, the aroma of bacon and vegetables cooking flooded the halls of the Dancing Trout. Willow and Gwen had volunteered to cook breakfast for the lodgers while Melinda spent the morning with her family. They made a light meal of vegetables, bacon, and eggs knowing most people had plans for a larger dinner to celebrate the Solstice.
Saedie rolled over and stretched as the scent of the food reached her nose. She opened her eyes to see Toni sat on the edge of the bed lacing up her boots. “Good morning,” she said groggily.
“Morning,” Toni said with a smile. “I didn’t mean to wake you.” She finished tying her boot and twisted her torso to look more directly at Saedie.
Saedie sat up. “You didn’t. I smelled the bacon.”
Toni let out a muted chuckle. “Of course.” Toni rose to her feet and walked over to Saedie’s side of the bed. “I told Willow I’d help serve breakfast.” She gave Saedie a quick kiss. “See you down there in a bit.” Then Toni left the room.
On the main floor of the tavern, Willow filled plates with food while Gwen continued cooking the final bits of food. While Cricket delivered it to the couple of tables where people sat before heading out for the day. Toni walked over to the bar and sat on the stool. Shortly after, Cricket walked back over.
“Need help with anything?” Toni asked.
Cricket shrugged. “It’s just these two tables until the other Dawntakers wake up.” Willow came through the kitchen door. Cricket looked over to her. “Anything left to do in the there?”
“No,” she replied. “Gwen is almost done with the last of the bacon, so I thought I’d come see if anything needed to be done out here.”
Toni got off the stool and moved over to stand behind Willow. She untied the apron Willow wore, and said, “Awesome. The two of you are now off duty.” She took the apron, then gave Willow a gently nudge toward Cricket.
“What?” Willow began to protest.
Toni cut her off. “Sit and eat or go out and take a walk. Just enjoy some alone time before we head out to meet up with everyone at Barbara’s.”
Cricket didn’t argue. He was happy for any excuse to spend time with Willow. Harvest season had just ended, and with it their busiest season of work. The pair owned a farm and would sell some of their goods at a farmers market stall. Only a few weeks had passed since finishing the markets and having to leave for Tillirellirolk for the Solstice. He held out a hand to Willow. “A walk could be nice,” he said smoothly.
Willow couldn’t say no to Cricket. And honestly, she didn’t want to. She accepted Cricket’s hand. As they were about to leave, she called back over her shoulder, “If you need us, use the bracelet.”
“Got it,” Toni called back. Then she turned to see if Gwen needed anything in the kitchen.
Out on the street, Cricket and Willow strolled hand in hand through the mostly empty town. Some people moved about going to their holiday spots. Most businesses weren’t open or only open for the morning. Going nowhere in particular, Cricket and Willow kept a relaxed pace. Beaming as they took in the decorations throughout the town. Everyone enjoyed holidays and parties here, so they went all out when it came to decorations and celebrations. Every now and again, they pointed out specific trappings and trimmings that caught their eye. Time had no meaning for them. Lost in each other’s company. They continued walking up and down streets until the cold caught up with them. Then they headed back to get ready for their dinner with Babs.
By the time the couple returned to the Dancing Trout, most of their friends were already waiting to leave. It’d been hours. The bar had been cleaned up, and the other guests were gone. Toni and Saedie came down the stairs a few seconds after the door shut behind Cricket. Already sat waiting were the nearly all of the Sumners along with Tizzy, Motthew, and Nakani. All dressed in nice clothes. Not quite ball nice, but nicer than every day. Realizing what time it was, Cricket and Willow nearly ran up the stairs to get ready. Oddly enough when they exited their room, they weren’t the last to be ready.
As they reached the top of the stairs, they could hear the faint echo of Nakani’s voice. “Siggy. Siggy. Siggy.” The voice came between knocks. “We’re going to be late.” Cricket laughed and Willow shook her head with a smile as they went down the stairs.
Siggy and Nakani appeared maybe a minute or two after. The group bundled up and headed out into the cold. The sun had begun its decent making it more frigid than when Willow and Cricket had wandered about the town. Desire to vacate the cold as soon as possible quickened the pace of the unusually large group moving across the city. A little out of breath, but they arrived at Barbara’s in less time than normal.
Barbara answered the door and ushered them in swiftly to keep out as much of the cold as she could. Inside by the fire sat Balgus, Jodi, Stakala, and a few others. Some held cups of steaming liquid to warm up. Other moved their hands about as they told stories and discussed the latest life updates. Cricket and Willow went with Oz and Cory to get warm drinks. Motthew and Dusty went to help Babs with some barrels that needed brought up from the cellar. Tizzy and Gwen joined some others their age by the fire. Siggy and Nakani went straight for the snacks that had been set out.
Saedie placed an arm around Toni’s shoulder. Toni leaned into Saedie letting out a barely audible sigh of contentment. The two stayed there for a moment watching their friends and family talking and laughing. They’d all been through so much, and somehow managed to make it out the other side. After dealing with the aftermath and turmoil, here they were. Together. Celebrating the Solstice. Happiness and love abounding. Over these last few Cycles, they had grown and learned and lived. Pain was no longer the only thing that changed them. And that was the best gift of all.