"Hey Mia, isn't that the car we saw earlier?" Thepo point across the parking lot, and to her amazement about four spaces down right there is the same car.

Mia scowls at the car, the full effect of which is hindered by the warm scaff she's wearing. "It looks like it."

She's about ready to walk over and give the driver a piece of her mind. Alice seeing this because she's a mom, and it's a well known fact that mom's know and see everything, put's her hand on Mia's shoulder. Gently nudging her in the direction of the little building off to the side.

"It's not worth it." She says quietly. "Who's ready to go sledding?"

Her call is met with an enthusiastic response by her brood. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

They see their opportunity and sprint off. Each eager to get a sled before the other. Alice and Matt keeping an eye on them, are walking only a few steps behind. They walk into the little rental and souvenir shop. They're the picture of a happy family. The kind you see on cards or pamphlets advertising. A perfect little family. These are the things running through Mia's head as she stands just to outside for a moment longer taking in everything around her. Doing her best to push out the darkness that comes with the snow. There's no reason to not enjoy the day. She tells herself.

"Mia, get your butt over here." Matt smiles at his niece standing at the till to pay for the rentals. He then hands her a sled. "You don't want the twins to beat you down the hill."

She smiles enjoying the memory of her victory last year. Their sledding competition has become a Christmas tradition a few years ago. "No, I can't let them win this year. I have a title to defend."

"I would hold onto it pretty tightly. I think I'm going to give you a run for your money this year." Alice says taking a sled from the counter and passing it to her little girl.

"Aunty Alice, I wouldn't be so sure." She smiles. "I think we should both be keeping an eye on this one."

She points at Thepo and then tickles him as he tries to look innocent while giggling which everyone knows is almost completely impossible. "Why me?"

"Because I saw you practicing well into January this year, Mister." Mia laughs.

"I think there's only one way to settle this then." Matt says putting an arm around Malaika. "We'll have to sled for it. For the title and bragging rights for the year. Let's go."

They all laugh at the little speech and head outside to the top of the first slope. On their way there Mia can't help but notice the driver from the other car. There's something about him that draws her eye to where he's standing. She can't place her finger on it but there's something odd about him. She decided that she'll give him a piece of her mind and lesson in driving etichette later before they leave. For now however she has a title to defend. they get to the top of the first of the three slopes they'll race down. She stands and listens as Matt begins to explain the tournament again. "We all know how this goes, right?"

"Right." They all chourse back.

"But, I'm going to explain it again. Okay?"

"Okay." They all say enjoying every aspect of the ritual.

"We will race down three hills. The winner of the all three, or in the case of a tie two, will win the title and the victory. Now on your marks!"

Everyone sets down their sleds.

"Get set!" They steadied themselves making sure they were ready but won't start too soon.

Matt pauses for suspense before yelling, "Go!"

The family set off speeding down the hill. They erupt in laughter and happy screams. Just as it should be, Mia thinks, or at least she would if she wasn't so focused on winning. 

James watches as a group of people looking just a little bit crazy come to a stop at the foot of one of the many hills that surround the lodge. He notices that his Christmas-Snow-Angel-in-Green was in the lead but not by much as a small similar looking girl is close behind her.

"That looks like fun!" Molly says a little too loudly. "We should do something like that."

"Well we're going sledding now too, be patient child."

"Like you." She sticks her tongue out and laughs.

"Hey, careful or that tongue of yours will freeze off." He laughs.

Mia having heard everything laughs. Sound has a funny way of travelling over open snowy spaces. James hears it and looks over in her direction. He shoots her a smile. It does the job and she turns around so that he can't see the light pink creeping across her face. Aww aren't humans so cute in their little interactions? A little cliche I would say, but that's just my opinion. I'm just telling the story though, so my opinion doesn't mean all that much. Oh look over there, Malaika is leaning up to ask her mom something. Alice nods, and Malaika grabs her brother's hand and runs over to where Molly is standing. Mia takes a few slow steps closer watching what happens. 

"Hi I'm Malaika and this is my brother Thepo," She beams at the other girl. "What's your name?"

"Hi, I'm Molly...Ma-like-a?" Molly tries out the sounds, and Mia pays closer attention being protective over her cousins. She'd seen them treated badly before because of their different names and the way they look. "What a pretty name. I wish my name sounded more like yours. Molly is such a plain and boring name. Oh, and Te, Se..."

"My friends call me Teppy." He helps seeing that she won't get the sound right.

"Teppy, I like that." Molly smiles

Mia hearing this smiles and relaxes a bit. Only a bit because the strange and slightly rude boy is standing a little too close to her.

"Molly, "Thepo continues. "We were wondering if you'd want to join us in our sledding tournament."

Molly's eyes light up at this. They had clearly heard her, and Alice and Matt were a strange open couple who always lived by the idea of the more the merrier. They were more than happy when their little girl had asked to invite the only two people on the slope.

"James can we? Can we? Can we, ple-ease?" She begs. "You'll be my favourite big brother."

"I'm your only brother." He shakes his head in amusement. He then turns to Mai, "Only if you guys are sure it's okay."

Mia despite herself then smiles, "Oh of course. My Aunt and Uncle always do this kind of thing. They'd love it if you say yes."

"And what about you, what do you say?" James asks carefully.

"I always welcome more competition." She smirks not yet ready to forgive his behavior from earlier, "Beside I'm curious if you can sled as well as you drive."

"You're on." James says falling into step with Mia. Molly laughs remembering how he tried to pass all over cars this morning on the drive over.

"Come on, lets go." Malaike then grabs Molly's and Thepo's hands and runs off back towards her parents.