The Crosbys
Ashley's POV, December 25th
We've really been wanting to have a white Christmas with our kids, but it doesn't snow enough in Seattle for us to make that happen. So when we met Linda and Jim and they told us about the Hearth we knew that we just might have to take them up on that offer. Linda and Jim live in Spokane and we knew that if we wanted a white Christmas with four little kids, this would be the best way to do it. So we loaded the car up and drove up to Spokane on December 22nd and plan on staying through New Year. Jim and Linda have been so kind. The kids love the fairy garden she has, which leaves them treats every morning.
Linda and Jim have told us so much about their kids and grandkids. When we were making plans with them for Christmas they told us that their daughter, Susan, her husband, and kids would be visiting them after Christmas and that they would love for us to meet them. Their two grandkids are Hunter and Quintessence, I think. Linda and Jim told us a lot about Hunter's love for sports and Quintessence's artistic and academic talents. I really hope we get to meet them, they sound like great kids. They also told us a bit about Susan and Peter. Susan is a CEO and founder of a tech startup, I think Dave will get along with her, and Peter is a CEO of a sign company. They sound like a very busy family.
≈≈≈TIME SKIP, December 26th≈≈≈
Dave and Carson are upstairs practicing ukulele while June and Millie are taking naps. Claire and I are downstairs. I am currently in the kitchen making Claire and Carson a snack and Claire is drawing. We hear the doorbell ring and Claire runs to answer the door and I follow. Claire opens the door to reveal a little girl who looks a little bit older than June, but the way she carried herself made her seem even older.
Claire smiles at the girl before saying, "Hi! My name is Claire. What's your name?" The girl smiles softly at Claire before answering.
"Hi! My name is Quin." the little girl says quietly, "It's very nice to meet you."
"You too!" Claire says excitedly, "Do you want to come in?" Quin nods her head nervously and steps inside.
"You can take your shoes off over there." Claire says as she points to where all the shoes are, "And hang your coat up over there." Claire gestures to the coat stand. Quin quickly does all of this with a touch of anxiousness. I stare at the little girl in front of me. She has to be one of the cutest kids I've ever seen. She has this slightly curly blonde hair and these big eyes. One of them is blue and the other is green.
I kneel down in front of her before I speak so that we're on the same level.
"Hi, Quin! I'm Ashley." I say gently, "It's nice to meet you. I have heard so much about you from your grandparents."
"You have?" She questions, tilting her head slightly to the side.
"Yes, I have." I replied warmly, "Would you like to join us? I'm making everyone snacks and Claire is coloring over there." I point to the kitchen table. She nods her head and follows me and Claire back to the kitchen. Quin and Claire get themselves settled at the kitchen table while I continue getting everyone snacks. I begin to ask Quin questions, trying to get to know her better.
"So Quin," I ask, "How old are you?"
"Six" She answers. I stare at her in surprise. From the way her grandparents talked about her she seemed so much older, and she looks much younger.
"Really?" Claire asks, "Carson is 7 and I'm 9!" Claire says happily.
"Who's Carson?" Quin questions.
"He's my little brother. He's seven, I'm nine, June is three, and Millie is just a baby."
"Oh, okay."
"Quin, what are your favorite things to do?" I ask as I bring over some snacks to the girls. Quin pauses before answering.
"Well, I like school, and drawing, and reading. I guess that's it." Quin responds shyly.
"Well, those all sound like very fun things," I reply kindly. I then get Dave and Carson so that they can eat their snacks. The boys come down the stairs and stop when they see the little girl sitting next to Claire.
"Dave, Carson, this is Quin. She is Linda and Jim's granddaughter." I say. Quin looks up from her drawing, smiles at them, and waves before returning to her drawing. We all sit down at the table and begin to talk. Quin seems to be content just listening. Then we hear the doorbell ring and I stand up to go answer.
"Hello, Ashley!" Jim says with a smile, "We're wondering if you would all like to join us for one big dinner tonight."
"Oh, well let me check with Dave. Come on in." I say, "It's too cold to be standing outside." Jim comes in and stands by the door. I talk briefly with Dave before returning to Jim.
"We would love to." I say, "Is there any food we should bring or..."
"I'm not the one you should be talking to about that. You need to bring it up with the master chef himself, Peter." Jim says with a laugh, "I can show you the way now if you'd like. And I'm sure Quintessence would be happy to, later on." Quin nodded her head happily. I hadn't even noticed that she had come to join me at the door.
"Alright then, sounds great"
"Okay then, we plan on dinner at about six. We'll let you know if anything changes."
"Okay, bye!" I say.
"Bye!" Quin says, waving at her grandfather with a smile.