@Ravendipity @Saramitra_

Prompt: A thin layer of frost covered all surfaces as far as my eyes could see. It was June, which meant this was the beginning of the first winter in a thousand years.

Word count Google docs 2755

As I stepped out of my house, my eyes widened because there was a thick layer of frost as far as my eyes could see, but this was impossible; it was June, and winter had not been a thing for a thousand years.

I got in my car and turned on the engine; the radio came on, and the reporters confirmed what I knew but couldn't believe.

This was the beginning of the first winter in a thousand years.

But because this was my first winter, I wasn't used to the cold.

I turned off the engine and ran back into my house, trying to find something warm.

I pulled all my clothes out of the drawers and groaned when I couldn't find anything, but then I found something in my cupboard. It was the clothes that had been passed down for generations from my great grandma to my mum.

"I never thought I would need to wear these."

I put on the clothes, still shivering from the outside.

While I was getting ready, my phone rang, so I answered it.

It was my work telling me not to go in because the pipes had been frozen from the frost, so there was no water.

After I thanked my manager for the day off and started to take off my clothes, my phone rang again.

I looked at the number and answered it, "Hello."

My eyes widened, and I kept on listening. "Right, okay, I'll be there."

After I finished the call, I put everything back on, grabbed my phone, and ran outside. I fuddled with my keys as I locked the door, and then I ran straight to my car.

Turning on the engine, I drove straight to the hospital.

At the hospital, I ran straight to the reception and asked to see Cassie Wentworth.

The nurse came to see me and took me to a private area.

When we were in private, the doctor came in, and by the look on his face, I knew it wasn't good news.

"So we have done all we can for her, but there's nothing else that we can do. I'm sorry."

Maybe it didn't go through, but I nodded and said, "Thank you, Doctor, you've been helpful. Can I see her now?"

The doctor gave me a look but nodded and led me to her room.

When I got to her room, I sat in the chair next to her bed. "Mum."

She smiled at me, "Katie, you're here. I know I haven't got long, but can you do me a favour?"

I nodded, "Anything."

She took my hand and said, "At my funeral, wear purple, not black."

I nodded, "Right, I can do that."

"Oh Mum, look what I'm wearing."

She looked and smiled, "So I guess winter has finally come."

I nodded and found pictures on my phone and showed her; she smiled, "Well, I might not be able to enjoy it, but you can."

"Right, Mum."

My phone buzzed, and I saw it was my best friend and work colleague, James Louis.

My mom chuckled, "Your boyfriend texting you?"

I blushed, "Mum, it's James, and he's not my boyfriend."

She chuckled again, "Well, you want him to be right."

I went silent because she was right. I had been in love with James for a while, but he didn't like me back.

Not realising I said it out loud, "Have you asked him that?"

I looked at her, and she was smiling, "He's not in love with me; I just know it."

"Love works in strange ways, and you never know unless you ask."

I nodded, "Right, I'm meeting him later."

"Then you can ask him."

I made a face, but then she tapped me, "Do ask him for me. I want you to be with someone who loves you for you."

"Okay, I'll ask, but no promises."

She nodded.

I leaned over and kissed her. "See you later; love you."

"Love you two, but before you go, take this." She handed me a parcel and a letter. "Don't open it till after I'm gone." she said

I nodded, "Right."

Once I got back in the car, I ran James and told him to meet me at our favourite cafe, Starbucks.

At the cafe, I saw James and went to sit next to him.

"So is everything okay with your mom?" He asked his voice a soothing sensation to my ears.

"No, I'm afraid not; she could pass any day now."

He frowned, "Katie, I'm sorry."

I didn't mean to snap, but he shouldn't apologise for something he has no control over: "No, don't apologise; you can't do anything right."

He nodded and bit his lip, "You're right, so what are you going to do?"

I put my head down. "I don't know."

"Kate, no matter what happens, I'm here for you." He grabbed my hand and looked me in the eyes, making my heart flutter, but now wasn't a good time.

After I said bye, I went home and went to change out of my clothes into my pyjamas, and afterwards I got myself a blanket and ice cream and watched a true crime documentary.

I kept checking my phone, and when no messages came through, I decided to turn my phone off.

I didn't get any phone calls for days, so when I saw my mom, she was awake and seemed to be in a good way for someone who was dying.

But I did notice that the first winter was getting worse, so I didn't know if I should be happy or worried.

Even though it was getting colder, the frost started melting, and I decided I could tell Mum to ask James how I feel.

When I got to his place, I knocked on the door, and when he opened the door, his eyes widened, "What are you doing here, Kate?"

I put my hand out. "So James, I was wondering if you would like to go out with me?"

He smiled, "Wow, about time! I thought you would never ask me. W

I was taken aback by the response, but before I could reply, my phone started ringing.

"Hello," I said.

Once I finished the call, I stumbled backwards and leaned against the wall. James put his arms around me to support me. "Kate, what's wrong?" I heard the concern, but right then I couldn't appreciate it.

I looked at him, my mind and body numb. "My mum, she's gone."

He nodded and pulled me into a hug. "I don't know what to say, Kate."

I chuckled, "What's to say? She's gone, and she's never coming back."

James nodded, "Let me take you to the hospital."

I nodded and gave him my keys, and we went to the hospital.

When we got there, I went to my mum's room and sat next to her. "So, Mum, it's finally over. You're gone, and I don't know how to feel."

I sighed and got up. "Oh, you be happy that I asked James out."

I didn't know what to do, so I gave her a kiss and hug for the last time and left the room.

Looking back, I said, "Love you, Mum."

I left the room, and James went up to me. "So, you okay?"

Nodding, "Yeah, I think so."

I was okay, but maybe it just hadn't hit me yet, so I pushed the thought to the back of my mind.

Organising the funeral was hard, and I did everything Mum wanted.

At the funeral I did the speech, but still I didn't feel anything.

The best thing about the funeral was that it got frosty again and made everything look pretty.

That evening I wanted to open my mum's parcel and letter, but I could only muster up the courage to open her letter.

I read it, and it was interesting.

Mum's letter: Katie, if you're reading this, then I must be gone, but I know you are strong, and do me a favour: ask James out and enjoy the first winter in a thousand years together.

I chuckled because how did she know?

I rang James and told him we needed to do some winter activities, which he agreed to.

The next morning when I woke up, I went straight to Mum's grave to tell her what we were going to do.

"Hey Mum, James and I are going to go ice skating today, and then we're going to go to the zoo."

Maybe it was me coming to terms with Mum's death, but now I wasn't numb; I was shaking, but I didn't know why.

James arrived at the grave and asked me if I was cold. "No, but I have no idea what I'm feeling."

He nodded, "Maybe we'll figure it out later."

I nodded and went to the car."

We arrived at the ice skating rink and got a pair of ice skates each; I had no idea that ice skating was so difficult.

James was amazing and helped me make a lap around until I got my balance, and while I was skating, I realised what emotion I was feeling.

I was angry because I couldn't do this sort of thing with my mom, so I used my anger and conquered the ice rink.

James watched me and smiled; at some point, he held my hand, and we made a figure eight together.

After we finished, we went to the local cafe and ordered lunch before going to the zoo.

James looked over at me and grabbed my hand. "How are you feeling, Kate?" His eyes were full of concern.

I smiled and squeezed his hand. "I'm doing alright."

He nodded and let go of my hand.

After we left the cafe and went to the zoo, I noticed that there was a sign asking to adopt a penguin.

I had never seen a penguin since no one had seen one in a thousand years until recently, so I decided to sign up and call my penguin my mum's name, Cassie.

We walked around for a while and saw a lot of animals. I really like lions, tigers, and bears because of The Wizard of Oz movie.

We looked at the animals, and James liked the elephants and chimpanzees; we even found a chimpanzee that looked like Caesar from Planet of the Apes.

We then carried on, and I found my mum's favourite animal, the meerkat.

Looking at the meerkat made me happy, and after we finished looking around, we decided to go back to mine, and I knew I needed to open Mum's parcel that she left me.

When we got back, I went inside, and James went home to get an overnight bag so he could stay with me.

I waited for him for a while, but when it got to half an hour and he hadn't returned, I got the parcel and debated with myself whether I should open it or wait for James.

My hands were shaking, so I tore a tiny bit of the paper off, and when I saw a bit of purple fabric poking out, I felt my eyes fill with tears and a lump in my throat.

I had just pulled the rest of the parcel open when James walked in.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect because as he walked in, I stood up and pulled the fabric to my face.

Turning round to face him, my body trembling, "This is the blanket that Mum knitted while she was sick."

I smelt the scent of the blanket and hugged it to my chest; turning it around, there was a message on the back.

To Katie, I always loved you, and remember to enjoy the winter and enjoy it for me too.

I looked at James, "She knew. I don't know how, but she knew." I said, my voice choked with tears.

James walked forward. "She knew because she was your mom."

What James said was true.

I kept reading the message, and realisation hit me: if she wrote the message before she died, how long had she known, and how long had she written it?

After feeling numb for a few days and angry for a bit, I knew this next wave of emotion was sadness as my body trembled and tears started flowing down my face.

I pulled the blanket towards my mouth, covering my face to muffle my sobs, but James pulled me into a hug and held my head in his chest.

I gripped his top tightly, and he tightened his grip, sitting us both down so I was in his lap.

All the grief that I couldn't feel before had come to the surface.

James didn't say anything, which I was grateful for; I didn't cry much, and if this was my time, I wanted to cry without interruptions.

James didn't mind holding me while I cried my heart out and staining his shirt in my tears.

Once I finished crying, he wiped my face with his sleeve and smiled, "You feel better?" he asked.

I nodded, "Yeah, thank you."

He kissed my hand and smiled, "As long as you feel better, that's all that matters to me."

I smiled and kissed his cheek, "You're the best, James."

He blushed, which made him look cute.

That evening we watched movies and cuddled together until we went to bed.

The next morning I woke up and James wasn't there. My eyes furrowed, and when I looked over on the side was a note.

From James: Hey, sorry I didn't wake you up, but you look so beautiful while you're asleep. Don't worry; I'll be back later. I'm going to get you a surprise. Love you, James.

My eyes widened at what the surprise was.

Later that afternoon I got a text from James telling me to come outside, so putting my winter clothes on, I went outside.

After I got outside, I saw James standing looking at me with a stupid grin, and he waved me over.

I went to him, "What's going on?"

He grinned and opened the boot of his car.

Before I could say anything, I was attacked and fell over on the grass.

Putting my arms around whatever was licking me and moving it from my face, I then saw it was a puppy.

It was a chocolate brown labrador; its tail wagged like crazy.

Managing to sit up, I hugged the puppy and giggled as it licked me again.

I stood up, carrying the puppy towards James. "So this was my surprise."

"Yes, I thought he would come keep you company when I'm not here."

I smiled, "You're the best, so he's my lucky pet, so that will be his name."

Lucky then started wiggling to be put down, but I couldn't put him on the ground since he had not had his vaccines, so I put him back in the car and held him so he couldn't run off.

I turned to James.Thank you, James. You're the best."

The puppy barked, which made us laugh, "Guess he agrees with you."

I put my hand on Lucky, who rolled onto his back, so I stroked him.

James and I rubbed his belly and then took him inside when he started getting tired.

Inside I put Lucky on the bed and sat in the chair next to it.

James sat on the bed and smiled, "So we have our own little family now."

I nodded, and we looked at each other and looked at Lucky.

He kissed me and kissed Lucky, "Love you both."

I smiled, "Love you two, especially our Lucky." I leaned over and kissed Luck.

James smiled, "Well, I can't argue with that."

We smiled and looked out the window; it looked really beautiful, and we saw something floating down to which I googled, What is the white stuff falling from the sky?

The answer I got was snow; I was so happy to see snow and looked at James.

"If the snow comes again once Lucky is older, we have to take him out in it.

James nodded, and we looked at the snow falling.

Maybe it was the puppy or James or possibly both, but right now I was happy and content with my life.

So maybe this was my final emotion about what had happened, which was acceptance.

If it was I, I wanted it to stay forever.