Whisking Warmth: Baking Up Smiles!

Friday, December 22.

07.00 A.M, Hearst's tree house.

"Sissy! Get up! We shouldn't miss the first doorbell ring from Mr. John today and yet you insisted to not waking up, make a haste!"

"Good God, Nilenia! Calm yourself down. It doesn’t seem like the sun welcome us today, look at the weather outside!"

Nilenia rushed. She unstrained all the curtains and take a big peek upon the window. The winter sun cloaking beneath the frosting clouds, crumbs of snowflakes fallen onto the ground, build up piles of it as she saw people out there throwing some snowballs to one another; seems like it is excited enough to greet us, said Nilenia.

The other girl responded with a long, long sigh just before her body rolled upon the wooden floor. She's been forced to get her feet on by the softest way her sister could think of. "I'm sure you don’t want to miss this, Eyis sissy!" Shouted she.

Nilenia seized hurry steps down the stairs. Her smile brightened the time she showed up in the lounge, all ready with her mistletoe toned coat alongside her teeny-weeny scarlet boots. It made her looks like some leprechaun in typical lilliputian Irish novelettes according to what Aether have said just few days ago, frankly saying that she quite like it.

"You look wonderful as always, my Pumpkin." Said the mother. "Like a pixie!" The youngest one, Ivonne, spoke loudly till her older siblings triggered to poke their nose around their younger sister.

"It looks like you'd spare us some miracle today, our loveliest leprechaun," Forrest touched the coat. "Where do you planning to go today, sissy?" Jolene asked.

"I heard that Mr. John's going to open his shop for the first time in forever, and Nilenia appears to be so hyped up by the news." Sethrico added. "You want to visit the shop in such weather? Are you sure you won't freeze out there?" There was certainly an expression of concern in Aubree's face.

Nilenia sighs, she showed off a pair of hand warmer to her family, "it is winter afterall, sissy. And well, there's no cold could waylay me to get some plug-in for my special gingerbread men!"

In an instant, that certain tranquil lounge of the Hearst became so ear-splitting.

"You wanna go and fetch some ingredients? Special one?"

"Sissy! Let me come with you!"

"I want to help you prepare it, Nilen!"

"Blimey! Shuush! We clearly don't want to wake someone up at the time like this! Beside, I've asked Eyis sissy to accompany me. So, need not of anyone's help!"

The Hearsts children were quite disappointed if Nilenia didn't promise to grant them 5 cookies each by the Christmas. The deal agreed by all and Nilenia finally went to the shop together with Eirlys.

Mr. John's Baking Supply Store.

11.00 A.M, Nilenia & Eirlys Shopping Agenda.

The temperature grew chilly and the merry filled the whole tree house by then, the bond of Hearst grew stronger. Here comes the sisters, they had a delightful mission ahead of them: to shop for gingerbread cookies and all the trimmings to make it even more magical. It was a quest they eagerly awaited to share together.

Their excitement reaching its peak, they set out their mini journey. The winter sun warmed their faces as they strolled down the festive streets, holding hands. "The air is just perfect, and the sun has gained it's enthusiasm, don't you think?" Nilenia asked, feeling joyous.

Eirlys squeezed her hand tightly, replying, "Absolutely! I'm just imagining everyone would be so happy to eat our cookies! Especially Ici, he certainly appeared to be so buoyant. We shall give him little bit more glaze, shall we?" They beamed.

As they walking down the street and then took some turns, they entered the store at last, which is already loaded with masses of people. The hypnotizing scent of all kind ingredients came from accross the realm burst into their senses. They found themselves in a haven of sugary goodies.

Thing encircled them were rows upon rows of saccharine in delightful merges, from conventional to whimsical holiday figures.

"Look, sissy!" Nilenia exclaimed, pointing to a display of candy canes. "Let's get some of it! Aunt Cecilia and Eloise brother are big fan of candy cane, they'd be really pleased!"

Eirlys' eyes sparkled with elation. "Ah and don't forget those sweet little marshmallows! Hugo brother loves that so much, I remember he ever smuggled some of it to his room cause he want to keep it all to himself, but he ended getting caught by Kaia sister, it was a disaster." she added.

They really couldn't resist exploring the huddle of enchancing pieces. They gathered colorful icing tubes and bags of festive sprinkles. Their mind went everywhere, their ingenuity bubbled over, crammed with ideas for their soon-to-be gingerbread creations.

"How about we make snowman-shaped one? Oh and maybe we can make one with the shape of Santa too!" Eirlys suggested, her face illuminated with enthusiasm. "Oh, and let's make a gingerbread family with sprinkle buttons!" Nilenia added thrillingly.

As they carefully selected their gingerbread treasures, Nilenia and Eirlys shared laughter and whispered secrets. They giggled at the depiction of gingerbread that had caught a sprinkle "snowflake" on its shoulder, as if it was a gift from a magical winter fairy.

With satisfaction beaming from their faces, they made their way to the checkout. The friendly cashier couldn't help but smile at the glee written all over their hearts.

As they held hands once more, they knew that this shopping trip had brought them closer than ever.

Hearst's Tree House.

06.00 P.M, Baking session start!

In Hearst's cozy kitchen, Nilenia, Luna, and Corgi agitatedly gathered around the wooden table, their eyes twinkling with excitement. It was the along waited day, it is gingerbread baking day! Whereas this year led by Nilenia, a special 'tradition' they cherished as siblings.

"Shall we begin, siblings?" Nilenia grinned. "Let's gooo!" Shouted the rest.

With a gleeful bounce in their step, the trio scurried around the kitchen, gathering the necessary ingredients and supplies.

Flour, sugar, spices, and molasses were meticulously measured and poured into a large mixing bowl. "We're going to make the best gingerbread cookies ever!" Luna exclaimed, her voice padded with keenness. Corgi nodded in agreement, while Nilenia cheekily sneaked a taste of the sugary batter.

"Where's Eyis anyway? She supposed to accompany you to shop earlier, right?" Luna questioned, her eyebrows raised.

"Oh, Eyis sissy got a necessary matter coming from the school. So she said she have to make it checked through her list or something. Do not worry her, she said she will make it quick." Nilenia uttered, then Luna nodded.

Their hands swayed amidst the flour, embraced the little sugary world, three of them took turn stirring the dough, their laughter echoed through aisles. And without they knew, a certain figure sneaked and stealed their molasses.

"For God' sake, Gingie bro!" Nilenia caught him right away, whilst the suspect smiled wryly. "Uh-oh." Ginger chuckled, he instantly put that ingredients back to tabletop. "Let me help you, please?" His eyes sparkled like a puppy.

"Yes, help us to eat it once we done, okay?" Nilenia patted her brother's back before she poured the cinnamon to a big bown. Ginger acted disappointed, but then Kadenza appeared. "Don't be so sad, brother, I'm sure our aces would give us the best pieces of gingerbread, right?"

The three of them smirked when Ginger and Kadenza's back disappeared beyond kitchenette door.

"Be gentle, Corgi sissy! We don't want to make a mess," Nilenia mock-warned. Corgi playfully stuck her tongue out, causing the trio to dissolve into a fit of giggles. Together, they worked like a well-oiled machine, forming the dough into a perfect, pliable consistency.

The dough rolled out and the scent of spices wafting through the room. Nilenia, Luna, and Corgi grabbed their cookie cutters. Stars, trees, snowman, santa, and charming gingerbread people took shape as they pressed the cutters into the dough. Nilenia held up a gingerbread man with quirky arms and proclaimed, "This one's going to be our family's little doppelganger!" The trio burst into laughter, brimming with greatest joy.

With the gingerbread shapes ready, the siblings lined up an sequence of lively icing, colorful sprinkles, and sweet candies. Their eyes sparkled with delight as they carefully crafted their edible masterpieces.

"Look, mine has a silly hat!" Luna exclaimed, while Nilenia delicately piped knotty designs onto her gingerbread star. Corgi, the artisan, used a mountain of sprinkles to her gingerbread tree, and called the tree looks like Ginny; full of loves!

The cookies finally baked in the oven, warmth surrounded the kitchen. Balmy aroma wafted through the tree house, drawing most of the family members into the kitchen. Nilenia, Luna, and Corgi plucked the cookies from the cooling rack, their eyes shining with bliss.

"Certainly made with love!" They exclaimed, presenting their beautifully decorated gingerbreads to the rest of their siblings, and most importantly their mother.

In the end, it wasn't just about the gingerbread cookies, decorations, or the joy of shopping and making; it was about the love that flowed between the family, the beloved Hearst.

END.