by Alex Bailey
Ariel hugged him. “I wish you could stay with us.”
“That would be quite the sleepover, with your Dad coming tonight, don’t you think?”
“And Darren,” Sophie said, a little annoyed that Ray ignored the fact that Darren would be there soon—the same oversight Ariel had made quite often lately.
Ray lifted the corners of his mouth and placed his bag on his bed. “Yes, well, I know you’re looking forward to your family coming.” He glanced at Sophie before shoving the previous day’s clothes in his bag. “I know I can’t wait for mine to get here!”
“And Grandma and Grandpa too!” Ariel squealed.
“Yes, can’t wait for everyone to get here,” Sophie said. “Let’s get dressed. It’s Epcot day!”
“Yay!” Ariel climbed up to her top bunk and gave Figment a squeeze. “Did you hear that, Figment? You’re going home today.”
AFTER GRABBING A QUICK bite at the food court, Sophie checked into the room she reserved for Darren and herself.
When Ray, Sophie, and Ariel stepped outside to catch the bus to Epcot, the weather made for a perfect Christmas Eve—warm, not too humid, a rare Florida gem of a day. In fact, they’d had perfect weather the entire trip, sans the quick shower that drenched them in Hollywood Studios the day before. The crystal blue sky was such an extraordinary contrast to the haze of L.A.
“Well, good morning you two,” Ray called to D’aja and Marcus, who stood next to a mountain of luggage on the sidewalk.
Sophie glanced from the couple to their bags.
Marcus followed her eyes and explained, “It is a good morning. Because we’re leaving”
“Oh no!” Sophie moaned. “The wedding.”
“It was just too much,” D’aja said. “We’ve called it off.” In spite of her wedding being canceled, D’aja appeared to be far more relaxed than she’d been the entire time Sophie had seen her.
“I’m so sorry,” Sophie said.
D’aja smiled and wrapped her arm around her fiancée. “Don’t be. Everything just got out of hand. This isn’t how we wanted to start our lives together.”
Marcus turned to face her, grabbing her hand. “Besides, Canada is beautiful this time of year. We’ll be getting married there instead.”
“Beautiful? Isn’t it like twenty degrees?” Ray snickered.
“Nah, closer to ten. Below.”
Even though she didn’t know them well, Sophie felt compassion for this couple and wore her feelings on her face. The unique atmosphere in Disney often brought people together for a brief time, and it was easy to feel close to someone you just met. Much to her annoyance, it happened to her family more often than she would like to recall as a child. But this time was different. She had grown to care for D’aja and Marcus in the short time they spent together.
“It’s okay,” D’aja said. “Really. I feel like a burden has been lifted, and we’re going to focus on just the two of us now.” She rubbed Marcus’ arm with her free hand.
Sophie hoped everything worked out for the best for them. It had to have been an enormous decision to cancel a wedding when all the plans had been made and the wedding was so close.
“But hey,” Marcus said, “on the bright side, if you’re in need of a Christmas dinner reservation, the entire California Grill is now available. We had the restaurant reserved for our reception, but we’ve already informed the wedding planner.”
“Wow, I don’t know what to say, except I wish you both the best.” Ray shook hands with Marcus, while Sophie hugged D’aja.
“I still think you look like a princess,” Ariel said.
D’aja bent over and hugged Ariel. “Thanks.”
“You guys enjoy the rest of your holiday,” Marcus said.
“Yeah, one day, when we’re a family, we’ll be like you two and come back to celebrate Christmas with our kids,” D’aja smiled at Ariel.
Ray frowned. “Oh we’re not—”
Sophie elbowed him and nodded enthusiastically. “I think that’s a great idea! You two have a wonderful wedding and a very happy marriage. It was so great meeting you.”
When their taxi pulled up, D’aja and Marcus got in and left.
Ray had a look that Sophie couldn’t read, so she asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” Ray scrunched his eyes tightly shut and then opened them. He looked like he’d just been given a FastPass to any ride of his choosing. “Actually, everything is right. Marcus just said the whole Cali Grill is available for Christmas dinner. We have reservations for the castle, but you can’t beat the fireworks from the Cali Grill! I think I’ll book a reservation for my family. If you guys don’t want to wait, I can meet you at the park.”
“Oh please, Aunt Sophie,” Ariel’s eyes darted between Sophie and Ray, “can’t we please have Christmas dinner with Ray?”
I’m not sure my family would appreciate having Christmas with strangers. Well...not my family. Just one person.
“I know my dad would love it. He likes people,” Ariel urged, “He’s just like Ray! And Grandma and Grandpa always talk to people when we’re in Disney. So they like people too, right?”
Sophie drummed her fingers on her cheek. She wanted to give Ariel her dream Christmas, but the person Ariel left out of the stranger-lovefest was Darren. He was not a fan of meeting people or dealing with strangers. He’d made that abundantly clear on more than one occasion. His job almost entirely consisted of meeting strangers; another reason he wanted to move up to anchoring the news. “I, um...”
“Come on Aunt Sophie, I know you’d love it too.”
That part was correct. Sophie loved meeting new people, and as kind as Ray was, she assumed his family would be similar. She bit her top lip. “I guess it’ll be all right.” That’s a lie. It won’t be all right...not with Darren, but I’ll have to deal with him later.
CHRISTMAS MICKEY AND Minnie topiaries surrounded by a bed of poinsettias greeted them in front of the large unofficial entrance to Epcot, the Spaceship Earth ride. The silver 180-foot tall geodesic sphere hid all of Epcot from sight.
“Wanna go in?” Sophie pointed to the ride.
“Nah,” Ariel shook her head. “I wanna take Figment home first.” Figment’s home was a ride called Journey Into Imagination, where cars rode through various scenes depicting the use of imagination, based on the five senses.
“On to our imaginations!” Ray said.
Ariel handed Figment to her aunt and then took Ray’s and Sophie’s hands. The trio marched to Figment’s ride, happily swinging arms as they strode.
WHEN THEY ENTERED THEIR car for the ride, Sophie sat in the rear, and Ariel pushed Ray in next to her. Ariel sat in the front seat and set Figment beside her.
Ray leaned in toward Sophie and said, “Figment needs his own seat.”
“Apparently.”
The ride proceeded and Ariel grabbed Figment, moving him around to act out each of the scenes. They pinched their noses when they drove through a particularly odorous scene. Since the ride focused on the five senses, Disney would have been amiss if it had left out the infamous skunk smell. After making it through the senses, the ride’s theme song “One Little Spark” began and Ariel was the loudest singer in their car, followed by Ray.
Ray shot Sophie a look that said, ‘Join in the fun!’
She responded by turning her head to the side so he couldn’t see her and sang quietly. She knew the words. She knew the words to most of the rides’ songs. In her crazy Disney family upbringing, they’d sung the songs even when they weren’t on vacation. Sophie had refused to join in when she was a teen, but that never stopped anyone else.
But now, Sophie wanted to join in. She raised her voice and faced forward. She could see out of the side of her eye that Ray had stopped singing. She snapped her neck to face him square on and belted out the song.
Ray’s mouth opened, but the song hid inside. He stared at her. Slowly, he found his voice, and it became a ‘see who can sing the loudest’ cont
est.
Ariel turned around and joined the competition. When it was over, she roared, “You win Aunt Sophie!”
Sophie sat upright, smug in her achievement, knowing full well they let her win.
AFTER A MORNING OF riding fast cars, boats, hang gliders, and spaceships, the trio moseyed over to the World Showcase, consisting of eleven countries’ exhibits surrounding a lagoon. A Christmas festival, The International Festival of the Holidays, was in full swing. It featured holiday entertainers and specialty food booths not available year-round. Their first stop was at the Cookie Nook at the Festive Center for some of the largest holiday cookies Sophie had ever seen, hot cocoa for Ariel, and holiday spirits for Sophie and Ray. Tables meant for standing were located around the festival center for food and drinks. A Festive Photos area held packages and other holiday props for guests to take family photos, and a large decorated tree encircled by poinsettias announced the area for kids to create holiday crafts. To complete the atmosphere inside the center, a store with holiday merchandise held everything from the festival, both Disney- and holiday-themed.
“Aunt Sophie,” Ariel said through an adorable whipped-cream mustache, “what are you smiling about?” She licked her lips, destroying half the mustache.
“Huh?” She seemed distracted by her glass of sparkling cranberry wine. “Oh, I was just thinking about how much I’m enjoying myself.”
Ariel’s face scrunched. “Even the rides?”
“Even the rides.”
“Even the food?” Ariel asked.
“Are you kidding me?” Sophie held up a blue-frosted cookie in the shape of a snowflake. “Have you ever seen a snowflake this large?” She reached over and tossed Ariel’s pigtails in the air. “Even the food.”
“Even the company?” Ray grinned.
“Definitely the company!” Sophie was having a great time. She couldn’t remember a time she’d spent in Disney enjoying herself so much. The thought stung, because she should have enjoyed every minute in Disney with her sister. But she hadn’t.
Why was she enjoying herself so much now? Was it Ariel? Of course she loved being with her. But she also loved being with her sister. Could it be Ray? He certainly brought the magic to a place where she’d never found it. But that didn’t feel like the reason. One thing was different—her parents weren’t there. This was the first time she’d been to the parks without them. But how could being in Disney World without her parents matter? She loved them. Something suddenly exploded inside Sophie at that moment. A revelation. It had been her parents. But not in the way she imagined. And it had been Natalie too. Their mutual love for something had made her feel left out of their group. It hadn’t been their fault, but the fact that Natalie and her parents shared a love of Disney, had been the reason she had rebelled against the whole idea. It was time she faced her feelings and overcome her past. She was enjoying herself now, and that was important. She wasn’t about to squander her time with Ariel.
“What do you say, we go get in line for the Frozen ride?” Ray said. “It’s our FastPass time.”
“Great idea!” Ariel ran her empty plate to the waste basket. “Let’s go!”
“Do we need to get our winter coats and gloves for this ride?” Sophie grinned.
“Aunt Sophie,” Ariel shook her head, “your jokes are as corny as my dad’s!”
ENTERING THE STORE attached to the Frozen ride exit, Ray asked, “Did you like Elsa and Anna’s boat ride?”
“Yeah!” Ariel squealed. “It was better than I even imagined.” She held Figment up to her ear, and then said, “Figment says he liked it too. Did you like it?”
“I did!” Ray said. “That was my first time on the ride.”
“Well, then, it’s unanimous,” Sophie said. “We all liked it. High five, Figment?” Raising Figment’s hand, she high-fived him with her free hand.
Ariel asked, “Can we get a picture with the troll?”
Inside the Norway store stood a nine-foot-tall troll statue, a popular picture spot.
“Sure.” Sophie took out her phone and snapped a few photos, then called for Ray, who was looking at a row of miniature troll statues, “Hey, Ray. You have a minute?”
“You want me to get some pictures of you two?”
“No, I want you in it. With Ariel. Can you just stand beside her and do what you do best?”
“Look mighty handsome?”
That wasn’t exactly what she had thought, but it was certainly true. Ray was a handsome man.
“Look goofy.”
“Hayuk, hayuk,” Ray said in his goofiest Goofy accent. He rested his left foot on the bottom of the troll’s base and laid his hand on his knee. With his other hand, he hugged Ariel’s shoulders.
“Same pose as the statue. Hmm, I almost can’t tell which one is the troll and which one is goofy Ray.” Sophie laughed while snapping away.
Ray ran to a stand of swords and grabbed two. He handed one to Ariel and said, “Let’s duel.” But when Ariel lunged for Ray, he pointed his sword upward, landing the tip up the troll’s nose.
Ariel doubled over with giggles, all the while, Sophie snapped as many pictures in a row as she could. “Okay, you two. I think that’s good.” We should get going. Ariel, you still want to see Santa, right?”
“Of course I do.” Ariel led them outside where sweet smells of baked goods from the Kringla Bakeri og Kafe, the Norwegian bakery filled the air, and then they continued around the lagoon.
When they arrived at Germany, a miniature village was set up on the ground, complete with trains roaming the festively-decorated town. Tiny villagers were scattered throughout the scene.
“Look, Ariel,” Ray pointed to a group standing by the train station. “Those people are trying to escape their village.”
“Where are they going?” She leaned over the black wrought-iron fence that reached her waist.
“They’re waiting for the train—” Ray said.
“To hitch a ride to the Frozen ride!” Sophie smirked and tickled the side of Ariel’s stomach. “They heard it was a really cool one.”
“So cool, you might even say it was cold.” Ray said with a straight face.
“Or even frozen!” Sophie said.
Ariel rolled her eyes. “You guys are so silly.”
Sophie agreed. And she was happy being silly. “Now let’s go find Santa.”
Ariel squirmed while she stood next to the fence. “I need to go to the bathroom first.”
“Okay, I think, if my memory serves me well, there used to be one right here in Germany,” Sophie said.
“Your memory is intact.” He pointed to a tan and brown Tudor-style building with a red roof adorned with holiday garland. “There’s one on the other side of that building.” Ray’s expression changed, similar to the one he had the day before in Hollywood Studios. “While you two head over, I’m going to get some photos. I’ll meet you over there.”
Sophie had no time to think about the cause of Ray’s demeanor change, because Ariel rushed toward the restroom and Sophie ran to catch up to her. When they reached the door, Ariel stopped abruptly and handed Figment to her aunt. “I can go by myself.”
Sophie shrugged. She knew she needed to back off. This overprotective aunt thing was getting old. And yet, she wasn’t ready to let go completely. “Okay, I’ll wait right over there.” She nodded toward a crowd of people gathered around a storyteller dressed in a traditional Bavarian costume, a long black dress with a bright green apron, a white blouse, and lederhosen.
Sophie walked up to the crowd and listened to the woman relate the story of the Nutcracker.
When Ray caught up, his cheerful disposition had returned. “Banished?”
“Yup. But she’s got a point. She needs some space. I know I’ve been a little overprotective. It’s just that...” Her eyes dropped to the pavement.
“It’s understandable, Sophie. Can’t say that I haven’t noticed.” He paused, as if thinking about how to phrase his next question. “One thin
g I’ve been wondering about—if you’re so overprotective, then why did you let me take her on rides without you? I was a virtual stranger.”
Sophie was stunned. Her head bobbed backwards. She hadn’t thought of Ray as a stranger since the day he’d rescued Ariel lost in the crowd. “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t think of you like that. You’ve helped us...both, so much.”
Ray smiled. “I’m glad. You two have helped me too. I . . . Hey, I was wondering what you wanted to do after this. Because right over there”—he pointed to a stand selling food, with a long line of people waiting—“is the best cheese fondue in a bread bowl I’ve ever had. Wanna try it?”
“I’m pretty sure it’ll be the best cheese fondue in a bread bowl I’ve ever had too. Since I’ve never had it before.”
“Never? Well, Sophie the First. This will be your first.”
“Sounds delish. After that gigantic cookie, I didn’t think I’d be able to eat the rest of the day, but I am getting a little hungry.”
“And what’s Epcot at Christmastime without trying the food booths?”
Raising her eyes, she said, “Uh...about ten fewer pounds?”
Ray shook his head, “Uh-uh. This one is complete with veggies. And I know that niece of yours has quite the grown-up palate. She’ll love it too.”
“Okay, sounds like a plan. Just as soon...”
When the show ended, the crowd clapped, and Sophie turned around and scowled.
“What’s wrong?” Ray followed her gaze over his shoulder. “Oh.”
Ariel was in Germany’s courtyard next to a large Christmas tree talking to Santa Claus.
“I’ll be right back,” she said in a huff. Ariel! You know better! We’ve talked about this!
Sophie made her way through the crowd that had just dispersed and walked toward the tree. There were so many people everywhere, she couldn’t get to her niece. Props in the shape of oversized wrapped packages next to the tree made it impossible for Sophie to maneuver around them to get within touching distance. But she could hear the conversation.
