“Have you gotten them to sleep?” Darcy asked.

“Yeah, finally.” Benjamin replied.

Darcy sighed and leaned into her husband. After a hard day at work, it was nice to get some alone time.

“Listen, so it’s your birthday tomorrow…” Darcy started. Benjamin groaned and rubbed his temples. She smiled. “Don’t worry. You’re still as handsome as the day I met you. If not more.” She told him. “I’ve booked a room at the big resort in town. Sitter’s been called, everything’s ready for us to go and be by ourselves for a while.”

“Well that’s going to be a change from the norm.” He said. Darcy glared at him. “What? We have twins. It’s bound to be a madhouse around here. But I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, or with anyone other than you.”

“Are you sure? Even though…even though you left the Plains for me?” Darcy asked.

“That was years ago. All that matters is that you’re safe. And you are. All of us are. Besides, I love it here. Don’t worry that silly little head of yours. Lets go to bed.”

***

The winds stirred, and a family watched the house.

“She isn’t ready. She’s prime material, but she isn’t ready. We’ll just have to wait.”

***

The morning of his birthday, Benjamin had only exploded a couple of times before he finally got what he wanted.

Darcy went to work, and he made snowmen with the children.

It was a good day.

They relaxed together, alone for what felt like the first time in years.

“It’s so nice to sit down without having to worry about sitting on a toy car or something.” Darcy moaned in bliss.

***

The next day was a snow day again. It was two days before Snowflake Day, and the family decided to go down to the beach, so that Benjamin could encourage Holly’s budding love of fishing, and so that Harley could swim. Darcy watched over him. It was cold, but they had winter clothes and a fire pit was set up nearby.

Benjamin’s eyes met Darcy’s, and they got the children together.

“We have surprises for you.” Benjamin started.

“We both know about your imaginary friends.”

The children looked shocked.

“My sister had an imaginary friend. And now they’re married.” Darcy told them.

“You had a sister?” Holly asked.

“Yes. A twin sister. She, uh…moved away.” She told them. “Anyway. The reason my sister could get married to her imaginary friend was because she made him real. And this is how you do it.”

They all rushed back home.

“I think it’s going to become more of a madhouse around here, babe.” Benjamin winked at Darcy. She giggled.

Robbie and Puzzle Schmidt were alive.

***

Snowflake Day was full of friends, cheer and way too much food. The house was decorated in all corners, and everyone was very happy.

All was well.

A few days later, it was Darcy’s birthday.

She did not take it well.

She felt sad all of a sudden. Unfulfilled…old.

She had a husband, two biological children, and two former imaginary friends living in her house. At least dogs couldn’t talk.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, they got broken into.

He got away.

They were all very nervous about this. Darcy decided that she wanted more security, and so she made preparations to move.

But first, it was time for the birthdays of the four Schmidt children.

They were all developing into very different, very good people.

But Darcy still felt unfulfilled and old.

Times were changing.