Land of Ice

Roughly eighteen years before the present... Jennifer’s point of view: It was a cold winter day and I was riding in the car with my husband, Martin, when the snow storm started up again. Six years from the time we became a couple and exactly four years after I became Mrs. Martin Reynolds. I thought that the anniversary of our marriage would bring good luck, but it didn't seem to be going that way at all. It seemed like an average day for us, another adoption gone bad. We thought this one was a set deal, but the mother decided that she wouldn't feel right doing it after all and in the fifth month of her pregnancy decided to keep the baby. It just took one look at the ultrasound and it was already done and over with. I honestly couldn't blame her. Martin and I have dreamed of having a child of our own for years now, but after roughly three and a half years of trying and still no sign of a baby of our own. It still didn't help to lessen the hurt of another disappointment. The first adoption we had set up fell through at just ten weeks into the pregnancy when the young lady had a miscarriage. The tears fell as I thought about what I wanted the most and life continued to deny that wish for whatever reason. "Jen, we will figure it out. Things always work out the way that they're supposed to, you know?" Martin said quietly next to me as he drove. "But, why? Why does it seem like life just doesn't give us the one thing that we have been dreaming of for years now? It's not fair." "I'm sure there's some reason that we just don't know yet, honey. Just give it time." Just as Martin finished those words, there was a loud noise followed by his cursing. He pulls over to the shoulder of the road and tells me that he's going to check it out. I watch him as he gets out of the car and then look around us. The wind is blowing the snow around like crazy and it's hard to see further than five feet ahead of us. I could see the outline of what looked to be like some bushes or trees ahead but couldn't really tell for sure. I check my phone and notice that there isn't any signal out here and sigh. Of course, there isn't any signal out here in the middle of nowhere and no one to be found. Just my luck. I look up from my phone in time to see Martin walking ahead of the car and get out to see what he's doing. "Martin! Have you lost your damn mind? What are you doing?" I jog to catch up to him and notice that he's walking towards what happens to be trees after all. I catch up just in time to see what caught his attention. "Oh...wow." I say out loud. There before us is an infant all wrapped up in what appears to be some sort of furs. I kneel next to Martin and pick the baby up gently. The baby then yawns, does a little stretch and opens their eyes. "Martin, those eyes...I've never seen eyes like these before. Oh, what's this?" I notice a piece of paper attached to the furs and unpin it to see what's inside. To whomever this may concern, I see that you have found my sweet child, Avaline Jane. I would have never imagined having to leave my own child to fend for her own, but you must understand why I had to do this. Avaline and I do not come from this world that you call Earth. In my home world, my wife and I lead as the king and queen of our race and all that inhabit Terra de Glace, or Land of Ice as it may be known in your language. As such, we have many enemies near and far, but it is the enemies that grow near that worry my wife and I very much. I fear they may be much closer than we ever thought possible. Our son is safe with his knowledge and strength, but we know that Avaline would be too easy of a target for these enemies and all who wish to put an end to the peace we have created. All I ask is that you be kind enough to take care of Avaline until she reaches the age of eighteen human years. At that point, she will have enough strength to be able to defend herself and she will return to her homeland soon after her eighteenth birthday. You must know that Avaline is extraordinary and not quite human. As she ages, you may begin to see signs of her powers and strengths. We have provided a necklace crafted to help hold these powers back until she can return home. All that I ask is that you please take care of my youngest child and in return I will see to it that your greatest wish comes true in no time at all. I hope to someday meet the human(s) that were kind enough to take such great care of my dear child. Thank you in advance for all that you will do in the years to come. I am counting on you to ensure the safety and well-being of Avaline. Sincerely, King Everett and Queen Evangeline Frost I look away from the paper made of a strange material into the very different eyes of Ava. "Martin, her name is Avaline Jane and she's beautiful. Look at her eyes; they have the strangest shade of purple that I've ever seen." I whisper to him as I look over her beautiful face and take in all her features. She has the adorable round cheeks that I've seen on so many babies over the years, strange bright purple eyes, a cute button nose and hair that is as white as the snow on the ground. It's a strange combination to see, but lovely when put all together. "Why don't we just call her Ava for short? Avaline seems like quite the mouthful, although it is pretty." Martin suggests. Hmm...Ava Jane sounds just right, perfect even. And that is how the day that I thought would be one of the worst days of my life, turned out to be one of the best, hands down.