Where Wishes Sing

“It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas,” a man inside the radio sang. It was a lovely song, one I’d always found very fitting.

The little girl ran to grab more ornaments from the bucket. “It’s almost time to put the star on top, Cole,” she said.

He smiled and grabbed some wings to hang on the tree. They sparkled with gold glitter and complimented the colorful lights. “I have to go get the star first. I’ll be back. Don’t ruin the progress we’ve made.” He disappeared upstairs.

The young girl continued to decorate the tree and both of our eyes went wide as she spotted me. “Come out of there; I won’t hurt you.”

I stepped back, holding onto a branch. It wasn’t the first time I’d encountered a human but it was the first time a human saw me in my fairy form.

She laid out her hand, putting on a small smile. “Go on.” I could sense the kindness radiating from her. This girl was harmless. I could only hope she was.

I stumbled from the branch and fell onto her hand. She pulled me closer. “You’re so small. Are you Tinkerbell?”

“Joey, what you got there?” Cole asked from behind.

She turned around and showed me to him. “I found Tinkerbell!”

He choked. “Okay, whoa, that is— It’s moving!”

Joey frowned at her big brother and looked at me. “That’s rude. She’s still a person, no matter how small she is. She is a she, and not an it.”

I used my whole fist to poke the palm of her hand, getting her attention. I pointed to the ground and she nodded as she got my message. She set me down and I stood up straight.

Fairy dust shimmered around me as my limbs began to grow. The rest of me extended with them before it stopped at human size. “I apologize for intruding but you took my home into yours.” I gestured to the Christmas tree.

“You live in our tree?” his little sister asked me with wonder etched on her face.

I smiled a little. “Yes, I’ve been living inside of this tree for a few years. They cut it down and I went with it. I see you’re decorating my home. It looks beautiful.”

Cole couldn’t take his eyes off of my wings. They were transparent like a hologram, but they fluttered me wherever I needed to be.

“My name is Alvina.” I turned to face the tree. “Unfortunately, I should look for a new home. It happens every so often. They cut my house from the ground and I end up nearly shredding to death, or there are lights and bulbs hanging around me.”

“Do you have to live in a tree?” Joey asked me.

I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m a woodland fairy. It’s a bit preferred for us to live in nature, around the woods. I like to live inside the trees. There is so much space and you can have plenty of floors. With trees being cut down all the time, a lot of us have to move from our homes.”

Joey wrapped her arms around me, catching me off guard. “You can stay with us. Our house is made of wood.”

Cole chuckled. “Whoa, I’m the one paying the rent. I should get to say who lives and who doesn’t.”

She looked up at him and furrowed her brows. “You took her home. You can at least offer her ours until she finds a new one.”

“Ah, technically I did not. Someone else cut her home down. We just bought it, not knowing that someone was living there.” He waved his index finger around.

I rested my hand on Joey’s shoulder. “It’s fine. I can live in the woods. I’m very well acquainted with nature.”

Cole rubbed his eyes and shook his head with a smile on his face. “No, no. I insist that you stay with us. It’s the least I can do for buying your home and supporting those who chopped it down.”

I tapped my chin for a moment. “Well, it would be rude to decline your offer. Thank you.”

Joey finished up with the tree and Cole helped her put the star on top. “It looks awesome, Joey.” He stepped back, nodding his head and admiring the final result. “Now it’s time for bed. It’s been a long day and you should get your sleep.” He followed her to her room.

I took this moment to really observe my surroundings. The house wasn’t big but it was cozy.

Tinsel was strung about to really bring in the festivity while another set of white Christmas lights were framed around the archway leading into the kitchen.

“Are you ready?” Cole asked from the hallway.

I faced him and nodded. “Of course. I won’t be around for too long. I promise to find a new home soon and be out of your wings. Well, you don’t have wings but that’s just a saying we use for fairies.”

He led me to the couch and set down the blanket and pillow. “It’s no trouble. I want you to be comfortable. Christmas is about a time of giving, and I’m giving you a place to stay until you find a new one.”

I nodded and sat on the couch, looking at the blanket. “My lounge area is always located on the fourth floor of every home. I like to keep it that way. It makes it easier to remember where to go even if I do move all the time.”

“Get some sleep now. I’ll be sleeping down the hallway.” He pointed to the hall. I noticed how his blue eyes would smile when he did. It was genuine. I could already see he had a heart of gold.

“Goodnight, Cole.” I laid back on the couch.

“Goodnight, Alvina.” He turned off the light and left to his room. The lounge area wasn’t dark due to the Christmas lights keeping it lit. It was very calming to fall asleep to.

People sang, snow fell, lights shined, and music played. It was a magical time of year for those who celebrated and I could feel the joy beaming from them. Eventually, this spirited holiday would be over and everyone would return to their former selves. Humans were not always this kind or happy.