A bit of fluff to enjoy for the holiday!

In case you're wondering, this was inspired by the Christmas Eve forecasts for Bloomington and South Bend, Indiana. And while there are no mountains in Indiana, there is a ski resort.

ooo

Christmas morning, and Tom watched a few lazy snowflakes flutter around the front window of the Janeway farmhouse.

Kathryn came into the living room, adjusting her robe with one hand as she held a mug of coffee in the other.

"Coffee's ready, honey," she said, then stopped. "What's the matter?"

"Where's the snow?" he asked plaintively.

"Er, out there," she replied, pointing to the window. "I think the forecast was for a couple of centimeters."

"No, no … I mean, where's the snow that's supposed to come up to my knees? I mean, this is Indiana! This is the Midwest! You're supposed to get lots of snow. Especially on Christmas!"

Gretchen came into the living room, holding her mug of coffee. "What's going on?" she asked. "And would one of you turn on the Christmas tree lights?"

"Tom wants more snow," Kathryn explained as she headed toward the tree.

"Aren't you supposed to get blizzards here in the winter?" he asked hopefully.

"Oh, sweetheart," Gretchen said. "This is Southern Indiana. We do get the occasional snowstorm, but overall, we don't get much snow. It's usually pretty gray, though at least it's not raining. Or sleeting."

She took a sip of coffee. "If you want a blizzard, you'll need to go up north to South Bend. I heard they were expecting 25 centimeters by this morning."

"But Kate! What about all those Christmas holodeck programs I wrote? The ones with the farmhouse and the three feet of snow? You never let on that it wasn't true!"

"Look, the farm is certainly more Christmasy with snow," Kathryn said patiently. "Besides, it was a lot more fun for the crew if they could build snowmen and go snowshoeing and have snowball wars. Programs featuring rain and sleet aren't good for crew morale, you know."

"Might as well be in San Francisco," he grumped.

"Well, I hear the new ski resort is open, so it's cold enough to make snow. Maybe you two should go skiing this week," Gretchen said as she patted Tom's shoulder. "You'll feel better when you've had breakfast. Which reminds me, I need to check on the casserole."

"Now, really, do you want to be in San Francisco?" Kathryn asked after her mother had left the room.

Tom thought for a moment. "With my family? Not really."

"Good to hear," Kathryn said, her voice low and smoky. "I was going to remind you there are some activities that are better done indoors."

Tom stepped closer and tugged on her robe. "Does it include unwrapping something?"

"It could," she purred.

The sound of a throat clearing startled them. "Want to hold that thought? Breakfast is ready. I'd love to have another grandchild next Christmas, but …"

"Mom!" Kathryn yelped.

"Well, I want to eat before that casserole gets cold. Besides, I have to pick up Martha in an hour, and you know she'll take forever to get herself together. I'm sure you two can amuse yourselves until I get back," Gretchen said. "Now, Katie, please grab a jar of that cherry jelly out of the pantry while I make toast."

"Oh, my God," Kathryn breathed. "Now I want to be in San Francisco."

"Oh, no," Tom laughed. "My mother would never give that speech." He gave her a nudge. "Let's get breakfast. I work better on a full stomach anyway."