The Owl and the Frog

Chapter 54: Froggy Little Christmas

So firstly, two shout-outs: one to DA user jmdk64, who made a new image for this fic, the scene where Anne and Luz first meet. This is the first time I've used this artist and I really like the work he did. I'll likely ask for more from him in the future. The other shout-out is, once again, to Julex93, who did another amazing commission for me for this chapter. It's a scene from this chapter, so go check it out on DA after you're done reading this. Thanks to both of these artists for their work

Okay, so this is the big one! An adaptation of Froggy Little Christmas, as well as the end of Arc five, and a moment I've been planning for a long time. There's a lot happening in this chapter, so I hope you enjoy all of it!

At the time of this chapter's release, it is close to the Holidays, so I want to wish you all Happy Holidays, whichever one you celebrate! I hope you all get to spend time with the ones you love and get a break from working. Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year! May this new year be a better one for all of us!

Three Years Ago

Ten-year-old Luz rubbed her eyes as she walked out of her room and made her way to the kitchen. She was still sleepy, and, if she were honest, she was not really looking forward to today at all. As she entered the living room, she saw that there were Christmas decorations hanging all over. Her mom was standing on a stepladder, putting the finishing touches on a piece of garland.

"Morning, Mija!" said Camila in a cheerful voice.

Luz didn't say anything at first, as she was still trying to take in the sights around her. Finally, she spoke.

"Good morning, Mama," said Luz, still a bit stunned. "I thought... I didn't realize you were going to put up decorations."

"I thought it would help liven the mood a little," said Camila, still smiling. "We should make this place look pretty and festive for the holidays."

Luz didn't answer, as she wasn't feeling particularly festive at the moment. Camila seemed to pick up on this, so she continued.

"Let's eat breakfast, then we can get started on the tamales," said Camila in an encouraging voice. Luz nodded and went over to the table. The two ate breakfast, not saying much, but enjoying each other's company.

After breakfast, Luz helped her mother clear away the dishes, and then the two set up the kitchen to make tamales. Dominican tamales were made using a combination of yautia, plantains, kabocha squash, and chilies. These ingredients were combined together to make the masa, which was then wrapped around a meat filling and then wrapped together in a plantain leaf. Making tamales from scratch was a long and difficult process, which was why most Latino families only did it around Christmas time. Luz was a bit surprised at her mom's cheerful attitude, but she did her best to go along with it.

Once the two got the kitchen ready, they began cutting and chopping the different ingredients, getting everything ready. Camila made sure to put some music on to lighten the mood, and for a while, things were going great, and Luz even began to forget about the reason she wasn't feeling well. Then a new song played on her mom's phone.

[Play "Bendita tu Luz" by Mana]

"Bendita Dios por encontramos, en el camino

Y de quitarme esta soledad, de mi destino

Bendita la luz, bendita la luz de tu mirada

Bendita la luz, bendita la luz de tu mirada, oh"

Camila heard the song play and tensed up. She and Manny had told Luz the story about how they had chosen her name from that song, and now here it was playing. She looked over at her daughter and saw her stop working on the tamales.