In March of 2020, Covid-19 brought the Big Apple to its knees, but Henry Madison's kids want Great-Uncle Santa Claus to bring Christmas early by gifting the world with a cure. There are some rules, however, that not even Father Christmas can break. He hints that the magic and the hope they are looking for just might be found a lot closer to home. Dedicated to the amazing people who live, work, and play in the 5 boroughs of NYC.

Henry Madison has it all: his new bakery Sweet Surrender is the talk of NYC, a great apartment, and two terrific kids. But when he proposed to his beloved a few days ago, he got burned. Now it's Christmas Eve, and he forgot to bring home cookies for Santa. It will take some heated advice from 'Auntie' Vanny and a little Christmas magic to help our hero rise out of his holiday slump!

In the youngest of days, the last creation of the Gods - humans - faced extinction due to the murderously cold True Winter. On the brink of oblivion, four humans set out to find help, and hope. And a child will be the first to light the Winterflame. ('Lighting the Way', copyright 2015 Katrina Parry Photography)

A very short bite begun by Write on Wednesday's Prompt #78. Is there a new, highly addictive drug on the streets this Christmas Eve? 911 Operator Pietro Formaggi must solve this mystery - it's an emergency! A cheesy taste of holiday tension, laughter, and love.