By Amanda Pizzolatto

Word Count:

Rating: PG

Summary: Carrie White, now safe and happy, is expecting a baby! Now, what to name her…

Note: See the end of the story for a list of characters and books/movies of origin.

Carrie White took a quick sip of her hot cocoa before leaning back in her recliner. She passed a hand over her rotund belly; the little one within seemed to be sound asleep. She glanced out the window at the softly falling snow. She let out a little laugh as a thought entered her mind.

“Carrie, what’s so funny?” asked Resa Folchart as she came around the corner with a plate of freshly made cupcakes.

Ever since Carrie, Tommy, and Sue had joined the ranks of Avalon, the Folcharts, the Kings, and the DunBrochs simply doted on them and practically adopted them. That was how Carrie met Farid, and the two fell instantly in love. Having been a slave of the Forty Thieves, Farid didn’t have a surname and took Carrie’s when they got married.

“Oh, I was just looking out the window and thought to myself, this is almost similar to Snow White!”

Resa glanced at the window before she looked back at Carrie and laughed. “That it does. However, we are not going to lose you to some unknown illness, thus prompting Farid to marry some nasty shrew.”

Carrie laughed harder at that. “No, you won’t. And even if I did die, I’d come back from the dead and haunt her if she ever dared try to hurt either of them.”

“Oh, don’t worry, dear. By the time you come back, I’m sure we would all have scared her off.” The two laughed as Resa set the cupcakes on the coffee table. “Though, funny you should mention Snow White; these are apple cupcakes with caramel frosting.”

“Oooh, that sounds so good,” muttered Carrie longingly.

“Would you like to try one? I, uh, haven’t the courage to try,” stated Resa with a sheepish grin as held out a cupcake.

“This better not be the thing to kill me,” joked Carrie as she took the cupcake.

Resa scoffed. “As if bad-tasting food ever killed anyone.” Carrie merely snickered as she took a bite. Resa began to talk again. “Though, with your fair complexion and Farid’s dark hair, I could see you two having a child who could look like Snow White.”

“Oh, Resa, these are so good,” stated Carrie after she had swallowed.

“They are?” asked Resa incredulously before reaching for a cupcake and taking a bite herself. “You’re right, they are!”

Carrie chuckled. “Told you.” She took another bite and chewed thoughtfully. “You are right, though,” she continued. “Farid and I could have a child that looks like Snow White. But I am not going to name her Snow.”

Resa snorted. “I don’t blame you, dear. But, speaking of names, have you and Farid figured out anything?”

Carrie shook her head. “No, nothing that we both like. Farid doesn’t want anything Arabian, really, which surprised me at first, but I guess it makes sense.”

“And you certainly wouldn’t want to name your child after any of your bullies, now, would you?” asked Resa.

Carrie shook her head vehemently. “Absolutely not.”

“So there, but that does cut down the number of names to choose from,” stated Resa before she thoughtfully took another bite.

“That it does, but we have some time to figure it out. She’s not due for another month,” remarked Carrie as she rubbed her belly again. She took another bite right as a knock came at the front door.

“Oh good, that must be them! Mo, Meggie, they’re here!” called out Resa as she walked to the front door.

Resa opened the door, and sure enough, their guests had arrived. The DunBrochs, the Kings, the Rosses, and Farid walked into the foyer as Mo and Meggie entered the living room to help with the coats. Carrie grinned, for she had quickly read Xander King’s mind. He was thinking about how lovely Meggie was looking at that moment. She, however, didn’t need to read minds to notice the approval on Mo’s and Resa’s faces as they glanced between the two. Xander wanted to finish up college before asking Meggie out, but Carrie knew the two couldn’t wait. Carrie noticed her husband looking at her, to make sure she was alright. She smiled at him reassuringly. He smiled back before leading some of the guests to the game room.

“Auntie Carrie!’ called out the three-year-old nestled in Sue’s arms as they entered the living room. Sue lowered her into Carrie’s arms before sitting down on the sofa.

“Hello Gloria, honey,” said Carrie as the honey-haired child planted a kiss on her cheek. “How are you doing?”

“I’m gonna be a big sister!” exclaimed Gloria.

Carrie grinned at the small bump on Sue’s form. “Yes, I know.”

“How?” asked Gloria.

“Your mommy’s belly is getting kinda big,” replied Carrie with a smirk. Sue laughed as she rubbed her hand over her belly.

“Oh,” stated Gloria as she glanced at her mother.

“That’s so wonderful!” exclaimed Resa as she sat down and hugged Sue.

“Thank you!” exclaimed Sue as she returned the hug.

“How are you, dear?” asked Gertrude King, better known as G, as she hugged Carrie.

“I’m doing well, thank you! And how are all of you?”

“Oh, you know, same old same old. Edward is enjoying being a principal, Xander’s doing well in his filmography classes, David is thinking about going for a history major, and Toria just wants to have the best prom ever!”

Sue and Carrie shared a knowing glance. “I’m sure she does,” replied Carrie.

“Well, I’m sure everything will turn out just fine,” remarked Elinor as she hugged Carrie.

“I’m sure. Where’s Merida and Hiccup?” asked Carrie as Elinor joined the others on the sofa.

“Oh, Hiccup had to handle some things in the capital, so they’re going to the Christmas party there. Sorry, Carrie.”

“Oh no, it’s alright, Hiccup has duties to attend to. Besides, we have until Epiphany to get them over here,” replied Carrie with a smile. “Besides, you were all able to make it, and that’s better than I had hoped! With this snow, I only thought a couple of you would make it.”

“Well we did, and now we’re going to spend the night here,” quipped Elinor, nodding in the direction of the snow piling up outside the window.

Carrie glanced at her. “Did you bring clothes?”

Elinor scoffed. “Of course I did. What kind of a queen did you expect me to be? Coming here unprepared, as if.” The others laughed.

“Well, good, because I wouldn’t have enough clothes for everyone. I don’t think my clothes would fit everyone.”

“And I don’t expect them to! That baby is coming very soon!” exclaimed Elinor, nodding in the direction of Carrie’s belly.

Carrie laughed. “That she is.”

“Oh, you know it’s a girl?” asked G.

Carrie nodded, beaming. “Yes.”

“Have you figured out a name for her?” asked Sue excitedly.

Carrie’s face fell as she shook her head and let out a sigh. “No, we don’t have anything good as of yet. We’re still going through every name database we have, and going through everybody we know. Nothing wants to fit.” She paused and glared at them. “And before anyone suggests it, no, we’re not doing Snow White either.”

Sue laughed. “I wouldn’t want you to, either.”

“Would a name that means snow work?” asked Elinor. Everyone glanced at her questioningly.

“What did you have in mind?” asked Carrie.

“Oh, well, there’s a name in Welsh that means snow, and when I learned it from Bran, well, I wondered if maybe you and Farid would like it.”

“What is it?”

“Eira.”

“Eira,” whispered Carrie. “Eira White. Not bad, I guess. And it means snow?”

Elinor nodded. “It does.”

“Oh, Eira White sounds so pretty,” said Sue.

“Yes, and though it means snow, it makes me think fiery.”

Elinor smiled. “Exactly.”

Carrie began to smile. “I’ll have to talk to Farid about it, but the more I think about it, the more I like it.”

“I hope so, the name’s starting to stick in my head,” quipped G.

“Same here,” stated Resa. The others laughed. “Should I go get Farid to talk to you about it real quick before you make the final decision without him?”

Carrie chuckled. “Yes, please do, Resa; any longer and I’ll be definitely sure to name her Eira.”

Resa grinned. “Of course. I’ll be right back.”

“Thank you so much for telling me about that name, Elinor. If Farid’s fine with it, I think we have a winner,” Carrie said.

“Yay! Eira White!” blurted Gloria. “It is pretty.”

Sue smiled at her daughter. “Yes, Gloria, it is pretty.”

“Do you have another girl name picked out for yours, Sue?” Carrie asked.

Sue shrugged. “Not really, though both Tommy and I have been liking the name Anna more and more. We might end up doing that. But, if Tommy’s right, he may yet have his Timothy.”

“Oh, Sue, I don’t know how you’ll do it. Tommy and Timmy? I think I’d go nuts!” exclaimed G. They laughed.

“I’ll figure it out, I’m sure.”

“So, what’s this about a name?” asked a male voice. Carrie glanced up. Her dark-haired husband had entered the room and was looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh, Farid! Elinor has just suggested the most wonderful name! It’s Eira! It means snow in Welsh, but doesn’t it make you think of fire?” exclaimed Carrie.

Farid’s eyes widened. “That it does! And she can be Snow White without it actually having to be spelled ‘snow’!”

Carrie laughed. “Exactly! Well, what do you think? Do we have a winner?”

He bent down and kissed her before giving her his answer with a big grin. “I think we do, Mrs. White. Eira White it is.”

“Wonderful!! And you know who the godparents will be?” asked Elinor.

“Oh, we’ve already asked Sue and Tommy,” replied Carrie as Farid took her hand and kissed it.

“Maybe you should ask Elinor and Fergus,” began Sue.

“Nonsense,” interrupted Elinor. “I’m called grandmother.” They laughed.

“Then it’s settled, Sue and Tommy will be the godparents to Eira,” stated Farid.

“And Elinor is her grandmother,” finished Carrie with a grin.

“Precisely. Nice doing business with you,” quipped Elinor as she stood up and shook hands with Carrie.

Carrie laughed. “I wouldn’t exactly call this business, but thank you, nonetheless.”

“Ooh! I need to check on the goose!” exclaimed Resa.

“Let me help you,” offered Elinor.

“I’ll come too!” said Sue as she began to stand up. But G stopped her and sat her right back down.

“You stay here, dear. I’m going to help them. There’s going to be too many cooks in the kitchen as it is,” stated G as she headed for the kitchen.

Resa’s head came around the corner. “And I’m going to need Mo’s help. Farid, can you go get him?”

“Yes ma’am,” replied Farid. He kissed his wife’s head before dashing towards the game room, nearly tripping a couple of time in his rush.

“And be careful doing it!” shouted Resa before disappearing back into the kitchen.

Farid merely grinned sheepishly before disappearing into the game room. A minute later, just about everyone came into the living room, while Mo continued on into the kitchen. Farid returned to Carrie’s side and took her hand. They smiled at each other before Carrie glanced out the window at the still falling snow. Yes, Eira meant snow, but it sounded better. And though Carrie wasn’t sure if she had a vision of her child or it was a figment of her imagination, but the idea that their daughter would have her mother’s pale skin and her father’s dark hair was only making Carrie love her even more. Carrie let out a satisfied sigh, and she couldn’t be happier.

Movies/books used

Carrie by Stephen King

(Carrie, Sue, Tommy)

The Dreamhouse Kings by Robert Liparulo

(Edward, G, Xander, David, Toria)

Brave by Disney/Pixar

(Elinor, Fergus, Merida)

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

(Meggie, Resa, Mo, Farid)

How to Train Your Dragon by Dreamworks/Cressida Cowell

(Hiccup)

The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper

(Bran)