Steph

"I'm not there yet!"
 This page contains ***major spoilers*** for the series. If you're not caught up, stay back! Av's not gonna be too thrilled if you react to spoilers prematurely...

## Steph

### Family

Sheila (mother)
Barry (father)
Fanny (sister)
Brody (brother)
Jodie (aunt)
Edwin and Lewis (uncles)
Anny (grandmother)
Darrell (grandfather)
Winter (cousin)

"*No need to apologize, Winterlyn," [...] "you were younger, and your parents probably didn't want to talk about [your grandfather dying] much as to not make you worry. Life sucks, and it's harsh, and it's very hard to move on from a loved one's death. But over time, we heal, and our hearts repair.*"
—Steph soothing Winter, *Choosing Paths*

**Stephanie "Steph" McCormick** is a minor character in *Winter's Tales*. She is the daughter of Sheila and Barry, the elder sister of Brody and Fanny, and one of Winter's cousins.

## Appearance

Despite not being described in detail, Steph is said to wear a leather jacket.

## History

### *Winter's Tales*

#### *Choosing Paths*

"*Grandma, [Winterlyn's] just hungry. Let's... tone it down a little and not cause a scene, okay?*"
—Steph encouraging Anny to calm down

Steph and her siblings arrive to the family reunion. Lorelei introduces to Steph, the eldest of her cousins, who is eighteen, and she adds that she's old enough to drive. Brody comments that she's an awesome driver, to which she mutters that the amount of times their mother has almost gotten them killed is insane, smoothing her leather jacket. Winter notes that Steph has "biker girl" energy, admiring her. Lorelei snorts that their mother has learned nothing, asking if Steph has committed to Washington State University, and she proclaims that it's Cougars all the way. Lorelei leaves her daughter and cousins to have fun, and Steph questions if they want to play something, sitting down on the floor. Fanny proposes shadow animals, making an alligator shape with her hands, but Brody says that he isn't great at it. Pitching in, Winter suggests they guess animals from background information, which her cousins approve of, and Steph inquires as to who wants to go first. Before they can, the doorbell rings, and Steph excuses herself to get the door.

She opens it, and her grandmother, Anny, tells her to get out of her way. She recoils and backs up to her siblings and cousins. Brody huffs that their grandmother is extremely delusional, and adding on, Steph says that she's a pain to deal with - if you mention God or the Lord in vain, you're finished. To emphasize her point, she drags her index finger across her throat. Fanny asks if their grandfather, Darrell, would have let Anny do that, and Winter questions where he is, having not seen him. Steph solemnly admits that he died of cancer when she was four, shocking her, and she apologizes for not knowing, as her father didn't tell her. Her elder cousin assures that she doesn't need to apologize, hugging Winter and stating that she was younger then, and her parents likely didn't want her to worry. While life is harsh and death is hard to overcome, hearts will repair eventually. Although she doesn't understand some of what Steph said, Winter figures that she means well and concurs in agreement. Fanny and Brody join in on the hug, which is then interrupted by a nosy Anny, who ushers them onto the couch for a story about the Lord. Winter murmurs that she's hungry, naming God, and Anny pokes her with her cane, sending her into Steph, who eyes her grandmother in shock. Anny snaps at Winter to not use the Lord's name in vain, but Steph gently pleads with her to not cause a scene.

When Krystine and Pierre arrive, Steph calls out to them, and Pierre remarks that she's grown, asking if she's about to start her senior year of high school, which she confirms along with her committment to Washington State. Krystine tells her to rock the house, sharing a high-five with her. After the arrival of Willie, Winter believes that he'd be best friends with Steph. Shortly afterward, the father to Steph and her siblings, Barry, arrives. He says that he's proud of all his children, mentioning that Steph is going off to college, and she, Brody, and Fanny hug him. Winter and her cousins then move to the sofa, where Willie asks if they've seen the first Shrek movie. Fanny begins to sing out the opening theme, only to be stopped by Steph, who doesn't want drama to be spurned in the house. She verifies that they all have, and Winter adds on an impression of Lord Farquaad. During dinner preparations, Steph offers a glass of pink lemonade to Winter, and she sips it, finding it tasty. She thanks her and continues to drink the glass and her cousins play together. Steph soon helps Anny eat her dinner. After Lewis is attacked for trying to give Winter alcohol, Fanny and Brody hide behind Steph, who insists that someone gets to a sobbing Winter. Later, Winter recalls Steph mentioning something relating to school.

#### *Dawn Will Bring Us Death*

When Winter wonders who her father is speaking to on her phone, she momentarily thinks of Steph, Fanny, or Jodie, though the person in question is revealed to be her grandmother, Anny. Upon learning that her health is failing, Winter remembers what Steph previously told her about her grandfather dying. Her father informs her that he'll be staying in Leavenworth to be with his mother and to check on Barry and his kids, and both Winter and her mother pledge support for her cousins. Once Edwin returns, he reveals that all is well and that Steph kept Fanny calm. Later, when Lorelei dies, Steph and her siblings attend her funeral, each solemn, and they share a joint eulogy that shares how she stepped up as a maternal figure for them when their own mother divorced their father. Lorelei encouraged Steph to pursue her dreams of being a motorcycle engineer, urged Brody to be the brother Fanny needed when their elder sister left for college, and persuaded Fanny that it wasn't her fault her mother abandoned her and her siblings.

#### *Only in a Waking Dream*

Steph is the backup relative Winter picks in case she isn't allowed to forge her father's signature for her report cards anymore.

#### *Talking of the Axes*

With her father now imprisoned, Winter switches her father's name out on report cards for Steph's, and with additional help from Rex, Steph is never aware that her cousin is using her name to clear the front desk.

#### *Return of Snowlight*

In her letter to Winter, Debbie mentions that her cousins have been loving her heroics. When Winter reunites with her extended family at the mall, she greets her cousins, and Steph is noted to own two motorcycles. Her cousins also help her contact Saul over putting her initials on her knife.

## Personality and Traits

Steph is the most level-headed of Winter's cousins. She is very mature, having set aspirations for her future, and is excitable just as much as she is relaxed. She adores her siblings as does her cousin, striving to make sure they are safe and entertaining them when in her presence. Steph is also a peacemaker and doesn't like drama.

## Family

**Mother:**

Sheila (Status Unknown)
**Father:**

Barry (Living)
**Sister:**

Fanny (Living)
**Brother:**

Brody (Living)
**Aunt:**

Jodie (Living)
**Uncles:**

Edwin (Living)
Lewis (Living)
**Grandmother:**

Anny (Deceased)
**Grandfather:**

Darrell (Deceased)
**Cousin:**

Winter (Living)
## Trivia

* Steph is voiced by Natalie Palamides.
* In an earlier outline, she was originally a male.
* Steph, along with Jodie, is Av's favorite of Winter's family members to write.
* She is a very skilled driver.
* Steph has a degree in motorcycle engineering at Washington State University and currently owns two motorcycles.