Chapter 10 - The First Snow
The first winter snow of the year began to fall on Christmas Eve, dusting the rooftops of the quiet suburban neighborhood in a soft, pristine blanket of white.
Inside the craftsman house, the living room was alive with the warm, golden glow of a towering pine tree decorated with handmade ornaments, twinkling fairy lights, and a certain tattered, graying stuffed rabbit sitting proudly on the lowest branch.
Elodie was fast asleep in her new bed upstairs, dreaming of sugarplums and morning presents.
Clara and David stood together on the wraparound front porch, wrapped in heavy wool blankets, holding mugs of hot spiced cider as the snowflakes drifted down through the crisp night air.
David wrapped his arm around Clara’s waist, pulling her close against his side as they watched their breath form white clouds in the freezing air.
"Merry Christmas, Clara," David whispered softly, kissing her cheek.
May you like
"Merry Christmas, David," she replied, resting her head on his shoulder.
She looked out across the snowy yard, watching the streetlamps cast a warm halo over the quiet sidewalk. There were no ghosts hiding in the dark tonight. No threats waiting in the shadows. Just the quiet hum of a house filled with laughter, the steady rhythm of healing, and a future that belonged entirely to them.
