The kids sprang into action with practiced efficiency, evidence of their many hot chocolate sessions together. Daniel kept one ear tuned to the sounds upstairs, listening for Holly’s movements while his bear paced anxiously, impatient for her return.
As the chocolate melted, releasing its rich aroma into the kitchen, Daniel stirred slowly, watching the solid pieces transform into glossy liquid. It was soothing, this slow alchemy of turning something hard and unyielding into warmth and sweetness. If only people worked the same way.
As the kids helped him measure and mix with the serious concentration of chocolatiers, Daniel felt a strange tingle at the base of his spine.Shewas coming.
He turned toward the doorway a full second before Holly appeared, drawn by some new awareness that hummed between them.
She stood hesitantly at the kitchen threshold, and the sight of her nearly stopped his heart. She wore his clothes—the gray sweatpants rolled at the waist and ankles, his sweater hanging past her hips, and Maisie’s purple unicorn socks. Her dark hair fell in damp waves around her shoulders, wedding makeup gone, making her look more real, more touchable.
More beautiful,his bear said with a sigh.
The possessive satisfaction that surged through him at the sight of her in his clothes was so primitive and overwhelming that Daniel had to grip the counter to steady himself.
Ours,his bear said simply, and in that moment, Daniel couldn’t find it in himself to argue.
“Thanks for these,” Holly said, plucking at the too-large shirt with a self-conscious smile.
“They look good on you,” Daniel said before he could stop himself, then cleared his throat. “I mean, they fit better than I expected.”
Smooth, his bear said wryly as heat crept up the back of Daniel’s neck.
“They’re certainly warm,” Holly replied, hugging herself subconsciously.
Maisie looked up from her careful measuring of vanilla extract. “Holly! You’re just in time. We’re making the special hot chocolate.”
“I can see. It smells heavenly,” Holly said, stepping fully into the kitchen.
“We’re just adding the finishing touches.” Maisie carefully measured vanilla and cinnamon, explaining to Holly with great seriousness that “the cinnamon makes it taste like Christmas.”
The domesticity of the moment—all four of them in the kitchen, creating something together—made Daniel’s chest ache with longing and hope.
His bear prowled contentedly, basking in the rightness of it all.Perfect.
“Now we add marshmallows,” Teddy announced, already reaching for the bag.
“Careful,” Daniel warned, but it was too late. The bag tipped, sending a cascade of mini marshmallows across the counter.
“Oops,” Teddy said, looking momentarily stricken.
Before Daniel could react, Holly laughed, a sound that filled the kitchen with warmth. “I’ve got it,” she said, scooping up the marshmallows.
Teddy giggled, relieved, and even Maisie smiled as she helped gather the runaway marshmallows. Daniel watched them with a heart filled with hope. This moment, with his children and his mate laughing over spilled marshmallows in his kitchen, felt like a glimpse of a future he hadn’t dared hope for.
A future that suddenly didn’t feel so impossible.
Soon they were settled in the living room, the Christmas tree lights casting a warm glow over everything. Holly sat on the sofa, her legs tucked beneath her, cradling her mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Teddy had insisted on sitting next to her, while Maisie leaned against Daniel’s side in the armchair, occasionally stealing glances at their guest.
Outside, the storm howled, but inside, wrapped in warmth and the sweet scent of chocolate and cinnamon, they were sheltered together. The wind rattled the windows, but it felt distant, like a sound from another world that couldn’t quite reach them here.
Holly took a sip of her drink and closed her eyes briefly in appreciation. “This really is magical,” she said softly. “Best hot chocolate I’ve ever had.”
“Told you,” Teddy said proudly. “It’s our special recipe.”
“Family recipe,” Maisie corrected, the word hanging in the air with new significance.
Daniel watched as Holly smiled at his children, her face soft in the glow of the Christmas lights. Snow continued to fall outside, ensuring she wouldn’t be going anywhere tonight.
The thought sent a ripple of satisfaction through his bear.She’s home,his bear said with absolute certainty.Even if she doesn’t know it yet.
