The sky is dim, bruised blue fading into silver as snow continues to drift down from the sky.
The Christmas tree flickers from the window, casting a faint glow across the windowpane and bathing it in multi-colors.
I stare at it for a second, letting myself sink into the warm seat under me.
Dean shifts the car into park but doesn’t turn off the engine yet.
The heater hums, filling the silence between us.
I can feel the exhaustion pulling at my shoulders, but for once it’s a good thing.
It isn’t from my nightly spirals and only having nightmares flood my dreams, this is from actually moving for once.
“Callum’s swinging by later tonight,” Dean says as I reach for the door handle. “Don’t let him eat all those gingersnaps you plan on baking tonight or else I’m boycotting Christmas dinner.”
I glance at him over my shoulder, a small smile tugging at my mouth despite myself. “You’re assuming I’m sharing with either of you.”
That earns a grin from him, wide and teasing, and it almost makes me forget the knot of fear that’s been living in my chest for days. “Ah, there she is. That’s the Noelle I remember. Thought I lost her for a bit.”
I shake my head, hooking the shopping bags around my arms—gifts for Eli, flour and sugar for the cookies I’d gotten inspired to make after being talked into that chocolate shop, and a few decorations I couldn’t resist.
The normalcy of it all feels fragile, like glass, but god I’ll take it.
“Only if you promise to bring me that cinnamon blend eggnog tomorrow morning,” I shoot back.
He presses a hand dramatically over his heart. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
I exhale slowly, stepping out into the cold air.
A shiver runs up my spine, making my shoulders bunch up toward my ears.
Before I swing the door shut, I lean into the warm cab. “Thank you. For today, I mean. I really needed it.”
The smile he gives me is softer this time.
The space between us fills with something unspoken: a quiet warmth that doesn’t need words.
Dean’s always been like that.
A solid presence that’s never asked for anything more than just me. “Anytime.”
My boots crunch on the icy driveway, the bags swaying against my legs.
I pause, tightening my grip on the bags just as Dean leans across the passenger seat and calls out through the open window, “Don’t forget: gingersnaps are community property! Don’t let Callum talk you into another deal!”
I can’t help it, I laugh. It’s a real one this time, not the forced kind I’ve been faking for Eli so he doesn’t worry about me.
“We’ll see about that!” I call back and he grins, throwing me a mock salute before pulling out of the driveway.
His taillights glow red against the pale lighting, disappearing down the road until I’m left standing in the cold with only the soft hiss of wind for company.
The smile lingers long after he’s gone and for the first time in what feels like weeks, my chest actually feels lighter.
When I finally step inside, the house greets me with warmth and the faint scent of sugar from this morning’s cinnamon buns.
The floor creaks softly under my boots as I toe them off by the door and set them on the mat.
It’s around nap time for Eli, so I quietly tip-toe through the house.
