I nodded. "I think I will. The other parents get together outside of meetings, and their kids are friends."
"I'm glad it was worthwhile for you."
I was doing everything I could to heal and be a better version of myself. I just hoped it was enough. I told myself I wasn't doing this for Eve, but for myself. I wanted to be a good dad, one who wasn't stuck by the opinions of others. We had to do what was right for our family.
Sofia came into the room. "Daddy!"
I swung her into my arms, reveling that I got to be here with her. I was so lucky, and I shouldn't waste the time I had.
"Tomorrow, we need to help Eve set up the light trail."
Sofia scrambled to get down. "I drew some pictures for her."
Mom nodded toward the counter which was strewn with crayons and drawings.
"What did you draw?"
"I was thinking she could separate the themes." She pointed out each page, which had a different grouping of characters. "There would be a trail between each group, and that way, each section could have different music."
I looked up at Mom. "This is a good idea."
"Can we show it to Miss Eve?"
"She might already have a plan, but I don't see what it could hurt. You want to see if she's still working?"
Sofia gathered her drawings and held them to her chest. "Can we?"
I smiled. "Sure."
"Let's go," Sofia said, barely pausing to say goodbye to my parents before running outside.
"Sofia said you spent the day with Eve on Sunday," Mom said as I was getting ready to leave.
"We decorated the tree, and she baked cookies with Sofia."
"I think she's made an impression on Sofia. She couldn't stop talking about baking."
"Yeah, it was nice."
Mom patted my shoulder. "Good night."
I kissed her cheek. "Night.
I drove toward Christmas Town, assuming Eve would be in her office. When we parked, I shot her a message and waited for her response. When she responded, I told Sofia, "She's in her office."
Sofia hopped out of the truck, and we made our way to the square and opened the town hall's door.
Eve came down the stairs. "You want to talk in my office?"
"Unless you wanted to grab hot chocolate?" I asked her, wanting to make this more like an outing than a work thing.
She thought for a minute and then said, "That sounds great. I could use a break."
We waited for her to go upstairs to grab her purse. Then we headed to Coffee Dreams. I ordered three hot chocolates while the girls grabbed a table by the window.
We sat down, and Sofia pulled out her drawings.
"What's all this?" Eve asked.
