Logan took my hand, lacing his fingers through mine, and led me out to follow them.
We found them in the living room, pressed against the large window with their hands flat on the glass, utterly enchanted.
It was snowing.
Anna looked back, her eyes wide with wonder. “Evy! Look! It’s just like on TV!”
I smiled, my heart melting at their awe. As two girls who’d grown up in Texas, they were likely seeing real snow for the very first time.
Logan and I stood behind them, our gazes shifting from the falling snow to the girls. I only realized then that his arm was wrapped around my back, his hand resting on my waist, and my head was tucked against his chest. It didn’t feel strange.
It felt completely natural.
After a while, Aurora tugged Anna’s hand, leading her to the half-decorated Christmas tree. Logan and I followed, keeping our distance as we watched them converse in sign language. With Aurora’s back to me, I couldn’t see what she was saying, but she clearly convinced Anna, who took an ornament from the box and carefully hung it on a branch.
“Look at that,” Logan murmured, his voice filled with soft surprise. “Somehow, Rory convinced her to join in.”
“I told you. You just have to be patient with Anna. She’s guarded and stubborn… but she has such a sweet heart.”
“I know.” He paused, thoughtful. “Can you watch them this morning? I have a couple of errands to run.”
“Of course… but… it’s Christmas Eve.”
“I know. I’ll be quick.”
A flicker of disappointment went through me at the thought of him leaving for the hospital after he’d promised to stay. I wanted him here, with the girls.
Maybe not just with the girls.
“Hey, Evy!” Anna called. She was on her tiptoes, arm stretched high, an ornament clutched in her hand, straining for a branch just out of reach. “Help me! Help me!” she pleaded, as if it were a mission of vital importance.
Smiling, I went over and scooped her up, lifting her to the height of the branch. “My God, you’re so heavy!” I teased.
“I am not!” she retorted, giggling.
“Yes, you are! You just keep growing!”
“Do you really think I’ve grown, Evy?” Now her voice was bright with excitement.
After she secured the ornament, I set her down. She planted herself in front of me, beaming. “Hm… let me see…” I said, pretending to scrutinize her. “Yeah, I think you have. I’m almost sure of it.”
Her smile could have lit up the whole city.
“I want to grow up soon, like you.”
“That will take time. Let’s not rush it. You have so much to enjoy about being a kid.”
She just shrugged and ran to get another ornament.
I glanced at Rory, who was now pulling her father by the hand, wanting help to reach a high branch. Logan lifted her as easily as if she were weightless—a stark contrast to my struggle with Anna.
He caught my eye and smiled.
“I thought you were leaving?” I asked.
“Are you kidding? You could barely handle Anna. I’m not leaving until we finish making this tree pretty.”
“It’s going to be beautiful!” Anna declared emphatically. “The most beautiful tree ever!”
