Chapter 3.
1075 Words
---
Fifteen minutes later, I’m already regretting my decision. Lily clings to the side of the rink, her legs wobbling precariously as I try to coax her forward.
“You’re doing great, sweetheart,” I say, though my own ankles feel like they’re about to give out.
“Mommy, I’m scared,” she whines, her bottom lip trembling.
“Hey,” Ethan’s voice cuts in as he glides effortlessly toward us, his movements smooth and confident. “Need a hand?”
Before I can protest, he crouches next to Lily, offering her his hand. “What if I help you, Lily? Would that make it less scary?”
She hesitates but eventually nods, slipping her small hand into his. He guides her gently onto the ice, his reassuring presence giving her the confidence to take her first shaky steps.
I watch them, my heart swelling at the sight. Ethan looks so at ease with her, his patience and warmth shining through in a way I never expected.
“You’re a natural,” I say as he skates back toward me, leaving Lily to practice on her own.
“Years of hockey,” he replies with a grin. “It’s like second nature.”
“Hockey, huh? I didn’t know you still played.”
“Yeah, joined a local team a few years back. It’s more for fun now, but it keeps me busy.”
I nod, suddenly feeling self-conscious as his eyes linger on me. “Thanks for helping with Lily. She seems to like you.”
“She’s a great kid,” he says, his tone sincere. “You’ve done a good job, Catherine.”
The compliment catches me off guard, and I feel a blush creeping up my neck. “Thanks,” I say softly, looking away.
---
After skating, we warm up with hot chocolate at a nearby café. Lily chatters excitedly about her newfound skating skills, completely oblivious to the charged silence between Ethan and me.
“Are you staying in town long?” he asks casually, though there’s an edge of curiosity in his tone.
“Just through Christmas,” I reply. “Lily wanted to spend the holidays with family.”
“And after that?”
I hesitate, not sure how much to reveal. “We’ll see.”
Ethan nods, his expression thoughtful. “Well, if you ever need anything while you’re here… you know where to find me.”
There’s something unspoken in his words, a lingering tension that makes my pulse quicken. But before I can respond, Lily tugs at my sleeve.
“Mommy, can we go see the Christmas tree again?”
“Sure, sweetheart,” I say, grateful for the distraction.
As we leave the café, Ethan walks with us, his presence both comforting and unsettling.
---
That evening, back at my parents’ house, I can’t stop replaying the day in my mind. Ethan’s kindness, his easy charm, the way he made Lily laugh—it’s all too much and yet not enough.
“Mommy?” Lily’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.
“Yes, honey?”
“Do you like Ethan?” she asks, her innocent eyes studying me.
I blink, caught off guard by the question. “Why do you ask?”
“Because he likes you,” she says matter-of-factly.
I laugh, though it feels forced. “Lily, it’s not that simple.”
“Why not?”
“Because grown-ups have a lot of things to figure out,” I say, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Now, go to sleep. It’s late.”
As I tuck her in and kiss her goodnight, her words linger in my mind. Does Ethan like me? And if he does… what am I supposed to do about it?
---
The next few days pass in a blur of holiday preparations. My mom ropes me into baking cookies, decorating the tree, and wrapping gifts, while Lily throws herself into every festive activity with boundless energy.
But no matter how busy I am, I can’t stop thinking about Ethan. His voice, his smile, the way he made me feel seen in a way I haven’t felt in years.
It all comes to a head on Christmas Eve, when I find myself standing on my parents’ porch, staring out at the snow-covered landscape and wondering if I should call him.
Before I can make up my mind, a knock at the door startles me. I open it to find Ethan standing there, holding a small, neatly wrapped package.
“Ethan,” I say, my heart skipping a beat. “What are you doing here?”
“Thought I’d drop this off,” he says, handing me the package. “For Lily.”
I take it, my fingers brushing against his. “That’s very thoughtful of you. She’ll love it.”
He smiles, but there’s something uncertain in his eyes. “I also wanted to see you. Talk, if that’s okay.”
I nod, stepping aside to let him in.
---
We sit by the fire, the warmth of the flames making the moment feel both intimate and fragile.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about us,” he begins, his voice steady but his hands fidgeting.
“There is no ‘us,’ Ethan,” I say quickly, though the words feel like a lie.
“Maybe not now,” he agrees, his gaze intense. “But there could be.”
I shake my head, my emotions threatening to spill over. “It’s not that simple. I have Lily to think about, and my life is a mess right now.”
“And I’m not asking you to figure it all out tonight,” he says, his voice softening. “I just… I can’t pretend I don’t feel something for you, Catherine. I never stopped.”
His words hit me like a wave, and for a moment, I can’t breathe.
“Ethan…”
“Just think about it,” he says, standing. “I’m not going anywhere. When you’re ready, you know where to find me.”
As he leaves, I’m left staring at the fire, my heart torn between fear and hope.
The Christmas lights twinkle softly as I sit alone in the living room, Ethan’s words echoing in my mind. The possibility of a second chance both terrifies and excites me, and I know that no matter what happens, this holiday will change everything.
- Writer
