One Year Later…
Christmas Eve.
A small house stood just outside Austin, Texas.
Warm light glowed from every window.
Inside…
Lily chased a golden retriever through the living room.
Sarah and Alexander argued—good-naturedly—over who made the better Christmas cookies.
Victor was trying, and failing, to assemble a toy train.
Grace read a story by the fireplace while Noah hung ornaments on the tree.
Father Thomas smiled as he watched the family he thought he’d never see together.
In the kitchen…
Emily stood by the window, one hand resting gently on her growing baby bump.
Zach walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Hunter.”
She smiled.
“Merry Christmas, Mr. Hunter.”
Outside, snow began to fall.
Emily looked toward the sky.
“Do you think the
