New Year’s Eve arrived like a held breath finally released.
The power flickered back on just after dusk—lights humming to life one by one, the chandelier above the dining table bursting into golden brilliance, the heating system kicking in with a low, comforting rumble.
Outside, the blizzard had finally relented; the sky cleared to a deep velvet black scattered with stars sharp enough to cut.
Inside the chalet, the air felt different—charged, expectant, as though the storm had taken all the uncertainty with it when it left.
They had planned the evening in secret.
Fukky came downstairs at eight o’clock to find the living room transformed.
The massive sectional had been pushed back against the walls, leaving a wide open space in front of the hearth.
The twelve-foot Christmas tree stil
