A Christmas Second Chance

CHAPTER 8: FAMILY CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

The days preceding the Christmas celebrations were characterized by activities and

traditions that Clara had participated in and was now willing to transfer to Lily. And

holiday help often came with Liam, and this made the season’s preparations more

colorful, happier and full of gigs. “We would need a family baking day,” one sunny

morning when the climate was cool and welcoming, Clara put out the suggestion.

“We can bake cookies that we can then take over to our neighbors.” “Can I decorate

them?” Lily said, her bright eyes shining with delight. “Yes, of course,” Clara said

smiling. “I had the hunch it would amuse me if Liam came too. He is the champion of

cookie decorators!” Liam looked at Clara and raised one eyebrow, acting as if he was

offended. “Champion? I would prefer to say I am a cookie artist.” “Ok, cookie artist!”

Clara broke into laughter and they begin to prepare for the great cookie fest that

they all knew would impress all. Soon flour, sugar, and the smell of baked s**t best

occupied the kitchen. Clara and Lily went off in their heads cutting dough into stars

trees and candy canes all while attempting to make each piece look the same this

included rolling and cutting the strange objects with giggles as they went along. Soon

Liam was drawn in and in no time he was covered in flour looking like a mustached

little boy which brought laughter from Clara and Lily. While frosting cookies, Clara’s

attention was also nearly fully captured by the cozy atmosphere filled with laughter

together with Liam who was calm and self-assured.

While he was sharing a joke and leaning down to Lily’s brights eyes, he for sure

moved further towards winning Clara over.

“See Mommy, mine is the best..." Lily declared proudly, raising her cookie fully

encrusted with lots of sprinklers and icing on top which seemed ready to fall off any

moment.

“Wow, that’s awesome! Oh my God, it’s wonderful!” Clara said smiling as she was

amazed at her daughter’s proud look. “That’s stunning and a real piece of work!”

“Oh! This is so hard! But maybe it’s this right over here that really does it for me,” he

said staring at a badly shaped cookie. “This lil cookie this popular aesthetic.”

Clara cut him short, Lily laughed and Clara felt a different energy, warmth which was

cutting off the remnants of coldness that existed due to past events.

Clara shifted with curiosity wondering if they all did in fact focus on an end which did

so speaking about liam and the tie. “That’s what I have thought about here in the

first place.”

Lily excitedly insisted, “Yes! I want to rush over and smash on the doorbell!”

Small details like how it would be fun stamped the perfect tone because Clara could

feel everything sealing the unity between them.

These fleeting moments of bonding with Lily and Liam, drenched in affection, were

starting to become cherished memories in her life.

They walked around the community combining distributing pastries and smiling with

season’s greetings to neighbors. It reminded her of that warm neighborhood

Hollybrooke had always held so dear, which Clara, in her struggle to survive, had had

to abandon largely. With the sound of the door bells came laugher, warmth, and

sense of friendship that felt effortless.

Now heading home, the setting sun seemed to be embracing them and Clara

couldn’t seem to be able to get rid of the fullness that had embraced her throughout

the day.

“Could we do this every year?” Looking dreamily at Clara, Lily asked.

“Of course! From now on, it is going to be our tradition,” Clara felt a wave of pride.

That night, Lily all settled in her bed whispered to her mom, “I had the best day ever,

mommy.”

“I too sweetheart,” said Clara brushing the loose hair on Lily’s face. In these trivial

events, Clara started sensing that even in the time of chaos and ambiguity, there is a

possibility to feel happiness again.

A couple of weeks ago, she was miserable spending her days in a dream and now, as

she was embraced by the warmth of the festive season, she felt that there was

something beautiful inside of her waiting to be explored.

There was hope, which looked lovely perhaps,although it was still only a faint flicker.

But then there was still a chance that a way forward existed.