The first snow of winter fell over Chicago, a gentle blanket of white that muffled the sounds of the city and transformed the streets into something almost magical. George stood at the window of his apartment, watching the flakes drift down from a leaden sky. Inside, the warmth of the fireplace fought against the chill, creating a cocoon of comfort that felt increasingly like home.
Sam found him there, her arms wrapping around him from behind. "You've been standing there for an hour."
George leaned back into her embrace. "I've been thinking about how different everything is now. A year ago, I didn't know Lily existed. I didn't know about Daniel. I didn't know about half the secrets my father was hiding."
"And now?"
"Now I have a family I never expected. A family I never knew I needed."
