Post Script
Ryan paused in the glow of the Christmas tree that stood in the corner between the love seat and the couch. He had just brought the pack in from their final tour of the snowy back yard for the day. They stopped and stood next to him.
He knew André was upstairs waiting for him. The thought caused Ryan to feel excited. But despite the promise of what lay at the top of the stairs, he hesitated. It had always been hard for him to turn the lights out on the tree on Christmas Eve. That year was no exception. But it seemed even harder somehow. Perhaps it was because it was the first year he had had a tree for a long time. Maybe it was that this year he had reason to celebrate Christmas.
He sat down on the couch. Bob and Rosie decided they were done for the day and headed upstairs.
