she had long forgotten she could feel. Jack's arms around her had not only warmed her body, they had melted years of silence, lonelin

re. "I thought my story would always be one of surviving, never of being cho

shing away the tears that escaped down her cheek. "You were never overlooked, Claire. You were waiting. And so was I. I prayed

ready woven together. Claire's gaze shifted toward the glow of the tree lights dancing against t

ion, "this is home. You. Them. Us together. This is

the last Christmas we spend as two families. From this night forward, let us be one. I will cherish you, Claire, every single day.

ise. The kiss was slow, lingering, deep enough to carve itself into their souls.

ces, Emma holding Lily's hand, Noah trailing behind with a shy but certain

. They were not just two parents finding companionship. They were two hearts becoming wh

whispered in her ear, "Forever, Claire. Not just Christmas

ears of joy. She held him tighter, knowing that this was not th

d steady, Claire realized she had finally found wha