A Christmas Second Chance

vered streets of Hollybrook

Parker. like the gentle sn

nt cottages resembling orn

ughter and joy from her chi

heart. After her recent div

felt like home, yet it felt

heavy over her, menacing h

over her shoulder in the r

, Lily, in back, face again

d with a sound like a trum

der

biggest tree! Lily squeale

a smiled faintly. Yes, they

d tone. Inside, however, a

wing the family structure

tte

dhood house, a cosy, two-sto

e trim. The mere picture of

sorrow feeling. While she

mily, her parents decorating

ughter

n? Lily asked, brea

ied, forcing her feet to mov

a reassuring hug in a w

them with open arms. He w

swirling emotions. "Welcom

Clara's heart ached. This

weighed down by. guilt a

s, she felt like a gh

others escaped her. Follo

d to meet Lily's eye level

a knack for bringing joy to

her uncle's

? Lily bounced on her toes

tchen, Mark said, holding her

a moment, watching them. She

eight of despair. How could

child when she fe

Clara found herself gravi

a corner. She slowily starte

ing through the. familiar s

hand-painted ones from he

over a lifetime, and som

nded her of wh

Lily called, flour sme

d, moving toward her daugh

little action mattered. It

if only for

use into a festive space,

th joyful laughter erupting

a tree, and Lily insisted on

stretching up as

med, surprised at the joy

ng a great

to do it, right? Lily

a said, her throat constric

used to guide her hands a

surrounding her, an ache s

decorating couldn't erase t

she watched Mark and Lily

hoice but to come in on da

laughter and a hint of sadn

d with twinkling lights. Cl

ove. This Christmas would o

agical as s