I sigh, sitting in a slump on my windowsill, my breath fogging the window with each exhale I let out.

Snow softly falls from the grey, gloomy sky. I pick a very specific snowflake and watch as it twists and turns in the air, slowly waiting to touch the ground and fulfill its purpose with making a blanket of snow.

When will he return? I wonder. It has been to long.

In the reflection of the window, I see a figure, my mom, lean against the the doorframe entering to my room. Her hair is pulled back in a loose bun and she’s wearing mismatched socks. Looks likes it’s been a long day.

I still sit, pretending like I don’t know she’s there. I don’t feel like talking now.

She soon leaves, her hair swooping behind her as it falls from the messy, frizzy bun she had in.

I sigh and close my eyes, letting the darkness of what I see wrap me into an abyss of nothingness.

…………………………………………………

I wake, fluttering my eyes and squint out my window. I sit up and look outside and see that the glare of the snow that has now covered the ground is what has made me squint.

The little snowflake has done its job after all, along with his friends.

Suddenly, I feel a gentle, light tap on my shoulder. I freeze and turn around and look up at the tall figure standing in front of me. My mom leans against the doorframe again but this time with her hair neater and pulled in front her, wearing a smile that spreads across her face.

I glance back at the figure in front of me and gasp, covering my mouth.

Before I think of anything else, I jump up from my windowsill and wrap my skinny arms around his broad waist.

He hugs me back and leans his head on top of my mess of curls.

After we hug for what seems like forever, he pulls me back and looks at me with his deep, brown eyes that I have grown up knowing so well.

“Cassie,” he says, and I inhale a sharp breath at the sound of his voice. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard him speak.

“I only brought you one small gift for Christmas,” he continues. “It’s not much, but it’s all I’ve got for right now.”

I hug him for a second time, but this time even tighter.

“That’s ok,” I whisper into his chest, not wanting to let go.

“You already brought me the best gift I could ever have asked for.”

He smiles and looks at me. “And what’s that, sweetheart?”

“You.”