The Lake House
Six weeks passed.
The first snowfall of winter dusted the pine trees bordering the clear, tranquil waters of Lake Champlain.
Nestled among the trees stood a two-story cedar and stone home, its wide windows glowing with warm, amber light against the twilight. Inside, a large stone fireplace crackled merrily, filling the open living room with the scent of burning birch and cinnamon.
Emma sat in a plush armchair wrapped in a heavy wool cardigan, holding a cup of hot chamomile tea. Her cheeks had regained their natural rosy color; her breathing was deep, clear, and unburdened.
Through the large bay window overlooking the snow-covered lawn, she watched Alexander and Sophia.
Sophia was wearing a bright red snowsuit, her blonde braids bouncing as she threw a snowball at her father. Alexander caught it against his chest, laughing out loud—a rich, genuine sound that echoed across the quiet frozen bay—before scooping Sophia up into the air and spinning her around until she shrieked with pure, unrestrained childhood joy.
The front door opened with a cheerful jingle of brass bells as the two tumbled inside, stomping snow from their boots onto the cedar mat.
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"Mommy! Daddy built a snow castle with three towers!" Sophia announced, running across the hardwood floor and throwing her arms around Emma’s knees. "And he said we can put breadcrumbs on the balcony for the winter birds tomorrow!"
Emma laughed, smoothing the damp hair from her daughter's forehead. "Three towers? That sounds like a proper fortress."
