Scene: Ethan's Car, Driving Through the Snow
Ethan: "Great. Just what I needed. A snowstorm and a two-hour detour. Thanks, GPS." He taps the screen, but it's futile. The road ahead is blanketed in white, and the windshield wipers struggle to keep up.
Ryan (on speakerphone): "You're complaining about snow? It's Christmas, Ethan. Be festive or something."
Ethan: "Festive? I've got a patient load that would make Santa's naughty list look short, and now I'm stuck driving back to a town I haven't seen in fifteen years."
Ryan: "Yeah, well, Grandma's waiting. You promised, remember? One Christmas at home. It won't kill you."
Ethan sighs, glancing at the faded welcome sign for Pinehaven. His hometown feels like a relic from another life—a life he barely remembers.
Scene: Amelia's Studio
Amelia: "Perfect. Snow just in time for the Christmas Eve photoshoot. Alright, camera, don't fail me now."
She adjusts her scarf and steps outside, her boots crunching in the fresh snow. Pinehaven looks magical under the glow of twinkling lights, but her mind is elsewhere.
Sarah: "Earth to Amelia! You've got that 'lost in thought' look again. What is it this time? Dreaming about some mystery man?"
Amelia: "No mystery man. Just... memories. You ever think about how people can just leave, and life moves on?"
Sarah: "Oh, here we go. This is about Ethan, isn't it?"
Amelia freezes, her sister's words hitting too close to home. She hasn't thought about Ethan Carter in years—or so she tells herself.
Scene: Pinehaven Inn
Ethan checks into the cozy inn, his mood still sour. He notices the familiar Christmas décor, the smell of cinnamon and pine, and suddenly, he's ten years old again, running through the snow with Amelia.
Ethan (to himself): "Get a grip, Carter. It's just a holiday. Nothing's changed."
But as he steps into the lobby, he hears a voice he hasn't heard in years—a laugh that's etched in his memory.
Amelia: "Excuse me, is this where the Christmas Eve gala is being hosted? I'm supposed to set up the photo booth."
Ethan turns, and there she is. Amelia Bennett. Her hair is shorter, her smile just as radiant, and her eyes—still full of that spark he remembers.
Ethan: "Amelia?"
She looks up, startled. Her camera bag slips from her shoulder.
Amelia: "Ethan? What are you doing here?"