The days preceding the Christmas celebrations were characterized by activities and
traditions that Clara had participated in and was now willing to transfer to Lily. And
holiday help often came with Liam, and this made the season's preparations more
colorful, happier and full of gigs. "We would need a family baking day," one sunny
morning when the climate was cool and welcoming, Clara put out the suggestion.
"We can bake cookies that we can then take over to our neighbors." "Can I decorate
them?" Lily said, her bright eyes shining with delight. "Yes, of course," Clara said
smiling. "I had the hunch it would amuse me if Liam came too. He is the champion of
cookie decorators!" Liam looked at Clara and raised one eyebrow, acting as if he was
offended. "Champion? I would prefer to say I am a cookie artist." "Ok, cookie artist!"
Clara broke into laughter and they begin to prepare for the great cookie fest that
they all knew would impress all. Soon flour, sugar, and the smell of baked shit best
occupied the kitchen. Clara and Lily went off in their heads cutting dough into stars
trees and candy canes all while attempting to make each piece look the same this
included rolling and cutting the strange objects with giggles as they went along. Soon
Liam was drawn in and in no time he was covered in flour looking like a mustached
little boy which brought laughter from Clara and Lily. While frosting cookies, Clara's
attention was also nearly fully captured by the cozy atmosphere filled with laughter
together with Liam who was calm and self-assured.
While he was sharing a joke and leaning down to Lily's brights eyes, he for sure
moved further towards winning Clara over.
"See Mommy, mine is the best..." Lily declared proudly, raising her cookie fully
encrusted with lots of sprinklers and icing on top which seemed ready to fall off any
moment.
"Wow, that's awesome! Oh my God, it's wonderful!" Clara said smiling as she was
amazed at her daughter's proud look. "That's stunning and a real piece of work!"
"Oh! This is so hard! But maybe it's this right over here that really does it for me," he
said staring at a badly shaped cookie. "This lil cookie this popular aesthetic."
Clara cut him short, Lily laughed and Clara felt a different energy, warmth which was
cutting off the remnants of coldness that existed due to past events.
Clara shifted with curiosity wondering if they all did in fact focus on an end which did
so speaking about liam and the tie. "That's what I have thought about here in the
first place."
Lily excitedly insisted, "Yes! I want to rush over and smash on the doorbell!"
Small details like how it would be fun stamped the perfect tone because Clara could
feel everything sealing the unity between them.
These fleeting moments of bonding with Lily and Liam, drenched in affection, were
starting to become cherished memories in her life.
They walked around the community combining distributing pastries and smiling with
season's greetings to neighbors. It reminded her of that warm neighborhood
Hollybrooke had always held so dear, which Clara, in her struggle to survive, had had
to abandon largely. With the sound of the door bells came laugher, warmth, and
sense of friendship that felt effortless.
Now heading home, the setting sun seemed to be embracing them and Clara
couldn't seem to be able to get rid of the fullness that had embraced her throughout
the day.
"Could we do this every year?" Looking dreamily at Clara, Lily asked.
"Of course! From now on, it is going to be our tradition," Clara felt a wave of pride.
That night, Lily all settled in her bed whispered to her mom, "I had the best day ever,
mommy."
"I too sweetheart," said Clara brushing the loose hair on Lily's face. In these trivial
events, Clara started sensing that even in the time of chaos and ambiguity, there is a
possibility to feel happiness again.
A couple of weeks ago, she was miserable spending her days in a dream and now, as
she was embraced by the warmth of the festive season, she felt that there was
something beautiful inside of her waiting to be explored.
There was hope, which looked lovely perhaps,although it was still only a faint flicker.
But then there was still a chance that a way forward existed.