Chapter 22: Look A Snowman
Emily awoke in the serene confines of the wooden cabin, her sleep disjointed and tortured by restless dreams. The room, filled with the soft light of early morning, felt both familiar and foreign. As she turned to her right, her heart skipped a beat; Lucas was not in bed beside her. Panic briefly gripped her, but she quickly pushed it aside, pulling herself out from under the warm covers. The moment her feet hit the floor, a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her to grasp the edge of the bed for balance. Struggling to steady herself, she glanced down in shock to see the noticeable bulge in her stomach. In just a few days, her body had changed significantly, a reality she struggled to comprehend. How could this be? Thoughts raced through her mind, grappling with the time shift in this enchanted yet bewildering place.
She stepped into the large main room of the cabin, where Lucas sat, a steaming cup of herbal tea cradled in his hands. His neck adorned with scars, remnants of past encounters and injuries, yet he was clearly on the mend. Overwhelmed by emotions, Emily staggered across the room, collapsing into his arms for a giant hug. Their lips met in a gentle kiss, but she could feel the stiffness in his body; the remnants of his struggle were still apparent.
“I love you,” she whispered, her voice laced with all the vulnerability she felt. Lucas replied with a warmth that enveloped her heart, returning the sentiment and then placing his hands tenderly on her belly. “How’s the baby?” he asked, his brow furrowing with concern. Emily’s heart raced— “He is so big already. It is scary.” The worry seeped into her voice as uncertainty loomed overhead.
Lucas met her gaze, his expression softening. “Time goes by fast here. Seasons change in months, and food grows in days. There have been two births in this place, and the journey from conception to birth only took six months. It is something you will learn to enjoy and accept.”
Just then, an uncontrollable wave of nausea gripped Emily, and without a moment’s hesitation, she dashed outside, Lucas close behind her. He held Emily's hair and soothed her by rubbing her back as she leaned over, retching into the fresh winter air. It was snowing softly, flakes falling like delicate feathers, transforming the world into a sparkling wonderland.
“Ding, ding, ding!” The sound of the lunch bell echoed across town, a harbinger of warm meals and camaraderie. “Stay here,” Lucas said, moving to fetch her lunch. Emily looked up, wiping her mouth from the remnants of morning sickness, and her eyes fell upon a delightful scene unfolding just outside. Laughter filled the crisp air as she saw Tommy and Abigail, Miss Trish’s kids, engaged in an exuberant snowball fight. Their cheeks flushed with excitement as they dodged and weaved, the snowman they had built earlier standing nearby, a silent witness to their playful skirmish.
Emily lifted her hand in a friendly wave to the children playing joyfully in the snow outside. Their laughter echoed in the frosty air, but she felt the chill gnawing at her bones, prompting her to retreat inside the warmth of her wooden cabin. It was cozy and familiar, yet today it felt different. She had a dream that lingered in her mind, something elusive that danced just out of reach. Vague memories tickled the edges of her consciousness, and she tried to grasp them, but they slipped away like smoke through her fingers.
She recalled falling asleep with Lucas the night before, and now it is lunch time Emily thinks I must have slept all day. Moving toward the fireplace, she knelt to feed the dying embers, hoping to coax a bit more life from the fire. She felt the warmth spread, alleviating the cold that clung to her. Just as she got the fire crackling, she heard the cabin door creak open behind her. Turning, she saw two gentlemen shuffling in—Father John and Joe.
"Emily," Father John said, his voice tinged with his usual warmth despite the cold. "Joe came to me with… some questions." Joe looked uneasy, shifting from one foot to the other. His gaze fell to the ground as if its wooden planks contained the answers he sought. “We were discussing divorce,” Father John continued. Emily's heart sank; she could feel the weight of Joe's decision pressing upon the air like a thick fog. “Joe did not know what the process was. It is not something we have had to deal with here before.”
Emily glanced at Joe, a mixture of sympathy and concern welling within her. “But where would you go?” she asked, trying to connect with him through the turbulence of his emotions. Father John gestured gently. “After consulting with the Governor, we have arranged a mutual agreement. There is a residence available for him elsewhere.” Joe swallowed hard, nodding though the resolution seemed heavy on his shoulders. He gathered his belongings—small mementos of life shared now transformed into relics of a past that no longer belonged to him.
“Joe,” Emily said softly as he moved to leave, “I hope—”
“I know,” he interrupted his voice barely above a whisper. The door swung open, and just like that, he was gone, leaving a gust of chilly air that mingled with the warmth of the cabin.
As the door shut, Father John's expression softened. “I’m praying for the baby,” he said, his voice laced with sincere compassion. “And for you, too. Remember to take care of yourself. Have a wonderful day.” Before she could respond, Lucas bound into the cabin, his cheeks flushed from the cold, his bright eyes sparkling with curiosity. “What’s going on?” he asked, his youthful exuberance contrasting with the heaviness that lingered in the atmosphere. Lucas handed a bowl of steaming soup to Emily along with a glass of tea that danced with steam, its warmth, a comforting gesture amidst the turbulence of their lives. "Eat up, my love," he encouraged, his voice blending protection with affection, as he turned to usher Father John toward the door. Their hushed conversation drifted into the background, with Emily lost in her thoughts.
As she sat in the rough chair, the spoon clinking against the bowl, Emily reflected on Lucas's protectiveness. It was something she had never truly experienced before – a feeling both foreign and exhilarating. Lucas was not just a partner; he was a guardian in a world that often felt chaotic. She savored the soup, its warmth mirroring the feelings swelling in her chest, assuring her that he was there to keep her safe. The security that came with it was a balm to her soul, one she had yearned for in her past. Just as Lucas returned, shutting the door with resolute finality, he asked, "Em You, okay?" The question brought a flood of memories rushing back as Emily replied, "Yes, Joe wanted a divorce and gathered his things." Lucas gasped softly, the empathy in his eyes evident. "I'm sorry," he said, but Emily waved his apology aside.
"Don't be sorry," she insisted, a newfound strength propelling her forward. "We have each other." At that moment, words transformed into action; she rose from her seat, her pulse quickening as she closed the distance between them. She pushed him gently but firmly against the wall, her heart racing with an energy that felt almost primal. Emily could feel the changes in the wind like the cold icy snow on the ground. Her heart full of passion for the family that was being made in that small cabin is as pure as the love she has in her heart.