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Yeah “Just enjoying the calm before the storm,” I teased

And I didn’t ht Draether

Mads walked out of the house, straightening his black tie over his black shirt and suit, and Jett ca past him and up to me

I scooped her into hts picked out by her mom who never wore pink in her life Ever

She sh red lips “Fire Night islanterns lining the driveway

“You ready to go light some more candles?” I asked

She nodded “Can alk?”

I openedthis wasn’t a quick jaunt, especially with Banks in a long gown and high heels, but…

Her htened her cloak around her and chirped, “Absolutely”

I set Jett down and took her hand, she and Mads walking between Banks and me as we set off

My parents’ house was on the opposite side of town froh the trek would be cold, I wouldn’t coer I just hoped Banks didn’t sprain an ankle on the way

The lowed overhead as we crossed the street and strolled through the park, ht

That was the rule tonight No electric lights

Not that it was a law or anything we enforced, but everything looked different in the firelight, and I wasn’t sure which one of us set the standard, but everyone seeree it was beautiful

In no time at all, it was tradition Once the sun set on the winter solstice, Thunder Bay was lit almost entirely by fire—candles, lanterns, bonfires…

Voices carried on the breeze, the choir at the cathedral singing in the distance and war roots under our feet

Gazing left, I saw the fires in the village,the festivities and the parade, and slowly, I turnedthe town

Nothing, not even Devil’s Night, was ht of the year It was special

Snow started falling around us e, flakes dotting their black hair

“Look!” Jett pointed over the edge, out to the river flowing below