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Vale

"I can't believe how good these cookies are," I say as I take another one fro on the coffee table Just one more, I promise myself

"Makes up for the coht?" reen glass ball on the tree

"It wasn't that bad," I say kindly, but oh, it was bad No wonder I'ht

"Baking is apparentlyto accept my kind sentiment about as possibly the world's worst roast

"You be in charge of baking, I'll take back cooking duties"

"Deal," he agrees, and reaches into the box for another ornah the small wire loop, his voice takes on a bit of a drea the tree is one of my best memories of your mom She loved this stuff so much"

I smile sadly, because my memories of her are so faded It just seeether,at the hands of dad's sentimental recollections But I know their love was true He never sought anyone else after she was gone, preferring not to fight a losing battle in the quest to find that perfect love again

And boy, do I understand that sad thought I know I ine finding anyone else like Hawke I think he was the perfect one for ht that until I realized his power of forgiveness just isn't that strong, and unfortunately, that's a deal breaker

I chew on my cookie and pick up an ornament from the box It's silver with frosted snowflake patterns, and twinkles at htly on the tree I try desperately to call forth some Christmas spirit, try to remember how I used to love this tiooey inside from the peace that seems to permeate the air

Unfortunately, I feel cold and hollow inside, and I know that I'h the motions to appease my father But that's okay Like he said, we have a lot to be celebrating this year And hopefully we'll have the year after, and the year after that I need to be happy with those unique and special gifts

A knock on the door has both Dad andets up from her place in front of the fireplace and trots down the hall, her tail wagging eagerly at the prospect of company

"Probably Avery," I muse as I place the silver ball on the tree and brush the re cookie crumbs from my hands onto my jeans "She probably just wants our cookies"

"I'll go put the rest on a plate and start a kettle for some tea," my dad says as he turns to the kitchen

I saunter down the hallway, grinning as Piper's tail starts wagging even harder as I get closer I give her a quick scratch on the butt and grab the door handle, twisting the knob and pulling it open

And there stands what I thinkblue eyes, trieously fantastic face

Hawke

I blink andout

"Hey," he says

quietly, his eyebrows furrowed in what looks to be pain

"What are you doing here?" I blurt out as Piper steps onto the porch She shoves hera hundred ently push her head back and scratches it absently while his eyes never move from mine

"We had games in Ottawa and Montreal I made a quick jump over here to visit Oliver and his parents"

"Oh," I say, but not really understanding why that puts him on aze, not a clue as to what to say

My heart is beating fast, his proxi My brain whirls with possibility but refuses to believe even for a moment that he's here to tell me he's made a mistake I knokeonce you shut the door on him, he doesn't knock back on it

"Can I come in?" he asks, and my head snaps up

"What?" I immediately ask, and then realize that's stupid I back up and make room for him to pass "Yes, sorryof course, come in"

Hawke steps past ne and fresh cold air he drags in with hi into the living rooside full of puppy curiosity

"Hawke?" my dad asks in surprise as he returns from the kitchen and sees him

"Hey, Dave," Hawke says hesitantly, and I know he's wondering how hter's heart a second time