Chapter 24 - The First Snowfall
December arrived with a vengeance, wrapping Westport in a silent, breathtaking blanket of pristine white snow. By the second week of the month, the historic town looked like a living Christmas card, with wreaths hanging from every lamppost, twinkling white lights lining Main Street, and smoke curling lazily from stone chimneys.
At Westport Manor, the transformation was nothing short of magical. Mrs. Higgins had outdone herself, transforming the grand foyer into a winter wonderland dominated by a fifteen-foot Fraser fir tree that brushed the vaulted ceiling. The tree was adorned with antique glass ornaments that Grandma Ruth had collected over decades, casting a warm, nostalgic glow across the polished oak floors.
For Nora, the month of December no longer carried the heavy, suffocating dread of past years. There were no midnight Instagram scrolls filled with photos of families laughing in matching plaid pajamas while she sat alone in the dark. Instead, the manor was alive with the warm, chaotic laughter of her true chosen family.
On a freezing Friday evening, a group of doctors and nurses from County General—along with Mr. Avery, Aunt Claire, and several local shop owners—gathered in the grand salon for an impromptu holiday decorating and hot toddy party. The massive stone fireplace roared with crackling birch logs, casting dancing amber shadows across the vaulted ceilings.
Nora stood near the piano, wearing a deep red velvet sweater dress, laughing as Dr. Sarah Chen—her former night-shift supervisor—struggled to untangle a massive string of multicolored fairy lights.
"I swear, Nora, if I electrocute myself tonight, you’re legally obligated to perform CPR right here on the Persian rug," Sarah joked, holding up the knotted wire like a trophy of defeat.
"Only if you promise to keep breathing long enough to attend the wedding next week," Nora laughed, taking the wire and skillfully working out the knot with the steady, patient hands of a trauma nurse.
Across the room, Liam stood by the bar area, pouring generous splashes of spiced bourbon into mugs of cider for Mr. Avery and the local historian, while Aunt Claire directed a team of decorators draping evergreen garlands along the grand staircase.
As the clock struck nine, the heavy snowfall outside intensified, pressing against the tall windows in a soft, mesmerizing flurry. The outside world felt miles away—a distant, frozen realm of noise and stress that couldn't penetrate the thick stone walls of the estate.
Nora slipped away from the group for a moment, walking quietly toward the French doors that led out onto the stone terrace. She pulled a heavy wool shawl around her shoulders and stepped outside into the crisp, biting night air.
The silence of the snow-covered gardens was absolute. The ancient oak trees stood like silent sentinels under a canopy of stars that shone with diamond-like clarity through the winter sky. Nora walked to the edge of the stone balustrade, resting her hands on the cold stone and taking a deep, cleansing breath of the pine-scented air.
Footsteps crunched softly behind her in the fresh snow. A moment later, Liam’s heavy cashmere coat draped over her shoulders, wrapping her in his body heat. He stepped up beside her, sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her back against his chest.
"You're going to catch a cold out here, bride-to-be," Liam murmured softly against her ear.
"I’m immune to the cold now," Nora whispered, leaning back into his warmth. She looked out across the glittering expanse of the lawn, watching the snow fall gently over the newly planted sugar maples. "I was just thinking... last year at this exact time, I was sitting in my car outside a diner because my apartment heater broke. I couldn't afford a tree, I couldn't afford a flight, and I felt like the loneliest person on earth."
Liam tightened his embrace, pressing his cheek against hers. "And now?"
Nora turned in his arms, looking up into his green eyes, which shone with absolute, unwavering devotion under the starlight.
"Now, I have everything," she whispered.
He smiled, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small, folded piece of heavy parchment paper. He held it out to her.
"What’s this?" Nora asked, her heart skipping a beat.
"My vows," Liam said softly. "I finished them. In the courtroom today, between motions. Because I couldn't wait another second to give them to you."
May you like
Nora’s hands trembled slightly as she took the parchment, unfolding it to read the bold, familiar handwriting under the soft amber glow spilling from the open French doors.
***
