The morning sun shines shyly on Green Valley, and the icy air that fills Lucas' lungs reminds him why he loves this village. This morning, he wants to do something special for Max. An idea germinates in his head as he hears his little boy dragging his feet down the stairs.
Lucas : Max, how about we go have breakfast at your Aunt Haley's?
Max : Aunt Haley's? With her croissants?!
Lucas : Yes, with her croissants. Come on, dress warmly, let's go.
A few minutes later, Lucas and Max are walking down the still quiet streets. The ground is covered in a carpet of fresh snow, and each step crunches under their boots. Haley's bakery looms at the end of the street, its windows lit up by sparkling garlands and a sweet smell of warm bread greets them before they even push the door.
Haley : Ah, but who's there! Lucas! Max! What a nice surprise!
She hugs them both before guiding them to a table near the window.
Haley : So, tell me everything. How's it been since you arrived? Are you starting to get used to it?
Lucas sits down, Max already busy devouring a brioche that Haley handed him.
Lucas : It's going well. Max is adjusting quickly. He's already met a friend at school.
Haley : Oh? A friend? Tell me everything!
Max : Yes, her name is Emma. She's super nice! And she and her mom live right next door to us.
Haley gives Lucas an amused look, but she doesn't have time to comment, because the doorbell rings, signaling the arrival of new customers. Lucas looks up, and his heart skips a beat. Brooke and Emma have just entered, and he's taken aback. Brooke is wearing a black scarf that suits her perfectly, and Emma is holding a small basket full of drawings. Haley turns to them, her warm smile intact.
Haley : Hello, ladies! But... wait, you're the customers I saw the other day, right?
Brooke : Yes, that's it. You recommended your hot chocolate and gingerbread, and it was delicious.
Haley : Ah, that makes me happy! Come, sit down. Here, join my brother and nephew. I'll make you a king's breakfast!
Brooke : Lucas is your brother?
Haley : Yes. And this is Max, my little rascal of a nephew. Go ahead, sit down, I'll take care of everything.
Lucas straightens up, feeling his face heat up slightly under Brooke's gaze. She seems to hesitate for a second, but Emma tugs on her sleeve, impatient.
Emma : Can we, Mom? Please?
Brooke : Okay. Sit down, sweetie.
Brooke sits down across from Lucas, Emma taking a seat next to Max, and Haley disappears behind her counter. The kids immediately start chatting, their laughter echoing through the bakery.
Brooke : Well, I didn't know you were brother and sister.
Lucas : Yeah, Haley's my little sister. She's been here for years. She's been running the bakery for... what, ten years?
Haley : Nine and a half years, Mr. But who's counting, huh?
Brooke bursts out laughing, and Lucas can't help but smile at her relaxed expression. Haley sets the tray down in front of them, overflowing with pastries, homemade jams, and steaming hot chocolate.
Haley : Here you go! Enjoy. And Lucas, be a gentleman for once and serve the hot chocolate.
Lucas rolls his eyes, but he complies, pouring a cup for Brooke before filling the kids' cups.
Brooke : Thanks.
The four of them chat, the children exchanging stories from school and their plans for Christmas. Emma talks about the gingerbread house competition, and Max enthusiastically cheers her on.
Brooke : You two get along great.
Lucas : That's right. You're like old friends already.
Emma : Max is really nice, Mom. He even told me he could build tree houses.
Max : That's right! I can teach you if you want. My dad showed me when I was little.
Lucas : Oh, don't put too much pressure on him, Max. We just got here, I haven't spotted a perfect tree here yet.
Brooke : Well, we have a big oak tree in our yard... but I'm not sure it's ready for a construction site.
Emma : Oh, that would be great, Mom! Max, could you come and see?
Max : Yes, I can come! We could even decorate the cabin for Christmas!
Brooke and Lucas exchange an amused look. Lucas can see that she's touched by their enthusiasm.
Haley : And you, Brooke, are you a handyman?
Brooke : Oh no, not at all. If I touch a hammer, there's a good chance something will end up broken.
Lucas : In that case, you're in charge of decorating.
Brooke : Oh, so you're doing the building part? Is that a deal?
Lucas : Deal. Max, I think we just found a team project.
Emma : We'll do the planning!
Brooke : I think we don't have any say in this anymore.
Haley : I see everyone is already planning for Christmas. Lucas, do you realize that your son may be requisitioning their weekends?
Brooke : Oh, I don't mind. It's nice to see Emma so excited. It's her first Christmas here, and I want it to be special.
Max : So, it's decided. We're making a treehouse for Christmas! And we'll put fairy lights everywhere!
Lucas : Well, it looks like we have some work ahead of us.
As the conversation progresses, Lucas finds himself feeling more and more uncomfortable around Brooke. Her presence is soothing, and every smile she gives him seems to light up the room. Haley watches all this from the counter, her mischievous smile never leaving Lucas. He doesn't say anything, but he knows his sister well enough to know what she's thinking.
When Brooke turns for a moment to help Emma grab a croissant, Haley nods at Lucas, accompanied by a meaningful look. He shakes his head discreetly, trying to ignore her amusement, but a gentle warmth rises inside him. Maybe Haley is right to smile like that. This breakfast, with its simplicity and moments of sharing, feels like a bubble of warmth in the icy winter.
Brooke wipes an invisible crumb off the table, looking thoughtful, while Max and Emma continue to chat, already immersed in their plans for a Christmas cabin. Inspired by their enthusiasm, an idea crosses Lucas's mind.
Lucas : Brooke, have you and Emma ever had the chance to go to the village ice rink?
Brooke : No, not yet. We wanted to go, but we couldn't find the right time.
Emma : The ice rink! Oh, Mom, can we go! Please!
Max : It would be great if you came with us! My dad is a great skater. Well... I think so.
Lucas : Thanks for your trust, Max. It could be fun if you came with us, right? A little family outing... well, two families.
Brooke : It's nice of you to offer, but... I'm not very good at skating.
Lucas : No problem. I can show you some basics. And besides, it's more fun when we skate with others, right?
Emma : Mom, come on! It'll be great!
Brooke : Okay, okay. But don't make fun of me if I spend more time with my butt on the ice than on my feet.
Lucas : I promise.
A few moments later, they finally arrive on the square. The village's ice rink is a real winter wonderland. The fairy lights hanging above the ice sparkle like stars, and soft Christmas music plays in the background. The atmosphere is magical, and Lucas is delighted to have suggested this outing. Max and Emma are already on the ice, laughing and encouraging each other to keep their balance. Brooke, for her part, is still next to Lucas, putting on her skates with some apprehension.
Brooke : I feel like I'm going to regret this.
Lucas : No, I'm here to help you.
Brooke : Are you sure you're not going to let me fall?
Lucas : I promise. I'll catch you before you hit the ice.
She hesitates, then slides her hand into Lucas's. His palm is warm despite the ambient cold, and this simple contact makes Brooke realize that he takes this promise very seriously. They move forward together towards the ice. Brooke places one foot hesitantly on the smooth surface, then the other, but she immediately wobbles.
Brooke : Whoa!
Lucas : It's okay. Look in front of you, not at your feet.
Brooke : Easy for to say.
Little by little, Lucas helps Brooke find her balance, and she begins to move forward, clumsy but determined.
Lucas : There you go, you're skating.
Brooke : Skating is a big word.
Ahead of them, Emma and Max skate in circles, laughing and having fun inventing improbable figures.
Brooke : They seem to get along well.
Lucas : Yeah. It's good for them to have found each other so quickly.
A comfortable silence settles between them. They move slowly on the ice, and Lucas senses Brooke starting to relax. At one point, Brooke stumbles slightly, but Lucas catches her immediately, his hand sliding to her waist to steady her.
Lucas : See? I told you I wouldn't let you fall.
Brooke : Thanks.
The contact is brief, but something warm passes between them. It's not much, but it's enough to make Lucas feel like this Christmas could be much more than just a new beginning.
After an hour on the ice, Brooke and Lucas decide to take a break. They join Max and Emma, who have already spotted a small hut serving hot chocolate. Brooke and Lucas take a seat on a nearby bench while the children help themselves.
Brooke : Thanks for this morning, Lucas.
Lucas : With pleasure. It was fun, wasn't it?
Brooke : Yeah. And... I don't know, it's nice to share these moments. Emma is so happy, and I think Max was a big part of that.
Lucas : You know, I think we all need that. A break, some time to breathe and enjoy what's in front of us.
Brooke : That's right. And I think I'm going to try to follow your advice. Looking in front of me, not my feet.
Lucas : It works on ice. But it works in life, too.
Brooke laughs softly, and they stand there, side by side, savoring this simple but precious moment.