The next morning, as Lucas opens the shutters of their little house, a ray of sunlight reflects on the freshly fallen snow. Max is already downstairs, busy rummaging through the toy box he insisted on bringing.
Lucas : Are you looking for something, big guy?
Max : Yes! I want to find my gloves to go outside. We could make a snowman before we go into town, right?
Lucas : Why not? But first, we have a good breakfast. With this snow, we're going to need energy.
Max nods, visibly satisfied. As he sits down at the table, Lucas finds himself thinking back to the day before. Brooke invades his mind. Her smile, her way of speaking, her soft but slightly wary gaze... It's strange to say, but since their meeting at the skating rink, he feels something taking shape. And it's not unpleasant.
Max : Dad, are you dreaming or what?
Lucas : What? No, I'm not dreaming. What makes you say that?
Max : It's like you're somewhere else... like you're in love.
Lucas : No, son. You're imagining things.
Lucas : No, son. You're imagining things.
After this conversation, Max, all proud of himself, grabs his hat and gloves with the energy of a boy sure of his stupidity.
Max : Come on, Dad, outside! We have to enjoy the snow before it melts!
Lucas : Max, it snowed last night and it's still minus five degrees. It's not going to melt right away.
Max : Yes, but it's perfect now, and besides, I have a plan for the biggest snowman in the neighborhood!
A little intrigued by his enthusiasm, Lucas decides to follow him. Once outside, Max hands his father a shovel that he miraculously found on the in the garage.
Max : You start making a big ball for the base, and I'll make the one in the middle.
Lucas : Wait a second, why am I taking the base? It will be much heavier to move!
Max : Because you are tall, strong, and you go to the gym. I only do exercises in gym class.
Lucas : Great argument, Max. Okay.
Lucas begins rolling the snow into a massive ball while Max goes about his task, humming a completely made-up Christmas song.
Max : Dad, your ball isn't really round. It looks like a giant potato.
Lucas : Thanks for the observation, geometry expert. If you want it to be rounder, come help me instead of criticizing!
Max laughs and reaches out to push the ball to the side, but he loses his balance and collapses into the snow with a theatrical scream.
Max : Aaah! I'm touched!
Lucas : And you want me to give you a medal for your courage?
Lucas crouches down to help him up, but Max grabs a handful of snow and throws it at him in the face.
Max : Surprise attack!
Lucas backs away, laughing, and shakes his head to clear the snow from his hair.
Lucas : So it's war?
In less than two seconds, he has already prepared a snowball that he throws, hitting Max directly in the back.
Max : Cheater! You said we were making a snowman!
Lucas : The rules have changed. Defend yourself!
Max and Lucas burst out laughing as they throw improvised projectiles at each other. But Max's strategic sense begins to stand out: he hides behind the giant snowball that Lucas prepared.
Lucas : Didn't you say it was a potato earlier? Now, you're using it as a shield?
Max : An armored potato!
After about ten minutes of fighting, Lucas declares an armistice and returns to their main mission. They finally assemble the three sections of the snowman, not without difficulty.
Max : Ok, now, he needs a head.
He runs to get a small ball that he had prepared aside and places it on top. Unfortunately, she was so poorly balanced that she rolled and fell to the ground.
Max : It was his brain, Dad. Now, he is as dumb...
Lucas : And you, what do you think, that it was Einstein?
They improvise with another ball, then Max disappears into the house. He comes back a few minutes later, loaded with accessories.
Max : An old hat, a scarf, and look, I took carrots for the nose!
Lucas : Max, these are carrots for giants. His nose will look like a trunk.
Max : That's what's funny! Plus, he will be able to catch snowballs with it!
Lucas can only nod. They finish their work of art with two stones for the eyes and branches for the arms. Max steps back to admire their work.
Max : It's perfect.
Lucas : It's a contemporary work, for sure.
Max : Dad, you don't understand art. We'll call him Mister Snowflake. And now, he's watching us. If you have any weird thoughts like you did earlier, he'll know.
Lucas : Great, a snowman who serves as a lover detector.
Max smiles mischievously and runs off to get his sled. Lucas stands there for a moment, staring at Mister Snowflake, and he finds himself thinking that, despite his flaws, he might be the best snowman he's ever made.
Later that day, after finishing lunch and building a snowman that looks more like a pile of snow than a snowman, Lucas decides to go out on the town with Max.
Max : Where are we going?
Lucas : We need to buy some decorations for the house. It's a bit lacking in Christmas atmosphere here, don't you think?
Max : Yes! But then, can we get some fairy lights? The ones that flash?
Lucas : Okay, let's go for the fairy lights.
They walk leisurely to the small decoration shop in Green Valley. The village is bustling this morning, and the air is filled with the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread. As they enter the shop, Lucas immediately notices Brooke, leaning over a shelf of Christmas baubles with Emma at her side.
Lucas : Oh, we're crossing paths again.
Brooke : Lucas! What a coincidence.
Max : Or not.
Lucas gives him a warning look, Max pretends not to have said anything.
Lucas : So, are you robbing the store?
Brooke : No, just some decorations for our tree. Emma wanted snowman-shaped baubles.
Max : Great choice. We'll get fairy lights. Dad says our house looks too sad.
Lucas : I never said that!
Brooke : Well, if it makes you feel any better, we're in the same boat. Our house could use a little more Christmas magic, too.
Lucas : So there's two of us.
The four of them end up browsing the shelves together. The kids have fun picking out wacky decorations, and Lucas notices that he and Brooke share similar tastes: simple, yet elegant decorations.
Brooke : Look at this.
Lucas : It's pretty. It's totally in the spirit of Christmas.
Their fingers brush briefly, and Lucas feels a shiver run through him. He looks at Brooke, but she avoids his gaze, her cheeks slightly red. Emma and Max, on the other hand, seem to be plotting in the corner.
Brooke : What are you two plotting?
Emma : Nothing at all.
Lucas : Do you have any plans for this afternoon?
Brooke : Not really. What about you?
Lucas thinks for a moment. The idea of an outdoor activity appeals to him, especially with the snow still covering the entire landscape. He wants to be active and enjoy this winter day.
Lucas : Well, there's this sledding hill in the woods... Max loves going there, but it would be more fun if we all went together. What do you think?
Brooke : That's a good idea. Emma loves sledding too.
Lucas : Great. I think it would be a great way to end this day.
The kids have already run outside, visibly impatient to get back into the snow. Brooke and Lucas follow them, exchanging a few smiles. Lucas has this feeling that, little by little, something is being woven between them. But he is also aware that all this must remain natural, not rush things too much. They are here to have a good time together. Nothing more, nothing less.
They all head to the sled hill, the children bursting into laughter, eager to slide down the snow at full speed. The village is truly charming at this time of year, the streets decorated with sparkling garlands, the shop windows overflowing with festive decorations. The magic of Christmas seems to be in the air. Maybe, despite everything, it's a good time to start getting to know each other a little better.
They arrive at the sled hill, the children already hurtling down the slope at full speed. Lucas feels his heart fill with joy at the sight of them so happy. And then, as he prepares to take the sled, he senses Brooke approaching.
Brooke : So, have you already taken your sled or do you want to take one together?
Lucas : I intend to beat Max in the race, but maybe you could give me a hand for the next run?
Boroke laughs, and it's at that precise moment that Lucas realizes how nice this day is. It's simple, light, but surprisingly comforting. Kind of like this snow that falls gently, creating a pristine landscape. Maybe this Christmas, things could take a different turn. Who knows?
The kids continue to have fun, while Brooke and Lucas get ready to go down the slope. They stand side by side on the slope, and without really thinking about it, Lucas looks her in the eyes. A silence settles for a moment, but it is not awkward, just soothing. Maybe this timid beginning of connection between them is just the beginning of a new adventure.
Lucas : Ready?
Brooke : Ready!
And without waiting, they launch into the descent. The children's laughter echoes around them. For a moment, simply perfect.