We watched with smiles on our faces as Lucas stood, eyes wide as he stared at the slowly blinking lights decorating the tree. Thankfully, all those tiny glass lights were well out of his reach, Leon having had the idea to decorate one of the smaller trees outside the house with the outdoor lights he'd found when he'd traveled to one of the bigger cities.

The chair placed next to the window was solid enough to leave no fear of wobbling or tipping as Lucas leaned against the back of it, slowly reaching a hand up to touch the glass, pulling his hand back in shock at how cold it was. The sight of his warm breath fogging up the window when he gasped had him reaching out yet again, touching the area that was no longer clear enough to see the tree outside.

His delight when he discovered he could make marks in the foggy area had me and Leon laughing with happiness. I could only pray his innocence lasted for many years to come.

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I watched nervously as Leon slowly tore open the carefully wrapped present, worried over if he would like what was hidden inside. The look on confusion when he finally saw the neat stack of paper, slowly faded as he realized what he was looking at.

"You wrote a book?" His soft whisper of a question could barely be heard as he lifted his head to meet my eyes for a moment, quickly turning his attention back to the manuscript he held as soon as he saw me nod.

Gently caressing the top sheet of crisp white paper, he carefully turned the page and began to read, wonder filling his eyes as he read something that had been written just for him. Something that only he would ever get to read, for I never held a desire to share it with anyone beyond him.

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For the next few weeks, he spent at least an hour each day simply reading, anything from a smile to a frown crossing his face as he emersed himself within the pages of handwritten words. Having poured my heart and soul into every word, I could only feel joy at seeing him moved by them as he read.

It was almost sad to see him sit there after having read the final page, his eyes reading the last line over and over before he finally looked up at me.

"Have you started the next book yet, Shina my love? I really can't wait to read it." I held my hand to my lips as tears of joy slowly trailed down my cheeks at his words.

"I'll start today." I'd barely finished those three words before finding myself wrapped up in his arms, warmth spreading through me as I heard him whisper how proud he was of 'his brilliant writer' before pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

"Do you mind if I read it as you go? I don't think I could wait for the whole book to be written before starting it."

A/N - Sorry for the horridly long wait. Holidays were hectic at times and I ended up drained and barely managed to update any of my books at all. When they finally ended, I got sick and it took weeks before I finally have recovered enough to write again. Hopefully the illness continues to release its grip on me and the other members of my family who are recovering from it, so that I may continue to update. I apologize for making you wait so long for an update. I only hope not all of my readers think I abandoned them and have thus given up on me.

Sincerest apologies,

Calintha