Sophia recalled the Christmas Eves and Days spent with her family. Many were happy, but some were bitter-sweet such as the first Christmas without her Grandma Rose. Through all of them, however, Sophia recalled doing their many family traditions. Baking sweets together, family dinners, opening one gift one Christmas Eve, caroling, and going around town to see the lights. Seeing the lights was one of Sophia's favorite parts as it always made the town seem so much brighter and cheerier in that winter-dim, snow covered world.

"Yeah," Sophia agreed softly with a gentle look of fondness in her eyes. "I like them too."

She began to wonder what this Christmas might be like. Sophia intended to invite Tim to spend the holiday with her again, though this time she hoped he might come and see her family. She would just have to be sure that they didn't crowd him too much or press him about things she knew he wouldn't want to talk about.

Sparing a glance over to Tim while taking a sip of her coffee, Sophia wondered what it would be like if he had Christmas with her and her family and was able to laugh happily and talk cheerfully and freely with everyone. She thought of what it might have been like for him on Christmas with a mother like his. The thought made her heart throb painfully so she pushed it out of her mind. It was Christmas time now. A time for cheer. What mattered was making this Christmas--and all the holidays and regular days to come--a great one to remember.

As they drew nearer to the library Sophia continued to silently observe Tim out of the corner of her eye without being too conspicuous about it. She could see the snow flakes landing in his hair and recalled the other night when they walked back to his apartment hand-in-hand. She really wanted to do that now--walk hand-in-hand to the library--but was almost afraid to do so. What if Tim moved away? But he had been the one to take her hand the other night, so maybe it was alright.

Her heart pounding wildly, Sophia reached out and took Tim's hand in hers, lacing their fingers together before she put their hands in Tim's jacket pocket.

She couldn't quite bring herself to look at Tim as she shyly explained, "I wanted to hold your hand, but you don't have gloves and I don't want your hand to get cold. I hope it's alright." Sophia's face was red, but fortunately that could be passed off as due to the cold.