The Bureau of Dreams to be Continued by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

The Bureau of Dreams to be Continued

Page 135

Christmas morning arrived with a hush. Clara woke early, as usual, and her parents carried her downstairs to the living room, now glowing with morning light and the soft sparkle of tinsel. Beneath the tree were a few gifts wrapped in bright paper; mostly soft toys and books, but the real gift was the moment itself.

Jonah handed Clara a small box wrapped in gold. She tore at the paper with surprising determination, revealing a snow globe with a tiny cottage inside. When shaken, glittering snow swirled around the house, and Clara’s eyes lit up with wonder.

Later, they bundled up and took her outside. Clara’s cheeks turned rosy as she touched snow for the first time. She squealed with delight when Jonah lifted her high and twirled her through the falling flakes.

That night, after the excitement had faded and Clara slept soundly in her crib, Emma and Jonah sat quietly by the fire. They didn’t talk much. They just watched the flames flicker and listened to the silence, hearts full.

It had been a simple Christmas. No grand gestures, no extravagant gifts. But it was Clara’s first—and in its quiet magic, it had become their most unforgettable.