“I think we all know what that’s like,” Jason said. “Every day, we all just try to do better.”
Murmurs of agreement went around the room.
“So what’s next?” Trick asked. “After I get over these terrible allergies.”
Mitzi rolled her eyes. “Terrible, terrible allergies.”
Rex glanced around. “Mara and Warren have extended the invitation for us to stay here. I suggest we take them up on their offer and stay a couple more days, as planned. We’ve earned it. The world—and any more assignments—can wait while we take a breath.”
He hesitated, looking toward the window, where snowflakes shimmered against the glass. Everyone gave him a moment to gather his thoughts.
“Christmas is a season of second chances,” Rex finally continued. “And after this, I think we all could use one.”
The words hung there—simple, but they landed deep. They settled somewhere behind Olive’s ribs, quiet and true.
Her whole life had felt like a second chance. She’d messed up. She’d lost her family, wrestled with questions, struggled with knowing who to trust.
Yet here she was with a bright future ahead of her.
She was certainly glad for the second chance she’d been given. She certainly wouldn’t deny someone else that same privilege.
“Of course we forgive you,” Olive murmured. “I just hope you know now that you can trust everyone in this room.”
A soft smile crossed Rex’s face. “I do know—and I won’t forget it.”
Outside, the air was crisp and bright.
Olive and Jason each grabbed a shovel from a rack on the porch, their boots crunching over untouched snow.
The path to the drive was still buried, glittering under the pale sun.
Warren had started to go outside and clear it, but Olive and Jason had volunteered to do it instead.
They headed down the steps. But, before starting, Jason leaned on his shovel and grinned. “Think Rex will notice if we sneak off instead of working?”
Olive smirked. “Probably—though he owes us one right now, so I don’t know how much he can complain.”
They shared a smile that lingered.
For a long moment, neither spoke—or moved. The cold bit at Olive’s cheeks, but it didn’t matter.
Everything around them—snow, sunlight, stillness—felt like a pause in a story that finally allowed them to breathe.
She took her glove off and reached into her back pocket. She’d put something there earlier and had been waiting for the chance to look at it.
She pulled it out and held the picture in front of her.
It was a photo of her family from twelve years ago.
Her heart twisted at the sight of it.
Jules and Jesse with their crooked grins. Her mom and dad looking so normal despite their not-so-normal lives. Olive witha bright smile—a smile that proved she had no idea what the future held.
Jason stepped closer. “It’s a nice photo.”
Olive nodded. “I like to imagine my family all up in heaven celebrating Christmas together. I’m not sure that’s how it works. But it makes me feel better to think about it.”
“I think it’s a nice thought—that they’re looking down at you, proud of all you’ve accomplished and all you’ve overcome.”
