AllFreeNovel
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“We want to build a snowman,” Max declares, propped up in his sweatpants and long-sleeved shirt.
The mage, unimpressed with his antics, surveys the room with her kohl-rimmed eyes, almost black in color. She gives us each a measured look, her lips pursed and head tilting as if hearing a distant whisper.
“Half an hour,” she finally declares to our collective surprise. “You have half an hour to play in the snow.”
“Wait, seriously?” My feet hit the cold floor with such eagerness that the sensation shoots up my calves.
“Yes, stay put. I’ll fetch coats,” she says, turning on her heels, which click rhythmically as she strides down the hall.
Max smirks. “I’ll be honest, I didn’t think she’d agree to that.”
“Hey, princess,” Devlin says, sitting up. “Do you want to build a snowman?”
“Yes!” I leap from my seat, bouncing in my grippy socks. I never planned for a grippy sock vacation—as Grace calls it—but maybe, just maybe, it’s exactly what I needed.
The mage’s consent ignites a wave of excitement in the room, offering a much needed respite from the heavy atmosphere that has lingered over us. I catch Devlin rising, his smile reflecting the same eagerness I feel.
Avery, despite his grumbling, can’t hide the spark of mischief in his eyes. “Snowman, huh? This will be something to see.”
Ashton stands up, stretching his tall frame, his expression one of pure relaxation. “I can’t remember the last time I did something so spontaneous.”
“No inappropriate snow sculptures,” I caution them, half joking. “The moment one of you starts crafting anything obscene, that’s it.”
Avery, predictably, voices his mock disappointment. “Oh, come on.”
“No exceptions,” I retort, pointing at him for emphasis.
Max scoops me up in a whirl, playfully covering my ears as he whispers a mischievous suggestion to Avery. I swat his hands away, laughing. “I heard that, you goofball.”
The mage returns, her arms laden with winter gear. She efficiently helps us bundle up, her brisk movements leaving no room for dawdling. Once we’re all wrapped up, she surveys us with a critical eye, ensuring we’re fit for the cold.
“Follow me,” she instructs, leading us through the halls to a door at the center of the healing facility. The building, shaped like an octagon, encloses a garden meant for patient walks. Today, it becomes our snowman building arena.
The fresh, cold air feels like a balm, a stark contrast to the indoor warmth. The healing center’s garden is a pristine, snow-covered expanse, inviting us to leave our mark. Snowflakes drift lazily around us, each a unique, fleeting piece of art.
I tilt my head back, catching snowflakes on my tongue, savoring the crisp, refreshing taste—more therapeutic than any treatment inside.
Devlin shapes a snowball, his eyes shining. “Let’s build the grandest snowman this place has ever seen,” he declares, his tone playful and youthful.
I scoop up some snow, patting it into a snowball and, without a second thought, launch it at Avery’s head.
Avery spins around, faux outrage in his eyes. “Oh no you didn’t.” As he moves to retaliate, Ashton playfully trips him, sending him tumbling into the snow with a muffled thud and a burst of laughter from all of us.
The sound of my carefree giggle takes me by surprise, its lightness echoing the joy within me. It’s so pure, so liberating.
Our laughter and playful exchanges fill the air as we roll and shape the snow, each of us contributing to our growingsnowman. Max, with his competitive streak, insists on using his largest snowball as the base.
Despite my warnings, my pack indulges in some mischievous snow sculptures on the side. I pretend not to notice, secretly amused by their teenage-like antics hidden away from the main path.
Avery, the tactician of our group, suggests using sticks and stones for the snowman’s features. Ashton finds an abandoned scarf and hat, giving our creation its finishing touches.
We step back to admire our work. The snowman, with its uneven smile and crooked hat, might not be perfect, but it’s a testament to our togetherness and shared happiness.
As the snowflakes continue to fall gently around us, Max turns to me, his eyes brimming with unspoken emotions. “Seraphina,” he says tenderly, “these last few days have been incredibly tough, but having you by my side made all the difference. My love for you grows stronger every day.”
Avery, typically reserved, steps forward with a rare openness. “You’ve brought a light into our lives that we never knew was missing. I love you, Seraphina, for everything you are and everything you bring to us.”
Ashton and Devlin join in, adding their own heartfelt declarations. Their words, spoken amidst the quiet of the snowfall, weave a beautiful tapestry of love and dedication.
