Chapter Text
Ellen woke up before the alarm went off.
It wasn’t the cold or any outside noise—the house was wrapped in a soft, almost reverent silence. It was that familiar feeling in her chest, a mix of anticipation and warmth that only came once a year.
Christmas.
She lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling, listening to the faint hum of the heater and the distant ticking of the kitchen clock.
No sound came from the hallway yet, but she knew it wouldn’t be long.
Alex always woke up early on Christmas.
She got up quietly, slipped on her robe, and paused outside her son’s bedroom.
The door was slightly open.
Inside, Alex slept on his back, arms wrapped around his stuffed bear, hair sticking up in every direction. Ellen smiled.
Four years old.
Four years old, and his excitement was big enough to fill the whole house.
She walked downstairs softly. The Christmas tree lights were still on from the night before, casting a warm glow across the living room. The presents rested beneath the branches, neatly arranged, waiting for small curious hands.
Ellen stopped for a moment, leaning against the couch. She took a deep breath, thinking about how fast Alex was growing, how every Christmas felt different—and yet just as important.
Then she heard footsteps.
“Mama…”
The voice was soft, thick with sleep.
Ellen turned just in time to see Alex at the top of the stairs, wearing reindeer pajamas and rubbing one eye.
“Is it today?”
She opened her arms.
“Yes, sweetheart. It’s today.”
Alex hurried down the last few steps and threw himself into her arms.
Ellen held him close, kissing his hair.
“Did Santa come?” he whispered excitedly, as if Santa might still hear him.
Ellen smiled.
“I think we should go check.”
Alex grabbed her hand tightly.
And together, as the house slowly woke up, they took the first steps into a Christmas neither of them would ever forget.