Anita

After the excitement at Tom's place had wound down, Jade finally agreed to leave for Harry's so they could get ready for the family dinner that Debbie was hosting.

Although they were over thirty minutes late, that didn't put a damper on their mood as they drove over to the address that had been sent to Harry.

A Christmas music played on the stereo as Harry guided the car down the winding country road toward Debbie's house which was away from the main city.

The late-afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the fields and trees, bathing the landscape in shades of gold and amber. Jade, seated in the passenger seat, leaned back with a contented smile, her eyes fixed on the horizon.

"This has been the best Christmas I've had in years," Jade said, breaking the comfortable silence between them. Her voice carried a quiet warmth, as if she was speaking to herself as much as to Harry.