Chapter 252

The morning light filtered through the curtains, gently coaxing me out of sleep. As I blinked my eyes open, I found myself alone in bed. Confusion clouded my thoughts as I wondered where Timothy had gone. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I slipped out of bed and padded quietly toward the sound of voices echoing from the kitchen.

As I entered the kitchen, I was greeted by an unexpected sight. Timothy and Aria were bustling about, preparing breakfast with animated conversation filling the room. They looked up, their faces breaking into cheerful smiles upon seeing me.

"Good morning, sleepyhead!" Aria chimed, her tone full of enthusiasm.

Timothy grinned and waved a spatula in greeting. "Morning, Evie! Join us for breakfast?"

I stood there, slightly bewildered by the unexpected scene before me. "What's going on?"

Aria flashed me an impish grin. "We decided to treat you to a surprise breakfast! Come on, sit down and eat."

My mind whirled with questions, but their cheerful demeanor was infectious. I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of warmth at their efforts to brighten my morning.

I rubbed my eyes tiredly. "Am I having a fever dream or something?"

Timothy chuckled, flipping pancakes with practiced ease. "Nope, this is all real. We just thought you could use a relaxing morning."

Aria motioned for me to take a seat at the table. "Exactly! Sit, eat, and enjoy."

With a mix of curiosity and gratitude, I settled into a chair, watching them move about the kitchen with a natural rhythm. The aroma of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee filled the air, creating an atmosphere of comfort and ease.

As I dug into the hearty breakfast they had prepared, a weight seemed to lift off my shoulders. The previous day's events felt like a distant memory in the warmth of this unexpected morning.

"Thank you both," I murmured between bites.

Aria grinned, pouring me a cup of steaming coffee. "Anything for you, Evie. We just want to make sure you're okay."

Timothy nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you've been through a lot lately. We thought a relaxing morning might help."

I glanced between them, curiosity getting the better of me. "What brought this on? It's not like you two to conspire for a surprise breakfast."

Aria winked playfully. "Oh, we're just full of surprises, aren't we, Timothy?"

He chuckled, offering a shrug. "I’d say so. Eat up. I’m taking you to work today."

I covered my mouth, which was still filled with pancakes. "That’s okay. I’m not going into the office today."

He nodded, looking slightly relieved by that. "No problem. How about I take you out somewhere? We could explore the city and take in the holiday scenery."

The idea appealed to me, a chance to escape the worries of the day and immerse myself in the festive atmosphere. "That sounds wonderful, Timothy. Let's do it."

After finishing breakfast and getting dressed, we decided to skip out on driving and just walk around. We stepped out into the brisk winter air that carried the scent of pine and cinnamon. The city had transformed into a dazzling wonderland, adorned with twinkling lights and vibrant decorations.

As we strolled along, the sound of cheerful holiday music filled the streets, creating an enchanting ambiance. We paused to admire the intricate window displays of shops adorned with festive ornaments and glittering lights.

"It's amazing how the city comes alive during the holidays," I remarked, taking in the festive spirit that permeated the air.

Timothy nodded, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "Definitely."

We wandered through crowded streets bustling with shoppers and families enjoying the festivities. The laughter of children echoed as they marveled at the dazzling displays, and the aroma of hot cocoa and roasted chestnuts wafted from nearby carts.

"So, where to next?” asked Timothy, taking my hand. “Any specific place you'd like to see?"

I scanned the surroundings, my eyes drawn to a nearby park adorned with shimmering lights on every tree. "How about we head to the park? It looks beautiful from here."

Timothy grinned. "Great choice! Let's go."

We made our way to the park, joining the crowd gathered around the frozen lake. The air was filled with laughter and joyous chatter as families and friends skated along its solidified surface, some skilled, others falling flat.

“It usually doesn’t get cold enough,” I said absently. “It looks gorgeous.”

Timothy nodded, a glint of unease in his eyes. "I still wouldn’t trust it. I’ve fallen through once or twice on some of these icy lakes. One ear infection was enough."

I laughed, tugging him along until we passed the lake. “I’m not much of a skater myself, as you know, so you won’t have to worry about me dragging you over there.”

“What?” He scrunched up his face. “You were practically a natural by the time we left that skating rink. You weren’t even falling anymore.”

“You think so?” I feigned curiosity. “Maybe I should join the Olympics too? I’m obviously a pro now.”

“I didn’t say all that!”

As we wandered around, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling park, Timothy's presence made it even more worthwhile.

"I'm glad you're here with me," I said.

Timothy smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Me too, Evie. I was worried you wouldn’t have a day off any time soon.”

“Yeah.” I tucked in my chin. “Didn’t exactly get to have that day at the cabin, but I think we’ve made up for it.”

We continued to meander through the streets, immersed in the vibrant energy of the city. As we walked, passing by quaint shops and lively cafes, an idea struck me. "You know what would be perfect right now? Ice cream."

Timothy raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his face. "Ice cream? But it's freezing outside!"

I laughed, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards a nearby ice cream parlor. "That's the beauty of it! It even makes it taste better!"

With a teasing roll of his eyes, Timothy relented, allowing himself to be pulled along by my playful insistence. The prospect of indulging in a sweet treat seemed enticing, no matter the weather.

As we approached the quaint ice cream parlor nestled in a corner of the street, the inviting aroma of freshly churned flavors wafted through the air, luring us in.

We stepped inside, greeted by the cheerful jingle of the bell above the door and the delightful sight of colorful ice cream flavors displayed behind the glass counter.

"See? Isn't this nice?" I teased, a mischievous glint in my eye as I dragged Timothy toward the line.

He chuckled, unable to hide the amusement in his voice. "Alright, you win. Ice cream it is."

As we joined the line, our laughter filled the air, momentarily easing the tension that had lingered between us. The enjoyment was short-lived, however, when Timothy's gaze fixed on someone ahead.

My heart skipped a beat as I followed his line of sight, and a wave of unease washed over me. Standing just a few feet away was Andy, his figure silhouetted against the colorful backdrop of ice cream flavors.

Timothy's expression tightened imperceptibly, a flash of discomfort crossing his features. I could feel the tension rising as Andy turned slightly, catching a glimpse of us behind him in the line.

My pulse quickened, a mixture of apprehension and surprise coursing through me. I shot a quick glance at Timothy, whose eyes met mine briefly.

Andy's eyes widened in recognition as he turned fully, facing us in line.