Chapter 75 – Christmas

The smell of pizza and pine filled the air.

It was late, the snow still falling in lazy spirals outside, and every window of the condo glowed gold. The fire cracked softly, our music played low, and Storm was sprawled on a blanket by the tree, amazed by the twinkling fairy lights that reflected off his wide, curious eyes.

Beth handed me another ornament from the box, a green Grinch and a tiny glass moon. “This one goes near the top,” she said. “It catches the light better.”

Blaise took it from me and lifted Storm, balancing him easily in one arm. “Think he can reach?”

“Let’s find out,” I said, laughing.

Storm’s little hand clutched the moon ornament. Blaise guided him forward until his tiny fingers brushed the branch. For a second, the lights flickered — then one, two, three bulbs lit brighter than before, pulsing softly in rhythm with Storm’s heartbeat.

Beth gasped. “Okay… that’s not normal.”

I smiled. “It’s him. He’s just showing off.”

Blaise grinned proudly. “My boy’s already got