HOME | DD

Description
She had, as a child, often seeked out shelter in the form of the church that stood on the outskirts of this town. Her life at home was brutal, loud, and heart-wrenching. She had come here many times to see the minister and ask him why God had thrown her into a Hell on Earth. The man would smile at her and assure that that wasn't the case, that she was simply going through a hard time, a challenge set up for her. She tried to believe it, but nine years later, the now sixteen-year-old girl sat on the church's roof, her long, elegant legs hanging over the edge. Her hands were resting on the roof's shingles on either side of her thighs, her mocha brown eyes staring out at the setting sun. It was cold with the brewing winter storm, but she wore black shorts with a white ribbon as a belt and a long-sleeved black shirt with a white scarf around her neck, a fluffy fabric sure to keep her neck and lower face warm. She didn't mind the cold, or heat; she was a bit careless. The child that had come to this church had long ago died. Those dark brown eyes had changed years ago, as had her personality and way of life. Her feet were bare, blistered and sore from walking on the cold, hard ground without protection. Her long, messy, tangled red hair blew in the wind, getting in her face, but she didn't bother to move it to see clearly. God was so cherished, so loved by so many - she had loved him as well, as a child. What she got in return had broken her spirit. Even before death and judgement she was a fallen angel. As the flakes of snow began to fall, the young teenager raised a hand, catching a small flake in the middle of her palm. The small piece of frozen rain glistened and began to melt. The young female curled her fingers like a cage. "Mother," she spoke softly to the wind. "Winter was your favorite season. Why? All it is is cold and death. All the trees," she looked across the street at the forest that started at the beginning of the main road out of town. Their leaves were all but gone, snow beginning to cover them. "They wither away to nothing, just like you were suffering. Was it because you could relate to it that you loved it so? An entire season where the world suffered as you did?" She fisted her hand, the drop of what was now water spreading on her finger tips. Closing her eyes, the girl imagined her mother. Tall, thin, pale; her hair as white as snow, wavy like water. Cold pink eyes, like a frozen popsicle of cotton candy flavoring. Opening her eyes again to gaze down at the street, she held out her hand and turned her palm facing down, opening her fist and letting the water drip to the black asphalt below. "You come and go. I hate winter." The promises of a mother always being there for her child was always just a lie, a comforting act. Akani looked up at the sky. "Where did you go with your promises?"

"Akani?" Looking down, the redhead saw that same minister from nine years ago standing on the sidewalk, bundled up in a winter coat, his grey hair short and cut nicely. His blue eyes looked up at her with worry. "What are you doing up there? It's very dangerous! Please come down and come inside, I can give you some cocoa." The teenager watched him warily. Memories of her childhood flashed behind her eyes, in her mind, of when she had come in the winters and accepted a warm cup of cocoa with marshmallows. His warm smile had been a contagious one. Now, all she saw was rejection. Rejection for what she had become. Either way, she climbed down carefully, standing then beside the older man who smiled and offered his hand. "Come along, Akani. You'll catch your death out here." He said. Mocha eyes darkened. "Very well." She turned, headed towards the town. The minister turned as she passed him, sorrow in his eyes. Lord, please, help here. She needs a sign. A promise of hope. That she will one day again see her mother. What she's become... I fear for her. He slowly returned inside the church, sitting in one of the seats and looking out the window, watching through the growing blizzard the disappearing form of the young girl he had come to consider his own. If only he could do something more... His blue eyes suddenly lit up. The lord already had tried to help her. It was he that was supposed to help her.

"Akani!" The girl's slender form stopped, turned to face the older man as he reached her. He smiled warmly, enough so to melt the very snow around them. He again held out his hand, but this time he had something in his palm. "Look." He instructed, and she looked down at his hand, seeing a small angel figurine in his fair-skinned hand. "An angel?" The redhead asked with a disbelieving tone. "What is this?" He smiled more widely. "Look closely at it." Taking another look, details appeared past the snow. The graceful creature's long hair was painted red, it's eyes brown, and gown a dark tan. Her halo was gold with red engravings. The teenager looked confused. "An angel of death and blood?" The minister chuckled tiredly after running after her. "No. An angel who is a special kind of pure." He forced it into her hands, and she looked at it warily, feeling the smooth texture with her fingertips. "You painted this?" A nod. "The way I see it, people who die and go to heaven do not turn white. They take on their true form. A stereotype, which we in the church are all taught not to support if they cause harm to others. You don't need white, Little Red." Akani's hands closed around the angel. "Are you calling me an angel for all I've done?" He chuckled. "No. But I'm trying to show you that Heaven is not a place easy to get to. You need colors to reach it, not a plain white angel with a simple golden halo. What kind of a heart is that? So simple. The way I see it, the harder your life is, the more experience and color you gain. Akani," he earned her gaze once more. "You will be the brightest angel of them all." A scoff. "I assume you're going to help me?" A shake of his head. "No. From here on out, Akani, you're free to do as you wish, and unless you come seeking me I will no longer lead you. You need to lead yourself. I only needed to give you something." "Why?" A greater smile. "My mother gave me something similar when I was young and doubting my purpose. She told me that symbols are varied for each person. And it suddenly occurred to me that I should have done more for you all along. My doors, not the church's, are always open to you. You need only knock." "Your... home?" She asked to ensure she heard right. A smile, and then he turned, heading back towards the church. His doors? His home... his life... a home. Does he mean... it could also be my home?

Night had taken the reigns, the snow still falling. In the shelter of a dark alley Akani sat atop a dumpster, that same angel figurine still in both of her palms. Her mocha eyes scanned every inch of it. Not a touch of white. There was nothing pure about this angel. Looking up at the sky, her eyes narrowed. She just couldn't understand what this meant. He had clarified she was no angel now, but implied she would one day be one. How? She was walking a sullied path. No dark-hearted person reached that safe-haven. "I don't understand people." Akani sighed, putting the angel in her pocket. She jumped down to the ground and started out into the streets, walking amongst the other citizens of the town Mallory that were mostly all headed home. It was, after all, Christmas Eve. With her hands in her pockets, Akani walked with no destination. She considered sneaking into a store or a movie theater, perhaps, to keep warm tonight. Everything was about to start locking up, but she had her ways of getting in. Her red hair was topped with the white of snow by the time she reached the theater, seeing that it was already closed and locked tightly. She touched a blue-nailed hand to the locks, eyes closing. Her fingers were numb, there was no way she could pick the locks. Turning and looking around, she realized suddenly that everyone was suddenly gone. A warmth came from her pocket. She looked down as she pulled out the painted angel.

Blue eyes stared out the window at the snow. From all he knew of her, Akani was probably sleeping in an alley this night, if she couldn't get into a building. His heart was heavy with regret. He should have forced her to come with him. But, no. This was her life. She had to make her own choices. So long as she had choices to make, however. He had made himself a choice, and he could only pray that she picked him. He would give her blankets, his wife would fawn over her beautiful red hair, and his twin daughters would think of the girl as a big sister. He had never had Akani at his house before, but many times in church his wife had met her, and his infant twins had sort of met her, but they had been too young. His house was small,Only two bedrooms, but the way he saw it, he was content with the wonderful family he had. Yet, tonight... something was missing.
"Leon?" A redhead woman stepped up to the minister's side, staring outside with him. "Hello, Olivia." The man said with a kind smile, his hand reaching for his wife's. "Do you think she will come?" Olivia asked. Leon sighed. "I've been praying. She deserves to know what Christmas is." Olivia looked at her husband and said with a smile, "I sure hope she makes it in time. I bought her a gift." Leon chuckled. "Did you? What did you get for her, my love?" "A sketchpad and pens, pencils, and paint. Do you remember when she used to draw in the dirt and mud?" "That's right," Leon said with a soft chuckle. "She will surely appreciate that gift." Olivia gave Leon a quick kiss on the cheek, then returned to her daughters as they called out to her to finish the movie they were watching. "Leon," Olivia called. "There is nothing more you can do. You've given her a true mirror of herself. She'll see it one day for what it truly is. Have faith in her." Leon nodded quickly, prying himself away from the window to sit and join his family on their small couch, one of the twins in each parent's lap. The movie was an old classic, The Christmas Carol. They watched it with a smile, and at the end they got up and went into the kitchen for dessert as always. Leon quickly ate his slice of red velvet cake with much on his mind, blue eyes glancing at the clock. Ten. Only two hours until Christmas day. "Children, finish up your slices, then it's off to bed." The two girls, about seven in age, agreed without hesitation. "Yes, mother." They said in perfect sync. After their treat was finished, Olivia gathered the children and brought them down the hall to clean up, play a quick game, and then get them to bed. Leon cleaned up the dishes happily. He never minded doing a good half of the work. In his household, everyone did their share.

The clock tolled eleven, and Leon kissed his wife goodnight. She smiled as she disappeared down the dark hall towards their bedroom. He looked at the door with a strong sense of hope. Olivia had reminded him there was nothing he could do to force the girl, and in truth he didn't want to force her, only see that there was still hope for her, that she still had the strength to turn her life around. After he had cleaned up the living room and adjusted the position of the presents under their fine little tree, he looked at the package Olivia had wrapped for Akani. Her faith in the girl's appearance was stronger than his. He breathed out a heavy sigh, standing and heading down the hall.
Knock, knock. Leon froze. He slowly turned to face the door, his eyes like the sky wide. Was it possible? Three more knocks. Leon raced to the door, undid the lock, and pulled open the door widely. There, in the glow of the porch light, stood the redhead he had been praying would arrive. Around her neck with a leather string the painted angel was being worn as necklace. Leon's smile grew. "Akani," he said fondly. The redhead's blush was evident. "...you said your doors were always open. I hope I'm not too late." Leon held out his hand. "It's never too late." Slowly Akani reached and took Leon's offered hand, her own bitingly cold while his was warm. He frowned and lead her inside, closing and locking the door behind him. Olivia came down the hall then, wondering what the ruckus was about. She had changed into her plain pale blue nightgown, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, but she didn't care about how she looked. She smiled widely at the sight of the girl. Then she gasped. "Oh, look at you! Quick now, let's draw you a warm bath to chase away the cold!" Now Akani was holding Olivia's hand and being led into the bathroom. Given a change of clothes and then her privacy, Olivia and Leon embraced each other with overwhelming happiness. "Thank goodness she came. That poor girl." Olivia whispered. Leon smiled and pulled away to look at his wife. "Olivia...?" "Oh, of course! In a heartbeat!" It was decided.

As the bathroom door opened, Akani stepped out, now dressed in some of Olivia's clothes. A long-sleeved dark brown tinted shirt and long black slacks. Her hair was still wet, but she didn't care, and stepped out into the living room. What she saw, Olivia and Leon standing together, made her confused. "What's going on?" She asked warily, taking a step back. Olivia's gentle smile calmed the other redhead quickly. "Akani... we'd like you to stay." "Stay?" Akani parroted, tucking a strand of her red hair behind her ear. Both she and Olivia possessed red hair, but the sixteen-year-old's was so much more radiant, even wet. "Yes." Leon said. "We'd like you to be our third daughter." Mocha eyes widened.

"Mommy!" Two young voices called as Leon and Olivia's twin daughters threw themselves onto their parent's bed. "Wake up! It's Christmas!" "They know that, Angelica!" The other twin rolled her eyes with a giggle. Angelica pouted. Both girls had blonde, nearly white hair and bright blue eyes just like their father. Leon yawned and slowly sat up. "We were up late, children. Please, give us a moment." Angelica leaned closer to her father. "Why were you up late? Did you try to see Santa?" Olivia giggled from where she was lying, and slowly sat up. "We saw someone far more important than Santa, children." "Who?" "Do you remember the red-haired girl I told you your father was hoping to get a visit from?" Angelica clasped her hands. "She came for a visit?" "We missed her?!" The other twin asked. "Kelly, you didn't." The second twin, Kelly, looked at her father. "What do you mean?" "Hey, kiddos." The twins turned their heads to look at the one who had called them. In the doorway, leaning casually with a sly smile on her face, was Akani. "When I get my bed, you better not jump on me." Angelica and Kelly giggled and ran over to Akani, who kneeled down and wrapped her arms around the two twins. Leon and Olivia looked at each other with a great smile, then looked on at their three daughters. "Best decision of our life, I believe." Olivia smiled. Leon nodded, a hand on his wife's. "A fallen angel has returned to her feet."

"Do you want to go outside and play in the snow?" Kelly asked, she noticeably different thanks to two freckles on her left cheekbone. Akani nodded. "Yeah, sure." "Wait now," Olivia smiled, standing out of bed and taking the band out of her hair, letting it fall freely. "You know the routine. Breakfast, presents, and then play." Leon looked at Olivia and said, "Let's open presents first, honey." "Are you sure?" A nod. So the family of five went downstairs, and Kelly and Angelica ran to get their presents. Akani stood back, looking at the presents lined under the gorgeously decorated tree. So simple, yet it said so much. "Akani, take a look under the tree." Olivia suggested, and Akani looked at her oddly. Slowly, she went forward to the tree, and saw in red wrapping paper with golden stars a tag that her her name on it. The girl sat down on her knees and took the gift, peeling the paper away. The large sketchpad, pens, pencils and pain she saw had her eyes sparkling. Leon smiled. "You... bought these for me?" Akani asked, looking at the two elders. They both nodded. Tears glimmered in Akani's eyes. She dropped the items and tackled the two into a hug. Olivia laughed with a happiness she never thought could be greater than her previous feelings. "Welcome to the family." "How did you know I would actually come?" Akani asked. "Olivia held all the true faith." Leon admitted. The two redheads locked eyes. Olivia touched a gentle hand to Akani's cheek. "I was on a path similar to yours, once. I had no one to bring me back. I crawled up from the gutters with my own strength. Seeing you, I was reminded of myself, even all those years ago. I knew even then you would be something special one day. Akani wiped the tears from her eyes. "So... what's for breakfast?" The couple laughed quietly. Angelica and Kelly asked the question just seconds after their new elder sister.

After a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs and hash browns, the family went outside into the snow, Akani gifted with a heavy coat so she could play with the twins in a protection she'd never had before. The three girls were laughing freely, and Olivia rested her head on Leon's shoulder. "I've always loved Christmas and the snow." Leon nodded. "It brings endings to things that are finished." "Just like her old life." Olivia smiled, closing her green eyes. "I'm a proud mother of three. Leon," she looked up at her husband and said, "Merry Christmas." Then she shouted to her girls, "Merry Christmas!" The three returned the season greeting, and Leon said it as well.

Akani laughed as two snowballs hit her face directly after each other, her eyes sparkling not with tears, but with joy. "Oh, you're gonna get it!" She said, throwing herself at the two children, pinning them down in the snow, laughing with them. She finally had a home. No more wandering the streets on cold nights.

I love winter.

Description
She had, as a child, often seeked out shelter in the form of the church that stood on the outskirts of this town. Her life at home was brutal, loud, and heart-wrenching. She had come here many times to see the minister and ask him why God had thrown her into a Hell on Earth. The man would smile at her and assure that that wasn't the case, that she was simply going through a hard time, a challenge set up for her. She tried to believe it, but nine years later, the now sixteen-year-old girl sat on the church's roof, her long, elegant legs hanging over the edge. Her hands were resting on the roof's shingles on either side of her thighs, her mocha brown eyes staring out at the setting sun. It was cold with the brewing winter storm, but she wore black shorts with a white ribbon as a belt and a long-sleeved black shirt with a white scarf around her neck, a fluffy fabric sure to keep her neck and lower face warm. She didn't mind the cold, or heat; she was a bit careless. The child that had come to this church had long ago died. Those dark brown eyes had changed years ago, as had her personality and way of life. Her feet were bare, blistered and sore from walking on the cold, hard ground without protection. Her long, messy, tangled red hair blew in the wind, getting in her face, but she didn't bother to move it to see clearly. God was so cherished, so loved by so many - she had loved him as well, as a child. What she got in return had broken her spirit. Even before death and judgement she was a fallen angel. As the flakes of snow began to fall, the young teenager raised a hand, catching a small flake in the middle of her palm. The small piece of frozen rain glistened and began to melt. The young female curled her fingers like a cage. "Mother," she spoke softly to the wind. "Winter was your favorite season. Why? All it is is cold and death. All the trees," she looked across the street at the forest that started at the beginning of the main road out of town. Their leaves were all but gone, snow beginning to cover them. "They wither away to nothing, just like you were suffering. Was it because you could relate to it that you loved it so? An entire season where the world suffered as you did?" She fisted her hand, the drop of what was now water spreading on her finger tips. Closing her eyes, the girl imagined her mother. Tall, thin, pale; her hair as white as snow, wavy like water. Cold pink eyes, like a frozen popsicle of cotton candy flavoring. Opening her eyes again to gaze down at the street, she held out her hand and turned her palm facing down, opening her fist and letting the water drip to the black asphalt below. "You come and go. I hate winter." The promises of a mother always being there for her child was always just a lie, a comforting act. Akani looked up at the sky. "Where did you go with your promises?"

"Akani?" Looking down, the redhead saw that same minister from nine years ago standing on the sidewalk, bundled up in a winter coat, his grey hair short and cut nicely. His blue eyes looked up at her with worry. "What are you doing up there? It's very dangerous! Please come down and come inside, I can give you some cocoa." The teenager watched him warily. Memories of her childhood flashed behind her eyes, in her mind, of when she had come in the winters and accepted a warm cup of cocoa with marshmallows. His warm smile had been a contagious one. Now, all she saw was rejection. Rejection for what she had become. Either way, she climbed down carefully, standing then beside the older man who smiled and offered his hand. "Come along, Akani. You'll catch your death out here." He said. Mocha eyes darkened. "Very well." She turned, headed towards the town. The minister turned as she passed him, sorrow in his eyes. Lord, please, help here. She needs a sign. A promise of hope. That she will one day again see her mother. What she's become... I fear for her. He slowly returned inside the church, sitting in one of the seats and looking out the window, watching through the growing blizzard the disappearing form of the young girl he had come to consider his own. If only he could do something more... His blue eyes suddenly lit up. The lord already had tried to help her. It was he that was supposed to help her.

"Akani!" The girl's slender form stopped, turned to face the older man as he reached her. He smiled warmly, enough so to melt the very snow around them. He again held out his hand, but this time he had something in his palm. "Look." He instructed, and she looked down at his hand, seeing a small angel figurine in his fair-skinned hand. "An angel?" The redhead asked with a disbelieving tone. "What is this?" He smiled more widely. "Look closely at it." Taking another look, details appeared past the snow. The graceful creature's long hair was painted red, it's eyes brown, and gown a dark tan. Her halo was gold with red engravings. The teenager looked confused. "An angel of death and blood?" The minister chuckled tiredly after running after her. "No. An angel who is a special kind of pure." He forced it into her hands, and she looked at it warily, feeling the smooth texture with her fingertips. "You painted this?" A nod. "The way I see it, people who die and go to heaven do not turn white. They take on their true form. A stereotype, which we in the church are all taught not to support if they cause harm to others. You don't need white, Little Red." Akani's hands closed around the angel. "Are you calling me an angel for all I've done?" He chuckled. "No. But I'm trying to show you that Heaven is not a place easy to get to. You need colors to reach it, not a plain white angel with a simple golden halo. What kind of a heart is that? So simple. The way I see it, the harder your life is, the more experience and color you gain. Akani," he earned her gaze once more. "You will be the brightest angel of them all." A scoff. "I assume you're going to help me?" A shake of his head. "No. From here on out, Akani, you're free to do as you wish, and unless you come seeking me I will no longer lead you. You need to lead yourself. I only needed to give you something." "Why?" A greater smile. "My mother gave me something similar when I was young and doubting my purpose. She told me that symbols are varied for each person. And it suddenly occurred to me that I should have done more for you all along. My doors, not the church's, are always open to you. You need only knock." "Your... home?" She asked to ensure she heard right. A smile, and then he turned, heading back towards the church. His doors? His home... his life... a home. Does he mean... it could also be my home?

Night had taken the reigns, the snow still falling. In the shelter of a dark alley Akani sat atop a dumpster, that same angel figurine still in both of her palms. Her mocha eyes scanned every inch of it. Not a touch of white. There was nothing pure about this angel. Looking up at the sky, her eyes narrowed. She just couldn't understand what this meant. He had clarified she was no angel now, but implied she would one day be one. How? She was walking a sullied path. No dark-hearted person reached that safe-haven. "I don't understand people." Akani sighed, putting the angel in her pocket. She jumped down to the ground and started out into the streets, walking amongst the other citizens of the town Mallory that were mostly all headed home. It was, after all, Christmas Eve. With her hands in her pockets, Akani walked with no destination. She considered sneaking into a store or a movie theater, perhaps, to keep warm tonight. Everything was about to start locking up, but she had her ways of getting in. Her red hair was topped with the white of snow by the time she reached the theater, seeing that it was already closed and locked tightly. She touched a blue-nailed hand to the locks, eyes closing. Her fingers were numb, there was no way she could pick the locks. Turning and looking around, she realized suddenly that everyone was suddenly gone. A warmth came from her pocket. She looked down as she pulled out the painted angel.

Blue eyes stared out the window at the snow. From all he knew of her, Akani was probably sleeping in an alley this night, if she couldn't get into a building. His heart was heavy with regret. He should have forced her to come with him. But, no. This was her life. She had to make her own choices. So long as she had choices to make, however. He had made himself a choice, and he could only pray that she picked him. He would give her blankets, his wife would fawn over her beautiful red hair, and his twin daughters would think of the girl as a big sister. He had never had Akani at his house before, but many times in church his wife had met her, and his infant twins had sort of met her, but they had been too young. His house was small,Only two bedrooms, but the way he saw it, he was content with the wonderful family he had. Yet, tonight... something was missing.
"Leon?" A redhead woman stepped up to the minister's side, staring outside with him. "Hello, Olivia." The man said with a kind smile, his hand reaching for his wife's. "Do you think she will come?" Olivia asked. Leon sighed. "I've been praying. She deserves to know what Christmas is." Olivia looked at her husband and said with a smile, "I sure hope she makes it in time. I bought her a gift." Leon chuckled. "Did you? What did you get for her, my love?" "A sketchpad and pens, pencils, and paint. Do you remember when she used to draw in the dirt and mud?" "That's right," Leon said with a soft chuckle. "She will surely appreciate that gift." Olivia gave Leon a quick kiss on the cheek, then returned to her daughters as they called out to her to finish the movie they were watching. "Leon," Olivia called. "There is nothing more you can do. You've given her a true mirror of herself. She'll see it one day for what it truly is. Have faith in her." Leon nodded quickly, prying himself away from the window to sit and join his family on their small couch, one of the twins in each parent's lap. The movie was an old classic, The Christmas Carol. They watched it with a smile, and at the end they got up and went into the kitchen for dessert as always. Leon quickly ate his slice of red velvet cake with much on his mind, blue eyes glancing at the clock. Ten. Only two hours until Christmas day. "Children, finish up your slices, then it's off to bed." The two girls, about seven in age, agreed without hesitation. "Yes, mother." They said in perfect sync. After their treat was finished, Olivia gathered the children and brought them down the hall to clean up, play a quick game, and then get them to bed. Leon cleaned up the dishes happily. He never minded doing a good half of the work. In his household, everyone did their share.

The clock tolled eleven, and Leon kissed his wife goodnight. She smiled as she disappeared down the dark hall towards their bedroom. He looked at the door with a strong sense of hope. Olivia had reminded him there was nothing he could do to force the girl, and in truth he didn't want to force her, only see that there was still hope for her, that she still had the strength to turn her life around. After he had cleaned up the living room and adjusted the position of the presents under their fine little tree, he looked at the package Olivia had wrapped for Akani. Her faith in the girl's appearance was stronger than his. He breathed out a heavy sigh, standing and heading down the hall.
Knock, knock. Leon froze. He slowly turned to face the door, his eyes like the sky wide. Was it possible? Three more knocks. Leon raced to the door, undid the lock, and pulled open the door widely. There, in the glow of the porch light, stood the redhead he had been praying would arrive. Around her neck with a leather string the painted angel was being worn as necklace. Leon's smile grew. "Akani," he said fondly. The redhead's blush was evident. "...you said your doors were always open. I hope I'm not too late." Leon held out his hand. "It's never too late." Slowly Akani reached and took Leon's offered hand, her own bitingly cold while his was warm. He frowned and lead her inside, closing and locking the door behind him. Olivia came down the hall then, wondering what the ruckus was about. She had changed into her plain pale blue nightgown, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, but she didn't care about how she looked. She smiled widely at the sight of the girl. Then she gasped. "Oh, look at you! Quick now, let's draw you a warm bath to chase away the cold!" Now Akani was holding Olivia's hand and being led into the bathroom. Given a change of clothes and then her privacy, Olivia and Leon embraced each other with overwhelming happiness. "Thank goodness she came. That poor girl." Olivia whispered. Leon smiled and pulled away to look at his wife. "Olivia...?" "Oh, of course! In a heartbeat!" It was decided.

As the bathroom door opened, Akani stepped out, now dressed in some of Olivia's clothes. A long-sleeved dark brown tinted shirt and long black slacks. Her hair was still wet, but she didn't care, and stepped out into the living room. What she saw, Olivia and Leon standing together, made her confused. "What's going on?" She asked warily, taking a step back. Olivia's gentle smile calmed the other redhead quickly. "Akani... we'd like you to stay." "Stay?" Akani parroted, tucking a strand of her red hair behind her ear. Both she and Olivia possessed red hair, but the sixteen-year-old's was so much more radiant, even wet. "Yes." Leon said. "We'd like you to be our third daughter." Mocha eyes widened.

"Mommy!" Two young voices called as Leon and Olivia's twin daughters threw themselves onto their parent's bed. "Wake up! It's Christmas!" "They know that, Angelica!" The other twin rolled her eyes with a giggle. Angelica pouted. Both girls had blonde, nearly white hair and bright blue eyes just like their father. Leon yawned and slowly sat up. "We were up late, children. Please, give us a moment." Angelica leaned closer to her father. "Why were you up late? Did you try to see Santa?" Olivia giggled from where she was lying, and slowly sat up. "We saw someone far more important than Santa, children." "Who?" "Do you remember the red-haired girl I told you your father was hoping to get a visit from?" Angelica clasped her hands. "She came for a visit?" "We missed her?!" The other twin asked. "Kelly, you didn't." The second twin, Kelly, looked at her father. "What do you mean?" "Hey, kiddos." The twins turned their heads to look at the one who had called them. In the doorway, leaning casually with a sly smile on her face, was Akani. "When I get my bed, you better not jump on me." Angelica and Kelly giggled and ran over to Akani, who kneeled down and wrapped her arms around the two twins. Leon and Olivia looked at each other with a great smile, then looked on at their three daughters. "Best decision of our life, I believe." Olivia smiled. Leon nodded, a hand on his wife's. "A fallen angel has returned to her feet."

"Do you want to go outside and play in the snow?" Kelly asked, she noticeably different thanks to two freckles on her left cheekbone. Akani nodded. "Yeah, sure." "Wait now," Olivia smiled, standing out of bed and taking the band out of her hair, letting it fall freely. "You know the routine. Breakfast, presents, and then play." Leon looked at Olivia and said, "Let's open presents first, honey." "Are you sure?" A nod. So the family of five went downstairs, and Kelly and Angelica ran to get their presents. Akani stood back, looking at the presents lined under the gorgeously decorated tree. So simple, yet it said so much. "Akani, take a look under the tree." Olivia suggested, and Akani looked at her oddly. Slowly, she went forward to the tree, and saw in red wrapping paper with golden stars a tag that her her name on it. The girl sat down on her knees and took the gift, peeling the paper away. The large sketchpad, pens, pencils and pain she saw had her eyes sparkling. Leon smiled. "You... bought these for me?" Akani asked, looking at the two elders. They both nodded. Tears glimmered in Akani's eyes. She dropped the items and tackled the two into a hug. Olivia laughed with a happiness she never thought could be greater than her previous feelings. "Welcome to the family." "How did you know I would actually come?" Akani asked. "Olivia held all the true faith." Leon admitted. The two redheads locked eyes. Olivia touched a gentle hand to Akani's cheek. "I was on a path similar to yours, once. I had no one to bring me back. I crawled up from the gutters with my own strength. Seeing you, I was reminded of myself, even all those years ago. I knew even then you would be something special one day. Akani wiped the tears from her eyes. "So... what's for breakfast?" The couple laughed quietly. Angelica and Kelly asked the question just seconds after their new elder sister.

After a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs and hash browns, the family went outside into the snow, Akani gifted with a heavy coat so she could play with the twins in a protection she'd never had before. The three girls were laughing freely, and Olivia rested her head on Leon's shoulder. "I've always loved Christmas and the snow." Leon nodded. "It brings endings to things that are finished." "Just like her old life." Olivia smiled, closing her green eyes. "I'm a proud mother of three. Leon," she looked up at her husband and said, "Merry Christmas." Then she shouted to her girls, "Merry Christmas!" The three returned the season greeting, and Leon said it as well.

Akani laughed as two snowballs hit her face directly after each other, her eyes sparkling not with tears, but with joy. "Oh, you're gonna get it!" She said, throwing herself at the two children, pinning them down in the snow, laughing with them. She finally had a home. No more wandering the streets on cold nights.

I love winter.