Gemotions

The snowfall created a white canvas outside her window. She stared at it, recalling winter holidays spent as a child. He entered, and then the words came. A traditional seasonal greeting. The feeling that washed over her was like a warm blanket on a cold day.

She felt an odd mixture of pride and melancholy. He had sought to understand her not just as a lover, but as a person rooted in a specific history. The effort was touching, and the depth of the feeling was a revelation.

She watched him prepare hot chocolate, the steam rising in the air. The scent of cinnamon evoked the warmth of the holidays, and the memories it stirred.