Gemotions

A warm fire crackled in the hearth, casting dancing shadows across the cozy living room. Elias, curled in his favorite armchair, sipped his tea and lost himself in the pages of a well-worn novel. The gentle patter of rain against the windows created a soothing counterpoint to the low hum of the furnace. He chuckled softly at a particularly witty passage, a sound that filled the room and chased away any lingering chill. He hadn't felt this relaxed in… well, in years. A knock at the door, delivered with hesitant grace, shattered the peace. It was a package. He knew immediately what it was.