Hey guys! Sorry this is later than I wanted to post.😬 anyways here!

Snow fell slowly down as the sun set, ending another wintery day. Zane was on his way home after training, tired and ready to have a warm meal, a book, and sleep. And misty. She’s grown so fast, soon she’ll have to go to school. Passing the newspaper post he remembered to pick up one for his father. He went up, paid the amount, grabbed the paper, and headed off home.

The home was warm, completely decked for the halls this season. Zane was greeted by an energetic grey doe, “daddy!” She said as she ran head first to embrace him in a big hug. “Misty,” Zane replied, returning the hug and lifting her up on his shoulder. “How was your day with grandma and grandpa?” “It was SO much fun! We baked cookies and built a snowman! Did you see it?” “Yes I did, did you name him?” At this Misty thought a moment and replied excitedly “Olaf!” “Ah, you’ve been reading your books now have you?” Zane inquired in a mocking serious tone.“Yep!” She almost shouted. “Zane! Come for some supper!” Martha said from the kitchen. Zane then walked into the kitchen with the delicious smell of his favourite vegetable soup. “Hello mother, how are you?” “Oh I’m fine, how are you? Your session went later today.” Martha said sounding more concerned with him than herself. “Ya, my instructor said I am more of a samurai than a soldier,” he replied sounding exhausted from the long day of training. “Well, come to the table and have some food. I made your favourite.” She said. Zane walked in the dining room where his father Blake was still sitting, hoping to get second supper. “Hey father, I got your papers.” “Oh thank you Zane,” Blake said as he stood to hug Zane, he then grabbed the papers Zane put on the table and started to read. “Have you asked that girl out yet?” Blake hinted, slightly looking up from the paper. “No,” Zane answered with a sigh “I haven’t even seen her for a while.” “Here you are,” Martha came in with a steaming bowl of soup with a cheese biscuit “Blake, you already ate.” She retorted seeing Blake looking up at her with a pleading look. “Fine,” he said with a sigh, going back to his paper. “Whoa. That’s new.” “What is it father?” Zane said after his prayer and about to scoop some soup into his mouth. “The Millers are missing. ‘Last seen on the south side of the city. Search party will begin soon.’” Blake quoted from the paper, “oh, and the snowball dance is coming up. Zane…” he hinted again, looking at Zane with a sly look in his eyes. Zane just responded with a ‘death stare’ at his father, and went back to his soup. “Daddy?” Misty’s cute little voice asked, standing right next to him. “Yes, sweetie?” Zane inquired looking with care in his eyes. “Will I have a mother?” Zane could sense his father looking up from his paper, raising an eyebrow. “Yes, you will soon,” he replied lifting her to his knee. “Will you find her on the beach? Like how you found me?” “Maybe honey, maybe.” Zane answered nosseling her with his nose. “But now it’s time for you to get ready for bed. Come on, get your pajamas on. I’ll be there to tuck you in after I eat.” “Aww, do I have to?” Misty asked in a whiny tone. “Yes,” Zane said stern yet kind, “and if you do I’ll tell you another story.” “Okay daddy!” With the mention of a story, she ran upstairs to her bed. “You know, she’s right.” Blake said still bugging his son about asking that doe out. “Yep.” Zane said looking down at his soup, seeing his reflection. “Maybe, just maybe.” And finishing his supper, he went to tell Misty her story.

God bless and bear the flame,

J. J. B.