Page 144 of Uprising

“You look snug as a bug.” I say feeling my heart thumping so loudly. This was what I wanted, what I’d thought about over and over.

Roman takes my hand, squeezing it, as we walk towards the huge doors onto the veranda.

It’s so cold outside I can see my breath. I huddle up more in the thick white coat, pulling the collar up against my neck. Lara walks tentatively out into the snow. Her feet sink a good few inches into it and she squeals as the cold clearly drips into her shoes.

I can’t help but let out a laugh. “Come on baby.” I say to her. “Let’s make our first snowman together.”

She nods but she’s still clearly got no idea, so I’m the one who scoops up the first bit, showing her what to do. It’s hard to do it with my arm still in the cast but thankfully the coat protects it from the damp and I’ve got a ridiculous sized mitten on to at least make my hand usable. To say I’ll be happy when it’s off is an understatement.

“How is this a snowman?” Lara half scoffs when I’ve built it. It’s not the best. It’s wonky, veering off to the right. Roman disappeared inside and came back with a bunch of carrots and I push one into its face.

“You think you can do better?” I tease.

She tilts her head like she’s trying to work out how best to let me down.

“How about a competition?” Roman says. “Whoever builds the best snowman gets a prize.”

“What’s the prize?” Lara asks.

I bite my lip at that. She’s so like him, she wants all the details before she commits herself.

“If you win then you can choose Sweetpea.” Roman says.

She half pouts before turning her face to the perfect snow laid out in front of her.

“First one to build one wins.” She half yells before rushing to scoop up as much snow in her hands as she can.

“Hey!” I say pretending to be outraged. Only I’m not, I’m loving every minute of this.

It takes less than ten minutes for us to finish them. I let her win. And it turns out she’s a terrible winner because she keeps gloating, jumping up and down, cheering delightedly at the fact that she’s beaten me.

Movement in the window makes me look up but Sofia is gone before I can see her. Only I know she was there. I’d put money on it being her.

“You okay?” Roman asks seeing the way my face falls.

“It’s nothing.” I lie. I don’t want him to know. I know he’s worried about her enough. I don’t want to make it worse. She needs time. She needs a lot more time than even I do and in truth, I’m not all that convinced that being here is helping her. Though I don’t speak that thought out loud.

She’s Roman’s sister. He’s doing what he believes is best. And maybe he is right. Maybe her being here is helping. I guess only time can tell on that front.

When Lara is all cheered out we go inside for hot chocolate and we sit in front of the fire feeling as the warmth slips back into our feet.

Out the window I can already see more snow falling. Great blobs of it coming thick and fast. It’s like something out of a movie. Something out of a picture postcard.

“Maybe we’ll have snow for Christmas.” I say hopefully. It’s not uncommon in Verona. But the thought of it makes me feel so content.

“What’s Christmas?” Lara says quietly.

My eyes dart to her. Roman shifts in the seat opposite me.

I’d never considered the fact that she might not know what Christmas is. I mean, why would she? They barely spent more than a dime on her existence before we got her out. Why would they have made any effort to celebrate it? To buy her presents?

My eyes well with tears. I can feel my lip trembling. “Lara.” I half whisper and she frowns even more in confusion.

She gets up, walking towards us. “What is Chrismus?” She even mispronounces the word like she’s not sure how to say it.

“It’s a festival.” Roman explains. “Families celebrate it together. We give presents and eat nice food, and spend time together.”

She gulps looking from me to her daddy. “Can we, can we do that?”