Victor
The snow falls in fat, lazy flakes outside the window, dusting the world in a soft white glow. Inside, the warmth of the fire crackles, filling the room with a golden light that dances off the Christmas tree ornaments. It’s quiet, but not in the way that feels empty. No, this quiet hums with life—a warmth I’ve never really known before.
I glance over at Olivia, who’s sprawled out on the rug, meticulously trying to assemble a train set that winds its way around the base of the tree. Her brow furrows in concentration as she snaps the tracks together, her tiny fingers nimble and sure. Her giggles bubble up as the train finally comes to life, the tiny wheels clicking on the track.
“Mom, look!” she calls out, beaming with pride. Avery sits on the couch, our son cradled in her arms, her chestnut hair catching the glow of the firelight. She looks at Olivia, and the love in her eyes hits me like a punch to the gut. This. This is what I’ve been chasing without even knowing it.
The baby’s tiny hand curls around Avery’s finger as she coos down at him. His name is Gabriel, and at only three months old, he’s already stolen my heart completely. I’m not sure when it happened, this transformation, but somewhere between the icy first encounter with Avery and this moment, I’ve found myself in a life I never dreamed was possible.
“Hey, Victor, are you just going to stand there, or are you going to help me with these lights?” Roman’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. He’s lounging by the mantel, holding a strand of twinkling lights in one hand and a glass of bourbon in the other. His smirk is as sharp as ever.
“If you’d stop drinking long enough to actually do something, maybe you wouldn’t need help,” I shoot back, moving to grab the other end of the lights. He laughs, the sound rich and unapologetic.
“I’m supervising,” he says, but he hands me the lights anyway. “Besides, you’re the family man now. This feels more like your jurisdiction.”
Sebastian and Lawrence sit nearby, watching the exchange with amused expressions. Sebastian has his ever-present air of calm, sipping tea and flipping through a book—probably something dense and philosophical because, of course, he’d bring that to Christmas. Lawrence, on the other hand, is sprawled out on the other couch, his wife Willow tucked into his side. She’s laughing at something he just said, her eyes sparkling with delight.
“Roman, I think Victor’s just trying to keep you from burning the place down,” Lawrence teases. “You’ve got all the finesse of a drunk moose.”
“Says the guy who nearly took out the Christmas tree trying to grab a cookie earlier,” Roman fires back.
“Oh, stop it, all of you,” Willow interjects, her tone playful but firm. “You’re worse than the kids.”
“Speaking of kids,” Sebastian says, setting his book aside. “What’s Olivia building over there?”
“A masterpiece,” Olivia answers without looking up, her voice full of determination. “And Uncle Roman’s not allowed to touch it.”
Roman clutches his chest dramatically. “Why do you wound me so?”
Avery laughs softly from the couch, her eyes meeting mine across the room. It’s a quiet moment, but her look says everything. Gratitude. Joy. Love. It roots me to the spot for a second, and I feel it again—that overwhelming sense of home.
“You okay there, Victor?” Lawrence’s voice pulls me back. “You’re looking a little misty-eyed.”
“I’m fine,” I reply, shaking my head and smirking. “Just trying to figure out how you managed to get Willow to marry you.”
The room erupts in laughter, and Lawrence grins. “What can I say? I’m irresistible.”
“You’re something, all right,” Roman mutters, but there’s no edge to it.
The conversation flows easily, the kind of banter that comes when you’ve known people for years. These men are my brothers, not by blood but by choice. And now, they’re part of this too—this chaotic, wonderful family I never thought I’d have.
“Victor, can you hold him for a second?” Avery asks, rising from the couch. She gently places Gabriel in my arms, and he looks up at me with wide, trusting eyes. His tiny fist grabs at my sweater, and I can’t help but smile.
“Hey, buddy,” I whisper, swaying slightly as I hold him close. “What do you think? Is Uncle Roman as ridiculous as everyone says?”
“I heard that,” Roman calls out, but he’s smiling too.
The night stretches on, filled with laughter, stories, and more than a few glasses of wine. By the time the kids are tucked into bed and the fire has burned down to embers, I find myself standing by the window again, Gabriel asleep in my arms. Avery comes up beside me, resting her head on my shoulder.
“You’ve done good, Victor,” she says softly, her voice laced with warmth. “We’ve done good.”
I kiss the top of her head, feeling the truth of her words settle deep in my chest. “Yeah, we have.”
Outside, the snow keeps falling, blanketing the world in peace. And for the first time in a long time, I know that it will last.