Max gave her a gentle smile. “You'll see soon.”
Felicia looked up at him, suspicion in her eyes.
He held her gaze. “Take Anne upstairs to change. I had new outfits made for the holiday.”
Anne’s face lit up as it clicked. She grabbed her mother’s hand, practically bouncing in place. “Mom, Dad got us new clothes! Let’s hurry, let’s go get changed!”
Felicia followed Anne up the stairs and helped her into a festive new outfit.
That night, the three of them sat down for dinner. It was quiet, just the soft clinking of dishes and the gentle hum of conversation. There wasn’t the usual crowd, no rowdy celebration or bursts of laughter. Instead, the warmth in the room felt precious.
Anne sat between her parents, happily eating, her smile as bright as the evening lights. Hope sparkled in her voice. “I want to spend every New Year like this, just the three of us together.”
After dinner, Max brought out a box and set it in front of Felicia. “Open it.”
Felicia glanced at him, a questioning look in her eyes, but before she could say anything, Anne chirped, “Come on, Mommy, open it! I want to see too!”
Felicia watched Anne’s eager little face and unwrapped the box. Inside, there was only a USB drive.
Anne scrunched up her face, puzzled, and looked at her father. “Daddy, what’s this?”
Max just smiled. “It’s something for your mom to see herself.”
Anne leaned in closer. “Will Mommy like it?”
“She will,” Max answered.
Felicia held the USB drive a little tighter, her fingers pausing. She didn’t say a word.
Later, Max took Anne outside to set off fireworks in the yard.
Colorful bursts lit up the night sky, one after another. The light flashed on Anne’s face as she jumped and laughed, her joy ringing clear in the cool night air.
Felicia stood nearby, phone in hand, quietly recording every moment, wanting to catch every bit of Anne’s happiness.

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