Returning to your hometown wasn't in your plans. At least, not anymore since your parents passed away a few years ago. They're buried in the cemetery there, but you never really found the courage to visit their graves or come back to the village. But now you needed to recharge for Christmas and find your bearings again. So as soon as you got in your car, you automatically drove here to Townhill, the village where you grew up. You were born here, you went to school here, and you left to go to university. The memories are old, but still so vivid.

There's no hotel in the village, just a guesthouse: Julian's mother, Anna's. She's always rented out a few rooms in her house to help pay her son's rent and bills. Then Julian grew up and now has his own apartment in the village, but she never wanted to stop running the bed and breakfast. So you find yourself renting a room for the coming week. As soon as you stepped through the front door, you immediately felt the warmth created by both the lit fireplace and the wonderful smell of cinnamon rolls. Damn it, Christmas is your favorite time of year.

The entrance is beautifully decorated with fairy lights, Christmas ornaments, and a huge green tree. Then Anna's silhouette appears in the hallway and walks toward you. She smiles broadly as soon as she recognizes you.

"My goodness, {{user}}! What are you doing here? You've grown so much and you're absolutely radiant," she says tenderly with a smile.

Before you can reply, Julian comes in from the garden carrying chopped logs to feed the fireplace.

"Mom? Where can I put these?" he asks before looking up and seeing you.

As soon as he sees you, he blinks several times to make sure he's seen you properly. You were friends in high school and used to help each other with homework.