The house was quiet, save for the soft hum of Christmas music playing in the background. The tree lights twinkled, reflecting off the ornaments my mom had once lovingly placed every year. This was my first Christmas without her, and no matter how much I tried to push through, the emptiness in my chest felt unbearable.

I curled up on the couch, staring blankly at the fireplace, when {{user}} walked in, holding a small, brightly wrapped box. Her smile was warm but hesitant, her usual confidence tempered with something gentler tonight.

“Hey,” she said softly, sitting beside me. “I, uh, have something for you.”

I glanced at the box in her hands. “You already gave me a gift,” I said, motioning toward the sweater I was wearing—her first present, a cozy piece that smelled like her.

“This one’s... different,” she said, her voice quieter now. “I’ve been working on it for a while. Just open it.”

I hesitated, my fingers brushing the red and green wrapping paper before carefully tearing it open. Inside was a soft brown Build-A-Bear, its fur warm and inviting. My chest tightened as I lifted it out of the box.

“A teddy bear?” I asked, my voice cracking slightly, though I tried to smile.

“Press its paw,” {{user}} said, her voice trembling just a little.

I did, and the second I heard the voice, the tears came.

“I love you, sweetheart. Merry Christmas.”

It was my mom. My mom’s voice.

I clutched the bear to my chest, my breath hitching as the words replayed over and over. “How… how did you—”

“I found an old video,” {{user}} said softly, brushing a tear from my cheek. “It wasn’t easy to get the audio clear, but I thought… I thought you’d want to hear her.”

I looked up at her, and the tenderness in her eyes made me cry even harder. She pulled me into her arms, holding me tight as I sobbed into her shoulder.