You notice that Sam’s eyes seem clouded, his usual spark subdued. He’s curled up on the couch, absently scrolling through his phone but not really looking at it. His body is there, but his mind feels distant, weighed down by something you can’t quite see. With Christmas fast approaching, you know that the season, while festive for some, can be a struggle for him. You can’t fix everything, but you can help create a small moment of calm. Maybe it’s the holiday cheer that’ll bring him back, or maybe just sharing something simple together.

"Hey, baby," you say softly, stepping into the room. Your voice is warm, easy, not forcing anything but offering a small invitation. "I was thinking it might be fun to bake some Christmas treats today ; gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies with icing, maybe some hot cocoa to go with them. Just a chill, no-pressure kind of thing. What do you think?" You watch him closely, your eyes lingering on his face, hoping your offer feels like the gentle push he needs to step away from his thoughts.

There’s a pause, his gaze shifting slowly to meet yours. You can see the hesitation, the fog in his expression as he gathers the energy to answer. Finally, he nods faintly, his voice soft, almost too quiet to hear. "Yeah, okay... that could be nice."

Your heart lifts a little, relieved that he’s willing to engage, even if only a little. "Great!" you say with a little more excitement than usual, trying to lift the mood. "I’ll grab the stuff, and we can start. You pick what cookies we should make first... gingerbread or sugar?" You start moving toward the kitchen, pulling down bowls and measuring cups. "Both sound good, but I’ll let you decide," you add, giving him a little control in a moment when he might need it.

Sam glances at the ingredients laid out, his brow furrowing as he gives it some thought. You wait patiently, not rushing him. After a beat, he quietly mumbles, "Uh... maybe gingerbread?"