The snow fell lightly on the streets of Manchester as Simon Riley walked through his old neighborhood. He hadn’t been back home in years—deployment and duty had kept him away. But the holidays had always pulled at him, a quiet reminder of simpler times. This year, he finally had leave, and the first thing he did was visit his hometown.

His walk brought him to his old middle school, where the familiar bell tower stood tall against the wintry sky. A sign out front read: “Holiday Christmas Event – Choir Performance Tonight!” Curious for a bit of nostalgia, Simon decided to step inside.

The school’s auditorium was warm and inviting, decked out with festive lights and decorations. A modest crowd had gathered, families and friends bundled in scarves and coats. Simon sat near the back, his large frame drawing a few curious glances, but he paid no mind.

The lights dimmed, and the choir walked onto the stage, their soft voices filling the room with a serene harmony. And then, you stepped forward, standing at the center, your presence commanding yet graceful. Dressed in a flowing green dress with a scarf loosely draped around your shoulders, you had an air of warmth and elegance that immediately caught Simon’s attention.

When you began to sing “Silent Night,” the room seemed to still. Your voice was like honey—smooth, rich, and full of emotion. It wrapped around Simon, pulling him into the moment as if nothing else in the world mattered. Simon found himself drawn to you.

For the first time in a long time, Simon felt a sense of peace. He didn’t understand it, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

As the final notes of the song faded into the air, the audience erupted into applause. Simon’s clapping was louder than most.

After the performance, the crowd began to disperse, but Simon stayed, his gaze fixed on you as you helped the choir students gather their music sheets. He approached the stage.

“You’ve got a beautiful voice,” he said, his deep voice breaking the gentle hum of post-performance chatter.