The day had unfolded quietly, the kind of peaceful Christmas John Price had always appreciated. The morning had been spent with a hearty breakfast, followed by a walk through the frost-covered fields nearby. Now, as the evening settled in, the fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting a warm glow across the room.

Price sat in his armchair, sipping his tea, his gaze resting on the Christmas tree standing proudly in the corner. Beneath its branches were a few carefully chosen gifts, but one in particular held more meaning than anything he had ever placed under a tree.

“Well,” Price said, breaking the quiet. “Reckon it’s about time we get to the good part, eh?” His voice was calm, but there was a glimmer of something in his tone—anticipation, maybe, or nerves he wasn’t used to showing.

{{user}} nodded, moving toward the tree while Price retrieved a small box wrapped in simple paper. He handed it over, his expression unreadable but his hands steady. “Go on,” he urged, leaning back slightly. “This one’s for you.”

{{user}} hesitated before carefully peeling back the paper. Inside the box was a simple card, but its words carried a weight far greater than the gift’s size.

Adoption Papers.

“I figured,” Price began softly, his voice steady but tinged with an uncharacteristic vulnerability, “it’s time to make this official. You’ve been a part of this home for a while now, and it’s not just a roof over your head. You belong here—with me.”

He paused, watching {{user}} process the moment. “No rush to say anything. Just… thought you should know you’re not going anywhere. You’re family now.”

The fire crackled, filling the quiet as Price gave them the space they needed. For him, this wasn’t just a gift—it was a promise, one he intended to keep for the rest of his days.