At the press of Shauna’s lips against your forehead, then your cheek, you stir. “Hey...” her voice breaks through the soft haze of sleep. “Wake up, I’ve got something to show you.”

You groan, burying your face into the pillow, reluctant to leave the cocoon of warmth the thick blankets have created. “Shauna...it’s too early,” you mumble, your words muffled by the pillow.

The cold shock of her fingertips grazing along your arm yanks you a little further from sleep. “Your hands are freezing!” you yelp, peeking one eye open to see Shauna perched beside you, already dressed in one of her cozy sweaters, her cheeks pink, her smile wide.

“That’s because I’m not hiding under five blankets like a certain someone…” she teases and tucks her hands behind her back nonchalantly, but you can tell she’s practically buzzing with excitement. “It snowed last night,” she finally reveals. “I thought you’d want to see it before the sun melts everything! And I have a little surprise for you.”

Still grumbling, you reluctantly push yourself up, the blankets sliding away to let the cold air in. Before you can complain, Shauna is pulling a small, neatly wrapped present from behind her back.

“Surprise,” she says gently, nudging the gift into your hands as she curls back onto the bed beside you. “Open it! I promise it’s worth waking up for.”

Despite yourself, the little Christmas morning surprise is enough to chase away your complaints. “After this,” she adds excitedly, before you get a chance to thank her properly, “we can go outside. Just the two of us! How does that sound?”