The house stood on the quiet street. Windows glowed yellow against the snow.
Nico tiptoed down the stairs. His pajamas whispered with every step.
Snow glittered on the windowsill. He pressed his nose to the cold glass.
Something clattered behind the oak tree. A sleigh. Red fabric flapped in the wind.
Boots stepped on frost. The sleigh sat by the big oak tree. Red fabric flapped.
A man turned and smiled. He held out a steaming mug. Cocoa smelled like cinnamon and cream.
Nico took the mug. His fingers found a silver bell at the bottom. It chimed.
The man leaned close. His breath fogged the air. "Kindness," he whispered. "That's the real magic."
Nico climbed back upstairs. The bell rested in his palm. Warm. Heavy. Real.
The house settled. Snow kept falling. Somewhere, a sleigh bell chimed one last time.
