The wind, outside the frosted window, blows harder than even people in the Arctic would dare. The snow falling and dancing almost to soft sounds of piano as it pours down, blinding one little girl's vision; but it is the exact opposite inside the warm chalet....

As a "pop" sounds from the fireplace, little girl wraps a large blanket around herself, savoring the warmth given by the flames flickering in the fireplace. The light is dancing on her beautiful face....

Moments later he enters the room, from the doorway behind the child. He walks around her, placing a tray on a nearby wooden table, glossy and radiating the beams of light from the flames. Sitting beside his beloved girl, he pours two cups of hot chocolate, handing one to her with a smile. He hears a brief "Thank you" and turns to get the marshmallows, both large and small. He hands her the large marshmallows and suggests she should try one in her hot cocoa. With a curious look, little girl drops one in, and does the same with his. They both make a splash, nearly causing the hot chocolate to overflow, she smiles and giggles slightly. As the marshmallow begins to melt he hands her a few smaller ones. She places them in the cups and they both take a sip. After opening the glass doors to the fire, they rest their soon-to-be snacks over the burning flames.

Savoring the warmth, he moves close to the ten-year-old girl and pulls the blanket over his left shoulder with her to his right. He takes another sip of his hot chocolate, savoring the sweetness of the melted marshmallows. "Hmmmm, delicious" he says. "Very," he hears, though somewhat quietly.

Once finished with their hot chocolates, little girl leans up against his chest, giving not quite a sigh, but more what sounded like a purr. He wraps his hand around her back. She looks up to him, looking him directly into his eyes. Weary of this, he didn't want to continue, but he felt paralyzed and found that he could not move. Instead he lowered his head a little and rubbed his nose against her, ever so slightly. This put a large smile on her beautiful face as she returned the gesture by rubbing her little nose softly against his and then, wrapping her arms tighter around him, leaned up and gave him a sweet kiss. Afterwards she nestled her head deep into his arms as her eyes began to close, his heart thumping against her ear, almost putting her to sleep....

****

Lying together in a dark room, wrapped around soft sheets, his hands rubbed her upper back. She had found sleep a few hours ago, but for some reason, he couldn't find it for himself. His breathing told her of his dreamless state, causing her eyes to open. "You're still awake?" she inquired.

Sighing he answered, "Yes, I just haven't been able to fall asleep tonight."

"Why?" she asked inquisitively, her light body shifting so she could better see him.

He told her how his mind seemed to be thinking or worrying about all the things that could happen.

Fretting an eyebrow, little girl stated, "You worry too much."

"I guess..." sighing, he looked down, but slightly away from the little girl. "It's just I don't want to lose you to people who hate us both. I don't want to see you suffer in their hands while they teach you to hate everything that is beautiful." He kissed her softly on lips and said "I love you more than anything I hold dear and I guess I'm just worrying if something could ever happen to you."

A brief moment of silence passed as both digested every word that had just been spoken.

"Do you want to leave me?" he asked, still looking down.

"No," she replied in her tiny, undisturbed, and caring voice. "I love you... I thought you knew..."

Breathing a sigh of what one may call relief, he nestled into the sheets and faced her.

"May I hold you close tonight?"

"Yes," she said, smiling just a little.

He wrapped his arms around her as her back nestled close against him. He took a few breaths... that they both felt.

"Of course I knew..." He whispered in her tiny ear. Soon the little girl's breath matched his and they both fell asleep.

And the wind kept blowing outside, and the snow kept falling....

The End