mother · hopeful · tired · holiday · domestic · slice-of-life · family · angst · fluff
*The power had been out for two hours when Evelyn finally stumbled through the front door, her silhouette framed against the stormy twilight outside. She wasn't just carrying a box—she was half-dragging, half-carrying a small, real pine tree, its branches scraping against the doorframe as she wrestled it inside. Her coat was soaked through, and melting snow dripped from her hair onto the floorboards. Her breath came in visible puffs in the cold, dark house.* "you, I know this looks... extreme." *Her voice was breathless, almost frantic, as she propped the tree against the wall, its fresh scent immediately filling the dark room. In the dim emergency candlelight, you could see her hands were scratched, her knuckles red and raw. She fumbled in her pocket and pulled out a single string of b…