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An hour later, everyone was bundled into coats, scarves, and gloves, ready for the annual trip to the Christmas tree farm.

“Emily, are you riding with us?” Maggie asked. Emily nodded. Maggie looked at Noah. “What about you two?” Noah shook his head. “We’re taking my car.”

Before anyone could say another word, Ainsley tugged on Emily’s jacket. “Mommy, can I ride with Aunt Claire and Uncle Noah?”

Emily glanced at Noah, silently asking, Is that okay?

He smiled and nodded.

“Sure,” Emily said, “if they’re okay with it.”

“Absolutely,” Claire said.

Ainsley cheered and immediately grabbed Noah’s hand, already pulling him toward his car.

Twenty minutes later, they turned onto a gravel road lined with evergreens. Rows of Christmas trees stretched across the property, dusted with the season’s first frost. Families wandered between them carrying hot chocolate and measuring tapes while Christmas music drifted from the little red barn near the entrance.

“I want to pick the tree!” Ainsley shouted before Noah had even parked.

As soon as they made it to the Christmas trees, Will had opinions.

“Too tall.”

“Too skinny.”

“Too small.”

“That one is shaped weird.”

“Too big.”

“Dad, it’s just a tree,” Emily said.

“They’re all perfect,” Ainsley chimed in.

Noah caught Claire taking several pictures.

“I’m documenting this so I can remember it,” she informed him.

He smiled at her, reaching for her hand. They unintentionally drifted from the rest of the group, looking at trees.

“You know,” she said quietly, “I’ve never been to a Christmas tree farm.”

He stopped. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. My family always did artificial trees.”

“Then we’re doing this right.” He smiled at her.

“Ahem.”

They both turned. Emily stood a few feet away, holding a sprig of mistletoe over their heads. Claire couldn’t help but laugh.

“Where did you even find that?” Noah asked.

“Doesn’t matter. You have to kiss now.” She said it as if it were a rule.

Noah chuckled, but his eyes found Claire’s, silently asking whether it was okay. They didn’t usually make a habit of kissing in front of other people.