The drive to the family cabin on Thanksgiving morning felt entirely different from the weeks that had come before it. The tension that had clouded over the Aldrith family had not disappeared completely, but everyone had made an unspoken agreement to set it aside for a little while. They would return to the difficult questions after the holidays. For now, they simply wanted to spend time together and remember that they were a family before they were anything else.
Azaria and her mother arrived just after midday. As soon as their car came into view through the falling snow, Valeria was already halfway out of the front door.
"They're here!" she gushed.
Lenora laughed as she watched her daughter hurry outside. "I don't think she's stood still all morning."
Dorian smiled. "I don't think she intended to."
By the time Azaria had climbed out of the car, Valeria was already wrapping her in an enthusiastic hug. "You actually came over!"
