From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea )

On Christmas Eve, Anthea returned to Carole's side, marking their first holiday season together since the reunion. Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

Though the household was small, just the three of them, the festive spirit was palpable.

Early in the morning, Carole got up to start preparing the feast for the night's celebration. Meanwhile, Nanson went out to gather some holiday decorations.

Anthea, returning from her morning jog, saw Nanson crouched in the front yard, stringing up fairy lights around the garden. Electronic firecrackers, tiny lanterns...

"Uncle, let me give you a hand," Anthea said, rolling up her sleeves and walking over to Nanson.

Nanson chuckled, "You think you can handle this kind of work, kiddo? Why don't you go inside and wash up? Breakfast's almost ready."

"Uncle, are you underestimating me?" Anthea raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Why don't you give it a try then?" Nanson handed her the string of lights.

Anthea took them and began carefully attaching them to the line, not even flinching at the sight of the exposed copper wires.

"Look at you go!" Nanson was genuinely surprised.

Anthea dusted off her hands, "What did you expect? I learned from my Uncle after all!"

Nanson couldn't help but beam with pride.

"Annie! Time to call your uncle in for breakfast!" Carole's voice called from inside.

"Got it!" Anthea responded, "Uncle, let's head back in for some food."

Nanson nodded in agreement.

While they enjoyed their cozy family moment, the Lindsay family, miles away, was in a less cheery state.

At the dinner table, Janet spoke up while watching Jonah and Gerard eat, "I'm thinking of inviting Edna and Darleen over for dinner tonight."

Although Janet had five sons, the other four lived at a distance and would only bring their families to visit the day after Christmas.

This meant that every year, it was just the three of them in the house, which lacked any real holiday cheer. Both Jonah and Gerard were of a reserved nature, which didn't help the atmosphere.

Janet hoped to bring some warmth into the home by having Edna and her daughter Darleen join them.

"That's not proper," Jonah put down his fork.

"What's improper about it?" Janet frowned.

"They are still outsiders," Jonah said, his brow furrowing.

Janet set down her fork, "And if you were to remarry, wouldn't your wife be an outsider?"

"That's why," Jonah’s face remained expressionless, "I have no plans to remarry."

Janet's face darkened, "It's the holidays! Are you arguing with me?"

Jonah remained silent, as did Gerard. The silence from the father and son was palpable.

Janet's thoughts drifted to Darleen, who would have surely tried to reason with Jonah. Darleen was a sweet and sensible girl, raised well by her mother Edna. Janet couldn't help but think of the difference a mother's presence made. Carole might have never taken her motherly duties seriously, and Gerard still seemed to hold her in his heart.

The ringtone of a phone call broke the silence. Gerard walked into the living room to answer.

It was Healy on the line.

"Hello, Gerard."

"Go ahead."

"The candy wrapper you asked about, turns out it's from Cloudcrest. If it's something your mother left behind, she might be in Cloudcrest now."