After Jasmine spoke, she noticed the othernterns were just as lovely and charming. Holding her rabbitntern, she began browsing for another one.


    Charlene remained silent, simply apanying Jasmine as she picked through thenterns. Spotting a restroom nearby, she turned to Thorne. "Keep an eye on Minnie. I''m just going to use the restroom."


    "Alright," Thorne replied.


    Once Charlene had walked away, Thorne watched Jasmine, who waspletely mesmerized by the array ofnterns. He smoothed her hair and said, "If you can''t decide, why don''t you call Daisy and get her opinion?"


    Jasmine''s eyes lit up; she had almost forgotten to video call Daisy. At Thorne''s reminder, she immediately grabbed her phone and ced a video call.


    For the past year, Daisy had been living mostly with her grandparents. She and Jasmine kept in touch asionally, and while it wasn''t frequent, their friendship remained strong. Daisy''s grandparents were always delighted that she had such a good friend, so they happily weed Jasmine''s calls.


    This time was no different. Seeing Jasmine''s name on the screen, Daisy''s grandmother quickly handed the phone to her.


    "Minnie, Merry Christmas!" Daisy eximed, thrilled to see her friend calling.


    "Merry Christmas!" Jasmine replied, holding up her smallntern for the camera. "Look what I''ve got!"


    "Wow, a rabbitntern! And there are so many others! They''re beautiful!" Daisy''s eyes filled with envy as she took in the bustling, festive market behind Jasmine. "Minnie, are you guys out somewhere fun?"


    "Yeah, with my mom and dad."


    Jasmine then angled the phone toward Thorne, who leaned in to greet her friend. "Merry Christmas, Daisy."


    "Merry Christmas, Mr. Henderson!"


    Jasmine wanted to introduce Charlene as well, but since she wasn''t there, she just said, "My mom went to the restroom. I''ll have you two say hi when she gets back."


    "Okay!"


    They chatted for a little while longer until one of Daisy''s rtives came to get her, forcing them to end the call abruptly. After hanging up, Jasmine continued to wander atquad. By the time Charlene returned a few momentster, Jasmine had forgotten all about introducing her to Daisy, her attention already captured by something else.


    "Mom, let''s go over there," she said, pulling on Charlene''s hand. "Alright," Charlene agreed.


    Jasmine led the way with Charlene, Thorne following close behind. They spent the next two or three hours exploring the market. Despite her high energy, Jasmine was still just child. Shed been running on pure excitement for hours, but by ten, her eyelids were getting heavy.


    When Jasmine started to droop, Thorne simply bent and lifted her into his arms. "If you''re tired, let''s go home. We can alwayse back another time if you want to."


    Nestled in his embrace, Jasmine yawned and nodded. "Okay."


    Charlene and Thorne''s main


    and T


    purpose for the evening was to


    spend time with Jasmine, not


    necessarily to join the public


    festivities. Seeing that Jasmine was


    tired, Charlene also wanted her to early. Before she could


    getto


    say anything, however, Jasmine tugged on her sleeve from Thorne''s


    arms and looked at her. "Mom, you have time toe home with us tonight, right?"


    She let out another yawn, rubbing her eyes wearily. "Even if you have to cook for Grandma tomorrow, you can just go back to Great-Grandma''s house after you wake up in the morning, right?"