"It''s been four years," Xavier said, his tone unhurried. "I doubt I''ve forgotten how."


    "I want to see Dad ski!" Evelyn chimed in, her eyes shining.


    "I want to see Uncle Xavier ski, too." Vivian echoed, grinning at her cousin.


    With a gentle smile, Xavier replied, "Tomorrow we''ll spend the whole day with you girls. We''ll stick to the beginner slopes."


    He nced at Vivian. "Vivian, have you ever skied before?"


    Vivian shook her head. "Not yet."


    "I have!" Evelyn piped up proudly.


    Evelyn''s attention darted instantly. "Dad, are you okay?"


    "I''m fine."n managed a reassuring smile. "Tomorrow, I''ll teach you everything I know."


    Just then, the server arrived with piping hot cheesy baked potatoes. Evelyn eyed the dish eagerly, butn gave her a gentle warning. "Take it slow, sweetheart. It''s hot."


    Eleanor''s expression was unreadable, but she carefully split the potatoes onto two tes for the girls.


    Across the table, Xavier watched the scene with soft eyes. He said to Eleanor, "I think today is the happiest Vivian''s been since we arrived."


    Eleanor understood. Thest time Vivian had called her, the girl had burst into tears mid-conversation. There were dark circles under her eyes, clear signs she hadn''t been sleeping well.


    As a mother, Eleanor did her best to look after Vivian''s feelings, just as she did her own child''s.


    After dinner, as they reached the restaurant''s entrance,n joined them on the shuttle bus, insisting on seeing Eleanor and Evelyn safely back to their vi.


    When they arrived, Xavier and Vivian headed into their own ce next door. Evelyn, holding tightly to both her parents'' hands, skipped andughed, leaving little footprints in the snow.


    At the front door, Eleanor waited for her daughter to go in. She turned back to look at the man standing behind her.


    Eleanor nodded, then stepped inside with Evelyn. As the door closed,n lingered outside, catching a glimpse through the frosty window. Eleanor shrugged off her coat and moved gracefully around the firelit living room. For a moment,n stood motionless in the falling snow, as if he''d turned to stone.


    When he finally came to, snowkes had settled on his shoulders and hair, dusting him like a statue.


    That night, Eleanor tucked Evelyn in andy beside her until they both drifted into a peaceful sleep.


    The next morning, after breakfast, their little group made its way to the ski resort. Passing through the VIP entrance, the two girls-bundled in puffy pink ski jackets -looked every bit like adorable snow angels.


    Eleanor wasn''t about to miss out on the fun. Besides, sharing the experience with her daughter was what truly mattered. She chose a vibrant red ski suit, whilen and Xavier went for ssic ck and gray.


    Fully geared up, they made their way to a gentle, open area beside the beginner slope-just right for Eleanor. A female instructor stood by her side, whilen and Xavier took charge of the girls.


    "Shift your weight a little more forward," the instructor encouraged, gently steadying Eleanor by the elbows.


    Eleanor nodded, took a deep breath, and tried gliding forward. She''d barely made


    it a few meters before her skis tangled and she pitched headlong into a drift of soft


    snow.


    "Ahh!"


    Shended with a thump, a bright ssh of red against the white.


    Both men looked over from where they were helping the girls. Seeing Eleanor sit up, cheeks flushed with embarrassment but unharmed, they couldn''t help but smile.


    Her fall had been almost endearing.


    Too far away to notice anyone''s amusement, Eleanor simply dusted herself off and got right back to practicing, undeterred.