"It's beautiful"

This was all that the children could say at the sight of the Christmas tree. Tall, pretty, green...like taken right out of a movie, and decorated beautifully by the whole family. Bright balls of yellow, red, gold and silver, bows, butterflies, angels, pretty rope-like things snaking across he branches...

Something one wouldn't doubt to be a work of God himself. A little bright blessing for the child now looking at it, one hand given to mother, other to father.

A feast of color against the dark night seem through the window. A warmth, so gentle and kind, against the sheer cold of the snow falling outside.

Contrast, dichotomy and happiness.

For a moment, the boy's mind was calmed. No chaos as the children appreciated the beauty they had helped creating.

"Maybe God hasn't completely forsaken us..." Judas whispered out. For once, Eve had to agree. "Perhaps salvation is possible. Even for you."

Maggy rolled her eyes a bit, but smiled. This was a nice, nice night... even Isaac wasn't as annoying as always for the girl! Even Cain stopped his games to watch...

"...Thank you". Was the sole thing Samson said, too, making even Isaac himself widen eyes a big and the other children, gasp , even if still not going anywhere near the strong, reckless one.

Mary and Richard were both smiling softly and the woman soon patted Isaac's back.

"Go open your gifts sweetie!" She cheered.

He'd have said something, but it was as all the children pushed him to open the two packets labeled as his under the tree. Little hands fought against wrapping, eager to see what was inside the first gift...

A box of a toy helicopter! His eyes shined in excitement.

"So we can go out in the garden and play together," Richard said. "What do you think?"

"W-would be the best!"

Was his response, even if his hands were already opened the second one. This was fluffy...almost amorphous... and when he did manage to open it...

The biggest teddy bear he had ever seem. Mary couldn't help but to giggle a bit at his excited gasp and hug of the fluffy creature. Not even Judas could disagree to this being the best gift ever.

Eventually, he stood up.

It was...a wave of hope. A warm, soft feeling, like golden light infiltrating his whole being. This was a Christmas. A sacred holiday that for the first time in years, he did not spend locked away.

He would no longer be rotting alone, plagued by pain and disease... He had a new family. He had people that loved him, people that cared enough to give him gifts and cover him is care no matter how broken he was.

He could heal.

He could grow up, fight the memories, become... wholesome again. He could get his childhood back, here, now and this was the utter proof of so.

He ran to his parents, hugging them both.

He was crying in happiness... soon, they were both on their knees, in a soothing family hug.

"Shhh...It's alright sweetie. We love you." Mary's voice whispered. "You are the most precious person to us. You deserve the best "said, this time, Richard's voice.

Soft words, warm words, good words...

And among them all.

"Merry Christmas, dear."

A single fly landed on top of the star of the Christmas tree.

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Oh heavens, I can't believe I did it! A long fic that sadly, comes to an end here. It's been really nice to write, even if I lost interest now.

Thank you so much for your support!

Happy Holidays!

-A moth