Large, heavy white flakes have been falling throughout the night, and a small hand pushes the curtain aside to reveal that the world has been upholstered in three inches of white velvet. Bare feet race across the floor, a door is flung open, and sixty pounds of five-year-old land unceremoniously on the large bed. One rumpled dark head pops up immediately, and one short-fuzzed one retreats, turtle-like, beneath the covers with a sleepy complaint.

"It snowed!" The high voice is bursting with excitement, and the dark-haired man turns toward the window, a few strands of silver catching the morning light.

"Ah. So it has," he answers politely.

"Hmm. Wtt Crsmasss...." emerges from the bundle of blankets on the other side of the bed, drawing a smile from his partner.

"I think we'll let your daddy sleep a little longer," he says indulgently, dropping a kiss on the crown of the barely-visible head and swinging his feet over the edge of the bed. "Go get your coat and boots."

~~~December 24, 2009, 10:54 A.M.~~~

With a yawn and a stretch, the man in blue-and-green striped pajamas rolls out of bed. Shrugging on a robe, he wanders out into the kitchen to be greeted by two rosy faces.

"Morning, Daddy. Dad made cocoa, you want some?"

"Morning, sweetie. That sounds great." He turns to accept the mug and a kiss from his partner. "Thanks, Benny."

Jumping from her chair, his daughter tugs at his hand. "Come see what we made!"

He follows, sipping at his hot chocolate. Ben has stirred in a spoonful of instant coffee, and a few small marshmallows melt at its surface. He reaches the window, and wiping away the condensation, he looks out. The snow is thick and sparkling, and there on the front lawn, it has been decorated by a pair of snow angels, one large and one small.