Chapter Text
The children asleep; Caro stands in the Keatings’ parlor window. Outside, snow falls against a darkness not so deep as it was during the war. In the winter stillness, church bells begin to ring the end of the service, the midnight hour -- Christmas has arrived.
In minutes there’s the muffled stomp of feet at the door, then an inrush of cold as Geordie and Cathy return. Caro turns, reaching for the whiskey and three waiting glasses. It’s here Cathy finds her moments later, unwrapping her scarf as she leans in with snow-scented kisses: “Merry Christmas, love,” she whispers. “Merry Christmas.”