The farmhouse windows glowed golden, soft carols drifting out into the snowy December evening. The Monroe barn was strung with fresh cedar garland and twinkling white lights, just like it was the night of Lila and Lucas Nathaniel Bradford's wedding — nearly a year ago.

Now, Christmas Eve had returned, wrapping the hills of Vermont in thick snowdrifts and warm traditions.

Inside, the scene was pure magic.

Jet wore a red scarf and sat patiently beneath the tree, guarding the wrapped gifts like a loyal Christmas elf. Claire was arranging a platter of sugar cookies shaped like airplanes and snowmen. A tiny handwritten sign sat beside them:

"Baked with Love by Aunt Claire."

At the center of it all was Avery, holding a bundled baby boy — cheeks rosy, eyes wide with wonder, wearing a "My First Christmas" onesie and a knitted aviator cap.

"Jet's trying to crawl under the tree again," Ethan said with a soft chuckle, setting two mugs of cocoa on the table.

"I think he's trying to make room for this little guy's pile of presents," Avery smiled, cradling baby Daniel Lucas Bradford, named for their late father and his uncle.

"Should've named him 'Spoiled Rotten,'" Claire joked. "You know Lila bought him seven board books and a fleece onesie shaped like a bear?"

From the porch, laughter erupted as Lila and Lucas came in brushing off snow. Lila carried a steaming pie in one hand and a wrapped gift in the other. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold and something else — a look only love and peace could give you.

"I told her not to buy the bear onesie," Lucas said, "but no one listens to the baby uncle anymore."

Lila kissed his cheek. "Because you're too busy being the softie of the family."

Claire nudged Avery. "He's already teaching Daniel to crawl toward cookies. I caught him in the act."

"Family traditions," Ethan said, raising his mug.

After dinner, they gathered at the memorial tree — still lit from the tradition they'd kept every year since they were girls.

This year, a new ornament was added — a glass globe with tiny gold wings inside, etched with:

"Baby's First Flight – Daniel Bradford, 2025."

Avery placed it carefully on a front branch, her fingers trembling slightly as the snowflakes danced around her.

"I think Mom and Dad would've loved this moment," she whispered.

"I think they're here," Lila said softly. "In the snow. In the laughter. In him." She looked down at baby Daniel, who cooed and blinked up at the lights.

Back at the farmhouse, everyone gathered for the final tradition of the night: the lanterns.

Each family member held one.

Lila and Lucas's said: "Hope"
Claire's: "Adventure"
Avery and Ethan's: "Legacy"
And little Daniel's? Lila had written it for him: "Lift Off"

They released them together, letting the soft golden light rise high into the starlit sky.

As the lanterns disappeared into the heavens, Avery looked at her sisters and smiled through tears.

"We thought we were coming home for Christmas," she said. "But we were really coming home to the rest of our lives."

The snow fell gently. The baby yawned. And in that quiet, perfect moment, everything felt right.

Because in Heartland...
❄️ Love always lands where it belongs. ❄️

💫 The End 💫