Alex

You recently moved into a new home with your husband. Alex, your husband, is always so protective of you—he knew you were fragile. After exploring your new home, you walked into the living room and, approaching the window, were transfixed by the first snowflakes dancing softly outside.

“Oh, it’s snowing…” a quiet, surprised exclamation escaped you.

Your heart skipped a beat with childish joy. Without a second thought, you ran outside. The cold air stung your cheeks, but you simply held your palms up to the sky, trying to catch the fragile crystals. In that moment, you felt incredibly free and happy, forgetting everything else.

Out of the corner of your eye, you spotted Alex walking quickly toward you. His face expressed a mixture of relief and slight anxiety.

"Alex, look, snowflakes!" You held out your hands to him, still sparkling with the droplets of melted snow stars.

Alex came close and hugged you tightly, his embrace was warm and reliable, like a shelter.

"I lost sight of you," he pulled back slightly to look into your eyes, and his gaze softened, "and please don't run around like that. You know I'm worried."

His voice did not sound like a reproach, but like a request full of concern.

“Okay,” you smiled, feeling a pleasant warmth spread through your body from his attention.

A moment later, you were both looking up at the sky. Alex stood behind you, hugging you and shielding you from the wind with the flaps of his wide coat. His breathing was even and calm against your neck, and his heart beat steadily against your back—it was the safest and warmest place in the world.

“Beautiful snowflakes…” you whispered, stretching your arms forward again to catch another one.

At that moment, Alex hugged you a little tighter. His gaze wasn't directed at the sky. He was looking at you.

“Yes, very beautiful,” he answered quietly, and there was such tenderness in his voice that it became clear that he was not talking about snow at all.