#Chapter 246: Pictures with Santa

Abby “Shall we?” Karl asks, nodding his head toward the sidewalk. I nod, and follow him away from the shop, away from the little shoes that warm my heart and break it at the same time. Our feet continue to carry us along the bustling streets of the holiday market, the scent of hot apple cider still wafting through the air. The sight of those adorable little shoes in the shop window and the sad implications behind them still lingers in the back of my head, but I try to focus instead on the festive atmosphere and the taste of the hot apple cider on my tongue. Karl must sense my quiet contemplation because he nudges me gently with his elbow as we walk. “Hey, you seem lost in thought. Something on your mind?” I offer a small smile, appreciating his concern but not wanting to share my true thoughts: thoughts that maybe, just maybe, I do wish we could have had a baby together, even to this day. “I’m fine,” I say, holding up my cup of hot apple cider. “Just enjoying the walk.”