Chapter 11: "Under the Winter Sky"

The Yuletide season came, and with it, Seattle turned into a city covered with snow. Snowfall in the city was thick and untouched, making the noise of the big city subsist and giving the surroundings a fairytale look. Christmas lights shone along the pavements, the reflections of which played on the snow. The air was clear and fresh, and it had a sharpness to the scent of pines, cinnamon, and chimney smoke in the distance. Taylor’s apartment, which was on a high rise, had an environment that was a reflection of the celebrations going on outside. She had dressed each corner to the occasion—on a beautifully lit Christmas tree standing by the window, along the walls hung beautifully placed garlands, and the sweet smell of vanilla and spices from the lit candles. Nonetheless, Taylor felt cheered up, but at the same time, she had a feeling of both expectation and anxiety. Alex was supposed to come in the next couple of days, and she was going to make sure that their meeting was perfect.