A week had passed since that chaotic night, and Angelina had finally learned the ropes of managing Peter. Well, almost. She still found herself wrestling with the complicated snaps of his winter snowsuit, missed a diaper change once or twice, and the formula occasionally turned out either scalding hot or freezing cold. But Peter seemed perfectly content, cooing his little baby thoughts to himself. Even the visiting nurse praised the young woman during her rounds, assuring her she was doing a fantastic job. The Child Protective Services inspectors had also been satisfied during their last visit. As they were heading out, the senior officer—the stern, dry man with the clipboard—lingered on the threshold. “We know you weren't prepared for any of this, but rules are rules,” he said, his tone softening just a fraction. “Believe it or not, we’re just doing our jobs. We’ll need to stop by one more time after the holidays.” Angelina nodded, though her heart skipped a nervous beat. Another inspection. Still, she resolved to push the anxiety away for now. Right now, it was the holiday season. Maksim came over every single day. Sometimes he claimed it was to drop off paperwork, other times he would say he just “happened to be driving by.” But after about four days, he stopped looking for excuses altogether. The doorbell would ring, and Angelina would open it without a second thought, already knowing exactly who was on the other side. That morning, she was busy with Peter in the kitchen when the familiar ring echoed through the apartment. She opened the door to find Maksim standing on the landing, and right behind him loomed something massive, green, and pine-scented. “I decided it just didn’t feel right leaving you without some holiday cheer,” he said with a slight smile. Angelina froze, her eyes locked onto the tree. “Maksim... a tree? Oh my goodness, a real tree!” She scooped Peter up in her arms and brought him closer to the doorway. “Look, Peter! Officer Maksim brought us a real tree!” Maksim was already hauling it into the hallway. It was modest, about five feet tall, thick, and smelling heavily of fresh pine needles and winter forests. Angelina took a deep breath of the scent, and a wave of pure, domestic comfort washed over her. “Not just a tree,” Maksim added, gesturing to a plastic shopping bag in his other hand. “I’ve got ornaments and string lights, too. Now, are you going to let me in, or am I supposed to stand out here all day?” “Of course, come on in,” she said, stepping aside. As she did, she caught sight of Aunt Zina’s judgmental glare from the stairwell. The elderly neighbor was standing on the landing above, pursing her lips tightly, looking as though she were mentally recording another entry into her imaginary journal titled Everything I Know About the Girl in Number Sixteen. Angelina gave her a cheerful wave anyway. “Good morning, Aunt Zina!” “Morning,” the old woman muttered, promptly disappearing behind her own door. Angelina couldn't help but smile. She was past the point of caring about the neighborhood gossip. Closing the door, she walked into the living room, where Maksim was already setting up the tree in the corner. The room instantly filled with the fragrance of fresh pine and a cozy holiday spirit. Peter cooed, reaching his tiny hands toward the green branches and nearly squirming out of Angelina’s arms. “That's right, little guy, we're going to decorate the place now,” Maksim laughed, deftly untangling a strand of fairy lights from the bag. “But your Aunt Angelina gets to call the shots. Where are we hanging these?” Angelina sat on the sofa, settling Peter onto a blanket beside her. He immediately wrapped his tiny fingers around her hand and flashed a grin so wide and effortlessly joyful that her heart twinged with tenderness. “I forgot that a real tree could smell so... magical,” she said softly. “What did you expect? A plastic one?” Maksim teased, unraveling the green wires. “Honestly, I wasn't planning on having a tree at all. I figured I’d just sit alone with Peter, watch television, and eat clementines.” “Well, you're not alone anymore,” Maksim said simply, looking up to meet her eyes. For a brief second, their gazes locked. Angelina looked away, feeling a sudden warmth creeping up her cheeks. She stood up quickly and walked over to the box of ornaments, sorting through them—vibrant, colorful bulbs, a few delicate snowflakes, and a small angel with golden wings. Everything was brand new. “Maksim... did you buy all of this?” “Who else? You?” he grinned. “I figured you didn't have anything here, and a holiday should feel like a holiday.” “Thank you,” she said quietly, her voice barely a whisper. “Seriously. You even thought ahead and got plastic ornaments so Peter won't break them. How can I ever thank you?” Maksim looked at her, his expression softening with genuine warmth. They set to work decorating the branches. Maksim stood on a kitchen stool to reach the very top of the lush pine, while Angelina handed him the ornaments one by one. Peter lay on his blanket, his head tilting back and forth as he tracked their movements, letting out happy little babbles and giggles. “Hey, why don't we make the tree-topper ourselves?” Angelina suggested. “Do you happen to have any paper and glue?” “You’re asking the wrong guy,” Maksim laughed. “I'm a cop. The only things I carry on me are handcuffs and citation pads. But I can run down to the store if you want.” “No need. I'll make one out of tin foil. I bought some holiday foil with a snowflake pattern, thinking I'd bake some fish for a nice holiday dinner. It's just been sitting in the drawer.” She scurried off to the kitchen, carefully cut a star out of the foil, and brought it back. “Here,” she said, handing it to him. Maksim looked up from Peter, who was currently balancing on his lap. “Simple, but it has that homemade charm,” Maksim approved, placing the silver star onto the topmost branch. “Peter, did you see that? Your aunt is a jack of all trades.” Peter responded with a loud hiccup and stuffed his fist back into his mouth. “Good boy,” Angelina smiled, gently patting Peter’s head. By the time they finished, darkness had settled outside. Snow continued to drift past the window, while the room glowed with the warm, golden light of the garland. Angelina took a step back, admiring their handiwork. “It's beautiful,” she breathed.Item on the tree glowed softly. “I've never had such a gorgeous tree in my life. At home, we always put up a tiny one. And my dad always insisted on using this one specific ornament—a vintage red one. It used to belong to his mother...” She trailed off, a sudden wave of homesickness hitting her as she thought of her family. “Have you called them today?” Maksim asked gently. “Yes. Mom said there are absolutely no tickets left. Nothing. No trains, no flights. Everything is completely booked solid until January third.” “So... you're spending New Year's Eve alone?” Angelina paused. Then she lifted her eyes to meet his. “Well, I have Peter... and you're here too.” Maksim smiled, and there was something incredibly warm, almost tender, in his expression. “Right. I'm here.” Angelina walked over to Peter and scooped him into her arms. His eyelids were growing heavy, completely exhausted from all the excitement. “I keep wondering,” she said quietly, staring at the glowing tree. “What if his biological parents are found? I won't be able to keep him. And I've already grown so attached.” “I know,” Maksim said, taking a step closer. “Actually, there is something I should tell you. We have a lead. The street cameras caught a woman with a stroller approaching your building that night. But that's all we have for now. Don't get your hopes up too high, but we are actively looking.” Angelina nodded. Somewhere deep down, she wanted his parents to be found, wanted Peter to know where he came from. But another part of her—the part that had already fallen completely in love with him—was terrified of the day he would leave. “Let's not talk about that tonight,” she whispered. “It’s the holidays. Well, technically it's only December thirtieth, but still... I just don't want to think about it.” Maksim nodded. After a brief silence, he asked, “So, I'll see you tomorrow then? If that's alright with you.” “It's alright,” Angelina replied. Дополнительно, сердце забилось быстрее. Later that evening, after Maksim had left and Peter was sound asleep in his crib, Angelina started a video call with her parents. “How are you holding up, sweetie?” her mother asked from the screen. “I'm doing well, actually managing. Look, I have a tree and fairy lights on the window, just like I always dreamed of.” “Wow! Where did all that luxury come from?” “Mom, Dad... I should have told you earlier. But I'm not doing this alone.” “Oh?” “Well, the police officer who's handling Peter’s case... he's been helping me out. He's the one who assembled the crib. He helps around the apartment, and he watches Peter. When I had to go to campus to take my final test, Peter stayed with him.” “Are you going to introduce us?” “Absolutely. And tomorrow, we decided to celebrate New Year's Eve together.” “Hold on, where did the tree come from then?” her mother smirked. “Maksim brought it.” “Ah, so his name is Maksim.” “Yeah.” “Well, you know, we really are happy for you, honey. It's good that you have some support Caps,” her father chimed in. “But I have one request: don't go crazy drinking tomorrow, and don't do anything reckless!” “Oh, Dad...” “Your father is right, sweetie,” her mother agreed. “Oh, Mom... you both know me. I don't drink and I don't do reckless things. Just come as soon as you can, I want you to meet Maksim.”